California Coastal

Conserving Our Lands Situated along the rugged Mendocino National Conservation Lands, including the California County coastline adjacent to the town Coastal National Monument, are part of an active, of Point Arena, is the 1,665-acre Point vibrant landscape where people live, work, and play. They offer exceptional opportunities for recreation, solitude, wildlife viewing, exploring history, scientific research, and a wide range of traditional uses. blm.gov/ca/ccnm California Coastal National Monument Point Arena-Stornetta Unit Arena-Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument. The first shoreline unit of the Monument offers spectacular views of coastal bluffs, sea arches, the estuary of the Garcia River, and sandy beaches and dunes with eight miles of marked paths. In an Emergency The Point Arena-Stornetta Unit (Unit) was included as • Call 9-1-1 the first shoreline unit of the California Coastal National • Mendocino County Sheriff (707) 964-6308 Monument by Presidential Proclamation on March • Nearest hospital is 44 miles north on Hwy 1. Mendocino Coast Hospital, 700 River Drive, Fort Bragg, CA (707) 961-1234 11, 2014. The Unit expands the Monument to include coastal bluffs and shelves, tide pools, onshore dunes, habitats, cultural resources, geology and recreational use and access. The Unit is open for daytime activities including wildlife viewing, hiking, bird watching, fishing, picnicking, nature photography, and public access to the Mendocino Coast. The privately owned Point Arena Lighthouse can be accessed via Lighthouse Road (county road), which runs through the area at the north end. The California Coast National Monument was established on January 11, 2000, and comprises more than 20,000 rocks, reefs, and islands spread along the 1,100 mile California coastline. These dramatic features contribute to California’s awe-inspiring coastal scenery and provide havens for significant populations of seabirds and marine mammals. The Monument protects feeding and nesting habitat for an estimated 200,000 breeding seabirds and thousands of loafing and breeding pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). coastal prairies, riverbanks and the mouth and estuary of the Garcia River. Purpose for the designation was for the protection of important biological resources and Contact Us Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office 2550 North State Street Ukiah, CA 95482 (707) 468-4000 blm.gov/ca/ukiah California Coastal National Monument blm.gov/ca/ccnm Subscribe to News.bytes, our weekly e-newsletter blm.gov/ca Map & Guide BLM/CA/GI-2015/009+8300 Packed with Human History Cover photo and lighthouse photo by Bob Wick, BLM Point Arena Lighthouse Tower—1870 Pictured—The original When Europeans first arrived, the area was inhabited lighthouse tower in the by the Bokeya or Central Pomo tribe. The ocean played year it was opened. an important part of the Bokeya life. Fish , shellfish, sea Constructed of brick mammals, and seaweed were gathered from the ocean and mortar in 1869, the and coast for food. From the land, vegetables, berries, tower housed a First roots and greens were gathered and mammals and Order Fresnel Lens. The birds hunted. The Bokeya traded items from the coast tower was 100 feet tall. for acorns, buckeye, and pine nuts found further inland. During the late 1800s, the town of Flumeville or Rollerville was located roughly at the intersection of Lighthouse Rd. and Highway 1. This small settlement helped move timber from the interior forests via the Garcia River with a system of flumes (trough-like channels filled with water), a narrow gauge railroad, and chute to sailing ships at Point Arena Harbor. The great earthquake Photo courtesy of Point Arena Lighthouse of 1906 damaged the lighthouse beyond repair and destroyed the lens. Leave No Trace • Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. • Respect all wildlife, including marine life. If animals notice your presence, you are too close. • Please do not deface, carve, or write on trees or rocks. • Leave all natural and cultural resources in place, including artifacts, vegetation, mushrooms, animals, driftwood, or shells. be marked. Wildlife The Unit is home to nine special status species, including plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, fish and insects. Commonly seen marine animals include harbor seals seen loafing on the rocks and migrating gray whales. • Trash—Pack out everything you pack in. Including food scraps and any small “micro-trash” such as cigarette butts. Safety/Caution It is speculated that the spiral staircase prevented the Whether hiking, wildlife viewing or driving, your safety tower from collapsing. The original staircase is still in depends on your good judgment, adequate preparation, use today inside the second tower. and constant awareness. Your safety is your responsibility. Pacific Enterprise Lighthouse Road is narrow with pedestrian and Cattle troughs, a milk barn, and road system from the cattle crossing—reduce your speed. Turning around early 1900s remain as evidence of dairy operations. motorhomes and trailers can be difficult. Joseph Sheppard established a Jersey dairy farm on portions of this area in the late 1800s. Around 1924, Weather A.O. Stornetta purchased the ranch from the widow of Weather on the North Coast can be changeable with Joseph Sheppard. Stornetta was known for combining fog, wind, rain or sun. Dress in layers for your comfort local dairy operations. and changing conditions while visiting the area. Photo courtesy of Point Arena Lighthouse The Pacific Enterprise was a 6,736 ton freighter, 412 feet long and 55 feet at the beam. She was built in the United Kingdom by the Blythswood Shipbuilding Company and owned by the Norfolk and North American Steamship Company and commanded by Captain Cogle. Launched in 1927, the ship ran aground in a heavy fog off Point Arena Lighthouse on September 9, 1949 carrying a cargo of wheat, lumber, canned Harvesting and threshing, Sheppard Ranch circa 1900 Photo courtesy of Held-Poage Research Library, No. L-02236 bluff. These conditions are ever-changing and may not salmon and metals. Water Carry enough water per person for hiking. Water is not available on site. Cooler coastal temperatures are deceiving and you can still become dehydrated. Coastal Cliffs Cliffs/bluffs are unstable—do not climb. Be careful of edges when using a camera, viewing wildlife, or just walking. Due to wind, water, and wave action, the edges may be undercut and not visible from the top of the Harbor seal by David Ledig, DOI Grazing Grazing reduces invasive bunch grasses which compete with other native succulent plants that are critical to many of the special status species. Respect the Neighbors There are private properties within and adjacent to the Point Arena-Stornetta Unit that are closed to the public. Respect private lands, signs and closures. The City of Point Arena has provided public access on the southern end of the Unit. Be respectful to the City and community as there are community activities at City Hall. Do not park adjacent to the building. California Coastal National Monument Point Arena-Stornetta Unit Photo by Jim Pickering, BLM Enjoy Your Visit Today & Tomorrow The California Coastal National Monument is managed to conserve and protect coastal resources. Visitor use should be consistent with these objectives. Please practice Leave No Trace principles and the following guidance: • Stay on paths. Trails are under development and are subject to change. • Pack out your trash. • Cliffs are unstable—do not climb. • Dogs must be on leash. Clean up after your dog. • Keep your distance from wildlife and do not feed wildlife. • This area has active livestock grazing. Make cows aware of your presence by talking to them in a calm voice. For your and your dog’s safety, do not approach cattle. • Day use only from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. No fires and no camping. • No cutting or collecting firewood. • No discharge or use of fireworks, firearms or other weapons, including bows and arrows, pellet guns, paintball guns. • No motorized vehicles or hang gliding. These lands were acquired by BLM and made possible by the many generous grants and contributions by agencies, non-government organizations and individuals with the three phases of acquisition. A special thanks to the community of Point Arena. For a complete list of those responsible, go to: blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ukiah/stornetta.html Lupine and wild iris by Jim Pickering, BLM