Plans to pay for the Big Sur portion of Los Padres National Forest separately, add more than 2,000 acres to the Ventana Wilderness and prevent dams on some local rivers are all part of legislation submitted to Congress on Friday.
Under the bill by Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, Congress would take a closer look at management of the federal portions of the Big Sur coast.
Funding Big Sur independently of the large Los Padres National Forest would allow for spending decisions to happen locally, supporters said.
"This bill will protect sensitive rivers and put control in local hands, right where it should be," Farr said.
The rivers slated for additional protection if declared part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System include:
•Arroyo Seco River
•Big Creek
•Carmel River
•San Antonio River
•San Carpoforo Creek
The designation would prevent major developments, like dams, in the waterways.
A number of local conservation organizations wrote letters supporting the bill, which still must go through committees and both houses of Congress, and then be signed by the president before becoming law.
"We believe that the 'Wild and Scenic' designation will protect the creek's outstanding cultural, environmental and fishery values," wrote Keith Meyerhoff, of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center near Tassajara Creek.
Representatives of the Big Creek Reserve noted the creek is a spawning habitat for endangered steelhead trout, while Carmel Valley Association President Glenn Robinson praised protection for the California red-legged frog.
"This is a huge leap in protection for the cultural areas that we have been working so hard to care for since time begin," wrote Gregg Castro, of the Salinan Nation Cultural Preservation Association.
