Clear Creek Management Area Draft Resource Management Plan & Environmental Impact Statement

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The Hollister Field Office has prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA).  The CCMA RMP will replace the existing planning decisions for the approximately 63,000 acres of public land contained in the 1984 Hollister RMP and the associated CCMA RMP Amendments.

The Environmental Protection Agency has been a cooperating agency in this effort because of concerns expressed by EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control regarding the potential for human health risks from exposure to naturally occurring asbestos in the area.

In May 2008, EPA completed an asbestos exposure evaluation study in the CCMA. The study was designed to provide information on the exposure levels from various types of activities in the CCMA. Initial results from the EPA study indicated that an environmental impact statement would be necessary to consider the new information and a range of management options for the CCMA. Accordingly, BLM agreed to work with EPA and the public to appropriately respond to the health risk information in the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (EPA 2008).

CCMA RMP/EIS STATUS UPDATE:

The public comment period for the Clear Creek Management Area draft resource management plan and environmental impact statement has been extended by 45 days by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

“Because the plan addresses potential long term restrictions on public lands,” said BLM Acting California State Director Jim Abbott, “we are extending the comment period to allow further public input”

The Clear Creek Management Area in southern San Benito and western Fresno counties has a long history of public recreational use.  But because of increased awareness of potential health risks caused by asbestos, the area has been temporarily closed since May 2008.  The closure was in response to results of an Environmental Protection Agency’s human health risk assessment.  The temporary closure remains in effect until the new management plan is approved.

The draft resource management plan and environmental impact statement was released in December 2009 with a 90 day comment period.  Three public meetings were also held in Coalinga, Hollister and Santa Clara in January 2010 to gather comments.

Comments must be postmarked or received by April 19, 2010.  Written public comments may be submitted by mail to BLM, Attn. CCMA RMP/EIS, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, CA 95023.  Comment may also be provided via email:  cahormp@ca.blm.gov, or fax:  831-630-5055.

For more information contact the Hollister Field Office at 831-630-5000.

If you wish to withhold your name or street address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety.

 

The Clear Creek Management Area RMP/EIS will fulfill the needs and obligations set forth by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and BLM management policies.  The BLM will work collaboratively with interested parties to identify the management decisions that are best suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns.

Some of the major issues that will be addressed in this planning effort include: impacts to public safety and human health from naturally occurring asbestos and past mining activities; management of the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area; resource management objectives and desired conditions; wildland and prescribed fire management, livestock grazing, motorized and non-motorized recreation management; lands available for disposal or of interest for acquisition; and potential for energy development.

Federal Register Notices

• Notice Re-opening the Comment Period for the Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Clear Creek Management Area, California

• Notice of Availability of the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, California

• Notice of closure to all forms of entry and public use of approximately 31,000 acres of public lands within the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), referred to as the Serpentine Area of Environmental Concern (ACEC) and portions of adjacent BLM-administered lands, located in southern San Benito County and western Fresno County, California.

• Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Clear Creek Management Area, California

 News Releases

• BLM Extends Comment Period on Clear Creek Draft Plan
• BLM Plans Socio-Economic Workshop on Clear Creek Plan
• BLM to Host Public Meetings for Clear Creek Draft Plan
• BLM Seeks Public Comments on Clear Creek Draft Plan
• BLM Releases Scoping Report for Clear Creek Management Area
• Discussing the future of Clear Creek
• BLM Seeks Public Input for Clear Creek Management Area Resource Management Plan
• Open House and Public Meeting Planned for Clear Creek Asbestos Health Risk Presentation
• BLM Issues Immediate Temporary Closure of Clear Creek Management Area
• BLM Seeks Public Input for Clear Creek Management Area Resource Management Plan

 Public Comment Meetings

All public meetings will take place from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at:

• January 13, 2010:  Harris Ranch Garden Ballroom, 24505 W. Dorris Ave., Coalinga
• January 14, 2010:  Veterans Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St. Hollister
• January 20, 2010:  Santa Clara Convention Center, Great America Meeting Rooms,
  5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara

Planning Documents    Links to the following documents will be updated as they are completed.

• Public Scoping Report
• Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
• PowerPoint presentation from Public Comment Meetings
• Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement
• Record of Decision for the CCMA Resource Management Plan

Planning Area Map

Please contact Sky Murphy, Hollister Field Office Environmental Planning Specialist, for more information.

Rick Cooper, Field Manager
Bureau of Land Management
Hollister Field Office
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 630-5000
Fax: (831) 630-5055
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact us by Email