CCMA Closure; continuing Clear Creek struggle...

[Butch]

this has been a long process, as the closure was implemented May 2008.

Today I heard on NPR the Sam Farr bill for Pinnacles had been approved in both houses and was on the President's desk for approval. When we met with Farr, this bill included Clear Creek being managed as a National Recreation Area, with the trail designations as they were in April 2008. That is about 250 miles of trails. Pretty awesome riding.

What you can do now:

This is real opportunity to be heard, and frankly, to teach our brethren to engage their representatives on their behalf. Motorcyclists are often silent until it is too late. Congress, the senates and the assembly need to know we are a significant constituency.

Can each of send a note to a two national Senators, a congressperson, an assemblyperson and a state senator? Can each of us ask all the fellow dirtbikers we know to do the same?

And, go to the Pinnacles website and comment by Jan 11:
Park Planning
http://www.nps.gov/pinn/parkmgmt/planning.htm

the barf story here:
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257123

 

[Butch]

Congress/ Senate bill info

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php

for
H.R. 6286

had nothing... I gotta call Zoe Lofgren on Monday

 

[Butch]

Sam Farr site:
http://www.farr.house.gov/index.php...me-national-park&catid=36:2012-press-releases

Pinnacles to Become National Park PDF Share Link: Print

Senate Passes Congressman Farr’s bill to establish the United States’ 59th National Park

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate passed Congressman Sam Farr’s (D-Carmel) bill to establish Pinnacles National Park in California. The bill, H.R. 3641, the Pinnacles National Park Act, brought forward by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in the Senate, previously passed the House of Representatives in July. It now heads to the President’s desk for his expected signature.

The bill elevates the 26,000 acre Pinnacles National Monument into a National Park. Pinnacles National Park will be the 59th National Park created by Congress and the first since 2004.

“The Pinnacles is a special place and I am proud to have worked with Senator Boxer to elevate it to a National Park,” said Congressman Farr. “Often referred to as the missing novel in our National Park’s library, this treasure will finally take its rightful place on the shelf next to Yosemite, Yellowstone and all of our other wonderful parks. Today is a great day not just for California but for all Americans, who will want to now come visit this geological and ecological wonder.”

Established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, Pinnacles National Monument is the 11th oldest National Monument in the United States. The area draws its name from the volcanic spires that were formed by the eruption of the Neenach Volcano over 23 million years ago.

The Pinnacles system is home to 149 species of birds, 49 mammals, 22 reptiles, six amphibians, 68 butterflies, 36 dragonflies and damselflies, nearly 400 bees and many thousands of other invertebrates.

The monument is also home to 30 endangered California condors. Since 2003, the Park Service has been a part of the California Condor Recovery Program to re-establish California condors at Pinnacles.

The legislation moved quickly through Congress because of its broad, grassroots support due to the positive impact it would have on the surrounding communities. It is supported by Monterey and San Benito counties, including their respective Chambers of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureaus. Ken Burns, director of “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” also supports the legislation.

“The Central Coast is ready to welcome visitors to this national treasure,” said Congressman Farr. “From exploring caves, to viewing springtime wildflowers, to hiking through spire-like rock formations, visitors and families can participate in activities that leave lasting memories. It is truly worthy of National Park status.”

The legislation also renames the Pinnacles Wilderness within the National Monument as the Hain Wilderness. Schuler Hain was a conservationist who lead the effort to establish Pinnacles National Monument in 1908.

 

[budman]

Thanks butch. On it baby.

 

[Butch]

This just sent to Farr and Lofgren, rather, to each of their chief of staff:

Dear Congressional Representatives and staff:

Alec Arago: I met you and congressman Sam Farr at the town meeting in Hollister. I was the guy with the motorcycle out front wearing my dirtbike riding clothes.

