Angeles National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Angeles National Forest

FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT

Endangered Species Closure Continues

ARCADIA, CA — December22, 2008

In order to protect critical habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, the U.S. Forest Service has extended the Williamson Rock temporary closure until December 31, 2009. This is an ongoing closure which limits access to approximately 1,000 acres in the area north of the Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) in the vicinity of Cooper Canyon and has been in place since December 2005. The new forest order becomes effective Thursday, January 1, 2009.

This effort allows the U.S. Forest Service to follow the guidelines for protecting the habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, an endangered species. Specifically, a Biological Assessment was undertaken to analyze the effects of human activities (including recreation) within the area which was designated as critical habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service per the Endangered Species Act. Currently the U.S. Forest Service is in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop mitigation measures.

The portion of the Pacific Crest Trail which lies within the impacted area allows hikers to take a detour around the area by departing the trail (northbound) at Eagles Roost and taking the highway to Cloudburst Summit, a distance of 4.5 miles.

The Angeles National Forest is located northeast of Los Angeles. It is approximately 655,000 acres in size and includes the San Gabriel Mountains.

For more information, please contact Lisa Northrop, at (626) 574-5256 or visit the Angeles National Forest Website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles.

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