Pozo/ La Panza OHV Management Plan

Los Padres National Forest

Santa Lucia Ranger District

Sept 2013

POZO / LA PANZA OHV MANAGEMENT PLAN

PART I – BACKGROUND

  • Introduction
  • Purpose of the Plan
  • Location and Setting
  • Vicinity Map

PART II – MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

  • Vision
  • Mission
  • Existing Conditions
  • Desired Conditions
  • Goals
  • Trail Maintenance
  • Restoration
  • Sign Plan
  • Volunteerism/ Partnerships
  • Education/Interpretation
  • Wet Weather Gate Management
  • Mixed Use
  • Management Constraints and Considerations
  • Fire Prevention
  • Target Shooting
  • Enforcement
  • Fees
  • Environmental Consequences
  • NEPA
  • Grants

PART III – IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

  • Trail System Program Management
  • Trail System
  • Trail System Facilities
  • Cost Estimates

PART IV – MONITORING PLAN

•Trail Management Objective(TMO)

•Trail Assessment and Condition Survey(TRACS)

•Habitat Management Program(HMP)

APPENDIX AOHV Trails Programmatic Biological Assessment 2012/ Trail Maintenance Levels and Design Standards

APPENDIX BTRACS Survey Spreadsheet

APPENDIX CWet Weather Gate Closure Plan

APPENDIX D Sign Inventory

APPENDIX F Additional References

Part I-Background

Introduction

The Pozo / La Panza place is identified in the 2005 Los Padres Land Management Plan (LMP), as a vast rolling chaparral landscape including a motorized recreation network supporting dispersed recreation activities, grazing areas for wild horses and livestock, and private in holdings in a remote part San Luis Obispo County.[1] Program Emphasis described for the area in the LMP includes OHV use and dispersed recreational opportunity while resolving conflicts with other important resources.[2]

The Pozo / La Panza Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area multi-use trail system includes routes designated for motorcycles, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), and 4X4s as well as mountain bike, hiking and horse trails. The views of the coastline and the Sierra Mountains on clear days from the higher peaks such as Pozo Summit (elevation 2635 ft) and Black Mountain (elevation 3622 ft.) draw locals and visitor from as far as the San Joaquin Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The present trail system developed over time from casual use of the trail system that existed when the National Forest was established at the turn of the century. The system expanded over time though public use of fire lines, fuel breaks, mining and power line roads, and other paths. The system was not designed to accommodate the level and type of recreation uses which began to emerge in the 1950’s, particularly off-highway vehicles.[3]

In 1962 a study evaluated what restrictions were needed on off-highway vehicle use in Los Padres. After meeting with interest groups and individuals the Forest recommended, in 1964, that no use restrictions be placed on National Forest Lands within San Luis Obispo County. Eight years later, in response to an increase in off-highway use nationwide, President Nixon signed executive order 11644 establishing policies and procedures to ensure controlled use and protection of natural resources. In 1973 the Regional Forester, in response to the President’s direction, declared a moratorium on cross-country off-highway vehicle use throughout California pending completion of individual National Forest off –highway vehicle plans. [4]

The Santa Lucia Ranger District (SLRD) Off-Highway Vehicle Plan was completed in 1974 by District Ranger W.R. Griffin.[5] This SLRD OHV Plan was developed with extensive input from the Central Coast Trail Riders Association[6]. The SLRD plan was incorporated into the 1976 Forest-wide Off-Highway Vehicle Management Plan. The 1976 Plan was accompanied by an environmental analysis that evaluated past off-highway vehicle management and discussed effects on forest resources. The plan designated specific areas, roads, and trails available for use by motorized vehicles.

The A National Forest Trail System Plan Draft was developed in 1993 but was never published. This comprehensive document identified many of the resources issues, conflict of uses, and the lack of connectivity of the trail system that still exist today.

Although much of the original 1976 route system remains today there have been periodic changes to the system, including closure and decommissioning of routes with unacceptable impacts, rerouting of problem sections, and limited “designed for” new construction of motorized trails.

An additional review of the SLRD trail system was conducted by the Forest Service during implementation of the Travel Management Rule in 2007. A complete inventory of all off-highway routes on California’s National Forests was recorded between 2006 and 2008 using GPS methodology. Funded by the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, the route inventory included all non-system routes such as user created off-highway vehicle trails. These routes were subsequently analyzed for possible addition to the national Forest Transportation System. Routes with unacceptable impacts to resources were closed to public use. A Motor Vehicle Use Map was published that shows roads, areas, and trails that are open to public motor vehicle use by vehicle class and season of use. Because the SLRD had a designated system of National Forest roads and trails no changes were made to the SLRD transportation system during implementation of Travel Management. The SLRD transportation system also provides essential access to a wide variety of non-motorized recreation including wilderness trails heads (Machesna Wilderness, Santa Lucia Wilderness), hiking trails (Wilson Canyon), mountain biking (Fernandez trail and other forest roads and trails). The transportation system provides access for hunters who use quads for game retrieval and Forest visitors who come for popular activities such as wildlife viewing, camping, picnicking, and driving for pleasure.

