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Clear Creek is closed

wow, ive only been there once but planned to make it on my regular rotation as it quickly became my favorite place to ride ever after spending 7 days there...
 
This makes me sick to my stomach. Clear Creek has always been one of my very favorite places to ride.

I feel really sorry for Ed Tobin and the rest of the Salinas Ramblers, too. They've all been busting ass for years (I wrote my first-ever Clear Creek letter to the government in 1987) trying to keep Clear Creek open. They also own a lot of land that borders on Clear Creek. It's just a shitty situation all the way around. I'd really like to see the wasted Green Sticker funds get paid back. Hah...like that's ever going to happen...


AngryChick
 
:( no New Idria tard rides til hell freezes over huh? :(
 
:( no New Idria tard rides til hell freezes over huh? :(

I'm not sure about that. The road through Clear Creek is a county road, if I'm not mistaken. If you were going straight through they wouldn't/couldn't make you pay at the entrance before, so maybe you can still ride through on the road. There is still private property out there, and isn't the KCAC mine still in operation?

At any rate, a totally sucky situation all around...


WoodsChick
 
So as a relative dirt newb who never went to Clear Creek, what's the likely impact on Hollister? Just get even more ridiculously overcrowded?
 
I'm not sure about that. The road through Clear Creek is a county road, if I'm not mistaken. If you were going straight through they wouldn't/couldn't make you pay at the entrance before, so maybe you can still ride through on the road. There is still private property out there, and isn't the KCAC mine still in operation?

At any rate, a totally sucky situation all around...


WoodsChick



that road is open, they do not have the authority to close it.


I knew it would happen, just not this quickly...at least I remember the good old days....
 
So as a relative dirt newb who never went to Clear Creek, what's the likely impact on Hollister? Just get even more ridiculously overcrowded?

It seems that would be the logical conclusion, but I'm not so sure. Hollister absolutely pales in comparison to CC, in size, terrain variety, degree of difficulty...just so many ways. The hardcore riders that really know CC well and ride all the good stuff...well, I can't see them saying "Oh well, we'll just go to Hollister now." There is no doubt, though, that Hollister will get some overflow. It might be time for the Hollister regulars to expand their horizons a little bit.


WoodsChick
 
shit.

Anyone know some folks with the Salinas Ramblers? I wonder what action they recommend?
 
Even if we need to ask for a replacement riding area to compensate for closing CC, it makes sense to negotiate from a position of strength. It never makes sense to roll over and let them take what is yours without a fight! The BLM should be the agency offering us an alternative. We should back them so far into a corner that they give us even more land.

But the sad fact it, Clear Creek's terrain is unique and it can never be replaced. Even though we may have known this was coming, we are in mourning and it hurts bad. While we write letters and send money and prepare to be at meetings and consider moving to another state, we need to keep fighting in order to prevent ourselves from falling into a depression. Speak out to friends and family, tell coworkers, write letters, send emails, post on the internet. It will help you feel better. Depression comes from a sense of feeling powerless to control your destiny. Ignore the haters and do what you know is right.

Closing All of Clear Creek is unnecessary. It's possible to mitigate the dangers, to fence off the "hot spots", to have dry season closures, to require/request that people wear dusk masks, to advise people to gap out their riding order and try to avoid riding directly in someone's dust. There are a lot of trails in and around Clear Creek that are just like any other land in CA, regular clay type dirt; there's no reason we shouldn't be allowed to ride those areas. I prefer the single track anyway, I don't spend most of my time on the barrens and when I did, it was usually after a rain and there was zero dust. But never forget we have No reports of any illness.

