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LITTLEROCK CREEK CLOSURE
ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST: January 22, 1999
701 N. Santa Anita Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Littlerock Creek Closure
On January 25, 1999, the Angeles National Forest will expand the seasonal
closure of Littlerock Creek from Joshua Tree Campground to Sulphur Springs
Campground. The expanded boundaries will close Basin Campground in Littlerock
Recreation Area, Alimony Ridge OHV Route and approximately 2 1/2 miles of
Santiago Canyon above its confluence with Littlerock Creek, prohibiting
access year-round to approximately 3,000 acres.
For the past three years the Angeles National Forest has closed portions of
Littlerock Creek from spring until the end of September in an effort to
protect the habitat for known populations of the endangered Arroyo
southwestern toad (Bufo microscaphus californicus) and other aquatic species.
This closure was a result of species protection measures implemented to meet
the forest's responsibility under the Endangered Species Act.
A 1998 assessment of the effectiveness of the closure concluded that actions
to date have not provided adequate protection for the habitat and existing
populations of the Arroyo Toad, and the risk for harming one of these
endangered creatures is high. The killing of a single toad is a violation of
the Endangered Species Act, under which forest managers are held personally
responsible. Despite the clearly posted closure, forest visitors continued to
enter the closure area. In a single week during the breeding season, forest
officers issued nearly 200 citations.
This spring and summer the forest will conduct additional surveys and
monitoring efforts to determine the precise location of Toad populations, as
well as other listed species, within the closed area. In order to obtain
accurate information, the surveys must be repeated over several seasons. For
this reason, the closure will remain in place until February of 2003, or
until further notice.
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