Important Forest Meeting 2-7

The Forest Service is having public meetings to update their management plans for the San Bernardino National Forest. Deep Creek is one of the issues they will be discussing and making decisions as to the future of the area.

Deep Creek has been designated to be considered as a Special Interest Area. Please note that with Special Interest Areas the main focus is on protecting and enhancing the interest; Deep Creek's are cultural, scenic and zoological.

Exact quote: "where appropriate developing and interpreting for public education and recreation, areas of unusual characteristics."

This means that the cultural, scenic and zoological interests near Deep Creek will have priority over other interests such as recreation. We have endangered species at or near Deep Creek with the Southwestern Arroyo Toad and Milkvetch plant. We have Indian cultural sites which are sensitive to human impact.

I am encouraging you to attend these meetings, especially the one on February 7, 2002 in Running Springs. If you can not attend, please write the Forest Service as to your interest and viewpoint on the future of Deep Creek.

I have posted information about the designations which are under consideration for Deep Creek and the dates of these public meetings on the main page at:

<A HREF="http://www.deepcreekhotsprings.org/">DCHS Main Page</A>