BLM

Hollister Field Office

Clear Creek Management Area 

Proposed Resource Management Plan 

& 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 

Volume I March 2013 
BLM

Hollister Field Office

Clear Creek Management Area 

Proposed Resource Management Plan 

& 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 

Volume I March 2013 
DOI CONTROL NUMBER: FES-12-16

BLM/CA/ES-2012-013+1793
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

CLEAR CREEK MANAGEMENT AREA 

PROPOSED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 

& 

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 

HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA 

VOLUME I 

Prepared by the 

Hollister Field Office 
ii

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(83

) 630

5000 

a

(831)630

5055

http://www.blm.gov/ca/hollister

In reply refer to:

1610-5 (P)

CACO9O.38

March, 2013Dear Reader:Enclosed is the Proposed Resource Management Plan (PRMP) and Final Environmental Impact

Statement (FEIS) for the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA). This document was prepared by BLM

in concert with one cooperating agency, numerous State and local governments, elected officials, non

governmental organizations, and individuals based on comments received by the Hollister Field Office.

The PRMP[FEIS provides a framework for the future management direction of CCMA public lands in

southern San Benito County and western Fresno County, California. The PRMP/FEIS contains both land

use planning decisions and implementation decisions to provide planning structure to facilitate

management of the CCMA public lands.

The Proposed RMP (i.e. “Proposed Action”) identified in this PRMPIFEIS (Section 2.5) is the BLM’s

“preferred alternative” and includes elements incorporated from public involvement during the land useplanning process.

Following the public review period for the Draft RMP/EIS, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation

(OHMVR) Division of California State Parks requested that BLM wait until an independent asbestos

exposure study in the CCMA could be prepared before issuing the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final

EIS. The BLM agreed to the OHMVR Division’s request, and on March 22, 2011 they released a report

prepared by scientists from the International Environmental Research Foundation (IERF). After this study

was published, the BLM, the OHMVR Division, and other agencies worked together to evaluate the

information provided in the study prepared by IERF and the EPA risk assessment to identify areas of

agreement and determine a strategy to develop adaptive management criteria for BLM to incorporate newinformation into travel management plans for the CCMA to allow additional vehicle use in the Serpentine

ACEC. In Attachment 3 (Volume II, Appendix X) a letter from the OHMVR Division dated November

19, 2012 outlines the areas of agreement and opportunities for further study.

As described in Attachment 3, BLM and other agency officials agreed that the EPA risk assessment andthe IERF report both highlighted the need for further research to determine effective strategies to reduce

risk to CCMA visitors. Therefore, the preferred alternative identifies the adaptive management criteria

that would allow the BLM management flexibility to modify OHV use restrictions and/or limits on roads

and trails available for motorized use in the ACEC, should significant new information become available.
to limited use for the public. Adaptive management will allow BLM to move forward and implement

decisions providing for public use, consider new information on asbestos exposure, and adjust use

limitations accordingly.

The PRMP/FEIS contains a summary of changes made since publication of the Draft RMPIEIS , impacts

of the Proposed Action, a summary of the written comments received during the public review period for

the Draft R1\4PIEIS, and responses to the comments. A Reader’s Guide is included to help you navigate

through the chapters of this document, and is located directly after the Abstract.

The PRMPJFEIS is available for a 30-day public protest period beginning on the date the Environmental

Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. Pursuant to BLM’s

planning regulations at 43 CFR 1610.5-2, any person who participated in the planning process for thisPRMP and has an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the planning decisions may protest

approval of the planning decisions within 30 days from date the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. For further information on filing a protest,please see the accompanying protest regulations in the pages that follow (labeled as Attachment # 1). The

regulations specify the required elements of your protest. Take care to document all relevant facts. As

much as possible, reference or cite the planning documents or available planning records (e.g. meetingminutes or summaries, correspondence. etc.).

Emailed and faxed protests will not be accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides

the original letter by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by the close of the protest period. Underthese conditions, the BLM will consider the emailed or faxed protest as an advance copy and will afford itfull consideration. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance notification, please direct faxedprotests to the attention of Brenda Hudgens-Williams- BLM protest coordinator at 202-245-0028, and

emailed protests to: Brenda_Hudgens-Williams @blm.gov.

All protests, including the follow-up letter to emails or faxes, must be in writing and mailed to one of the

following addresses:

Regular Mail: Overnight Mail:

Director (210) Director (210)

Attn: Brenda Hudgens-Williams Attn: Brenda Hudgens-Williams

P.O. Box 71383 20 M Street SE, Room 2134LMWashington, D.C. 20024-1383 Washington, D.C. 20003

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in

your protest, be advised that your entire protest letter—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may request BLM withhold from public review

your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions

from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or

officials of organizations and businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety.
pp

y 

who participated in the planning process and will be available to all parties through the “Planning” pageof the BLM national website (http://www.blm.gov/planning), or by mail upon request.

Unlike land use planning decisions, implementation decisions included in this PRMP/FEIS are not subjectto protest under the BLM planning regulations, but are subject to an administrative review process,through appeals to the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA), Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA)pursuant to 43 CFR, Part 4 Subpart E. Implementation decisions generally constitute the BLM’s final

approval allowing on-the-ground actions to proceed. Where implementation decisions are made as part of

the land use planning process, they are still subject to the appeals process or other administrative reviewas prescribed by specific resource program regulations once the BLM resolves the protests to land useplanning decisions and issues an Approved RMP and ROD. The Approved RMP and ROD will therefore

identify the implementation decisions made in the plan that may be appealed to the Office of Hearing and

Appeals.BLM would like to thank the Environmental Protection Agency (our cooperating agency partner), the

California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the OHMVR Division, as well as all the publicmembers of organizations and individuals that contributed to helping us complete this document. The

support and expertise provided was important to understanding the issues and developing a management

strategy to help resolve resource concerns in the CCMA. The collective experience and dedication of all

these groups and individuals has made this a better process and BLM looks forward to continuing to work

with them to complete this planning effort.

Sincete

•

/ /

L o ‘

1ick CooperField Manager

Hollister Field Office
TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR

CHAPTER lI--BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PART 1600--PLANNING, PROGRAMMING, BUDGETING--Table of Contents

Subpart 1610--Resource Management Planning

Sec. 1610.5-2 Protest procedures.

(a) Any person who participated in the planning process and has an interest which is or may be

adversely affected by the approval or amendment of a resource management plan may protestsuch approval or amendment. A protest may raise only those issues which were submitted for

the record during the planning process.

(1) The protest shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Director. The protest shall be

filed within 30 days of the date the Environmental Protection Agency published thenotice of receipt of the final environmental impact statement containing the plan or

amendment in the Federal Register. For an amendment not requiring the preparation of anenvironmental impact statement, the protest shall be filed within 30 days of the

publication of the notice of its effective date.

(2) The protest shall contain:

(i) The name, mailing address, telephone number and interest of the person filing

the protest;

(ii) A statement of the issue or issues being protested;(iii) A statement of the part or parts of the plan or amendment being protested;(iv) A copy of all documents addressing the issue or issues that were submitted

during the planning process by the protesting party or an indication of the date

the issue or issues were discussed for the record; and

(v) A concise statement explaining why the State Director’s decision is believed to

be wrong.

(3) The Director shall promptly render a decision on the protest.

(b) The decision shall be in writing and shall set forth the reasons for the decision. The decision

shall be sent to the protesting party by certified mail, return receipt requested. The decisionof the Director shall be the final decision of the Department of the Interior.
ABSTRACT 

vii 

ABSTRACT 

CLEAR CREEK MANAGEMENT AREA 

PROPOSED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN & 

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 

[ ] Draft Environmental Impact Statement [ X ] Final Environmental Impact Statement 

Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management 

Type of Action: [X] Administrative [ ] Legislative 

Abstract: 

This Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 

describes and analyzes the Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) for the BLM-administered public 

lands in the Clear Creek Management Area in California. The Proposed Action provides management 

recommendations to guide the multiple use management of all resources. 

Public Protest: 

Interested parties with standing are entitled to submit protest letters if they believe the decisions 

proposed herein violate existing US statutes, laws, or any other rules and regulations governing public 

land use. Protests must be received within 30 days of the Federal Register notice of availability. 

Protests being mailed must be postmarked by close of business on the 30th day. 

For further information contact: 

Sky Murphy, Planning and Environmental Coordinator 

Bureau of Land Management 

Hollister Field Office 

20 Hamilton Court 

Hollister, CA 95023 

E-mail: Sky_Murphy@blm.gov 

Phone: (831) 630-5000 

Fax: (831) 630-5055 
viii 

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ix

Readers’ Guide 

Introduction 

The Proposed Resource Management Plan (PRMP) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) 

is divided into six chapters, and includes maps (of the planning area and resources information), an 

Executive Summary, Appendices, a Glossary, and an Acronyms List. 

Executive Summary 

The Executive Summary addresses the entire document and highlights the key issues brought forth in 

the planning process. 

Chapter 1 

Chapter 1 identifies the purpose and need for the plan, defines the planning area, and explains public 

participation in the planning process. This chapter identifies the planning criteria used as guidelines 

influencing all aspects of the process. These guidelines are based on law, regulation, and policy. Also 

included in this chapter is a description of the involvement of state, local, and federal governments and 

tribal agencies. The issues developed through public participation and the planning processes are 

described therein. 

Chapter 2 

Chapter 2 presents the various management strategies for achieving the desired range of conditions. 

The PRMP/FEIS includes a detailed description of the goals, objectives, and management actions for 

each resource or program that are included under the range of alternatives and the Proposed Action. 

The actions in this PRMP/FEIS are designed to provide general management guidance in most cases. 

Specific projects for a given area or resource will be detailed in future activity plans or site-specific 

proposals developed as part of interdisciplinary project planning or other means. These plans and 

processes address more precisely how a particular area or resource is to be managed and additional 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and documentation would be conducted as 

needed. 

A summary comparison of the range of alternatives (Table 2.4-1) and a summary of the proposed 

action compared to the no action alternative (Table 2.5-1) are also included in this chapter. These 

sections provide the reader with a general summary of the key management actions for each resource 

program addressed in the Proposed RMP and Final EIS. 

A summary comparison of impacts (Table 2.6) is also included at the end of Chapter 2. This table 

provides the reader a summary of the adverse and beneficial impacts that would result from 

implementing the Proposed Action as compared to the range of alternatives analyzed in the CCMA 

PRMP/FEIS (2009). 

Chapter 3 

Chapter 3 (Affected Environment) provides an overview of the planning area and describes the 

existing situation for each of the resource programs. It describes both the biological and physical 

components that may be affected by the alternatives. Other components of the environment that will 

not be affected by the range of alternatives are also described, such as wilderness, wild and scenic 

rivers, and other special designations. 
x 

Chapter 4 

Chapter 4 (Environmental Consequences) analyzes the beneficial and adverse effects of the Proposed 

Action. Assumptions used in the analysis are specified at the beginning of the Chapter and under 

certain resource discussions to help guide the reader through the assessment process. At the end of the 

analysis of each resource, a discussion of the cumulative effects is provided. 

Chapter 5 

Chapter 5 summarizes key events in the consultation and coordination process prior to and during 

preparation of the PRMP/FEIS. It also lists those agencies, organizations, and individuals who were 

contacted or provided input into the planning process. Also listed are the document team members who 

prepared this plan. 

Chapter 6 

Chapter 6 lists the references cited throughout Chapters 1 through 5. 

Appendix I 

Maps are supplied in Appendix I to assist the reader in comprehending proposed management actions as 

described in Chapter 2.

Volume II: CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS Appendix II – IX, and Appendix X: 

Public Comments on the Draft RMP/EIS

Appendices II – IX include supplemental material referenced in the PRMP/FEIS. Appendix X contains 

a summary of public comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009) and BLM’s response to these 

comments. Volume II also includes two attachments that contain summary reports for the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS public comment meetings (Attachment 1) and the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS socioeconomic 

workshop (Attachment 2).
Clear Creek Management Area Table of Contents

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

xi 

Dear Reader: _________________________________________________________________ iii

ABSTRACT_________________________________________________________________vii

Readers’ Guide _____________________________________________________________ ix

ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY________________________________________________ 1

ES.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________ 1

ES.2 Purpose and Need _______________________________________________________ 1

ES.3 Range of Alternatives ____________________________________________________ 2

ES.4 Public Involvement in the Planning Process _______________________________ 3

ES.5 Public Comments on the Draft RMP/EIS ___________________________________ 4

ES.6 BLM’s Proposed RMP and Adaptive Management Strategy _________________ 7

ES.7 Affected Environment ____________________________________________________ 8

ES.8 Environmental Consequences ___________________________________________ 8

ES.9 Consultation and Coordination ___________________________________________ 9

1.0 INTRODUCTION ________________________________________________________ 11

1.1 Purpose and Need for the CCMA Resource Management Plan _______________________ 13

1.2 Planning Area Description ____________________________________________________ 13

1.2.1 Management Zones ________________________________________________________________ 15

1.2.2 Planning Approach _________________________________________________________________ 15

1.3 Planning Themes and Issues __________________________________________________ 16

1.3.1 Summary of Major Planning Issues ____________________________________________________ 16

1.3.2 Issues Considered but Not Further Analyzed _____________________________________________ 16

1.3.2.1 Temporary Closure of Clear Creek Management Area ___________________________________ 17

1.3.2.2 Establishing New Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas Outside of CCMA __________________ 17

1.3.2.3 Special Designations ______________________________________________________________ 18

1.3.2.4 Revised Statute 2477 _____________________________________________________________ 18

1.4 Planning Criteria ____________________________________________________________ 19

1.5 Planning Process ____________________________________________________________ 20

1.5.1 Types of Land Use Plan Decisions______________________________________________________ 21

1.5.2 Relationship to BLM Policies, Plans, and Programs ________________________________________ 23

1.6 Collaboration with Other Agencies and Groups ___________________________________ 26

1.6.1 Cooperating Agencies _______________________________________________________________ 26

1.6.2 Other Federal, State and Local Governments ____________________________________________ 26

1.6.3 Tribal Relationships _________________________________________________________________ 26

1.6.4 Potential Partnerships ______________________________________________________________ 26

1.7 Relationship to Other Policies, Plans, and Programs _______________________________ 27

1.7.1 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) ____________ 27

1.7.2 State Land Use Plans ________________________________________________________________ 28

1.7.3 County Plans ______________________________________________________________________ 28
Clear Creek Management Area Table of Contents

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

xii 

1.8 Overall Vision ______________________________________________________________ 28

1.9 Summary of Public Comments on the Draft RMP/EIS ______________________________ 28

2.0 MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES____________________________________________ 33

2.1 Overview of the Range of Alternatives __________________________________________ 33

2.1.1 Alternatives Considered but Not Analyzed in Detail _______________________________________ 36

2.2 Management Common to All Alternatives _______________________________________ 38

2.2.1 Area and Route Designation __________________________________________________________ 38

2.2.2 Route Designation Criteria ___________________________________________________________ 41

2.2.3 Management Actions Common to All Alternatives ________________________________________ 42

2.3 Summary of Proposed RMP (Preferred Alternative) _______________________________ 43

2.3.1 Major Changes to the BLM’s “Preferred Alternative” ______________________________________ 44

2.3.2 Summary of Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) _______________________________________ 44

2.3.3 Proposed RMP Area and Route Designation _____________________________________________ 48

2.3.4 Conformance with Regulations _______________________________________________________ 51

2.4 Description of the Alternatives ________________________________________________ 51

Table 2.4 Comparison of Range of Alternatives _______________________________________ 53

Table 2.4 Comparison of Range of Alternatives (cont.) _________________________________ 55

2.4.1 Recreation ________________________________________________________________________ 57

2.4.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Safety _________________________________________________ 63

2.4.3 Travel and Transportation Management _______________________________________________ 64

2.4.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation Resources ____________________________________________ 71

2.4.5 Biological Resources – Fish and Wildlife ________________________________________________ 72

2.4.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species ____________________________________________ 74

2.4.7 Air Quality ________________________________________________________________________ 77

2.4.8 Soil Resources _____________________________________________________________________ 78

2.4.9 Water Resources ___________________________________________________________________ 80

2.4.10 Special Designations ______________________________________________________________ 82

2.4.11 Livestock Grazing ________________________________________________________________ 85

2.4.12 Energy and Minerals _____________________________________________________________ 89

2.4.13 Cultural Resources _______________________________________________________________ 91

2.4.14 Paleontological Resources _________________________________________________________ 93

2.4.15 Social and Economic Conditions ____________________________________________________ 94

2.4.16 Visual Resources Management _____________________________________________________ 95

2.4.17 Fire Management ________________________________________________________________ 96

2.4.18 Land and Realty ________________________________________________________________ 100

2.5 Description of the Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) ___________________________ 104

Table 2.5 Comparison of the Current Management “No Action Alternative” and the Proposed 

RMP/FEIS “Proposed Action” ______________________________________________________ 107

Table 2.5 Comparison of the Current Management “No Action Alternative” and the Proposed 

RMP/FEIS “Proposed Action” (cont.)_________________________________________________ 109

2.5.1 Recreation _______________________________________________________________________ 111

2.5.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Safety ________________________________________________ 114

2.5.3 Travel and Transportation Management _______________________________________________ 115

2.5.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation Resources ___________________________________________ 120

2.5.5 Biological Resources – Fish and Wildlife _______________________________________________ 122

2.5.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species ___________________________________________ 123
Clear Creek Management Area Table of Contents

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

xiii 

2.5.7 Air Quality _______________________________________________________________________ 124

2.5.8 Soil Resources ____________________________________________________________________ 125

2.5.9 Water Resources __________________________________________________________________ 126

2.5.10 Special Designations _____________________________________________________________ 127

2.5.11 Livestock Grazing _______________________________________________________________ 129

2.5.12 Energy and Minerals _____________________________________________________________ 132

2.5.13 Cultural Resources ______________________________________________________________ 133

2.5.14 Paleontological Resources ________________________________________________________ 135

2.5.15 Social and Economic Conditions ___________________________________________________ 136

2.5.16 Visual Resources Management ____________________________________________________ 136

2.5.17 Fire Management _______________________________________________________________ 137

2.5.18 Land and Realty ________________________________________________________________ 141

2.6 COMPARISON OF IMPACTS BY ALTERNATIVE ____________________________________ 143

2.6.1 Recreation _______________________________________________________________________ 143

2.6.2 HAZMAT and Public Health & Safety __________________________________________________ 145

2.6.3 Travel and Transportation Management _______________________________________________ 148

2.6.4 Biological Resources – (Vegetation – Fish & Wildlife – Special Status Species) _________________ 152

2.6.5 Air Quality _______________________________________________________________________ 159

2.6.6 Soil Resources ____________________________________________________________________ 160

2.6.7 Water Resources __________________________________________________________________ 162

2.6.8 Special Designations _______________________________________________________________ 163

2.6.9 Livestock Grazing _________________________________________________________________ 165

2.6.10 Energy & Minerals ______________________________________________________________ 166

2.6.11 Cultural & Paleontological Resources _______________________________________________ 167

2.6.12 Social and Economic Conditions ___________________________________________________ 168

2.6.13 Visual Resources Management ____________________________________________________ 168

2.6.14 Fire Management _______________________________________________________________ 170

2.6.15 Lands & Realty _________________________________________________________________ 171

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ______________________________________________ 172

3.1 Recreation________________________________________________________________ 173

3.1.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 173

3.1.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 173

3.1.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 173

3.1.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 174

3.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Health & Safety _________________________________ 179

3.2.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 179

3.2.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 179

3.2.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 180

3.2.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 180

3.3 Travel and Transportation Management _______________________________________ 187

3.3.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 187

3.3.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 187

3.3.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 188

3.3.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 188

3.3.5 Trends and Forecast _______________________________________________________________ 190

3.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation _____________________________________________ 195

3.4.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 195

3.4.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 195

3.4.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 195
Clear Creek Management Area Table of Contents

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

xiv 

3.4.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 195

3.5 Biological Resources – Fish and Wildlife ________________________________________ 205

3.5.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 205

3.5.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 205

3.5.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 205

3.5.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 206

3.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species ____________________________________ 213

3.6.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 213

3.6.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 213

3.6.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 213

3.6.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 213

3.6.5 Special Status Species within the Planning Area _________________________________________ 214

3.7 Air Quality ________________________________________________________________ 231

3.7.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 231

3.7.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 231

3.7.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 232

3.7.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 233

3.7.5 Climate Change ___________________________________________________________________ 235

3.8 Soil Resources _____________________________________________________________ 237

3.8.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 237

3.8.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 237

3.8.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 237

3.8.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 237

3.9 Water Resources __________________________________________________________ 245

3.9.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 245

3.9.2 Regulatory Framework _____________________________________________________________ 245

3.9.3 Regional Setting __________________________________________________________________ 246

3.9.4 Current Conditions and Trends ______________________________________________________ 247

3.10 Special Designations ________________________________________________________ 253

3.10.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 253

3.10.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 253

3.10.3 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 254

3.11 Livestock Grazing __________________________________________________________ 259

3.11.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 259

3.11.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 259

3.11.3 Regional Setting ________________________________________________________________ 260

3.11.4 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 260

3.12 Energy and Minerals ________________________________________________________ 263

3.12.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 263

3.12.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 263

3.12.3 Regional Setting ________________________________________________________________ 263

3.12.4 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 264

3.13 Cultural Resources _________________________________________________________ 267

3.13.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 267

3.13.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 267

3.13.3 Regional Setting ________________________________________________________________ 271

3.13.4 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 287
Clear Creek Management Area Table of Contents

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

xv 

3.14 Paleontological Resources ___________________________________________________ 310

3.14.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 310

3.14.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 310

3.14.3 Regional Setting ________________________________________________________________ 310

3.14.4 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 312

3.15 Social and Economic Conditions ______________________________________________ 314

3.15.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 314

3.15.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 314

3.15.3 Regional Setting ________________________________________________________________ 314

3.15.4 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 314

3.16 Visual Resource Management ________________________________________________ 326

3.16.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 326

3.16.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 326

3.16.3 Regional Setting ________________________________________________________________ 326

3.16.4 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 326

3.17 Fire Management __________________________________________________________ 330

3.17.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 330

3.17.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 330

3.17.3 Regional Setting ________________________________________________________________ 331

3.17.4 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 331

3.18 Lands and Realty __________________________________________________________ 334

3.18.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 334

3.18.2 Regulatory Framework ___________________________________________________________ 334

3.18.3 Regional Setting ________________________________________________________________ 335

3.18.4 Current Conditions and Trends ____________________________________________________ 335

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES _______________________________________ 338

4.0.1 Impact Analysis Methodology _______________________________________________________ 338

4.0.2 Types of Impacts to be Addressed ____________________________________________________ 339

4.0.3 Incomplete or Unavailable Information ________________________________________________ 340

4.0.4 Mitigation Measures _______________________________________________________________ 340

4.0.5 Assumptions _____________________________________________________________________ 340

4.1 Recreation________________________________________________________________ 341

4.1.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 341

4.1.2 Overview of Impacts _______________________________________________________________ 341

4.1.3 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative A ______________________________________________ 344

4.1.4 Impacts to Recreation Common to Alternatives B, C, D, E, F and G __________________________ 347

4.1.5 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative B ______________________________________________ 350

4.1.6 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative C ______________________________________________ 351

4.1.7 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative D ______________________________________________ 352

4.1.8 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative E ______________________________________________ 353

4.1.9 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative F ______________________________________________ 354

4.1.10 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative G ___________________________________________ 356

4.1.11 Impacts to Recreation from the Proposed Action _____________________________________ 356

4.1.12 Cumulative Effects of Management Alternatives ______________________________________ 361

4.1.13 Cumulative Effects of Proposed Action ______________________________________________ 361

4.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Health & Safety _________________________________ 363

4.2.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 363

4.2.2 Limits and Constraints of the Analysis _________________________________________________ 367
Clear Creek Management Area Table of Contents

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

xvi 

4.2.3 Overview of Impacts to Public Health & Safety from Hazardous Materials ____________________ 370

4.2.4 Impacts to Public Health & Safety from Alternatives A - G _________________________________ 379

4.2.5 Impacts to Public Health & Safety from the Proposed Action ______________________________ 387

4.2.6 Overview of Impacts to HAZMAT from Other Management Activities _______________________ 401

4.2.7 Cumulative Effects on HAZMAT and Public Health & Safety ________________________________ 404

4.3 Travel and Transportation Management _______________________________________ 407

4.3.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 407

4.3.2 Overview of Impacts _______________________________________________________________ 407

4.3.3 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative A ________________________________________ 410

4.3.4 Impacts to Travel Management Common to Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, & G ___________________ 411

4.3.5 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative B ________________________________________ 413

4.3.6 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative C ________________________________________ 414

4.3.7 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative D ________________________________________ 416

4.3.8 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative E ________________________________________ 418

4.3.9 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative F ________________________________________ 419

4.3.10 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative G _____________________________________ 420

4.3.11 Impacts to Travel Management for the Proposed Action _______________________________ 421

4.3.12 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 426

4.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation _____________________________________________ 429

4.4.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 429

4.4.2 Overview of Impacts to Vegetation ___________________________________________________ 438

4.4.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A ______________________________________________ 441

4.4.4 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative B _______________________________________________ 442

4.4.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative C _______________________________________________ 444

4.4.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative D ______________________________________________ 445

4.4.7 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative E _______________________________________________ 447

4.4.8 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative F _______________________________________________ 448

4.4.9 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative G ______________________________________________ 450

4.4.10 Impacts to Vegetation for the Proposed Action _______________________________________ 451

4.4.11 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 453

4.5 Biological Resources – Fish & Wildlife __________________________________________ 455

4.5.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 455

4.5.2 Overview of Impacts _______________________________________________________________ 455

4.5.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A, B, C, and D _____________________________________ 457

4.5.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives E, F, and G _______________________________ 461

4.5.5 Impacts to Fish & Wildlife from the Proposed Action _____________________________________ 463

4.5.6 Cumulative Effects ________________________________________________________________ 466

4.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species ____________________________________ 469

4.6.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 469

4.6.2 Overview of Impacts to Special Status Plant Species _____________________________________ 491

4.6.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A ______________________________________________ 493

4.6.4 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative B _______________________________________________ 495

4.6.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative C _______________________________________________ 496

4.6.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative D ______________________________________________ 497

4.6.7 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative E _______________________________________________ 498

4.6.8 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative F _______________________________________________ 499

4.6.9 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative G ______________________________________________ 501

4.6.10 Impacts to Special Status Plant Species for the Proposed Action _________________________ 502

4.6.11 Overview of Impacts to Special Status Animal Species __________________________________ 504

4.6.12 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative A ___________________________________ 507

4.6.13 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternatives B and C _____________________________ 507
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4.6.14 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternatives E-F _________________________________ 508

4.6.15 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternatives G __________________________________ 508

4.6.16 Impacts to Special Status Animal Species for the Proposed Action ________________________ 508

4.6.17 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 511

4.7 Air Quality ________________________________________________________________ 513

4.7.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 513

4.7.2 Overview of Impacts _______________________________________________________________ 514

4.7.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A ______________________________________________ 515

4.7.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B and C _________________________________ 516

4.7.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives D and E _________________________________________ 517

4.7.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives F and G _________________________________________ 518

4.7.7 Impacts to Air Quality for the Proposed Action __________________________________________ 518

4.7.8 Cumulative Effects ________________________________________________________________ 519

4.8 Soil Resources _____________________________________________________________ 523

4.8.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 523

4.8.2 Overview of Impacts _______________________________________________________________ 528

4.8.3 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative A _____________________________________ 530

4.8.4 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative B _____________________________________ 530

4.8.5 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative C _____________________________________ 531

4.8.6 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative D _____________________________________ 532

4.8.7 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative E ______________________________________ 533

4.8.8 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative F ______________________________________ 534

4.8.9 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative G _____________________________________ 534

4.8.10 Impacts to Soil Resources for the Proposed Action ________________________________________ 535

4.8.11 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 537

4.9 Water Resources __________________________________________________________ 539

4.9.1 Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 539

4.9.2 Overview of Impacts _______________________________________________________________ 539

4.9.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A ______________________________________________ 540

4.9.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B, C, D, and E _____________________________ 542

4.9.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative F and G _________________________________________ 544

4.9.6 Impacts to Water Resources for the Proposed Action ____________________________________ 546

4.9.7 Cumulative Effects ________________________________________________________________ 549

4.10 Special Designations ________________________________________________________ 553

4.10.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 553

4.10.2 Overview of Impacts Common to All Alternatives _____________________________________ 554

4.10.3 Impacts and Mitigation Common to All Alternatives ___________________________________ 556

4.10.4 Impacts and Mitigation under Alternatives A, B, C, and D _______________________________ 557

4.10.5 Impacts and Mitigation under Alternatives E, F, and G _________________________________ 558

4.10.6 Impacts to Special Designations for the Proposed Action _______________________________ 560

4.10.7 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 562

4.11 Livestock Grazing __________________________________________________________ 563

4.11.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 563

4.11.2 Overview of Impacts_____________________________________________________________ 563

4.11.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A - E __________________________________________ 564

4.11.4 Impacts and Mitigation from Alternative F ___________________________________________ 566

4.11.5 Impacts and Mitigation Under Alternative G _________________________________________ 567

4.11.6 Impacts to Rangeland Resources for the Proposed Action _______________________________ 568

4.11.7 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 570
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4.12 Energy and Minerals ________________________________________________________ 571

4.12.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 571

4.12.2 Overview of Impacts_____________________________________________________________ 571

4.12.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A ____________________________________________ 572

4.12.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternative B and C ________________________________ 573

4.12.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative D, E, and F _____________________________________ 574

4.12.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative G ____________________________________________ 575

4.12.7 Impacts to Energy and Minerals for the Proposed Action _______________________________ 575

4.12.8 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 577

4.13 Cultural Resources _________________________________________________________ 579

4.13.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 579

4.13.2 Overview of Impacts and Mitigation Measures _______________________________________ 579

4.13.3 Impacts and Mitigation Common to All Alternatives ______________________________________ 585

4.13.4 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A (No Action Alternative) _________________________ 587

4.13.5 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B, C and D _____________________________ 589

4.13.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives E, F, and G ____________________________________ 589

4.13.7 Impacts to Cultural Resources for the Proposed Action _________________________________ 592

4.13.8 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 594

4.14 Paleontological Resources ___________________________________________________ 597

4.14.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 597

4.14.2 Overview of Impacts and Mitigation Measures _______________________________________ 597

4.14.3 Impacts and Mitigation Common to All Alternatives ___________________________________ 600

4.14.4 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A (No Action Alternative) _________________________ 600

4.14.5 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B, C and D _____________________________ 601

4.14.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives E, F, and G ____________________________________ 601

4.14.7 Impacts to Paleontological Resources for the Proposed Action ___________________________ 601

4.14.8 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 604

4.15 Social and Economic Conditions ______________________________________________ 605

4.15.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 605

4.15.2 Overview of Impacts_____________________________________________________________ 606

4.15.3 Social and Economic Impacts under Alternatives A, B, C, and D __________________________ 609

4.15.4 Social and Economic Impacts under Alternatives E, F, and G _____________________________ 610

4.15.5 Impacts to Social and Economic Conditions for the Proposed Action ______________________ 614

4.15.6 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 616

4.16 Visual Resources Management _______________________________________________ 617

4.16.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 617

4.16.2 Overview of Impacts_____________________________________________________________ 617

4.16.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A ____________________________________________ 618

4.16.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B through G ___________________________ 619

4.16.5 Impacts to Visual Resources for the Proposed Action __________________________________ 620

4.16.6 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 621

4.17 Fire Management __________________________________________________________ 623

4.17.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 623

4.17.2 Overview of Impacts_____________________________________________________________ 623

4.17.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A ____________________________________________ 626

4.17.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B through G ___________________________ 627

4.17.5 Impacts for Fire Management for the Proposed Action _________________________________ 629

4.17.6 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 631

4.18 Lands and Realty __________________________________________________________ 633
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4.18.1 Introduction ___________________________________________________________________ 633

4.18.2 Overview of Impacts from Lands and Realty __________________________________________ 633

4.18.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A ____________________________________________ 634

4.18.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B and C _______________________________ 635

4.18.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives D & E ________________________________________ 635

4.18.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative F & G _________________________________________ 636

4.18.7 Impacts of Lands and Realty for the Proposed Action __________________________________ 637

4.18.8 Cumulative Effects ______________________________________________________________ 638

5.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION _____________________________________ 639

5.1 Introduction ______________________________________________________________ 639

5.2 Outreach & Public Involvement _______________________________________________ 639

5.2.1 Notice of Availability of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS _______________________________________ 639

5.2.2 Advertisements and Announcements _________________________________________________ 639

5.2.3 Project Website ___________________________________________________________________ 640

5.2.4 Public Meetings ___________________________________________________________________ 640

5.3 Public Comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS __________________________________ 641

5.4 Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities ____________________________________ 643

5.5 List of Preparers ___________________________________________________________ 643

6.0 REFERENCES __________________________________________________________ 645

Acronyms _________________________________________________________________ 659

Glossary __________________________________________________________________ 661

Appendix I - Maps ___________________________________________________________ 673
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ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

ES.1 Introduction 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Hollister Field Office (HFO) has prepared this Proposed 

Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMP/FEIS) to provide 

direction for managing public lands in the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA). The HFO manages 

approximately 63,000 acres of public land within the 75,000-acre CCMA, representing a variety of 

settings and landforms that host many diverse natural and cultural resources, and offer recreation and 

other multiple-use opportunities. Since 1984, approximately 30,000 acres of serpentine soils high in 

asbestos fibers within the CCMA have been designated as the Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical 

Environmental Concern (ACEC) to protect public health and safety. 

The CCMA has been managed in accordance with the 1984 Hollister Resource Management Plan 

(hereafter the ‘1984 Hollister RMP’), which has been amended several times to address new issues and 

emerging trends on public lands in CCMA. The Hollister RMP was updated in 2007 to establish goals, 

objectives, and management actions for BLM public lands that address current issues, knowledge, and 

conditions. However, BLM-administered lands in CCMA were not addressed in the Hollister RMP (2007) 

because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was preparing an asbestos exposure and human 

health risk assessment to provide BLM and the general public information on the exposure levels from 

various types of activities in the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC. Therefore, BLM agreed to work with 

EPA and the public upon completion of the study to incorporate the new health risk information into 

public land use decisions for the area. 

EPA initiated the study in 2004 in connection with the clean-up of the Atlas Asbestos Mine Superfund 

Site, also in CCMA, and concerns about the technical deficiencies of a 1992 health risk assessment that 

BLM used to evaluate CCMA visitor’s exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in the area. EPA released the 

CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment on May 1, 2008. The result of the study 

concluded that visiting CCMA more than once per year can put adults and children above EPA’s 

acceptable risk range for exposure to carcinogens and found an increased long-term cancer risk from 

engaging in many of the typical recreational activities at the CCMA. 

In response to new information provided in the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk 

Assessment (2008), BLM issued a temporary closure order on May 1, 2008 that closed 30,000-acres 

within the CCMA’s Serpentine ACEC to all public use and entry. The closure order was published in the 

Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 85), pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1, to protect public land users from 

human health risks associated with exposure to airborne asbestos in the CCMA. Subsequently, BLM 

prepared the CCMA Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (2009) to 

consider the information in the EPA report and analyze a full range of management options and 

alternatives for the CCMA through the BLM’s land use planning process.

ES.2 Purpose and Need 

The need to develop the CCMA RMP arose from numerous changes in circumstances since the current 

land use plan decisions were adopted. There have been several amendments to the 1984 Hollister RMP to 

address public health and safety and resources protection issues in CCMA. However, many other issues 
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2

that are emerging on public lands were not addressed in those amendments. The following list of specific 

factors illustrates the need for preparation of an updated management plan: 

The EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008) provides 

significant new information that must be incorporated into a land use plan to evaluate the public 

health risk associated with BLM land use authorizations. 

The current management plan does not specifically address listing and/or additional habitat needs 

for species protected under the federal 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA), including the 

California condor and San Benito evening primrose. 

Changes in social and economic conditions in San Benito County, the San Joaquin Valley, and the 

entire State of California have led to increased demand for use of public lands for recreation and 

energy production as well as an increased awareness and social value placed on the cultural and 

natural resources in the Planning Area. 

The purpose of the CCMA RMP is to establish goals, objectives, and management actions for BLMadministered lands in CCMA that address current issues, knowledge, and conditions. The CCMA RMP 

shall guide the management of the lands and resources administered by the Hollister Field Office in 

CCMA to achieve the following: 1) minimize asbestos exposure 2) reduce asbestos emissions 3) 

designate areas in CCMA for motorized, mechanized, and non-motorized/non-mechanized recreation 

opportunities; 4) protect sensitive natural and cultural resources from impacts due to recreation and other 

land uses; 5) provide guidance for mineral and energy development; and 6) make other land use 

authorizations and tenure adjustments. This planning effort is intended to be comprehensive, evaluating 

existing management plans and identifying regional issues, and resolving those issues through public, 

interagency, and intra-agency scoping efforts. This effort also identifies the area’s “vision”, long-range 

management goals, intermediate objectives, and actions and options for meeting those objectives. 

ES.3 Range of Alternatives 

The CCMA Draft RMP/EIS identified alternatives to help BLM and interested parties understand the 

various ways of addressing issues in the region, and evaluated the environmental consequences of 

revising the 1984 Hollister RMP, as amended. Following public review and comment on the BLM’s 

“preferred alternative” analyzed in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009), the Hollister Field Office 

developed this Proposed RMP and Final EIS to incorporate public comments and other agency input. The 

Proposed RMP (i.e. “Proposed Action”) identified in this PRMP/FEIS (Section 2.5) is the BLM’s

“preferred alternative” and includes elements incorporated from public involvement during the land use 

planning process. 

Based on the purpose and need identified in Chapter 1, the range of alternatives in this PRMP/FEIS 

includes multiple public use scenarios in the Serpentine ACEC: five of which entail Motorized access

(Alternatives A, B, C, D, and E), one Non-motorized access alternative (Alt. F), and one alternative that 

considers closure of the Serpentine ACEC to all forms of public entry (Alt. G). The anticipated effects 

and the need to implement proposed management actions or mitigation measures would vary depending 

on the public use scenarios associated with each alternative. 

The range of alternatives and the “Proposed Action” analyzed in this PRMP/FEIS were designed address 

emerging issues in the region and evaluate the environmental consequences of the proposed resource 

management actions to compare them with current management actions and their potential effects on the 
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3

human environment. A summary of public comments on the Draft RMP/EIS and the BLM’s response is 

included in Section 1.9.1 and Appendix X of this PRMP/FEIS. Major changes to the Draft RMP/EIS 

“preferred alternative” that are included in the Proposed Action are also identified in Section 2.3.1 of this 

PRMP/FEIS. 

Upon evaluation of the range of management alternatives and their associated impacts described in the 

CCMA PRMP/FEIS, BLM identified a “preferred alternative” based on a combination of management 

actions and objectives from among the range of alternatives. The preferred alternative places an emphasis 

on public health and safety measures to minimize asbestos exposure, reduce airborne asbestos emissions, 

and promote outreach and education to inform public land users of the human health risks associated with 

exposure to asbestos in CCMA. 

ES.4 Public Involvement in the Planning Process 

Public involvement is a vital component of the resource management planning process and environmental 

impact statement preparation for vesting the public in the effort and allowing for full environmental 

disclosure. Guidance for implementing public involvement is codified in 40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 

1610, thereby ensuring that BLM makes a diligent effort to involve the public in the preparation of RMPs 

EISs. Public involvement for the CCMA RMP was primarily conducted in two phases, as follows: 

Public scoping prior to NEPA analysis to obtain public input on issues, the scope of the analysis, 

and to develop the proposed alternatives, and 

Public review and comment on the Draft RMP/EIS, which provides disclosure of potential 

environmental impacts and opportunity to revise the Proposed RMP and Final EIS based on 

substantive issues and concerns. 

A summary of the earlier public scoping process is available in Chapter 5 of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS 

(2009) and is not reproduced in this document. A summary of the results of public involvement during the 

CCMA Draft RMP/EIS review and comment period is presented below. Appendix X provides a summary 

of comment letters received by the Hollister Field Office from agencies, organizations, and individuals on 

the Clear Creek Management Area Draft RMP/EIS, and includes responses to these comments prepared 

by BLM in accordance with 40 CFR 1504.3. 

BLM’s official public comment period began December 4, 2009, with the publication of the Notice of 

Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register (Volume 74, Number 232). The comment period was 

extended to April 19, 2010 to allow further public input following requests from planning numerous 

participants and elected officials. 

Three public meetings were held in January 2010 to promote public involvement in the BLM’s CCMA 

RMP/EIS land use planning process. The purpose of these meetings was to provide information about the 

range of alternatives considered in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS and their anticipated environmental effects, 

and to gather public comments on the BLM’s preferred alternative, analysis of environmental impacts, 

and other feedback on the BLM’s land use planning decisions for CCMA.

A social and economic workshop was also held on February 22, 2010 to discuss social and economic 

issues and concerns associated with the range of alternatives in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS and to 

increase public involvement in the land use planning process. The purpose of the workshops was to assist 
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4

in characterizing existing conditions and trends in local communities and the wider region that may affect 

and be affected by land use planning decisions. 

These public meetings were attended by representatives from local, state, and federal government 

agencies, elected officials, numerous clubs and organizations, and other constituents. A total of 

approximately 1,000 people participated in these meetings according to the sign-in sheets gathered by the 

Hollister Field Office staff, although the number of people actually in attendance was much greater. 

During the public comment period, which extended from December 4, 2009 to April 19, 2010, 5,657 

comment submissions were received from individuals, agencies (14), and organizations (30). Many of 

these were form letters and/or emails containing identical text that had been suggested by environmental 

interest groups (2,885), private landowners (132), off-highway vehicle organizations (2,177), and 

rockhounding clubs (12). Each comment letter typically contained multiple comments on the issues 

addressed in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS. 

ES.5 Public Comments on the Draft RMP/EIS 

Based upon the results of public scoping and issues identified in public comments on the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS (2009), the following issues and concerns represent the key themes and priorities that emerged 

during the planning process. These key themes and priorities are analyed in the CCMA PRMP/FEIS, in 

addition to issues identified by BLM personnel, cooperating agencies, state and local governments, and 

other publics. 

Definition of Asbestos and Chrysotile Toxicity - Management of human health and public safety within 

the CCMA has been the largest source of concern and controversy during development of the plan, as 

reflected in public comments on the Draft RMP/EIS. Many commenters are concerned about the scientific 

integrity and accuracy the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment released by 

EPA in 2008. Confusion also remains regarding the differing types of mineral fibers that are included 

under the definition of the term asbestos. Yet, the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS and Proposed RMP/FEIS both 

include the definition of asbestos provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (Section 4.2.3.1), and the document explains that the 

two general types of asbestos are amphibole and chrysotile. Although exposure to both types of asbestos 

increases the likelihood of developing asbestos-related diseases, amphibole fibers tend to stay in the lungs 

longer. They also are thought to increase the likelihood of illness, especially mesothelioma, to a greater 

extent than chrysotile asbestos. While there is some debate within the scientific community regarding the 

varying potencies of the different types of asbestos relative to certain cancers, there is no debate that all 

types of asbestos cause cancer and debilitating and fatal non-cancer disease. 

Independent Study of Naturally Occurring Asbestos and Human Health Risk in CCMA - Many 

commenters questioned whether it’s appropriate for BLM to rely solely on the EPA’s CCMA Asbestos 

Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment for land use decision-making and called for other 

independent studies to be completed prior to making a final decision regarding off-highway vehicle use 

on CCMA public lands. 

During the public comment period on the Draft CCMA RMP/EIS, the California State Park Off-Highway 

Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVRD) requested that BLM wait until an independent asbestos 

exposure study in the CCMA could be prepared before issuing the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS. 

The BLM agreed to the OHMVRD’s request, and on March 22, 2011 the OHMVRD released the report, 

titled “Preliminary Analysis of the Asbestos Exposures Associated with Motorcycle Riding and Hiking in 
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5

the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) San Benito County, California.” The report was completed 

by scientists from the International Environmental Research Foundation (IERF), and is linked on the 

OHMVRD’s website: http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/ierf_ccma_final_3_8_11-web.pdf

Upon evaluation of the IERF and EPA studies as well as comments received on the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS, BLM determined that adaptive management criteria would be needed to allow for adjustments 

to land use in light of new information regarding asbestos exposures. The variability of meteorological 

conditions and soil moisture in the Serpentine ACEC indicate that greater attention to detail and more 

information will be helpful to manage all forms of use in the area. The IERF and EPA studies conclude 

there is a need for more detailed management and a need to consider forms of mitigation to offset 

exposures to the public while using the area. Through adaptive management BLM is committed to 

evaluating all new and credible information on strategies for continued public use in the area. 

BLM acknowledges that controversy exists regarding the human health risks associated with exposure to 

naturally occurring asbestos. The EPA risk assessment and the IERF report both highlighted the need for 

further research to determine effective strategies to reduce risk to CCMA visitors. Therefore, the 

preferred alternative identifies “adaptive management criteria” that would allow the BLM to make 

changes to designated route systems and addresses how routes may be modified within the transportation 

network in the future. The adaptive management criteria were developed in response to the issues and 

concerns identified in the IERF study and public comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009). If one 

of these criteria are met, then BLM would reassess CCMA RMP land use decisions associated with 

human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, and potentially apply adaptive management 

should significant new information become available that warrants modifications to the limits on annual 

visitor days or the total miles of routes available for motorized use in the ACEC. At a minimum, the 

BLM will re-examine the body of peer-reviewed data available on this subject within three years 

following issuance of a record of decision for the CCMA RMP. 

Transportation and Travel Management & Recreation Opportunities – Numerous individuals and 

organizations commented that additional acreage should be included in areas recommended for 

management of motorized and non-motorized recreation activities. Some commenters felt that motorized 

access into the Serpentine ACEC should be increased to support rockhounding and that vehicle access to 

zones outside the ACEC should be improved to enhance OHV recreation and other non-motorized 

recreation activities. This prompted BLM to revisit the route network considered under the range of 

alternatives for the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS in order to address concerns about public access and 

recreational opportunities in this PRMP/FEIS. 

As a result, approximately 21 additional miles of vehicle routes in the Serpentine ACEC have been added 

to the area designations for limited vehicle use under the Proposed Action that include major routes R1, 

R10, R13, R14, R15, and other minor routes including T103, T104, T151, T153, and T158. Similarly, an 

additional 2.75 miles of existing routes are proposed to be designated open in the Condon Zone and an 

additional 2.75 miles of existing routes are proposed to be designated open in the Cantua Zone near 

Wright Mountain. These additional routes provide outstanding opportunities for recreational access at a 

level that merits their inclusion in the Proposed Action and meets the area and route designation criteria 

outlined in Section 2.3.3 and Appendix II of this PRMP/FEIS. 

The Proposed RMP clarifies that only highway-licensed vehicles would be permitted on a total of 

approximately 32 miles of designated routes within the Serpentine ACEC. While the PRMP/FEIS only 

considers use by highway-licensed vehicles as appropriate within the Serpentine ACEC, BLM is 

proposing to allow all-terrain and universal terrain vehicles (ATV/UTV) in the Condon Zone in order to 
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6

support limited OHV recreation opportunities and other non-motorized recreation activities like hunting. 

Similarly, the Cantua Zone would be designated a “limited” vehicle use area that would allow access to 

highway-licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV’s on designated routes. However, BLM would not designate 

routes in the Cantua Zone until a Travel Management Plan is approved for the area. 

The remaining inventoried route network would be designated “Closed” to vehicle use in the CCMA 

based on the feasibility of managing risk to human health and the environment from airborne asbestos 

emissions generated by management and visitor use activities. 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designation Criteria – Many commenters felt that the use of all-terrain 

vehicles, dirt bikes, and other non-street-licensed vehicles (green sticker vehicles) was appropriate given 

the types of recreation experiences and benefits called for under the RMP planning criteria. At the same 

time, concerns were also expressed regarding the need for protection of public land resources and the high 

potential for illegal off-road use of vehicles in the Serpentine ACEC and San Benito Mountain 

RNA/WSA that would adversely affect the values for which these special designations were established. 

Pursuant to 43 CFR 8342.1, BLM developed a standardized and stepwise process specifically to address 

identified minimization criteria; whereby routes were evaluated relative to a list of criteria such as, 

resource sensitivity, soil loss, manageability, intended route use, and recreation opportunity. The criteria 

were combined into four tiers, roughly corresponding to the criteria’s likelihood of requiring route 

closure. 

A complete listing of route designations considered under the range of alternatives for the CCMA 

Proposed RMP and Final EIS has been inserted into Section D of Appendix II. The route designation 

tables listed in Section D of Appendix II also provide the results of evaluations prepared for each 

individual route to determine if they satisfy the area and route designation criteria described in Section 

2.3.3 of this PRMP/FEIS. More details of the CCMA area and route designation methodology are located 

in Appendix II. 

The designated routes under the range of alternatives provide varying degrees of access to the public 

lands within select management zones, and the Limited Use area designation to promote resources 

protection and minimize conflicts among existing and potential uses of the management area. Routes 

designated open, under all alternatives, satisfy the resource based route designation criteria. Designated 

routes under each alternative were selected from routes previously designated as open in the 2006 CCMA 

RMP amendment. 

Land Tenure Adjustments and Land Use Authorizations – BLM received numerous comments from a 

consortium of private landowners and other interested parties concerned about the potential for disposal 

of public lands identified in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS. Particularly, the public lands that BLM proposed 

to make available for disposal in the Tucker management zone were identified as valuable wildlife habitat 

and an important component of a successful partnership that’s being developed between private 

landowners and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) in the Hernandez Valley. The HFO 

proposed disposal of the public lands surrounding Baker, Byles, and Cane Canyons in the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS citing the lack of administrative access and the potential to develop opportunities for public use 

and enjoyment in the Tucker management zone. However, due to the issues and concerns associated with 

disposal of these lands, they would be retained in public ownership under the Proposed Action and BLM 

would pursue partnerships with local private landowners, non-profit organizations, and CDFG to develop 

public easements to BLM public lands in the Tucker management zone. 
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Social and Economic Impacts of CCMA Land Use Decisions --Many of the public comments on the 

CCMA Draft RMP/EIS raised concerns and identified issues regarding the impacts of CCMA land use 

decisions on social and economic values to communities in the planning area. These values and the social 

and economic contributions associated with visitor use activities in CCMA were identified through public 

scoping and presented in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS in Section 4.15. The HFO conducted additional 

outreach following the release of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS through a social and economic workshop to 

provide information and gather feedback from private landowners, businesses, elected officials, and other 

interested parties within the communities most directly affected by BLM’s land use decisions for CCMA. 

