Public Comment Extended on Proposal to Close Dry Canyon

Source: Los Padres National Forest Service

On March 18, 2019, Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) officials announced a proposal to issue a closure order for the Dry Canyon area on Mt. Pinos Ranger District pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources. In response to comments already received, the LPNF is extending the deadline to April 17, 2019, to provide additional time for those interested in or potentially affected by the proposed closure to submit comments.

This is a proposed temporary closure until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducts a cleanup of the potential target area and adjacent low density area. Although overall project management, including public involvement, is the responsibility of the Los Angeles District of the USACE, it does not have direct jurisdiction over the Dry Canyon area. The LPNF holds direct jurisdiction and is, therefore proposing the closure order. The proposed closure area includes the Dome Springs Campground, Dome Springs Road (8N40), Dry Canyon Trails 22W10, 22W11, and 22W13, and a portion of the Chumash Wilderness lying immediately north and northeast of Dry Canyon.

The Dry Canyon Artillery Range was used as a training range by the United States Army in the 1940s. The USACE conducted a remedial investigation of the Dry Canyon area in 2015 and found munitions and explosives of concern at the site as well as large amounts of munitions debris. Unexploded ordnance is extremely dangerous.

Comments on the proposed closure order must be received by April 17, 2019, by mail, fax, email, or in-person. Standard mail comments should be addressed to: Mt. Pinos Ranger District, ATTN: Ivana Noell, 34580 Lockwood Valley Road, Frazier Park, CA 93225. Comments can be emailed to: inoell@fs.fed.us.  Comments can also be faxed to: (661) 245-1526. Hand-delivered comments can be submitted during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at the address above.