"Enviro-Tyranny" creates a No-Mans Land in Central California

The first in an ongoing series chronicling local effects of the growing wave of "Enviro-Tyranny," this article examines the history, both old and new, of the Clear Creek Management Area, and the scientific validity of and alleged dishonesty of those "special interests" who've made this heretofore popular recreation destination a "No-Mans Land," all in the name of "Environmentalism."

Straddling the border of Fresno & San Benito Counties in Central California, the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) has long been both a valuable mining district and a popular recreation wonderland.



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Figure #1: Google satellite iamge. The CCMA is centered in the picture between Coalinga in NObama County & Bitterwater in San Benito County.



The CCMA has, over the past 120+ years, been an incredibly successful mining area. The minerals found here are astounding in variety, and include the California State Gemstone, Benitoite. This incredibly rare & beautiful gemstone is found in gem quality only in this remote and rugged area. Additionally, this area has produced Mercury, Jade and a plethora of other economically important minerals. yet, very few Central Cal residents even know of this scenic area. Amongst the rare minerals that this is type locality (first identified) for are Fresnoite, a lovely barium, titanium silicate mineral.

At nearly 76,000 acres, the CCMA has been a popular off-road & 4 wheel drive destination for the last several decades. My last entry into the CCMA was in 2001, when I had an invigorating all day drive from the northern entrance at New Idria all the way to the south entrance, and on to stay overnight in Coalinga. At that time, the campgrounds were well attended, and an amateur motocross competition was in full swing.

Then, in July 2002, The BLM, EPA and California OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Commission increased restrictions on OHV travel. From the Clear Creek Management Area FEIS and ROD with commentary by the Salinas Ramblers OHV Club web site:

• CCMA will be managed under a Limited Use vehicle designation. All vehicles will be restricted to a designated route system. All OHV’s must remain on Designated Open routes, which are signed for use. Cross country travel will not be allowed anywhere in the CCMA except for designated open barrens.

SRMC Comment: The ROD states: "Approval of the plan includes my decisions to designate the Clear Creek Management Area a “Limited Use” area, meaning that motor vehicles and off road vehicles must remain on existing routes and that cross country travel will no longer be allowed anywhere in the management area except for those barren areas specifically identified for that use."

Sensitive resources will be protected, while still providing for public use.

Unfortunately, this decision would not long stay so "liberal" & would not be the last in the "Environmentalists," EPA & BLM "war" against open access to the CCMA. Indeed, it seemed only an opening salvo.

The Decisions and "Environmental Opinions" would culminate in the "Emergency" restriction of this area to all public traverse in 2006, and it's complete "Temporary" closure in 2008.

This series will continue with the second installment on Monday, 8/10/09. I'll document the ensuing battle between open access defenders and the restrictive Gov't and "Environmentalist" entities, and link to documents that expose scientific disagreements within the governmental agencies responsible for the closure.

My thanks to the following for the included links:

Google Maps

SMRMC

Mindat.org