The information gathered during the social and economic workshop has been incorporated into the 

affected environment and environmental consequences chapters of the PRMP/FEIS. A summary report of 

the information discussed and the public input that was gathered during the workshop is also included in 

Appendix XI. 

Revised Statue 2477 - BLM also received several comments regarding Revised Statute 2477. R.S. 2477 

was repealed with the passage of FLPMA of 1976. However, highways established between 1866 and 

1976 were grandfather as valid existing rights. In recent years, there has been growing debate and 

controversy regarding whether or not certain highways were authorized pursuant to R.S. 2477 and, if so, 

the extent of the rights obtained. However, the issues related to R.S. 2477 are outside the scope of BLM’s 

land use decisions for transportation and travel management on CCMA public lands because the U.S. 

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the validity of R.S 2477 claims can only be determined through 

the courts (ref. Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance v. BLM (Nos. 04-4071 & 04-4073). 

ES.6 BLM’s Proposed RMP and Adaptive Management Strategy 

The PRMP/FEIS describes the BLM’s Proposed Resource Management Plan (i.e. “Proposed Action”) in 

Section 2.5. The proposed action described in Section 2.5 is the BLM’s “preferred alternative”. The 

proposed action primarily reflects the “preferred alternative” analyzed in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS 

(2009), and incorporates aspects of the other management alternatives based on public review and 

comments on the range of alternatives. In determining the appropriate land use for CCMA, BLM 

considered the planning criteria identified in Section 1.4 with an emphasis on managing risk to employees 

and the public. The Proposed Action would limit use that 1) creates high levels of asbestos emissions, 2) 

creates increased opportunity for human exposure to asbestos, and 3) creates a need to conduct intensive 

management in areas with high concentrations of asbestos. 

BLM finds that the proposed action best meets the purpose and need for this project. The proposed action 

details allowable uses, resources protection measures, and management tools that the HFO would 

implement in order to protect human health and safety, natural and cultural resources, and the CCMA’s 

unique recreation opportunities, which were overwhelmingly identified as a priority in the public scoping 

process. The proposed management approach to recreation and travel management in CCMA would allow 

limited opportunities for visitor use within the Serpentine ACEC. It proposes to provide alternate routes 

for access to public lands surrounding the ACEC that would not require the public to drive through the 

ACEC and would create additional recreation opportunities in the surrounding management zones. 

Limits on annual visitor use days would allow the public to experience the scenic, biological, cultural and 

geologic features of the Serpentine ACEC within EPA’s acceptable risk range for exposure to asbestos, 

and with less BLM infrastructure and support needs. The proposed action would also provide for 

improving habitat for endangered species, improved riparian habitat, and an opportunity to reduce soil 

loss and erosion in areas that are contributing to water quality issues in Clear Creek and the San Benito 

River. 
Clear Creek Management Area Executive Summary

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

8

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the proposed action meets the purpose and 

need, as identified in Chapter 1; is viable and reasonable; and provides a mix of resource protection, 

management use, and development that is responsive to issues identified in scoping and meets the 

established planning criteria (also identified in Chapter 1), federal laws and regulations, and BLM’s land 

use planning policies. 

The BLM acknowledges that controversy exists regarding the health risks of naturally occurring asbestos. 

Therefore, the following adaptive management criteria were added to the proposed action to demonstrate 

BLM’s willingness to reassess CCMA RMP land use plan decisions associated with human health risks 

from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. These adaptive management criteria would allow BLM 

management flexibility to modify OHV use restrictions and/or limits on roads and trails available for 

motorized use in the ACEC, should significant new information become available. 

 

o Activity based studies that establish effective strategies for reduction in personal 

exposure to asbestos from off-highway vehicle recreation. 

o Research results in a significant reduction in the toxicity values for asbestos 

resulting in a reduced excess lifetime cancer risk. 

o Chrysotile asbestos is removed from the list of Toxic and Hazardous regulated 

substances. 

Should any of these criteria be met, BLM would reassess, in cooperation with EPA, health risks 

associated with exposure to asbestos in the ACEC and determine the need for adaptive management that 

may modify recreation use limitations adopted in this proposed RMP. At a minimum, the BLM will reexamine the body of peer-reviewed data available on this subject within three years following issuance of 

a record of decision for this CCMA RMP to determine if there’s a need to reconsider the decisions in the 

CCMA RMP. Any adaptive management decisions related to recreation access or motorized vehicle use 

would need to conform to Executive Order 11644 (Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the Public Lands) and 43 

CFR 8342.1 minimization criteria. 

ES.7 Affected Environment 

Chapter 3, “Affected Environment,” provides a general discussion of the Planning Area and then focuses 

in on those specific lands within the Planning Area that are administered by the BLM. The affected 

environment descriptions focus on those aspects of the physical, biological, cultural, social, and economic 

conditions (i.e. “human environment”) that could be affected by the management actions prescribed in the 

range of alternatives. 

ES.8 Environmental Consequences 

Chapter 4, “Environmental Consequences,” identifies the impacts of each management action by 

resource. Mitigation measures designed to avoid or reduce these impacts are incorporated into the 

management actions of each alternative. The depth and breadth of the impact analyses presented in this 

chapter is commensurate with the level of detail of the management actions presented in Chapter 2, and 

on the availability and/or quality of data necessary to assess impacts. The baseline used for expected 

impacts is the current conditions in the Planning Area described in Chapter 3. For the purpose of analysis, 

many management actions are combined among the range of alternatives based on varying levels of 

motorized or non-motorized access inside the Serpentine ACEC, and other allowable uses, land use 

authorizations, and the associated mitigation measures for public health and safety. 
Clear Creek Management Area Executive Summary

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9

ES.9 Consultation and Coordination 

The BLM is developing the CCMA RMP under the authority and direction of the Federal Land Policy 

and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 (Sec. 202(a)), which states that land use plans shall be 

developed, maintained, and, when appropriate, revised for the use of the public lands. The CCMA RMP 

will guide public land management for lands and resources administered by the BLM within the Planning 

Area for another 10 to 15 years. 

The CCMA RMP/EIS provides an updated assessment of resources, uses, conditions, and trends; a forum 

for enhanced public collaboration and involvement; and a comprehensive impact analysis of reasonable 

management alternatives and resulting land use decisions. Development of the CCMA RMP/EIS also 

allows BLM the opportunity to review existing agreements and consider cooperative agreements with 

other government agencies, including: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish & Wildlife 

Service, California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CALFIRE), California Office of Historic 

Preservation, California Department of Fish & Game, California Regional Water Quality Control 

Board(s), Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, and other local agencies. 

The Tachi Yokut tribe of the Santa Rosa Rancheria is the only federally recognized Native American 

group in the Planning Area. Personal contacts between BLM officials and tribal representatives are 

routinely scheduled for other planning activities in the Hollister Field Office, and BLM has extended the 

opportunity to provide input for the RMP revision to the Tachi Yokut tribe throughout the planning 

process. 

 
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11

1.0 INTRODUCTION 

The Planning Area for the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) Proposed Resource Management Plan 

and Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMP/FEIS) includes all federal, state, and private lands in 

southern San Benito County and western Fresno County in Central California shown on Map 1 in 

Appendix I regardless of jurisdiction; however the BLM will only make decisions on lands that fall under 

the BLM’s jurisdiction (including subsurface minerals). These are referred to as “BLM-administered 

lands” (or “public lands”), and include the subsurface Federal minerals, or “split estate”, underlying State 

Trust Lands and some privately–owned properties. The BLM-administered land for which the U.S. 

Department of Interior (DOI) has authority and will make decisions in the CCMA RMP is referred to as 

the “Decision Area”.

Specifically, the CCMA encompasses approximately 75,000 acres, of which 63,000 acres are public lands 

managed by the BLM’s Hollister Field Office (HFO). Management areas are typically larger units of 

public lands that have a degree of similarity with regard to resource characteristics and planning issues. 

CCMA public lands have been used extensively for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)1

 recreation for many 

years. A variety of other recreation activities also occur within the CCMA including hunting and rockhounding. BLM’s land use decisions for CCMA public lands were originally addressed in the Hollister 

RMP (1984). Since 1984, the Hollister RMP was amended several times to address new issues and 

emerging trends on public lands. Therefore, current management direction for the 63,000 acres of public 

lands in CCMA is contained in the 1984 Hollister Resource Management Plan and subsequent CCMA 

amendments. This plan and its amendments, while providing a broad overview of goals, objectives, and 

needs associated with these public lands, lack detailed direction and are generally outdated. Social, 

political, and environmental changes, coupled with significant population growth not anticipated in the 

1984 RMP and CCMA amendments have presented some complex management issues that are 

appropriate to analyze in a “stand alone” RMP for the 63,000 acres of BLM-administered lands in 

CCMA. 

The Hollister RMP was updated in 2007 to establish goals, objectives, and management actions for BLM 

public lands that address current issues, knowledge, and conditions. However, BLM-administered lands 

in CCMA were not addressed in the Hollister RMP (2007) because the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) was preparing an asbestos exposure and human health risk assessment to provide BLM and the 

general public information on the exposure levels from various types of activities in the CCMA. EPA 

initiated the study in 2004 in connection with the clean-up of the Atlas Asbestos Mine Superfund Site, 

also in CCMA, and concerns about the technical deficiencies of a 1992 health risk assessment that BLM 

used to evaluate CCMA visitor’s exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in the area. Therefore, BLM agreed 

to work with EPA and the public upon completion of the study to incorporate the new health risk 

information into public land use decisions for the area. 

 

1

For many years the term “off-highway vehicle” (OHV) has been used by the public, industry, and the BLM 

interchangeably with the term “off-road vehicle” (ORV). However, only the term off-road vehicle has a legally 

established definition in the Presidential Executive Orders and the BLM’s related 43 CFR 8340 regulations. In 

general, throughout this document we will refer to motorized OHV, except when discussing issues related to policy 

or regulations. 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

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12

EPA released the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment on May 1, 2008. The 

result of the study concluded that visiting CCMA more than once per year can put adults and children 

above EPA’s acceptable risk range for exposure to carcinogens and found an increased long-term cancer 

risk from engaging in many of the typical recreational activities at the CCMA. 

In response to new information provided in the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk 

Assessment (2008), BLM issued a temporary closure order simultaneously on May 1, 2008 that closed 

30,000-acres within the CCMA’s Serpentine ACEC (described below) to all public use and entry. The 

closure order was published in the Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 85), pursuant to 43 CFR 

8364.1, to protect public land users from human health risks associated with exposure to airborne asbestos 

in the CCMA. Subsequently, BLM prepared the CCMA Draft Resource Management Plan and 

Environmental Impact Statement (2009) to consider the information in the EPA report and analyze a full 

range of management options and alternatives for the CCMA through the BLM’s land use planning 

process. 

Upon evaluation of the range of management alternatives and their associated impacts described in the 

CCMA Draft RMP/EIS, BLM selected a combination of management actions and objectives from among 

the range of alternatives with an emphasis on public health and safety measures to minimize asbestos 

exposure, reduce airborne asbestos emissions, and promote outreach and education to inform public land 

users of the human health risks associated with exposure to asbestos in CCMA. 

Following public review and comment on the BLM’s “preferred alternative” analyzed in the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS (2009), the Hollister Field Office developed this Proposed RMP and Final EIS to incorporate 

public comments and other agency input. As a result, the final proposed plan (i.e. “Proposed Action”) 

identified in this PRMP/FEIS has been modified from the Draft RMP/EIS’s “preferred alternative” and 

includes elements incorporated from public involvement during the land use planning process. 

This PRMP/FEIS details the BLM’s “Proposed Action” to address emerging issues in the region and 

evaluates the environmental consequences of the proposed resource management actions to compare them 

with current management actions and their potential effects on the human environment. Major changes to 

the Proposed Action and a summary of public comments and the BLM’s response are also presented in 

this Proposed RMP and Final EIS. The result of this land use planning effort will be a “stand alone” 

resource management plan that allocates resources in Clear Creek Management Area to generally 

establish the following: 

(1) Areas for limited, restricted or exclusive use; and special designations; 

(2) Allowable resource uses and related levels of production or use; 

(3) Resource condition goals and objectives; 

(4) Program constraints and general management practices needed to achieve the above items; 

(5) Need for an area to be covered by more detailed and specific activity level plans; 

(6) Support actions, including resource protection and public health and safety measures, access 

development, realty actions, etc. as necessary to achieve the above; 

(7) General implementation sequences, where carrying out a planned action is dependent upon prior 

accomplishment of another planned action; and 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

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13

(8) Intervals and standards for monitoring and evaluating the plan to determine the effectiveness of the 

plan and the need for amendment or revision. 

1.1 Purpose and Need for the CCMA Resource Management Plan 

The need to develop the CCMA RMP arose from numerous changes in circumstances since the current 

land use plan decisions were adopted. The existing Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the area was 

adopted in 1984. There have been several amendments to the 1984 RMP to address public health and 

safety and resources protection issues in CCMA. However, many other issues that are emerging on public 

lands were not addressed in those amendments. The following list of specific factors illustrates the need 

for preparation of an updated management plan: 

The EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008) provides 

significant new information that must be incorporated into a land use plan to evaluate the public 

health risk associated with BLM land use authorizations. 

The current management plan does not consider new information and/or additional habitat needs 

for species protected under the federal 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA), including the 

California condor and San Benito evening primrose. 

Changes in social and economic conditions in San Benito County, the San Joaquin Valley, and the 

entire State of California have led to increased demand for use of public lands for recreation and 

energy production as well as an increased awareness and social value placed on the cultural and 

natural resources in the Planning Area. 

The purpose of the CCMA RMP is to establish goals, objectives, and management actions for BLMadministered lands in CCMA that address current issues, knowledge, and conditions. The CCMA RMP 

shall guide the management of the lands and resources administered by the Hollister Field Office in 

CCMA to achieve the following: 1) minimize asbestos exposure 2) reduce asbestos emissions 3) 

designate areas in CCMA for motorized, mechanized, and non-motorized/non-mechanized recreation 

opportunities; 4) protect sensitive natural and cultural resources from impacts due to recreation and other 

land uses; 5) provide guidance for mineral and energy development; and 6) make other land use 

authorizations and tenure adjustments. This planning effort is intended to be comprehensive, evaluating 

existing management plans and identifying regional issues, and resolving those issues through public, 

interagency, and intra-agency scoping efforts. This effort also identifies the area’s “vision”, long-range 

management goals, intermediate objectives, and actions and options for meeting those objectives. 

1.2 Planning Area Description 

The Planning Area includes a portion of southern San Benito County and a portion of western Fresno 

County. BLM public lands account for more than 63,000 of the 75,000 acre management area. BLM also 

administers subsurface minerals on approximately 3,500 acres of “split estate” (areas where BLM 

administers Federal subsurface minerals but the surface is owned by a non-Federal entity). 

The lands managed by the HFO include a variety of settings and landforms, including the southern Diablo 

Mountain Range, Hernandez Valley, and three major watersheds. The Pajaro watershed drains into the 

Pacific Ocean: the Arroyo Pasajero and Silver Creek watersheds drain into the San Joaquin Valley. 

BLM’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these public lands for the use and 

enjoyment of present and future generations. 
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14

The public lands in CCMA are typically steep and mountainous. Some lands within the planning area 

consist of chaparral and oak woodland vegetation. Other areas (primarily on the eastern slopes of the 

Diablo Range) consist of annual grassland and half-shrub vegetation. However, the majority of the 

planning area is dominated by the serpentine soil formation known as the New Idria formation, which is 

characterized by sparse vegetation, large barren complexes on hillsides and ridgelines, and a unique forest 

assemblage of foothill, Jeffrey and Coulter pine. Elevations range from 1,100 -- 5,000 feet. 

Within the CCMA boundary is the Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) covering 

approximately 30,000 acres. It was designated as an ACEC upon approval of 1984 Hollister RMP, based 

on the human health risk associated with the naturally occurring asbestos and the occurrence of special 

status plant species endemic to area. The boundaries of the ACEC were defined by mapping of asbestosladen soils derived from the New Idria serpentine formation. This ACEC is sometimes referred to as the 

Hazardous Asbestos Area (HAA). Human disturbance to the soils and plants in the serpentine ACEC is a 

special management concern, because throughout the ACEC, soil formation tends to be slow and the 

topsoil shallow. Plant regeneration is also slow, and accelerated erosion from human activities has 

negatively impacted soil and vegetative resources over the years. Minimizing soil erosion and minimizing 

the damage to vegetation is a management priority. 

Within the Serpentine ACEC is the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA), which is 

approximately 4,147 acres in size. RNAs are designated for the protection of public lands having natural 

characteristics that are unusual or that are of scientific or other interest. The San Benito Mountain RNA 

(SBMRNA) was designated because of the unique forest assemblage and vegetation communities 

associated with the serpentine soils. Its primary purpose is to provide research and educational 

opportunities while maintaining and protecting a unique assemblage of vegetation in as natural condition 

as possible. 

The Clear Creek Management Area is shown on Map 7 (Special Designations) in Appendix I along with 

the area of the Serpentine ACEC and the SBMRNA. The acreages (rounded to the nearest hundred) of 

these areas are shown in Table 1-1, with a breakdown of BLM, other agencies and private land ownership 

in CCMA. 

Table 1-1. Land Ownership in the Planning Area (in acres) 

Ownership

Clear Creek

Management Area 

(acres)

Serpentine 

ACEC

San Benito Mountain 

Research Natural 

Area

San Benito Mountain 

Wilderness Study 

Area

Percent 

of 

CCMA

BLM 63,000 30,000 4,100 1,500 83.3

Private 10,600 3,400* -- -- 14.0

State 2,000 1,500* -- -- 2.6

Total 75,600 34,900 4,100 1,500 100.0

(*) State and private lands are “in-holdings”. ACEC designation does not apply to non-BLM lands. 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

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15

1.2.1 Management Zones 

This RMP incorporates existing BLM-administered land and recently acquired public lands into five 

‘Management Zones’. The five management zones (identified below) were defined by BLM 

interdisciplinary staff based on similar resources conditions, resource uses, and management issues or 

trends. 

This RMP/EIS identifies desired future conditions for these management zones, depending on the 

resources and conditions that currently exist and the range of alternatives for multiple uses in CCMA. 

Accordingly, the range of alternatives in the RMP/EIS is designed to provide an analysis of the 

reasonable management actions. The five CCMA management zones include: 

The Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). 

The Condon Zone, which includes the White Creek drainage area. 

The Cantua Zone, which includes CCMA public lands in the Cantua drainage, the San Carlos 

Bolsa, and a disjunct parcel near Idria. 

The Tucker Zone, which includes public lands surrounding Tucker Mountain, Baker, Byles, and 

Cane Canyons, and the main entrance to Clear Creek; and 

The San Benito River Zone, which comprises scattered parcels that border the Serpentine ACEC 

and other BLM-administered lands in the San Benito River watershed. 

Table 1-2 identifies the total acres of BLM-administered lands for each of the five management zones. 

Table 1-2. CCMA Management Zones Ownership (acres rounded to nearest hundred) 

Ownership

Serpentine 

ACEC Tucker Condon Cantua San Benito River

BLM 30,000 5,900 9,700 14,900 3,600

Private 3,400* 3,300* 2,600* 1,300* --

State 1,500 * -- 500* -- --

Total 34,900 9,200 12,800 16,200 3,600

(*) State and private lands are “in-holdings”. CCMA RMP decisions do not apply to non-BLM lands. 

1.2.2 Planning Approach 

While it is important to recognize issues and consider the impacts BLM decisions may have on the 

surrounding communities and landscapes, the decisions in this land use plan only apply to BLM public 

lands. Accordingly, the range of alternatives identified in Chapter 2 was developed by the Hollister Field 

Office based on a variety of resource issues and management concerns identified during the public 

scoping period. Based on public comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009)., Section 2.5 of this 

PRMP/FEIS identifies a combination of management actions, resource allocations, and allowable uses 

from among the range of alternatives as the “Preferred Alternative” for lands administered by the HFO in 

the CCMA. Under the “Preferred Alternative”, BLM would improve public health and safety by reducing 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

16

the miles of designated routes available for OHV use, and by limiting annual visitor use days within the 

Serpentine ACEC. The “Preferred Alternative” would limit motorized access in the ACEC to highwaylicensed vehicles and emphasize non-motorized recreation opportunities on BLM-administered lands in 

CCMA. 

Chapter 3 describes the existing environment that would be affected by the proposed resource 

management plan, and Chapter 4 describes the environmental consequences of implementing the 

“Proposed Action”. Finally, Chapter 5 includes information provided during public involvement and 

interagency collaboration and consultation on the CCMA land use plan, and Chapter 6 lists references 

identified in the PRMP/FEIS. 

1.3 Planning Themes and Issues 

1.3.1 Summary of Major Planning Issues 

As a result of BLM current land use planning guidance and knowledge of management issues and 

concerns in the Planning Area, 18 resource program areas will be addressed in the CCMA RMP/EIS. 

Based upon the results of public scoping and issues identified in public comments on the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS (2009), the following issues and concerns represent the key themes and prioirities that emerged 

during the planning process. These key themes and priorities are analyed in the CCMA PRMP/FEIS, in 

addition to issues identified by BLM personnel, cooperating agencies, state and local governments, and 

other publics. 

Human health risks associated with CCMA chrysotile form of asbestos; 

Scientific accuracy and integrity of available information; 

Measures to reduce and minimize risk to public health and safety; 

Suitable areas for motorized and non-mototrized recreation uses; 

Desired outcome for areas with high scenic and/or cultural values; 

Protection of special status species; 

Potential land tenure adjustments (acquisition & disposal); 

Wildfire management strategy to protect private and public lands and resources; 

Fluid and solid mineral development; 

Impacts on watershed resources and water quality; 

Impacts on air quality in non-attainment areas. 

1.3.2 Issues Considered but Not Further Analyzed 

A number of issues raised during public involvement in the land use planning process were determined to 

be beyond the scope of the CCMA RMP/EIS. These issues are identified below and will not be addressed 

in this land use plan because they are not directly related to the purpose and need for the CCMA 

RMP/EIS or are outside the authority of the BLM. A summary of these issues are described below and 

will not be further analyzed in this report. 
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1.3.2.1 Temporary Closure of Clear Creek Management Area 

Several comments received by the Hollister Field Office requested that BLM reverse (i.e. remove) the 

Temporary Closure order issued on May 1, 2008 that closed the 30,000-acre Serpentine ACEC to all 

public use during the development of the RMP/EIS to allow public use during that period. However, 

BLM determined that the Temporary Closure order was appropriate in response to new information 

provided in the EPA Asbestos Exposure and Health Risk Assessment (2008). The EPA study determined 

that visitor use on public lands in CCMA can increase the long-term risk of cancer from exposure to 

asbestos. 

The Federal government has concluded that all forms of asbestos are hazardous to humans, and that all 

can cause cancer; although the chrysotile form may be less potent than the amphibole family in causing 

mesothelioma (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Asbestos). While most of the asbestos 

detected in the EPA CCMA air samples was chrysotile, 8% of the fibers of the size most closely related to 

health concerns were amphibole asbestos. Despite the public health and safety risk identified in the EPA 

study, many public comments reflect concerns that the BLM excluded the public from the decisionmaking process and that the Temporary Closure will affect the current development of the CCMA 

RMP/EIS. 

While the Hollister Field Office remains aware of these concerns and other issues raised during the land 

use planning process, the closure order will remain in place during the preparation of the CCMA 

RMP/EIS. BLM acknowledges that controversy exists regarding the health risks of naturally occurring 

asbestos; however, EPA and other Federal, State, and local agencies whose missions relate directly to 

public health have publicly supported the BLM’s decision to avoid further elevated risks to visitors while 

the HFO analyzes a range of management alternatives for the CCMA. 

1.3.2.2 Establishing New Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas Outside of CCMA 

Many clubs and organizations also requested that BLM consider establishing new areas for off-highway 

vehicle recreation on BLM public lands in CCMA, and on other public lands in the Hollister Field Office, 

including BLM-administered lands and California State Parks like Henry Coe. 

While the Hollister Field Office will consider establishing new off-highway vehicle recreation areas in 

CCMA, the scope of the RMP/EIS will be limited to BLM-administered lands in the 75,000 acre CCMA 

based on the following rationale. 

The purpose and need for the CCMA RMP/EIS is based on the EPA Asbestos Exposure and Human 

Health Risk Assessment. BLM acknowledges there are concerns about the loss of public lands available 

for OHV use, but the CCMA RMP/EIS will analyze a range of alternatives including the ‘no action 

alternative’, which would allow OHV use to continue in CCMA at the same levels prior to the closure 

order issued on May 1, 2008. 

In light of these considerations, BLM has determined that it is appropriate to maintain the scope of the 

current RMP/EIS within the 75,000 acre CCMA. Furthermore, BLM and the California State Parks Motor 

Vehicle Recreation Division can work cooperatively outside of the CCMA land use planning process on 

the potential to establish new off-highway vehicle recreation areas in the Hollister Field Office. However, 

any proposal developed for this purpose would need to be accompanied by an adequate environmental 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

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18

impact statement, and the existing BLM resources and personnel allocated to the CCMA RMP/EIS are 

dedicated to addressing the purpose and need outlined in Chapter 1. 

1.3.2.3 Special Designations 

Changes or modifications to Special Designations in CCMA will not be considered in the range of 

alternatives for the CCMA RMP/EIS for the following reasons. 

The purpose and need for this RMP/EIS includes minimizing human health risks from exposure to 

asbestos and reducing airborne asbestos emissions from BLM management activities. ACEC designations 

highlight areas where special management attention is needed to protect, and prevent irreparable damage 

to important historic, cultural, and scenic values, fish, or wildlife resources or other systems or processes 

or to protect human life and safety from natural hazards. The designation of the Serpentine ACEC in the 

1984 Hollister RMP (as amended) is based on human health risks associated with exposure to asbestos 

within the serpentine soils. The boundaries of the ACEC were defined by mapping of asbestos soils 

derived from the New Idria serpentine formation. This ACEC is also referred to frequently as the 

Hazardous Asbestos Area (HAA). 

Within the Serpentine ACEC is the 4,147-acre San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area (SBMRNA). 

The Hollister RMP (1984) and the 2006 Record of Decision (ROD) for CCMA RMP Amendment and 

Route Designation approved expansions of the original SBMRNA from its original boundary when it was 

first established as an Outstanding Natural Area in 1972. The designation of the SBMRNA is based on 

unique vegetation and forest types associated with serpentine soil. The current SBMRNA boundary 

protects sensitive resource values and riparian habitat, including the federally threatened San Benito 

evening primrose (Camissonia benitensis) populations, serpentine barrens, and a unique forest 

assemblage of Jeffrey pine, Coulter pine, foothill pine, and other mixed-conifers. Upper Clear Creek 

Canyon was also included in the expanded RNA to control OHV trespass into the RNA and closed mine 

areas. 

Within the SBMRNA is the 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA), which must 

be managed according to the BLM’s Interim Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review, as described in 

Chapter 3, Section 3.10.2.4. The boundaries of these special designation areas are delineated using 

identifiable landmarks, to the extent possible, and reflect the most current BLM policies for management 

of the public lands. 

1.3.2.4 Revised Statute 2477

Per Congressionally enacted Revised Statute 2477, the right-of-way for construction of highways over 

public lands, not reserved for public purposes, was granted in 1866. R.S. 2477 was repealed with the 

passage of FLPMA of 1976. However, highways established between 1866 and 1976 were grandfather as 

valid existing rights. In recent years, there has been growing debate and controversy regarding whether or 

not certain highways were authorized pursuant to R.S. 2477 and, if so, the extent of the rights obtained. 

BLM's Proposed Plan and Final EIS proposes limiting vehicle use on designated routes within the 

Planning Area that would allow for all historical uses, except for OHV recreation, due to the human 

health risks identified in Chapter 4 and the EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk 

Assessment (2008). 
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19

However, issues related to R.S. 2477 are outside the scope of BLM’s land use decisions for transportation 

and travel management on CCMA public lands because the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 

that the validity of R.S 2477 claims can only be determined through the courts (ref. Southern Utah 

Wilderness Alliance v. BLM (Nos. 04-4071 & 04-4073). Therefore, the Proposed RMP does not address 

the extent of these rights on public lands in the CCMA. 

1.4 Planning Criteria 

Planning criteria help to: (1) streamline the RMP’s preparation and focus; (2) establish standards, 

analytical techniques, and measures to be used in the process; (3) guide development of the RMP; (4) 

guide and direct issue resolution; and (5) identify factors and data to consider in making decisions. 

Principles of ecosystem management as well as a continuing commitment to multiple use and sustained 

yield will also guide land use decisions in the Planning Area. The commitment to multiple uses would not 

mean that all land would be open for all uses. Some uses may be excluded on certain lands to protect 

specific resource values or uses. Any exclusions, however, would be based on laws or regulations or be 

determined through the planning process and subject to public involvement. 

Planning criteria developed during public scoping will help guide the planning effort. The preliminary 

planning criteria identified in the Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register are identified below: 

The RMP will be developed in compliance with FLPMA, all other applicable laws, regulations, 

executive orders, and BLM supplemental program guidance. 

The planning process will include an EIS that will comply with NEPA standards. 

Economic and social baselines and consequences will be developed in coordination with local and 

county governments. 

Initiate government to government consultation, including Tribal interests. 

Consider the extent to which the revised plan reduces airborne asbestos emissions, minimizes 

asbestos exposure, and addresses public health impact of the Hazardous Asbestos Area. 

Consider the extent to which the revised plan reduces accelerated erosion and offsite transport of 

asbestos fibers on vehicles and clothes due to off-highway vehicle use. 

All new data collected will have information about the data (metadata) stored in a data base. All 

metadata will meet the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards. 

The RMP/EIS will incorporate by reference the Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines 

for Livestock Grazing Management (2000). 

The RMP will result in determinations as required by special program and resource specific 

guidance detailed in Appendix C of the BLM’s Planning Handbook (H-1601-1). 

Decisions in the RMP will strive to be compatible with the existing plans and policies of adjacent 

local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies as long as the decisions are in conformance with legal 

mandates on management of public lands. 

Resource allocations must be reasonable and achievable within available technological and 

budgetary constraints. 
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The following ‘planning criteria’ were presented in the CCMA Draft RMP Amendment (2004). These 

criteria were based on input from BLM specialists, other agencies, and the public and will also be 

considered during this planning process: 

The CCMA RMP must provide for the needs of the public land user, while protecting sensitive 

species and habitat, protecting natural and cultural resources, and protecting the unique ecosystem 

within the SBMRNA.

BLM shall comply with the 2007 State Protocol Agreement between the California BLM and the 

California State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). 

Best Management Practices (BMP) related to watershed improvement projects would continue to 

be implemented to reduce erosion and off-site sedimentation transport. 

BLM would obtain California Department of Fish and Game permits and Clean Water Act Section 

404 permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for stream alteration and BMP watershed 

management practices as necessary and appropriate. 

All land use decisions for lands acquired within the CCMA boundaries by BLM would be 

incorporated into this RMP/EIS. 

The CCMA is presently managed under the 1984 Hollister RMP (as amended). Information and 

decisions from the existing Hollister RMP, and associated amendment, will be reviewed and incorporated 

in this RMP/EIS where appropriate. Management will continue under the CCMA Temporary Closure 

Order, issued May 1, 2008, until the CCMA RMP/EIS is approved. 

1.5 Planning Process 

In general, the BLM follows an eight-step planning process as outlined below: 

Step 1 – Planning Issues Identified. Issues and concerns are identified through a scoping process that 

includes the public, Indian tribes, other Federal agencies, and state and local governments. 

Step 2 – Planning Criteria Development. Planning criteria are created to ensure decisions are made to 

address the issues pertinent to the planning effort. Planning criteria are derived from a variety of sources, 

including applicable laws and regulations, existing management plans, coordination with other agencies’ 

programs, and the results of public and agency scoping. The planning criteria may be updated or changed 

as planning proceeds. 

Step 3 – Data and Information Collection. Data and information for the resources in the planning area 

are collected based on the planning criteria. 

Step 4 – Alternatives Formulation. A range of reasonable management alternatives that address issues 

identified during scoping is developed. 

Step 5 – Alternatives Assessment. The estimated environmental effects of each alternative are estimated 

and analyzed. 

Step 6 – Preferred Alternative Selection. The alternative that best resolves planning issues is identified 

as the preferred alternative. 
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Step 7 – Resource Management Plan Selection. First, a Draft RMP/EIS is issued and made available to 

the public for a review period of 90 calendar days. During this time, the BLM holds another round of 

public meetings to gather comments and accepts comments in writing. After comments on the draft 

document are received, the draft is modified as necessary, and the Proposed RMP/Final EIS is published 

and made available for public review for 30 calendar days. A Record of Decision (ROD) is signed to 

approve the Final RMP/EIS. 

Step 8 – Implementation and Monitoring. Management measures outlined in the approved plan are 

implemented, and future monitoring is conducted to test their effectiveness. Changes are made as 

necessary to achieve desired results. 

1.5.1 Types of Land Use Plan Decisions 

Land use plans and planning decisions are the basis for every on-the-ground action the BLM undertakes. 

Land use plans include both resource management plans (RMPs) and management framework plans 

(MFPs). Land use plans ensure that the public lands are managed in accordance with the intent of 

Congress as stated in FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), under the principles of multiple use and sustained 

yield. 

Decisions in land use plans guide future land management actions and subsequent site-specific 

implementation decisions. These land use plan decisions establish goals and objectives for resource 

management (desired outcomes) and the measures needed to achieve these goals and objectives 

(management actions and allowable uses). 

The BLM’s Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1) provides supplemental guidance to the agency’s

employees for implementing the BLM land use planning requirements established by Sections 201 and 

202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1711-1712) and the 

regulations in 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1600. The Land Use Planning Handbook includes 

guidance for preparing, revising, amending, and maintaining land use plans. This Handbook also provides 

guidance for developing subsequent implementation (activity-level and project-specific) plans and 

decisions. 

Implementation decisions generally constitute BLM’s final approval allowing on-the-ground actions to 

proceed. These types of decisions require appropriate site-specific planning and NEPA analysis. Unlike 

land use plan decisions, implementation decisions are not subject to protest under the planning 

regulations. Instead, implementation decisions are subject to various administrative remedies, particularly 

appeals to the Office of Hearing and Appeals (Interior Board of Land Appeals). Where implementation 

decisions are made as part of the land use planning process, they are still subject to the appeals process or 

other administrative review as prescribed by the specific resource program regulations after the BLM 

resolves the protests to land use plan decisions and makes a decision to adopt or amend the RMP. 

As described in the Handbook on page 12, land use plan decisions for public lands fall into two 

categories: desired outcomes (goals and objectives) and allowable (including restricted or prohibited) uses 

and actions anticipated to achieve desired outcomes: 

1. Desired Outcomes 

Land use plans must identify desired outcomes expressed in terms of specific goals and objectives. Goals 

and objectives direct the BLM’s actions in most effectively meeting legal mandates; numerous regulatory 
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responsibilities; national policy, including the DOI Strategic Plan goals; State Director guidance (see 43 

CFR 1610.0-4(b)); and other resource or social needs. Desired outcomes should be identified for and 

pertain to resources (such as natural, biological, and cultural), resource uses, (such as energy and 

livestock grazing), and other factors (such as social and economic conditions). 

2. Allowable Uses & Management Actions 

After establishing desired outcomes, the BLM identifies allowable uses (land use allocations) and 

management actions that are anticipated to achieve the goals and objectives. 

a) Allowable uses. Land use plans must identify uses, or allocations, that are allowable, restricted, or 

prohibited on the public lands and mineral estate. These allocations identify surface lands and/or 

subsurface mineral interests where uses are allowed, including any restrictions that may be 

needed to meet goals and objectives. Land use plans also identify lands where specific uses are 

excluded to protect resource values. Certain lands may be open or closed to specific uses based 

on legislative, regulatory, or policy requirements or criteria to protect sensitive resource values. 

The land use plan must set the stage for identifying site-specific resource use levels. Site-specific 

use levels are normally identified during subsequent implementation planning or the permit 

authorization process. At the land use plan level, it is important to identify reasonable 

development scenarios for allowable uses such as mineral leasing, locatable mineral 

development, recreation, utility corridors, and livestock grazing to enable the orderly 

implementation of future actions. The BLM may also establish criteria in the land use plan to 

guide the identification of site-specific use levels for activities during plan implementation. 

b) Management actions. Land use plans must identify the actions anticipated to achieve desired 

outcomes, including actions to maintain, restore, or improve land health. These actions include 

proactive measures (e.g., measures that will be taken to enhance watershed function and 

condition), as well as measures or criteria that will be applied to guide day-to-day activities 

occurring on public land. Land use plans also establish administrative designations such as 

ACECs, recommend proposed withdrawals, land tenure zones, and recommend or make findings 

of suitability for congressional designations (such as components of the National Wild and Scenic 

River System). 

Appendix C of the BLM’s Land Use Planning Handbook provides additional program-specific guidance 

for developing land use plan decisions. 

1.5.1.1 CCMA Land Use Plan Decisions and Implementation Decisions 

Pursuant to BLM’s planning policy, the CCMA PRMP/FEIS includes both land use plan-level and 

implementation-level decisions, and clearly distinguishes between the two types of decisions. 

Accordingly, Chapter 2 displays a listing of proposed land use plan decisions and implementation 

decisions under each resource section that are program-specific and have been considered in conjunction 

with the guidance presented for other resources to maintain an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to 

planning for the CCMA PRMP/FEIS. 

Proposed land use plan decisions can be protested to the BLM Director but are not reviewable by the 

Office of Hearings and Appeals. 
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Implementation decisions generally constitute the BLM’s final approval allowing on-the-ground actions 

to proceed. Implementation decisions included in the CCMA PRMP/FEIS are still subject to site-specific 

environmental review, the public appeals process, and other administrative review as prescribed by 

specific resource program regulations after the BLM resolves the protests to land use plan decisions. 

Land use plan decisions and implementation decisions are identified in Chapter 2 of the CCMA 

PRMP/FEIS following the alphanumeric identifier for each “management action” under the range of 

alternatives for the specific resources programs. For example, land use plan decisions and 

implementation decisions for recreation resources “Management Actions” are identified in the CCMA 

PRMP/FEIS as follows: 

 REC-USE-A7. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage CCMA public lands as a Special Recreation 

Management Area (SRMA).

 REC-USE-B1. Land Use Plan Decision: Prohibit camping and staging for recreation in the 

Serpentine ACEC, except at Jade Mill Campground. Allow camping and staging for recreation on 

public lands outside the ACEC. 

 REC-USE-B2. Implementation Decision: Limit visitor use in the Serpentine ACEC to one halfhour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset (i.e. day use only), except at Jade Mill 

Campground.

 REC-USE-B4. Implementation Decision: Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, 

designated camp sites, staging areas) to support non-motorized recreation opportunities at 

destinations with unique biological, natural and geologic features within CCMA.

Refer to Chapter 2 for a complete listing of all the management actions being considered under the range 

of alternatives (Section 2.4) and the “Proposed Action” (Section 2.5) for the CCMA PRMP/FEIS.

1.5.2 Relationship to BLM Policies, Plans, and Programs 

The major planning and decision documents that will be used to guide resources management in the 

CCMA RMP/EIS are described below. 

1.5.2.1 Hollister RMP and CCMA RMP Amendments 

This RMP focuses on broad resource objectives and direction while providing some activity-level 

guidance and site-specific decisions, and will build upon a 30-year history of natural resource 

management in Central California. Table 1-3 highlights some of the major plans and policies that have led 

to the present management of the area. 

Table 1-3 Existing Hollister Field Office Land Use Plans 

Document Title Year

Fresno/San Benito Management Framework Plan 1978

Hollister Resource Management Plan 1984

Clear Creek Management Plan and Decision Record 1986

Hollister Oil and Gas RMP Amendment 1993
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Document Title Year

Clear Creek Management Area RMP Amendment and Final EIS/Record of Decision 1995/1999

Hollister Field Office Fire Management Plan 2004

Clear Creek Management Area RMP Amendment and Route Designation/Record of Decision 2006

Record of Decision for the Southern Diablo Mountain Range and Central Coast of California 

Resource Management Plan (a.k.a. Hollister RMP)

2007

The preceding plans are incorporated in this RMP/EIS by reference but are not included herein. 

Additional major plans, policies and programs that apply to BLM land use planning include: 

1.5.2.2 CFR Title 43, Section 1610, and BLM’s NEPA Handbook (H-1790-1) & Land Use 

Planning Handbook (H-1601-1)

43 CFR 1610 states that guidance for preparation and amendment of resource management plans may be 

provided by the Director and State Director, as needed, to help the District and Area Manager and staff 

prepare a specific plan. 

The NEPA Handbook and the Land Use Planning Handbook provide guidance to BLM on the 

requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the BLM’s Planning 

Regulations (43 CFR 1600), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Nothing in the 

Handbooks supersedes the legal and regulatory mandates in the CFR. The Manual and Handbook provide 

guidance for preparing new Resource Management Plans (RMPs), plan revisions, plan amendments, other 

equivalent plans (e.g., plans adopted from other agencies), and subsequent implementation-level plans. 

Procedures and requirements are set forth to ensure that the BLM’s plans meet regulatory and statutory 

requirements. To the extent possible, this guidance integrates land use planning requirements with 

requirements under NEPA. 

1.5.2.3 Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines 

Statewide standards and guidelines were approved by the Secretary of the Interior in 2000 for managing 

grazing on BLM public lands in California. BLM is required by statewide policy to use these standards 

and guidelines for evaluating rangeland health. 

1.5.2.4 Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides Final Programmatic EIS Record of 

Decision (2007) 

The CCMA RMP is subject to the BLM’s Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides Final Programmatic 

EIS Record of Decision, approved in September 2007. The Programmatic EIS Record of Decision (ROD)

has two primary objectives: 1) Determine which herbicide active ingredients are available for use on 

public lands to improve the agency’s ability to control hazardous fuels and unwanted vegetation, and 2) to 

develop a state-of-the-science human health and ecological risk assessment (ERA) methodology. This 

methodology would serve as the initial standard for assessing human health and ecological risk for 

herbicides that may become available for use in the future. 

1.5.2.5 National OHV Strategy 

The BLM released a National Management Strategy for Motorized Off-highway Vehicle Use on Public 

Lands on January 19, 2001. This strategy is aimed at recognizing the interests of motorized OHV users 

while protecting environmentally sensitive areas on the public lands. It also seeks to focus the Agency's 
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scarce funding and staffing resources on motorized OHV management on the ground at the local field 

office level. 

1.5.2.6 Native American Consultation per Executive Orders 12866, 12898, 13084, 13007 

and 13175 et seq. 

Executive Order 12866 “Regulatory Planning and Review” intends to enhance planning and coordination 

with respect to both new and existing regulations and to make the process more accessible and open to the 

public. Executive Order 13084 “Consultation and Coordination with Tribal Governments” of 1998 

established requirements for meaningful consultation and collaboration with Indian tribal governments 

with respect to the development of regulatory practices on Federal matters that significantly or uniquely 

affect their communities. Executive Order 13007 “Indian Sacred Sites” refined consultation requirements 

with tribal groups to include the identification of sacred sites or sacred areas that may be affected by 

proposed federal actions. Executive Order 13175 “Consultation and Coordination with Tribal 

Governments” of 2000 further clarified the consultation relationship between the Federal government and 

tribal communities. 

1.5.2.7 BLM Wilderness Recommendations 

Wilderness studies were completed for all BLM lands as a requirement under Section 603 of the FLPMA, 

and recommendations have been formally submitted to Congress by the President. Therefore, these 

decisions cannot be changed except by Congressional action. In the Planning Area, approximately 1,500

acres are being managed in the San Benito Mountain Wilderness Study Areas until Congress makes the 

final wilderness determination through legislative action. 

1.5.2.8 Wind Energy Development Policy 

The BLM is responsible for the development of wind energy resources on BLM-administered lands. 

Currently about 330 megawatts (MW) of wind capacity is installed nationwide under right-of-way 

(ROW) grants administered by the BLM in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Land Policy 

and Management Act of 1976. 

A Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) relating to the authorization of wind energy 

projects was completed in June 2005. This EIS provides an analysis of the development of wind energy 

projects in the West. In conjunction with the publication of the PEIS, the BLM amended 52 land use 

plans to allow for the use of applicable lands for wind energy development. BLM offices are able to use 

the PEIS as an aid in analyzing impacts for specific applications for the use of public lands for wind 

energy use. 

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) assisted the BLM in 

the preparation of the PEIS and provided an inventory assessment of wind energy resources on public 

lands in the Western United States. The PEIS Record of Decision (ROD), approved in January 2006, 

addressed the amendment of individual land use plans and established both policies and best management 

practices (BMPs) regarding the development of wind energy resources on BLM-administered lands. 
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1.6 Collaboration with Other Agencies and Groups 

1.6.1 Cooperating Agencies 

A cooperating agency assists the lead federal agency in developing an EA or EIS. The CEQ regulations 

implementing NEPA define a cooperating agency as any agency that has jurisdiction by law or special 

expertise for proposals covered by NEPA (40 CFR 1501.6). Any federal, state, or local government 

jurisdiction or tribal government with such qualifications may become a cooperating agency by 

agreement with the lead agency. BLM and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are working 

as cooperating agencies under a letter of agreement developed for this land use planning process. 

1.6.2 Other Federal, State and Local Governments 

Other federal, state, and local government agencies have been involved in the development of the 

RMP/EIS, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California’s Departments of Toxic 

Substances Control (DTSC) and Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division 

(OHMVR), and Fresno County and San Benito County, the two counties within which the CCMA lies, 

have not established cooperating agency status, but maintain interest and involvement in the planning 

process. 

The OHMVR Division’s comments on the 2009 CCMA Draft RMP/EIS voiced concerns regarding the 

uncertainty related to EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human health Risks Assessment (2008) and 

the adverse impacts of BLM’s land use decisions on OHV recreation opportunities. BLM has previously 

acknowledged these concerns and the controversy related to naturally occurring asbestos exposure in 

CCMA. As a result, the CCMA PRMP/FEIS includes a discussion of criteria that would prompt BLM to 

reevaluate CCMA land use decisions under the objectives for Transportation snd Travel Management that 

are consistent with previous land use planning efforts and agreements with other agencies to cooperate 

with on-going studies and/or consider significant new information and potential management responses at 

the CCMA in light of any new findings. 

1.6.3 Tribal Relationships 

The Tachi Yokuts Tribe of Santa Rosa Rancheria is the only federally recognized Native American tribe 

in the Planning Area. There are several other non-federally recognized tribes and groups within the 

Planning Area as well. Consultation efforts between BLM officials and tribal representatives are 

conducted for various planning activities in the Hollister Field Office area including the CCMA. The 

BLM extends the opportunity to provide input for the CCMA RMP/EIS to all affected regional California 

Indian tribal entities (including individuals) throughout the planning process. 

1.6.4 Potential Partnerships 

BLM will also pursue partnerships with private landowners, the California Department of Fish & Game 

(CDFG), and other organizations to promote the successful acquisition and restoration of public lands. 

Similar partnerships with universities and other academic institutions could also be instrumental in 

establishing a science review team to garner independent reviews for scientific proposals and answering 

scientific questions in the CCMA. Final decisions regarding management actions on each of the partner’s 

lands still rest with the respective agency/organization. 
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1.7 Relationship to Other Policies, Plans, and Programs 

1.7.1 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 

(CERCLA) 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is also 

known as the Superfund Act. CCMA is a 48-square-mile area that is part of the Atlas Asbestos Mine 

Superfund Site. Both the CCMA and the mine site are located on a formation of naturally occurring 

serpentine rock and soil which contain high concentrations of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA). There 

are over 86 abandoned mines (mercury, chromium and asbestos) in the CCMA and surrounding areas of 

the New Idria/Coalinga Region. 

The Atlas Asbestos Mine Site has been remediated to ensure that asbestos associated with its mining 

activities is not released to surrounding areas, including the CCMA. However, the Record of Decision 

(ROD) for the Atlas Asbestos Mine Superfund Site requires that U.S. EPA also assess the risk of NOA to 

recreational users of the CCMA. In the 1991 Record of Decision selecting a cleanup remedy for the Atlas 

Asbestos Mine Superfund site, EPA stated that it would evaluate whether the BLM’s plans for managing 

the CCMA were adequate to protect human health and the environment from asbestos exposure. 

The EPA Superfund program defines the acceptable risk range for exposure to a carcinogen, like asbestos, 

as 1 in 10,000 (10-4) to 1 in 1,000,000 (10-6) excess lifetime cancer risk2

. Exposures which are calculated 

to cause more than 1 in 10,000 excess cancers are considered to be of concern and may require action to 

reduce the exposure and resulting risk. Depending on the study’s findings, the Site may be considered for 

deletion from the U.S. EPA National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, or Superfund, is a list of the most 

hazardous waste sites in the nation. When a site is deleted from the NPL, it means that the Record of 

Decision has been fulfilled and the cleanup has been implemented and is functioning as designed. 

The goal of the EPA’s risk assessment for CCMA was to use current asbestos sampling and analytical 

techniques to update a 1992 BLM Human Health Risk Assessment and provide more robust information 

to BLM on the asbestos exposures from typical CCMA recreational activities and the potential cancer 

risks associated with those exposures. In addition, as families are frequent visitors to CCMA, the 

assessment estimated exposures and potential risks to children as well as adults. Thus, in 2004, as part of 

the process of evaluating the Atlas Mine cleanup for possible delisting of the site from the federal 

Superfund list, EPA Region 9 initiated an asbestos exposure and human health risk assessment for the 

CCMA to measure the amount of NOA fibers in the personal air space by conducting typical recreational 

activities in the CCMA using up-to-date test equipment and methodology. With the assistance of EPA as 

a cooperating agency, BLM has incorporated the results of the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human 

Health Risk Assessment (2008) into this RMP/EIS for the purpose of developing management strategies 

for the CCMA that will minimize human health risk to users and maintenance workers. 

 

2

 40 CFR Part 300, National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, section 430(e)(2)(i)(A)(2), 

“For known or suspected carcinogens, acceptable exposure levels are generally concentration levels that represent 

an excess upper bound lifetime cancer risk to an individual of between 10-4 and 10-6 using information on the 

relationship between dose and response...”
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1.7.2 State Land Use Plans 

Similar to many public lands, a complex land ownership pattern within the Planning Area continues to 

influence BLM coordination with agencies administering California State Lands, which are interspersed 

throughout the CCMA. While several agreements exist among State agencies and BLM, the CCMA RMP 

offers a unique opportunity to promote interagency cooperation to enhance natural resource management. 

Essential to the CCMA RMP is a strong partnership with California State Lands Commission and 

Department of Toxic Substances Control due to overlapping jurisdictions and environmental laws and 

regulations. 

