Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Protecting the Northern Santa Lucia

Ventana Wild Rivers Campaign
San Antonio River
& Tributaries

The San Antonio River flows east from the Santa Lucia Range crest into Fort Hunter Liggett. The upper portion of the river, its North Fork, and several small tributaries flow through an area on the Los Padres National Forest unusually rich in Native American heritage.

The Forest Service identified 8.6 miles of the main stem of the San Antonio River from its source to the National Forest boundary to be eligible for federal protection, but the agency did not recommend its designation. Instead, the Los Padres Forest Plan established the 9,933 acre Milpitas Special Interest Area encompassing both the main stem and North Fork and several tributaries. SIA designation provides inferior protection of the river's cultural values in comparison to Wild & Scenic status. Conservationists believe that the main stem, its North Fork, Carrizo Creek, Santa Lucia Creek, lower Rattlesnake Creek, and several other unnamed tributaries all collectively contribute to this area's outstanding cultural values and are therefore eligible for protection.

Outstanding Values:

Cultural — The river flows through an area with unusually dense and varied concentration of historic and pre-historic cultural values, probably spanning thousands of years, and offering a unique interpretive potential. The river and tributaries record the ancient uses of the native Salinan people as well as the earliest contact between the Salinan and the Mission-era explorers. It also offers insights into the post-secular history of the Indians who withdrew to the upper river and its tributaries to live after the closure of the Mission San Antonio de Padua downstream. Low rock walls along Santa Lucia Creek outline the Salinan's "milpitas" or small gardens. First established by the Salinans, the Carrizo Trail along Carrizo Creek was used by early homesteaders to transport supplies to and from the coast. The entire watershed is dominated by the peak sacred to the Salinans that is known today as Junipero Serra. Later expanded into a hunting resort, the historic Indians adobe, vineyard, and family cemetery provide a glimpse of rustic life in the backcountry.

Scenery — The North Fork originates from and flows through a spectacular setting of oak savannah and massive sandstone rock outcrops formed under an ancient sea.

Wildlife — The upper river supports nesting spotted owls, a sensitive species. The lower river in Fort Hunter Liggett supports the northern most population of endangered arroyo toad in California.

Ecological — The valley oaks along the banks of the river and its tributaries are the only valley oaks in the National Forest system and have been proposed as a Research Natural Area.

Comments:

There are a few private inholdings adjacent to the main stem, North Fork and Santa Lucia Creek. These private parcels will not be affected by designation. Although the San Antonio River flows into Fort Hunter Liggett, none of the river or tributary segments proposed for designation are located on the military reservation. Designation will not affect military water rights to the river. Virtually all of the water in the San Antonio River is captured by the San Antonio Dam and Reservoir for agricultural and municipal use. Designation of upstream segments on the National Forest will not affect the dam, reservoir, or water uses.

Segmentation/Classification:

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