BLM Seeks Comments on Clear Creek Management Area Plan
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Hollister Field Office issued today a Draft Resource Management Plan
Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Clear
Creek Management Area. The proposed plan amendment and DEIS affect
75,000 acres of public lands in San Benito and Fresno counties in
central California. For the
past 30 years, Clear Creek has become one of the premier spots for
off-highway vehicle (OHV) users to participate in their sport.
The documents describe proposals on
designating routes and areas for motorized vehicle access, designating
boundaries of the expanded San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area
(RNA) and designating it an Area of Critical Environmental Concern
(ACEC). The documents also propose incorporating acquired lands made
through previous land tenure adjustments into the Clear Creek
Management Area specifically for route and area designation.
There are four route designation
alternatives including a preferred alternative in the proposed plan.
The route designations include "open", "closed" and "limited" in
accordance with BLM route designation criteria. Additionally, the
proposed action would affect land designated as an ACEC and RNA for
protection of unique and federally threatened plants.
The draft plan and the DEIS are
available online at the BLM website:
www.ca.blm.gov/hollister.
In addition, copies may be obtained by calling Lesly Smith, BLM Outdoor
Recreation Planner, at (831) 630-5015.
The public comment period will last
for a period of 90 days ending October 15, 2004. The public is
encouraged to make comments and provide them to the BLM by October 15,
2004. For additional information contact the Hollister Field Office at
831-630-5000.