1.7.3 County Plans 

The Planning Area spans two counties, each with their own General Plan. San Benito County is in the 

process of updating their General Plan to address transportation, economic development, population 

growth, and recreation demand and opportunities in the County. The Fresno County General Plan was 

updated in October 2000. In addition to the issues above, County General Plans define open space and 

conservation policy in the Hollister Planning Area. 

1.8 Overall Vision 

The overall vision for management of BLM-administered lands in CCMA, derived from public scoping 

and comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS is “to improve multiple use values across the landscape 

while protecting human health and the environment; and pursuing recreation opportunities through 

partnerships and collaboration for the enjoyment and use of increasingly diverse populations of current 

and future generations.” The BLM is responsible for the sustainable management of public lands and 

resources and their various values so that they are considered in a combination that will best serve the 

needs of the American people. Management is based upon the principles of “multiple use”, which direct 

BLM to provide for a combination of uses that takes into accounts the long-term needs of future 

generations for renewable and nonrenewable resources. These resources include: public health and safety, 

recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, fish and wildlife, wilderness, and natural, scenic, scientific, 

and cultural values. 

1.9 Summary of Public Comments on the Draft RMP/EIS 

Based upon the results of public scoping and issues identified in public comments on the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS (2009), the following issues and concerns represent the key themes and priorities that emerged 

during the planning process. These key themes and priorities are analyed in the CCMA PRMP/FEIS, in 

addition to issues identified by BLM personnel, cooperating agencies, state and local governments, and 

other publics. 

Definition of Asbestos and Chrysotile Toxicity -- Management of human health and public safety 

within the CCMA has been the largest source of concern and controversy during development of the plan, 

as reflected in public comments on the Draft RMP/EIS. Many commenters are concerned about the 

scientific integrity and accuracy the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment 

released by EPA in 2008. Confusion also remains regarding the differing types of mineral fibers that are 

included under the definition of the term asbestos. Accordingly, the Proposed RMP/FEIS includes the 

definition of asbestos provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry (Section 4.2.3.1), and the document explains that the two general types 

of asbestos are amphibole and chrysotile. Although exposure to both types of asbestos increases the 
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likelihood of developing asbestos-related diseases, amphibole fibers tend to stay in the lungs longer. They 

also are thought to increase the likelihood of illness, especially mesothelioma, to a greater extent than 

chrysotile asbestos. While there is some debate within the scientific community regarding the varying 

potencies of the different types of asbestos relative to certain cancers, there is no debate that all types of 

asbestos cause cancer and debilitating and fatal non-cancer disease. 

Independent Study of Naturally Occurring Asbestos and Human Health Risk in CCMA - Many 

commenters questioned whether it’s appropriate for BLM to rely solely on the EPA’s CCMA Asbestos 

Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment for land use decision-making and called for other 

independent studies to be completed prior to making a final decision regarding off-highway vehicle use 

on CCMA public lands. 

During the public comment period on the Draft CCMA RMP/EIS, the California State Park Off-Highway 

Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVRD) requested that BLM wait until an independent asbestos 

exposure study in the CCMA could be prepared before issuing the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS. 

The BLM agreed to the OHMVRD’s request, and on March 22, 2011 the OHMVRD released the report, 

titled “Preliminary Analysis of the Asbestos Exposures Associated with Motorcycle Riding and Hiking in 

the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) San Benito County, California.” The report was completed 

by scientists from the International Environmental Research Foundation (IERF), and is linked on the 

OHMVRD’s website: http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/ierf_ccma_final_3_8_11-web.pdf

Upon evaluation of the IERF study and comments prepared by the US Environmental Protection Agency 

and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, BLM determined that the results of the report 

are consistent with the values reported in the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk 

Assessment (2008) under similar meteorological conditions and with similar riding positions. While the 

IERF study had a limited number of samples, the IERF report appears to confirm the data from EPA’s 

wet season sampling event. The EPA risk assessment included multiple activity-based scenarios under 

various meteorological conditions. These data sets and the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health 

Risk Assessment (EPA 2008) provide BLM the best available information to evaluate overall risk to 

human health and the environment from CCMA land use decisions in this PRMP/FEIS. 

BLM acknowledges that controversy exists regarding the human health risks associated with exposure to 

naturally occurring asbestos. The EPA risk assessment and the IERF report both highlighted the need for 

further research to determine effective strategies to reduce risk to CCMA visitors. Therefore, the 

preferred alternative identifies “adaptive management criteria” that would allow the BLM to make 

changes to designated route systems and addresses how routes may be modified within the transportation 

network in the future. The adaptive management criteria were developed in response to the issues and 

concerns identified in the IERF study and public comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009). If one 

of these criteria are met, then BLM would reassess CCMA RMP land use decisions associated with 

human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, and potentially apply adaptive management 

should significant new information become available that warrants modifications to the limits on annual 

visitor days or the total miles of routes available for motorized use in the ACEC. At a minimum, the 

BLM will re-examine the body of peer-reviewed data available on this subject within three years 

following issuance of a record of decision for the CCMA RMP. 

Transportation and Travel Management & Recreation Opportunities – Numerous individuals and 

organizations commented that additional acreage should be included in areas recommended for 

management of motorized and non-motorized recreation activities. Some commenters felt that motorized 

access into the Serpentine ACEC should be increased to support rockhounding and that vehicle access to 
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zones outside the ACEC should be improved to enhance OHV recreation and other non-motorized 

recreation activities. This prompted BLM to revisit the route network considered under the range of 

alternatives for the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS in order to address concerns about public access and 

recreational opportunities in this PRMP/FEIS. 

As a result, approximately 21 additional miles of vehicle routes in the Serpentine ACEC have been added 

to the area designations for limited vehicle use under the Proposed Action that include major routes R1, 

R10, R13, R14, R15, and other minor routes including T103, T104, T151, T153, and T158. Similarly, an 

additional 2.75 miles of existing routes are proposed to be designated open in the Condon Zone and an 

additional 2.75 miles of existing routes are proposed to be designated open in the Cantua Zone near 

Wright Mountain. These additional routes provide outstanding opportunities for recreational access at a 

level that merits their inclusion in the Proposed Action and meets the area and route designation criteria 

outlined in Section 2.3.3 and Appendix II of this PRMP/FEIS. 

The Proposed RMP clarifies that only highway-licensed vehicles would be permitted on a total of 

approximately 32 miles of designated routes within the Serpentine ACEC. While the PRMP/FEIS only 

considers use by highway-licensed vehicles as appropriate within the Serpentine ACEC, BLM is 

proposing to allow all-terrain and universal terrain vehicles (ATV/UTV) in the Condon Zone in order to 

support limited OHV recreation opportunities and other non-motorized recreation activities like hunting. 

Similarly, the Cantua Zone would be designated a “limited” vehicle use area that would allow access to 

highway-licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV’s on designated routes. However, BLM would not designate 

routes in the Cantua Zone until a Transportation and Travel Management Plan is approved for the area. 

The remaining inventoried route network would be designated “Closed” to vehicle use in the CCMA 

based on the feasibility of managing risk to human health and the environment from airborne asbestos 

emissions generated by management and visitor use activities. 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designation Criteria — Many commenters felt that the use of all-terrain 

vehicles, dirt bikes, and other non-street-licensed vehicles (green sticker vehicles) was appropriate given 

the types of recreation experiences and benefits called for under the RMP planning criteria. At the same 

time, concerns were also expressed regarding the need for protection of public land resources and the high 

potential for illegal off-road use of vehicles in the Serpentine ACEC and San Benito Mountain 

RNA/WSA that would adversely affect the values for which these special designations were established. 

Pursuant to 43 CFR 8342.1, BLM developed a standardized and stepwise process specifically to address 

identified minimization criteria; whereby routes were evaluated relative to a list of criteria such as, 

resource sensitivity, soil loss, manageability, intended route use, and recreation opportunity. The criteria 

were combined into four tiers, roughly corresponding to the criteria’s likelihood of requiring route 

closure. 

A complete listing of route designations considered under the range of alternatives for the CCMA 

Proposed RMP and Final EIS has been inserted into Section D of Appendix II. The route designation 

tables listed in Section D of Appendix II also provide the results of evaluations prepared for each 

individual route to determine if they satisfy the area and route designation criteria described in Section 

2.3.3 of this PRMP/FEIS. More details of the CCMA area and route designation methodology are located 

in Appendix II. 

The designated routes under the range of alternatives provide varying degrees of access to the public 

lands within select management zones, and the Limited Use area designation to promote resources 
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protection and minimize conflicts among existing and potential uses of the management area. Routes 

designated open, under all alternatives, satisfy the resource based route designation criteria. Designated 

routes under each alternative were selected from routes previously designated as open in the 2006 CCMA 

RMP amendment. 

Land Tenure Adjustments and Land Use Authorizations – BLM received numerous comments from a 

consortium of private landowners and other interested parties concerned about the potential for disposal 

of public lands identified in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS. Particularly, the public lands that BLM proposed 

to make available for disposal in the Tucker management zone were identified as valuable wildlife habitat 

and an important component of a successful partnership that’s being developed between private 

landowners and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) in the Hernandez Valley. The HFO 

proposed disposal of the public lands surrounding Baker, Byles, and Cane Canyons in the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS citing the lack of administrative access and the potential to develop opportunities for public use 

and enjoyment in the Tucker management zone. However, due to the issues and concerns associated with 

disposal of these lands, they would be retained in public ownership under the Proposed Action and BLM 

would pursue partnerships with local private landowners, non-profit organizations, and CDFG to develop 

public easements to BLM public lands in the Tucker management zone. 

Social and Economic Impacts of CCMA Land Use Decisions --Many of the public comments on the 

CCMA Draft RMP/EIS raised concerns and identified issues regarding the impacts of CCMA land use 

decisions on social and economic values to communities in the planning area. These values and the social 

and economic contributions associated with visitor use activities in CCMA were identified through public 

scoping and presented in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS in Section 4.15. The HFO conducted additional 

outreach following the release of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS through a social and economic workshop to 

provide information and gather feedback from private landowners, businesses, elected officials, and other 

interested parties within the communities most directly affected by BLM’s land use decisions for CCMA. 

The information gathered during the social and economic workshop has been incorporated into the 

affected environment and environmental consequences chapters of the PRMP/FEIS. A summary report of 

the information discussed and the public input that was gathered during the workshop is also included in 

Appendix XI (PRMP/FEIS Volume II). 

Revised Statue 2477 - BLM also received several comments regarding Revised Statute 2477. R.S. 2477 

was repealed with the passage of FLPMA of 1976. However, highways established between 1866 and 

1976 were grandfather as valid existing rights. In recent years, there has been growing debate and 

controversy regarding whether or not certain highways were authorized pursuant to R.S. 2477 and, if so, 

the extent of the rights obtained. However, the issues related to R.S. 2477 are outside the scope of BLM’s 

land used decisions for transportation and travel management on CCMA public lands because the U.S. 

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the validity of R.S 2477 claims can only be determined through 

the courts (ref. Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance v. BLM (Nos. 04-4071 & 04-4073).
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2.0 MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES 

This chapter details seven land use management alternatives considered in the Clear Creek Management 

Area (CCMA) Proposed Resource Management Plan (PRMP) and Final Environmental Impact Statement 

(FEIS). Program area emphasis and allowable public use within each of the alternatives and the 

management actions proposed for each program under each alternative are described in this chapter. The 

land use management alternatives described in this chapter address identified issues, management 

concerns, and current and projected future uses of the BLM- administered public lands in the CCMA. 

This PRMP/FEIS incorporates guidance provided by numerous laws, mandates, policies, and plans. As a 

result, many of BLM’s goals, objectives, and management actions are applicable to many alternatives or 

common to all alternatives. These management actions are combined, where possible, under the range of 

alternatives based on the location and intensity of Motorized and Non-motorized activities within CCMA. 

These include management actions for recreation, public health and safety, biological resources, air, 

water, soils, fire management, livestock grazing, energy and minerals, cultural and heritage resources, 

paleontological resources, visual resources management, social and economic conditions, and special 

designations. 

Major changes to the Preferred Alternative are identfied in Section 2.3.1 of the CCMA Proposed RMP 

and Final EIS. The Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) that is described in Section 2.5 of this 

PRMP/FEIS is the BLM’s Preferred Alternative. Section 2.5 also describes the rationale for the Preferred 

Alternative, and provides a list of all the management actions from within the range of alternatives that 

comprise the BLM’s Preferred Alternative in this PRMP/FEIS. 

Due to concerns associated with protection of human health and the environment, this PRMP/FEIS has 

been organized so that 1) recreation, 2) public health and safety, and 3) transportation are addressed in the 

first three sections of each chapter to allow the reader to assess key information related to the human 

health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in CCMA. 

2.1 Overview of the Range of Alternatives 

The alternatives presented here incorporate guidance provided by numerous laws, mandates, policies, and 

plans. These include the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and BLM planning 

guidance. As a result, many of BLM’s goals, objectives, and management actions are applicable to many 

alternatives or common to all alternatives. These management actions are combined, where possible, 

under the range of alternatives based on the location and intensity of Motorized and Non-motorized

activities within CCMA. These include management actions for recreation, public health and safety, 

biological resources, air, water, soils, fire management, livestock grazing, energy and minerals, cultural 

and heritage resources, paleontological resources, visual resources management, social and economic 

conditions, and special designations. 

Based on the purpose and need identified in Chapter 1, the range of alternatives for the CCMA RMP/EIS 

includes multiple public use scenarios in the Serpentine ACEC: five of which entail Motorized access 

(Alternatives A, B, C, D, and E), one Non-motorized access alternative (Alt. F), and one alternative that 

considers closure of the Serpentine ACEC to all forms of public entry (Alt. G). The anticipated effects 

and the need to implement proposed management actions or mitigation measures would vary depending 

on the public use scenarios associated with each alternative. 
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In general, Section(s) 2.4.1 through 2.4.18 describe a ‘range of alternatives’ comprised of different 

combinations of BLM management actions, resource allocations, and allowable uses that BLM has 

determined are ‘reasonable’ to consider based the purpose and need for the CCMA RMP/EIS and the 

issues identified during the public scoping period. Additional management actions or mitigation measures 

that would be necessary to manage multiple-uses or protect resources (including public health and safety) 

under the range of alternatives are identified in Sections 2.4.1 – 2.4.18. 

Section 2.5 identifies a combination of management actions, resource allocations, and allowable uses 

chosen from among the range alternatives that has been compiled to form BLM’s Proposed RMP (i.e. 

Proposed Action) for lands administered by the HFO in the CCMA. The Proposed Action described in 

Section 2.5 comprises the BLM’s preferred alternative.

The BLM’s Proposed Action reflects BLM’s “preferred alternative” described in the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS (2009), but has been revised in response to comments received during the public review period 

for the Draft RMP/EIS. Alternatives considered but not analyzed in detail are discussed in this chapter as 

well. The analysis of the environmental consequences, effectiveness of mitigation measures, and the 

feasibility of implementing the range of alternatives is detailed in Chapter 4. 

The following summarizes the seven alternatives considered in detail in this PRMP/FEIS: 

Alternative A represents the ‘No Action’ alternative required by NEPA, and would reaffirm current 

management under the original Hollister RMP (BLM 1984) and its’ associated Clear Creek Amendments 

(1986, 1999, 2006). Alternative A does not take into account the temporary closure of the Serpentine 

ACEC. Management of recreation opportunities, special status species habitat, and other resources would 

be maintained at existing levels prior to the May 1, 2008 closure order. This alternative would not modify 

allowable uses to address emerging issues on public lands; however, this alternative would incorporate 

new human health risk information into BLM’s public outreach and education asbestos hazard 

information program and new guidance for management of natural and heritage resource, rangelands, 

energy and minerals, and lands and realty established after the 1984 Hollister RMP, as amended. 

The No-Action Alternative does not to take into account the temporary closure based on the following 

rationale: 

A temporary closure is an administrative action (CCMA closed under 8364.1) and not a formal land use 

decision approved according to 43 CFR 1610. 

The no action alternative is only supposed to reflect current management decisions within a land use plan 

and should not be considering actions that would constitute an amendment to the existing land use plan. 

The no action alternative is supposed to establish a baseline for analysis of impacts to the human 

environment from a range of alternatives for management of public lands. Therefore, the no action 

alternative has to consider the effects of current management decisions (i.e. those approved within an 

existing land use plan) rather than a temporary closure, because management of public lands under a 

temporary closure substantially alters the baseline for analysis. In other words, the trajectory for impacts 

to the human environment are much different if BLM compares other reasonable alternatives to a 

management of public lands under a closure order instead of existing land use decisions. 
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Furthermore, using this approach to define the no action alternative provides the public and BLM officials 

with a better understanding of the current management decisions that have contributed to the existing 

conditions of public land resources, and a better baseline for analysis of impacts from different 

management alternatives that meet the purpose and need for a land use plan amendment/revision. 

Alternative B emphasizes maintaining current multiple use opportunities in CCMA, and would authorize 

existing uses based on limited annual visitor use days, seasonal use restrictions, and other mitigation 

measures to protect public health and safety. Resources management would focus on conserving natural 

and heritage resources that are functioning and restoring natural systems that are degraded. Management 

would focus on protecting human health and safety by restricting season of use and visitor use days/year, 

applying dust mitigation on major routes, and by eliminating camping and staging in the Serpentine 

ACEC. 

Alternative C emphasizes limited OHV recreation opportunities in the Serpentine ACEC based on 

vehicle types, minimum age requirements, and other mitigation measures to protect public health and 

safety. Resources management would focus on conserving natural and heritage resources that are 

functioning and restoring natural systems that are degraded. Management would focus on protecting 

human health and safety by prohibiting access into the ACEC for visitors under age 18, restricting OHV 

recreation in the ACEC to motorcycle use only, increasing restrictions on season of use, applying dust 

mitigation on major routes, and by eliminating camping and staging in the Serpentine ACEC. 

Alternative D emphasizes vehicle access for non-motorized recreation opportunities inside the 

Serpentine ACEC, and enhancing new OHV recreation opportunities outside of the ACEC. Resource uses 

consistent with BLM guidance and within human health risk constraints would be authorized in the 

ACEC. Emphasis would be on developing OHV recreation opportunities on public lands near Tucker 

Mtn., Condon Peak, or San Carlos Bolsa (Cantua Zone), where appropriate. Management actions would 

focus on protecting human health and safety by restricting motorized access in the ACEC to major routes, 

applying dust mitigation on major routes, installing a public wash rack, and by and eliminating camping 

and staging in the ACEC. 

Alternative E allows for limited vehicle touring through the Serpentine ACEC, emphasizes pedestrian 

use in the ACEC and non-motorized recreation opportunities outside the ACEC. Vehicle touring in the 

ACEC would be limited to a Scenic Route (Spanish Lake Road) from Idria to Wright Mtn. No OHV use 

would be allowed in the ACEC. Pedestrian trail day use opportunities would be available at destinations 

with unique scenic, natural or geologic features in the ACEC. Access into the Serpentine ACEC would be 

authorized by permit only. Vehicle touring would be limited to less than 5 days/year and pedestrian 

activity limited to less than 12 days/year. Public health and safety risks would be mitigated by restricting 

access and use during extreme weather conditions. 

Alternative F restricts public access in the Serpentine ACEC to non-motorized recreation only. Public 

access in the Serpentine ACEC would be limited to foot-traffic only, and non-motorized recreation 

opportunities would be emphasized at outstanding locations throughout CCMA. Public health and safety 

risks would be mitigated by restricting access and use during extreme weather conditions. Allowable use 

restrictions would minimize and reduce risk to public health and safety; and BLM land use authorizations 

would require terms and conditions to minimize risk to human health and the environment. 

Alternative G emphasizes public health and safety by prohibiting all public access and entry into the 

Serpentine ACEC. Alternative G would make the existing temporary closure of the 30,000-acre ACEC 

that was issued by BLM under 43 CFR 8364.1 on May 1, 2008 permanent. Consequently, the impact 
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analysis for Alt. G provides a baseline for comparison of the impacts associated with the temporary 

closure of the Serpentine ACEC to other management actions within the range of alternatives for the 

CCMA RMP/EIS. Allowable use restrictions under Alternative G would minimize CCMA visitor 

exposure to airborne asbestos emissions and represent the most effective way to reduce risk to public 

health and safety. BLM would also prohibit other resources uses, such as livestock grazing and energy 

and minerals development under this alternative to ensure overall protection of human health and the 

environment from hazardous airborne asbestos emissions. 

All the alternatives would place importance on partnerships and agreements with landowners, permit 

holders, and other local and state agencies to manage BLM public lands for multiple uses on a sustainable 

basis while providing adequate protection of public health and the environment.

2.1.1 Alternatives Considered but Not Analyzed in Detail 

2.1.1.1 CCMA ‘Open’ Area Designation

Designation of CCMA as an ‘open’ area for vehicle use is not considered in the range of alternatives, 

because this type of designation would not meet the purpose and need for this RMP/EIS to minimize 

human health risks from exposure to asbestos and reducing airborne asbestos emissions from BLM 

management activities. The Federal government has concluded that all forms of asbestos are hazardous to 

humans, and that all can cause cancer; although the chrysotile form may be less potent than the amphibole 

family in causing mesothelioma (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Asbestos). 

The purpose and need for the CCMA RMP/EIS is based on the EPA Asbestos Exposure and Human 

Health Risk Assessment, which concluded that visiting CCMA more than once per year can put adults 

and children above EPA’s acceptable risk range for exposure to carcinogens and an increased long-term 

cancer risk from engaging in many of the typical recreational activities at the CCMA. 

BLM acknowledges that controversy exists regarding the health risks of naturally occurring asbestos; 

however, EPA and other Federal, State, and local agencies whose missions relate directly to public health 

support the BLM’s decision to limit the range of alternatives to vehicle use area designation that meet the 

purpose and need for the CCMA RMP described in Section 1.1. 

Furthermore, management of the CCMA as an ‘open’ area for OHV recreation is not analyzed in this 

document because a large portion of the CCMA has been managed for decades as the Serpentine ACEC 

due to the health risk from exposure to asbestos and to emphasize protection other unique values 

associated with the serpentine soils in the area. For example, a portion of the ACEC was also designated a 

Research Natural Area (RNA) because of the unique forest assemblage and rare plant habitat contained 

therein. On February 12, 1985 the San Benito evening primrose (Camissonia benitensis) was listed as 

federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Following the listing of the primrose, a CCMA 

Amendment (1995) was prepared that designated CCMA a ‘Limited’ use area for OHV recreation to 

prevent jeopardizing the continued existence of the species. 

Designation of CCMA as an “open” area for vehicle use would have adverse effects on the values for 

which the ACEC/RNA was established, including the federally threatened San Benito evening-primrose. 

As a result, this RMP/EIS only considers the ‘Limited’ and ‘Closed’ area designations for CCMA public 

lands. 
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2.1.1.2 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) 

During public meetings for the CCMA RMP/EIS, several commenters suggested that BLM consider the 

use of personal protection equipment (PPE) to reduce and minimize risks to public health and safety from 

exposure to asbestos. Comments received by the HFO recommended the use of PPEs, such as dust masks 

or respirators, to protect CCMA visitors from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. While using personal 

protective equipment may reduce exposure to asbestos fibers, respirators must be equipped with HEPA 

filtered cartridges (color coded purple) or an N-100, P-100 or R-100 NIOSH rating. These cartridges are 

specific for filtering out asbestos fibers. However, respirators provide little protection if are not fitted 

properly or facial hair does not allow the respirator to fit properly. The most common respirator is a half 

face, dual cartridge respirator. Half face respirators cover the nose and mouth and consist of a silicone or 

rubber face piece, elastic head harness and filter cartridges. Typically, vendors provide instructions on 

performing a fit check of the respirator seal to ensure a proper fit, and they recommend a fit check is done 

each time the respirator is worn. Furthermore, respirators cause the lungs to work harder in order to 

breathe air, and manufacturers recommend checking with a medical doctor to ensure that people are 

physically able to wear a respirator. 

Other respirators, including paper dust masks available at hardware stores, do not filter out asbestos 

fibers. Although some "dust masks" can actually be fit tested and can provide a very good fit factor, the 

Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) specifically prohibits their use for asbestos and 

manufacturers also specifically indicate that these masks are not acceptable for asbestos. Moreover, the 

voluntary use of dust masks in atmospheres documented or known to contain levels of asbestos above the 

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is unacceptable, and one of the principle foundations of asbestos 

exposure control is to prevent its spread. Simply using a dust mask does not eliminate the potential for 

"take home" and subsequent exposure to asbestos. 

Additional personal protection equipment such as eyewear, rubber boots, disposable gloves and coveralls 

are recommended during asbestos abatement activities to prevent contact with asbestos-containing debris. 

Once exposed to asbestos containing materials, these PPEs are supposed to be removed properly and 

disposed of in a designated asbestos waste bag to ensure all asbestos debris remains in the area of 

contamination and avoid the spread of hazardous asbestos fibers. However, most PPEs quickly get hot 

and uncomfortable because they do not breathe and as a result, are not appropriate for use during 

recreational activities in CCMA. Therefore, PPEs are not being considered as an appropriate mitigation 

measure to protect human health and safety from exposure to asbestos in CCMA. 

2.1.1.3 Serpentine ACEC Land Tenure Adjustments 

During the scoping period for the CCMA RMP/EIS, public comments suggested that BLM consider 

disposal of public lands though sales or leasing to entities that would manage the properties in the 

Serpentine ACEC to provide public access for multiple use activities. FLPMA, Section 102(a)(1), 43 

U.S.C. § 1701(a)(1) authorizes BLM to consider disposal of BLM-managed lands through the land use 

planning process if the authorized officer determines that the proposed disposal will serve the national 

interest. FLPMA also provides criteria for determining whether lands are suitable for disposal, which 

require BLM to evaluate whether the lands may still serve a federal purpose and whether there is a good 

reason for disposal. 

 In general, the public interest determination considers whether resource values and public objectives 

served by the non-federal lands must equal or exceed those being conveyed, and the intended use of the 

conveyed federal land must not substantially conflict with management of adjacent federal lands. Based 
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on the criteria set forth by FLPMA, BLM has determined that land tenure adjustments (including sales 

and exchanges of public or private lands in the Serpentine ACEC) are not in the public interest. 

Acquisition of private in-holdings from willing sellers in the Serpentine ACEC to acquire special status 

species habitat would be in the public interest. 

BLM’s rationale for this determination is that the intended use of the conveyed Federal lands would 

significantly conflict with management objectives for overall protection of human health and the 

environment, and would not meet the purpose and need for the CCMA RMP/EIS identified in Chapter 1. 

Furthermore, conveyances of contaminated Federal lands as subject to the provisions of the 

Comprehensive Environmental Response and Compensation Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C 9620. 

Because BLM-managed lands in the Serpentine ACEC are known to be contaminated with asbestos, and 

remediation of naturally occurring asbestos is not practical or feasible over large tracts of land, any sale, 

lease, or exchange of these lands to be managed for public access and multiple use activities is not 

consistent with the standards set forth under CERCLA and the National Contingency Plan for protection 

of human health and the environment. 

2.1.1.4 Wild & Scenic River Designation 

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-542) was passed by Congress to preserve 

riverine systems that contain outstanding features. The law was enacted during an era when many rivers 

were being dammed or diverted, and is intended to balance this development by ensuring that certain 

rivers and streams remain in their free-flowing condition. Only Congress can designate Wild and Scenic 

Rivers to be included in the National Wild and Scenic River System (NWSRS), but BLM is mandated to 

evaluate stream segments on public lands as potential additions to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 

System (NWSRS) during the resource management planning process under Section 5(d) of the Act. 

Therefore, the Hollister Field Office prepared a Wild and Scenic River Inventory that is contained in 

Appendix VI. 

The criteria and information upon which WSR river eligibility and suitability determinations are based are 

also included in Appendix VI. Although many of the river and stream segments on BLM public lands 

were determined to be eligible for inclusion in the NWSRS, when considered in the context of other 

designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in the region, BLM determined that these river segments were not 

suitable for inclusion in the NWSRS. As a result, Wild and Scenic River designation is not recommended 

for any of the rivers or streams on public lands in CCMA under any of the management alternatives 

analyzed in this PRMP/FEIS. 

2.2 Management Common to All Alternatives 

2.2.1 Area and Route Designation

The BLM designates areas as “limited” where it must restrict OHV use to meet specific resource 

management objectives. In “designating public lands as Open, Limited, or Closed to the use of off-road 

vehicles,” the objective is “to protect the resources of the public lands, to promote the safety of all users 

of those lands, and to minimize conflicts among the various uses of those public lands.” Routes 

designated as closed under the Limited Area designation in the Proposed RMP do not contribute to 

achieving the Proposed RMP’s resource condition objectives or fulfill the identified Planning Criteria. 
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The selection of routes is based on the route designation criteria identified in Appendix II, and the 

Limited Use area designation to promote resources protection and minimize conflicts among existing and 

potential uses of the management area. Routes designated open, under all alternatives, satisfy the resource 

based route designation criteria. The designated routes under the range of alternatives provide varying 

degrees of access to the public lands within select management zones. Designated route networks under 

each alternative include several miles of “R” routes which have a higher maintenance objective, are 

generally wider, have less gradient, and are suited for most vehicle types. Designated routes under each 

alternative were selected from routes previously designated as open in the 2006 CCMA RMP amendment. 

Criteria used to designate routes under the range of alternatives and the conformance with vehicle use 

area and route designations is explained below. 

2.2.1.2 Conformance with Regulations 

Vehicle use area and route designations for BLM public lands under the range of alternatives conform to 

the two following Executive Orders: 

Executive Order 11644 (Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the Public Lands), February 9, 1972 (87 F.R. 2877), 

to establish policies and provide for procedures to control and direct the use of Off-Highway Vehicles on 

Federal lands so as to (1) protect the resources of those lands, (2) promote the safety of all users of those 

lands, and (3) minimize conflicts among the various uses of those lands. 

Executive Order 11989 (Off-Road Vehicles on Public Lands), May 24, 1977 (42 F.R. 26959), amending 

the previous order. This amendment strengthened protection of the lands by authorizing agency heads to 

(1) close areas or trails to OHVs causing considerable adverse effects and (2) designate lands as closed to 

OHVs unless the lands or trails are specifically designated as open to them.

Vehicle use area and route designations for BLM public lands under the range of alternatives also comply 

with 43 CFR 8342.1, which establishes criteria to consider when the BLM makes route and area 

designations. The BLM bases designations on the protection of resources of the public lands, the 

promotion of safety of the users of the public lands, and strives to minimize conflicts among the various 

users of the public lands. 

Pursuant to 43 CFR 8342.1, BLM developed a standardized and stepwise process specifically to address 

identified minimization criteria; whereby routes were evaluated relative to a list of criteria such as, 

resource sensitivity, soil loss, manageability, intended route use, and recreation opportunity. The criteria 

were combined into four tiers, roughly corresponding to the criteria’s likelihood of requiring route 

closure. A more detailed discussion of the tiers, criteria, and designation process is located in Appendix 

II. 

The four tiers used for BLM’s route designation (Appendix II) under the range of alternatives correspond 

to 43 CFR 8342.1 “minimization criteria”, as follows:

a. Areas and trails shall be located to minimize the damage to soil, watershed, vegetation, air, or 

other resources of the public lands, and to prevent impairment of wilderness suitability. 

 Tier One – Special Status Species and Cultural Resources, Barrens Interface 

 Tier Two – Erosion and Soil Loss Standard 

 Tier Four – Route Proliferation 
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b. Areas and trails shall be located to minimize harassment of wildlife or significant disruption of 

wildlife habitats, and for the protection of vernal pools, riparian areas, and known and newly 

discovered occurrences of sensitive and rare plants and communities and related moderate to high 

potential habitat. Special attention would be given to protect endangered or threatened species 

and their habitats. 

 Tier One – Riparian Areas, Special Status Species 

c. Areas and trails shall be located to minimize conflict between OHV use and other existing or 

proposed recreational uses of the same or neighboring public lands, and to ensure the 

compatibility of such uses with existing conditions in the area, taking into account noise and other 

factors. 

 Tier One – Private/State Lands/Mines 

 Tier Three – OHV Use/Recreation Spectrum 

 Tier Four – Route Management Objective/Manageability, Administrative Use/ROWs, 

Route Continuity 

d. Areas and trails shall not be located in officially designated wilderness areas or primitive areas. 

Areas and trails would be located in natural areas only if the authorized officer determines that off 

road vehicle use in such locations would not adversely affect their natural, esthetic, scenic, or 

other values for which such areas are established. 

 Tier One – Research Natural Area/WSA 

Best Management Practices: BLM will monitor water quality, soil erosion, and sediment conditions 

within the watersheds of the CCMA. The BLM will implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to 

reduce impacts to watershed resources, and will continue to evaluate and update these measures as needed 

to minimize impacts to water quality, control erosion and sediment production, and protect sensitive 

resources. BMPs related to watershed improvement and road maintenance projects will continue to be 

implemented to reduce erosion and off-site sedimentation transport (ref. Appendix V).

The following statutory requirements were also considered and incorporated into the route designation 

criteria to minimize impacts of vehicle use on public lands resources. 

Federal Endangered Species Act 

 Section 7 requires that the plan include steps to assist in the “recovery” of the federally 

threatened or endangered species. 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

 Fully disclose to the public the purpose, the full range of issues and considerations (including 

environmental), and details of the proposed action and a range of alternatives. 

 Carefully evaluate the cumulative impacts of the proposed action. This analysis shall 

include: the current situation, as well as the foreseeable future; evaluation of the direct and 

indirect impacts; and a cumulative impact analysis evaluating biological, natural, and cultural 

factors, including evaluation of economic and sociological factors. 

Federal Land Management Policy Act (FLMPA) 

 Manage public lands on the basis of multiple use and sustained yield; 
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 Resource values to be protected 

 Certain lands are to be preserved in their natural condition 

 Wild as well as domestic habitat is to be provided for; 

 Provide for a balanced and diverse combination of recreational uses. 

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) 

 Protect identified significant cultural sites. 

Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR 8342.1 

 The authorized officer shall designate all public lands (including areas, and trails) as either 

open, limited, or closed; 

 Areas and trails shall be located in a manner to minimize impacts to physical resources (soils, 

watershed, vegetation, air, and other resources) and to prevent impairment of wilderness 

suitability; 

 Areas and trails shall be located to minimize harassment of wildlife or significant disruption 

of wildlife habitats. Special attention will be given to protect endangered or threatened 

species and their habitats; 

 Areas and trails shall be located to minimize conflicts between off-road vehicle use and other 

existing or proposed recreational uses; 

 Areas and trails shall not be located in officially designated wilderness areas or primitive 

areas, and shall be located in natural areas only if the authorized officer determines that offroad vehicle use in such locations will not adversely affect their natural, esthetic, scenic, or 

other values for which established. 

State Fish and Game Codes 

 Establishes requirements protecting riparian habitat, particularly with respect to governing 

allowable levels of disturbance. 

2.2.2 Route Designation Criteria 

The BLM planning team developed extensive criteria for evaluating routes and areas in the designation 

process. These designation criteria address a variety of management issues and concerns, including 

compliance with statutory guidelines. Designation decisions are be based on a variety of data, including 

previous studies, field inventory data, biological, environmental, cultural, natural, and recreation 

resources, land use, and land ownership. This process is standardized, repeatable, and can be logically 

followed; it assesses each route and area, and documents that assessment; and establishes a clear link 

between the designation decision and the rational for that decision. Designated open routes under each 

alternative in the Proposed RMP have been screened through the route designation criteria (Appendix II). 

The first step in developing the designations was to conduct a detailed field inventory and soil loss 

assessment of routes. This inventory was conducted from 2001 to 2004, assessing and documenting 

approximately 440 miles of motorized routes within the CCMA. Subsequently, annual resource 

assessments of the open route network were conducted until implementation of the temporary closure in 

May 2008. GPS units were used to collect a variety of resource information for GIS applications and 

Access databases. 

Once the field data was collected, the planning team began the work of identifying a network of open and 

closed routes within the CCMA. Using GIS maps and specific field knowledge, the planning team made 

full use of background data to determine whether a route should be open or closed. 
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This data included existing as well as potential environmental concerns that might constrain a route 

network, including: 

T&E and sensitive species and habitats, 

Cultural and Paleontological resources, 

Riparian areas, 

Soil loss assessment. 

Access requirements and other land use data were also mapped, including: 

Route type, condition and use, 

Topographical and hydrological information, 

Private land ownership, 

Abandoned mines, 

Recreation point data. 

The BLM planning staff screened all routes within the existing inventory through the criteria tables 

(Appendix II), made recommendations on the designation, and prepared a written rationale. A Data 

Element Dictionary was developed for each of the resource screening criteria, representing the data on 

which decisions about authorized recreation vehicle use of routes is based. The data element dictionary 

describes the allowed responses for each criterion. As routes are screened through the criteria tables, data 

element codes are assigned based on staff evaluation. The last digit of the element code also represents a 

scoring feature based on the degree of mitigation required, with totals greater than nine for all criteria 

deemed least suitable for open designation. Individual designation records and evaluation forms may be 

viewed at the Hollister Field Office. The designation record and evaluation form will document final 

designation of routes and include necessary mitigation measures or restoration as needed. 

2.2.3 Management Actions Common to All Alternatives 

Many of the management actions considered in this PRMP/FEIS are common to all alternatives. Resource 

management actions are considered common to all alternatives if they meet resource management goals 

and objectives and they do not conflict with other allowable uses, and resource allocations or protection 

measures, including mitigation measures for public health and safety. A summary of these actions is

provided below. Additional management actions or mitigation measures that would be necessary to 

manage multiple-uses or protect resources under the range of alternatives are described in Sections 2.4.1 

through 2.4.18. 

Recreation 

Manage CCMA as a Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) to provide specific, 

structured recreation opportunities (i.e., activity, experience, and benefit opportunities). 

Public Health and Safety

Use a combination of best management practices (BMPs) and administrative actions (i.e. 

supplementary rules) to minimize human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos 

fibers and reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants from BLM land use authorizations 

and management activities. 
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Augment the existing public asbestos hazard information program through improved 

signing, hand-outs, advisories, monitoring, public contact, and education programs. Any 

new information on risks to human health will be incorporated into the educational 

materials. 

Water, Resources

Close roads and trails to public use during periods of extreme wet weather in areas where 

sustained public use may compromise the integrity of the road or trail surface. 

Manage CWA 303(d)-listed impaired water bodies to meet properly functioning condition 

(PFC) objectives relative to beneficial uses and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). 

Maintain stable watershed conditions and implement passive and active restoration projects 

to protect beneficial uses of water and meet TMDLs. 

Natural and Heritage Resources

Manage the Serpentine ACEC and San Benito Mountain RNA to protect significant resource 

values. 

Protect and monitor all known populations of Camissonia benitensis (CABE). 

Monitor cultural resources - especially those “at-risk” - including archeological sites, 

historic structures or landscapes, and Native American traditional use areas or sacred sites. 

Offset on-going or identified potential impacts to cultural resources through protective 

measures, data retrieval, or a combination of these methods. 

Land Use Authorizations

Maintain rights-of-ways for existing communication sites. Restrict new land use 

authorizations to existing communication sites on BLM-administered lands in the ACEC. 

Authorize rights-of-way to provide reasonable access for private landowners and existing 

rights-holders. 

2.3 Summary of Proposed RMP (Preferred Alternative) 

This chapter also describes the BLM’s Proposed Resource Management Plan (i.e. “Proposed Action”) in 

Section 2.5. The Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) described in Section 2.5 is the BLM’s Preferred 

Alternative. The Proposed Action primarily reflects the “Preferred Alternative” analyzed in the CCMA 

Draft RMP/EIS (2009), and incorporates aspects of the other management alternatives based on public 

review and comments on the range of alternatives. These alternatives were developed with public 

involvement and their associated environmental consequences were described in the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS (2009). In determining the appropriate land use for CCMA, BLM considered the planning 

criteria identified in Section 1.4 with an emphasis on managing risk to employees and the public. The 

Proposed Action would limit use that 1) creates high levels of asbestos emissions, 2) creates increased 

opportunity for human exposure to asbestos, and 3) creates a need to conduct intensive management in 

areas with high concentrations of asbestos. 

BLM finds that the Proposed Action, as described in this chapter, best meets the purpose and need for this 

project. The Proposed Action details allowable uses, resources protection measures, and management 

tools that the HFO would implement in order to protect human health and safety, natural and cultural 

resources, and the CCMA’s unique recreation opportunities, which were overwhelmingly identified as a 

priority in the public scoping process. The proposed management approach to recreation and travel 
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management in CCMA would allow limited opportunities for visitor use within the Serpentine ACEC. It 

proposes to provide alternate routes for access to public lands surrounding the ACEC that would not 

require the public to drive through the ACEC and would create additional recreation opportunities in the 

surrounding management zones. Limits on annual visitor use days would allow the public to experience 

the scenic, biological, cultural and geologic features of the Serpentine ACEC within EPA’s acceptable 

risk range for exposure to asbestos, and with less BLM infrastructure and support needs. The Proposed 

Action would also provide for improving habitat for endangered species, improved riparian habitat, and 

an opportunity to reduce soil loss and erosion in areas that are contributing to water quality issues in Clear 

Creek and the San Benito River. 

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Proposed Action meets the purpose and 

need, as identified in Chapter 1; is viable and reasonable; and provides a mix of resource protection, 

management use, and development that is responsive to issues identified in scoping and meets the 

established planning criteria (also identified in Chapter 1), federal laws and regulations, and BLM’s land 

use planning policies. 

2.3.1 Major Changes to the BLM’s “Preferred Alternative”

Adaptive Management Criteria have been inserted under the Transportation and Travel 

Management resource condition objectives to allow for adjustments to land use in light of new 

information regarding asbestos exposures. Through adaptive management BLM is committed to 

evaluating all new and credible information on strategies for continued public use in the area. 

Approximately 21 additional miles of vehicle routes in the Serpentine ACEC have been added to 

the area designations for limited vehicle use under the Proposed Action that include major routes 

R1, R10, R13, R14, R15, and other minor routes including T103, T104, T151, T153, and T158. 

Similarly, an additional 2.75 miles of existing routes are proposed to be designated open in the 

Condon Zone and an additional 2.75 miles of existing routes are proposed to be designated open 

near Wright Mountain in the Cantua Zone. 

The public lands that BLM proposed to make available for disposal in the Tucker management 

zone were identified as valuable wildlife habitat and an important component of a successful 

partnership that’s being developed between private landowners and the California Department of 

Fish and Game (CDFG) in the Hernandez Valley. Due to the issues and concerns associated with 

disposal of these lands, they would be retained in public ownership under the Proposed Action 

and BLM would pursue partnerships with local private landowners, non-profit organizations, and 

CDFG to develop public easements to BLM public lands in the Tucker management zone. 

2.3.2 Summary of Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) 

BLM has identified a combination of management actions, resource allocations, and allowable uses from 

among the range of alternatives analyzed in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009) as the Proposed Action for 

lands administered by the HFO in the CCMA. Resource management goals, objectives, and actions were 

developed to address the issues and concerns identified in the purpose and need for the CCMA RMP/EIS, 

including mitigation measures for public health and safety. A summary of these actions is provided 

below.

Recreation 

Land Use Plan Decision: Prohibit camping and staging for recreation in the Serpentine ACEC, 

except at Jade Mill Campground. Allow camping and staging for recreation on public lands outside 

the ACEC. 
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Implementation Decision: Authorize motorized access in the Serpentine ACEC by permits only, 

and limit visitor use to 5 days/year for motorized activities. Limit use for non-motorized activities 

to 12 days/year.

Implementation Decision: Limit visitor use in the Serpentine ACEC to one half-hour before 

sunrise to one half-hour after sunset (i.e. day use only), except at Jade Mill Campground. 

Implementation Decision: Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, designated camp sites, 

staging areas) to support non-motorized recreation opportunities at destinations with unique 

biological, natural and geologic features within CCMA.

Land Use Plan Decision: Manage the Tucker and Cantua Zones with an emphasis on enhancing 

hunting opportunity and providing access for other non-motorized recreation opportunities. 

Implementation Decision: Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, designated camp sites, 

staging areas) to support non-motorized recreation opportunities in the Cantua Zone.

Implementation Decision: Acquire public access to BLM lands in the Tucker and Cantua Zones.

Hazardous Materials and Public Safety

Land Use Plan Decision: Restrict the type of activity and the number visits for that activity as the 

primary means to control risk to public from asbestos exposure.

Implementation Decision: Identify mining-related and other public land hazards and eliminate or 

mitigate as soon as possible.

Implementation Decision: Use best available technologies (BATs) identified in Appendix V for 

dust abatement on roads and during project implementation.

Implementation Decision: Issue supplementary rules to minimize exposure to hazardous 

materials and airborne asbestos fibers, considering technical and budgetary constraints and overall 

effectiveness of the human health and safety mitigation measures

Implementation Decision: Augment the existing public asbestos hazard information 

program through improved signing, hand-outs, advisories, monitoring, public contact, and 

education programs. Any new information on risks to human health will be incorporated into 

the educational materials. 

Transportation and Travel Management 

 Land Use Plan Decision: Designate the Serpentine ACEC as a “Limited” vehicle use area.

Implementation Decision: Vehicle use in the Serpentine ACEC would be limited to highwaylicensed vehicles for day use only with a permit. 

Implementation Decision: Designate the following routes ‘open’ for vehicle use in the 

Serpentine ACEC: R1, R10, R11, R13, R14, R15, T103, T104, T151, T153. The designated 

routes identified above would be developed and maintained to BLM standards. 
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Implementation Decision: All other routes and areas in the Serpentine ACEC would be 

designated closed including barrens. 

Implementation Decision: Develop and maintain transportation facilities (i.e. pull-outs and 

parking areas) in the ACEC on portions of the vehicle touring route with high scenic values, and 

other destinations with unique biological, natural and geologic features within CCMA.

Land Use Plan Decision: Designate the Tucker, Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River Zones as 

“Limited” vehicle use areas and prepare Travel Management Plans to designate routes of travel. 

Vehicle use in the Tucker, Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River Zones would be limited to 

highway licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV use only on designated routes (including potential 

routes and route construction proposals) identified on the Proposed Action Map in Appendix I. 

Land Use Plan Decision: Develop and maintain approximately 30 miles of routes and trails in 

the Condon, Tucker, and Cantua Zones for non-motorized recreation following inventory, soil 

loss assessment, and resources screening using route the designation methodology described in 

Appendix II and 43 CFR 8342.1 minimization criteria.

Biological Resources 

Land Use Decision: Manage listed, proposed, or candidate threatened or endangered 

species to comply with the provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

Land Use Decision: Manage special status animal and plant species and BLM-recognized 

significant plant communities consistent with BLM policy on Special Status Species 

Management (BLM Manual 6840). 

Land Use Decision: Utilize management activities that mimic natural disturbance regimes 

(e.g., fire) to manage and maintain the composition of vegetation communities. 

Land Use Decision: Provide a mosaic of vegetation communities to protect soil, watershed, 

and wildlife; maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and non-consumptive 

uses. 

Air Quality 

Implementation Decision: Incorporate mitigation measures in Appendix V for activities 

and projects on BLM lands in order to reduce airborne asbestos emissions and comply with 

applicable Federal, State, and local air quality regulations. 

Soils 

Implementation Decision: Implement BMPs to manage soil on BLM lands such that the 

functional biological and physical characteristics are appropriate to soil type, climate, and 

land form. 
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Water Resources 

Implementation Decision: Manage CWA 303(d)-listed impaired water bodies to meet 

properly functioning condition (PFC) objectives relative to beneficial uses and total 

maximum daily loads (TMDLs). 

Implementation Decision: Maintain stable watershed conditions and implement passive 

and active restoration projects to protect beneficial uses of water and meet TMDLs. 

Special Designations 

Land Use Decision: Manage the Serpentine ACEC for public health and safety, special 

status species, and cultural, historic, and scenic values. 

Livestock Grazing 

Implementation Decision: Make public acres and animal unit months (AUMs) available for 

a sustainable level of livestock grazing consistent with other resource objectives.

Energy and Minerals 

Land Use Decision: Allow no mineral leasing or sales on public lands in the Serpentine ACEC. 

Recommend withdrawal of the entire 30,000-acre ACEC from locatable mineral entry.

Cultural and Heritage Resources 

Land Use Decision: Recognize the potential public and scientific uses of cultural resources on 

the public lands, and manage the lands and cultural resources so that these uses and values are not 

diminished but rather are maintained and enhanced. 

Land Use Decision: Monitor cultural resources - especially those “at-risk” - including 

archeological sites, historic structures or landscapes, and Native American traditional use 

areas or sacred sites. Offset on-going or identified potential impacts to cultural resources 

through protective measures, data retrieval, or a combination of these methods. 

Paleontological Resources 

Land Use Decision: Locate, evaluate, manage, and protect, where appropriate, paleontological 

resources on the public lands. 

Social and Economic Conditions 

Land Use Decision: Work cooperatively with local populations to provide for customary uses 

consistent with other resource objectives and to sustain or improve local economies. 

Visual Resources 

Land Use Decision: Protect, maintain, improve, or restore visual resource values by managing all 

public lands in accordance with the VRM system. 

Fire Management 

Land Use Decision: Use fire to restore and/or sustain ecosystem health.
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Lands and Realty 

Land Use Decision: Retain, consolidate, and/or acquire land or interest in land with high public 

resource values for access, effective administration, and improvement of resource management. 

Land Use Decision: Authorize rights-of-way to provide reasonable access for private landowners 

and existing rights-holders. 

2.3.3 Proposed RMP Area and Route Designation 

Under the “proposed action”, BLM would improve public health and safety, within the Serpentine ACEC, 

by reducing the miles of designated routes available for motorized use, and by limiting annual visitor use 

days. The “proposed action” would prohibit all cross country travel (former barrens), and also limit 

motorized access in the ACEC to highway-licensed vehicles and emphasize non-motorized recreation 

opportunities on BLM-administered lands in CCMA. 

The BLM designates areas as “limited” where it must restrict OHV use to meet specific resource 

management objectives. In “designating public lands as Open, Limited, or Closed to the use of off-road 

vehicles,” the objective is “to protect the resources of the public lands, to promote the safety of all users 

of those lands, and to minimize conflicts among the various uses of those public lands.” Designation as a 

“Limited area’ means an area restricted at certain times, in certain areas, and/or to certain vehicular use.” 

“These restrictions may be of any type,” including “types of vehicles;” “permitted or licensed use only;” 

“use on designated roads;” or other restrictions. 

 Outside the Serpentine ACEC, the Limited Use area designation shall be defined as restricting 

motorized use to designated routes, utilizing the designation methodology described in Appendix 

II, to satisfy minimization criteria outlined in 43 CFR 8342.1 

Routes designated open under the “proposed action,” satisfy the resource based route designation criteria 

described in Appendix II. Routes designated as closed under the Limited Area designation in the 

Proposed RMP, do not contribute to achieving the Proposed RMP’s resource condition objectives, or 

fulfill the identified Planning Criteria to protect the resources and ensure overall protection of human 

health. 

