Tuesday, January 12, 2010

BLM announces Clear Creek Management Area Draft Plan hearings

From the Hollister Field Office of the BLM:

CCMA RMP/EIS STATUS UPDATE:

BLM is pleased to announce the release of the Clear Creek Management Area Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. A 90-day public comment period on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS began on December 4, 2009 and runs through March 5, 2010. During this period, any person with an interest in the range of alternatives considered in the draft RMP/EIS is encouraged to submit written comments.

The BLM Hollister Field Office will host three public meetings to gather comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS in January 2010. Each public meeting will begin with an open house where the public can gather information, talk with BLM specialists, and provide written comments on the draft RMP/EIS. Following the open house, the BLM will give a brief introduction followed by an opportunity for the public to provide oral comments on the draft RMP/EIS.

Although oral comments will be noted on flip charts, BLM will only respond to written public comments in the Proposed RMP and Final EIS. Comments must be postmarked or received by BLM no later than March 5, 2010. The public is encouraged to attend the public meetings to gather information and provide comments on the draft RMP/EIS.

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

Written public comments may be submitted to BLM at public meetings or by any of the following methods:

Mail: Bureau of Land Management
Attn: CCMA RMP/EIS
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, CA 95023

E-mail: cahormp@ca.blm.gov

Fax: (831) 630-5055 Attn: CCMA RMP/EIS

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.

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Okay, dedicated Rockhounds, it's time for you to come forward and do your best to help restore access to the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA). Please follow the link above and download the PDF file of the Draft Resource Management Plan.

Then, try to read it. Don't give up, ok? This document was written by and for Lawyers and other persons who use what is basically incomprehensible language and speak with forked tongues. you can cut through the intentionally confusing writing and use your Adobe Reader (or Preview, for you lucky Mac users!) to go directly to the 'Management Alternatives' section. On page 19, you'll find the proposed Alternatives.

Please read these Alternative proposals. Be aware that, according to the EPA, even a 1 in 1,000,000 chance of a visitor being adversely affected by chrysotile asbestos in the environment of the CCMA is justification for restricting or even completely denying entry to the CCMA.

If you don't believe that could actually happen, you're deluded. It has happened, and such an order is currently in effect in the CCMA.

The EPA wants to make this closure permanent. Be assured, dear friend, that if they can do it here, they'll use it as a precedent to close other "sensitive" or "dangerous" areas.

Draft Plan A is the only proposed plan that follows current environmental law. This is the proposal that I support.

With the ongoing efforts by "Environmentalists" and Senator Feinstein to make so much more of the Mojave Desert into 'Wilderness,' we have to stand and make our voices heard. Please stand with us.

We'll stand with you, when they come to do this to your area.

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I'll be going to the Harris Ranch meeting, and hope that you can attend. Local Rockhounds will be meeting at the Fresno Gem & Mineral Society clubhouse ( Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, 340 W Olive Ave, Fresno, CA ) and leaving at 4 pm on January 13th to caravan down to Coalinga. I hope to see you there!

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