A Ventura County congressman has introduced legislation to provide some new protection for parts of the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, but also open parts of the forest to off road vehicles.
Republican Congressman Elton Gallegly of Simi Valley sponsored what’s known as the “Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act of 2012″. It calls for designating an additional 64,000 acres of land in the forest as federal wilderness, and 89 miles of waterways as wild and scenic rivers.
But, it would also open 65,000 acres of land to off road vehicles, including some previously closed roads.