2.3.3.1 Limited Area Designation (ACEC)

 Within the Serpentine ACEC, the Limited Use area designation shall be defined as restricting 

motorized use to a concise network (30 – 40 miles) of designated routes providing access to key 

points within the area as a scenic touring route. 

The selection of routes within the ACEC for the “proposed action” was based on the Limited Use area 

designation for the ACEC, restricting use to a scenic touring route to promote safety (public health) and 

minimize conflicts among the various uses of the management area. Specific criteria were identified that 

contributed in selecting the scenic touring route, to ensure overall protection of human health and the 

environment from hazardous airborne asbestos emissions. The selected route network will provide access 

to areas of interest, including Clear Creek Canyon, the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area, 

Wright Mountain/Joaquin Rocks, Goat Mountain, and the upper San Benito River. The selected routes 

provide the only practical access to the aforementioned areas, while providing transportation 

manageability, route continuity, and avoid redundancy and route proliferation. It is acknowledged that 
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some segments of the touring network could be substituted with alternate routes, however it was 

determined that the selected scenic touring route best provides access to areas of interest with a broad 

range of recreation opportunities, accommodating a range of highway-licensed vehicles. Segments of the 

touring route network were primarily selected from the “R” routes which have a higher maintenance 

objective, are generally wider with less gradient, and best suited to a range of vehicle types. In certain 

areas routes were selected from the “T” routes to improve connectivity and minimize impacts to sensitive 

resources. All routes comprising the scenic touring route were selected from routes previously designated 

as open in the 2006 CCMA RMP amendment. Criteria used to identify an inventory of routes suitable for 

the scenic touring route, under the Limited Use area designation, and the screening process is explained 

below. 

 The Limited area restrictions will also include type of vehicle (highway licensed), and access by 

permit only (limiting annual visitor use days within the Serpentine ACEC.) 

These restrictions are based on evaluation of a reasonable range of alternatives and the associated impacts 

as described in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS; whereas BLM has selected a combination of management 

actions and objectives from among the range of alternatives for the Proposed RMP, with an emphasis on 

public health and safety measures to minimize asbestos exposure, reduce airborne asbestos emissions, and 

reduce human health risks associated with exposure to asbestos in CCMA. It is acknowledged that the 

Serpentine ACEC portion of the CCMA will no longer be considered an “OHV Recreation Area.” 

2.3.3.2 Limited Area Designation Criteria 

The limited vehicle use area designation is necessary to administer public access to destinations in the 

Serpentine ACEC that provide numerous non-motorized recreation opportunities, while minimizing 

impacts to public health from exposure to airborne asbestos. By establishing limits on vehicle types, 

speed, and the miles of designated routes in the CCMA route network, the designated routes would 

provide motorized access to areas that support a wide range of non-motorized recreation opportunities and 

experiences. Route designations would be designed to minimize user impacts to the environment and 

public health; foster outreach and education to increase public awareness of health issues related to 

exposure to airborne asbestos and sensitivity to resources; and allow for adaptive management of travel 

across the CCMA public lands. 

In order to designate an appropriate “scenic touring” route network in the Serpentine ACEC, the following 

criteria were used to screen existing designated open routes in light of the limited vehicle use area 

designation to protect public health and the environment: 

 Transportation Manageability – routes suited to a range of highway-licensed vehicles that have 

adequate width/clearance, route maintenance objectives, gradient, and suitability for all season use. 

These routes also must provide continuity, and avoid redundancy and route proliferation. 

 Recreation Opportunity – routes that provide access to key areas of interest that have historically 

provided a broad range of non-motorized recreation opportunities, including Clear Creek Canyon, 

the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area, Wright Mountain/Joaquin Rocks, and the upper 

San Benito River. 

The BLM’s Record of Decision (ROD) for the CCMA RMP Amendment for Route Designation (2006) 

identifies the Route Maintenance Objectives (RMO’s) below, which were used as the first screening 
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criteria for the level of road best suited to provide motorized access under the range of alternatives 

considered in this PRMP/FEIS. 

1. Improved/Maintained Roads [Width > or = to 14 ft., Vertical Clearance > or = to 14 ft.] 

Discussion: FIMMS level 4 road- this level is assigned to roads where management 

objectives require the road to be open all year (except may be closed or have limited access 

due to snow conditions) and to connect major administrative features (recreation sites, local 

road systems, administrative sites, etc.) to County, State, or Federal roads. Typically, these 

roads are single or double lane, aggregate, or bituminous surface, with higher volume of 

commercial and recreational traffic than administrative traffic. 

The entire roadway is maintained at least annually, although a preventive maintenance 

program may be established. Problems are repaired as discovered. These routes will be 

maintained for access year-round for all vehicles. Route designation will be open to all 

vehicles unless designated for administrative use only. - General access to the CCMA 

2. 4WD Recommended [Width > or = to 10 ft. Vertical Clearance > or = to 14 ft.] 

Discussion: FIMMS level 3 road- this level is assigned to roads where management 

objectives require the road to be opened seasonally or year-round for commercial, 

recreation, or high volume administrative access. Typically, these roads are natural or 

aggregate surfaced, but may include low use bituminous surfaced roads. These roads have 

defined crossings section with drainage structures (e.g., rolling dips, culverts, or ditches). 

User comfort and convenience are not considered a high priority. 

Drainage structures are to be inspected at least annually and maintained as needed. 

Grading is conducted to provide a reasonable level of riding comfort at prudent speeds for 

the road conditions. Brushing is conducted as needed to improve sight distance. Slides 

adversely affecting drainage will receive high priority for removal; otherwise they will be 

removed on a scheduled basis. Route designation will be open to all vehicles unless 

designated for administrative use only. - Primary use trail/admin trail 

Route selection was based on designated open routes from the 2006 RMP Amendment with 

“Improved/Maintained Roads” and “4WD Recommended” route maintenance objectives. These routes 

were then screened for “Transportation Manageability” and “Recreation Opportunity” based on the 

resource condition objectives identified for the ACEC. Finally, these routes were screened through the 

route designation criteria in Appendix II to minimize and avoid other resources conflicts. 

BLM used the best available data for decisions on process and evaluation of resource conditions and 

impacts, implementation of monitoring, enforcement, route restoration and route maintenance. 

Assessments of route condition and soil loss support decisions used in route designations. Information 

gathered in the future may lead to a re-evaluation of, and possible change in, route and area designation. 

An additional subset of routes would be available for “administrative use” by permittees, licensees, rightsof-way holders, and the Federal government and authorized representatives. These routes would not be 

available for casual recreation use. These routes differ from closed routes, in that they would be regularly 

maintained and would not be considered for restoration. A majority of closed routes would be identified 

and prioritized for restoration over a period of years. Restoration refers to reclaiming of closed routes to 
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revert to a natural state over time and disappear into the landscape. Route restoration would be evaluated 

through a separate environmental analysis. 

2.3.4 Conformance with Regulations 

The proposed action is in conformance with the Executive Order 11644 (Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the 

Public Lands), February 9, 1972 (87 F.R. 2877), Executive Order 11989 (Off-Road Vehicles on Public 

Lands), May 24, 1977 (42 F.R. 26959), and 43 CFR 8342.1 based on the following rationale. 

The “Limited” vehicle use area designation would allow for a sustainable transportation network within 

the ACEC. This takes into account human health and safety and the implementation of mitigation 

measures (REC-USE-E1. REC-USE-E2. HAZ-BG3. HAZ-BG4. TRANS-E1.) that would effectively 

reduce the risk to human health based on the type of activity and the duration of exposure to airborne 

asbestos emissions evaluated in the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment 

(2008). 

BLM acknowledges that controversy exists regarding the health risks of naturally occurring asbestos. 

Therefore, BLM will consider any significant new information related to plan decisions adopted in the 

CCMA RMP to determine whether adaptive management may be warranted throughout the life of this 

Plan. For example, Section 2.5.3 (Travel and Transportation Management) identifies “adaptive 

management criteria” that would allow the BLM to make changes to designated route systems and 

addresses how routes may be modified within the transportation network in the future. If one of these 

criteria are met, then BLM would reassess CCMA RMP land use plan decisions associated with human 

health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, and potentially apply adaptive management should 

significant new information become available that may warrant modifications in the limits on days of 

recreation access and the limits on trails available for motorized use in the ACEC. 

2.4 Description of the Alternatives 

The description of alternatives is organized by resource program (e.g., air quality, soil resources, water 

resources, etc.). The goals and objectives of each resource program are specified, and specific 

management actions for each alternative are then presented. Management actions specified for each 

resource program include area-wide actions and actions specific to five management zones identified on 

Maps A-G, if applicable. 

An alphanumeric system is used to identify management actions and to assist the reader in comparing 

alternatives and identifying the management actions that are common among the range of alternatives. 

Where possible, management actions that are common among the range of alternatives are combined 

under a resource program, provided that they meet resource management goals and objectives, and they 

do not conflict with other resource management goals and objectives. The effects of the proposed 

management actions are analyzed in Chapter 4, “Environmental Consequences.”

Detailed descriptions of the range of alternatives and the associated management goals, objectives, and 

allowable uses, management actions, and mitigation measures for BLM’s resources programs are 

provided in Section 2.4.1 through 2.4.18, below. 

Table 2.4 (below) provides a summary comparison of the goals, objectives, management actions, and 

allowable uses outlined under the range of alternative that are analyzed in the CCMA PRMP/FEIS. 
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Table 2.4 Comparison of Range of Alternatives 

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Table 2.4 Comparison of Range of Alternatives (cont.) 

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2.4.1 Recreation 

2.4.1.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for recreation management are to (1) provide a variety of experiences and settings for a 

diversity of users and to meet potential changes in demand while minimizing conflicts with adjacent 

property owners and among user groups; (2) provide a range of recreational use opportunities while 

protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources from human intrusion; (3) promote sharing of ideas, 

resources, and expertise to increase the public’s appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural 

resources on BLM public lands; and (4) disseminate information that will foster responsible behavior in 

order to achieve the highest possible environmental quality on BLM public lands. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain a range of facilities to support recreational uses. 

Design maps and brochures and educational opportunities to improve visitors’ appreciation and 

understanding of natural and cultural resources on BLM public lands. 

Create experiences and settings appropriate for the desired outcome within developed and 

undeveloped recreation areas. 

Establish and manage intensive-use areas, where the presence of high quality natural resources 

and the current or potential demand warrants intensive management practices to protect areas for 

their scientific, educational, and/or recreational values while accommodating anticipated 

increases in recreational activities in specific areas. 

Manage recreational facilities to protect natural resources and to meet user needs. 

Manage commercial, competitive, educational, and organized group recreational activities. 

2.4.1.2 Allowable Uses for No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

REC-USE-A1. Boundary posting and visitor use patrols will be initiated in recreation areas concurrent 

with access development or enhancement. BLM will cooperate with adjacent private landowners to the 

extent possible.

REC-USE-A2. Enhance access to public lands for hunting and OHV opportunities in the area north of 

Clear Creek. Consolidate public lands and manage in conjunction with the Clear Creek SRMA. 

REC-USE-A3. Develop recreation activity plans for accessible lands. 

REC-USE-A4. Prohibit camping within the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area. 

REC-USE-A5. Clear Creek Canyon is designated as a "no shooting" area. 

REC-USE-A6. Enforce Dry Season Use Restrictions from June 1st through October 15th, annually.

REC-USE-A7. Manage CCMA public lands as a Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA).
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Table 2.4-1 Overview of Allowable Use under each Alternative 

Mgt.

Zones Alt. A Alt. B Alt. C Alt. D Alt. E Alt. F Alt. G

Serpentine 

ACEC

Motorized,

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Motorized,

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Motorized

Nonmotorized,

Shooting

Motorized

Nonmotorized,

Shooting

Motorized

NonmotorizedNonmotorized

No Public 

Entry

Condon Motorized,

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Motorized,

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Motorized

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Motorized,

Nonmotorized

Motorized

Nonmotorized

Shooting

Motorized,

Nonmotorized,

Shooting

Motorized

Nonmotorized,

Shooting

Cantua

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Mechanized

Nonmotorized,

Shooting

Motorized

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Motorized

Nonmotorized

Shooting 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting

Nonmotorized,

Shooting

Tucker Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Mechanized,

Nonmotorized,

Shooting

Motorized,

Nonmotorized,Nonmotorized

Shooting

Nonmotorized

Shooting

Nonmotorized

Shooting

San Benito 

River

Motorized,

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Motorized,

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Motorized,

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

Mechanized, 

Nonmotorized,

Shooting 

NonmotorizedNonmotorizedNonmotorized

2.4.1.3 Management Actions under Alternative B 

REC-USE-B1. Prohibit camping and staging for recreation in the Serpentine ACEC, except at Jade Mill 

Campground. Allow camping and staging for recreation on public lands outside the ACEC. 

REC-USE-B2. Limit visitor use in the Serpentine ACEC to one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour 

after sunset (i.e. day use only), except at Jade Mill Campground.

REC-USE-B3. Enforce Dry Season Use Restrictions from April 15th through December 1st, annually. 

REC-USE-B4. Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, designated camp sites, staging areas) to 

support non-motorized recreation opportunities at destinations with unique biological, natural and 

geologic features within CCMA.

REC-USE-B5. Authorize access by Special Recreation Permits (SRP) only, and limit visitor use in 

the Serpentine ACEC to less than 5 days/year for motorized activities and less than 12 days/year for 

non-motorized activities. 

REC-USE-B6. Prohibit special recreation permits for organized events in the Serpentine ACEC.
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2.4.1.4 Management Actions under Alternative C 

REC-USE-C1. Improve major routes and single track trails to support motorcycle recreation 

opportunities in the Serpentine ACEC.

REC-USE-C2. Prohibit OHV recreation in the Serpentine ACEC for visitors under age 18. 

REC-USE-C3. Prohibit special recreation permits for organized events in the Serpentine ACEC. 

REC-USE-C4. Enforce Dry Season Use Restrictions from April 15th through December 1st, annually. 

2.4.1.5 Management Actions under Alternative D 

REC-USE-D1. Prohibit access in the Serpentine ACEC for visitors under age 18. 

REC-USE-D2. Develop OHV recreation opportunities on public lands in the Condon, Tucker, and 

Cantua Zones. 

REC-USE-D3. Prohibit special recreation permits for organized events in the Serpentine ACEC. 

REC-USE-D4. Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, designated camp sites, staging 

areas) to support motorized recreation opportunities at outstanding locations in the Tucker, Condon, 

and Cantua Zones. 

2.4.1.6 Management Actions under Alternative E 

REC-USE-E1. Provide access on the Scenic Route along T153 and Spanish Lake Road (R11) in the 

Serpentine ACEC for day use by full-size vehicles only.

REC-USE-E2. Authorize access by Special Recreation Permits (SRP) only, and limit visitor use in the 

Serpentine ACEC to less than 5 days/year for motorized activities and less than 12 days/year for nonmotorized activities.

REC-USE-E3. Manage the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua Zones with an emphasis on enhancing hunting 

and other non-motorized recreation opportunities. 

REC-USE-E4. Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, designated camp sites, staging areas) to 

support non-motorized recreation opportunities in the Cantua Zone. 

2.4.1.7 Management Actions under Alternative F 

REC-USE-F1. Restrict public access in the Serpentine ACEC to foot traffic and other uses 

consistent with resource management goals and objectives. 

REC-USE-F4. Maintain the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua management zones with an emphasis on 

enhancing hunting and other non-motorized recreational opportunities. 

REC-USE-F5. Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, designated camp sites, staging 

areas) to support non-motorized recreation opportunities at outstanding locations in CCMA. 

REC-USE-F6. Enforce Dry Season Use Restrictions from June 1st through October 15th, annually. 
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2.4.1.8 Management Actions under Alternative G 

REC-USE-G1. Designate the Serpentine ACEC “Closed” to all forms of public entry on 30,000-

acres of serpentine soils high in asbestos fibers. 

REC-USE-G2. Authorize motorized access into the Serpentine ACEC for scientific research and 

education by organizations that may benefit knowledge and understanding of resources in CCMA. 

Access authorizations would stipulate health and safety requirements, as appropriate. 

REC-USE-G3. Provide primitive non-motorized use in the Tucker and Cantua Zones. 

REC-USE-G4. Maintain the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua Zones with an emphasis on enhancing hunting 

and other non-motorized recreational opportunities. 

REC-USE-G5. Acquire public access to BLM lands in the Cantua Zone. 

REC-USE-G6. Identify potential sites for development of primitive camping/staging areas and new 

trails leading to points of interest in CCMA. 

2.4.1.9 Visitor Services for No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

REC-VIS-A1. Improve public access by vehicle to Condon Peak (primarily for hunting). 

REC-VIS-A2. Initiate boundary posting and visitor use patrols in CCMA concurrent with access 

development or enhancement. 

REC-VIS-A3. Provide an interpretive and regulatory panel at each camping/staging area with a map and 

locator for each site. Contributing agencies and supporting user groups will be identified on this panel as 

well. 

REC-VIS-A4. Provide directional signs identifying mileage at all major road junctions. Make signs as 

vandal proof/resistant as possible (e.g., metal). 

REC-VIS-A5. Install signs identifying the CCMA as a Limited Use Area with all vehicle travel restricted 

to designated open routes. Clearly mark and identify the designated route network. Post public/private 

land boundaries where trespass is a problem.

REC-VIS-A6. Develop vehicular (four-wheel drive) access from North Hill into the San Carlos Bolsa 

area. Install gates to control seasonal access and trespass onto private land. 

REC-VIS-A7. Make minor modifications to existing vehicle use designations as a result of land tenure 

adjustments and to protect significant riparian and special status species habitat. 

REC-VIS-A8. Develop Cooperative Management Agreements with user groups to develop trail systems 

(adopt-a-trail), other project work, and volunteer patrols to the extent possible. 

REC-VIS-A9. Increase Law Enforcement patrols and use of Law Enforcement response teams to 

monitor and enforce compliance with designations. 

REC-VIS-A10. Continue providing interpretive map/pamphlet (Clear Creek Management Area map). 
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REC-VIS-A11. Continue fee program pursuant to Federal Register Notice published on June 27, 2007 to 

supplement existing funding. 

2.4.1.10 Visitor Services Common to Alternative B and C 

REC-VIS-BC1. Establish boundary posting and visitor use patrols in recreation areas concurrent with 

access development or enhancement. To ensure public safety, increase the number of boundary signs at 

all sites that offer hunting and target shooting near private in-holdings. 

REC-VIS-BC2. Provide an interpretive and regulatory panel at each camping/staging area with a map 

and locator for each site. 

REC-VIS-BC3. Collect visitor use fees on BLM public lands consistent with the Federal Lands 

Recreation Enhancement Act (2005). 

REC-VIS-BC4. Emphasize non-motorized recreation to increase protection of natural and cultural 

values. 

REC-VIS-BC5. Allow development of facilities to protect public safety and allow for interpretation of 

natural and cultural values. 

REC-VIS-BC6. Close recreation sites where resources are being degraded to facilitate repair and/or 

rehabilitation. 

REC-VIS-BC7. Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to recreation facilities outlined 

in Appendix V. 

2.4.1.11 Visitor Services under Alternative D 

REC-VIS-D1. Implement CCMA Visitor Use Fee Program to support implementation of human health 

risk mitigation measures and maintain recreation opportunities. 

REC-VIS-D2. Develop new campgrounds, staging areas and OHV opportunities on public lands within 

the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua zones. 

2.4.1.12 Visitor Services Common to Alternative E and F 

REC-VIS-EF1. Improve access for motorized vehicles to Condon Peak. 

REC-VIS-EF2. Provide a limited number of recreation facilities in the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua 

zones to meet increased recreation demand while protecting natural and cultural values and providing for 

public safety. 

REC-VIS-EF3. Maintain existing visitor use facilities outside the Serpentine ACEC, and mitigate 

human health risk from asbestos emissions from facilities inside the Serpentine ACEC through dust 

suppression or surface hardening techniques. 
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2.4.1.13 Visitor Services under Alternative G 

REC-VIS-G1. Authorize access into the ACEC for scientific studies, research, and education for 

accredited institutions and individuals on a case-by-case basis. Access authorizations would stipulate 

health and safety requirements, as appropriate. 

REC-VIS-G2. Enhance visitor use facilities for non-motorized recreation in the Condon Zone. 

2.4.1.14 Interpretation and Education for No Action Alternative (Current Management 

Actions) 

REC-INT-A1. Create outdoor kiosk/display sites for various locations within the CCMA. 

REC-INT-A2. Continue outreach and education program to create public and visitor awareness of 

human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in CCMA. 

REC-INT-A3. Intensify environmental education efforts with the goal of obtaining the maximum level 

of voluntary compliance with OHV designations. 

REC-INT-A4. Provide an information kiosk near the main entrance (ref. map/app.). The kiosk would be 

located to encourage visitors to stop and view information provided. The kiosk would contain a map and 

information concerning: asbestos health hazards, OHV use designations, fire prevention, regulations, 

natural resources of the area, emergency assistance, and BLM Hollister Field Office phone number and 

address. Other agency/user groups’ endorsement of management strategies (also indicating that facilities 

have been provided using Green Sticker funds) will be incorporated into signing. 

REC-INT-A5. Produce and distribute a new user map to allow recreation users to understand the 

appropriate type of use and clearly identify where OHV use is permitted. 

REC-INT-A6. Develop a recreation user education and awareness program to inform the public of the 

concepts of designated use, encourage safe and environmentally responsible behavior, and an 

understanding of multiple-use management. 

2.4.1.15 Interpretation and Education Common to Alternative B, C, D, E, F, and G 

REC-INT-BG1. Provide recreation information such as maps, brochures, and educational opportunities 

to enhance visitors’ experience on BLM public lands. Incorporate the best available information 

concerning: asbestos health hazards, OHV use designations, fire prevention, BLM regulations, and natural 

resources of the area into educational materials and on all maps, brochures, and kiosks. 

REC-INT-BG2. Cooperate with adjacent private landowners on land management activities to the extent 

possible. 

REC-INT-BG3. Cooperate with museums and education institutions to develop cultural resource 

education and interpretive programs for CCMA.
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2.4.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Safety 

2.4.2.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for hazardous materials and public safety are to (1) protect public health and safety and 

environmental resources by minimizing environmental contamination from past and present land uses 

(i.e., abandoned mine lands) on public lands and BLM-owned and operated facilities; (2) comply with 

Federal, State, and local hazardous materials management laws and regulations; (3) maintain the health of 

ecosystems through assessment, cleanup, and restoration of contaminated lands; (4) manage the costs, 

risks, and liabilities associated with hazardous materials so that the responsible parties and not the 

government bear the brunt of financial liabilities; (5) integrate environmental protection and compliance 

with all environmental statutes into BLM activities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Identify and control imminent hazards or threats to human health and/or the environment from 

hazardous substances releases on public lands (including Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) sites). 

Reduce hazardous waste produced by BLM activities and from authorized uses of public lands 

through waste minimization programs that include recycling, reuse, substitution, and other 

innovative, safe, cost-effective methods of pollution prevention. 

Ensure that authorized activities on public lands comply with applicable Federal, State, and local 

laws, policies, guidance, and procedures. 

Promote working partnerships with states, counties, communities, other Federal agencies, and the 

private sector to prevent pollution and minimize hazardous waste on public lands. 

Protect visitors from safety hazards and/or environmental releases of chemicals of concern 

associated with abandoned mine lands (AMLs) and mining activity. 

2.4.2.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

HAZ-A1. Install a public vehicle wash facility. 

HAZ-A2. Monitor for illegal dumping of chemicals on federal lands. 

HAZ-A3. Identify mining-related and other public land hazards and eliminate or mitigate as soon as 

possible. 

HAZ-A4. Identify and resolve mining related trespasses with priority given to those cases where 

conflicts are occurring with visitor use and safety. 

HAZ-A5. Apply dust-suppressant on major routes in CCMA. The initial application will be evaluated for 

continued use on an annual or semi-annual basis. 

HAZ-A6. Comply with all provisions of the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District’s 

remote location exemption (for CCMA) from the ATCM regulation for control of airborne asbestos 

emissions relating to construction, road maintenance, and grading activities. 
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2.4.2.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

HAZ-BG1. Restrict the type of activity and the number visits for that activity as the primary means to 

control risk to public from asbestos exposure.

HAZ-BG2. Use best available technologies (BATs) identified in Appendix V for dust abatement on 

roads and during project implementation. 

HAZ-BG3. Reduce emissions at staging areas, other recreation facilities, and on major routes with dust 

suppression and surface hardening techniques as needed. The techniques include, but are not limited to, 

paving, base rock, chip seal, or applications of surfactants (i.e. biodegradable liquid copolymers) to 

stabilize and solidify soils or aggregates and control erosion. 

HAZ-BG4. Issue supplementary rules to minimize exposure to hazardous materials and airborne 

asbestos fibers, considering technical and budgetary constraints and overall effectiveness of the human 

health and safety mitigation measures identified below. 

Require signed waivers of liability to indemnify BLM against risk of tort claims associated with 

CCMA visitor use and exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. 

Enforce speed limits (20 mph) on designated routes. 

HAZ-BG5. Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) 

and mining activities outlined in Appendix V. 

HAZ-BG6. Reduce the use of Federal funds for clean-up of contaminated lands by seeking cost 

avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally responsible parties. 

2.4.3 Travel and Transportation Management 

2.4.3.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for transportation and access are to (1) continue to maintain roads for resource management 

purposes; (2) continue to support local counties and the State of California in providing a network of 

roads for movement of people, goods, and services across public lands; (3) manage motorized access use 

to protect resource values, promote public safety, provide responsible motorized access use opportunities 

where appropriate and minimize conflicts among various user groups. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Provide travel routes to and through BLM-managed lands as appropriate to meet resource 

objectives while providing for private and public access needs. 

Manage motorized access and mechanized vehicle use in conformance with OHV designations. 

2.4.3.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

TRANS-A1. Designate the entire 75,000-acre CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the 

Planning Area is limited to designated routes identified on Map A in Appendix I, and designated ‘open 

play areas’ (i.e. barrens) identified in the 2006 Record of Decision for the CCMA RMP Amendment and 

Route Designation. 
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TRANS-A2. All routes not designated ‘open or limited’, are designated as ‘closed’. OHV use is 

authorized only on designated ‘open or limited’ routes which are signed for use.

TRANS-A3. Additional routes may be added to the designated route network until the total number of 

routes (including non-BLM administered) available for casual recreation use totals 270 miles; following 

inventory, soil loss assessment, and resources screening using designation criteria described in Appendix II.

TRANS-A4. Adopt the following route and barren designation methodology: 

A. Routes 

Designation decisions would be based on a variety of data, including previous studies, field inventory 

data, biological, environmental, cultural, and natural and recreation resources, land use, and land 

ownership. 

Consider the level of impact of each route and barren; the number, density, and intensity of use of each 

route and area and its relationship to habitat fragmentation and cumulative effects; and ways to minimize 

the number and intensity of conflicting land uses. 

Evaluate routes relative to designation criteria (see Appendix II) such as, resource sensitivity, soil loss, 

manageability, intended route use, and recreation opportunity. The route designation criteria are 

combined in four tiers roughly corresponding to the criteria’s likelihood of requiring route closure, 

described in Appendix II. 

Establish a Data Element Dictionary for each of the resource screening criteria, representing the data on 

which decisions about authorized vehicle use of routes and barren areas is based. The data element 

dictionary describes the responses for each criterion. As routes and barrens are screened through the 

criteria tables, data element codes are assigned based on staff evaluation. The last digit of the element 

code also represents a scoring feature, with totals greater than nine for all criteria deemed least suitable 

for open designation. Designation of routes and barrens would include mitigation measures or restoration 

as needed.

B. Barrens 

These designation criteria address a variety of management issues and concerns, including compliance 

with statutory guidelines, resource sensitivity, soil loss, manageability, and recreation opportunity. From 

this evaluation of criteria a designation on use classification, open, limited, or closed, is made. The 

Geomorphic Field Evaluation of Serpentinite Soil Barrens, CCMA (Dynamac Corp., 1998), contains data 

considered in the designation process. Key information from this study used in this designation process 

include; stream orders present, hydrographic position, vegetation cover, vegetation boundary/buffer, 

amount of gullying, slope, armoring present, sediment trapping features, and contribution of sediment to 

sub-watersheds with high erosion rates. For the purposes of this document, the term “barrens” is generally 

applied “to openings in serpentine hillslopes larger than 10 acres which support almost no herbaceous or 

woody vegetation”. Criteria adopted for barren designation are included in Appendix II. 

TRANS-A5. Designated ‘closed’ routes will be selected and prioritized for restoration and reclamation.

TRANS-A6. Cooperate with private landowners to prevent public access to or across their lands. 

Negotiate reciprocal rights-of-way with private landowners, as appropriate, to maintain the integrity of 

the route network. 
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TRANS-A7. Modify the designated route network to resolve visitor use conflicts and promote safe public 

access through minor route realignments designed to: 

o Avoid sensitive natural or cultural resources, 

o Reduce impact on sensitive species and habitats, 

o Substantially increase the quality of the recreational experience, but that will not affect 

sensitive species or habitat, or other sensitive resource values, 

o Avoid mines and private lands.

“Minor realignment” is defined as a change of no more than 1⁄4 linear mile of an individual designated 

route. This could include the opening of an existing previously closed route that serves the same access 

need as the route that is to be realigned. It could also involve re-routes of a segment of a route, to avoid 

the above mentioned resource conflicts. All new construction will undergo environmental review and 

NEPA compliance. All realignments and re-routes will be documented in the official record and kept on 

file at the BLM Field Office. 

TRANS-A8. Enforce seasonal access closures and restrictions to limit vehicle use during periods of 

extreme wet and muddy conditions and during periods of extreme dusty conditions. Wet season closure 

criteria are outlined under SOILS-A3. Dry season use restrictions would be implemented from June 1st

through October 15th annually. 

TRANS-A9. Construct fences and barriers to preclude access to riparian areas and closed areas to 

prevent vehicle disturbance and off-site transport of sediments. Specifically fence along R002 to control 

OHV access into the Larious watershed, and fence along T113 to control access to closed barrens in a 

high erosion watershed on the south side of Clear Creek. 

TRANS-A10. Construct fence and barriers to protect boundaries and preclude unauthorized motorized 

access and trespass into the RNA. Complete corridor fencing of Spanish Lake Road (R11) through the 

RNA.

TRANS-A11. A difficulty rating system will be implemented for all designated open and limited routes. 

Ratings will be identified on route markers within the Clear Creek Watershed. 

TRANS-A12. Implement California State Soils Loss Standards and Monitoring on all designated open 

routes and surveys completed on an annual basis. Routes may be temporarily closed until corrective 

maintenance repairs can be completed if necessary. 

TRANS-A13. BLM will implement the following mitigation measures to reduce environmental impacts. 

Best Management Practices: BLM will monitor water quality, soil erosion, and sediment 

conditions within the watersheds of the CCMA. The BLM will implement Best Management 

Practices (BMPs) to reduce impacts to watershed resources, and will continue to evaluate and 

update these measures as needed to minimize impacts to water quality, control erosion and 

sediment production, and protect sensitive resources. The BMPs will incorporate the soil loss 

standards for OHV areas, developed jointly by BLM and California Department of Parks and 

Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. BMPs related to watershed 

improvement and road maintenance projects will be implemented to reduce erosion and off-site 

sedimentation transport (see Appendix V). 
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Address all route maintenance activities in an annual corrective route maintenance plan. 

Implement route maintenance and improvement projects consistent with the following guidance: 

o BLM manuals 9113, H-9113-2, 9114, 

o Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Standard Specifications for Construction of 

Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects Standards, US Forest Service Trails 

Handbook 2309.18, sections 2.32 a, b, and c, and 

o 1995 Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) report will be used for standards, guidelines, 

and recommendations. 

o Resource awareness training will be completed by all operators to ensure compliance 

with adopted route maintenance guidelines, with relevant inventory data incorporated 

into the training as appropriate. The BLM will continue to implement BMPs to reduce 

impacts to watershed resources and control non-point source pollution. California OHV 

State soil loss standards will be used in monitoring and assessment of routes and areas, 

and will serve as the basis in developing corrective route management plans. 

Notify the public with media releases and postings to clubs, landowners, claimants and other 

permittees regarding scheduled route work and any temporary route closures or route diversions. 

Include public health and safety information in notifications. 

Implement route maintenance activities at stream crossings during low-flow periods, or if, 

possible when the channel does not contain flowing water to minimize sediment transport. 

Work on open routes will be done when soil moisture is sufficient to adequately compact the 

tread and prevent visible airborne asbestos emissions. If work is to be done under dry season 

conditions, then water will be added in sufficient quantities to maintain adequate soil moisture. 

Upon mechanical disturbance by the treads of track driven equipment, the soil will be recompacted in six-inch or less lifts. 

Monitor water quality, soil erosion, and sediment conditions within the watersheds of the CCMA. 

Continue to evaluate and update BMPs as needed to minimize impacts to water quality, control 

erosion and sediment production. These measures include drainage improvements, construction 

of rolling dips, water bars, rock armored/hardened stream crossings, hardened sills, and half-pipe 

bridges, and are contained in Appendix V. 

Implement measures to minimize off-site sediment transport from barren areas through repair of 

erosion scars, construction of drainage improvements, sediment control and trapping treatments, 

and re-vegetation of vegetative buffers. Designated ‘closed’ barrens will be selected and 

prioritized for restoration and reclamation employing these same techniques. 

2.4.3.3 Management Actions for Alternatives B 

TRANS-B1. Designate the entire 75,000-acre CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the 

Planning Area would be limited to designated routes identified on Map B in Appendix I. 
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TRANS-B2. Reduce emissions at staging areas, other recreation facilities, and on major routes with dust 

suppression and surface hardening techniques including, but are not limited to, paving, base rock, chip 

seal, or applications of surfactants (i.e. biodegradable liquid copolymers) to stabilize and solidify soils or 

aggregates and control erosion. 

TRANS-B3. Use best management practives (BMPs) for dust abatement on roads and during project 

implementation. 

TRANS-B4. Enforce seasonal access closures and restrictions to limit vehicle use during periods of 

extreme wet and muddy conditions and during periods of extreme dusty conditions. 

TRANS-B5. Implement BMPs related to transportations and roads outlined in Appendix V: 

Address all route maintenance activities in an annual corrective route maintenance plan. 

Implement route maintenance and improvement projects consistent with the following guidance: 

o BLM manuals 9113, H-9113-2, 9114, 

o Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Standard Specifications for Construction of 

Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects Standards, US Forest Service Trails 

Handbook 2309.18, sections 2.32 a, b, and c; and 

o 1995 Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) report will be used for standards, guidelines, 

and recommendations. 

Resource awareness training will be completed by all operators to ensure compliance with adopted route 

maintenance guidelines, with relevant inventory data incorporated into the training as appropriate. The 

BLM will continue to implement BMPs to reduce impacts to watershed resources and control non-point 

source pollution. Soil loss standards will be used in monitoring and assessment of routes and areas, and 

will serve as the basis in developing corrective route management plans. 

2.4.3.3 Management Actions for Alternatives C 

TRANS-C1. Designate the entire 75,000-acre CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the 

ACEC would be limited to highway-licensed vehicles and motorcycle use only on designated routes 

identified on Map C in Appendix I. Vehicle use in the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua zones would be 

limited to highway-licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV use only on designated (and proposed) routes 

identified on Map C in Appendix I. 

TRANS-C2. Develop and maintain approximately 150 miles of routes and single track trails in the 

Serpentine ACEC for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation following inventory, soil loss assessment, 

and resources screening using route designation criteria described in Appendix II. 

2.4.3.4 Management Actions for Alternatives D 

TRANS-D1. Designate the entire 75,000-acre CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the 

ACEC would be limited to full-size vehicles on designated routes identified on Map D in Appendix I. 

Vehicle use in the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua zones would be limited to designated (and proposed) 

routes identified on Map D in Appendix I. 
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TRANS-D2. Develop and maintain approximately 60 miles of routes and trails in the Tucker and Cantua 

Zones for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation following inventory, soil loss assessment, and resources 

screening using route designation criteria described in Appendix II. 

TRANS-D3. Maintain approximately 24.5 miles of designated open routes and trails in the Condon 

Zone. 

2.4.3.5 Management Actions for Alternatives E 

TRANS-E1. Designate 460 acres in the Serpentine ACEC as a “Limited” vehicle use area for vehicle 

touring on the Scenic Route identified on Map E in Appendix I. Vehicle use on the Scenic Route is 

limited to highway-licensed vehicles for day use only. Designate the rest of the 30,000-acre Serpentine 

ACEC as “Closed” to vehicle use. 

TRANS-E2. Develop and maintain transportation facilities (i.e. pull-outs and parking areas) on portions 

of T153 and Spanish Lake Road (R11) with high scenic values, and other destinations with unique 

biological, natural and geologic features within CCMA. 

TRANS-E3. Designate the Tucker, Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River Zones as “Limited” vehicle 

use areas and prepare Travel Management Plans to designate routes of travel. Vehicle use in the Tucker, 

Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River Zones would be limited to highway licensed vehicles and 

ATV/UTV use only on designated routes (including potential routes and route construction proposals) 

identified on the Proposed Action Map in Appendix I. 

TRANS-E4. Develop and maintain approximately 30 miles of routes and trails in the Tucker and Cantua 

Zones for non-motorized recreation following inventory, soil loss assessment, and resources screening 

using the route designation methodology described in Appendix II and 43 CFR 8342.1 minimization 

criteria.

TRANS-E5. Enforce temporary closures year-round to protect persons, property, and public lands and 

resources, especially during periods of extreme wet conditions and during periods of extreme dry 

conditions. 

TRANS-E6. Maintain approximately 24.5 miles of designated open routes and trails in the Condon 

Zone. 

2.4.3.6 Management Actions for Alternatives F and G 

TRANS-FG1. Designate the entire 30,000-acre ACEC as “Closed” to vehicle use. Designate the Tucker, 

Cantua, and San Benito River Zones as “Closed” vehicle use areas. Designate the Condon Zone as a 

“Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the Condon Zone would be limited to highway-licensed 

vehicles and ATV/UTV use only on designated (and proposed) routes identified on Maps F and G in 

Appendix I. 

TRANS-FG2. Maintain approximately 24.5 miles of designated open routes and trails in the Condon 

Zone. 

TRANS-FG3. Decommission Clear Creek Road (R1), and reclaim closed roads to protect sensitive 

resources, reduce sediment transport, and control erosion. 
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TRANS-FG4. Implement BMPs to reduce offsite water quality impacts from roads and trails that no 

longer serve their original purpose, or exceed soil loss standards. 

TRANS-FG5. Restrict administrative use of roads and trails during periods of inclement weather. 

Table 2.4-2 provides an overview of the designated route mileage under each alternative. 

Table 2.4-2(a) Vehicle Use Area Designations by Alternative 

Table 2.4-2(b) Route Designations by Alternative 
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2.4.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation Resources 

2.4.4.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for vegetation resources are to (1) restore, maintain, or improve ecological conditions, natural 

diversity, and associated watersheds of high value, high-risk, native plant communities and unique plant 

assemblages and (2) to restore degraded landscapes and plant communities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain or improve current ecological values and processes, productivity, and biological 

diversity; 

Rehabilitate areas affected by wildland fire and other surface-disturbing activities to stabilize soils 

and promote growth of desired plant communities; 

Prevent the introduction and proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds. 

2.4.4.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

VEG-A1. Consider woodcutting permits on a case-by-case basis. Commercial woodcutting may be 

considered to meet special management needs. 

VEG-A2. Manage the native perennial grassland communities to maintain or increase the population (i.e. 

the desert needlegrass community in the Condon Peak area). 

VEG-A3. Give special consideration to the unique stands of big sagebrush and protect these to the extent 

practicable, especially in the San Carlos Bolsa. 

VEG-A4. Manage conifer forests for their scenic values and unique vegetation characteristics. 

VEG-A5. Prohibit commercial harvesting of conifer forests in sensitive areas (i.e. San Benito Mountain 

Research Natural Area). 

VEG-A6. Protect known and newly discovered occurrences of sensitive vegetation resources, including 

vernal pools and riparian zones, from vehicle and camping disturbances through fencing and other 

physical barriers. 

VEG-A7. Implement brush clearing, prescribed burning, and seed or seedling introductions as 

appropriate for selected species. 

VEG-A8. Use prescribed fire and other management techniques to provide a mosaic of vegetative 

communities to protect soil, watershed, and wildlife. 

VEG-A9. Maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. 

VEG-A10. Cooperate with the University of California to continue the barrens restoration pilot program 

and to establish small scale soil/plant study plots to investigate plant adaptability and nutritional 

requirements for rehabilitation purposes. 
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2.4.4.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

VEG-BG1. Include mitigation measures to protect or enhance riparian areas in all activity plans. 

VEG-BG2. Emphasize locally grown or adapted native seed mixes for restoration activities. 

VEG-BG3. Utilize management activities that mimic natural disturbance regimes (e.g., fire) to manage 

and maintain the composition, mixed age classes, and native wildlife habitat of perennial grasslands, 

chaparral, oak woodland communities, and wetlands. 

VEG-BG4. Rehabilitate vegetation emphasizing use of local genotypes of native species for revegetation 

materials following wildland fires and/or other surface-disturbing activities. Allow non-invasive, nonnative species to be used in re-vegetation materials that are temporary and non-persistent. 

VEG-BG5. Avoid surface disturbance to riparian vegetation except for short-term disturbances that are 

necessary to restore or enhance riparian conditions in the long-term. 

VEG-BG6. Mitigate or relocate existing or proposed activities within 100 feet of riparian vegetation that 

could cause a downward trend in condition of riparian resources. 

VEG-BG7. Maintain mixed-aged classes for all riparian communities. 

VEG-BG8. Develop an Integrated Pest Management approach that prioritizes invasive and noxious weed 

eradication based on the BLM and California State lists. 

VEG-BG9. Issue non-commercial permits for collecting vegetative products for Native American 

practices. 

VEG-BG10. Initiate riparian restoration/improvement projects within systems that have been identified 

as not functioning or functioning at risk with a downward or static trend. 

VEG-BG11. Provide a mosaic of vegetation communities to protect soil, watershed, and wildlife; 

maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and non-consumptive uses. 

2.4.5 Biological Resources – Fish and Wildlife 

2.4.5.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for fish and wildlife is to provide diverse, structured, dynamic, and connected habitat on a 

landscape level to support viable and sustainable populations of wildlife, fish, and other aquatic 

organisms. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

o Conserve habitat consistent with the Recovery Plan for Camissonia Benitensis (FWS 2007). 

o Conserve habitat for migratory birds and species listed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS) list of Birds of Conservation Concern. 

o Maintain or enhance viable, healthy, and diverse populations of native and desired species, 

including special status species, where appropriate. 
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2.4.5.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

HAB-A1. Conduct prescribed burns to maintain unevenly aged brush fields. 

HAB-A2. Emphasize upland game habitat maintenance and enhancement through management of other 

resources (e.g., grazing), water development, and project maintenance. 

HAB-A3. Install guzzlers to provide water for deer, wild pigs, quail, and other wildlife. 

HAB-A4. Fence sensitive areas such as meadows to preclude livestock and vehicle use. 

HAB-A5. Install rock barriers around sensitive areas such as vernal pools to protect them from camping 

and vehicle use. 

HAB-A6. Construct fences in wildlife use areas to meet BLM specifications that permit the movement of 

identified wildlife. 

HAB-A7. Emphasize upland game habitat enhancement through management of other resources (e.g. 

grazing), water development and project maintenance in the nonserpentine management zones.

HAB-A8. Emphasize protection and/or enhancement of riparian habitat in the Serpentine ACEC.

HAB-A9. Fence portions of eight meadows in the Condon Peak area to preclude livestock and vehicle 

use (one acre or less at each site). 

HAB-A10. Protect the unique vegetation at Spanish Lake from camping and vehicle use. Develop the 

Agua Buena spring site for the enhancement of wildlife habitat.

2.4.5.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B, C, D, E, and F 

HAB-BF1. Coordinate with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), and the USFWS to 

control non-native wildlife species. 

HAB-BF2. Preserve fallen trees and snags in occupied and potential habitat for raptors. Prohibit 

collecting wood in areas known to provide breeding habitat. 

HAB-BF3. Mitigate or relocate man-made barriers that substantially impede migration within wildlife 

travel corridors, as appropriate. 

HAB-BF4. Maintain existing water improvements (e.g., guzzlers). 

HAB-BF5. Avoid disturbance, including road construction and recreational activities, within a 0.5-mile 

radius of roosting sites of owls, ospreys, eagles, buteos, accipiters, and falcons. 

HAB-BF6. Avoid disturbance, including road construction and recreation activities, within a one-mile 

radius around nesting sites of of owls, ospreys, eagles, buteos, accipiters, and falcons. 

HAB-BF7. Cooperate with the CDFG to reintroduce, release, and/or restore populations of native fish 

and wildlife species into historic and occupied ranges with suitable habitat. 
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2.4.5.4 Management Actions for Alternative G 

HAB-G1. Remove non-functioning water improvements (e.g., guzzlers) and evaluate the use of 

functioning man-made water sources in the Serpentine ACEC. 

HAB-G2. Cooperate with the CDFG to reintroduce, release, and/or restore populations of native fish and 

wildlife species into historic and occupied ranges with suitable habitat outside the Serpentine ACEC. 

2.4.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species 

2.4.6.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for management of special status species is to (1) maintain populations of special status species; 

and (2) actively contribute to recovery so as to promote downlisting and delisting of special status 

species. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage listed, proposed, or candidate threatened or endangered species to comply with the 

provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

Manage special status plant and BLM-recognized significant plant communities consistent with 

BLM policy on Special Status Species Management (BLM Manual 6840). 

Preclude the need for listing proposed, candidate, and sensitive species under the ESA. 

Improve the condition of special status species and their habitats to the point where their special 

status recognition is no longer warranted. 

2.4.6.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

SSS-A1. Establish appropriate levels of surface disturbance to protect special status species and their 

associated habitats. 

SSS-A2. Monitor the effects of management activities on significant habitat areas. 

SSS-A3. Plan development of access roads to follow existing roads and trails and route new roads to 

avoid sensitive habitat features. 

SSS-A4. Provide on- and off-site compensation in the form of rehabilitation, reseeding, and other actions 

during new construction. 

SSS-A5. Enforce seasonal restrictions for certain activities during sensitive periods such as denning and 

nesting. 

SSS-A6. Maintain buffer zones around sensitive habitat features. 

SSS-A7. Manage public lands to protect and enhance sensitive, rare, threatened, or endangered species. 

Evaluate all known or potential habitat before implementing actions that may affect the habitat. Conduct 

consultations in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, if appropriate. 

SSS-A8. Manage portions of Clear Creek, Sawmill Creek, San Benito River, and San Carlos Creek for 

introducing the San Benito evening-primrose into suitable habitat. 
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SSS-A9. Monitor all populations of the San Benito evening-primrose and their protective measures for 

compliance relating to OHV trespass. 

SSS-A10. Monitor water quality, soil erosion, and sediment conditions within the watersheds of the 

CCMA. Implement BMPs including drainage improvements, construction of rolling dips, water bars, rock 

armored/hardened stream crossings, hardened sills, and half-pipe bridges, as needed to minimize impacts 

to water quality, control erosion and sediment production. These BMPs are contained in Appendix V. 

SSS-A11. Rehabilitate (by ripping and/or pitting) potential habitat areas for the San Benito evening 

primrose in Clear Creek Canyon. Seed would be collected from nearby populations and broadcast over 

these areas (approximately one-half acre each) subsequent to seedbed preparation. Evaluate and 

implement vegetation manipulations, such as brush clearing, prescribed burns and seed or seedling 

introductions, for San Benito evening primrose habitat areas of high and moderate potential.

SSS-A12. Initiate an ecological study of the San Benito evening primrose to determine habitat 

requirements. 

SSS-A13. Monitor known populations and potential habitat on a yearly basis. Protect new populations as 

they are discovered.

SSS-A14. Protect known and newly discovered occurrences of the San Benito evening primrose and 

other sensitive resources including rare plants such as rayless layia, vernal pools, and riparian zones from 

vehicle and camping disturbances. 

SSS-A15. Monitor all unprotected populations of special status species for possible adverse impacts from 

vehicles and other uses and implement protective actions as warranted.

SSS-A16. Inventory suitable habitat for all sensitive plant species. Monitor any new populations of 

special status species documented during inventories for adverse impacts and implement protective 

actions as warranted. 

SSS-A17. Develop long-term studies to determine how disturbances such as human use, storms, and 

erosion, impact the viability of special status species. 

SSS-A18. Conduct compliance monitoring for the protection of San Benito evening-primrose (CABE) to 

document the condition of the species, habitat, and the protective measures in place according to the 

Compliance Monitoring Plan for CABE in the 2006 Record of Decision for the CCMA RMP Amendment 

& Route Designation. 

1. Monitoring will record direct disturbance to CABE, CABE habitat, and CABE 

potential habitat by off-highway vehicle use, including but not limited to tire tracks, 

trampling of plants, soil compaction, soil displacement, seed displacement, and soil 

erosion and sedimentation. 

2. Biologists will visit occurrences monthly from October to May and on a less frequent 

basis during the off-season. Additional BLM staff will monitor integrity of protective 

measures on a more frequent basis. 

3. Annual population census monitoring will be conducted and reported to FWS. The 

intensity and extent of disturbance at each occurrence will be evaluated to determine 

the need for additional mitigation measures. 

4. BLM will coordinate with FWS in revising the compliance monitoring plan to 

promote the long-term conservation of the primrose.
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SSS-A19. Revise Compliance Monitoring Plan to improve the BLM’s ability to: 1) coordinate with FWS 

on implementation of adaptive management actions; 2) conduct annual area-wide monitoring of 

Camissonia benitensis habitat and population estimates; 3) analyze correlations between OHV use 

patterns and population levels; 4) establish thresholds that will trigger adaptive management, 5) establish 

thresholds that will trigger downlisting and delisting. 

Specifically, working guidance would include the following measures addressing conservation of 

Camissonia benitensis: 

1. Population and habitat monitoring protocols: Annual estimates of the distribution and 

abundance of CABE and the spatial distribution of documented and potential habitat within the 

CCMA. Methods to provide these estimates are likely to be refined in the future. 

2. OHV and other recreational use compliance monitoring: Efforts to monitor compliance with 

rules and regulations governing use of the CCMA. The intensity and frequency of this effort will 

be commensurate with historical compliance data and other factors that affect risk to CABE and its 

habitats. Methods used to determine compliance levels are likely to continue to be refined in the 

future. 

