Washington - Congressmen David G. Valadao (R-California) and
Sam Farr (D-California) on Friday introduced H.R. 1776, the Clear Creek National
Recreation Area and Conservation Act, to direct the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) to reopen the 75,000-acre Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) in San
Benito and Fresno Counties for recreational use, including access for off-road
vehicles. Additionally, the legislation would designate approximately 21,000 acres of BLM
land adjacent to Clear Creek as the Joaquin Rocks Wilderness.
Once considered a premier off-road vehicle recreation site,
Clear Creek was temporarily closed in 2008 to the public after an Environmental
Protection Agency analysis about the risk created by naturally occurring
asbestos. A few weeks ago, the BLM released its Final Environmental Impact
Statement that detailed a highly restrictive management alternative that
basically codifies the current closure. OHV advocates point to the fact there
has never been a documented case of injury despite decades of inhalation of the
soils in question by humans as evidence that the area should be open to
off-roaders and other recreationists.
"Californians have been enjoying the natural beauty of Clear
Creek for decades," said Valadao, who represents the 21st Congressional
District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno,
Tulare, and Kern
Counties in California. "This legislation is a
common-sense solution which not only reopens the land for off-highway vehicle
use but also directs additional land to be preserved for future generations. I
am excited to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleague and look
forward to reopening the Clear Creek Management Area for our constituents and
the entire state to enjoy once again."
"This bill brings environmentalist and off-road vehicle
enthusiasts together in the common goals of reopening Clear Creek for the
public to enjoy and creating new wilderness land for future generations to
enjoy, said Farr. "This partnership between the two groups will allow
us to achieve two victories to benefit to the local communities."
"Thousands of
visitors would come from all over the state, traveling through San Benito County on their way to Clear Creek,"
said San Benito County Supervisor Jerry Muenzer. "Our county has lost thousands
of dollars since Clear Creek closed. This bill would bring much needed tourism
dollars back to our small businesses, providing an immediate boost the local
economy."
The bill instructs the BLM to develop a rigorous plan to
minimize the risk from asbestos exposure and to educate visitors to the
recreation area about the natural asbestos. The BLM would also be required to
reduce the impact of off-road vehicles to protect the area's habitat.
"The roads and trails have been used for generations by
varying types of recreationists and others, many since the late 1800s,"
said Steve Koretoff, a member of Friends of the CCMA and the American
Motorcyclist Association. "Allowing access ensures that all Californians have
the opportunity to experience the rugged beauty of this historical area."
The bill also designates five creek and river segments
located within Monterey County and the Clear Creek National Recreational Area
as Wild and Scenic
Rivers. None of the
rivers are within the designated zone for off-road vehicle use.
