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New oil and gas drilling threatens endangered species in Los Padres potential wilderness!
Deadline has been extended to: April 19, 2002
Potential new wilderness areas in the Los Padres National Forest are threatened by oil and gas development, which could ruin some of California’s most spectacular scenery and recreational places.
WHAT'S AT RISK
The Los Padres National Forest is offering oil and gas leases on approximately 140,000 acres. Over 100000 of these acres are in roadless areas, including the Sespe Frazier, Nordhoff, White Ledge, Sawmill-Badlands, Madulce-Buckhorn, Fox Mountain, Cuyama, Spoor Canyon, Tapusquet Peak, La Brea, Horseshoe Springs, and De La Guerra Roadless Areas. This project is currently the largest threat to roadless areas in California.
Between 1979 and 1998, the Los Padres National Forest lost 130,067 acres of roadless land to development, the largest loss of roadless resources of any national forest in California. The Los Padres is part of California's central coast region, and a higher percentage of the central coast region's public lands are unprotected wilderness than any other region of the state.
Within the areas that could be developed for oil and gas, 20 threatened and endangered species make their home, including the California condor and San Joaquin kit fox. According to the Forest Service, the species most at risk from oil drilling are the hybrid blunt-nosed leopard lizard, as well as the California condor. The mountain plover, Swainson's hawk, southern rubber boa, mule deer, brush rabbit, and California spotted owl are all at risk from habitat loss, human disturbance, and noise disturbance.
Two critical habitat areas could be harmed, including Lion Canyon, the original release point for re-introduction of the condor into the wilderness. Also at risk are fragile areas adjacent to the Condor Sanctuary.
Introducing new oil and gas development could also damage unexplored archaeological sites that contain a wide variety of Native American history, including permanent village and temporary habitation sites, cemeteries, rock art and places of religious significance.
NO REAL SOLUTION
While drilling in these areas poses significant risk, it offers no real solution to our energy needs. The potential oil reserves within the Los Padres National Forest add up to only a FIVE DAY SUPPLY for the nation.
By fast-tracking the pursuit of oil and gas, the Forest Service is subverting a process intended to protect the public interest, and the forest. Seventy-two percent of California voters support government protection of more of our remaining wild lands and free-flowing rivers, according to a recent statewide public opinion survey. The survey, conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin and Associates, interviewed 900 likely voters during August 25 to 30, 2001.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Write the Forest Service today (the deadline is February 15) and let them know "OIL AND WILDERNESS DON'T MIX." In your letter, tell the Forest Service that you do not want to see any oil or gas leases in the potential wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest. These areas should be permanently protected with wilderness designation!
Send your letter to: USDA Forest Service, Attn: Al Hess, Project Manager, 1190 East Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023.
For more information on how you can help protect the Los Padres National Forest, please contact Tina Andolina at 530-758-0380 or tina@calwild.org.
A summary of what the Forest Service is considering can be found on the Los Padres National Forest website at: http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/lospadres.
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Just three miles off of Interstate 80, 
