The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act designates approximately 248,000 acres of federal land in California's central coast as protected wilderness areas under the National Wilderness Preservation System, including three new Bureau of Land Management wilderness zones and expansions to seven existing wilderness areas in Los Padres National Forest, while also protecting nearly 79 miles of rivers and streams as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The bill creates two new scenic areas (Condor Ridge and Black Mountain) and establishes the Fox Mountain Special Management Area, all designed to protect ecological, recreational, cultural, and scientific resources while allowing activities such as livestock grazing, hunting, camping, hiking, and non-motorized recreation. The legislation prohibits mining, oil and gas leasing, and commercial development on designated lands but permits fire management, wildlife conservation, military overflights, and horseback riding where these activities existed before enactment. Management of the protected lands requires consultation with federally recognized tribes on decision-making, and the bill directs studies on creating a Condor National Scenic Trail and expanding off-highway vehicle and non-motorized recreation opportunities. The bill contains no specific funding authorization or implementation timeline in the provided sections.
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