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NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service Angeles National Forest
Date: December 23, 2005
Contact: Kathy Peterson (626) 574-5208
www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles
ARCADIA, Calif.
- In order to protect critical habitat of the mountain yellow-legged
frog, the U.S. Forest Service will temporarily limit access
to approximately 1,000 acres in the area north of the Angeles
Crest Highway (SR 2) in the vicinity of Cooper Canyon beginning
Tuesday, December 27, 2005. This includes Williamson Rock,
an area frequented by rock climbers.
At the request
of the Angeles National Forest, the California Department
of Transportation (Caltrans) will lock the gate at Cedar Springs
(near milepost 62 on SR 2), east of the turn-off to Buckhorn
Campground and west of the tunnels. Access to Eagles Roost
Picnic Area will be walk-in only.
This effort allows
the U.S. Forest Service to follow the guidelines for protecting
the habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, an endangered
species. Specifically, a Biological Assessment will be undertaken
to analyze the effects of human activities (including recreation)
within the area which was designated as critical habitat by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service per the Endangered Species
Act.
The Angeles Crest
Highway, which is administered by Caltrans, has been closed
to through traffic (connecting Wrightwood) since the fall
of 2004, due to storm damage. By assisting the Forest Service
with restricting use of the highway, an additional mile and
a half of the road will be added to the normal seasonal closure.
A portion of the
Pacific Crest Trail lies within the impacted area. Hikers
can take a detour around the area by departing the trail (northbound)
at Eagles Roost and taking the highway to Cloudburst Summit,
a distance of 4.5 miles. The U.S. Forest Service has also
been meeting with members of the rock climbing community to
work on a proposal that may allow climbing to eventually continue
at Williamson Rock.
"We look forward
to working with these groups," said Angeles National Forest
Supervisor Jody Noiron. "Hopefully, we can arrive at a solution
that can allow the recreational activities to continue while
conserving the frog habitat. Both are part of our mission."
For more information,
please contact District Ranger Cid Morgan, at 661-296-9710
or visit the Angeles National Forest Website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/projects.
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