The newly discovered presence of endangered California red-legged frogs and arroyo toads along Agua Caliente Creek in Los Padres National Forest has prompted the closure of Romero Camuesa Road at Divide Peak to all motorized vehicles.
The closure, which is scheduled to remain in effect until August 7, 2013, restricts vehicular access to Rock Camp, Middle Santa Ynez, P-Bar Flats, Mono campgrounds, and the Big Caliente Day Use Area, according to a U.S. Forest Service press release. In April, the Forest Service had closed Romero Camuesa Road from the west crossing to where the it ends near Mono Campground.
“We’re expanding the original closure order to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect these endangered species from further impact,” said Santa Barbara District Ranger John Smith in a prepared statement. “We’ll continue to monitor the stream crossing and, if future biological surveys indicate a reduced presence of these species, we’ll re-open the road to vehicles.”