The sampling taken by the EPA was flawed, they dropped the equipment in the dirt, didn't take multiple samples, they had an agenda. This is all old news to those of us who have been following the issue for the past few years. The environmentalists are a powerful lobby and control many agencies, especially in liberal CA. It's a well known fact that they want to stop All OHV. Reasonable people will think this is crazy, that we should be able to preserve the land, share, enjoy the outdoors. There are millions of acres available, yet the fastest growing sport in the country is seeing all access disappear before our eyes. The people who hate OHV and refuse to back down, use the endangered species act as a weapon against us. But they have many tactics. Again, there are millions of acres of empty land available throughout the country, but these people will not compromise, they want it All Closed. The asbestos issue will be used to close all of El Dorado National Forest, Hollister Hills, etc. This case will set a precedent. Why can't we all just sign waivers, stating that we know what the risks are and we won't sue?! There's a lot at stake here and we need to take a stand. If people don't want to ride there, then they shouldn't and they should shut up and go crawl back into their hatred and spare us their misery. I don't trust these people, they aren't our friends, they are on the other side.

It feels good to have a cause to fight for, in the name of good, for the children, for recreation, for freedom. I enjoy writing letters, it's empowering and builds character. I'm also fighting to save the Piutes, that's another great place to ride.

Above all, don't let the hate/fear mongers get to you. Like many have said, I will continue to ride. And I don't mean ride my sport bike on hwy 9. I mean ride my street legal dirt bike in the forest, trees and desert. I've been doing it since I could throw a leg over a bike and will do it till the day I die. Funny thing is, I enjoy nature more than the so called environmentalists. The forests/deserts are always Empty where I go... I guess the hikers can't get off their hateful asses to go enjoy the places they say they love. I pitty those people, what a pathetic existence they must lead.
 
how/where to email/fax/write

The following was posted by Steve "Papi" Chappell on sothbayriders.com
The original link from SBR is here: http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57662
Papi granted permission for this to be posted on this site as well.
He is an AMA Member and D36 Senior Racer.

This is OUR ACTION LIST of Gov, Lobbyist and Corporate Influencers to Get CCMA open and save our OHV Areas

I have started my emailing, faxing, mailing and calling campaign. I am also going to post the list of email, addresses and phone numbers (Voice and Fax) of the EPA Officials, BLM, State, and every government official we can communicate to. Email addresses will be checked to the best of my ability for validity and currency. If you have em, send them to me via PM and I will post em here.

Public Meetings (listed here again so you go)

May 8, Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, EPA and BLM, open house from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, meeting from 6:00 – 9:00 pm

May 19, Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St., Hollister, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

May 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Library Room 225, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, 6:00 – 8:00 pm


EMAIL, NUMBERS & ADDRESSES OF AGENCIES AND CONTACTS. REMEMBER, BE NICE, DO NOT THREATEN OR SPEAK OR JOKE OF HARM. THESE AGENCIES CAN USE THE DHS TO TRACK YOU DOWN AND ARREST YOU. MAKE A POINT AND BE POLITE. SHOW THEM WE ARE A GREAT BUNCH OF FOLKS THAT HAVE LOST A SIGNIFICANT RESOURCE.

WRITE, EMAIL, CALL, FAX!!! DO IT ALL.
BUT DO SOMETHING, AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A DAY, EVERYDAY!

NOTE: LIST WILL BE UPDATED AS I GO. PM ME WITH ANY I MISSED.

EPA We are in EPA District 9

simms.mary@epa.gov Mary Simms

johnson.stephen@epa.gov Stephen Johnson is the Administrator of the EPA (TOP DOG)

johnson.kathleen@epa.gov Kathleen Johnson is the Director of Public Affairs for EPA District 9

diamond.jane@epa.gov Jane Diamond is the Director of Policy and Management for the EPA District 9

manzanilla.enrique@epa.gov Enrique Manzanilla is the Director of Communities and Ecosystems for the EPA District 9

U.S. Congressional Representatives
Each of us lives in one of these Districts. Write, Call, FAX your Congressional Representative today!

