Post by DeanW on May 7, 2008 16:40:27 GMT -5
Hi All, the Clear Creek area in San Benito County, CA is under temporary closure. In case you were unaware this locality is source of rocks & minerals such as Plasma Agate, "Clear Creek" Jadeite, magnesite(sp?), and the name-place for Benitoite (the California State Gemstone). Below is a text copy of a recent news announcement from the BLM. Included therein is public meeting information. This all only recently occured and the meetings are starting TOMORROW (May 8th).
What is most important is that anybody with interest in this area let the BLM know about our interests. One important side-comment: this area is quite popular with off-road enthusiasts, much more so than rockhounds. However, the "eco-nuts" want it entirely closed down to ALL vehicular traffic, which would make access by rockhounds basically impossible.
EMERGENCY CLOSURE EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2008 OF 31,000 ACRES WITHIN THECLEAR CREEK MANAGEMENT AREA
INFORMATION FACT SHEET
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 findings in the report, BLM simultaneously enacted an immediate temporary closure on May 1, 2008 of 31,000 acres of the area to all public access/entry upon release of the EPA report while a Resource Management Plan (RMP) to determine the long-term management of the area is underway. The BLM’s number one priority is to protect the public’s health and safety.
Over the next two years, BLM will be preparing a Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement to guide the long-term management of public lands within the CCMA. EPA and BLM will host a public meeting to discuss the results of the EPA Human Health Risk Assessment and BLM will discuss the need for the temporary emergency closure on May 8, 2008.
The Fee Program has been suspended and partial refunds will be issued to all persons who purchased a Season Pass.
Public Meetings
May 8, Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, EPA and BLM, open house from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, meeting from 6:00 – 9:00 pm
May 19, Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St., Hollister, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
May 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Library Room 225, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
For More Information
Contact the Hollister Field Office at (831) 630-5000 or visit our website at www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/clear_creek_management_area.html
What is most important is that anybody with interest in this area let the BLM know about our interests. One important side-comment: this area is quite popular with off-road enthusiasts, much more so than rockhounds. However, the "eco-nuts" want it entirely closed down to ALL vehicular traffic, which would make access by rockhounds basically impossible.
EMERGENCY CLOSURE EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2008 OF 31,000 ACRES WITHIN THECLEAR CREEK MANAGEMENT AREA
INFORMATION FACT SHEET
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 findings in the report, BLM simultaneously enacted an immediate temporary closure on May 1, 2008 of 31,000 acres of the area to all public access/entry upon release of the EPA report while a Resource Management Plan (RMP) to determine the long-term management of the area is underway. The BLM’s number one priority is to protect the public’s health and safety.
Over the next two years, BLM will be preparing a Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement to guide the long-term management of public lands within the CCMA. EPA and BLM will host a public meeting to discuss the results of the EPA Human Health Risk Assessment and BLM will discuss the need for the temporary emergency closure on May 8, 2008.
The Fee Program has been suspended and partial refunds will be issued to all persons who purchased a Season Pass.
Public Meetings
May 8, Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, EPA and BLM, open house from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, meeting from 6:00 – 9:00 pm
May 19, Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St., Hollister, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
May 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Library Room 225, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
For More Information
Contact the Hollister Field Office at (831) 630-5000 or visit our website at www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/clear_creek_management_area.html