3. Interagency coordination: The BLM and the FWS will continue to meet annually, or more often 

as needed to: 

Review all plant and habitat abundance and distribution data and any relevant 

circumstances; 

Review all OHV and other recreational use compliance monitoring data; 

Evaluate this information and determine whether current accepted risk thresholds 

have been exceeded; 

Develop any needed recommendations for managers; 

Generally evaluate CCMA Plan implementation, management strategy 

effectiveness, monitoring programs, and listed species risk thresholds; 

Determine whether either the BLM and/or the FWS believe there is any reason to 

reinitiate consultation under section 7 of the ESA. 

Determine whether downlisting or delisting is appropriate. 

4. Erosion process studies and control strategies: Develop additional strategies to study, more fully 

understand, and manage soil erosion as it affects CABE habitats. 

2.4.6.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B and C 

SSS-BC1. Maintain all known special status species habitat. Implement revised Compliance and 

Monitoring Plan identified above under SSS-A18 and SSS-A19. 

SSS-BC2. Prohibit collection of special status species, except for scientific research or Native American 

traditional use. 

SSS-BC3. Protect ponds, wetlands, or riparian areas known to support or that could potentially support 

California tiger salamander or yellow-legged frog to maintain natural corridors between pools/wetlands 

and upland habitat so that continuous native plant coverage allows adequate movement of these species. 
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SSS-BC4. Avoid disturbance, including road construction and recreation activities, within a one-mile 

radius of nesting sites (and a 0.5 mile radius of roosting sites) of the California condor, eagles, and prairie 

falcons. 

2.4.6.4 Management Actions Common to Alternatives D, E, and F 

SSS-DEF1. Adopt the BLM’s Compliance Monitoring Plan outlined in Appendix IV for existing CABE 

habitat and populations. 

SSS-DEF2. Mitigate or relocate surface-disturbing activities proposed within occupied or potential 

habitat for special status species. 

2.4.6.5 Management Actions for Alternative G 

SSS-G1. Adopt the BLM’s Compliance Monitoring Plan outlined in Appendix IV for existing CABE

habitat and populations. 

SSS-G2. Limit proposed new surface-disturbing activities within occupied or potential habitat for special 

status species. Limit long-term disturbances in potential habitat. 

SSS-G3. Conduct restoration projects in closed areas that disturb or interrupt hydrologic and/or 

ecological processes to support special status species and significant plant communities. 

2.4.7 Air Quality 

2.4.7.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for air quality management is to ensure that BLM authorizations and management activities 

comply with local, State, and Federal air quality regulations, requirements, State Implementation Plans, 

and Regional Air Board standards and goals. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage prescribed fires to comply with established air quality standards; 

Manage energy and mineral development to avoid degradation of established air quality 

standards; and 

Coordinate with Regional Air Quality Control Districts on resource management activities to 

ensure consistency with State air basin plans. 

2.4.7.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

AIR-A1. The current management strategy for the CCMA is to comply with State and Federal air quality 

regulations. Specifically, management actions maintain compliance with: 

(1) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) primary standards for sulfur dioxide, 

nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead (40 CFR 50); 

(2) NAAQS secondary standards (40 CFR 50); and 

(3) The California State Implementation Plan and the California Air Pollution Control Laws 

(California Health and Safety Code §39606). 
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AIR-A2. Rely on existing methods of predicting impacts on air quality from prescribed fire projects on 

BLM-administered lands. Existing methods use modeling software that supports wildland firemanagement planning and implementation. Examples of such software are: 

CALPUFF – A three-dimensional model designed to predict ground level concentrations of 

particulate matter and gaseous pollutants from multiple sources in complex terrain. 

NPSPUFF – A smoke-dispersal model developed in Region 6 that models smoke plume dispersion 

and concentrations of pollutants (particulate matter and other pollutants) from prescribed and 

wildland fires. 

RXBURN/RXWEATHER – Analyzes and assesses burn prescriptions. 

SASEM – An emission and plume dispersion model that predicts ground-level particulate matter and 

visibility impacts from prescribed burning of forest and range vegetation in relatively flat terrain 

in the Western United States. 

SMOKE – A smoke prediction system that determines the volume of smoke. 

TSAR3 – A three-part smoke dispersion prediction program. Each part can be used independently or 

together. 

AIR-A3. Abate dust during project implementation to maintain ambient air levels for toxic air 

contaminants and naturally occurring asbestos. 

AIR-A4. Use water trucks to spray roads and other areas during project implementation to avoid visible 

dust emissions in the Serpentine ACEC. 

AIR-A5. Comply with all provisions of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Airborne Toxic 

Control Measures (ATCM) regulation for control of airborne asbestos emissions relating to construction, 

road maintenance, and grading activities. 

2.4.7.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

AIR-BG1. Incorporate mitigation measures in Appendix V for activities and projects on BLM lands in 

order to reduce airborne asbestos emissions and comply with applicable Federal, State, and local air 

quality regulations. 

AIR-BG2. Manage motorized vehicle travel on dirt roads to minimize air pollution from dust and 

exhaust by restricting vehicle types and seasons when vehicles could be used. 

AIR-BG3. Manage prescribed fire to minimize smoke and coordinate with Federal, State, and local 

governments in smoke-sensitive areas such as wildland-urban interface areas. 

2.4.8 Soil Resources 

2.4.8.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for soil resources management is to manage soil on BLM lands such that functional biological 

and physical characteristics that are appropriate to soil type, climate, and land form are exhibited 

(Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines, 2000). 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 
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Control erosion and sediment transport; 

Implement soil loss assessment procedures for road and trail maintenance; 

Implement BMPs for non-point source pollution control; 

Maintain vegetation cover at or above the level necessary to stabilize soils; and 

Protect and restore biological soil crusts on watersheds. 

2.4.8.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

SOIL-A1. Use check dams or other erosion control structures, where practical, to decrease soil erosion 

resulting from management actions. 

SOIL-A2. Do not allow surface disturbance, e.g., no road or fire line construction, on slopes in excess of 

50 percent. 

SOIL-A3. Close roads to vehicle use during periods of extreme wet weather in areas where sustained 

vehicle use may compromise the integrity of the road surface, to reduce rutting of roads and trails and 

sediment transfer, and to improve visitor safety. 

Wet season closure procedures would be implemented after the annual total precipitation exceeds 8 

inches. Once 8 inches of precipitation has been exceeded, the following will apply: Additional rainfall 

exceeding 1⁄2 inch within a 24 hour period or 1 inch within a 72 hour period will result in a three day 

closure. Once the area has been closed a field inspection will be completed prior to reopening, and daily 

thereafter to determine suitability of road conditions. 

SOIL-A4. Control, plan, and design all surface-disturbing activities to minimize erosion. 

SOIL-A5. Perform brush crushing, “high-blading,” and/or fireline construction (mechanical pre-burn site 

preparation) when soil and fuel moisture levels are low enough to prevent undue surface (soil) 

disturbance and to maximize pretreatment objectives. 

SOIL-A6. Recurring corrective maintenance on county and/or administrative routes will be implemented 

annually as appropriate. Corrective maintenance will also be completed on technical 4WD and 2-track 

routes as needed with a goal of defining a 3-5 year maintenance cycle for the whole route network. 

SOIL-A7. Install erosion control structures over the main route network within 3-5 years, and complete 

an evaluation and project plan for implementing appropriate drainage structures on the remainder of the 

routes in the CCMA. 

SOIL-A8. Open or limited routes may be closed temporarily if necessary according to soil loss 

assessment, resource impacts, or required maintenance. Emergency limitations or closures are not OHV 

designations, but remain in effect until the adverse effects are eliminated, measures are in place to prevent 

their recurrence, or revised OHV designations are adopted (43 CFR 8341.2). 

SOIL-A9. Maintain and update the Access database structure for route inventory, soil loss and erosion, 

maintenance, and monitoring to evaluate conformity with California State soil loss standards. Annual 

updates would be incorporated as route work and monitoring are completed. 

SOIL-A10. Prioritize designated ‘closed’ routes for restoration and reclamation to allow them return to a 

natural state. 
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SOIL-A11. Prioritize designated ‘closed’ barrens for restoration and reclamation to minimize off-site 

sediment transport from barren areas through repair of erosion scars, construction of drainage 

improvements, sediment control and trapping treatments, and re-vegetation of vegetative buffers. 

2.4.8.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

SOIL-BG1. Establish remote automated weather stations (RAWS) or apply the use of other available 

technologies in order to monitor precipitation and soil moisture content in CCMA. 

SOIL-BG2. Require an approved erosion control strategy and topsoil segregation/restoration plan for 

proposals involving surface disturbance on slopes of 20 to 40 percent. No surface disturbance on slopes 

greater than 40 percent would be allowed unless it is determined that it would cause a greater impact to 

pursue other alternatives. 

SOIL-BG3. Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to barrens restoration/ management 

outlined in Appendix V. 

2.4.9 Water Resources 

2.4.9.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for water resources management are to (1) maintain, restore, or improve water quality and 

quantity to sustain the designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and (2) ensure that surface and 

groundwater quality comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and with California State standards. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain the existing quality and beneficial uses of water, protect waters where they are 

threatened, and restore currently degraded waters. This objective is of even higher priority in the 

following situations: 

o Where the beneficial uses of water bodies have been listed as threatened or impaired 

pursuant to Section 303(d) of the CWA; 

o Where aquatic habitat is present or has been present for Federal threatened or 

endangered species, candidate species, and other special status species dependent on 

water resources; and 

o In water resource-sensitive areas such as riparian or wetland areas. 

Protect all designated beneficial uses by preventing or limiting non-point source pollution. 

2.4.9.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

WAT-A1. Implement BMPs outlined in Appendix V for watershed management and restoration, 

including but not limited to the following: 

 Install erosion control structures to decrease erosion resulting from public recreation activities. 

 Install additional vehicle barriers to control access to riparian corridors and sensitive watershed 

areas. 

 Stabilize/rehabilitate severely eroding trails, hill climbs and naturally barren areas in CCMA with 

rock walls, rock armoring of stream crossings, contour trenching, gully plugs, and water 

diversions. 
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 Continue a regular planned maintenance program for major routes and trails in the Clear Creek 

Management area (e.g., waterbar construction and outsloping). 

 Implement barren area management and restoration activities outlined in Appendix V. 

WAT-A2. Obtain California Department of Fish and Game permits and Clean Water Act Section 404 

permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for stream alteration and watershed BMPs as necessary 

and appropriate. 

WAT-A3. File for State appropriative water rights for all existing and any new surface water facilities on 

which any Federal funding has been expended in the development, construction, or maintenance of the 

water facility. 

WAT-A4. File either solely in the name of the BLM or as a co-holder with the permittee or lessee 

making beneficial use of the water. Assert Federal reserved water rights for the amounts and uses 

necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the lands have been withdrawn. 

WAT-A5. Allow private individuals to appropriate un-appropriated water on unreserved lands for use on 

or off the public lands. The appropriation must be in accordance with state laws and consistent with 

multiple use management of the public lands. Private individuals may also use reserved water when water 

is available and the proposed use is compatible with the purposes of the reservation and other multiple use 

management guidelines. Rights-of-way are necessary when water from any source is conveyed across 

public land. 

WAT-A6. Conduct regular maintenance of roads and trails, including silt catchments, out sloping, and 

contouring to reduce impacts on water resources. 

WAT-A7. Maintain or enhance water quality in all watersheds. Reduce erosion and sediment transport 

in all CCMA watersheds by reducing the number of miles and barren acreage available for vehicle use, 

and by implementing BMP's for all road work. 

2.4.9.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

WAT-BG1. Implement BMPs related to watershed restoration/ management outlined in Appendix V to 

prevent degradation of water quality. 

WAT-BG2. Maintain existing developed water sources (i.e., spring developments and reservoirs). 

Develop new sources on a case-by-case basis through project-level planning. 

WAT-BG3. Maintain adjudicated water rights; inventory water sources not adjudicated or water rights 

sought, where applicable. 

WAT-BG4. Submit request to the California State Department of Water Resources to establish Federal 

reserved water rights on acquired lands to ensure water availability for multiple use management and for 

functioning, healthy, riparian and upland systems. 

WAT-BG5. Manage CWA 303(d)-listed impaired water bodies to meet properly functioning condition 

(PFC) objectives relative to beneficial uses and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for mercury and 

sediment. 

WAT-BG6. Maintain stable watershed conditions and implement passive and active restoration projects 

to protect beneficial uses of water and meet TMDLs for mercury and sediment. 
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WAT-BG7. Work with Coordinated Resource Management Planning groups and other private 

landowners or non-profit organizations to prevent water bodies from reaching impairment levels that 

would result in listing under CWA 303(d). 

WAT-BG8. Periodically monitor water quality in seasonal pools and perennial ponds containing known 

or suspected threatened and endangered (T & E) species. Identify water quality issues and initiate repairs, 

within environmental constraints. 

WAT-BG9. Manage all fluvial systems functioning at risk to achieve proper functioning condition. 

2.4.10 Special Designations 

2.4.10.1 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) /Research Natural Areas 

(RNAs) 

The goals for ACECs and RNAs are to identify and manage ACECs and RNAs to protect and prevent 

irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other 

natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage the Serpentine ACEC to reduce human health risks in areas with high concentrations of 

asbestos fibers by limiting use that 

o creates high levels of asbestos emissions, 

o creates increased opportunity for human exposure to asbestos, and 

o creates need for intense management presence and infrastructure in the ACEC. 

Manage the Serpentine ACEC to protect special status species associated with the serpentine soils 

of the New Idria Formation 

Manage the San Benito Mountain RNA for the unique forest assemblage and scientific research 

and educational opportunities. 

2.4.10.1.1 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

ACEC-A1. Designate the area of serpentine soils high in asbestos fiber and the Clear Creek watershed as 

the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC (30,000 acres). Maintain 4,147-acre designation of the San Benito 

Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA). 

ACEC-A2. Manage the Serpentine ACEC for public health and safety and the RNA for its unique forest 

assemblage and associated values. 

ACEC-A3. Intensify the current asbestos awareness program through signing, pamphlets, and individual 

user contacts. 

ACEC-A4. Continue monitoring programs assessing sedimentation in the Clear Creek drainage from 

OHVs, mining, and other activities. Identify and prioritize areas requiring further protection and/or 

stabilization. 

ACEC-A5. Asbestos Hazard 

Provide a vehicle washing facility (wash rack) at the main entrance to Clear Creek. 
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Provide asbestos hazard pamphlet/brochure to Central California motorcycle shops, 

sporting goods stores, etc. Issue news releases highlighting the area’s asbestos hazard at 

least twice annually. Provide asbestos warning signs at all roads and trails entering the 

serpentine area. 

Prohibit organized events June 1st through October 15th. 

Designate asbestos mine areas as closed to motorized vehicle use. Access for mining 

operations would be granted under 43 CFR 3809 Plans of Operation (see Energy and 

Minerals).

Post boundaries of asbestos mining areas as closed to OHV.

Continue providing information on the asbestos hazard by distributing the CCMA map 

and other hand-out materials. 

Dust suppressant – Application will be evaluated for continued use on an annual or semiannual basis using treatments described in Appendix V. 

ACEC-A6. Restrict seasonal activities to minimize vehicle traffic, noise, etc. during sensitive periods 

such as denning, nesting, etc. 

ACEC-A7. Provide formal programs to increase employee, including contactor, awareness of cultural 

resources and local wildlife concerns, emphasizing unique habitat features and values. 

ACEC-A8. No surface occupancy (NSO) in occupied or critical habitat for special status species. 

ACEC-A9. Adopt the Interim RNA Management Plan, as described in 2006 Record of Decision for the 

CCMA RMP Amendment and Route Designation (ROD). 

This plan outlines the prescriptions that will permit natural processes to continue without 

interference. It will also determine what characteristics of the habitat are important and what 

management response will be to changes in these characteristics, along with monitoring 

requirements, and specifying resource use limitations. It is important to avoid impacting these 

areas in ways which could adversely affect the natural, scenic, or ecological values for which the 

RNA was established. 

2.4.10.1.2 ACEC/RNA Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

ACEC-BG1. Maintain the area of serpentine soils high in asbestos fiber and the Clear Creek watershed 

as the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC (30,000 acres). Maintain 4,147-acre designation of the San Benito 

Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA). 

ACEC-BG2. Manage the Serpentine ACEC for public health and safety, special status species, and 

cultural, historic, and scenic values. Manage the San Benito Mountain RNA for its unique forest 

assemblage and the associated scientific research and educational values. 

ACEC-BG3. Adopt the San Benito Mountain RNA Management Plan described in Appendix III. 

ACEC-BG4. Develop stipulations for scientific research and collection in concert with individuals and 

institutions involved. 

ACEC-BG5. Establish appropriate guidelines that protect special status species habitat from surface 

disturbing activities. 
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2.4.10.2 Wilderness Study Areas 

The goal for managing Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) is to manage these areas consistent with the 

Wilderness Act of 1964, as applicable. More specific management direction can be found in 3 CFR 6300. 

BLM is required to manage WSAs consistent with Section 603 of the FLPMA and the Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (H-8550-1) until Congress designates the areas 

as wilderness or releases them from the Section 603 FLPMA provision. If the areas are released, they 

would be managed consistent with the provisions within the RMP. 

The goal for managing Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWCs) is to emphasize other multiple 

uses while applying management restrictions (conditions of use, mitigation measures) to reduce impacts 

to wilderness characteristics. Management of LWCs is part of BLM’s multiple use mandate. Lands 

within the CCMA were inventoried in 2011 in accordance with IM 2011-154 to identify public lands 

with wilderness characteristics such as naturalness, opportunities for solitude, primitive and unconfined 

recreation, and other associated qualities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage existing WSAs in conformance with the Interim Management Policy for Lands Under 

Wilderness Review. 

2.4.10.2.1 Management Actions Common to All Alternatives (A-G)

WILD-AG1. Manage WSAs under the Interim Management Policy (H-8550-1) until Congress 

designates wilderness areas or until non-suitable WSAs are released.

WILD-AG2. Manage the 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain WSA consistent with the goals and objectives 

and the resource management actions for the Serpentine ACEC and the San Benito Mountain RNA 

described in this RMP/EIS, if the area is released from WSA status by Congress. 

WILD-AG3. Conduct necessary maintenance of routes through the area to enhance overall wilderness 

quality by minimizing route-related impacts to the sensitive resources inside the SBMRNA/WSA. Areas 

along the roadways near the WSA will be rehabilitated using the best management practices outlined in 

Appendix V. 

2.4.10.3 Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Pursuant to BLM Manual 8351 – Wild and Scenic Rivers – Policy and Program Direction for 

Identification, Evaluation and Management, the BLM evaluates identified river segments for their 

eligibility and suitability for Wild and Scenic River designation through its RMP process. The criteria 

and information upon which WSR river eligibility and suitability determinations are based are included in 

Appendix VI. Only Congress can designate Wild and Scenic Rivers to be included in the National Wild 

and Scenic River System (NWSRS). 

2.4.10.3.1 Management Actions Common to All Alternatives (A-G)

WSR-AG1. None of the river and stream segments on BLM public lands in CCMA were determined to 

be eligible and suitable for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River System. Therefore, BLM recommends 

that none of the rivers and streams identified in Appendix VI be included in the NWSRS. 
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2.4.10.4 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics 

The goal for managing Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWCs) is to emphasize other multiple 

uses while applying management restrictions (conditions of use, mitigation measures) to reduce impacts 

to wilderness characteristics. Management of LWCs is part of BLM’s multiple use mandate. Lands 

within the CCMA were inventoried in 2011 in accordance with IM 2011-154 to identify public lands 

with wilderness characteristics such as naturalness, opportunities for solitude, primitive and unconfined 

recreation, and other associated qualities. 

2.4.10.4.1 Management Actions Common to Alternatives A, B, C, and D 

LWC-AD1. None of the 5,070 acres of lands inventoried for wilderness characteristics in the Cantua 

Zone would be managed for protection of wilderness characteristics. 

2.4.10.4.2 Management Actions Common to Alternatives E and F 

LWC-EF1. Manage the 5,070 acres of lands inventoried for wilderness characteristics in the Cantua 

Zone to emphasize primitive, non-motorized recreation opportunities. Design, construct, and maintain 

routes and trails in the area to enhance primitive recreation experience by minimizing route-related 

impacts to solitude, naturalness, and other special features. 

2.4.10.4.3 Management Actions Under Alternative G 

LWC-G1. All the 5,070 acres of lands inventoried for wilderness characteristics in the Cantua Zone 

would be managed for protection of wilderness characteristics. Other land use decisions to protect lands 

with wilderness characteristics include designating the area “closed” to vehicle use and locatable mineral 

entry, unavailable for mineral leasing and sales, and an exclusion area for renewable energy. 

2.4.11 Livestock Grazing 

2.4.11.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for livestock grazing management are to (1) provide for a sustainable level of livestock grazing 

consistent with other resource objectives, (2) identify lands and forage available for livestock grazing, and 

(3) achieve the standards and implement guidelines for rangeland health as outlined in the Rangeland 

Health Standards and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management (BLM 2000) for Central California 

(hereafter referred to as the Standards and Guidelines). 

2.4.11.2 Management Actions Common to Alternatives A through E 

RANG-AE1. Make public acres and animal unit months (AUMs) available for livestock grazing as 

summarized in Table 2.4-7. 

RANG-AE2. Ensure that levels and duration of rest or deferment after a wildfire are consistent with site 

characteristics, ecological site descriptions, land management objectives, short-term emergency 

stabilization, and rehabilitation objectives such as rehabilitating the desired plant community. 

RANG-AE3. In order to meet physiological requirements of key plant species or to meet other resource 

objectives, control the intensity, duration, and timing of grazing and/or provide for periodic deferment 

and/or rest where livestock grazing is limiting the achievement of multiple use objectives. 
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RANG-AE4. Conduct interdisciplinary rangeland health assessments on all grazing allotments to 

evaluate conformance with the Standards and Guidelines. 

RANG-AE5. If new information demonstrates that livestock grazing within a particular allotment is not 

compatible with conservation or preservation of endangered, threatened, candidate, or special status 

species, these lands would become unavailable for livestock grazing. 

RANG-AE6. When evaluation of rangeland health assessments determines that exclusion of livestock 

grazing is necessary to meet the resource objectives (i.e., cultural or historical resources protection, 

geologically unstable area protection, sensitive plant or animal areas, intensive recreational use areas, 

etc.), these lands would become unavailable for livestock grazing. 

RANG-AE7. Where possible, fence spring developments to prevent trampling by livestock. 

RANG-AE8. Cancel forage allocations on grazing allotments and make lands unavailable if lands are 

disposed of through exchange or sale or are devoted to another purpose. 

RANG-AE9. Allow prescribed burning for rangeland improvement to prevent vegetative conversion 

(i.e., chaparral or juniper encroachment into annual grasslands or oak savannahs). 

RANG-AE10. Develop allotment management plans to bring allotments not meeting the Standards and 

Guidelines due to current livestock grazing management into compliance. 

RANG-AE11. Allow grazing on newly acquired land inside of allotments not in compliance with the 

Standards and Guidelines where current livestock grazing management is not the cause. 

RANG-AE12. Allow grazing on allotments not in compliance with the Standards and Guidelines where 

current livestock grazing management is determined as not being the cause of noncompliance. 

2.4.11.3 Management Actions for Alternative F 

RANG-F1. Same as RANG-AF2 through RANG-AF12 and modify existing lease boundaries to exclude 

grazing in the Serpentine ACEC. Make public acres and animal unit months (AUMs) available for 

livestock grazing as summarized in Table 2.4-8 

2.4.11.4 Management Actions for Alternative G 

RANG-G1. Modify existing leases and allotment boundaries to exclude grazing on all BLMadministered lands in CCMA. 
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Table 2.4-7 Livestock Grazing Summary for Alternatives A - E 

Allotment 

Number Allotment Name Mgmt Zone 5

Public 

Acres

Public 

AUMs 1

Livestock 

Class 2

Period 

Begin 

Date

Period 

End 

Date

4301 Akers 4SBR 368 69 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4308 Birdwell, Perry W 4S, CON 1,389 72 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

Birdwell Addition3,4 447 5

4319 Lewis Flat 4SBR 190 19 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4352 Willow Spring SBR 940 80 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4359 Quarter Circle A-1 3S, CON 3,348 155 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4374 Joaquin Rocks 4 CON 3,568 275 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

Joaquin Rocks Addition 3,619 210

4379 Upper Los Gatos Crk. 3S, CON 4,317 1,036 Y 1-Jan 31-May

4398 Adobe 4 CAN 2,124 162 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4401 Williamson CON 1,920 126 C 15-Feb 15-Aug

4409 Bar B Ranch T 1,957 129 Y 1-Mar 28-Feb

4410 Hernandez Ranch 3S, T 2,823 159 Y 1-Mar 28-Feb

4411 Ashurst Ranch 3,4 S, T 12,246 2,104 Y 1-Dec 30-Apr

Ashurst Ranch Addition 160 0

4414 Diamond A 4 CAN 7,254 1,804 Y 1-Dec 30-Apr

Diamond A Addition 10,523 1,110

4418 Goat Mountain 3,4 S, SBR 440 32 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

14 TOTALS 57,633 7,547

1

 AUM (Animal Unit Month) = one cow + one calf. 

2

 Livestock Class: C = cattle, Y = yearling. 

3

 Includes public lands within HAA. 

4

 Includes public lands outside of CCMA. 

5 Management Zone: S = Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC, T = Tucker, CON = Condon, CAN = Cantua, 

 SBR = San Benito River. 
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Table 2.4-8 Livestock Grazing Summary for Alternative F 

Allotment 

Number Allotment Name Mgt Zone 5

Public 

Acres

Public 

AUMs 1

Livestock

Class 2

Period 

Begin 

Date

Period 

End 

Date

4301 Akers 4

SBR 368 69 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4308 Birdwell, Perry W 3,4 S, 

CON 1,389 72 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

Birdwell Addition 4432 5

4319 Lewis Flat 4

SBR 190 19 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4352 Willow Spring SBR 940 80 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4359 Quarter Circle A-1 3 S, 

CON 3,329 155 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4374 Joaquin Rocks 4 CON 3,568 275 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

Joaquin Rocks Addition 43,619 210

4379 Upper Los Gatos Crk. 3 S, 

CON 4,183 1,019 Y 1-Jan 31-May

4398 Adobe 4 CAN 2,124 162 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4401 Williamson CON 1,920 126 C 15-Feb 15-Aug

4409 Bar B Ranch T 1,957 129 Y 1-Mar 28-Feb

4410 Hernandez Ranch 3

S, T 2,470 145 Y 1-Mar 28-Feb

4411 Ashurst Ranch 3,4 S, T 11,135 2,078 Y 1-Dec 30-Apr

Ashurst Ranch Addition 160 0

4414 Diamond A 4 CAN 7,254 1,804 Y 1-Dec 30-Apr

Diamond A Addition 410,523 1,110

4418 Goat Mountain 3,4 S, SBR 87 7C 1-Mar 28-Feb

14 TOTALS 55,647 7,465

1

 AUM (Animal Unit Month) = one cow + one calf. 

2

 Livestock Class: C = cattle, Y = yearling. 

3

 Includes public lands within HAA. 

4

 Includes public lands outside of CCMA. 

5 Management Zone: S = Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC, T = Tucker, CON = Condon, CAN = Cantua, 

 SBR = San Benito River. 
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2.4.12 Energy and Minerals 

2.4.12.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for energy and mineral resource management is to allow development of energy and mineral 

resources to meet the demand for energy and mineral production while protecting natural and cultural 

resources in the area. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Balance responsible mineral resource development with the protection of other resource values. 

Provide opportunities for mineral exploration and development under the mining and mineral 

leasing laws. 

Provide mineral materials needed for community and economic purposes. 

2.4.12.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

ENERG-A1. Consider minerals exploration, development, and production within environmental and 

multiple-use management constraints. Withdrawals would be initiated to affect locatable mineral 

segregations on specified lands. 

ENERG-A2. Seek a protective withdrawal for Clear Creek Canyon (1,031 acres) and the San Benito 

Mountain RNA (4,147 acres) from locatable mineral entry. 

ENERG-A3. Consider mineral and geothermal exploration and development in other CCMA locations 

on a case-by-case basis. 

ENERG-A4. Allow oil and gas exploration and development within environmental constraints to protect 

special status species and paleontological resources. 

ENERG-A5. Make public lands available for orderly and efficient development of mineral and energy 

resources under principles of balanced multiple-use management. 

2.4.12.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B and C 

ENERG-BC1. Close WSAs to mineral leasing and sales and to locatable mineral activities that require 

reclamation or degrade wilderness values 

ENERG-BC2. Make WSAs exclusion areas for wind energy development. Make all other areas available 

for wind energy development consideration, subject to the BMPs outlined in Appendix VII. 

ENERG-BC3. Require No Surface Occupancy stipulations on all recreation and public purposes (R&PP) 

lease areas. 

ENERG-BC4. Make available all remaining BLM public lands for energy and mineral development, 

unless withdrawn or otherwise noted. 

ENERG-BC5. Consider energy and minerals exploration, development, and production within 

environmental and multiple-use management constraints. 
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2.4.12.4 Management Actions Common to Alternatives D, E, and F 

ENERG-DEF1. Allow no mineral leasing or sales on public lands in the Serpentine ACEC. Withdraw 

the entire 30,000-acre ACEC from locatable mineral entry. 

ENERG-DEF2. Allow mineral leasing or sales on public lands outside the ACEC, and stipulate that “No 

Surface Occupancy” is allowed on oil and gas leases on all BLM lands with occupied special status 

species habitat. 

ENERG-DEF3. Make the Serpentine ACEC an exclusion area for renewable energy development. Make 

all other Zones available for wind energy development consideration, subject to the BMPs outlined in 

Appendix VII. 

2.4.12.5 Management Actions for Alternative G 

ENERG-G1. Prohibit mineral leasing or sales, and pursue mineral withdrawal on all BLM-administered 

lands and split-estate throughout the entire CCMA (66,500 acres). 

ENERG-G2. CCMA would be an exclusion area for renewable energy development. 

Table 2.4-10 summarizes the acres of land available/unavailable for leasable mineral entry and 

open/closed for salable mineral entry for each alternative. It also identifies acres of land open or closed to 

locatable mineral entry (i.e. 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain WSA). 

Table 2.4-10 Summary of Energy and Mineral Development by Alternative (Acres) 

Type of 

Entry Status Alternative A Alternatives B & C

Alternatives 

D,E,F Alternative G

Leasable Available 61,400 65,000 36,500 0

Unavailable 5,100 1,500 30,000 66,500

Salable Available 65,000 65,000 36,500 0

Unavailable 1,500 1,500 30,000 66,500

Locatable Open 36,500 65,000 36,500 0

Closed 5,100 1,500 30,000 66,500

Renewable Available 65,000 65,000 36,500 0

Unavailable 1,500 1,500 30,000 66,500

Note: Calculations based on 63,000 acres of BLM-managed lands, plus 3,500 acres of “split-estate”.
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2.4.13 Cultural Resources 

2.4.13.1 Goals and Objectives 

According to BLM policy (DM 8130.23), all RMPs will include the following two primary goals for 

cultural resources management: 

Preserve and protect significant cultural resources and ensure that they are available for 

appropriate uses by present and future generations (per FLPMA Sec. 103(c), 201(a), 202(c); 

NHPA Sec. 110(a); ARPA Sec. 14(a)).

Seek to reduce imminent threats and resolve potential conflicts on cultural resources, from natural 

or human-caused deterioration, or from other resource uses (per FLPMA Sec 103(c), NHPA Sec. 

106; 110(a)(2)). 

Cultural resources management by the BLM is viewed as an integrated system of identifying and 

evaluating cultural resources, deciding on their appropriate use(s), and administering them according to 

cultural resource law and policy. The primary objectives for this integrated management system are: 

Respond in a legally sufficient and professional manner concerning historic preservation and 

cultural resource protection; 

Recognize the potential public and scientific uses of cultural resources on the public lands, and 

manage the lands and cultural resources so that these uses and values are not diminished but 

rather are maintained and enhanced. 

Ensure that proposed land uses, initiated or authorized by BLM, avoid inadvertent damage to 

Federal and non-Federal cultural resources. 

To achieve the primary goals and objectives for cultural resources management by the BLM, the 

following methods are applicable: 

Protect “at-risk” archeological or other cultural resources, including prehistoric and historic sites, 

using the BMPs available with physical (“on-the-ground”) and/or administrative methods to 

achieve improved site stabilization, protection, or health; 

Utilize a variety of heritage education programs that promote the public stewardship of cultural 

resources, including but not limited to conventional outreach efforts, and participate in the 

following programs: 

 California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program (CASSP) and the California 

Indian Site Stewardship program, which provide training for volunteer site stewards for 

site monitoring, protection, and enhancement); 

 Cooperative Stewardship, which involves the BLM and the California Office of 

Historic Preservation (OHP) in interpretive outreach efforts with involvement from 

tribes and educational institutions; 

 Professional and Avocational Societies, in which the BLM attends meetings and 

conferences to enhance public outreach, education goals, and increase awareness of 
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BLM’s cultural resource management programs and to support avocational societies 

to advance cooperative efforts in public outreach and education; and 

 Archeological and Cultural Awareness Program (ACAP), wherein BLM partners with 

tribes and other Federal and State agencies to conduct evaluations and enhancement 

projects using volunteers. 

Evaluate and manage all cultural resource properties appropriately using the Use Allocation and 

Desired Outcome management criteria for cultural resources in Table 2.4-11: 

Table 2.4-11 Cultural Resource Use Allocations and Desired Outcomes 

Use Allocation Desired Outcome

Scientific use Preserved until research potential is realized

Conservation for future use Preserved until conditions for use are met

Traditional use Long-term preservation

Public use Long-term preservation, on-site interpretation 

Experimental use Protected until used 

Discharged from management No use after recordation; not preserved 

2.4.13.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

CULT-A1. Protect cultural resources (ex. archeological sites) as needed through the use of road closures, 

fences, barriers, or other management strategies. 

CULT-A2. Conduct data retrieval (excavations) at specific archeological sites as needed to mitigate 

unauthorized excavation/vandalism. 

CULT-A3. Work with research institutions to the extent possible for improved cultural resources 

management, including data retrieval. 

CULT-A4. Before implementation of surface-disturbing projects, including range developments and 

vegetation manipulations, evaluate cultural resource potential and avoid adverse impacts to National 

Register-eligible sites when feasible. 

CULT-A5. Protect archeological sites in the White Creek Archeological District by maintaining the 

closed route designation for White Creek Road. 

CULT-A6. Initiate data retrieval at archeological site CA-Fre-1340 per the 1986 Clear Creek 

Management Plan and Decision Record; working with research institutions to the extent possible. 

CULT-A7. Ensure access for Native American traditional uses. 

CULT-A8. Maintain the archeological site monitoring program for cultural resources “at-risk.”
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2.4.13.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B, C, and D 

CULT-BCD1. Increase physical protection for archeological sites and other cultural resources with the 

BMPs available. 

CULT-BCD2. Increase scope of archeological site monitoring program with volunteers and Law 

Enforcement Officers and Park Ranger patrols at archeological sites or other cultural resources as needed; 

monitor all known prehistoric archeological sites, historic site areas, and potential Native American 

traditional use areas for impacts. 

2.4.13.4 Management Actions Common to Alternatives E, F, and G 

CULT-EFG1. Promote research opportunities with academic, professional, and avocational institutions 

for anthropological, archeological, ethnographic, or historic use studies to improve local and regional 

cultural resources management. 

CULT-EFG2. Maintain access and promote traditional uses of the CCMA by the Native American and 

California Indian community; work in coordination with tribal communities, groups, and individuals to 

address issues. 

2.4.14 Paleontological Resources 

2.4.14.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for paleontological resources are to (1) preserve, protect and manage vertebrate, noteworthy 

invertebrate, and plant paleontological resources in accordance with existing laws and regulations for 

current and future generations; (2) facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational, and recreational uses 

of paleontological resources such as research and interpretation; (3) accommodate permit requests for 

scientific research by qualified individuals or institutions; (4) ensure proposed land uses do not destroy or 

damage paleontological resources. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Locate, evaluate, manage and protect, where appropriate, paleontological resources on the public 

lands; 

Facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational, and recreational uses of paleontological resources, 

such as research and interpretation; 

Using predictive modeling, identify significant localities that may be in conflict with other resource 

uses; 

Ensure that proposed land uses, initiated or authorized by BLM, do not inadvertently damage or 

destroy important paleontological resources on public lands; 

Foster public awareness and appreciation of paleontological resources through educational 

outreach programs. 
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2.4.14.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

PALE-A1. Evaluate surface-disturbing activities such as road construction, ground leveling, mining, or 

oil and gas exploration and development for potential adverse impacts to fossil resources; evaluate each 

surface-disturbing action on a case-by-case basis for applicability of protective measures. 

PALE-A2. Maintain a 100-foot buffer around significant paleontological localities for project related 

activities. 

PALE-A3. Install temporary fences along margins of developments to eliminate off-site vehicle impacts 

to undisturbed areas. 

PALE-A4. Relocate proposed development to avoid impacts on significant paleontological localities. 

PALE-A5. Require contract studies if significant paleontological localities cannot be avoided. 

PALE-A6. If natural erosion threatens the integrity of significant fossil resources, stabilize and 

rehabilitate these resources if feasible. 

2.4.14.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B, C, and D 

PALE-BCD1. Establish a 200-foot buffer for project actions around all paleontological sites and 

localities. 

2.4.14.4 Management Actions Common to Alternatives E, F, and G 

PALE-EFG1. Establish a 300-foot buffer for project actions around all paleontological sites and 

localities.

2.4.15 Social and Economic Conditions 

2.4.15.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for social and economic conditions is to manage public lands to provide social and economic 

benefits to local residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Work cooperatively with private and community groups and local tribal governments to provide 

for customary uses consistent with other resource objectives and to sustain or improve local 

economies. 

Maintain and promote the cultural, economic, ecological, and social health of communities 

associated with BLM public lands. 

2.4.15.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

SOCEC-A1. Protect and conserve natural values while allowing for tourism and commodity use of 

natural resources. 

SOCEC-A2. Enhance commodity production consistent with resource management goals and objectives. 
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 2.4.15.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B and C 

SOCEC-BC1. Through cooperative and collaborative processes, make contracts and cooperative 

agreements for services and products available locally when need and conditions permit. 

SOCEC-BC2. Manage natural resources on public lands to enhance tourism, maximize production, and 

attract industry. 

SOCEC-BC3. Advertise existing commodities available for extraction or use. Target services and 

products for competitive contracting to local firms/individuals where legally permitted. 

SOCEC-BC4. Provide for commodity production to the maximum extent allowable under environmental 

restrictions. 

2.4.15.4 Management Actions Common to Alternatives D, E, F, and G 

SOCEC-DG1. Work collaboratively with local populations to emphasize a high level of natural resource 

protection, which contributes to tourism and attracts sustainable commodities industries. 

SOCEC-DG2. Enhance public land resources to provide for sustainable tourism, production, and 

industry. 

SOCEC-DG3. Emphasize sustainable economic operations while protecting the ecological, social, and 

cultural integrity of BLM public lands. 

2.4.16 Visual Resources Management 

2.4.16.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for visual resource management is to manage public land actions and activities in a manner 

consistent with visual resource management (VRM) class objectives. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objective is established: 

1) Protect, maintain, improve, or restore visual resource values by managing all public lands in 

accordance with the VRM system. 

2.4.16.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

VIS-A1. VRM Class IV standards apply to the entire CCMA unless otherwise stated. 

VIS-A2. Actions in the San Benito Mountain WSA and RNA must meet VRM Class I standards. 

VIS-A3. Actions in the Condon Zone must meet VRM Class III standards.

VIS-A4. Limit bulldozer use on wildfires and prescribed burns when/where possible. 
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2.4.16.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B and C 

VIS-BC1. Manage all acquired lands consistent with the VRM classifications on adjacent public lands. 

VIS-BC2. In the event that a river or stream is designated a Wild and Scenic River (WSR) by Congress, 

the WSR would be managed as VRM Class I.

2.4.16.4 Management Actions under Alternative D 

VIS-D1. Actions in the Condon Zone must meet VRM Class IV standards.

2.4.16.5 Management Actions Common to Alternatives E, F, and G 

VIS-EFG1. Actions in the Serpentine ACEC must meet VRM Class II standards.

2.4.17 Fire Management 

2.4.17.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for fire management are to (1) establish a fire management program that is cost-efficient and 

commensurate with threats to life, property, public safety, and resources, (2) use fire to restore and/or 

sustain ecosystem health, (3) cooperate with communities at risk within the wildland-urban interface to 

develop plans for risk reduction, (4) cooperate with regional partners in fire and resource management 

across agency boundaries, and (5) reduce man-made fires, with a special emphasis on reductions in 

developed areas such as communities, campgrounds, and transportation corridors. 

To achieve the goal for fire management, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

A. Wildfire Suppression 

– Provide for firefighter and public safety in all fire-management activities. 

– Provide an appropriate management response for all wildland fires, emphasizing firefighter 

and public safety. Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Special Recreation Management 

Areas (SRMAs), Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), Wild and Scenic River 

(WSR) corridors (study and designated), and certain other public lands will require modified 

suppression techniques to protect the known values. Modified suppression techniques will be 

identified in the Hollister Fire Management Plan (FMP). 

– Limit the intensity of fire suppression efforts to the most economical response consistent with 

the human and resource values that are at risk. 

– Protect sensitive cultural and paleontological resource sites from damage by fire and/or fire 

suppression actions. 

B. Fuels Management 

– Reduce the risk of fire in wildland-urban interface communities. 

– Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire through fuels management. 

– Promote greater diversity within plant communities of the HFO with the use of fire. 

– Use fire as natural land management tool for the control and eradication of noxious weeds. 
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– Use fire as a management tool to improve the ecological condition of the area within HFO 

jurisdiction. 

– Use prescribed burning to reduce the fuel hazard in the chaparral community and for wildlife 

habitat improvement and increased local water yield and watershed enhancement. 

C. Fire Rehabilitation, Stabilization, and Restoration 

– Rehabilitate burned areas to mitigate adverse effects of fire on soils, water, and cultural 

resources and vegetation. 

D. Prevention, Risk Mitigation, and Education 

– Increase the public’s knowledge of fire’s natural role in the ecosystem and the hazards and 

risks associated with living in the wildland-urban interface. 

– Educate the public on fire safety and prevention measures. 

– Work with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) to suppress all 

wildfires involving less than 10 acres 90 percent of the time. 

2.4.17.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

FIRE-A1. Conduct prescribed burns to provide mosaic patterns of vegetation to protect soil, watershed, 

and wildlife. 

FIRE-A2. Conduct range-improvement burning on a 10- to 20-year rotation and fuels reduction burns on 

a 20- to 30-year rotation. For wildfire burns, ideally 5 to 7 percent of an area (45 acres per square mile) 

is burned annually over a 10-year rotation period. However, weather, funding, and scheduling may 

dictate a 20- to 30 percent burn every three to five years. 

FIRE-A3. Maintain consistency with State fire and air pollution laws via DOI regulations and BLM 

policy. Acceptable burn days are determined in coordination with State and local agencies. 

FIRE-A4. Do not allow increases in livestock use in areas where burning for wildlife habitat 

improvement is the primary objective. 

FIRE-A5. Keep prescribed burning during the spring season (April through June) to a minimum. 

FIRE-A6. Use prescribed fire for abatement of yellow starthistle (YST) and medusahead grass annually, 

beginning in June (pending air quality issues and burn plan approval).

FIRE-A7. Brush crushing, "high-blading", and/or fireline construction (mechanical pre-burn site 

preparation) will be performed when soil and fuel moisture levels are low enough to prevent undue 

surface (soil) disturbance and to maximize pretreatment objectives.

FIRE-A8. Prescribe burn approximately 21000 acres of chaparral for fuel hazard reduction [in the 

Tucker Management Zone], as identified in the San Benito County Burn Plan. 

FIRE-A9. Participate in the San Benito County Fire Safe Council to address fire management needs in 

the area. Promote prescribed fire to enhance long-term watershed stability.
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FIRE-A10. In accordance with the BLM “10-Year Prescribed Burn Plan for Fresno and Monterey 

Counties” (1984), 100 acres within the WSA would be burned every two years until the entire area was 

burned in mosaics on about a 15-year cycle. 

FIRE-A11. Prescribe burn to approximately 14000 acres for fuel hazard reduction (in the Condon 

Management Zone), as outlined in the San Benito and Fresno/Monterey County Burn Plans. 

FIRE-A12. Allow the use of fire (action modification and/or prescribed burn) in the SBMRNA to 

promote natural conditions. The use of prescribed burning will be contingent on the strict control of 

motorized access and in consultation with qualified botanists. 

FIRE-A13. Areas burned by wildfire in the RNA will not be reseeded in order to protect endangered 

plant species from introduced competition.

FIRE-A14. Continue and/or implement a rotational program of prescribed burning in the Condon Peak, 

Byles Canyon, San Carlos Bolsa, Sampson Peak and Goat Mountain areas. Burn approximately seven 

percent per year (average) in scattered spots and patches.

FIRE-A15. Where possible, limit the use of heavy equipment (dozers) in sensitive areas. 

FIRE-A16. Implement a modified fire suppression agreement with CDF for the San Benito Mountain 

Natural Area. 

2.4.17.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

FIRE-BG1. Develop and maintain the Hollister Fire Management Plan. 

FIRE-BG2. Identify appropriate management response goals, objectives, and constraints by specific Fire 

Management Units (FMUs) in the Hollister Fire Management Plan (Ref. Fire Map in Appendix I). 

FIRE-BG3. Employ fire prevention strategies that reduce man-made fires, with special emphasis on 

developed areas such as communities, campgrounds, and transportation corridors. 

FIRE-BG4. Develop fuels projects to mimic fire’s natural role to enhance resource values.

FIRE-BG5. Coordinate with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) or 

cooperator fire protection entities to develop appropriate management response actions, as documented in 

the annual operating plan, for wildland fires on or threatening BLM lands. Primary consideration and 

operational emphasis are placed on firefighter and public safety, minimizing the loss of life and damage 

to private property, minimizing environmental damage due to suppression efforts, and considering 

resource values and high value habitat at risk from unwanted wildfire. 

FIRE-BG6. Identify high priority wildfire risk areas (e.g., wildland-urban interface, critical habitats and 

cultural areas). The Hollister Fire Management Plan (FMP) displays the list of values at risk and the 

communities at risk within each FMU. (These lists may change as communities are removed or added 

each year). 

FIRE-BG7. Work collaboratively with Federal, State, Fire Safe Councils, and local partners to develop 

cross boundary fire management strategies and prioritize cross agency fire management actions. 
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FIRE-BG8. Work collaboratively with communities at risk within the wildland-urban interface to 

develop plans for risk reduction. 

FIRE-BG9. Work collaboratively with managing partners to design and implement prescribed fire and 

fuels management projects across agency boundaries where this interaction would improve the overall 

success of the project. 

FIRE-BG10. Limit the use of fire retardant drops to prevent damage to rock art sites and vernal pools 

and associated aquatic species. Keep retardant away from rock outcrops and waterways. 

FIRE-BG11. Establish a fire effects monitoring system that inventories pre-burn species composition 

and resulting post-fire response, over time. 

FIRE-BG12. Monitor fire/fuels treatment effects and adjust the Hollister FMP as needed. 

FIRE-BG13. Implement a chaparral management program within the CCMA to use fire to improve 

wildlife habitat. 

FIRE-BG14. Protect the primitive nature of public lands within the San Benito Mountain WSA from any 

action affecting the overall “naturalness” of the area. 

FIRE-BG15. Prohibit the use of heavy mechanical equipment within the San Benito Mountain WSA. 

This restriction may be lifted by the Field Manager to protect human life, private property, structures, 

visitor safety, or sensitive or valuable resources. 

FIRE-BG16. Develop local or regional “Normal Fire Year Rehabilitation Plans.”

FIRE-BG17. Promote the use of native species in reseedings. 

FIRE-BG18. Monitor rehabilitation efforts to facilitate future planning and implementation. 

2.4.17.4 Target Acres for Fire Management in Alternatives A thru G 

Management actions for prescribed fire and mechanical treatment activities on BLM-administered lands 

in the CCMA under Alternatives A (No Action) through Alternative G are summarized in Tables 

2.4.17-1, 2.4.17-2 and 2.4.17-3. Management actions pertain to prescribed fire and treatment activities on 

BLM-administered lands in the CCMA. 

Table 2.4.17-1 Average Annual Prescribed Fire Target Acres

Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Alternative A – F Alternative G

San Benito Natural Area 0 0

Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC 100 0

Hernandez Valley 125 125

San Joaquin Valley South 100 100

San Joaquin South Continued 1000 1000

Table 2.4.17-2 Decadal Prescribed Fire Target Acres 
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Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Alternative A – F Alternative G

San Benito Natural Area 0 0

Clear Creek Serpentine 

ACEC

1000 0

Hernandez Valley 1,250 1,250

San Joaquin Valley South 1,000 1,000

San Joaquin South Continued 10,000 10,000

Table 2.4.17-3 Decadal Mechanical Treatment Target Acres 

Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Alternative A – F Alternative G

San Benito Natural Area 0 0

Clear Creek Serpentine 

ACEC

1000 0

Hernandez Valley 125 125

San Joaquin Valley South 1,000 1,000

San Joaquin South 

Continued

10,000 10,000

2.4.18 Land and Realty 

2.4.18.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for lands and realty management is to provide lands, interests in land, and authorizations for 

public and private uses while maintaining and improving resource values and public land administration. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Retain, consolidate, and/or acquire land or interest in land with high public resource values for 

effective administration and improvement of resource management; 

Make public land available for disposal that meets the disposal criteria contained in Section 203(a) 

of the FLPMA; 

Meet public, private, and Federal agency needs for realty-related land use authorizations and land 

withdrawals, including those authorizations necessary for wind, solar, biomass, and other forms 

of renewable energy development; 

Acquire legal public or administrative access to public land; and 

Eliminate unauthorized use of public lands. 
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2.4.18.2 Land Tenure Adjustments 

2.4.18.2.1 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

LTEN-A1. All lands not identified for disposal are identified for retention to be considered on a case-bycase basis for exchange or disposal per the FLPMA. Lands identified for retention are considered as 

unsuitable for entry under any of the agricultural land laws because of significant multiple-use values. 

LTEN-A2. Acquire private lands in Sections 16 and 36 (T 18 S., R 12 E.) and private inholdings through 

acquisition or land exchange. Acquisition of private inholdings has priority over acquisition of state 

owned sections. 

