[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 85 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24087-24088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9681]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-190-08-1220-PN]


Notice of Closure of BLM Public Lands Within the Clear Creek 
Management Area

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of closure to all forms of entry and public use of 
approximately 31,000 acres of public lands within the Clear Creek 
Management Area (CCMA), referred to as the Serpentine Area of 
Environmental Concern (ACEC) and portions of adjacent BLM-administered 
lands, located in southern San Benito County and western Fresno County, 
California.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), subpart 
8364.1, an Order has been issued by the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM), Hollister Field Office, closing to all forms of entry and public 
use certain BLM-administered public lands. This closure is necessary to 
protect public land users from human health risks associated with 
exposure to airborne asbestos in the CCMA based upon a final report 
issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that concludes that 
public use activities could expose an individual to excess lifetime 
cancer risks. The order will remain in effect while the BLM completes a 
Resource Management Plan for the CCMA to determine if and how visitor 
use can occur without associated excess health risks. This closure 
affects approximately 31,000 acres of public lands located within the 
Bureau of Land Management's Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA).

DATES: The Order was issued and became effective on May 1, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Cooper, Hollister Field Manager, 
BLM, Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, California, 
95023. Telephone: 831-630-5010 Fax: 831-630-5055, during regular 
business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CCMA is a remote area with hundreds of miles 
of roads and trails that were created to support historic timber 
harvesting and

[[Page 24088]]

mining activities. The 63,000 acre area is a popular location for off-
highway vehicle (OHV) recreation. A variety of other recreation 
activities also occur within the CCMA, including hunting, rock-
hounding, wildlife watching, and hiking. This is a unique geological 
area with serpentine soils that contain naturally occurring asbestos.
    BLM has issued the Closure Order in response to the results of a 
study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that 
concludes public use activities could expose an individual to excess 
lifetime cancer risks.
    Closure Order: Pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1, BLM has issued an Order 
closing approximately 31,000 acres of public land to all forms of entry 
and public use within the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA). The area 
is referred to as the Serpentine Area of Environmental Concern (ACEC) 
and portions of adjacent BLM-administered lands in lower Clear Creek 
Canyon, located in southern San Benito County and western Fresno 
County, California. The lands include portions of Mount Diablo 
Principal Meridian: Township 17 South, Ranges 11 and 12 East; Township 
18 South, Ranges 11, 12 and 13 East, and Township 19 South, Range 13 
East.
    This closure is necessary to protect public land users from human 
health risks associated with exposure to airborne asbestos in the CCMA 
based upon a final report issued by the Environmental Protection Agency 
that concludes that public use activities could expose an individual to 
excess lifetime cancer risks. The order will remain in effect while the 
BLM completes a Resource Management Plan for the CCMA to determine if 
and how visitor use can occur without associated excess health risks.
    The following persons are exempt from the identified restrictions:
    (1) Federal, State, or local law enforcement officers, while 
engaged in the execution of their official duties.
    (2) BLM personnel or their representatives while engaged in the 
execution of their official duties.
    (3) Any member of an organized rescue, fire-fighting force, or 
emergency medical services organization while in the performance of 
their official duties.
    (4) Any member of a federal, state, or local government agencies 
while in the performance of an official duty.
    (5) Any person in receipt of a written authorization of exemption 
obtained from the authorized officer.
    Private landowners within the restricted area and persons with 
valid existing rights-of-way, mining claims, or leases must request in 
writing access permission from Hollister Field Manager at the address 
listed below.
    During the closure period the area will be clearly posted. 
Informational signs will be posted at main entry points to locations 
affected by this Order. Maps of the closed area will be posted with the 
Order at key locations that provide access to the closed area, and may 
also be obtained at the Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court, 
Hollister, California 95023.
    Failure to comply with this order is punishable by a fine not to 
exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months Pursuant to 
43 CFR, subpart 8360.0-7.

    Dated: April 3, 2008.
Rick Cooper,
Hollister Field Manager.
 [FR Doc. E8-9681 Filed 4-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P