Editor's Note: Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) is the location of CA4WDC's annual Molina Ghost Run event, which was just held a few weeks ago. It is located near Coalinga, CA and is a popular four-wheeling and motorcycle riding area.
EMERGENCY CLOSURE EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2008 OF 31,000 ACRES WITHIN CLEAR CREEK MANAGEMENT AREA
INFORMATION FACT SHEET
PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began conducting a study in 2004 on asbestos exposures experienced by CCMA users during typical recreational activities. The study was conducted to provide BLM with information to manage and minimize human health risks at the CCMA and to update a similar study conducted by the BLM in 1992.
On May 1, 2008 the EPA released the report, “CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment.” The report stated the exposures measured by EPA for many recreational activities at CCMA are “above the EPA acceptable risk range of lifetime cancers.” It also notes that children “have greater risk than adults due to higher exposure measurements [and] are of special concern because their exposures occur earlier in their lives.
Based on the results of the Environmental Protection Agency’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment, the Bureau of Land Management Hollister Field Office has issued a Temporary Closure, effective May 1, 2008, to all forms of entry and public use for approximately 31,000 acres of public lands in the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) to protect public health and safety.
BOISE, ID - May 1 - Recreation groups expressed dismay at the surprise announcement that federal agencies are closing approximately 31,000 acres of public land in Central California. The Clear Creek Management Area ("CCMA"), located in San Benito County and managed by the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM"), is one of the most popular off-highway vehicle recreation sites in the West.
On Monday March 31, 2008, the Eldorado National Forest released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Travel Management Plan. Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo of the Eldorado National Forest signed the Record of Decision (ROD) also.
I will be going over all this information and will be talking to others about our next step in the process. We have 45 days to decide to file an appeal on this document.
For much more information you can go to the Forest Service WEB site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/route/index.shtml there is information on how to get a copy of the FEIS and ROD along with questions and answers about many of the questions that the public has asked. People who made comments on the DEIS will be getting a copy of the CD sent to them and should receive it in the next couple of days.
If you have questions or would like to talk about this more please contact me. My email address is
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or phone me at (530) 671-4587.