District 10 Ellen O.Tauscher
Walnut Creek office at (925) 932-8899
2121 North California Blvd., Suite 555 (Tower B)
Staff Listing:
* Jennifer Barton ~ District Director
Emai * Kellymarie Demaray ~ Congressional Aide
* Erik Ridley ~ Field Representative
* Ricardo Blanco ~ Field Representative
* Remy Goldsmith ~ Field Representative
* Karen Tedford ~ Constituent Services Manager
* Mark Herbert ~ Congressional Aide

District 11 Jerry McNerney
District Office: Pleasanton Office
5776 Stoneridge Mall Rd. #175
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 737-0727
(408) 744-0727
Fax: (925) 737-0734

Stockton Office
2222 Grand Canal Blvd. #7
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 476-8552
Fax: (209) 476-8587

Washington, D.C. Office
312 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Voice: (202) 225-1947 Fax: (202) 225-4060



District 12 Jackie Speier
District Office: 400 S. El Camino Real, Suite 410, San Mateo, CA 94402
Voice: 650-342-0300 FAX: 650-375-8270

DC Office: 2413 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515 — (202) 225-3531


District 15 Michael M. Honda
email: mike.honda@mail.house.gov

District 18 Dennis A. Cardoza


State of California

Governor's Office:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (STATE TOP DOG)
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160 ( new number )

Governors District Offices:
Fresno Office
2550 Mariposa Mall #3013
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-445-5295
Fax: 559-445-5328

Los Angeles Office
300 South Spring Street
Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-897-0322
Fax: 213-897-0319

Riverside Office
3737 Main Street #201
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-680-6860
Fax: 951-680-6863

San Diego Office
1350 Front Street
Suite 6054
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-525-4641
Fax: 619-525-4640

San Francisco Office
455 Golden Gate Avenue
Suite 14000
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-703-2218
Fax: 415-703-2803

Washington D.C. Office
134 Hall of the States
444 North Capitol Street NW
Washington D.C. 20001
Phone: 202-624-5270
Fax: 202-624-5280


U.S. Department of the Interior

Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior (DOI TOP DOG)

BLM

Jim Caswell, Director of the BLM (BLM TOP DOG)
Emailto: James_Caswell@blm.gov

Bureau of Land Management
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1834
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: (916) 978-4400
Fax: (916) 978-4416

Emailto: Mike_Pool@ca.blm.gov Mike is the BLM California State Director (STATE BLM TOP DOG)
(916) 978-4600

Emailto: Jim_Abbott@ca.blm.gov Jim is Associate State Director
(916) 978-4600

Hollister Field Office CA190
Bureau of Land Management
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 630-5000
Fax: (831) 630-5055

Emailto: Rick_Cooper@ca.blm.gov Rick is the Field Manager in Hollister
(831) 630-5000


-- OUR LOBBYISTS ---

Our Lobby is not just "named" lobbyists. It is Motorcycle Manuf, Parts and accessory Manuf and everyone involved in the business of making money with powersports. These groups and companies have a say in their political contributions as well. Let them all know how we are effected by losing our OHV lands.

AMA - The American Motorcycle Assoc.
Join the AMA.
Go here to learn more: http://www.amadirectlink.com/whatis/index.asp
Go here to Join NOW: http://www.amadirectlink.com/whatis/index.asp


BRC - The Blue Ribbon Coalition
Join the BRC!
Go here to learn more about the BRC: http://www.sharetrails.org/
Go here to Join NOW: https://www.sharetrails.org/secure/join_or_contribute/

Here is a list of AMA Corporate Members that MAKE MONEY off our riding.
Write to all of them and tell them that our District 9 EPA is taking away your ability to buy more
from them as we cannot ride in our designated areas because of this EPA action. THIS IS HOW CORPORATE MONEY WILL GET THE MESSAGE TO THE EPA AND OUR GOV OFFICIALS FAST.

