ROCK CLIMBING NEWS ITEM

Forest Area Closed to Save Falcons

FRIDAY, 30 JUNE 2006

All climbing routes on Chimney Rock in the Hume Lake Ranger District have been closed by Sequoia National Forest to protect a peregrine falcon's nest.

Violating this forest order can draw a citation leading to a fine of up to $5,000. The nest contains three young chicks, the first to successfully hatch in the area in more than 30 years. Peregrines are sensitive to humans; disturbance causes the mother not to feed her young and may abandon their nest.

The area will be closed until the chicks are capable of leaving the nest.

To read more about this, go to www.visaliatimesdelta.com