The Rock Front, La Brea, and Figueroa Mountain areas of the Santa Lucia Ranger District also provide an important system of Forest roads and trails designated for OHV use. These areas are managed with the assistance of volunteer groups from Santa Maria and Northern Santa Barbara County. Because these areas are geographically separate from the Pozo La Panza area they are not specifically addressed by this plan, however they are no less important and many of the same findings and principles of management apply to these areas. With time, these areas should be included as part of a comprehensive Santa Lucia Ranger District OHV Plan.

Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of this plan is to establish the baseline and goals for managing the Pozo / La Panza OHV area. Continued availability of the area for public use is dependent on the presence of organized volunteers working together with the Forest Service and fellow users. Effective management that includes Resource protection will ensure the area remains available for future generations. This plan will identify those areas needing improvement and the groups that have the ability to make those changes. This plan will develop management strategies to protect resources, involve partners, and invest in recreational opportunities.

Location

The Pozo / La Panza area is located on the north side of the Santa Lucia Ranger District. This 18,867-acre area has approximately 43 miles of routes. It extends from the Machesna Mountain Wilderness area on the southern end to the Black Mountain Wild Horse Territory to the north. Included in this plan are the Garcia OHV Trail, Hi Mountain Lookout Road, Turkey Flat Staging Area, La Panza and Friis Campgrounds, and the Navajo Flat Staging Area / Campground that is currently undergoing improvement. .

Visitor Use Statistics:

We estimate that the Navajo Flats staging area receives, at a minimum, 5000 and 7500 visits per year. This is based on traffic counter data collected by the Forest Service. Trail traffic counter data recorded during 2009 revealed that Burnout trail, which originates from the Navajo Flats Staging area, received approximately 10,000 trips. Red Hill Road, which provides access to the Navajo Flats staging area, received over 14,000 trips. [7] 14% of “walk in” inquiries at the Forest Service office in Santa Maria were OHV related[8].

National Forest Visitor Use (NVUM) data was collected for Los Padres National Forest in 2009. Results are attached and can be verified by using the interactive web site found here: The Survey reports approximately 50 vehicles per day at the Turkey Flats staging area on the two days surveyed.[9] Turkey Flats is a second staging area for the Pozo La Panza OHV area. NVUM survey data is not available for Navajo Flats.

OHV recreation is popular in San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo OHV Registrations (green sticker) totaled 7,027 for a population of 253,600 (California Fuel Tax Study, 2006).[10] OHV recreation is popular in the Western States. 17.6 % of the population over age 16 has participated in OHV use. 12% of population is 16 or older. [11] (Cordell et al., 2008.)

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Part II-Management Strategy

Vision

To provide a place for recreation to co-exist with responsible land management by maintaining an OHV trail system that allows riders to enjoy their experience and challenge themselves while promoting “Tread Lightly” ethics and protecting sensitive resources.

Mission

Improve cooperation between the Forest Service and the users to cultivate alliances for management of the area. Improve OHV trails and facilities while emphasizing safety and resource protection.

Existing Condition

Many routes on the present system were established through years of mining, range use, utility access and fire line construction that evolved into an OHV trail system. Ridge and fall-line trails follow dozer lines from past fire line construction. Erosion on some trails left scars several feet deep on hillsides requiring re-routing or placing bricks to harden the surface. A mix of single track trails, roads, and 4X4 routes make it difficult for riders to safely and legally connect to certain trails.

Desired Condition

The Pozo / La Panza OHV area is a natural appearing landscape that functions as an open space and motorized recreation area that requires advanced skill levels. Healthy watersheds are maintained by managing the OHV system.[12] The route system provides access to non-motorized recreational uses such as hunting, mountain biking, camping, hiking, horseback riding, nature viewing, recreational mining, target shooting, and the running of hounds. Effective management of the route system minimizes impacts to natural and cultural resources and resolves conflicts.

The management strategy reflected in this plan desires a well maintained system that combines motorized recreation with non-motorized recreation and preserves and protects resources. As to the motorized recreation, it is desired to improve trail connectivity, trial looping characteristics and sustainable trail designs. [bw2]

Goals

Trail Maintenance

Trail maintenance of the off-highway vehicle trails system in the Pozo/ La Panza area is presently accomplished through a cooperative agreement between the Forest Service and the Central Coast Motorcycle Association (CCMA). The CCMA has a large work force of volunteers who commit significant resources toward maintenance of the trail system. CCMA has recently received state and local grants and has utilized these funds to accomplish many projects on the Los Padres National Forest.

