CLOSURE AVERTED AT CLEAR CREEK MANAGEMENT AREA

HOLLISTER, CA (Jan. 20) - Motorized recreation will continue to be a significant use at a popular California area, despite the desire of some to eliminate that use entirely. The Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has been under attack for several years by anti-access groups seeking to close one of the most popular off-road riding areas in Central California and an area identified as one of the best riding areas in the entire United States.

In November, 2004 those groups filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking the closure of the area and challenging the BLM’s management of the CCMA. The BlueRibbon Coalition, a national non-profit recreation group (BRC), spearheaded an effort by motorized recreation interests to intervene in this case in order to help to protect public access to the CCMA.

The lawsuit remains pending, and opponents to vehicle access have filed numerous motions seeking immediate judicial imposition of travel restrictions, none of which have been granted.

"Recreationists appreciate the Court's understanding of the bigger picture at the CCMA and its appropriate deference to the ongoing planning process," noted Paul Turcke, a Boise, Idaho, attorney representing the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club, the American Motorcyclist Association District 36, the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, the California Off Road Vehicle Association, the Off Road Business Association and the BlueRibbon Coalition in the lawsuit.

Before and during the lawsuit the Bureau of Land Management has been working on a travel management plan for the area. On January 13, 2006, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its Record of Decision restricting vehicle travel in the CCMA to designated routes and areas.

While the off-road community expressed relief upon reviewing this latest federal management action because it continues to allow recreational use of the area, BRC and member organizations are dissatisfied by the accompanying planning process that failed to incorporate many changes to the new plan recommended by the OHV community. The riders had provided input and suggested alternatives that they hoped would provide greater resource protection while also enhancing the recreational experience. The organized recreation community does not oppose the concept of restricting travel to designated routes, but felt the proposed plan went too far, unnecessarily eliminating access to many desirable areas, and could unjustifiably increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

Don Amador, western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, states, "Our work is far from finished at CCMA and we encourage the BLM to open a dialogue with the OHV community to discuss the areas where this management plan can be improved. It is far from perfect, but it gives us a baseline network which we hope to build upon to meet a legitimate and growing recreation demand.”

”It is always difficult for riders and even the agency to move from ‘open’ or unrestricted travel management prescriptions to ‘limited’ plans where OHV use is allowed only on designated routes. However, many successful federal recreation programs have made such a move including the BLM’s Cow Mountain Recreation Area, the Stonyford OHV Area on the Mendocino National Forest, and the Millican Plateau OHV Area near Bend, Oregon,” Amador concluded.

Under the newly-released decision, travel in the CCMA will be limited to about 270 miles of designated trails and 480 acres of designated "barrens." A hearing on "all pending motions" in the lawsuit is set for February 24, 2006.