ForestWatch and other conservation organizations asked the Forest Service to evaluate 17 streams for protection under the Wild & Scenic River Act. Once the Forest Service recommends a stream for protection, Congress usually steps in and passes legislation to permanently protect the stream corridor.

The Forest Service evaluated all 17 of these streams as part of its new plan. The agency concluded that only 7 of these streams were actually eligible for Wild & Scenic River Protection, and out of these, only recommended 3 for actual protection. Below is a summary of the agency's findings.

ELIGIBLE & RECOMMENDED. As part of the new plan, the Forest Service recommended three river stretches for protection under the Wild & Scenic River Act - Upper Sespe Creek and Upper Piru Creek (both in Ventura County), and the Arroyo Seco River (in Monterey County). As a result of this recommendation, the U.S. Congress can now pass legislation to protect these magnificent free-flowing rivers. In the meantime, the Forest Service must protect the outstandingly remarkable values of these rivers.

ELIGIBLE, NOT RECOMMENDED. The agency also concluded that four additional rivers are eligible for Wild & Scenic Designation, but failed to recommend them for designation. These include the Little Sur River and San Antonio River (in Monterey County), and Indian Creek and Mono Creek (in Santa Barbara County). Without a recommendation from the Forest Service, Congress is unlikely to protect these rivers.

     A pool and waterfall on the Little Sur River.

NOT ELIGIBLE, NOT RECOMMENDED. For most streams it evaluated, the Forest Service wrongly concluded that they have no "outstandingly remarkable values" and are thus not eligible for protection. Because the Forest Service failed to recommend these streams for Wild & Scenic River designation, they will remain unprotected. These include:

Matilija Creek (16 miles) – Another popular stream, Matilija Creek and its North Fork are located in Ventura County, a few miles northeast of Ojai. The creek contains scenic waterfalls, deep pools, and habitat for steelhead, arroyo toad, and red-legged frog. Recognizing the outstandingly remarkable values of Matilija Creek, the United States Congress directed the Forest Service to consider recommending this stream for protection. It contains a known condor nesting site, and the entire watershed provides critical habitat for this endangered bird. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

Santa Paula Creek (13 miles) – This popular creek (and its East Fork) are located between Ojai and Santa Paula in Ventura County. It includes scenic water-falls, like the 160-foot tall Jefferson Falls, deep gorges, and some of the best swimming holes in California just a short distance from urban areas. It also provides habitat for endangered steelhead, and flows through a critical habitat area for the California condor. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES

Mono Creek (24 miles) – Mono Creek, a tributary to the Santa Ynez River, is located about 10 miles north of Santa Barbara. It contains opportunities for exceptional and diverse recreation in a remote area that provides extremely high-quality riparian habitat. The Forest Service has called this stream an Area of High Ecological Signficance. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

Indian Creek (19 miles) – This stream flows through Indian Canyon, just west of Mono Creek. It's a popular trail route into the Dick Smith Wilderness, and has also been designated an Area of High Ecological Signficance because of its intact riparian habitat. Deep pools and many waterfalls plunge through the Narrows. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

Santa Cruz Creek (19.5 miles) – Santa Cruz Creek provides excellent recreation opportunities as it flows through the San Rafael Wilderness. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

South Fork Sisquoc River (4 miles) - The Sisquoc River is already protected as a Wild & Scenic River, but its South Fork remains unprotected. It has excellent riparian habitat and is near a reintroduction site for endangered California condor. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

Manzana Creek (15 miles) - Manzana Creek flows along the northern base of Figueroa Mountain in Santa Babara County and empties into the Sisquoc River. It is popular with anglers, and a hiking trail leads along its banks into the San Rafael Wilderness. The stream also provdes habitat for endangered steelhead; high quality riparian habitat; popular hiking trail into San Rafael Wilderness. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

La Brea Creek (28 miles) - La Brea Creek flows through the northern tip of the San Rafael Wilderness. It supports one of the largest populations of endangered California red-legged frogs on the forest, as well as several other protected species like steelhead, least Bell's vireo, and southwestern willow flycatcher. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

Lopez Creek – 11 miles – This stream begins in the Santa Lucia Wilderness in San Luis Obispo County, and is a popular trail route leading into the wilderness. Recognizing the outstandingly remarkable values of Lopez Creek, the United States Congress directed the Forest Service to consider recommending this stream for protection. The Forest Service has refused. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

Tassajara Creek (10.5 miles) – Located entirely in the Ventana Wilderness in Monterey County, Tassajara Creek provides excellent recreation opportunities and prime steelhead habitat. In 1993, the Forest Service identified this stream for potential eligibility as a Wild & Scenic River, but reversed course in its new plan. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

Carmel River – 12.5 miles – This stretch of the Carmel River flows through the Ventana Wilderness, and contains endemic groves of the rare Santa Lucia fir. At one point, a waterfall plunges 200 feet into a large pool in a narrow canyon. The Carmel Trail, one of the most popular trails in the Ventana Wilderness, travels along the river. In 1993, the Forest Service identified this stream for potential eligibility as a Wild & Scenic River, but reversed course in its new plan. FINDING: NOT ELIGIBLE, NO OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE VALUES.

ForestWatch will work to convince the agency to add additional streams to its recommended list of Wild & Scenic Rivers.