The U.S. Forest Service has issued a draft amendment to its Los Padres National Forest management plan that proposes rezoning 293,000 acres from Back Country and Back Country Motorized Use Restricted to Back Country Non-Motorized. While the proposed designation would afford more protections for the area’s natural habitats and ecosystems, environmental groups argue it doesn’t do enough and that the Forest Service should have mandated a stricter Wilderness designation. Public comments can be submitted to www.fs.fed.us.
