Central Coast Heritage Protection Act

The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act designates approximately 235,000 acres of federal land in California as wilderness areas, scenic areas, or a special management area. It incorporates specific lands into existing wilderness systems, designates river segments as Wild and Scenic Rivers, and establishes management guidelines including provisions for fire management, grazing, and recreation. The bill withdraws these lands from mining, mineral leasing, and other activities under public land laws. It also requires studies on trail connectivity, vehicle trails, and nonmotorized recreation opportunities within the designated areas. The bill directly affects land management by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service in California's Central Coast region.