Recreation Residences

 

• Historic cabins - don't want interference with USFS special use permits.
• The unique quality of these historic buildings adds to the enjoyment of the hundreds of visitors weekly to this unusual part of the Angeles National Forest. Thank you for your actions in favor of retaining the administration of these properties by the USFS, who have done so well for many years.
• A great part of the history of the area is reflected in the individually owned cabins scattered throughout the area. Their historical significance as well as the tone set in the canyon by these structures is priceless. The sense of community, history and continuity in our public lands is a treasure and I, for one, would like to see that it stays that way.
• Any recommendations made to Congress regarding the San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains Special Resource Study should clearly state that the Recreation Residence Special Use Permits throughout Angeles National Forest, and in particular, the Recreation Residence Special Use Permits for the historic cabins in Big Santa Anita Canyon, continue to be administered exclusively by the U.S. Forest Service in the same way Recreation residence Permits are administered in all other National Forests.
• We do applaud efforts to conserve resources in this area to provide recreational opportunities, habitat restoration, watershed improvement, and flood protection. The lack of specific mention of our recreational use, however, is a significant omission. It should be made explicit that those rights include those of the recreation residence permittee, and that the rules and regulations governing them will not change even if the Park Service, whose history includes removal of such cabins, provides management services in the geographical locations on which there are such Forest Service cabins. There should be special mention of the rights of access to those cabins. Any roads that exist to them should be allowed to continue to be used. Finally, specific mention should be added stating that all such cabins should continue to be administered exclusively by the U. S. Forest Service in the same way Recreation Residence Permits are administered in all other National Forests. It is the Forest Service who has the expertise in this area, as the Park Service removed all cabins developed under a similar program many years ago. They did not value their recreation use then, and there is resulting great distrust of the Park Service on the part of our members.

• My nine-year-old son and I regularly visit Santa Anita Canyon. We've spent many long days hiking and enjoying the natural surrounds. A great part of the history of the area is reflected in the individually-owned cabins scattered throughout the area. Their historical significance as well as the tone set in the canyon by these structures is priceless. The sense of community, history and continuity in our local public lands is a treasure and I, for one, would like to see that it stays that way.
• There are recreational residences within the boundaries suggested for this National Recreation area. There are historic cabins in Big Santa Anita Canyon, currently under Special User permits. I feel that those should be permitted to remain and should be administered exclusively by the U. S. Forest Service in the same way Recreation Residence Permits are administered in all other National Forests. If the area must be converted to a National Recreation area, then any recommendations must clearly state that the area will be administered exclusively by the U. S. Forest Service, with no changes to the recreational residence permits and trail usage.