For Immediate Release, March 27, 2018 Contact: Ileene Anderson, (323) 490-0223, ianderson@biologicaldiversity.org Lawsuit Seeks Federal Protection for Eight California Wild and Scenic Rivers LOS ANGELES― The Center for Biological Diversity filed suit in federal court today to force the Trump administration to show how it will protect eight congressionally designated “wild and scenic” California rivers, which wind though three national forests and other public lands and provide habitat for imperiled fish, birds and other wildlife. The Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service have failed to create management plans for these southern California rivers as required under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, putting the rivers at risk. Today’s lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, seeks to ensure protection of more than 100 miles of waters in the Amargosa River, Owens Headwaters, Cottonwood Creek, Piru Creek, North Fork San Jacinto River, Fuller Mill Creek, Palm Canyon Creek and Bautista Creek ― all designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 2009. “These rivers are some of southern California's crown jewels and provide critical habitat for endangered birds and other imperiled species,” said Ileene Anderson, a senior scientist at the Center. “They also provide respite and recreation for people, who rely on the government to protect these special places for their kids and grandkids. Without a management plan, a wild and scenic river designation is meaningless.” The act ensures rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values remain in free-flowing, wild condition. It requires the federal agencies to prepare comprehensive management plans to protect the river segments within three years of their designation. No management plans for these rivers have been finalized to date. Wild and scenic river management plans provide important protections by ensuring that the qualities for which the river was designated — wild, scenic, or recreational —remain for future generations. River management plans ensure that water flow and water quality are protected from threats such as poorly managed grazing, off-road vehicles and other harmful activities. Background on California’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Amargosa River: Congress designated more than 26 miles of the Amargosa River in Inyo and San Bernardino counties as scenic, wild or recreational. The Amargosa River is an entirely spring-fed perennial desert river system, harboring a remarkable level of biodiversity in the hottest and driest part of the Mojave Desert. This includes critical habitat for the entire wild population of the endangered Amargosa vole, the endangered plant Amargosa niterwort, the endangered least Bell's vireo, and the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. The designated river segments are located on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.



Owens Headwater: Congress designated nearly 20 miles of the Owens Headwaters in Inyo County (along the Upper Owens River, Glass Creek and Deadman Creek) as wild, scenic or recreational. Owens Headwaters and its adjacent riparian areas provide habitat for many species, including the threatened Yosemite toad and a wide diversity of butterflies. The designated segments of the Owens Headwaters are on public lands managed by the Inyo National Forest. Cottonwood Creek: Congress designated more than 20 miles of Cottonwood Creek in Inyo County as wild or recreational. Cottonwood Creek and its adjacent riparian corridors provide habitat for threatened Paiute cutthroat trout and rare spotted bat. The designated wild segment of Cottonwood Creek is on public lands managed by the Inyo National Forest and the recreational segment is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Piru Creek: Congress designated more than 7 miles of the Piru Creek in Ventura County wild or recreational. Piru Creek, a tributary of the Santa Clara River, contains unique geological formations, unusual gorges and riparian vegetation. The creek and adjacent riparian corridors provide critical California condor nesting and roosting sites, as well as habitat for the threatened arroyo toad and native trout. The designated segments of Piru Creek are on public lands managed by the Los Padres National Forest. North Fork of the San Jacinto River: Congress designated more than 10 miles of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River in Riverside County wild, scenic or recreational. The North Fork of the San Jacinto River and its adjacent riparian areas provide habitat for the critically endangered mountain yellow-legged frog, California spotted owls, the rubber boa and the San Bernardino flying squirrel. The designated segments are on public lands managed by the San Bernardino National Forest. Fuller Mill Creek: Congress designated 3.5 miles of Fuller Mill Creek in Riverside County as scenic or recreational. Fuller Mill Creek and its adjacent riparian corridors provide habitat for critically endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs, California spotted owls, the rubber boa and the San Bernardino flying squirrel, among others. The designated scenic segments are managed by the San Bernardino National Forest. Palm Canyon Creek: Congress designated 8 miles of Palm Canyon Creek in Riverside County as wild. Congress also instructed that the area be managed cooperatively with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to protect and enhance river values. Palm Canyon Creek and its associated riparian corridoes provide habitat for endangered southwestern willow flycatcher and endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep. The designated wild segment is on public lands managed the San Bernardino National Forest. Bautista Creek: Congress designated a 10-mile segment of Bautista Creek in Riverside County as recreational. Bautista Creek and its adjacent riparian areas provide habitat for threatened arroyo toads, endangered southwestern willow flycatchers, endangered Quino checkerspot butterflies and the endangered slender-horned spineflower. The designated segment is on public lands managed by the San Bernardino National Forest.