LTEN-A3. Acquire, through exchange or purchase, state lands and private inholdings in the Byles 

Canyon/Tucker Mountain, San Carlos Bolsa, as well as the remainder of the management area. 

LTEN-A4. Effect consolidation through exchange. 

LTEN-A5. No lands would be made available for disposal that would compromise the management 

objectives for the management area. 

LTEN-A6. Consolidate public land immediately north of Clear Creek area (Byles Canyon/Tucker 

Mountain area) and in the Laguna Mountain area. 

LTEN-A7. Acquire or exchange lands in accordance with the FLPMA and other applicable Federal laws 

and regulations to ensure more efficient management of the public lands, to reduce conflicts with other 

public and private landowners, and to provide more consistency and logic in land use patterns within the 

Hollister Field Office. 

LTEN-A8. The public lands identified for potential disposal are those that have been screened and 

considered for disposal to promote management efficiency. All public lands within the Planning Area can 

be disposed of if they meet the disposal criteria of FLPMA, other Federal laws and regulations, and would 

not jeopardize management objectives (i.e., disposal would have to be in conformance with the 

management objectives of the plan). Disposal proposals not in conformance would be subject to the 

amendment process. 

2.4.18.2.2 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B and C 

LTEN-BC1. Public lands in the Tucker, Condon, and San Benito River Zones identified on Maps B and 

C in Appendix I would be available for disposal. 

LTEN-BC2. Acquire or exchange lands in accordance with FLPMA and other applicable Federal laws 

and regulations to ensure more efficient management of the public lands, to reduce conflicts with other 

public and private landowners, and to provide more consistency and logic in land use patterns within the 

Hollister Resource Area. 

LTEN-BC3. Acquire lands within special designation areas, including WSAs and ACECs. 

2.4.18.2.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives D 

LTEN-D1. Acquire lands from willing sellers in the Serpentine ACEC, Tucker Mountain area and 

south of CCMA to Coalinga-Los Gatos Road. 
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LTEN-D2. Public lands in the Tucker, Condon, and San Benito River zones would not be available 

for disposal. 

LTEN-D3. Acquisition of private in-holdings with high value for multiple resources including 

important biological resources and recreational opportunities would be the highest priority 

2.4.18.2.4 Management Actions for Alternatives E, F, and G 

LTEN-EFG1. Public lands in the Tucker, Condon, and San Benito River Zones identified on Maps E, F, 

and G in Appendix I would be available for disposal. 

LTEN-EFG2. Acquisition of private in-holdings with high value for multiple resources including 

important biological resources and recreational opportunities would be the highest priority.

LTEN-EFG3. Consider minor boundary adjustments to facilitate management efficiency through sale, 

exchange, or patent (i.e., less than 50 acres).

Table 2.4-13 Acres of public lands available for disposal under each alternative. 

Management Unit Alt. A Alt. B Alt. C Alt. D Alt. E Alt. F Alt. G

Tucker -- 2320 2320 -- 2320 2320 2320

Condon -- 280 280 -- 280 280 280

San Benito River -- 90 90 -- 90 90 90

Total 0 3,300 3,300 0 3,300 3,300 3,300

2.4.18.3 Land Use Authorizations 

2.4.18.3.1 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

LUSE-A1. Maintain existing utility corridors and communication sites on San Benito Mountain, Santa 

Rita Peak, Spanish Lake, Sampson Peak, and Sampson Creek Ridge. 

LUSE-A2. Designate existing utility routes as utility corridors. 

LUSE-A3. Consider requests for rights-of-way or construction of utility sites and related facilities 

outside of designated or established corridors on a case-by-case basis. 

LUSE-A4. Permit commercial filming on a case-by-case basis. 

LUSE-A5. Allow communication sites on a case-by-case basis. 

LUSE-A6. Lands identified for retention are considered as unsuitable for entry under any of the 

agricultural land laws because of significant multiple-use values. 

LUSE-A7. Place special emphasis on resolution of unauthorized uses of public lands. Increase 

coordination with local, State, and other Federal law enforcement agencies. 

LUSE-A8. Maintain consistency with County General Plans and zoning within Department regulations 

and Bureau policy. 
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LUSE-A9. Issue apiary permits on a case-by-case basis.

2.4.18.3.2 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B, C, D, E, and F 

 LUSE-BF1. Lands identified for retention are considered unsuitable for entry under any of the 

agricultural land laws because of significant multiple-use values. 

LUSE-BF2. Place special emphasis on resolution of unauthorized uses of public lands. Increase 

coordination with local, State and other Federal law enforcement agencies. 

LUSE-BF3. Maintain consistency with County General Plans and zoning within Department regulations 

and Bureau policy. 

LUSE-BF4. Permit commercial filming on a case-by-case basis. 

LUSE-BF5. Issue apiary permits on a case-by-case basis. 

LUSE-BF6. Honor valid existing rights and easements that have been acquired through land 

acquisitions. Enter rights-of-way into LR2000 to ensure proper recording. 

LUSE-BF7. Construction of new communication sites in the ACEC will only be authorized at sites with 

existing facilities.

LUSE-BF8. Authorize rights-of-way to provide reasonable access for private landowners in CCMA. 

LUSE-BF9. Construction within the ACEC would be completed based occupational health and safety 

requirements. 

2.4.18.3.3 Management Actions for Alternative G 

LUSE-G1. Stipulate health and safety mitigation measures for existing communication sites and rightsof-way authorizations in the Serpentine ACEC. 

LUSE-G2. Prohibit new rights-of-way and/or communication sites and related facilities in the Serpentine 

ACEC. 
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2.5 Description of the Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) 

The Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) described in Section 2.5 is the BLM’s Preferred Alternative. 

The Proposed Action presented here incorporates guidance provided by numerous laws, mandates, 

policies, and plans. These include the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and BLM 

planning guidance. The management actions identified here place importance on partnerships and 

agreements with landowners, permit holders, and other local and state agencies to manage BLM public 

lands for multiple uses on a sustainable basis while providing adequate protection of public health and the 

environment. The analysis of the environmental consequences, effectiveness of mitigation measures, and 

the feasibility of implementing the Proposed RMP is presented in Chapter 4. 

The purpose and need for the CCMA RMP/EIS is based on the EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and 

Human Health Risk Assessment (2008), which concluded that visiting CCMA more than once per year 

can put adults and children above EPA’s acceptable risk range for exposure to carcinogens and an 

increased long-term cancer risk from engaging in many of the typical recreational activities at the CCMA. 

The Federal government has concluded that all forms of asbestos are hazardous to humans, and that all 

can cause cancer; although the chrysotile form may be less potent than the amphibole family in causing 

mesothelioma (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Asbestos). 

BLM acknowledges that controversy exists regarding the health risks of naturally occurring asbestos; 

however, EPA and other Federal, State, and local agencies whose missions relate directly to public health 

support the BLM’s decision to limit the public’s exposure to asbestos. A large portion of the CCMA has 

been managed for decades as the Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) due to the 

health risk from exposure to asbestos and to emphasize protection other unique values associated with the 

serpentine soils in the area. 

Detailed descriptions of BLM’s proposed resources program management goals, resource condition 

objectives, management actions, and mitigation measures are provided below in Sections 2.5.1 through 

2.5.18. The description of the Proposed RMP is organized by resource program (e.g., air quality, soil 

resources, water resources, etc.). The goals and objectives of each resource program are specified, and 

specific management actions are then presented. The alphanumeric system used to identify management 

actions in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS is used again in this document to assist the reader in comparing the 

Proposed RMP with the range of alternatives presented in Section 2.4.1 – 2.4.18. Alphanumeric 

identifiers that start with the letters A through G represent management actions associated with each 

alternative. 

Table 2.5 (below) provides a summary comparison of the goals, objectives, management actions, and 

allowable uses outlined under current management (i.e. No Action Alternative) in comparison to the 

Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) analyzed in the CCMA PRMP/FEIS. 
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Table 2.5 Comparison of the Current Management “No Action Alternative” and the Proposed RMP/FEIS “Proposed Action”

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Table 2.5 Comparison of the Current Management “No Action Alternative” and the Proposed RMP/FEIS “Proposed Action” (cont.) 

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2.5.1 Recreation 

2.5.1.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for recreation management are to (1) provide a variety of experiences and settings for a 

diversity of users and to meet potential changes in demand while minimizing conflicts with adjacent 

property owners and among user groups; (2) provide a range of recreational use opportunities while 

protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources from human intrusion; (3) promote sharing of ideas, 

resources, and expertise to increase the public’s appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural 

resources on BLM public lands; and (4) disseminate information that will foster responsible behavior in 

order to achieve the highest possible environmental quality on BLM public lands, and (5) reduce public 

asbestos exposure and asbestos emissions while still providing opportunities for access within the ACEC. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain a range of facilities to support recreational uses. 

Manage recreation use within the ACEC to reduce airborne asbestos emissions and minimize 

asbestos exposure for recreation users, to address associated public health impacts. 

Design maps and brochures and educational opportunities to improve visitors’ appreciation and 

understanding of natural and cultural resources on BLM public lands. 

Create experiences and settings appropriate for the desired outcome within developed and 

undeveloped recreation areas. 

Establish and manage intensive-use areas, where the presence of high quality natural resources and 

the current or potential demand warrants intensive management practices to protect areas for their 

scientific, educational, and/or recreational values while accommodating anticipated increases in 

recreational activities in specific areas. 

Manage recreational facilities to protect natural resources and to meet user needs. 

Manage commercial, competitive, educational, and organized group recreational activities. 

2.5.1.2 Management Actions 

 Table 2.5-1 Overview of Allowable Uses

Mgt. Zones Allowable Use (Proposed Action)

Serpentine ACEC Motorized (Highway-Licensed Vehicles)

Non-motorized

Shooting

Condon Motorized (Highway-Licensed Vehicles & ATV/UTV Only)

Mechanized/Non-motorized

Shooting
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Mgt. Zones Allowable Use (Proposed Action)

Cantua Motorized (Highway-Licensed Vehicles & ATV/UTV Only)

Mechanized/Non-motorized

Shooting 

Tucker Motorized (Highway-Licensed Vehicles & ATV/UTV Only)

Mechanized/Non-motorized

Shooting

San Benito River Motorized (Highway-Licensed Vehicles & ATV/UTV Only)

Mechanized/Non-motorized

Shooting

 REC-USE-A7. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage CCMA public lands as a Special Recreation 

Management Area (SRMA).

 REC-USE-B1. Land Use Plan Decision: Prohibit camping and staging for recreation in the 

Serpentine ACEC, except at Jade Mill Campground. Allow camping and staging for recreation on 

public lands outside the ACEC. 

 REC-USE-B2. Implementation Decision: Limit visitor use in the Serpentine ACEC to one halfhour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset (i.e. day use only), except at Jade Mill 

Campground.

 REC-USE-B4. Implementation Decision: Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, 

designated camp sites, staging areas) to support non-motorized recreation opportunities at 

destinations with unique biological, natural and geologic features within CCMA.

 REC-USE-D3. Land Use Plan Decision: Prohibit special recreation permits for organized events in 

the Serpentine ACEC. 

 REC-USE-D4. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage the Condon Zone with an emphasis on enhancing 

hunting opportunity and other non-motorized recreation opportunities, while providing for limited 

motorized opportunities. 

 REC-USE-E1. Implementation Decision: Provide motorized access on the designated routes in 

the Serpentine ACEC for day use by highway-licensed vehicles only.

 REC-USE-E2. Implementation Decision: Authorize motorized access in the Serpentine ACEC 

by permits only, and limit visitor use to 5 days/year for motorized activities. Limit use for nonmotorized activities to 12 days/year.

 REC-USE-E3. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage the Tucker and Cantua Zones with an emphasis on 

enhancing hunting opportunity and providing access for other non-motorized recreation opportunities. 
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 REC-USE-E4. Implementation Decision: Improve access and enhance facilities (i.e. trails, 

designated camp sites, staging areas) to support non-motorized recreation opportunities in the 

Cantua Zone.

 REC-USE-G5. Implementation Decision: Acquire public access to BLM lands in the Tucker and 

Cantua Zones.

2.5.1.3 Visitor Services 

 REC-VIS-EF1. Implementation Decision: Improve access for motorized vehicles to Condon 

Peak.

 REC-VIS-EF2. Implementation Decision: Provide a limited number of recreation facilities in 

the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua zones to meet increased recreation demand while protecting 

natural and cultural values and providing for public safety.

 REC-VIS-BC3. Implementation Decision: Collect visitor use fees on BLM public lands 

consistent with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (2005).

 REC-VIS-BC7. Implementation Decision: Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) 

related to recreation facilities outlined in Appendix V.

 REC-VIS-EF3. Implementation Decision: Maintain existing visitor use facilities outside the 

Serpentine ACEC, and mitigate human health risk from asbestos emissions inside the Serpentine 

ACEC through evaluation of dust suppression or surface hardening techniques.

 REC-VIS-G1. Land Use Plan Decision: Authorize access into the ACEC for scientific studies, 

research, and education for accredited institutions and individuals on a case-by-case basis. Access 

authorizations would stipulate health and safety requirements, as appropriate. 

2.5.1.4 Interpretation and Education 

 REC-INT-A2. Implementation Decision: Continue outreach and education program to create 

public and visitor awareness of human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in 

CCMA.

 REC-INT-BG1. Implementation Decision: Provide recreation information such as maps, 

brochures, and educational opportunities to enhance visitors’ experience on BLM public lands. 

Incorporate the best available information concerning: asbestos health hazards, OHV use 

designations, fire prevention, BLM regulations, and natural resources of the area into educational 

materials and on all maps, brochures, and kiosks.

 REC-INT-BG2. Implementation Decision: Cooperate with adjacent private landowners on land 

management activities to the extent possible.
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2.5.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Safety 

2.5.2.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for hazardous materials and public safety are to (1) protect public health and safety from 

exposure to hazardous materials; (2) protect natural resources by minimizing environmental 

contamination from past and present land uses (i.e., abandoned mine lands) on public lands and BLMowned and operated facilities; (3) improve Public Safety by mitigating physical and chemical hazards; 

(4) comply with Federal, State, and local hazardous materials management laws and regulations; (5) 

maintain the health of ecosystems through assessment, cleanup, and restoration of contaminated lands; (6) 

manage the costs, risks, and liabilities associated with hazardous materials management to reduce the 

governments financial liabilities; (7) integrate environmental protection and compliance with all 

environmental statutes into BLM activities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Identify best management practices (BMPs) and administrative actions (i.e. supplementary rules) to 

minimize human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos. This includes limiting time and 

duration of exposure to naturally occurring asbestos within the Serpentine ACEC. 

Identify and control imminent hazards or threats to human health and/or the environment from 

hazardous substances releases on public lands (including Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) sites). 

Reduce hazardous waste produced by BLM activities and from authorized uses of public lands 

through waste minimization programs that include recycling, reuse, substitution, and other 

innovative, safe, cost-effective methods of pollution prevention. 

Ensure that authorized activities on public lands comply with applicable Federal, State, and local 

laws, policies, guidance, and procedures. 

Promote working partnerships with states, counties, communities, other Federal agencies, and the 

private sector to prevent pollution and minimize hazardous waste on public lands. Continue to 

support research related to NOA and amphibole asbestos related to impacts to the environment, 

mineralogy, toxicology, and assessment of exposure risks to public health. At a minimum, the 

BLM will re-examine the body of peer-reviewed data available on this subject within three years 

following issuance of a record of decision for the CCMA RMP. 

Protect visitors from safety hazards and/or environmental releases of chemicals of concern 

associated with abandoned mine lands (AMLs) and mining activity. 

2.5.2.2 Management Actions 

 HAZ-BG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Restrict the type of activity and the number visits for that 

activity as the primary means to control risk to public from asbestos exposure.

 HAZ-A2. Implementation Decision: Monitor for illegal dumping of chemicals on federal lands.

 HAZ-A3. Implementation Decision: Identify mining-related and other public land hazards and 

eliminate or mitigate as soon as possible.
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 HAZ-A4. Implementation Decision: Identify and resolve mining related trespasses with 

priority given to those cases where conflicts are occurring with visitor use and safety. 

 HAZ-A6. Implementation Decision: Comply with all provisions of the Monterey Bay Unified 

Air Pollution Control District’s remote location exemption (for CCMA) from the ATCM 

regulation for control of airborne asbestos emissions relating to construction, road maintenance, 

and grading activities.

 HAZ-BG2. Implementation Decision: Use best management practices (BMPs) identified in 

Appendix V for dust abatement on roads and during project implementation.

 HAZ-BG3. Implementation Decision: Reduce emissions within the ACEC on major routes 

with dust suppression and surface hardening techniques as needed. The techniques include, but 

are not limited to, paving, base rock, chip seal, or applications of surfactants (i.e. biodegradable 

liquid copolymers) to stabilize and solidify soils or aggregates and control erosion.

 HAZ-BG4. Implementation Decision: Issue supplementary rules to minimize exposure to 

hazardous materials and airborne asbestos fibers, considering technical and budgetary constraints 

and overall effectiveness of the human health and safety mitigation measures identified below.

o Enforce speed limits (20 mph) on designated routes. 

 HAZ-BG5. Implementation Decision: Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related 

to Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) and mining activities outlined in Appendix V.

 HAZ-BG6. Implementation Decision: Reduce the use of Federal funds for clean-up of 

contaminated lands by seeking cost avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally responsible 

parties.

2.5.3 Travel and Transportation Management 

2.5.3.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for travel and transportation management are to (1) continue to maintain roads for resource 

management purposes; (2) continue to support local counties and the State of California in providing a 

network of roads for movement of people, goods, and services across public lands; (3) provide motorized 

access to areas of interest within the ACEC, (4) manage motorized access use to protect resource values, 

promote public safety, provide responsible motorized access use opportunities where appropriate and 

minimize conflicts among various user groups. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Reduce asbestos exposure, as well as limit the miles of routes available for motorized use to 

reduce asbestos emissions; while still providing opportunities for motorized recreation use. 

Minimize dust emissions from main roads. 

Maintain or enhance water quality in all watersheds. Manage the route network to ensure that 

sensitive species and communities maintain or enhance their condition. Reduce erosion and 

sediment transport in all CCMA watersheds by reducing the number of miles available for vehicle 

use, and by implementing Best Management Practices for all road work. 
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Establish a Scenic Touring Route within the ACEC. Limit travel to route maintenance objective 

level 4 and level 3 roads, to provide safe travel and accommodate a wide range of vehicle types. 

Provide travel routes to and through BLM-managed lands as appropriate to meet resource 

objectives while providing for private and public access needs. 

Manage motorized access and mechanized vehicle use in conformance with Area and Route 

designations. 

Adopt the following “adaptive management criteria” to reassess CCMA land use decisions 

and implementation decisions associated with human health risks from exposure to 

airborne asbestos fibers, should circumstances change or new information becomes 

available that warrants increases in allowable uses and reducing the limits on trails 

available for motorized and non-motorized recreational use in the Serpentine ACEC. 

If any of the following “adaptive management criteria” are met, BLM would reinitiate 

travel management planning in the Serpentine ACEC to modify transportation and travel 

management decisions adopted in this PRMP/FEIS: 

o Activity based studies that establish effective strategies for reduction in personal 

exposure to asbestos from off-highway vehicle recreation. 

o Research results in a significant reduction in the toxicity values for asbestos 

resulting in a reduced excess lifetime cancer risk. 

o Chrysotile asbestos is removed from the list of Toxic and Hazardous regulated 

substances. 

Pursuant to IM 2008-14 and BLM Manual 1626, these adaptive management criteria provide 

BLM flexibility to change route designations in the future and address how those routes would be 

managed within the modified transportation network. At a minimum, the BLM will re-examine 

the body of peer-reviewed data available on this subject within three years following issuance of 

a record of decision for this CCMA RMP to determine if there’s a need to reconsider the 

decisions in the CCMA RMP. 

Under such a scenario, BLM would collaborate with interested parties to evaluate potential 

changes to the designated route network. The network would be evaluated for suitability for 

active OHV management and for envisioning potential changes in the existing system or addition 

of new trails that would help meet land use plan objectives. 

Any adaptive management decisions related to recreation access or motorized vehicle use would 

need to conform with Executive Order 11644 (Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the Public Lands) 

and 43 CFR 8342.1 minimization criteria. 

2.5.3.2 Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area Designation Summary 

Outside the Serpentine ACEC, the Limited vehicle use area designation shall be defined as 

restricting motorized use to designated routes, utilizing the designation methodology described in 

Appendix II, to satisfy minimization criteria outlined in 43 CFR 8342.1 Motorized use is restricted 

to highway licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV use. 
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Within the Serpentine ACEC, the Limited vehicle use area designation shall be defined as 

restricting motorized use to a concise network (30 – 40 miles) of designated routes providing 

access to key points within the area as a scenic touring route. 

The Limited vehicle use area restrictions in the ACEC also include type of vehicle (highway 

licensed), and access by permit only (limiting annual visitor use days within the Serpentine 

ACEC). 

 TRANS-E1. Land Use Plan Decision: Designate the Serpentine ACEC as a “Limited” vehicle use 

area. The Limited Use area designation shall be defined as restricting motorized use to a concise 

network (30 – 40 miles) of designated routes providing access to key points within the area as a 

scenic touring route. 

 TRANS-E1.25. Implementation Decision: Vehicle use in the Serpentine ACEC would be 

limited to highway-licensed vehicles for day use only with a permit. 

 TRANS-E1.50. Implementation Decision: Designate the following routes ‘open’ for vehicle 

use in the Serpentine ACEC: R1, R10, R11, R13, R14, R15, T103, T104, T151, and T153. The 

designated routes identified above would be developed and maintained to BLM standards. 

 TRANS-E1.75. Implementation Decision: All other routes and areas in the Serpentine ACEC 

would be designated closed including barrens. 

 TRANS-E2. Implementation Decision: Develop and maintain transportation facilities (i.e. pullouts and parking areas) in the ACEC on portions of the vehicle touring route with high scenic 

values, and other destinations with unique biological, natural and geologic features within

CCMA.

 TRANS-E3. Land Use Plan Decision: Designate the Tucker, Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River 

Zones as “Limited” vehicle use areas and prepare Travel Management Plans to designate routes of 

travel. Vehicle use in the Tucker, Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River Zones would be limited to 

highway licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV use only on designated routes (including potential routes 

and route construction proposals) identified on the Proposed Action Map in Appendix I. 

 TRANS-E4. Land Use Plan Decision: Develop and maintain approximately 30 miles of routes and 

trails in the Tucker and Cantua Zones for non-motorized recreation following inventory, soil loss 

assessment, and resources screening using the route designation methodology described in Appendix 

II and 43 CFR 8342.1 minimization criteria.

 TRANS-E5. Land Use Plan Decision: Enforce temporary closures year-round to protect persons, 

property, and public lands and resources, especially during periods of extreme wet conditions and 

during periods of extreme dry conditions. 

 TRANS-E6. Implementation Decision: Maintain approximately 24.5 miles of designated open 

routes and trails in the Condon Zone. 

 TRANS-A2. A Land Use Plan Decision: All routes not designated ‘open or limited’, are designated 

as ‘closed’. OHV use is authorized only on designated ‘open or limited’ routes which are signed for 

use. 
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 TRANS-A4. Implementation Decision: Adopt the route designation methodology described 

below to satisfy minimization criteria outlined in 43 CFR 8342.1 during development of future 

travel and transportation management plans:

o Designation decisions would be based on a variety of data, including previous studies, 

field inventory data, biological, environmental, cultural, and natural and recreation 

resources, land use, and land ownership. 

o BLM would consider the level of impact of each route; the number, density, and intensity 

of use of each route and area and its relationship to habitat fragmentation and cumulative 

effects; and ways to minimize the number and intensity of conflicting land uses. 

o Evaluate routes relative to designation criteria (see Appendix II) such as, resource 

sensitivity, soil loss, manageability, intended route use, and recreation opportunity. The 

route designation criteria are combined in four tiers roughly corresponding to the 

criteria’s likelihood of requiring route closure, described in Appendix II.

o Establish a Data Element Dictionary for each of the resource screening criteria, 

representing the data on which decisions about authorized vehicle use of routes is based. 

The data element dictionary describes the responses for each criterion. As routes are 

screened through the criteria tables, data element codes are assigned based on staff 

evaluation. The last digit of the element code also represents a scoring feature, with totals 

greater than nine for all criteria deemed least suitable for open designation. Designation 

of routes would include mitigation measures or restoration as needed. 

o Refer to Appendix II for a complete listing of resource specific evaluations for each route 

designated “open” for vehicle use in CCMA PRMP/FEIS and more details about the 

CCMA route designation methodology. 

 TRANS-A7. Implementation Decision: Modify the designated route network to resolve visitor 

use conflicts and promote safe public access through minor realignments3designed to:

o Avoid sensitive natural or cultural resources, 

o Reduce impact on sensitive species and habitats, 

o Substantially increase the quality of the recreational experience, but that will not affect 

sensitive species or habitat, or other sensitive resource values, 

o Avoid mines and private lands.

 

3

“Minor realignment” is defined as a change of no more than 1⁄4 linear mile of an individual designated 

route. This could include the opening of an existing previously closed route that serves the same access 

need as the route that is to be realigned. It could also involve re-routes of a segment of a route, to avoid 

the above mentioned resource conflicts. All new construction will undergo environmental review and 

NEPA compliance. All realignments and re-routes will be documented in the official record and kept on 

file at the BLM Field Office. 
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 TRANS-A13. Implementation Decision: Implement the following BMP’s to reduce 

environmental impacts from travel and transportation management.

o Best Management Practices: BLM will monitor water quality, soil erosion, and 

sediment conditions within the watersheds of the CCMA. The BLM will implement Best 

Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce impacts to watershed resources, and will 

continue to evaluate and update these measures as needed to minimize impacts to water 

quality, control erosion and sediment production, and protect sensitive resources. BMPs 

related to watershed improvement and road maintenance projects will be implemented to 

reduce erosion and off-site sedimentation transport (see Appendix V). 

 TRANS-B5. Implementation Decision: Implement additional BMPs related to transportations 

and roads outlined in Appendix V. Address all route maintenance activities in an annual 

corrective route maintenance plan. Implement route maintenance and improvement projects 

consistent with the following guidance:

o BLM manuals 9113, H-9113-2, 9114, 

o Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Standard Specifications for Construction of 

Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects Standards, US Forest Service Trails 

Handbook 2309.18, sections 2.32 a, b, and c; and 

o 1995 Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) report will be used for standards, guidelines, 

and recommendations.

Resource awareness training would be completed by all operators to ensure compliance with 

adopted route maintenance guidelines, with relevant inventory data incorporated into the training 

as appropriate. The BLM will continue to implement BMPs to reduce impacts to watershed 

resources and control non-point source pollution. Soil loss standards will be used in monitoring 

and assessment of routes and areas, and will serve as the basis in developing corrective route 

management plans. 

 TRANS-FG3. Implementation Decision: Decommission and reclaim closed roads to protect 

sensitive resources, reduce sediment transport, and control erosion. 

 TRANS-FG4. Implementation Decision: Implement BMPs to reduce offsite water quality 

impacts from roads and trails that no longer serve their original purpose, or exceed soil loss 

standards.

 TRANS-FG5. Land Use Plan Decision: Restrict administrative use of roads and trails during 

periods of inclement weather. 

Tables 2.5-2(a) and 2.5-2(b) provide an overview of the vehicle use area designations and designated 

route mileage under the Proposed Action. 

Table 2.5-2(a) Proposed Vehicle Use Area Designation(s)
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Management Zone (acres) Proposed Area Designation

Serpentine ACEC (30,000) Limited

Condon (9,700) Limited

San Benito River (3,600) Limited

Cantua (14,900) Limited

Tucker (5,900) Limited

Table 2.5-2(b) Proposed Route Designation(s)

Management Zone Proposed Route Designation (Miles)

Serpentine ACEC Open = 32; Closed = 195

Condon & San Benito River 

Zone(s) Open = 24.5; Closed = 0

Tucker & Cantua Zone Open = 30*; Closed = 0

TOTAL: Open = 86.5*; Closed = 195

(*) Based on approval of Travel Management Plans outlined in TRANS-E3.

2.5.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation Resources 

2.5.4.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for vegetation resources are to (1) restore, maintain, or improve ecological conditions, natural 

diversity, and associated watersheds of high value, high-risk, native plant communities and unique plant 

assemblages and (2) to restore degraded landscapes and plant communities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain or improve current ecological values and processes, productivity, and biological 

diversity; 

Rehabilitate areas affected by wildland fire and other surface-disturbing activities to stabilize soils 

and promote growth of desired plant communities; 

Prevent the introduction and proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds. 
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2.5.4.2 Management Actions 

 VEG-A2. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage the native perennial grassland communities to maintain 

or increase the population (i.e. the desert needlegrass community in the Condon Peak area). 

 VEG-A3. Land Use Plan Decision: Give special consideration to the unique stands of big sagebrush 

and protect these to the extent practicable, especially in the San Carlos Bolsa. 

 VEG-A4. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage conifer forests for their scenic values and unique 

vegetation characteristics. 

 VEG-A5. Land Use Plan Decision: Prohibit commercial harvesting of conifer forests in sensitive 

areas (i.e. San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area). 

 VEG-A6. Land Use Plan Decision: Protect known and newly discovered occurrences of sensitive 

vegetation resources, including vernal pools and riparian zones, from vehicle and camping 

disturbances through fencing and other physical barriers. 

 VEG-A7. Implementation Decision: Implement brush clearing, prescribed burning, and seed or 

seedling introductions as appropriate for selected species.

 VEG-A8. Implementation Decision: Use prescribed fire and other management techniques to 

provide a mosaic of vegetative communities to protect soil, watershed, and wildlife.

 VEG-A9. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and 

non-consumptive uses. 

 VEG-A10. Land Use Plan Decision: Cooperate with the University of California to continue the 

barrens restoration pilot program and to establish small scale soil/plant study plots to investigate plant 

adaptability and nutritional requirements for rehabilitation purposes. 

 VEG-BG1. Implementation Decision: Include mitigation measures to protect or enhance 

riparian areas in all activity plans.

 VEG-BG2. Implementation Decision: Emphasize locally grown or adapted native seed mixes 

for restoration activities.

 VEG-BG3. Implementation Decision: Utilize management activities that mimic natural 

disturbance regimes (e.g., fire) to manage and maintain the composition, mixed age classes, and 

native wildlife habitat of perennial grasslands, chaparral, oak woodland communities, and 

wetlands.

 VEG-BG4. Implementation Decision: Rehabilitate vegetation emphasizing use of local 

genotypes of native species for revegetation materials following wildland fires and/or other 

surface-disturbing activities. Allow non-invasive, non-native species to be used in re-vegetation 

materials that are temporary and non-persistent.

 VEG-BG5. Implementation Decision: Avoid surface disturbance to riparian vegetation except 

for short-term disturbances that are necessary to restore or enhance riparian conditions in the 

long-term.
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 VEG-BG6. Implementation Decision: Mitigate or relocate existing or proposed activities 

within 100 feet of riparian vegetation that could cause a downward trend in condition of riparian 

resources.

 VEG-BG7. Implementation Decision: Maintain mixed-aged classes for all riparian 

communities. 

 VEG-BG8. Implementation Decision: Develop an Integrated Pest Management approach that 

prioritizes invasive and noxious weed eradication based on the BLM and California State lists.

 VEG-BG9. Implementation Decision: Issue non-commercial permits for collecting vegetative 

products for Native American practices. 

 VEG-BG10. Implementation Decision: Initiate riparian restoration/improvement projects 

within systems that have been identified as not functioning or functioning at risk with a 

downward or static trend.

 VEG-BG11. Land Use Plan Decision: Provide a mosaic of vegetation communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife; maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and non-consumptive 

uses. 

2.5.5 Biological Resources – Fish and Wildlife 

2.5.5.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for fish and wildlife is to provide diverse, structured, dynamic, and connected habitat on a 

landscape level to support viable and sustainable populations of wildlife, fish, and other aquatic 

organisms. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Conserve habitat consistent with the Recovery Plan for Camissonia Benitensis (FWS 2007). 

Conserve habitat for migratory birds and species listed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS) list of Birds of Conservation Concern. 

Maintain or enhance viable, healthy, and diverse populations of native and desired species, 

including special status species, where appropriate. 

2.5.5.2 Management Actions 

 HAB-BF1. Land Use Plan Decision: Coordinate with the California Department of Fish and Game 

(CDFG), and the USFWS to control non-native wildlife species. 

 HAB-BF2. Land Use Plan Decision: Preserve fallen trees and snags in occupied and potential 

habitat for raptors. Prohibit collecting wood in areas known to provide breeding habitat. 

 HAB-BF3. Implementation Decision: Mitigate or relocate man-made barriers that substantially 

impede migration within wildlife travel corridors, as appropriate.
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 HAB-BF4. Implementation Decision: Maintain existing water improvements (e.g., guzzlers).

 HAB-BF5. Land Use Plan Decision: Avoid disturbance, including road construction and 

recreational activities, within a 0.5-mile radius of roosting sites of owls, ospreys, eagles, buteos, 

accipiters, and falcons. 

 HAB-BF6. Land Use Plan Decision: Avoid disturbance, including road construction and recreation 

activities, within a one-mile radius around nesting sites of of owls, ospreys, eagles, buteos, accipiters, 

and falcons. 

 HAB-BF7. Land Use Plan Decision: Cooperate with the CDFG to reintroduce, release, and/or 

restore populations of native fish and wildlife species into historic and occupied ranges with suitable 

habitat. 

2.5.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species 

2.5.6.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for management of special status species is to (1) maintain populations of special status species; 

and (2) actively contribute to recovery so as to promote downlisting and delisting of special status 

species. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage listed, proposed, or candidate threatened or endangered species to comply with the 

provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

Manage special status plant and BLM-recognized significant plant communities consistent with 

BLM policy on Special Status Species Management (BLM Manual 6840). 

Preclude the need for listing proposed, candidate, and sensitive species under the ESA. 

Improve the condition of special status species and their habitats to the point where their special 

status recognition is no longer warranted. 

2.5.6.2 Management Actions 

 SSS-A7. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage public lands to protect and enhance sensitive, rare, 

threatened, or endangered species. Evaluate all known or potential habitat before implementing 

actions that may affect the habitat. Conduct consultations in accordance with Section 7 of the 

Endangered Species Act, if appropriate. 

 SSS-A8. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage portions of Clear Creek, Sawmill Creek, San Benito 

River, and San Carlos Creek for introducing the San Benito evening-primrose into suitable habitat. 

 SSS-A9. Implementation Decision: Monitor all populations of the San Benito evening-primrose 

and their protective measures for compliance relating to OHV trespass. 
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 SSS-A11. Implementation Decision: Rehabilitate (by ripping and/or pitting) potential habitat 

areas for the San Benito evening primrose in Clear Creek Canyon. Seed would be collected from 

nearby populations and broadcast over these areas (approximately one-half acre each) subsequent 

to seedbed preparation. Evaluate and implement vegetation manipulations, such as brush 

clearing, prescribed burns and seed or seedling introductions, for San Benito evening primrose 

habitat areas of high and moderate potential.

 SSS-A15. Implementation Decision: Monitor all unprotected populations of special status 

species for possible adverse impacts from vehicles and other uses and implement protective 

actions as warranted.

 SSS-A16. Implementation Decision: Inventory suitable habitat for all sensitive plant species. 

Monitor any new populations of special status species documented during inventories for adverse 

impacts and implement protective actions as warranted.

 SSS-BC2. Land Use Plan Decision: Prohibit collection of special status species, except for 

scientific research or Native American traditional use. 

 SSS-BC3. Land Use Plan Decision: Protect ponds, wetlands, or riparian areas known to support or 

that could potentially support California tiger salamander or yellow-legged frog to maintain natural 

corridors between pools/wetlands and upland habitat so that continuous native plant coverage allows 

adequate movement of these species. 

 SSS-BC4. Land Use Plan Decision: Avoid disturbance, including road construction and recreation 

activities, within a one-mile radius of nesting sites (and a 0.5 mile radius of roosting sites) of the 

California condor, eagles, and prairie falcons. 

 SSS-DEF1. Implementation Decision: Adopt the BLM’s Compliance Monitoring Plan outlined 

in Appendix IV for existing CABE habitat and populations.

 SSS-DEF2. Implementation Decision: Mitigate or relocate surface-disturbing activities 

proposed within occupied or potential habitat for special status species.

 SSS-G2. Land Use Plan Decision: Limit proposed new surface-disturbing activities within occupied 

or potential habitat for special status species. Limit long-term disturbances in potential habitat. 

 SSS-G3. Implementation Decision: Conduct restoration projects in closed areas that disturb or 

interrupt hydrologic and/or ecological processes to support special status species and significant 

plant communities.

2.5.7 Air Quality 

2.5.7.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for air quality management is to ensure that BLM authorizations and management activities 

comply with with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and local, State, and Federal 

air quality regulations, requirements, State Implementation Plans, and Regional Air Board standards and 

goals. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 
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Manage prescribed fires to comply with established air quality standards and smoke management 

rules and guidelines; 

Manage energy and mineral development to avoid degradation of established air quality 

standards; and 

Coordinate with Regional Air Quality Control Districts on resource management activities to 

ensure consistency with State Implementation Plans for air basins affected by activities in the 

CCMA. 

2.5.7.2 Management Actions 

 AIR-A1. Land Use Plan Decision: Comply with State and Federal air quality regulations, including 

but not limited to: 

o National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) primary standards for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen 

oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead (40 CFR 50); 

o NAAQS secondary standards (40 CFR 50); and 

o The California State Implementation Plan and the California Air Pollution Control Laws 

(California Health and Safety Code §39606). 

 AIR-A5. Land Use Plan Decision: Comply with all provisions of the California Air Resources 

Board (CARB) Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCM) regulation for control of airborne asbestos 

emissions relating to construction, road maintenance, and grading activities. 

 AIR-BG1. Implementation Decision: Incorporate mitigation measures in Appendix V for 

activities and projects on BLM lands in order to reduce airborne asbestos emissions and comply 

with applicable Federal, State, and local air quality regulations.

 AIR-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage motorized vehicle travel on dirt roads to minimize air 

pollution from dust and exhaust by restricting vehicle types and seasons when vehicles could be used. 

 AIR-BG3. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage prescribed fire to minimize smoke and coordinate 

with Federal, State, and local governments in smoke-sensitive areas such as wildland-urban interface 

areas. 

2.5.8 Soil Resources 

2.5.8.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for soil resources management is to manage soil on BLM lands such that functional biological 

and physical characteristics that are appropriate to soil type, climate, and land form are exhibited 

(Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines, 2000). 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Control erosion and sediment transport; 

Implement soil loss assessment procedures for road and trail maintenance; 
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Implement BMPs for non-point source pollution control; 

Maintain vegetation cover at or above the level necessary to stabilize soils; and 

Protect and restore biological soil crusts on watersheds. 

2.5.8.2 Management Actions 

 SOIL-A3. Land Use Plan Decision: Close roads to vehicle use during periods of extreme wet 

weather in areas where sustained vehicle use may compromise the integrity of the road surface, to 

reduce rutting of roads and trails and sediment transfer, and to improve visitor safety. 

 SOIL-A10. Land Use Plan Decision: Prioritize designated ‘closed’ routes for restoration and 

reclamation to allow them return to a natural state. 

 SOIL-BG1. Implementation Decision: Establish remote automated weather stations (RAWS) 

or apply the use of other available technologies in order to monitor precipitation and soil moisture 

content in CCMA.

 SOIL-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Require an approved erosion control strategy and topsoil 

segregation/restoration plan for proposals involving surface disturbance on slopes of 20 to 40 percent. 

No surface disturbance on slopes greater than 40 percent would be allowed unless it is determined 

that it would cause a greater impact to pursue other alternatives. 

 SOIL-BG3. Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to barrens restoration/ 

management outlined in Appendix V. 

2.5.9 Water Resources 

2.5.9.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for water resources management are to (1) maintain, restore, or improve water quality and 

quantity to sustain the designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and (2) ensure that surface and 

groundwater quality comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and with California State standards. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain the existing quality and beneficial uses of water, protect waters where they are 

threatened, and restore currently degraded waters. This objective is of even higher priority in the 

following situations: 

Where the beneficial uses of water bodies have been listed as threatened or impaired pursuant to 

Section 303(d) of the CWA; 

Where aquatic habitat is present or has been present for Federal threatened or endangered species, 

candidate species, and other special status species dependent on water resources; and 

In water resource-sensitive areas such as riparian or wetland areas. 

Protect all designated beneficial uses by preventing or limiting non-point source pollution. 
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2.5.9.2 Management Actions 

 WAT-BG1. Implementation Decision: Implement BMPs related to watershed restoration/ 

management outlined in Appendix V to prevent degradation of water quality.

 WAT-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain existing developed water sources (i.e., spring 

developments and reservoirs). Develop new sources on a case-by-case basis through project-level 

planning. 

 WAT-BG3. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain adjudicated water rights; inventory water sources 

not adjudicated or water rights sought, where applicable. 

 WAT-BG4. Land Use Plan Decision: Submit request to the California State Department of Water 

Resources to establish Federal reserved water rights on acquired lands to ensure water availability for 

multiple use management and for functioning, healthy, riparian and upland systems. 

 WAT-BG5. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage CWA 303(d)-listed impaired water bodies to meet 

properly functioning condition (PFC) objectives relative to beneficial uses and total maximum daily 

loads (TMDLs) for mercury and sediment. 

 WAT-BG6. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain stable watershed conditions and implement passive 

and active restoration projects to protect beneficial uses of water and meet TMDLs for mercury and 

sediment. 

 WAT-BG7. Land Use Plan Decision: Work with Coordinated Resource Management Planning 

groups and other private landowners or non-profit organizations to prevent water bodies from 

reaching impairment levels that would result in listing under CWA 303(d). 

 WAT-BG8. Implementation Decision: Periodically monitor water quality in seasonal pools and 

perennial ponds containing known or suspected threatened and endangered (T & E) species. 

Identify water quality issues and initiate repairs, within environmental constraints.

 WAT-BG9. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage all fluvial systems functioning at risk to achieve

proper functioning condition. 

2.5.10 Special Designations 

2.5.10.1 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) /Research Natural Areas 

(RNAs) 

The goals for ACECs and RNAs are to identify and manage ACECs and RNAs to protect and prevent 

irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other 

natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage the Serpentine ACEC to reduce human health risks in areas with high concentrations of 

asbestos fibers by limiting use that 

o creates high levels of asbestos emissions, 

o creates increased opportunity for human exposure to asbestos, and 
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o creates need for intense management presence and infrastructure in the ACEC. 

Manage the Serpentine ACEC to protect special status species associated with the serpentine soils 

of the New Idria Formation 

Manage the San Benito Mountain RNA for the unique forest assemblage and scientific research 

and educational opportunities. 

2.5.10.1.1 Management Actions 

 ACEC-BG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain the designation of the 30,000-acre serpentine 

geologic formation and area of serpentine soils high in asbestos fiber as the Serpentine Area of 

Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Maintain the 4,147-acre designation of the San Benito 

Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA). 

 ACEC-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage the Serpentine ACEC for public health and safety, 

special status species, and cultural, historic, and scenic values. Manage the San Benito Mountain 

RNA for its unique forest assemblage and the associated scientific research and educational values. 

 ACEC-BG3. Implementation Decision: Adopt the San Benito Mountain RNA Management 

Plan described in Appendix III. 

 ACEC-BG4. Implementation Decision: Develop stipulations for scientific research and 

collection in concert with individuals and institutions involved.

 ACEC-BG5. Implementation Decision: Establish appropriate guidelines that protect special 

status species habitat from surface disturbing activities.

2.5.10.2 Wilderness Study Areas 

The goal for managing Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) is to manage these areas consistent with the 

Wilderness Act of 1964, as applicable. More specific management direction can be found in 3 CFR 6300. 

BLM is required to manage WSAs consistent with Section 603 of the FLPMA and the Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (H-8550-1) until Congress designates the areas 

as wilderness or releases them from the Section 603 FLPMA provision. If the areas are released, they 

would be managed consistent with the provisions within the RMP. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage existing WSAs in conformance with the Interim Management Policy for Lands Under 

Wilderness Review. 

2.5.10.2.1 Management Actions 

 WILD-AG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage all designated wilderness consistent with the 

Wilderness Act of 1964 and Public Law 107-370-(2)(2). Manage WSAs under the Interim 

Management Policy (H-8550-1) until Congress designates wilderness areas or until non-suitable 

WSAs are released. 

 WILD-AG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage the 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain WSA 

consistent with the goals and objectives and the resource management actions for the Serpentine 
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ACEC and the San Benito Mountain RNA described in this RMP/EIS, if the area is released from 

WSA status by Congress. 

 WILD-AG3. Implementation Decision: Conduct necessary maintenance of routes through the 

area to enhance overall wilderness quality by minimizing route-related impacts to the sensitive

resources inside the SBMRNA/WSA. Areas along the roadways near the WSA will be 

rehabilitated using the best management practices outlined in Appendix V.

2.5.10.3 Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Pursuant to BLM Manual 8351 – Wild and Scenic Rivers – Policy and Program Direction for 

Identification, Evaluation and Management, the BLM evaluates identified river segments for their 

eligibility and suitability for Wild and Scenic River designation through its RMP process. The criteria 

and information upon which WSR river eligibility and suitability determinations are based are included in 

Appendix VI. Only Congress can designate Wild and Scenic Rivers to be included in the National Wild 

and Scenic River System (NWSRS). 

2.5.10.3.1 Management Actions 

 WSR-AG1. Land Use Plan Decision: None of the river and stream segments on BLM public lands 

in CCMA were determined to be eligible and suitable for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River 

System. Therefore, BLM recommends that none of the rivers and streams identified in Appendix VI 

be included in the NWSRS. 

2.5.10.4 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics 

The goal for managing Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWCs) is to emphasize other multiple 

uses while applying management restrictions (conditions of use, mitigation measures) to reduce impacts 

to wilderness characteristics Management of LWCs is part of BLM’s multiple use mandate. Lands within 

the CCMA were inventoried in 2011 in accordance with BLM Handbook 6310-1 Wilderness Inventory 

and Study Procedures, to identify public lands with wilderness characteristics such as naturalness, 

opportunities for solitude, primitive and unconfined recreation, and other associated qualities. 

 LWC-EF1. Implementation Decision: Manage the 5,070 acres of lands inventoried for 

wilderness characteristics in the Cantua Zone to emphasize primitive, non-motorized recreation 

opportunities. Design, construct, and maintain routes and trails in the area to enhance primitive 

recreation experience by minimizing route-related impacts to solitude, naturalness, and other 

special features.

2.5.11 Livestock Grazing 

2.5.11.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for livestock grazing management are to (1) provide for a sustainable level of livestock grazing 

consistent with other resource objectives, (2) identify lands and forage available for livestock grazing, and 

(3) achieve the standards and implement guidelines for rangeland health as outlined in the 2000 Central 

California Standards and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing (hereafter referred to as the Standards and 

Guidelines). 
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2.5.11.2 Management Actions 

 RANG-AE1. Land Use Plan Decision: Make public acres and animal unit months (AUMs) 

available for livestock grazing as summarized in Table 2.5-3. 

 RANG-AE2. Land Use Plan Decision: Ensure that levels and duration of rest or deferment after a 

wildfire are consistent with site characteristics, ecological site descriptions, land management 

objectives, short-term emergency stabilization, and rehabilitation objectives such as rehabilitating the 

desired plant community. 

 RANG-AE3. Land Use Plan Decision: In order to meet physiological requirements of key plant 

species or to meet other resource objectives, control the intensity, duration, and timing of grazing 

and/or provide for periodic deferment and/or rest where livestock grazing is limiting the achievement 

of multiple use objectives. 

 RANG-AE4. Implementation Decision: Conduct interdisciplinary rangeland health assessments 

on all grazing allotments to evaluate conformance with the Standards and Guidelines. 

 RANG-AE5. Implementation Decision: If new information demonstrates that livestock grazing 

within a particular allotment is not compatible with conservation or preservation of endangered, 

threatened, candidate, or special status species, these lands would become unavailable for 

livestock grazing. 

 RANG-AE6. Implementation Decision: When evaluation of rangeland health assessments 

determines that exclusion of livestock grazing is necessary to meet public health objectives and 

resource objectives (i.e., cultural or historical resources protection, geologically unstable area 

protection, sensitive plant or animal areas, intensive recreational use areas, etc.), these lands 

would become unavailable for livestock grazing.

 RANG-AE7. Implementation Decision: Where possible fence spring developments to prevent 

trampling by livestock.

 RANG-AE8. Land Use Plan Decision: Cancel forage allocations on grazing allotments and make 

lands unavailable if lands are disposed of through exchange or sale or are devoted to another purpose. 

 RANG-AE9. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow prescribed burning for rangeland improvement to 

prevent vegetative conversion (i.e., chaparral or juniper encroachment into annual grasslands or oak 

savannahs). 

 RANG-AE10. Land Use Plan Decision: Develop allotment management plans to bring allotments 

not meeting the Standards and Guidelines due to current livestock grazing management into 

compliance. 

 RANG-AE11. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow grazing on newly acquired land inside of allotments 

not in compliance with the Standards and Guidelines where current livestock grazing management is 

not the cause. 

 RANG-AE12. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow grazing on allotments not in compliance with the 

Standards and Guidelines where current livestock grazing management is determined as not being the 

cause of noncompliance. 
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Table 2.5-3 Livestock Grazing Summary for Proposed Action 

Allotment 

Number Allotment Name Mgmt Zone 5

Public 

Acres

Public 

AUMs 1

Livestock 

Class 2

Period 

Begin 

Date

Period 

End 

Date

4301 Akers 4SBR 368 69 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4308 Birdwell, Perry W 4S, CON 1,389 72 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

Birdwell Addition3,4 447 5

4319 Lewis Flat 4SBR 190 19 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4352 Willow Spring SBR 940 80 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4359 Quarter Circle A-1 3S, CON 3,348 155 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4374 Joaquin Rocks 4 CON 3,568 275 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

Joaquin Rocks Addition 3,619 210

4379 Upper Los Gatos Crk. 3S, CON 4,317 1,036 Y 1-Jan 31-May

4398 Adobe 4 CAN 2,124 162 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

4401 Williamson CON 1,920 126 C 15-Feb 15-Aug

4409 Bar B Ranch T 1,957 129 Y 1-Mar 28-Feb

4410 Hernandez Ranch 3S, T 2,823 159 Y 1-Mar 28-Feb

4411 Ashurst Ranch 3,4 S, T 12,246 2,104 Y 1-Dec 30-Apr

Ashurst Ranch Addition 160 0

4414 Diamond A 4 CAN 7,254 1,804 Y 1-Dec 30-Apr

Diamond A Addition 10,523 1,110

4418 Goat Mountain 3,4 S, SBR 440 32 C 1-Mar 28-Feb

14 TOTALS 57,633 7,547

1

 AUM (Animal Unit Month) = one cow + one calf. 

