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119-hr-4877119th Congress

Central Coast Heritage Protection Act

Sponsored By: Representative Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create permanent wilderness and river protections across California’s Central Coast. It would also establish special management and scenic areas and set rules for long-term management and tribal collaboration.

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  • Conservation and recreation: Would designate multiple new wilderness areas and additions and add specific river segments to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, protecting tens of thousands of acres — for example a ~54,000-acre Dick Smith addition and a ~35,100-acre Caliente Mountain area. Designations would preserve existing water rights and allow limited motorized use near upper Piru Creek where consistent with river protections.
  • Ranchers and grazing permit holders: Would allow livestock grazing that existed prior to enactment to continue, subject to reasonable regulation and applicable law.
  • Land managers and tribes: Would create the Fox Mountain Special Management Area of about 41,082 acres, withdraw those Federal lands from entry and most mineral leasing, and require the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a comprehensive management plan within 5 years while pursuing tribal agreements under existing tribal authorities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Fox Mountain special management rules

If enacted, the bill would create the Fox Mountain Special Management Area, about 41,082 acres. Federal lands there would be withdrawn from new mining and mineral and geothermal leasing, subject to valid rights. Motor vehicles would be limited to existing designated roads and trails, with a few exceptions for safety and management. Temporary roads for vegetation work would have to be removed within three years after the work ends. Existing grazing could continue under permits and rules, and the Forest Service would prepare a long-term plan within five years.

New wilderness and scenic area protections

If enacted, the bill would set aside new wilderness areas and two scenic areas on California’s Central Coast. Wilderness lands would be managed under the Wilderness Act and withdrawn from new mining and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights. In the scenic areas, permanent roads, buildings, transmission lines, and most motorized use would be barred except for safety or minimum administration. The agencies would file official maps with Congress and make them available to the public.

Studies to improve hiking and biking

If enacted, the Forest Service would study a Condor National Scenic Trail to link the north and south parts of Los Padres National Forest. The study must follow National Trails System rules and include broad public and landowner input. The agency would also study how to improve nonmotorized trails, including mountain biking, on non-wilderness lands in the Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Mt. Pinos districts. That nonmotorized study would have to be finished within three years of enactment.

Study a small off-road vehicle trail

If enacted, the Forest Service would study a new trail for vehicles 50 inches wide or less. The trail would connect Forest Service Highway 95 to the Ballinger off-highway vehicle area. The study would need to be completed within three years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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