Sandra Soto, I have been in Ms Lofgren’s office several times and have solicited your help in several off highway vehicle (OHV) access issues. You and the staff has said you support our cause, especially that in regaining access to the Clear Creek Management Area, closed under false pretenses by Rick Cooper of the BLM in May of 2008. This closure is a source of millions of dollars of wasted federal funds, as well as a crippling countless local businesses. I personally am appalled by the behavior of Rick Cooper and his disdain for the public and the due process of the law.

I was thrilled earlier this month to hear that the Congressman’s bill, H.R. 6286, had been passed by the senate and congress last year, and was awaiting the President’s signature.

Alec, can you tell me the status if this bill? I have been able to determine its status by searching the web. Did the approved bill contain Clear Creek as well as the Pinnacles?
Sandra, can we count on the support of Congresswoman Lofgren?

I ask on behalf of the local OHV community, which are tens of thousands of voters. Please visit the motorcycle political action forum on southbayriders.com , http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=144 , and the Riders Right forum at bayarearidersforum.com , http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=145 , to get and idea of our passion. These are just two sites of many, but the individuals frequenting these forums are particularly politically active. We went to help representatives who further our sport, and expel those who do not represent their constituents.

Courtesy of reply is requested.

Gus “Butch” Meyner
Rider
Taxpayer
Voter

 

[Butch]

so if you guys could do the same it would be good, to Farr and your particular congressperson.

We should also point out the the CC closure has lead to over crowding at Hollister hills SVRA, resulting in increased injuries as well as people being turned away after driving down there.

 

[Jcrocker]

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/na...es-pinnacles-national-monument-south-bay-area

 

[Butch]

CCMA is a separate bill, apparently.

From Alec Arago:

Thanks for your note and your support of the Pinnacles bill. Sort answer to your question, is no, the tow bill were not combined. The Clear Creek Nat’l Recreation Area bill did not move. To be fair, the bill had only gone in August. Our Pinnacles Bill have been introduced in several successive sessions of Congress and was several years in the making before that. We are working on reintroducing the Clear Creek bill early this year and will push hard to get it through in this session of Congress. I hope this helps.



Alec J. Arago
District Director
Rep. Sam Farr
(831) 424-2229
alec.arago@mail.house.gov

 

[HUSLEY]

me too

I have been politely emailing Farr's office

 

[Butch]

Proposed Resource Management Plan & Final Environmental Impact Study is released

We are screwed, but the time for action is now.
Those who wrote "substantive comments" have 30 days to protest. Please do.
Then they release the Record of Decision, ROD, then we appeal the ROD, then we sue...

there is tons of good stuff hare at SBR, where ET and Dirtflea comment. Those dudes are awesome.
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/threads/130378/

From: Murphy, Sky <smurphy@blm.gov>
Date: Fri, Mar 29, 2013 at 9:41 AM

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Hollister Field Office will release a Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement Friday for the 63,000-acre Clear Creek Management Area in southern San Benito and western Fresno Counties.

Under the proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP), off-highway vehicle use would not be authorized in the Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). However, limited motorized entry would be allowed within the ACEC to provide access to key areas of interest for non-motorized recreation. Vehicle touring in the ACEC would be limited to a 32-mile scenic route loop. Access into the ACEC would be authorized by permit only, with vehicle touring limited to less than five days per year and pedestrian activity limited to less than 12 days per year.

"The release of this proposed RMP is a big step in opening the area to public use," said Rick Cooper, BLM Hollister Field Office Manager, of the area, which has been closed since 2008 because of health risks posed by naturally occurring asbestos.

The BLM has also included adaptive management criteria in the proposed RMP allowing the BLM to periodically reassess land use plan decisions if significant new information on human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers becomes available.

A 30-day protest period on the proposed RMP/Final EIS runs from April 5 through May 6. During this period, any person who participated in the planning process and believes they may be adversely affected by approval of the plan may submit a protest. A final decision on the RMP will not be issued until protests are resolved. Procedures for filing protests are available at the website:

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/planning/protest_resolution.html

Approximately 30,000 acres of the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) contain serpentine soils. Serpentine, a greenish rock, can contain asbestos fibers. The Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC contains asbestos that is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s acceptable risk range for exposure to carcinogens. Portions of the CCMA and the ACEC have been temporarily closed since May 1, 2008, to protect persons, property and public land resources while the RMP was developed.