AMA Corporate Members

Advanstar Communications
201 E. Sandpointe, Ste. 600
Santa Ana, CA 92707-5761

Aero Design & Manufacturing Co.
8 S. 18th Ave. West
Duluth, MN 55806-2148

AIG Specialty Auto
4501 Northpoint Pkwy., Suite 500
Alpharetta, GA 30022

American Honda Motor Co.
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

American Suzuki Motor Corp.
P.O. Box 1100
Brea, CA 92622

BikeBandit.com
7625 Panasonic Way, Suite B
San Diego, CA 92154

BikerHiway
16525 Sherman Way, C-11
Van Nuys, CA 91406

BMW of North America
P.O. Box 1227
Westwood, NJ 07675-1227

Bridgestone/Firestone North America Tire, LLC
535 Marriott Dr.,
Nashville, TN 37214

Clymer Publications
9800 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, KS 66212

Cruiser Customizing, Inc.
4671 Las Positas Rd., Bldg. C
Livermore, CA 94551

Cycle Gear, Inc.
4950 Industrial Way
Benicia, CA 94510
(707) 747-5053

Cycle News Inc.
P.O. Box 5084
Costa Mesa, CA 92628

CycleTrader.com
295 Bendix Rd., 3rd Fl.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
(757) 321-8261

Dimension Services
400 Metro Place North
Suite 300
Dublin, OH 43017

Don Emde Productions
15 Enterprise, Suite 110
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Ducati North America Inc.
10443 Bandley Dr.
Cupertino, CA 95014

Dunlop Tire Corp.
P.O. Box 1109
Buffalo, NY 14240-1109

Dynojet Research Inc.
2191 Mendenhall Dr., #105
N. Las Vegas, NV 89030

Ehlert Publishing Group
6420 Sycamore Ln., N.
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Fairchild Sports
15602 Mosher Ave.
Tustin, CA 92780

Filter Publications, LLC
122 Vista Del Rio Dr.
Morgantown, WV 26508

Fix My Hog, Inc.
3853 Belmont Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116

Foremost Insurance Group
5600 Beech Tree Ln.
Caledonia, MI 49316

GEICO Powersports
1345 Perimeter Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Guardian Warranty Corporation
407 McAlpine Street
Avoca, PA 18641

Harley-Davidson, Inc.
P.O. Box 653
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0653

Hughes Recreational Products, Inc.
185 Kingsland St.
Nutley, NJ 07110

Kawasaki Motors Corporation
9950 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, CA 92618-2016

KK Motorcycle Supply
431 E. Third St.
Dayton, OH 45402-2116

KTM North America, Inc.
1119 Milan Ave.
Amherst, OH 44001

M/C Enterprises
460 S. Lombard St.
Oxnard, CA 93030

McGraw Insurance Services
3601 Haven Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025

Michelin North America Inc.
P.O. Box 19001
Greenville, SC 29602-9001

Mikuni American Corp.
8910 Mikuni Ave.
Northridge, CA 91324-3403

Motorcycle Industry Magazine
P.O. Box 160
Gardnerville, NV 89410-0160

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
2844 W. Deer Valley Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85027

Motorcycle Product News
4130 Lien Rd.
Madison, WI 53704

Moto Sport Outlet, Inc.
1855 W. 2nd Ave., Suite C-1
Eugene, OR 97402

National Auto Research "Black Book"
P.O. Box 758
Gainesville, GA 30503

Nationwide Insurance
1100 Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50391

Parts Unlimited/Drag Specialties
P.O. Box 5222
Janesville, WI 53547-5222

Paul Oxman Publishing, Inc.
180 Gallagher Crest Road
Henderson, NV 89074

Piaggio Group Americas, Inc.
140 E. 45th St.
New York, NY 10017

Pirelli Motorcycle Tires North America
P.O. Box 700
Rome, GA 30162

PJH Brands
8747 E. Via de Commercio
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

PowerSport Institute
1374 E. 51st St.
Cleveland, OH 44103

Riley Racing, Inc.
9380 E. Bahia Dr., Suite A-102
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
581-C Birch St.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

Selman & Company
6110 Parkland Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44124

Shade Tree Powersports
15141 Kinsman Rd.
Middlefield, OH 44062

State Motorcycle Safety Administrators
7881 S. Wellington St.
Centennial, CO 80122