2

 Livestock Class: C = cattle, Y = yearling. 

3

 Includes public lands within HAA. 

4

 Includes public lands outside of CCMA. 

5 Management Zone: S = Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC, T = Tucker, CON = Condon, CAN = Cantua, 

 SBR = San Benito River. 
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2.5.12 Energy and Minerals 

2.5.12.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for energy and mineral resource management is to allow development of energy and mineral 

resources to meet the demand for energy and mineral production while protecting natural and cultural 

resources in the area. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Balance responsible mineral resource development with the protection of other resource values. 

Provide opportunities for mineral exploration and development under the mining and mineral 

leasing laws. 

Provide mineral materials needed for community and economic purposes. 

2.5.12.2 Management Actions 

 ENERG-A1. Land Use Plan Decision: Consider minerals exploration, development, and production 

within environmental and multiple-use management constraints. Withdrawals would be initiated to 

affect locatable mineral segregations on specified lands. 

 ENERG-A3. Land Use Plan Decision: Consider mineral and geothermal exploration and 

development in other CCMA locations on a case-by-case basis. 

 ENERG-A4. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow oil and gas exploration and development within 

environmental constraints to protect special status species and paleontological resources. 

 ENERG-A5. Land Use Plan Decision: Make public lands available for orderly and efficient 

development of mineral and energy resources under principles of balanced multiple-use management. 

 ENERG-BC3. Land Use Plan Decision: Require No Surface Occupancy stipulations on all 

recreation and public purposes (R&PP) lease areas. 

 ENERG-DEF1. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow no mineral leasing or sales on public lands in the 

Serpentine ACEC. Recommend withdrawal of the entire 30,000-acre ACEC from locatable mineral 

entry. 

 ENERG-DEF2. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow mineral leasing or sales on public lands outside 

the ACEC, and stipulate that “No Surface Occupancy” is allowed on oil and gas leases on all BLM 

lands with occupied special status species habitat. 

 ENERG-DEF3. Land Use Plan Decision: Make the Serpentine ACEC an exclusion area for 

renewable energy development. Make all other Zones available for wind energy development 

consideration, subject to the BMPs outlined in Appendix VII. 

Table 2.5-4 summarizes the acres of land available/unavailable for leasable mineral entry and open/closed 

for salable mineral entry for each alternative. It also identifies acres of land open or closed to locatable 

mineral entry (i.e. 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain WSA). 
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Table 2.5-4 Summary of Energy and Mineral Development (Acres)

Type of Entry Status Alternative A Proposed Action

Leasable Available 61,400 36,500

Leasable Unavailable 5,100 30,000

Salable Available 65,000 36,500

Salable Unavailable 1,500 30,000

Locatable Open 36,500 36,500

Locatable Closed 5,100 30,000

Renewable Available 65,000 36,500

Renewable Unavailable 1,500 30,000

Note: Calculations based on 63,000 acres of BLM-managed lands, plus 3,500 acres of “split-estate”.

2.5.13 Cultural Resources 

2.5.13.1 Goals and Objectives 

In accordance with BLM policy (DM 8130.23), the two primary goals for cultural resources management 

on CCMA public lands are to 1) Preserve and protect significant cultural resources and ensure that they 

are available for appropriate uses by present and future generations (per FLPMA Sec. 103(c), 201(a), 

202(c); NHPA Sec. 110(a); ARPA Sec. 14(a)), and 2) Seek to reduce imminent threats and resolve 

potential conflicts on cultural resources, from natural or human-caused deterioration, or from other 

resource uses (per FLPMA Sec 103(c), NHPA Sec. 106; 110(a)(2)). 

The BLM’s cultural resources management program relies on an integrated system of identifying and 

evaluating cultural resources, deciding on their appropriate use(s), and administering them according to 

cultural resource law and policy. 

The primary objectives for this integrated management system are to: 

Respond in a legally sufficient and professional manner concerning historic preservation and 

cultural resource protection; 

Recognize the potential public and scientific uses of cultural resources on the public lands, and 

manage the lands and cultural resources so that these uses and values are not diminished but 

rather are maintained and enhanced. 

Ensure that proposed land uses, initiated or authorized by BLM, avoid inadvertent damage to 

Federal and non-Federal cultural resources. 
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2.5.13.2 Management Actions 

 CULT-COM1. Land Use Plan Decision: Protect “at-risk” archeological or other cultural resources, 

including prehistoric and historic sites, using the BMPs available with physical (“on-the-ground”) 

and/or administrative methods to achieve improved site stabilization, protection, or health. 

 CULT-COM2. Land Use Plan Decision: Utilize a variety of heritage education programs that 

promote the public stewardship of cultural resources, including but not limited to conventional 

outreach efforts, and participate in the following programs: 

o California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program (CASSP) and the California Indian Site 

Stewardship program, which provide training for volunteer site stewards for site monitoring, 

protection, and enhancement); 

o Cooperative Stewardship, which involves the BLM and the California Office of Historic 

Preservation (OHP) in interpretive outreach efforts with involvement from tribes and educational 

institutions; 

o Professional and Avocational Societies, in which the BLM attends meetings and conferences to 

enhance public outreach, education goals, and increase awareness of BLM’s cultural resource 

management programs and to support avocational societies to advance cooperative efforts in 

public outreach and education; and 

o Archeological and Cultural Awareness Program (ACAP), wherein BLM partners with tribes and 

other Federal and State agencies to conduct evaluations and enhancement projects using 

volunteers. 

 CULT-COM3. Land Use Plan Decision: Evaluate and manage all cultural resource properties 

appropriately using the Use Allocation and Desired Outcome management criteria for cultural 

resources in Table 2.5-5: 

Table 2.5-5 Cultural Resource Use Allocations and Desired Outcomes

Use Allocation Desired Outcome

Scientific use Preserved until research potential is realized

Conservation for future use Preserved until conditions for use are met

Traditional use Long-term preservation

Public use Long-term preservation, on-site interpretation 

Experimental use Protected until used 

Discharged from management No use after recordation; not preserved 

 CULT-A4. Land Use Plan Decision: Before implementation of surface-disturbing projects, 

including range developments and vegetation manipulations, evaluate cultural resource potential and 

avoid adverse impacts to National Register-eligible sites when feasible. 
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 CULT-A5. Land Use Plan Decision: Protect archeological sites in the White Creek Archeological 

District by maintaining the closed route designation for White Creek Road. 

 CULT-EFG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Promote research opportunities with academic, 

professional, and avocational institutions for anthropological, archeological, ethnographic, or historic 

use studies to improve local and regional cultural resources management. 

 CULT-EFG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain access and promote traditional uses of the CCMA 

by the Native American and California Indian community; work in coordination with tribal 

communities, groups, and individuals to address issues. 

2.5.14 Paleontological Resources 

2.5.14.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for paleontological resources are to (1) preserve, protect and manage vertebrate, noteworthy 

invertebrate, and plant paleontological resources in accordance with existing laws and regulations for 

current and future generations; (2) facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational, and recreational uses 

of paleontological resources such as research and interpretation; (3) accommodate permit requests for 

scientific research by qualified individuals or institutions; (4) ensure proposed land uses do not destroy or 

damage paleontological resources. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Locate, evaluate, manage and protect, where appropriate, paleontological resources on the public 

lands; 

Facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational, and recreational uses of paleontological resources, 

such as research and interpretation; 

Using predictive modeling, identify significant localities that may be in conflict with other 

resource uses; 

Ensure that proposed land uses, initiated or authorized by BLM, do not inadvertently damage or 

destroy important paleontological resources on public lands; 

Foster public awareness and appreciation of paleontological resources through educational 

outreach programs. 
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2.5.14.2 Management Actions 

 PALE-A6. Land Use Plan Decision: If natural erosion threatens the integrity of significant fossil 

resources, stabilize and rehabilitate these resources if feasible. 

 PALE-EFG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Establish a 300-foot buffer for project actions around all 

paleontological sites and localities.

2.5.15 Social and Economic Conditions 

2.5.15.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for social and economic conditions is to manage public lands to provide social and economic 

benefits to local residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Work cooperatively with private and community groups and local tribal governments to provide 

for customary uses consistent with other resource objectives and to sustain or improve local 

economies. 

Maintain and promote the cultural, economic, ecological, and social health of communities 

associated with BLM public lands. 

2.5.15.2 Management Actions 

 SOCEC-DG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Work collaboratively with local populations to emphasize 

a high level of natural resource protection, which contributes to tourism and attracts sustainable 

commodities industries. 

 SOCEC-DG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Enhance public land resources to provide for sustainable 

tourism, production, and industry. 

 SOCEC-DG3. Land Use Plan Decision: Emphasize sustainable economic operations while 

protecting the ecological, social, and cultural integrity of BLM public lands. 

2.5.16 Visual Resources Management 

2.5.16.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for visual resource management is to manage public land actions and activities in a manner 

consistent with visual resource management (VRM) class objectives. 

To achieve this goal, the following objective is established: 

Protect, maintain, improve, or restore visual resource values by managing all public lands in 

accordance with the VRM system. 
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2.5.16.2 Management Actions 

 VIS-A1. Land Use Plan Decision: VRM Class IV standards apply to the entire CCMA unless 

otherwise stated. 

 VIS-A2. Land Use Plan Decision: Actions in the San Benito Mountain WSA and RNA must meet 

VRM Class I standards. 

 VIS-A3. Land Use Plan Decision: Actions in the Condon Zone must meet VRM Class III standards. 

 VIS-EFG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Actions in the Serpentine ACEC must meet VRM Class II 

standards.

2.5.17 Fire Management 

2.5.17.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for fire management are to (1) establish a fire management program that is cost-efficient and 

commensurate with threats to life, property, public safety, and resources, (2) use fire to restore and/or 

sustain ecosystem health, (3) cooperate with communities at risk within the wildland-urban interface to 

develop plans for risk reduction, (4) cooperate with regional partners in fire and resource management 

across agency boundaries, and (5) reduce man-made fires, with a special emphasis on reductions in 

developed areas such as communities, campgrounds, and transportation corridors. 

To achieve the goals for fire management, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Wildfire Suppression 

Provide for firefighter and public safety in all fire-management activities. 

Provide an appropriate management response for all wildland fires, emphasizing firefighter and 

public safety. Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Research Natural Areas (RNAs), 

Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), and certain other public lands in the CCMA Special Recreation 

Management Area (SRMA) will require modified suppression techniques to protect the known 

values. Modified suppression techniques are identified in the Hollister Fire Management Plan 

(BLM 2011).

Limit the intensity of fire suppression efforts to the most economical response consistent with the 

human and resource values that are at risk. 

Protect sensitive cultural and paleontological resource sites from damage by fire and/or fire 

suppression actions. 

Fuels Management 

Reduce the risk of fire in wildland-urban interface communities. 

Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire through fuels management. 

Promote greater diversity within plant communities of the HFO with the use of fire. 
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Use fire as natural land management tool for the control and eradication of noxious weeds. 

Use fire as a management tool to improve the ecological condition of the area within HFO 

jurisdiction. 

Use prescribed burning to reduce the fuel hazard in the chaparral community and for wildlife 

habitat improvement and increased local water yield and watershed enhancement. 

Fire Rehabilitation, Stabilization, and Restoration 

Rehabilitate burned areas to mitigate adverse effects of fire on soils, water, and cultural resources 

and vegetation. 

Prevention, Risk Mitigation, and Education 

Increase the public’s knowledge of fire’s natural role in the ecosystem and the hazards and risks 

associated with living in the wildland-urban interface. 

Educate the public on fire safety and prevention measures. 

Work with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) to suppress all 

wildfires involving less than 10 acres 90 percent of the time. 

2.5.17.2 Management Actions 

 FIRE-BG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Develop and maintain the Hollister Fire Management Plan. 

 FIRE-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Identify appropriate management response goals, objectives, 

and constraints by specific Fire Management Units (FMUs) in the Hollister Fire Management Plan 

(Ref. Map 6, Appendix I). 

 FIRE-BG3. Implementation Decision: Employ fire prevention strategies that reduce man-made 

fires, with special emphasis on developed areas such as communities, campgrounds, and 

transportation corridors.

 FIRE-BG4. Implementation Decision: Develop fuels projects to mimic fire’s natural role to 

enhance resource values.

 FIRE-BG5. Land Use Plan Decision: Coordinate with the California Department of Forestry and 

Fire Protection (CALFIRE) or cooperator fire protection entities to develop appropriate management 

response actions, as documented in the annual operating plan, for wildland fires on or threatening 

BLM lands. Primary consideration and operational emphasis are placed on firefighter and public 

safety, minimizing the loss of life and damage to private property, minimizing environmental damage 

due to suppression efforts, and considering resource values and high value habitat at risk from 

unwanted wildfire. 

 FIRE-BG6. Land Use Plan Decision: Identify high priority wildfire risk areas (e.g., wildland-urban 

interface, critical habitats and cultural areas). The Hollister Fire Management Plan (FMP) displays the 

list of values at risk and the communities at risk within each FMU. (These lists may change as 

communities are removed or added each year). 
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 FIRE-BG7. Implementation Decision: Work collaboratively with Federal, State, Fire Safe 

Councils, and local partners to develop cross boundary fire management strategies and prioritize 

cross agency fire management actions.

 FIRE-BG8. Implementation Decision: Work collaboratively with communities at risk within 

the wildland-urban interface to develop plans for risk reduction.

 FIRE-BG9. Implementation Decision: Work collaboratively with managing partners to design 

and implement prescribed fire and fuels management projects across agency boundaries where 

this interaction would improve the overall success of the project.

 FIRE-BG10. Land Use Plan Decision: Limit the use of fire retardant drops to prevent damage to 

rock art sites and vernal pools and associated aquatic species. Keep retardant away from rock 

outcrops and waterways. 

 FIRE-BG11. Implementation Decision: Establish a fire effects monitoring system that 

inventories pre-burn species composition and resulting post-fire response, over time.

 FIRE-BG12. Implementation Decision: Monitor fire/fuels treatment effects and adjust the 

Hollister FMP as needed.

 FIRE-BG13. Implementation Decision: Implement a chaparral management program within 

the CCMA to use fire to improve wildlife habitat. 

 FIRE-BG14. Land Use Plan Decision: Protect the primitive nature of public lands within the San 

Benito Mountain WSA from any action affecting the overall “naturalness” of the area. 

 FIRE-BG15. Land Use Plan Decision: Prohibit the use of heavy mechanical equipment within the 

San Benito Mountain WSA. This restriction may be lifted by the Field Manager to protect human life, 

private property, structures, visitor safety, or sensitive or valuable resources. 

 FIRE-BG16. Implementation Decision: Develop local or regional “Normal Fire Year 

Rehabilitation Plans.”

 FIRE-BG17. Implementation Decision: Promote the use of native species in reseedings.

 FIRE-BG18. Implementation Decision: Monitor rehabilitation efforts to facilitate future 

planning and implementation.

2.5.17.3 Target Acres for Fire Management 

Management actions for prescribed fire and mechanical treatment activities on BLM-administered lands 

in the CCMA under the Proposed Action are summarized in Tables 2.5-6, 2.5-7 and 2.5-8. Management 

actions pertain to prescribed fire and treatment activities on BLM-administered lands in the CCMA. 

Table 2.5-6 Average Annual Prescribed Fire Target Acres
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Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Proposed Action

San Benito Natural Area 0

Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC 100

Hernandez Valley 125

San Joaquin Valley South 100

San Joaquin South Continued 1000

Table 2.5-7 Decadal Prescribed Fire Target Acres

Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Proposed Action

San Benito Natural Area 0

Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC 1000

Hernandez Valley 1,250

San Joaquin Valley South 1,000

San Joaquin South Continued 10,000
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Table 2.5-8 Decadal Mechanical Treatment Target Acres

Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Proposed Action

San Benito Natural Area 0

Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC 1000

Hernandez Valley 125

San Joaquin Valley South 1,000

San Joaquin South Continued 10,000

2.5.18 Land and Realty 

2.5.18.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for lands and realty management is to provide lands, interests in land, and authorizations for 

public and private uses while maintaining and improving resource values and public land administration. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Retain, consolidate, and/or acquire land or interest in land with high public resource values for 

effective administration and improvement of resource management; 

Make public land available for disposal that meets the disposal criteria contained in Section 203(a) 

of the FLPMA; 

Meet public, private, and Federal agency needs for realty-related land use authorizations and land 

withdrawals, including those authorizations necessary for wind, solar, biomass, and other forms 

of renewable energy development; 

Acquire legal public or administrative access to public land; and 

Eliminate unauthorized use of public lands. 

2.5.18.2 Land Tenure Adjustments 

2.5.18.2.1 Management Actions 

 LTEN-A7. Land Use Plan Decision: Acquire or exchange lands in accordance with the FLPMA 

and other applicable Federal laws and regulations to ensure more efficient management of the public 

lands, to reduce conflicts with other public and private landowners, and to provide more consistency 

and logic in land use patterns within the Hollister Field Office. 

 LTEN-EFG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Public lands in the Condon and San Benito River Zones 

identified on the Proposed Action Map in Appendix I would be available for disposal. 
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 LTEN-EFG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Acquisition of private in-holdings with high value for 

multiple resources including important biological resources and recreational opportunities would be 

the highest priority.

 LTEN-EFG3. Land Use Plan Decision: Consider minor boundary adjustments to facilitate 

management efficiency through sale, exchange, or patent (i.e., less than 50 acres). 

Table 2.5-9 Acres of public lands available for disposal by management zone 

Management Zone Proposed Action

Serpentine ACEC 0

Tucker 0

Condon 280

San Benito River 88

Total 368

2.5.18.3 Land Use Authorizations 

2.5.18.3.1 Management Actions 

 LUSE-A2. Land Use Plan Decision: Designate existing utility routes as utility corridors. 

 LUSE-BF1. Land Use Plan Decision: Lands identified for retention are considered unsuitable for 

entry under any of the agricultural land laws because of significant multiple-use values. 

 LUSE-BF2. Land Use Plan Decision: Place special emphasis on resolution of unauthorized uses of 

public lands. Increase coordination with local, State and other Federal law enforcement agencies. 

 LUSE-BF3. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain consistency with County General Plans and zoning 

within Department regulations and Bureau policy. 

 LUSE-BF4. Land Use Plan Decision: Permit commercial filming on a case-by-case basis. 

 LUSE-BF5. Land Use Plan Decision: Issue apiary permits on a case-by-case basis. 

 LUSE-BF6. Land Use Plan Decision: Honor valid existing rights and easements that have been 

acquired through land acquisitions. Enter rights-of-way into LR2000 to ensure proper recording. 

 LUSE-BF7. Land Use Plan Decision: Construction of new communication sites in the ACEC will 

only be authorized at sites with existing facilities.

 LUSE-BF8. Land Use Plan Decision: Authorize rights-of-way to provide reasonable access for 

private landowners in CCMA. 

 LUSE-G1. Land Use Plan Decision: Stipulate health and safety mitigation measures for existing 

communication sites and rights-of-way authorizations in the Serpentine ACEC. 
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

143 

2.6 COMPARISON OF IMPACTS BY ALTERNATIVE 

The tables below (2.6-1 - 2.6-14) summarize the impacts on the public land resources of CCMA by alternative, as assessed in the reasoned 

analysis in Chapter 4. See Chapter 4 for more specific details. Negligible impacts are predicted to prime and unique farmlands, floodplains, wild 

and scenic rivers, and wilderness from all of the alternatives because none of the proposed land use decisions would change the existing conditions 

of these resources, if present. Under all alternatives, the Serpentine ACEC designation would be maintained for the 30,000-acre area with high 

concentrations of asbestos fibers. Since the analysis of impacts for all of the resources within the CCMA is done in the context of impacts to 

human health and safety and the environment from asbestos emissions, an analysis covering impacts to the ACEC values would be duplicative. 

Therefore, a separate detailed analysis of asbestos health risks is not included in the evaluation of impacts to the values for which the ACEC was 

established, in the Special Designations sections of this PRMP/FEIS. 

2.6.1 Recreation 

Among the Motorized Alternatives (B, C, D, E) considered in the CCMA RMP/EIS, Alternative B and C would continue to provide vehicular 

access and OHV recreation at existing locations; although, certain allowable uses, competitive events, and commercial activities within the 

Serpentine ACEC would be restricted. Similarly, under Alternatives D and E, BLM would allow Motorized access through the ACEC, but the 

emphasis would be focused on establishing and managing motorized and non-motorized recreation use areas to provide appropriate recreation 

opportunities on BLM-managed lands outside of the ACEC. 

Alternatives A, B, and C would focus on existing recreation sites and could allow expansion of existing facilities. Alternative C would limit OHV 

recreation in the ACEC to full-size vehicles and motorcycles only for visitors age eighteen or older. Alternative D would establish new OHV 

recreation sites outside the ACEC (see Table 2.6-1 below). Under all of the alternatives, except for No Action (Alt. A), overnight camping and 

staging would be prohibited in the ACEC. Alternative E emphasizes vehicle touring in the ACEC, as well as development of facilities for nonmotorized recreation outside the ACEC. 

Under the Non-motorized Alternatives (F and G), BLM would reduce asbestos emissions by limiting allowable uses to foot traffic only inside the 

ACEC (Alt. F) or minimize human health risks from exposure to asbestos by prohibiting all public use and entry in the ACEC (Alt G). In other 

words, Alternative G would make the existing temporary closure of the 30,000-acre ACEC that was issued by BLM under 43 CFR 8364.1 on May 

1, 2008 permanent. Consequently, the impact analysis for Alt. G provides a baseline for comparison of the impacts associated with the temporary 

closure of the Serpentine ACEC to other management actions within the range of alternatives for the CCMA RMP/EIS. 

Table 2.6-1 provides a comparison of impacts to recreation resources under each alternative. 
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

144 

Table 2.6-1 Comparison of Impacts to Recreation Resources by Alternative 

Allowable Use A B C D E F G

OHV 

Recreation

Major beneficial 

effects because 

this alternative 

would maintain 

existing OHV 

recreation 

opportunities.

Minor adverse 

impacts because 

motorized access 

would be limited 

to less than 5 

day/year by 

permit only.

Moderate 

adverse impacts 

because OHV 

recreation in the 

ACEC would be 

limited to 

visitors > 18 

years old, and 

ATV use would 

be prohibited in 

the ACEC.

Moderate 

beneficial impacts 

because new OHV 

recreation 

opportunities 

would be 

developed outside 

the ACEC.

Major adverse 

impacts because 

OHV recreation in 

the ACEC would 

be limited to 

highway-licensed 

vehicles by permit 

only. Minor 

benefits from 

highway-licensed 

and ATV/UTV use 

on designated 

routes in the 

Cantua and 

Condon 

management 

zones.

Major adverse 

impacts because 

OHV recreation 

in the ACEC 

would be 

prohibited, and 

BLM would only 

authorize 

ATV/UTV use 

on designated 

routes in the 

Cantua and 

Condon 

management 

zones.

Major adverse 

impacts because 

OHV recreation 

in the ACEC 

would be 

prohibited, and 

BLM would only 

authorize 

ATV/UTV use 

on designated 

routes in the 

Condon 

management 

zones.

Hiking, 

Hunting, 

Rockhounding, 

Firearms and 

Target 

Shooting

Minor beneficial 

effects because 

this alternative 

would maintain 

existing 

motorized route 

network to 

support these 

recreation 

opportunities.

Minor adverse 

impacts because 

non-motorized 

access would be 

limited to less 

than 12 days/year 

and motorized 

access to support 

these recreation 

opportunities 

would be limited 

to less than 5 

day/year by 

permit only.

Moderate

adverse impacts 

because 

recreation 

opportunities 

would be limited 

to visitors > 18 

years old, and 

ATV use would 

be prohibited in 

the ACEC.

Major beneficial 

impacts because 

management of 

the ACEC would 

provide motorized 

access to support 

these activities, 

conflicts with 

OHV would be 

reduced, and new 

recreation 

facilities would be 

developed outside 

the ACEC.

Moderate 

beneficial effects 

because 

management of the 

ACEC would 

provide motorized 

access to support 

these activities, 

conflicts with 

OHV would be 

reduced, and new 

recreation facilities 

would be 

developed outside 

the ACEC.

Moderate adverse 

impacts because 

motorized access 

in the ACEC to 

support these 

activities would 

be prohibited.

Major adverse 

impacts because 

non-motorized 

recreation in the 

ACEC would be 

prohibited, and 

BLM would only 

maintain existing 

recreation 

facilities outside 

the ACEC.
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

145 

Allowable Use A B C D E F G

Camping & Staging within 

ACEC

Minor 

beneficial 

effects because 

this alternative 

would allow 

overnight 

camping and 

staging to 

support 

recreation 

opportunities 

throughout 

CCMA.

Minor adverse effects because these alternatives would prohibit overnight camping and staging to support 

recreation opportunities in the ACEC (except for Jade Mill). However, these effects would be mitigated 

by developing new recreation facilities to support camping and staging for recreation activities in the 

Tucker, Cantua, and Condon management zones.

2.6.2 HAZMAT and Public Health & Safety 

Under all the alternatives, BLM would continue to ensure proper handling of hazardous materials and wastes; identify mine-related, illegal dumps 

and other public land hazards, eliminating or mitigating them as soon as possible; and identify and resolve mining-related trespasses, especially 

public safety conflicts occurring with visitor use. Under Alternative A, the No Action Alternative, BLM would continue current hazardous 

material management activities as outlined in the 1984 Hollister RMP and associated CCMA amendments. Implementation of Alternatives B and 

C would emphasize health and safety mitigation measures at visitor use facilities and improvements on major routes to minimize exposure to 

asbestos. Alternative B would limit the number of annual visitor use days to less than 12 days for non-motorized and less than 5 days for 

motorized activities. Alternative C includes restrictions on allowable uses by limiting vehicle types on routes and trails, and by limiting OHV 

recreation in CCMA to visitors age eighteen and older to minimize exposure to asbestos. Alternatives D and E would only authorize motorized 

access on major routes in the ACEC. Alternatives E and F would authorize access in the Serpentine ACEC by permit only and limit the number of 

annual visitor use days based on excess lifetime cancer risk of proposed recreation activities. Alternative F would also restrict allowable uses in the 

Serpentine ACEC to foot-traffic and other non-motorized recreation activities. Alternative G would make the existing temporary closure of the 

30,000-acre ACEC that was issued by BLM under 43 CFR 8364.1 on May 1, 2008 permanent. Consequently, the impact analysis for Alt. G 

provides a baseline for comparison of the impacts associated with the temporary closure of the Serpentine ACEC to other management actions 

within the range of alternatives for the CCMA RMP/EIS 

Table 2.6-2 provides a comparison of impacts to public health and safety and hazardous materials under each alternative. 
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

146 

Table 2.6-2 Comparison of Impacts to Public Health and Safety and Hazardous Materials by Alternative 

Management 

Actions A B C D E F G

Public Safety & 

Human Health Risk

Major adverse 

impacts to public 

health and safety 

because of excess 

lifetime cancer 

risk from 

exposure to 

asbestos.

Major beneficial 

impacts to public 

health and safety 

because visitor use 

restrictions would 

limit exposure to 

asbestos within the 

acceptable risk 

range.

Moderate 

adverse impacts 

because CCMA 

visitors would 

have potential 

excess lifetime 

cancer risk from 

exposure to 

asbestos. 

Minor beneficial 

impacts because 

allowable use 

restrictions and 

management of 

designated 

routes in the 

ACEC would 

limit exposure 

to asbestos.

Major beneficial 

effects because 

allowable use 

restrictions and 

permitting 

requirements in 

the ACEC would 

limit exposure to 

asbestos within 

the acceptable 

risk range.

Major beneficial 

effects because 

allowable use 

restrictions and 

permitting 

requirements in 

the ACEC would 

limit exposure to 

asbestos within 

the acceptable 

risk range.

Major 

beneficial 

effects 

because 

ACEC 

closure 

would 

eliminate 

exposure to 

asbestos. 

Hazardous Materials 

Disposal

Major beneficial effects because BLM would ensure proper disposal and monitor for illegal dumping.

Public Land Hazards, 

Abandoned Mine 

Lands (AML)

Moderate 

beneficial effects 

because BLM 

would eliminate 

or mitigate public 

land hazards, 

particularly 

related with 

mining activity.

Major beneficial effects because BLM would implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to 

Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) and mining activities outlined in Appendix V, and reduce the use of Federal funds 

for clean-up of contaminated lands by seeking cost avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally responsible 

parties.
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

147 

Human Health Risk 

Mitigation Measures A B C D E F G

Season of Use Minor beneficial impacts from Dry 

Season Closures June 1st– Oct 15th 

because allowable uses on designated 

routes would be restricted for four and 

one-half months out of the year.

Minor beneficial 

impacts from 

Dry Season Use 

Restrictions 

April 15th– Dec. 

1

st because 

allowable uses 

on designated 

routes would be 

restricted for 

seven and onehalf months out 

of the year.

Negligible effects because human 

health risk exists year-round, and it 

appears that only active rainfall 

reduces asbestos air concentrations 

(EPA 2008).

Same as A 

because 

allowable uses 

would be 

restricted for four 

and one-half 

months out of the 

year.

NA

Permit Access to 

Limit Annual Visitor 

Use Days

NA Major beneficial 

effects because 

limited annual 

visitor use would 

limit exposure to 

asbestos within the 

acceptable risk 

range.

NA NA Major beneficial effects because 

allowable use restrictions and 

limited annual visitor use would 

limit exposure to asbestos within the 

acceptable risk range.

Major 

beneficial 

effects 

because 

ACEC 

closure 

would 

eliminate 

exposure to 

asbestos.

Decontamination 

Facility

Minor beneficial impacts because installation of a public 

vehicle wash rack would reduce off-site transportation of 

asbestos fibers (i.e. track-out).

Minor adverse impacts because of human health risk associated with offsite transportation of asbestos fibers (i.e. track-out).

Liability Waiver NA Moderate adverse effects from signed waivers of liability to indemnify BLM against risk of tort claims associated 

with CCMA visitor use and exposure to airborne asbestos fibers because this requirement would not reduce human 

health risk and encourage visitor use in the ACEC.

Recreation Use -

Camping

Major beneficial impacts from eliminating staging for recreation or camping overnight in ACEC (except for Jade Mill).
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

148 

Human Health Risk 

Mitigation Measures A B C D E F G

Recreation Use –

Age Restrictions

NA NA Moderate 

beneficial 

impacts because 

visitors < 18 and 

ATV riders 

would avoid 

exposure to 

asbestos in the 

ACEC.

Moderate 

beneficial 

impacts because 

visitors < 18 and 

ATV riders 

would avoid 

exposure to 

asbestos in the 

ACEC.

NA NA Major 

beneficial 

effects 

because 

ACEC 

closure 

would 

eliminate 

exposure to 

asbestos for 

all ages.

Recreation Visitor 

Services, 

Interpretation and 

Education

Negligible 

impacts because 

health risk 

awareness 

information 

would be 

promoted on-site 

and on maps, 

brochures, etc.

Minor beneficial impacts because the best available information concerning: asbestos health hazards, OHV use 

designations, fire prevention, BLM regulations, and natural resources of the area would be incorporated into 

educational materials and on all maps, brochures, and kiosks.

Travel and 

Transportation 

Management

Negligible effects 

because BLM 

would comply 

with ATCM for 

asbestos relating 

to construction 

and roads.

Moderate beneficial impacts because BLM would reduce emissions at staging areas, other recreation facilities, and 

on major routes with dust suppression and surface hardening techniques including, but not limited to paving, base 

rock, chip seal, or applications of surfactants (i.e. biodegradable liquid copolymers) to stabilize and solidify soils or 

aggregates and control erosion.

2.6.3 Travel and Transportation Management 

Under the seven alternatives, impacts to travel management and vehicle use opportunities would vary, depending on the Alternative’s travel 

management plan. Alternatives A and B would continue current travel management practices; vehicle use on all BLM lands would be limited to 

designated routes and barrens, unless posted otherwise, and new trails would be constructed, up to a total of 270 miles. Alternatives A and B 

would emphasize recreational opportunities, and would have the greatest recreational benefit to the motorized community. Alternative B would 
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

149 

limit travel by seasonal duration in consideration of human health and safety. Alternative C would provide basic access to the public while 

providing limited OHV use specific to motorcycles in an attempt to mitigate dust exposure. Alternative D would restrict access within the ACEC 

while developing other areas within CCMA for OHV travel. Alternative E would provide for access along T153/Spanish Lake Road only and 

would be the most restrictive for active ACEC motorized travel, with other areas outside the ACEC developed for non-motorized access. 

Alternative F would limit the public within the ACEC to pedestrian travel. Alternative G would prohibit any access by the public into the ACEC. 

Table 2.6-3 summarizes the management actions under each alternative, and provides (approximate) miles of designated routes under each 

alternative. 

Table 2.6-3 Comparison of Impacts to Travel and Transportation Management by Alternative 

Management 

Action A B C D E F G

Area 

Designation

Negligible effects from maintaining designation of the entire 75,000-acre 

CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area because vehicle use would continue 

to be limited to designated routes. 

Moderate adverse

impacts from 

reducing the 

“Limited” vehicle 

use area 

designation within 

the ACEC to the 

460-acre Scenic 

Route Corridor, 

and designating 

the remaining 

29,560 acres as 

“Closed” to 

vehicle use.

Major adverse impacts from 

designating the entire Serpentine 

ACEC a "Closed" vehicle use area 

because access to support 

motorized and non-motorized 

recreation opportunities and other 

resource uses would be prohibited. 
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

150 

Management 

Action A B C D E F G

Route 

Designation

Negligible 

effects from 

maintaining 

vehicle use in 

CCMA limited 

to designated 

routes identified 

on Map A in 

Appendix I and 

barrens 

identified in the 

2006 ROD for 

CCMA Route 

Designation.

Minor adverse

impacts from 

managing 

vehicle use in 

CCMA limited 

to permittedvehicles on 

designated 

routes 

identified on 

Map B in 

Appendix I 

because 478 

acres of barrens 

would be 

designated 

closed to 

vehicle use.

Moderate 

adverse impacts 

from managing 

vehicle use in 

CCMA limited 

to full-size 

vehicles and 

motor-cycle use 

only on

designated

routes identified 

on Map C in 

Appendix I 

because 478 

acres of barrens 

and 42 miles of 

ATV/Jeep trails 

would be 

designated 

closed to vehicle 

use.

Minor adverse 

impacts from 

managing vehicle use 

in the ACEC limited 

to full-size vehicles 

on designated routes 

identified on Map D 

in Appendix I. 

Moderate beneficial 

impacts from 

managing vehicle use 

in the other zones 

limited to designated 

(and proposed) routes 

identified on Map D 

in Appendix I, 

because BLM would 

designate 

approximately 60 

miles of new routes 

for OHV recreation 

following the route 

designation 

methodology 

described in 

Appendix II.

Moderate adverse

impacts from reducing 

the miles of designated 

routes in the ACEC to 

the 11-mile Scenic 

Route (T153 &R11) 

identified on Map E in 

Appendix I limited to 

permitted full-size 

vehicles only. 

Minor beneficial 

impacts from 

managing vehicle use 

in the Condon, Tucker, 

and Cantua zones is 

limited to full-size 

vehicles and 

ATV/UTV use only on

designated (and 

proposed) routes 

identified on Map E in 

Appendix I because 

BLM would designate 

approximately 30 miles 

of new routes for travel 

and transportation

following the route 

designation 

methodology described 

in Appendix II. 

Major adverse

designating all 

routes in the 

ACEC "Closed" 

because access to 

support 

motorized and 

non-motorized 

recreation 

opportunities and 

other resource 

uses would be 

prohibited.

Negligible 

effects from 

managing 

vehicle use in the 

Condon Zone 

limited to fullsize vehicles and 

ATV/UTV use 

only on 

designated (and 

proposed) routes 

identified on 

Map F in 

Appendix I. 

Negligible 

effects from 

managing 

vehicle use in 

the Condon 

Zone limited 

to full-size 

vehicles and 

ATV/UTV use 

only on 

designated

(and proposed) 

routes 

identified on 

Map G in 

Appendix I.
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Proposed RMP & Final EIS

151 

Management 

Action A B C D E F G

Seasonal Closures 

within the 

Serpentine ACEC

Negligible 

effects from 

seasonal 

closures 

because 

motorized 

access would 

continue to be 

limited to dry 

season routes 

from June 1 –

Oct. 15 

annually, when 

visitor use is 

historically 

low.

Major 

beneficial 

impacts from 

restrictions to 

limit vehicle 

use during 

periods of 

extreme wet 

and muddy 

conditions 

because this 

type of closure 

would prevent 

rutting and soil 

loss on 

designated 

routes. 

Moderate adverse impacts from 

seasonal closures because restrictions 

on motorized access would be 

extended for a longer period from 

April 15th through December 1st 

annually, which includes several 

months when traditional visitor uses 

supported by motorized access take 

place. 

Major beneficial impacts from 

restrictions to limit vehicle use during 

periods of extreme wet and muddy 

conditions because this type of closure 

would prevent rutting and soil loss on 

designated routes.

Negligible effects from establishing 

remote automated weather station 

(RAWS) monitoring of soil moisture to 

determine need for ACEC closure 

based on extreme weather conditions 

because BLM would continue to 

restrict vehicle use during periods of 

extreme wet and muddy conditions 

because this type of closure would 

prevent rutting and soil loss on 

designated routes.

Same as A. NA
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

152 

Management 

Action A B C D E F G

Mitigation Measures Moderate beneficial 

impacts from 

implementation of 

BMPs to reduce offsite water quality 

impacts from roads 

and trails that are no 

longer designated 

open, or exceed State 

soil loss standards.

Major beneficial impacts from implementation of BMPs related to transportations and roads outlined in 

Appendix V, and addressing all route maintenance activities in an annual corrective route maintenance plan 

consistent with established guidance.

2.6.4 Biological Resources – (Vegetation – Fish & Wildlife – Special Status Species) 

Under all the alternatives, there would be beneficial impacts from managing sensitive resource areas, implementing wildlife management actions, 

use of prescribed fire and mechanical vegetation treatments, adoption of Standards for Rangeland Health and the BLM’s CABE Compliance 

Monitoring Plan. The adverse impacts from recreation activities and other land use authorizations would be minor because of mitigation measures 

or use restrictions under all alternatives. Biological resources goals to maintain sustainable populations would have major long-term benefits on 

native and non-native plants and animals in CCMA. 

Tables 2.6-4(a), 2.6-4(b), and 2.6-4(c) provide a comparison of impacts to biological resources under each alternative.

Table 2.6-4(a) Comparison of Impacts to Biological Resources by Alternative – Vegetation

Management Action A B C D E F G

VEG-A1 Negligible effects because requests for woodcutting permits are historically low and would only be authorized where it is 

consistent with resource management goals and objectives.

VEG -A2 Negligible effects because native perennial grassland communities would likely be maintained at existing population levels with 

slight fluctuations annually.

VEG -A3 Negligible effects because the big sagebrush stands in the San Carlos Bolsa would likely be maintained at existing population 

levels with slight fluctuations annually.

VEG -A4 Minor beneficial impacts because management of conifer forests for their scenic values and unique vegetation characteristics

would reduce the adverse effects of other resources uses that conflict with these values.

VEG -A5 Negligible effects because commercial harvesting of conifer forests in the SBMRNA is already prohibited.

VEG -A6 Minor beneficial effects because existing BLM policy is to protect known and newly discovered occurrences of sensitive 

vegetation resources, including vernal pools and riparian zones.
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153 

Management Action A B C D E F G

VEG -A7

Major beneficial impacts from brush clearing, prescribed burns, and seed or seedling introductions because they would improve 

habitat available for desired vegetation species and reduce populations of noxious and invasive weeds that compete with native 

plants. 

VEG -A8

Major beneficial impacts from prescribed fire and other management techniques because annual and decadal targets for 

prescribed fire and mechanical treatments would provide a mosaic of vegetative communities to protect soil, watershed, and 

wildlife.

VEG -A9 Negligible effects because BLM currently maintains a sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses 

due to historically low utilization levels.

VEG -A10

Minor beneficial impacts because BLM currently cooperates with the University of California on the barrens restoration pilot 

program and establishing small scale soil/plant study plots to investigate plant adaptability and nutritional requirements for 

rehabilitation purposes

VEG -BG1. --

Moderate beneficial impacts form mitigation measures included in all activity plans to protect or enhance riparian 

areas.

VEG -BG2 --

Moderate beneficial impacts from emphasis on locally grown or adapted native seed mixes for restoration 

activities.

VEG -BG3 --

Major beneficial impacts from management activities that mimic natural disturbance regimes (e.g., fire) because 

they would improve habitat available for desired vegetation species and reduce populations of noxious and 

invasive weeds that compete with native plants.

VEG -BG4 --

Same as VEG-BG2 above. Negligible effects from non-invasive, non-native species that would be used in revegetation materials because they would be temporary and non-persistent.

VEG -BG5 --

Minor beneficial impacts from avoiding surface disturbance to riparian vegetation because limiting disturbances to 

those that are necessary to restore or enhance riparian conditions in the long-term would maintain or improve 

overall habitat for riparian vegetation communities.

VEG -BG6 -- Same as VEG-BG5 above.

VEG -BG7. --

Minor beneficial impacts because maintaining mixed-aged classes for all riparian communities would enhance 

riparian conditions in the long-term.

VEG –BG8 --

Major beneficial impacts from management of invasive and noxious weed eradication based on the BLM and 

California State lists because prioritizing these species for abatement and control would reduce populations of 

noxious and invasive weeds that compete with native plants.

VEG –BG9 --

Negligible effects because requests for non-commercial permits for collecting vegetative products for Native 

American practices are historically low and would only be authorized where it is consistent with resource 

management goals and objectives. 

VEG –BG10 --

Initiate riparian restoration/improvement projects within systems that have been identified as not functioning or 

functioning at risk with a downward or static trend.
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154 

Management Action A B C D E F G

VEG –BG11 --

Minor beneficial impacts because CCMA currently supports a mosaic of vegetation communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and a sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and non-consumptive uses.

Table 2.6-4(b) Comparison of Impacts to Biological Resources by Alternative – Fish & Wildlife

Management Action A B C D E F G

HAB-A1

Major beneficial impacts from prescribed burns because they would increase nutrients in soils through combustion of fuels, and 

from increase habitat available for forage and browsing, and reductions in populations of noxious and invasive weeds that 

compete with native plants and animals. 

HAB-A2 Minor benefits from enhancing upland game habitat because most of the suitable upland habitat is already managed in 

cooperation with DFG and hunting clubs in the area to sustain healthy population of game species.

HAB-A3 Minor benefits from installation of guzzlers because most of the suitable locations are already managed in cooperation with DFG 

and hunting clubs in the area to provide supplemental water improvements for game species.

HAB-A4 Minor benefits from fencing of sensitive areas because most of these locations are already protected by vehicle barriers and 

existing route designations.

HAB-A5 Same as HAB-A4 above.

HAB-A6 Same as HAB-A4 above.

HAB-A7 Minor benefits from improving game habitat in nonserpentine areas because most of the suitable locations are already managed 

in cooperation with DFG and hunting clubs in the area to sustain healthy population of game species.

HAB-A8 Same as HAB-A4 above.

HAB-A9 Same as HAB-A4 above.

HAB-A10 Same as HAB-A4 above.

HAB-BF1. --

Major beneficial impacts from control of nonnative species 

because of reductions in populations of noxious and 

invasive weeds that compete with native plants and 

animals.

--

HAB-BF2 --

Moderate benefits from preserving fallen trees & snags 

from increase habitat available for nesting and roosting. --

HAB-BF3 -- Same as HAB-A4 above. --

HAB-BF4 -- Same as HAB-A3 above. --

HAB-BF5 --

Moderate benefits from avoiding disturbance of raptor nests 

because of buffer distances from roosting sites sufficient to 

reduce by 90% the direct disturbance from human 

activities. 

--
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155 

Management Action A B C D E F G

HAB-BF6 -

Major benefits from avoiding disturbance of T&E raptor 

nests because of buffer distances from nesting sites 

sufficient to reduce the direct disturbance from human 

activities to near zero.

-

HAB-BF7. --

Minor benefits from restoring fish and wildlife habitat 

because most of the suitable habitat is already managed in 

cooperation with DFG and hunting clubs in the area to 

sustain healthy population of game species.

--

HAB-G1 -- --

Negligible effects from removal of nonfunctional 

guzzlers because they no longer serve their intended 

purpose. 

HAB-G2 -- --

Minor benefits from restoring fish and wildlife 

habitat outside the ACEC because most of these 

areas are already managed in cooperation with DFG 

and hunting clubs in the area to sustain healthy 

population of game species.

Table 2.6-4(c) Comparison of Impacts to Biological Resources by Alternative – Special Status Species 

Management Action A B C D E F G

SSS-A1 

SSS-BC1

SSS-DEF1 

SSS-G1

Negligible effects from establishing 

appropriate levels of surface 

disturbance to protect special status 

species and their associated habitats.

Minor beneficial impacts 

from maintaining all 

known special status 

species habitat and 

implementing revised 

Compliance and 

Monitoring Plan 

identified under SSS-A18 

and SSS-A19.

Moderate beneficial impacts 

from adopting the BLM’s 

Compliance Monitoring Plan 

outlined in Appendix IV for 

existing CABE habitat and 

populations.

Moderate beneficial 

impacts from adopting 

the BLM’s Compliance 

Monitoring Plan 

outlined in Appendix 

IV for existing CABE 

habitat and populations.

SSS-A2 

SSS-BC2 

SSS-DEF2 

SSS-G2

Negligible effects from monitoring the 

effects of management activities on 

significant habitat areas.

Negligible effects from 

prohibiting collection of 

special status species, 

except for scientific 

research or Native 

American traditional use.

Moderate beneficial impacts 

from mitigating or relocating 

surface-disturbing activities 

proposed within occupied or 

potential habitat for special 

status species.

Moderate beneficial 

impacts from limiting

proposed new surfacedisturbing activities 

within occupied or 

potential habitat for 
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Proposed RMP & Final EIS

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Management Action A B C D E F G

special status species.

SSS-A3 

SSS-BC3 

SSS-G3

Negligible effects from development 

of access roads to follow existing 

roads and trails and route new roads to 

avoid sensitive habitat features.

Minor beneficial impacts 

from protection of aquatic 

habitat that could support 

California tiger 

salamander or yellowlegged frog s by 

maintaining natural 

corridors so that 

continuous native plant 

coverage allows adequate 

movement of these 

species.

--

Major beneficial 

impacts from 

restoration projects in 

closed areas that disturb 

or interrupt hydrologic 

and/or ecological 

processes to support 

special status species 

and significant plant 

communities.

SSS-A4 

SSS-BC4.

Minor beneficial impacts from on- and 

off-site compensation in the form of 

rehabilitation, reseeding, and other 

actions during new construction.

Moderate benefits from 

buffer distances from 

roosting sites sufficient to 

reduce by 90% the direct 

disturbance from human 

activities. Major benefits 

from buffer distances 

from nesting sites 

sufficient to reduce the 

direct disturbance from 

human activities to near 

zero.

-- --

SSS-A5

Negligible effects from seasonal 

restrictions for certain activities during 

sensitive periods such as denning and 

nesting.

-- -- --

SSS-A6 Negligible effects from buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. -- -- --

SSS-A7

Major beneficial impacts from 

evaluation of known or potential 

habitat before implementing actions 

that may affect the habitat and 

consultations with FWS in accordance 

with Section 7 of the Endangered 

-- -- --
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Management Action A B C D E F G

Species Act, as appropriate.

SSS-A8

Minor beneficial impact from 

managing portions of Clear Creek, 

Sawmill Creek, San Benito River, and 

San Carlos Creek for introducing the 

San Benito evening-primrose into 

suitable habitat.

-- -- --

SSS-A9

Negligible effects from monitoring all 

populations of the San Benito 

evening-primrose and their protective 

measures for compliance relating to 

OHV trespass.

-- -- --

SSS-A10

Minor beneficial impacts from 

implementation of BMPs including 

drainage improvements, construction 

of rolling dips, water bars, rock 

armored/hardened stream crossings, 

hardened sills, and half-pipe bridges, 

as needed to minimize impacts to 

water quality, control erosion and 

sediment production.

-- -- --

SSS-A11

Moderate beneficial impacts from 

rehabilitation of potential habitat areas 

for the San Benito evening primrose in 

Clear Creek Canyon.

-- -- --

SSS-A12

Negligible effects from an ecological 

study of the San Benito evening 

primrose to determine habitat 

requirements. 

-- -- --

SSS-A13

Minor beneficial impacts from 

monitoring known populations and 

potential habitat on a yearly basis, and 

protecting new populations as they are 

discovered.

-- -- --

SSS-A14

Minor beneficial impacts from 

protection of known and newly 

discovered occurrences of the San 

-- -- --
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Management Action A B C D E F G

Benito evening primrose and other 

sensitive resources including rare 

plants such as rayless layia, vernal 

pools, and riparian zones from vehicle 

and camping disturbances.

SSS-A15

Minor beneficial impacts from 

monitoring all unprotected 

populations of special status species 

for possible adverse impacts from 

vehicles and other uses and 

implementation of protective actions 

as warranted.

-- -- --

SSS-A16

Minor beneficial impacts from 

inventory of suitable habitat for all 

sensitive plant species and monitoring 

of any new populations of special 

status species documented during 

inventories for adverse impacts and 

implement protective actions as 

warranted.

-- -- --

SSS-A17

Minor beneficial impacts developing 

long-term studies to determine how 

disturbances such as human use, 

storms, and erosion, impact the 

viability of special status species. 

-- -- --

SSS-A18

Minor beneficial impacts from 

compliance monitoring for the 

protection of San Benito eveningprimrose (CABE) to document the 

condition of the species, habitat, and 

the protective measures in place 

according to the Compliance 

Monitoring Plan for CABE in the 

2006 Record of Decision for the 

CCMA RMP Amendment & Route 

Designation

-- -- --
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Management Action A B C D E F G

SSS-A19

Minor beneficial impacts from 

revising Compliance Monitoring Plan 

to improve the BLM’s ability to: 1) 

coordinate with FWS on 

implementation of adaptive 

management actions; 2) conduct 

annual area-wide monitoring of 

Camissonia benitensis habitat and 

population estimates; 3) analyze 

correlations between OHV use 

patterns and population levels; 4) 

establish thresholds that will trigger 

adaptive management, 5) establish 

thresholds that will trigger downlisting 

and delisting.

-- -- --

2.6.5 Air Quality 

Federal, State and local air quality regulations applicable to these activities would be identify permit conditions or other restrictions on activities to 

manage emissions to within acceptable levels. In general, air quality impacts are expected to decrease with each alternative going from A to G, as 

allowable uses are increasingly restricted and overall emissions of hazardous air pollutants would be mitigated through dust abatement. Impacts to 

other resources from air quality management actions are addressed in the respective sections in Chapter 4. 