The Proposed RMP/Final EIS is available on-line for public review at the Hollister Field Office webpage: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/clear_creek_management_area/CCMA_RMP.html.

Compact disks of the document are available by request from the Hollister Field Office Bureau of Land Management, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, CA 95023. For additional information contact the Hollister Field Office at (831) 630-5000.

BLM NEWS RELEASE:

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2013/march/clearcreekproposedplan.html

 

[Butch]

Help?

 

[ThumperX]

I received this notification as well. All of California is laced with Serpentine, it's our freaking State ROCK for God's sake :rant

I haev been attempting to get in touch with my former Geomorphology professor regarding Serpentine, Cal Trans, housing developmens, cattle grazing, etc.

Sorry Butch as of right now I am not much help.

 

[Butch]

Those who wrote comments (er, me) need to write their protests.

It would be good if everyone was contacting their congresspersons and Feinberg and the Boxer.

 

[Butch]

Some folks are working really hard on this. Kudos to the AMA and BRC and FOCCMA. FOCCMA linky is at the bottom of this post. Please check it out.

 

[DefyInertia]

Thanks, Butch. Been keepi g up on SBR...

 

[Butch]

The EPA says
http://www.epa.gov/region09/toxic/noa/clearcreek/index.html

Is there such thing as "naturally occurring asbestos"?
I don't think so. Asbestos is not a mineral, it is a man made manufactured oviduct from a variety of minerals, including chrysotile.

I think. Graybast, comment perhaps? Resident geologist, and all...

 

[Papi]

The EPA says...
Is there such thing as "naturally occurring asbestos"?
.

No.
Serpentine soil exists throughout California valleys and foothill regions, and in fact in the most populated areas of the state. By EPA logic, we are all "infected" by this junk science, as all my friends who live in San Ho to Carlsbad are exposed to "naturally occurring asbestos" on a daily basis. We built houses on TOP OF IT. Where kids crawl and eat the very dirt the EPA wants to save us from.

It's only one thing for sure. 100% Bullshit.

 

[Butch]

Originally Posted by Butch
The EPA says...
Is there such thing as "naturally occurring asbestos"?

No.
Serpentine soil exists throughout California valleys and foothill regions, and in fact in the most populated areas of the state. By EPA logic, we are all "infected" by this junk science, as all my friends who live in San Ho to Carlsbad are exposed to "naturally occurring asbestos" on a daily basis. We built houses on TOP OF IT. Where kids crawl and eat the very dirt the EPA wants to save us from.

It's only one thing for sure. 100% Bullshit.

bullshit is not a good legal term.

This is "FRAUD"

Each and every one of us, and all those that care about this sport, and about government abuse, needs to contact their congressperson, and the state senators (just for documentation purposes) and tell them we object to this fraud.

Does anyone fell pissed enough to compose a letter? Can we do this?
Do you know what fracking is dong on the global emmisions scene? That is where the EPA should be working.

We are doomed, unless you guys stop it.

 

[Papi]

We are doomed, unless you guys stop it.

We doomed ourselves in 2008 Butch. Sorry.
Unless you can get every green/red sticker/ OHV'r / hunter together to collectively sue as I tried to do back then, the fight is lost man.
Even our best hopes with CalOHV of CalParks is now dead. I'll still help you fight man, but it's going to be a $25 Million dollar opener to get this won.

In 2008 it would have $1 million. Again, sorry. Feel free to hit me up offline. We won against the BLM in another state, but it took heavy influence in DC and $$,$$$,$$$.

 

[Butch]

The ROD, Record of Decision, is out. We have 30 days to appeal. This is where the BRC, CORVA and the AMA come in.

I will make an inquiry.