Los Padres National Forest Conservation Act

The Los Padres National Forest Conservation Act (H.R. 3149) would permanently prohibit new commercial development and resource extraction within the Los Padres National Forest in California. Specifically, the bill would withdraw these federal lands from mining, mineral leasing, geothermal energy development, and the sale or transfer of public land to private entities.

For citizens, this means the forest would be preserved primarily for conservation, watershed protection, and recreation, as the government would no longer be permitted to issue new permits for oil drilling, mining, or private land claims. While existing valid rights and operations would likely be protected, the bill ensures that no new industrial claims could be established on this public land.