Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
If enacted, AJR 18 would facilitate the National Park Service's management of these newly acquired lands, leading to greater capabilities in areas such as trail building, wildlife studies, and recreation planning. Specifically, the legislation aims to protect vital natural resources, particularly addressing concerns about the declining mountain lion population due to vehicular incidents and rodenticide exposure along key highways. This proactive approach not only serves to enhance wildlife conservation efforts but also aims to enrich community recreational opportunities.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 18 (AJR 18), introduced by Assembly Member Luz Rivas and coauthored by Assembly Members Friedman and Smith, urges the 116th Congress of the United States to enact House Resolution 1708. This federally proposed legislation aims to expand the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by adding 191,000 acres of the Rim of the Valley Corridor. This significant enlargement would encompass various vital natural resources and recreational areas situated in southern California, which are crucial for both environmental protection and public enjoyment.
The resolution does not appear to face any significant opposition given that it presents a unified plea from the California legislature to Congress. However, the impact of expanded federal oversight could be a point of contention among those who favor local management of natural resources. Various stakeholders may express differing opinions on the appropriateness of federal authority in managing lands traditionally administered at the local level, but no notable opposition is documented in the bill's discussions or voting history.