All trail maintenance tasks will follow standards listed on Trail Management Objectives (TMOs) for each trail. The levels of maintenance are included in Appendix X.

Restoration

Restoration is a critical activity that protects sensitive resources such as riparian areas, cultural areas, sensitive habitats, and watersheds. Restoration will be accomplished on trail sections that have been re-routed and where trespass has occurred on and off the trail system. Restoration of OHV areas can be difficult because of the remote locations and continued use of closed routes. The keys to effective restoration efforts include: 1. Making the route invisible; 2. Effectively barricade the site; 3. Make it obvious that restoration is taking place; 4. Make the site impossible or highly undesirable to ride.[13]

The Red Hill Pipe Fence restoration project was completed in 2012 to protect cultural sites and the Camatta Canyon Amole. Continued monitoring is necessary to ensure that sensitive resources are being protected and barriers are working as effective tools in the restoration process.

The Friis Meadow restoration project is in its final year of completion. Vehicle traffic around the camping area has reduced vegetation adjacent to the creek. A horse step and gate have been installed to restrict motorized access to the Black Mountain Roadless Area, where unauthorized use still occasionally occurs on the the decommissioned Black Widow Mine trail.

An open area north of Turkey Flat Staging Area, also referred to as “Turkey Flat II,” will need action taken to prevent resource damage from continuing in the area. This has long been a popular staging and dispersed camping area that has recently experienced increased use. This location is a place where a designated system trail crosses the paved road. Installing fencing and other measures to control traffic and designate camping and parking areas will reduce continued damage and help protect the riparian area.

The narrowing of Red Hill Road is a proposal that will be coordinated with the Ecosystems and Engineering Department of the Forest Service. This road accesses Pozo / La Panza from the north off Highway 58 by users and landowners. An approximately one eighth mile section of the road bed has been widened to nearly 100 feet to limits established by existing pipe fence by users attempting to avoid potholes and ruts. The topography of the area does not allow adequate drainage of the roadbed during the wet season. Puddling and unfavorable soil type along this section of Red Hill Road needs to be addressed with corrective measures. Widening of the road has the potential to disturb adjacent, Camatta Canyon Amole habitat. Constructing a solid road surface with adequate drainage will provide users and residences with improved access. This project will have the added benefit of providing additional habitat for Camatta Canyon Amole

Sign Plan

Signs on OHV trails follow the engineering guidelines in EM-7100-15—Standards for Forest Service Signs and Posters. Trail and road signs provide a clear and concise guide for users to navigate to trails that accommodate their level of skill. Common trail names and difficulty levels are used to allow for easy navigation. Mixed used sections on roads identify areas that are open for vehicles and OHVs which state, “Share the Road.” Signs also indicate which roads are limited to highway licensed vehicles only. Temporary signs for closures identify the areas closed for access and explain the reason for the closure. Closure signs should be removed as soon as possible when conditions allow. If any closures are in effect, the forest website will provide additional information for the public to view. A sign inventory is included in Appendix X.

Volunteerism/ Partnerships

With a declining federal budget recreational activities on National Forests have become increasingly difficult to provide. Vacant Forest Service staff positions can be difficult to fill and funding for supplies is becoming scarce. Volunteers are a key component of any plan to maintain and improve areas on the Forest. Strong partnerships need to be built with user groups to ensure the future of the Forest Developed Recreation programs and OHV trail systems. The Los Padres National Forest has multiple volunteer agreements with individuals and groups that assist with maintaining areas that may not receive as much attention as needed. Volunteer groups that presently have volunteer agreements with the District include the CCMA, the Santa Maria Four Wheelers, the SLO Four Wheelers and the Cal Poly Penguins Motorcycle Club.

Education/Interpretation

The Forest has applied for and received funds to promote safe and smart riding and ethical responsibilities of OHV users. This included offering “Orientation Rides” which were part of permitted special use recreation events where booths of educational information was handed out to kids and adults. Community events, such as fairs, parades, and schools events were attended by Forest Service staff and volunteers. Funding was used to update and print the Motorized Vehicle Opportunity Guide (MVOG), which includes all the OHV trails that are designated to ride, as well as other recreation features in the area. Interpretive signs have also been purchased for Navajo Flat and Turkey Flat Staging Areas which will include information about the ecosystem, Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace ethics, as well as an OHV trail map of the area. The “One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire” campaign seeks to educate forest visitors on hazards like parking in deep grass, dragging chains, and the use of spark arrestors to reduce the number of forest fires. Forest Service staff and volunteers continue to make public contact on the forest to educate as many users as possible of proper riding and their role in keeping this area open to everyone to use.