Protects additional 21,000 acres as Joaquin Rocks Wilderness

WASHINGTON – Congressman David G. Valadao (R-Hanford) and Sam Farr (D-Carmel) today 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.

Congressman Valadao stated, “Californians have been enjoying the natural beauty of Clear Creek for decades. 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 Congressman Farr. “This partnership between the two groups will allow us to achieve two victories to benefit to the local communities.”

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.

Los Padres National Forest officials announced that recreation managers are seeking public comments on proposals for the 2012/2013 State of California Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant program. In accordance with state requirements, public comments can be submitted from March 5 through April 1, 2013.

A two-step application process is used by the State to allow public comment and feedback before final submittal. The preliminary application is due March 4, 2013. This will open a public review and comment period and will follow with final applications due May 6, 2012. The State is using an Internet-based “On-Line Grant Application” process as the means to apply for State funding.

Reprinted from The Tribune (San Luis Obispo), January 25, 2013

Lawyers spent two hours arguing that question Thursday in San Luis Obispo before Superior Court Judge Charles Crandall. Two lawsuits have been filed against the air district challenging a controversial dust control rule that requires the State Parks to reduce the amount of dust blowing off of its Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

Crandall opened the oral arguments by putting the plaintiffs on notice that they have a high bar to reach if he is going to find in their favor.

“I’m inclined to give a huge amount of deference to the air district in rulemaking,” he said, challenging plaintiffs’ attorneys to change his mind.