December 9, 2009 – BLM has published a Draft Resource Management Plan and associated Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), which is approximately 75,000 acres of public lands in San Benito and Fresno Counties , California .  The Draft RMP/EIS would carry forward the designation of the existing 30,200-acre Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) to “minimize human health risks from exposure to asbestos and reduce airborne emissions of asbestos.”  The ACEC, which is home to many popular OHV routes, was temporarily closed last year as a result of BLM’s finding regarding asbestos.  Should the RMP/EIS be approved, OHV use would be permanently prohibited in the ACEC.  Outside the ACEC, the Draft RMP/EIS would designate the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua Zones as “limited” vehicle use areas with 30 miles of designated routes.  Vehicle use in those areas would be limited to full-size vehicles and ATV/UTV use only on designated routes.

Comments on the Draft RMP/EIS will be accepted until March 5, 2010.  It is important that OHV enthusiasts get involved in the designation process by contacting BLM staff.  Comments may be sent by email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , by fax to: 831-630-5055 or by mail to: 

BLM Hollister Field Office
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister , CA 95023

Additional information found online:
Original Federal Register Notice
Full Text of Draft RMP/EIS, Maps and Related Documents

For further information, please contact Sky Murphy in BLM’s Hollister Field Office at 831-630-5039.