SuperTrapp Industries
4540 W. 160th
Cleveland, OH 44135

Triumph Motorcycles
385 Walt Sanders Memorial Dr.
Newnan, GA 30265

Uni Filter Inc.
1468 Manhattan Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92831

Wiseco Piston
7201 Industrial Park Blvd.
Mentor, OH 44060

WyoTech Daytona
470 Destination Daytona Ln.
Ormond Beach, FL 32174

Xtreme Parts
640 Johnson Ave., Suite 6
Bohemia, NY 11716

Yamaha Motor Corp.
6555 Katella Ave.
Cypress, CA 90630

YTI Career Institute
Motorcycle Technology Center
52-6 Grumbacher Road
York, PA 17406


When you write the an email to particular gov agency (or any government office for that matter), REMEMBER, THIS IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. DO NOT MAKE JOKES ABOUT THREATS OR HARM. THEY WILL HAVE YOU ARRESTED. BE POLITE, BE COURTEOUS, AND MAKE A GOOD, SOLID POINT. YOU WILL FUCK IT UP FOR ALL OF US IF YOU HARASS THEM. JUST BE NICE. MAKE A GOOD POINT AND BE DONE WITH IT. HOWEVER, YOU CAN SEND MORE THAN ONE EMAIL. SEND MANY, BUT BE NICE.

Here is my standard template that they will get:

From: steve@apgi.com
Subject: CCMA
Date: April 30, 2008 11:28:39 PM PDT
To: simms.mary@epa.gov

What is the EPA guidance to the BLM on the closure of the CCMA and those of us OHV citizens that now have less approved OHV areas to ride?

Where does the EPA expect us to take our families for these OHV outings?

Why after 40 years of using the CCMA is it Now a threat?

Thank you for your response,

-Steve Chappell
AMA Member,
AMA D36 #223M



Another Sample Email already sent by me, REMEMBER, BE NICE.

From: steve@apgi.com
Subject: EPA action on CCMA
Date: April 30, 2008 11:47:48 PM PDT
To: johnson.stephen@epa.gov


Dear Mr. Johnson,

I know as the Administrator of the EPA you are very busy.

However, in District 9 we have received very troubling news today about the emergency
closure of the Clear Creek Management Area.

As an outdoor family, our family and friends have raised our children to be outdoor
enthusiasts. Our sport is Off Road and OHV trips, camping and family time outdoors.

We have used this avenue to raise kids that are aware of the environment we live in,
and to "tread lightly".

However, the emergency closure of the Clear Creek Management Area has put thousands
of families at risk of not having an OHV area to enjoy.

All of us our shocked that after 30 to 40 years of patronizing CCMA, we are now told the EPA's
action is for our protection. How are we threatened by CCMA sir? The BLM has done a great job
at managing the area, and the last time we checked, not one person has suffered any illness
by repeated (and in some cases hundreds) of visits to CCMA.

We ask you to please help us lift this "Emergency Closure", allow the EIS to continue,
and give the BLM the management over the area they have without closure.

Our families need CCMA.

Thank you kindly for your consideration.

Steve Chappell
AMA Member
AMA D36, #223M

Another Sample and Sent to the BLM Director

From: steve@apgi.com
Subject: CCMA EPA Action
Date: May 1, 2008 1:49:03 AM PDT
To: Mike_Pool@ca.blm.gov

Dear Mr. Pool,

What is the EPA guidance to the BLM on the closure of the CCMA and those of us OHV citizens that now have less
approved OHV areas to ride?

Where does the EPA expect us to take our families for these OHV outings?

Why after 40 years of using the CCMA is it Now a threat?

We are a growing group of concerned families that our public OHV areas are being stripped away.

Please help us get back CCMA. We are proud of the way the BLM has managed CCMA and need your support sir.

Kindly,

-Steve Chappell
AMA Member and CCMA Supporter
 
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