Table 2.6-5 summarizes impacts to air quality under the range of alternatives. 

Table 2.6-5 Comparison of Impacts to Air Quality by Alternative 

Management Actions A B C D E F G

Compliance Negligible effects from 

compliance with all 

provisions of the 

Monterey Bay Unified 

Air Pollution Control 

District’s ATCM 

regulation for control of 

Negligible effects from 

mitigation for activities and 

projects on BLM lands in 

order to comply with 

applicable Federal, State, and 

local air quality regulations.

Same as Alternative B.
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Management Actions A B C D E F G

airborne asbestos 

emissions.

Fire Management Negligible effects from 

use of CALPUFF and 

other models to evaluate 

impacts on air quality 

from fire management.

Negligible effects from 

coordination with the 

Monterey Bay Unified Air 

Pollution Control District 

(APCD) to permit air quality 

impacts from BLM actions 

and authorizations.

Same as Alternative B.

Public Health and Safety

– Decontaminaiton 

Facility

Minor beneficial 

impacts from 

installation of a public 

vehicle wash facility.

--

Public Health and Safety

– Dust Suppression

Minor beneficial 

impacts from best 

management practices 

(BMPs) for dust 

abatement on roads and 

during project 

implementation.

Minor beneficial impacts from reducing emissions on major routes with dust suppression and surface 

hardening techniques that include, but are not limited to, paving, base rock, chip seal, or applications of 

surfactants to stabilize and solidify soils or aggregates and control erosion.

Public Health and Safety

– Hazardous Materials

-- Negligible effects from reducing the use of Federal funds for clean-up of contaminated lands by seeking 

cost avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally responsible parties.

2.6.6 Soil Resources 

The greatest soil disturbance activities within the CCMA include non-motorized recreation, motorized recreation, energy and mineral exploration, 

livestock grazing, and plant community restoration and fire management. The primary impact of concern for soil resources is erosion. Erosion is 

a function of four primary factors including precipitation (amount, intensity, and frequency), soil and bedrock permeability, slope, vegetative 

cover, and disturbance type and intensity. Erosion is a natural process, but it can be greatly accelerated by human impacts including motorized 

recreation, development (mining, roads, pipelines, buildings, fences), livestock grazing, and fire. Indirect impacts can result when eroded sediment 

is transported downstream.
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Table 2.6-6 provides a comparison of the impacts to soils from among the range of alternatives. 

Table 2.6-6 Comparison of Impacts to Soils by Alternative 

A B C D E F G

Moderate beneficial impacts from management actions and mitigation 

measures to reduce or eliminate erosion such as minimizing surface 

disturbance on steep slopes, erosion control (straw bale check dams, straw 

rolls), and revegetation of impacted closed areas. 

Same beneficial impacts from management actions as Alternative A, plus: A 

restoration plan will be required for soils with poor restoration potential prior to 

soil disturbance. 

Moderate beneficial impacts from management actions and mitigation 

measures to reduce or eliminate erosion such as route maintenance, 

minimizing surface disturbance on steep slopes, seasonal road closures, 

erosion control (straw bale check dams, straw rolls), and revegetation of 

impacted closed areas.

Same beneficial impacts as Alternative A, plus: a restoration plan will be required 

for soils with poor restoration potential prior to soil disturbance.

Moderate beneficial impacts from management actions and mitigation 

measures to reduce or eliminate erosion such as route maintenance, 

minimizing surface disturbance on steep slopes, seasonal road closures, 

erosion control (straw bale check dams, straw rolls), and revegetation of 

impacted closed areas. No disturbance will be permitted on slopes in 

excess of 50%.

Same beneficial impacts as Alternative A, plus: a restoration plan will be required 

for soils with poor restoration potential prior to soil disturbance, and no 

disturbance would be permitted on slopes in excess of 40%. 

Minor beneficial impacts from rangeland health monitoring to prevent 

excessive soil loss.

Same beneficial impacts as Alternative A 
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162 

A B C D E F G

Alternatives A - F include restoration of closed routes and degraded lands. Soil erosion control will continue to be installed. Routes will 

continue to be maintained. No disturbance will be permitted on slopes in excess of 50%.

Same beneficial 

impacts as other 

alternative, but 

disturbance 

would be 

permitted on 

slopes in excess 

of 40% if 

adverse impacts 

would likely 

result from 

pursuing other 

alternatives.

2.6.7 Water Resources 

Water resource management decisions generally focus on actions that maintain, restore, or improve water quality and quantity to sustain the 

designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and ensure that surface and groundwater comply with the U.S. Clean Water Act and California State 

standards. Other management actions have the potential to impact water resources through the implementation of various resource programs, as 

described below. 

Management decisions can impact water quality, water quantity, and availability of water for multiple uses, as well as the watershed Proper 

Functioning Condition (PFC) for both surface water and groundwater. Impacts to water quality analyzed in this RMP/EIS include management 

actions specified for recreation, fire management, livestock grazing, energy and minerals development, and resource protection measures 

identified under soil resources. 

Table 2.6-7 provides a comparison of the impacts to water resources from among the range of alternatives. 
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Table 2.6-7 Comparison of Impacts to Water Resources by Alternative 

A B through G

Negligible effects from BMPs for watershed enhancement and stabilization measures. Negligible effects from managing all fluvial systems functioning at 

risk to meet PFCs.

Moderate beneficial impacts from appropriative water rights for all existing and any new 

surface water facilities on which any Federal funding has been expended in the 

development, construction, or maintenance of the water facility.

Moderate beneficial impacts from establishment of Federal water 

reserves on acquired lands to ensure water availability for multiple 

use management and for functioning, healthy, riparian and upland 

systems.

Negligible effects from regular maintenance of roads and trails, including silt 

catchments, out sloping, and contouring to reduce impacts on water resources.

Moderate beneficial impacts from management of CWA 303(d)-listed 

impaired water bodies to meet properly functioning condition (PFC) 

objectives relative to beneficial uses and total maximum daily loads 

(TMDLs).

Negligible effects from allowing private individuals to appropriate un-appropriated 

water on unreserved lands for use on or off the public lands because the appropriation 

must be in accordance with state laws and consistent with multiple use management of 

the public lands.

Major beneficial impacts from maintaining stable watershed 

conditions and implementation of passive and active restoration 

projects to protect beneficial uses of water and meet TMDLs.

Negligible effects from DFG permits and CWA Section 404 permits from the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers for stream alteration and BMP watershed management practices as 

necessary and appropriate.

Minor beneficial impacts from monitoring water quality in seasonal 

pools and perennial ponds containing known or suspected threatened 

and endangered (T & E) species and initiating repairs within 

environmental constraints.

2.6.8 Special Designations 

The existing special designations within the CCMA include the 30,000-acre Serpentine ACEC, which encompasses 4,147-acre San Benito 

Mountain RNA and WSA (1,500-acres). The boundaries of the ACEC were defined by mapping of asbestos soils derived from the New Idria 

serpentine formation based on human health risks associated with exposure to asbestos within the serpentine soils. This ACEC is also referred to 

frequently as the Hazardous Asbestos Area (HAA). 

The purpose and need for this RMP/EIS includes minimizing human health risks from exposure to asbestos and reducing airborne asbestos 

emissions from BLM management activities. The existing special designations highlight areas where special management attention is needed to 

protect public health and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, and scenic values, fish, or wildlife resources or other systems 

or processes from natural hazards. Therefore, no changes or modifications to the special designation areas in CCMA were considered in the range 

of alternatives for the CCMA RMP/EIS. 

Table 2.6-8, below, provides a comparison of the impacts to special designation areas form among the range of alternatives. 
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Proposed RMP & Final EIS

164 

Table 2.6-8 Comparison of Impacts to Special Designation Areas by Alternative 

ACEC/RNA A B C D E F G

Serpentine ACEC Maintaining the existing designation for the 30,000-acre area of serpentine soils high in asbestos fiber and the Clear Creek watershed as 

the Serpentine ACEC would have major beneficial impacts on public health and safety, special status species, and the cultural, historic, 

and scenic values associated with these public lands. These long-term benefits would result from visitor use restrictions in the ACEC to 

reduce human health risk from exposure to asbestos emissions, as well as restoration of special status species habitat and protection of 

cultural and heritage resources .

San Benito 

Mountain RNA 

Maintaining the existing designation for the 4,147-acre San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA) would have major beneficial 

impacts on its unique forest assemblage and the associated scientific research and educational values because of visitor use restrictions in 

the ACEC/RNA and long-term studies on barrens restoration and plant species endemic to serpentine soils.

WSA A B C D E F G

San Benito 

Mountain WSA 

Managing the 1,500 acre San Benito Mountain WSA pursuant to BLM's Interim Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review would have

negligible effects because the BLM manages the WSA in a manner as to prevent impairment of the area’s suitability for wilderness 

designation while Congress considers whether to designate the WSA as permanent wilderness.

WSR A B C D E F G

Wild and Scenic 

River Designations

Recommending that none of the river segments on CCMA public lands for addition to National Wild & Scenic River System would have 

negligible impacts on the outstanding and remarkable values associated with these river segments because none of them are considered 

suitable for wild and scenic river management.

LWC A B C D E F G

Lands with 

Wilderness 

Characteristics

Moderate adverse impacts because no lands in the Cantua Zone would be 

managed for protection of wilderness characteristics.

Minor beneficial impacts on 

LWC in the Cantua Zone because 

routes and trails would be 

managed to enhance primitive 

recreation experience by 

minimizing route-related impacts 

to solitude, naturalness, and other 

special feautures.

Moderate 

beneficial 

impacts 

because all 

LWC in the 

Cantua Zone 

would be 

managed for 

protection of 

wilderness 

characteristics.
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2.6.9 Livestock Grazing 

Hollister Field Office land use decisions relating to the management of rangeland resources and livestock grazing are made in accordance with 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing regulations and the Central California Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines. Variance from 

one or more of the standards indicates that rangeland health may be compromised and corrective actions for livestock grazing may be required. 

Table 2.6-9 provides a comparison of the impacts to livestock grazing from among the range of alternatives. 

Table 2.6-9 Comparison of Impacts to Livestock Grazing by Alternative

Management 

Action A - E F G

Lands available for 

livestock grazing 

(public acres and 

animal unit months 

(AUMs) authorized 

in CCMA).

Maintaining utilization levels at 1,354 

AUMS for livestock grazing on 14 

allotments covering 22,140 acres within 

the CCMA boundary would have 

moderate long-term beneficial impacts on 

rangeland resources and wildlife habitat 

in the planning area because livestock 

grazing would be allowed to improve 

wildlife habitat and enhance vegetation 

resources. Yet, approximately 1,986 acres 

of lands designated for grazing are 

located in the Serpentine ACEC where 

livestock grazing could have minor 

adverse impacts on cultural resources, 

paleontological resources, and sensitive 

species habitat from trampling or 

disturbance, including potential habitat 

for the San Benito evening primrose.

Under Alterative F, grazing use would 

continue to be authorized on all 14 

allotments, but approximately 83 AUMs 

that were previously grazed would 

become unavailable, and 1,986 acres of 

lands located in the Serpentine ACEC 

would be excluded from the existing 

grazing allotments, providing a total of 

20,154 acres and 1,271 AUMs available

for grazing on public lands in CCMA 

located outside of the ACEC. This 

would result in a minor, long-term 

adverse impact on four (4) grazing 

lessees in the CCMA and a moderate 

adverse impact to one lessee due to an 

eighty percent loss of public lands from 

their allotment. The modification of 

allotment boundaries may require 

construction of additional fence along 

the boundary of the ACEC.

Under this alternative, livestock 

grazing would be excluded from public 

lands within the CCMA boundary. The 

exclusion of grazing on 22,140 acres in 

CCMA would be a severe adverse 

impact to 7 individual grazing 

operations on seven (7) BLM 

allotments. A total of six (6) grazing 

allotments would be eliminated by this 

action due to significant reductions in 

available public land within their 

allotment boundaries. 

Removing livestock from the entire 

CCMA could have moderate long-term 

beneficial impacts on special status 

animals and their associated habitats 

because more forage would be 

available for cover and consumption 

for terrestrial species. Conversely, 

eliminating livestock grazing could 

have minor, long-term adverse effects 

on aquatic species because natural 

succession would reduce existing 

habitat quality in ponds and meadows. 

Standards and Potential impacts to sensitive vegetation, wildlife, and special status species habitat NA
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166 

Management 

Action A - E F G

Guidelines for 

Rangeland Health in 

Central California

from livestock grazing would be identified through rangeland health monitoring. 

Management actions to achieve compliance with Standards and Guidelines would 

have minor long-term beneficial impacts on these values.

2.6.10 Energy & Minerals 

Under Alternative A, mineral and geothermal exploration and development are considered on a case-by-case basis, and approximately 5,300 acres 

in Clear Creek Canyon and the SBMRNA would be withdrawn from mineral entry. Alternatives B, C, and D are less restrictive and would allow 

energy and mineral development throughout CCMA, except for the San Benito Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Alternatives E and F 

would pursue withdrawal of the Serpentine ACEC from mineral entry, but continue to authorize or hobby gem and mineral collection through 

issuance of access permits. Under all alternatives, special status species habitat in the CCMA would be protected. Under Alternative G, BLM 

would recommend Congress withdraw all public lands in CCMA from mineral entry. 

Table 2.6-10 provides a comparison of the impacts to energy and minerals development under the range of alternatives. 

Table 2.6-10 Comparison of Impacts to Energy & Minerals by Alternative

Management 

Action A - D E - F G

Lands 

available for 

energy and 

mineral 

exploration 

and 

development in 

CCMA.

Impacts would be negligible based on 

existing conditions and reasonably 

foreseeable development of energy and 

minerals in CCMA The absence of a 

management framework for acquired 

lands and wind energy under 

Alternative A would represent a minor 

to moderate adverse impact because 

demands for increased energy 

production would not be fully met.

Restriction of energy development in the 

30,000-acre ACEC would have a minor adverse 

impact on energy and minerals development 

because while other areas in the Planning Area 

with higher potential for energy development 

would be available for development, the goal of 

meeting the demand for energy and mineral 

production may not be fully met when the 

ACEC is closed to development.

Withdrawal of all 63,000 acres of public lands in 

the CCMA from mineral entry would only have 

a minor adverse impact on energy and minerals 

because other public lands in the Hollister Field 

Office with higher potential for energy 

development would be available, although the 

goal of meeting the demand for energy and 

mineral production may not be fully met, 

including encouraging the development of 

renewable energy resources.
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2.6.11 Cultural & Paleontological Resources 

The CCMA was previously inventoried for cultural resources in order to generate baseline data to be used in CCMA planning efforts. Based upon 

that report and other data accumulated over the years, a comprehensive cultural resources management strategy for the region has been developed 

with protection efforts for cultural resources that include site avoidance, physical barriers, site monitoring, and review of proposed undertakings to 

address potential effects to cultural resources.

Table 2.6-11 provides a comparison of the impacts to cultural and paleontological resources under the range of alternatives. 

Table 2.6-11 Comparison of Impacts to Cultural & Paleontological Resources by Alternative

Management 

Action A – D E – F – G

Resources 

Protection and 

Resources 

Uses, 

including 

recreation, 

livestock, 

energy, fire, 

and realty 

actions.

In general, Alternative A (No Action) 

would result in a moderate amount of 

disturbance to cultural resources, but 

Alternatives B, C, and D would 

actually increase the potential for longterm adverse impacts from activities or 

development of public lands on cultural 

and paleontological resources.

Management actions under these alternatives would provide beneficial impacts for the protection of 

cultural resources by reducing adverse impacts from unauthorized excavation and vandalism. These 

alternatives would also promote goals to cooperate with research institutions and avocational 

societies to the extent possible in development areas.

Native 

American 

Values

All Alternatives also recognize the increasing importance of government-to-government consultation with Native American tribes and other 

concerned parties on specific undertakings involving various authorized land uses. Authorized uses with high potential to directly impact 

historic properties include tree harvesting, mineral extraction, road and pipeline construction, and facilities construction. Undertakings with 

moderate potential to directly or indirectly impact historic properties include controlled burns and other vegetation management practices, 

grazing, and increased traffic on public lands as a result of improved recreational opportunities or other land use programs. Compliance with 

Section 106 of the NHPA is intended to promote the protection and preservation of historic properties so that authorized use of public lands 

would not result in adverse impacts to National Register-eligible archeological sites, traditional cultural properties, or built environment 

resources. However, when avoidance of adverse impacts is not feasible due to overriding project or land use considerations, mitigation 

measures may be implemented.
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2.6.12 Social and Economic Conditions 

Alternatives A through G offer a range of social and economic opportunities including tourism, production, industry, and other commodity uses of 

natural resources. 

Table 2.6-12 provides a comparison of the impacts to social and economic conditions under the range of alternatives. 

Table 2.6.12 Comparison of Social and Economic Effects by Alternative 

Management 

Action A B C D E F G

Recreation and 

Allowable 

Uses

Beyond any economic benefits of public land recreation, population growth in the face of 

a static number of opportunities for dispersed, outdoor recreation would cause the 

benefits of these alternatives to be magnified.

Communities with comparatively high 

employment in retail motorcycle sales are most 

likely to experience long-term adverse effects 

under these alternatives as motorized recreation on 

public lands in CCMA decreases significantly.

Energy and 

Minerals

Future production of minerals in the CCMA under these alternatives depends more on the demand for the minerals and the extent of 

recoverable reserves available than on any BLM management strategy. Therefore, the impacts of energy and mineral management actions on 

socioeconomic conditions would be negligible.

Land Use 

Authorizations

Alternatives A-D would provide social and economic benefits from multiple uses to local 

residents, business, visitors, and future generations by allowing various levels of 

opportunity for tourism, production, industry, and/or commodity use of natural resources. 

Beneficial or adverse effects on social and economic conditions are highly influenced by 

the range of alternatives and management actions under each resources program, such as 

recreation, livestock grazing, and other natural resources with values requiring 

maintenance and protection by law.

The respective social and economic condition 

impacted by natural and cultural resources 

management, livestock grazing, and lands and 

realty management actions are the same as those 

described under Alternatives A, B, C, and D.

2.6.13 Visual Resources Management 

As outlined in Section 3.16.2, visual resource management (VRM) classes are assigned to the various parts of the landscape based on visual 

characteristics and/or to meet management objectives. These range from preserving a natural landscape and existing characteristics (Class I) to 

providing for management activities that allow major modification of the landscape (Class IV). While numerous management activities can impact 

visual values, the most significant impacts are large-scale or cumulative ground-disturbing activities that alter the existing form, line, color, and 

texture of the existing landscape.

Table 2.6-13 provides a comparison of the impacts to visual and scenic resources under the range of alternatives. 
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Table 2.6.13 Comparison of Impacts to Visual Resources by Alternative 

Management Area/

Program A B C D E F G

Serpentine ACEC and 

San Benito Mountain 

WSA/RNA Management of the WSA as a Class I area would have negligible effects 

on visual resources because the BLM manages the WSA in a manner as 

to prevent impairment of the area’s suitability for wilderness designation 

while Congress considers whether to designate the WSA as permanent 

wilderness.

Alternative E would provide the most 

protection and enhancement of visual 

resources in the ACEC/RNA because the 

Scenic Route Corridor would be 

managed as a Class II area, and 

therefore, this alternative would have the 

most beneficial long-term impact 

compared to the other alternatives.

Same as 

Alts. A – D.

Fire Management Under all alternatives, management actions would limit bulldozer use on wildfires and prescribed burns in the ACEC due to human 

health risks, and outside the ACEC, where possible, for other resources concerns. All other actions relating to wildfires and 

prescribed burns would be designed to maintain a particular area’s VRM classification.

Under Alternatives B through G, approximately 1,450 acres in the Planning Area would be targeted for annual prescribed burns, and 

14,000 acres for decadal prescribed burns. This would have a similar level of adverse impact on visual resources as Alternative A 

due to the higher acreage targeted for annual burns, but lower acreage for decadal burns.

Recreation and Allowable 

Uses

Alternative A 

would have no 

adverse impact 

on visual 

resources 

because no new 

access roads or 

trails are 

proposed.

Alternatives B through G would allow new motorized access routes to be established in the Planning Area. This 

would result in minor adverse impacts to visual resources from road cuts. 

Lands and Realty Management 

actions would 

mitigate impacts 

by limiting 

communication 

towers to utility 

corridors.

These alternatives also emphasize expansion of existing facilities to accommodate rights-of-ways (ROWs) for 

communications sites. These actions would have a negligible impact on visual resources because new ROWs 

would be limited to existing facilities within the designated utility corridor.
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2.6.14 Fire Management 

All alternatives would comply with Federal wildland fire policy and target the same number of acres treated for treatment of hazardous fuels. 

Alternatives B through G specify (1) the use of wildland fire to restore and/or sustain ecosystem health, (2) cooperation with regional interagency 

partners and wildland urban interface (WUI) communities to reduce fire risk, and (3) public outreach to reduce human-caused fire ignitions, with 

special emphasis in WUI areas. 

Table 2.6-14 provides a comparison of the impacts to resources from fire management under the range of alternatives

Table 2.6-14 Comparison of Impacts from Fire Management for all Alternatives 

Management Action A B - G

Wildland Fire and 

Prescribed Fire

Under Alternative A, prescribed fire would 

provide mosaic patterns of vegetation to protect 

soil, watersheds, and wildlife, especially mature 

chaparral dwellers. Prescribed fire would be 

used to reduce the risk of wildland fire or 

catastrophic fire through fuels management. 

Prescribed fire for wildlife habitat improvement 

would annually burn 5 to 7 percent of a 

management unit over a 10-year rotation period. 

Fire management would be consistent with the Hollister FMP and comply with 

current Federal wildland fire policy. BLM would collaborate with Federal and State 

land managers, Fire Safe Councils, and private landowners to develop crossboundary fire management strategies, working with WUI communities to reduce 

wildfire risk and implement a public outreach program to reduce the frequency of 

human-caused fires and minimize smoke in the WUI. Fire suppression and fuels 

management activities would also minimize impacts on the environment, especially 

surface water, cultural and paleontological resources, and sensitive habitats. 

Post-fire 

rehabilitation and 

monitoring

Alternative A does not specify post-fire and 

non-fire fuel treatment rehabilitation and 

monitoring.

Under Alternatives B through G appropriate rehabilitation and monitoring action 

would be defined in prescribed fire and fuels treatment plans; however, emergency 

rehabilitation such as slope stabilization, reestablishment of appropriate native plant 

species, invasive weed abatement, and/or protection of vegetation and natural and 

cultural resources may be needed following a wildfire.

Other Management 

Actions

The potential impacts from prescribed fire 

activities are minor compared to other 

alternatives, although the threat of wildfire and 

associated impacts on these resources is then 

greater. Livestock grazing can reduce the 

accumulation of fine fuels and break up their 

continuity in grazing allotments.

Livestock grazing under Alternatives B, C, D, and E would reduce the accumulation 

of fine fuels and break up their continuity in grazing allotments. However, excluding 

grazing from the Serpentine ACEC under Alternative F and the entire CCMA under 

Alternative G would have the opposite effect of increasing density of vegetation and 

fine fuels in allotments, which would have a major long-term negative impact on fire 

management in CCMA.
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2.6.15 Lands & Realty 

Land tenure adjustments and land use authorizations are BLM activities that would occur under all alternatives. Management actions within the 

lands and realty program are administrative in nature and require subsequent analysis at the project level to determine site-specific resources issues 

ad alternatives for implementation. Therefore, there would be no direct environmental impacts to the human environment under any alternatives. 

Instead, management actions would have beneficial impacts on efficient management of public lands and greater preservation and enhancement of 

biological resources in important areas. Other programs and resources would be affected by failure to complete the required resources screening 

and analysis prior to any land use authorization, acquisition, exchange, or disposal. 

Table 2.6-15, below, provides a comparison of the acres available for disposal and an overview of land use authorizations under each alternative. 

Table 2.6-15 Comparison of Impacts from Lands and Realty by Alternative 

Management Actions A B C D E F G

Land Use Authorizations Management actions would 

have a minor adverse impact 

on administration of lands 

and realty because they 

would only allow acquisition 

of lands for efficient 

management of public lands 

and to reduce conflicts with 

other public and private 

landowners within the CCMA

Impacts from new activities, expanded rights-of-way (ROWs), or construction of utility sites 

and related facilities outside of designated or established corridors would vary depending on the 

approval of applications with appropriate mitigation measures. Similarly, allowable impacts 

from permit applications for apiary, commercial filming, or other uses would be considered on 

a case-by-case basis with appropriate mitigation measures. Closing and rehabilitation of roads 

not required for administrative purposes and resolution of unauthorized uses of public lands 

would have an indirect impact on other resources; however, such actions would benefit the 

administrative efficiency of BLM activities. 

Land Tenure Adjustments

Retaining all public lands in 

CCMA would have negligible 

effects on land tenure in the 

planning area.

Making 3,300-acres available for disposal in the Tucker, San Benito River, and Condon zones 

would have negligible adverse impacts on lands and realty, and moderate long-term benefits for 

management efficiency because BLM would be able to consider exchange or purchase of lands 

to acquire inholdings with high biologic, geologic or cultural resource values. In general the 

public land pattern would be consolidated and access to public lands would be improved.

Under Alternative D, none of the 3,300 acres in the Tucker, Condon, and San Benito River 

zones would be available for disposal. Retention of these lands would have minor adverse 

impacts on management efficiency and public access because all of these parcels have no 

existing (or reasonably foreseeable) public access. Otherwise, Alternatives E and F would have 

the same effects as Alternatives B and C.
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3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 

This chapter describes the current condition, location, and use of the resources on public lands in the 

Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

Hollister Field Office (HFO) that could be affected by the range of alternatives described in Chapter 2 of 

this RMP/EIS. The affected environment descriptions focus on those aspects of the physical, biological, 

cultural, social, and economic conditions that could be affected by the management actions prescribed in 

the range of alternatives. 

Chapter 3 provides a general discussion of the Planning Area and then focuses in on those specific lands 

within the CCMA that are administered by the BLM (refer to Map 1 in Appendix I). For clarification: 

The Planning Area includes all lands within the boundaries of the within the Clear Creek 

Management Area (CCMA), including privately owned lands and State and Federal lands, 

including those administered by the BLM HFO. 

The Planning Area is divided into five management zones with various combinations of 

management actions and different land use allocations under the range of alternatives. However, 

this chapter describes the current resource uses and conditions in CCMA in general. Where 

possible, resources issues and concerns specific to any of the five management zones are also 

discussed. 

“BLM-administered lands,” or “BLM public lands” are those specific areas within the Planning 

Area for which BLM has jurisdiction to make land use decisions. The term “Decision Area” may 

be used to describe these lands throughout this RMP/EIS. 
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3.1 Recreation 

3.1.1 Introduction 

This section addresses the recreational opportunities and trends in the Planning Area, including offhighway vehicle (OHV) recreation and non-motorized recreation. For further discussion of transportation 

and travel management, refer to Section 3.3, “Travel and Transportation Management.”

BLM administered lands in the CCMA support a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, 

hunting, hobby gem and mineral collections (commonly referred to as ‘rockhounding’), and hundreds of 

miles of OHV use trails. Over the past 20 years, motorized vehicle use has been more closely managed as 

a result of increasing demand, the listing of threatened and endangered species, and public health and 

safety hazards associated with abandoned mine lands. Permanent and temporary closures have also 

increased awareness of environmental issues and public interest and involvement in management of 

recreation resources on public lands. 

3.1.2 Regulatory Framework 

The primary framework for managing recreation is BLM Manual 8300, Recreation Management (BLM 

1990). The objectives of the BLM’s outdoor recreation program are to: (1) provide a broad spectrum of 

resource-dependent recreational opportunities to meet the needs and demands of visitors to public lands; 

(2) foster agency-wide efforts to improve service to the visiting public; (3) maintain high-quality 

recreation facilities to meet public needs and enhance the image of the agency; and (4) improve public 

understanding and support of the BLM by effectively communicating the agency’s multiple-use 

management programs to the recreation visitor. 

Vehicle use in the Planning Area is managed under the direction and authority in 43 CFR Part 8340 “OffRoad Vehicles,” and Subpart 8342, “Designation of Roads and Trails.” The off-highway vehicle (OHV) 

regulations apply to use of routes by the general public. Certain other routes may be open to private 

landholders, and grazing or other permittees, to meet specific access needs and/or legal rights. 

3.1.3 Regional Setting 

The Planning Area hosts unique resources and recreation opportunities for thousands of visitors that are 

attracted to the Southern Diablo Range in Central California, annually. These resources provide natural 

beauty, solitude, and freedom from the structure and regulations of urban areas. In all recreational 

opportunities, scenic values are often cited as an important resource to the participant’s recreation 

experience. Virtually all recreation activities are dependent upon availability of access within the planning 

area, which BLM can acquire through purchase of lands or public easements from willing sellers. 

In general, public recreation use of BLM administered lands is unsupervised and unorganized. Clear 

Creek Management Area is classified as a Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) by BLM 

because of the resources monitoring, law enforcement patrol, and investment in facilities needed in order 

to manage OHV use and recreation on these public lands. 

Additional OHV recreation opportunities in the region, are provided in the Hollister Hills State Vehicular 

Recreation Area (SVRA); Oceano Dunes SVRA, Metcalf County Park, Frank Raines County Park, and 

BLM’s Jawbone Area of Critical Environmental Concern. More information on these areas is presented in 

Chapter 4 (Environmental Consequences), under Recreation (Section 4.1). Additional non-motorized 

recreation opportunities in the region, are provided in the Los Padres National Forest and Pinnacles 

National Monument; Fort Hunter Liggett; Henry Coe State Park; Coalinga Mineral Springs County Park 
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and BLM public lands; San Antonio, Pine Flat, and San Luis Reservoirs; East Bay Regional Parks; and 

numerous other Federal, State, regional, local, and private facilities. 

3.1.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.1.4.1 OHV Use and Other Recreation Opportunities 

Off-Highway Vehicle Use 

Motorcycle and ATV riding are the most prevalent recreation activities in the CCMA, with almost all of 

the use occurring on more than two-hundred miles of designated routes within the 30,000-acre Serpentine 

ACEC. The majority of the use occurs within the lower six miles of Clear Creek Canyon., and while 

motorcycle and ATV riding are the most common OHV recreation activities, four-wheeled drive vehicles 

and ATVs are also used for access to a variety of other recreational activities in CCMA, including 

hunting, rockhounding, and hiking. 

Since the 1970’s, several large organized OHV events have been conducted annually in the CCMA. 

These include, the Quicksilver Enduro sponsored by the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club (SRMC), and 

the Wild Boar sponsored by the Timekeepers Motorcycle Club. Other organized OHV events held 

regularly in CCMA include the SRMC’s Picacho Hare Scrambles, the Molina Ghost Run four-wheel 

drive tour sponsored by California 4-Wheel Drive Association, and the Family Fun Ride sponsored by the 

Racers Under The Son. 

A combination of regulatory signs, route number signs, directional signs, and fencing is used to direct 

visitors along the trails identified on the user map. BLM park rangers and law enforcement patrol the 

CCMA, providing visitor assistance and information, and enforcing Federal and State rules and 

regulations, as appropriate. 

There are approximately 5,900 acres of barren areas scattered throughout the CCMA. The 2006 CCMA 

Amendment for designated 478 acres of BLM barrens available for OHV use that are identified on the 

CCMA user map. The barrens are used primarily by ATVs and motorcycles as “open play areas” with

challenging hill climbs, while some of the more gradually sloped barrens are also used by full-sized 4-

wheel drive vehicles and for enjoyment by riders of all skill levels. The barrens designated for OHV use 

are adjacent to major routes or are located along routes that traverse barren complexes to make them 

accessible to the various user groups.

Other Recreation Opportunities 

Other recreational opportunities include hobby gem/mineral collecting, hunting, hiking/backpacking, and 

sightseeing. Hobby gem and mineral collectors are drawn to the Clear Creek area by the presence of over 

100 semi-precious minerals and gemstones. This is one of the most highly mineralized areas in California. 

Collectable minerals include jadeite, cinnabar, andradite, tremolite, melanite, topazolite, barkevikite, 

clinochlore, vesuvianite, artinite, natrolite, neptunite, and benitoite. Some minerals such as benitoite are 

extremely rare and the CCMA is practically the only place in the world where they can be found. Highly 

mineralized areas generally occur along faults and inclusions/intrusions in and around the serpentine 

body. Hobby gem/mineral collecting (or rockhounding as it is commonly called) accounts for about five 

percent of the total recreation use in the CCMA. 

Several commercial gem collectors also maintain mining claims and work infrequently in the area. The 

only known commercial deposit of benitoite is found on a patented mining claim (private land) in the 
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CCMA. The area's unique geology also attracts geology students and researchers from local and national 

universities including Stanford and Harvard. 

Hunting activities occur primarily on the outskirts of the ACEC boundary, although, access to public 

lands has traditionally been from Clear Creek Canyon to the remote regions of CCMA to the east and 

south of the ACEC. The primary game animals sought are wild boar and deer. Deer season occurs during 

the months of August and September with boar season occurring throughout the year. Hunting for mule 

deer at CCMA is concentrated in the Clear Creek, Spanish Lake, Condon Peak (Condon Zone), and 

Joaquin Ridge (Cantua Zone) regions. Hunting can be poor in drought years, resulting in far fewer deer 

than hunters, especially in the first week of the season. Deer hunting in past years has been accompanied 

by increased garbage and vandalism at CCMA during years when deer numbers are depressed. 

Hiking and sightseeing occurs throughout the year. Visitors are drawn to the area to see the unique 

ecosystems and experience the rugged terrain present on the CCMA. Sport utility vehicles are used by 

weekend sightseers to traverse the more commonly used routes. These routes provide views of the unique 

habitats and geological formations found within the CCMA, and views of the Central Valley and the 

Sierra Nevada. 

Though not as common as other recreation activities, CCMA public lands have been used as a launching 

place for hang gliders at Goat Mountain, which provides a unique launch site as a peak that is accessible 

by full size vehicle with a glide path to Coalinga. 

3.1.4.2 CCMA Visitor Use 

Clear Creek was among the top five most popular areas cited by California off-highway-vehicle (OHV) 

users in a 1990 study conducted by the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR, 1990). 

The CCMA continues to be popular with motorcyclists who use the area for hill climbing, trail riding, and 

camping. Other common activities include 4-wheel drive off-highway vehicle touring, hobby 

gem/mineral collecting, hunting, hiking/backpacking, and sightseeing. 

Most motorcycle users are from the San Jose/San Francisco metropolitan areas with normal travel time of 

approximately three hours to get to the CCMA. These users travel very close to the 6,800-acre Hollister 

Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA) en route to Clear Creek. This intensively managed OHV use 

area is one and one-half hours closer, but the unique challenge of the serpentine soils and the amount of 

area available for OHV recreation use continue to draw motorcycle riders to Clear Creek. Because of the 

distance to other urban areas in the region, including Fresno, Visalia, Salinas, Santa Cruz, and San Luis 

Obispo, visits to the CCMA require considerable highway driving. 

In 1984, approximately half of the total number of visits to the CCMA was attributed to the use of OHVs 

and one-third was attributed to hunting. Visitor use now (and then) continues to be most prevalent during 

the winter months (November – April), because winter rainfall keeps the dust levels lower and 

temperatures cooler, as opposed to the extreme heat and dust present during the dry summer months. Prior 

to 2005, public access into CCMA was authorized year-round, and recreation use declined by nearly 80 

percent during the summer months, although visitor use would increase significantly with the onset of 

deer season from August through mid-September. 

Beginning in the summer of 2005, the BLM instituted Dry Season Use Restrictions based on air sample 

results detailed in a Technical Memorandum from the EPA titled “Human Health Risk Assessment - 

Asbestos Air Sampling Clear Creek Management Area, California” that was published on September 

15th, 2004. The BLM’s 2006 Record of Decision (ROD) for the CCMA RMP Amendment and Route 

Designation formally adopted the Dry Season Use Restrictions, which limits vehicle use to approximately 

35 miles of major routes in the Serpentine ACEC from June 1st through October 15th. 
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Visitor use data prior to 2005 is based on primitive infrared counters at the two main CCMA entrances, 

from Coalinga Road and New Idria. These estimates were unable to account for access from adjacent 

private property, and the counters were subject to vandalism and mechanical failures. When a counter had 

a period of inoperability, visitor use trends were extrapolated from data immediately prior, or estimated 

based on trends during the same period from the prior year. The program was updated to a modern and 

accurate traffic counting system in 2005. 

January 2006 marked the signing of the ROD for the CCMA RMP Amendment and Route Designation. 

As displayed in Table 3.1-1, visitor use appears to have declined as a result of areas being closed to OHV 

use and changes to the recreation experience in CCMA from 2005 – 2008. .However, the advent of 

precise traffic counters and record high fuel prices during this period also likely contributed to the decline 

in visitor use in CCMA. 

Fiscal Year 2008 further marked the implementation of a Fee Program. These fees, in conjunction with 

high fuel costs and the strictly enforced route designations were likely factors influencing visitor use 

decline when compared to previous years. Also, BLM’s temporary closure of the Serpentine ACEC to all 

forms of public entry in response to the EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk 

Assessment released on May 1, 2008 significantly reduced the total number of visitor use days for 2008. 

In 2007/2008, recreation use in the Planning Area was estimated at 35,000 visitor days, with about 80% 

of this attributed to OHVs. These estimates have not changed drastically over the years, even with the 

increasing popularity of OHV recreation in California. 

BLM staff and law enforcement personnel access public lands for administrative purposes on a regular 

basis. Typically, BLM law enforcement personnel patrol areas with high visitor use by vehicle, while 

BLM resource staff and specialists make regular visits by vehicle and on foot to various locations to meet 

annual monitoring requirements and/or review proposed projects or activities on BLM public lands. 

Table 3.8-1. CCMA Visitor Use 

Year Visitors

2003 50,000 (Estimated)

2004 50,000 (Estimated)

2005 43,235

2006 43,187

2007 35,267

2008 28,428

3.1.4.3 Recreation Trends and Forecast 

According to the California State Parks report “Taking the High Road” (2002), off-highway motor 

vehicle recreation demand has increased dramatically in the last two decades. The study found that 

California has the highest population in the nation (34 million) and the highest number of OHV 
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enthusiasts (3.5 million, or 14.2 percent of all California households); and San Benito County saw a 

population increase of 45 percent and a 113 percent increase in OHV registrations during the 1990’s.

Increases in OHV registrations by vehicle type statewide during that time were: dirt bikes 30 percent 

(from 153,304 to 199,142), all-terrain vehicles 96 percent (from 91,984 to 180,273), and dune buggies 

and sand rails 96 percent (from 17,500 to 34,243), and street licensed 4-wheel drive vehicle registrations 

increased 74 percent (from 290,651 to 506,585). During this same period OHV land availability 

decreased 48 percent (from 13.5 million to 7.0 million acres). Nonetheless, California State Parks still 

reports there are approximately 100,000 miles of routes and trails are available for OHV use throughout 

California. Of these 100,000 miles, 10,000 miles (10 percent) represent single-track trails and 16,000 

miles (16 percent) represent trails of interest to 4-wheel drive enthusiasts. The remaining 74,000 (74 

percent) miles are connector routes for those pursuing a variety of forms of recreation. 

The number of annual recreational visits to CCMA public lands continues to increase, primarily because 

of their proximity to urban areas such as San Jose, San Francisco, and coastal communities, and because 

of increasing population growth in the Central Valley and southern California. In the 1980’s, California 

State Parks prepared a Feasibility Study and Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a proposed 

State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) on private lands adjacent to CCMA, known as the Martin 

Ranch, and BLM-administered lands in the Cantua Zone. This area was identified as suitable to consider 

for off-highway vehicle recreation because of the proximity to major urban centers. Therefore, this 

RMP/EIS also considers emphasizing off-highway vehicle recreation on BLM public lands in the Cantua 

Zone, and incorporates information from the California State Parks Martin Ranch SVRA Feasibility 

Study (1984) and Draft EIR (1985) into the analysis of environmental impacts under Alternative D. 

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) use is becoming more popular throughout the country, particularly in 

California. This trend can be seen through the increase of sales in ATV’s, motorcycles, and four-wheel 

drive vehicles. Political and financial pressures are restricting OHV use and eliminating OHV use from 

historically available areas. The displaced users are seeking OHV opportunities in other areas. Recreation 

areas that provide OHV access, like Clear Creek Management Area, will most likely become more 

congested. This will continue to be a challenge for BLM as budgets continue to be limited. Congressional 

designations and lawsuits that restrict types of use will cause conflict and impacted groups/individuals 

will become more vocal. 

Hobby gem and minerals collection (rock-hounding) and hunting would also continue to be popular 

activities in CCMA. Both would probably be subject to more restrictions due to human health risks from 

exposure to asbestos in CCMA. Areas outside the Serpentine ACEC will likely become more popular as 

BLM implements public health and safety measures. Volunteers could play a greater role in the 

development and maintenance of these areas. 

Recreational use of public lands can be expected to increase as population grows, not only in the Central 

Coast and Diablo Range areas that support local use but also throughout the HFO and California. If 

recreation use were to grow at a rate proportional to projected population growth in the Central Coast and 

Diablo Range areas, over 50,000 annual visits would be expected, compared to the 43,000 visitor use days 

recorded in 2006. 

Development of trails as well as installation of any other visitor facilities may become necessary to 

manage public use and meet recreation opportunity demands in the CCMA’s San Benito Mountain 

Research Natural Area. Such infrastructure would require greater law enforcement presence, as well as 

increased demand for non-motorized trail use and improved facilities outside the Serpentine ACEC. 
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3.1.4.4 Recreation Facilities, Fees, and Permits 

Facilities, Outdoor Kiosks, and Displays 

Visitor facilities are limited to Oak Flat Campground, Jade Mill Area, and five staging areas that have 

trash receptacles and pit toilets. Bulletin boards with general information and regulatory information are 

present at these areas, the Condon Peak trailhead, and at the main entrances to the CCMA. Posted 

information details upcoming events, campfire requirements, asbestos warnings, and user maps showing 

routes and other geographic points of interest. 

Recreation Fees 

It is BLM's policy to collect fees at all specialized recreation sites, or where the BLM provides facilities, 

equipment or services, at federal expense, in connection with outdoor recreation use. Fees on public lands 

managed by BLM are established in accordance with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act 

(2005). To meet increasing demands for service and maintenance, the HFO established a fee collection 

program for the Clear Creek Management Area, beginning in January 2008, as described in the Federal 

Register (Vol. 72, No. 123). 

The CCMA qualifies as an area where fees can be charged based on the significant opportunities for 

outdoor recreation, substantial Federal investment, the ability to collect fees efficiently, developed 

parking, permanent toilets, permanent trash receptacles, interpretive signs, picnic tables, and security. The 

fee is intended to provide funding to maintain existing facilities and recreational opportunities, to provide 

for law enforcement presence, to develop additional services, and to protect unique and sensitive 

resources in the area. 

The rationale for charging recreation fees was established in the Clear Creek Special Recreation 

Management Area Business Plan and in a manner consistent with the following criteria: (1) The amount 

of the recreation fee shall be commensurate with the benefits and services provided to the visitor; (2) The 

aggregate effect of recreation fees on recreation users and recreation service providers were considered; 

(3) Comparable fees charged elsewhere and by other public agencies and by nearby private sector 

operators were considered; (4) Public policy or management objectives served by the recreation fee were 

considered; (5) Recommendations and guidelines regarding initiating fee sites from the Central California 

Resource Advisory Council (RAC) was considered and incorporated into the Business Plan; and (6) Other 

factors or criteria as determined by the Secretary were considered. 

As the population of California continues to increase, the public’s demand for open space and recreational 

opportunities is expected to increase as well. Other Federally managed recreation areas annually increase 

their use fees, which in turn continue to displace and encourage outdoor recreational users to seek lower 

fees, such as BLM public lands in CCMA. 

Special Recreation Permits 

The HFO issues an assortment of special recreation permits for a range of activities, including 

commercial use, competitive use, vending, filming, special area use, and organized group activities and 

event use. Special recreation permits are required for specific recreational uses of the public lands and 

related waters. They are issued as a means to manage visitor use, protect natural and cultural resources, 

and provide a mechanism to accommodate commercial recreational use. 

The HFO has regularly issued recreation permits for three annual competitive motorcycle enduro races in 

CCMA, two annual non-competitive events, and several other miscellaneous permits such as organized 

field trips in the San Benito Mountain RNA. 
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3.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Health & Safety 

3.2.1 Introduction 

As managers of the nation’s public lands, the BLM is responsible for the health and safety of visitors to 

public lands. The HFO engages in hazardous material emergency response actions, hazardous waste site 

evaluations, and prioritization of site remediation activities in accordance with Federal, State, and local 

laws and regulations. Remediation is typically done in coordination with the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, California environmental regulatory agencies such as the Department of Toxic 

Substances Control and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, counties, and potentially responsible 

parties (both public and private). This section addresses hazardous materials management on BLM public 

lands in CCMA, as well as associated risks to the public health and safety. 

Historically, public lands located within the CCMA were used for mining of mercury and asbestos, 

locating communication sites on mountain tops, and other resource uses like timber harvesting. More 

recently, CCMA public lands have been subject to numerous unauthorized and illegal activities, such as 

dumping of household and toxic wastes and marijuana cultivation. 

Due to environmental and human health risks concerns associated with the presence of asbestos in the 

bedrock and soils of the New Idria Formation, approximately 30,000 acres of BLM-managed lands were 

designated as the Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) under the 

Record of Decision for the original Hollister RMP (1984). Refer to Section 3.10, for more information on 

the Serpentine ACEC designation. Use of these lands, both legally and illegally, has resulted in the 

release of hazardous substances and the creation of hazardous waste sites. 

Located within the Serpentine ACEC, is the Atlas Asbestos Mine Superfund Site, which added to the 

National Priorities List in 1983. As EPA was finalizing its approach to the cleanup of the Atlas site in 

1991, they identified the need to evaluate BLM’s management of CCMA and evaluate the overall 

protection of human health and the environment. As a result, BLM developed a health risk assessment in 

1992 to further determine what management actions were necessary to limit public risk to asbestos and 

incorporated the results into the 1995 CCMA RMP Amendment, and it’s associated Record of Decision 

(1999). 

3.2.2 Regulatory Framework 

The principal Federal regulatory agency for setting laws and guidelines for hazardous materials is the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Key Federal laws and regulations pertaining to hazardous 

materials associated with the Planning Area include the: 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): 

Establishes prohibitions and requirements concerning closed and abandoned hazardous 

waste sites; provides for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous waste at 

these sites; establishes a trust fund to provide for cleanup when no responsible party can 

be identified; and 

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA): Amendment to CERCLA 

(above) that establishes a nationwide emergency planning and response program and 

reporting requirements for facilities that store, handle, or produce significant quantities of 

hazardous materials; identified requirements for planning, reporting, and notification 

concerning hazardous materials. 
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3.2.3 Regional Setting 

Historically, the region was known as the New Idria Mining district. The New Idria Quicksilver Mining 

Company began mining cinnabar and mercury from the region in 1854. Other materials such as asbestos, 

magnesite, nickel, and chromium were also extracted (USDI 2005). Mining of asbestos began in the 

1950’s and the last active asbestos mine in the U.S. was the KCAC asbestos mine. 

In general, the region was an active mining and ore processing area for over a century. Many of the 

abandoned mercury mines were left to erode and degrade surface waters. BLM started an active 

Abandoned Mine Land program in the late 1990’s. A summary of BLM’s efforts to restore water quality 

by restoration of abandoned mercury mines is included in Section 3.2.3.3. In 2004, the Regional Water 

Quality Control Board issued a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for mercury in the CCMA. 

3.2.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

Within the Planning Area, the hazardous materials of most concern are primarily a result of a numerous 

historic mine sites and their associated retort piles that contain tailings of mercury and asbestos, in 

addition to many other heavy metals, such as nickel and cadmium. CCMA public lands are also subject to 

illegal dumping of hazardous materials such as used tires and autos, household waste, and industrial 

wastes, as well as waste from illicit drug operations. There are no specific target ranges; however target 

shooting does occur regularly in CCMA and on adjacent private lands at Mexican Flats. Occasionally, 

target shooting that involves the use of “e-waste” such as old computers or televisions occurs in scattered 

remote locations. 

3.2.4.1 Naturally Occurring Asbestos 

In the mid-1950’s, an investigation by the California Division of Mines and Geology indicated that the 

serpentine matrix of the New Idria Formation was mainly chrysotile asbestos. ‘Asbestos’ is the name 

given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such a 

thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. 

The New Idria Formation covers approximately 30,000 acres and was designated as the Serpentine Area 

of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in 1984 based on the health concerns associated with 

exposure to naturally occurring asbestos, and because of the unique vegetation and forest types associated 

with serpentine formation. This area is also referred to as the Hazardous Asbestos Area (HAA). 

Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and exposure to airborne asbestos poses a health and safety risk 

because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers. Continued exposure can increase the 

amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung 

diseases including: asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The boundaries of the ACEC were defined 

by mapping of serpentine soils derived from the New Idria Formation. 

In 1962, the Atlas Division of the Atlas Corporation began construction of an asbestos mine and mill 

within the boundaries of the CCMA that was in operation until 1979. The mining activity included 

digging the asbestos ore out of surface pits and then milling the ore. The by-products (tailings) of the 

milling process were bulldozed into piles near the asbestos mill. The resulting fluvial and airborne 

asbestos emissions from the site lead the Atlas Mine to be approved for listing on the Environmental 

Protection Agency’s (EPA) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act 

(CERCLA or “Superfund”) program National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. The NPL is the EPA’s list of 

the hazardous waste sites potentially posing the greatest long-term threat to health and the environment. 
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In 1991, U.S. EPA signed the Record of Decision (ROD) selecting the cleanup remedy for the Atlas 

Asbestos Mine Superfund site in San Benito and Fresno counties, California. In the ROD, EPA noted that 

it was not proposing any action for the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), one of the Atlas site’s 

four geographic areas. Instead, EPA stated that it would evaluate whether the United States Department of 

Interior Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) plans for management of CCMA were adequate to protect 

public health from exposure to asbestos found in the area. 

Air sampling investigations conducted by EPA to address asbestos air pollution transport indicated that 

asbestos concentrations were similar within the North Central Coast air basin and San Joaquin Valley air 

basin. However, the localized on-site generation and inhalation of airborne asbestos was determined by 

both EPA and BLM to be a potential problem from motorized vehicle use in the CCMA. 

In 2004, as part of the process of evaluating the Atlas Mine cleanup for possible delisting of the site from 

the federal Superfund list, EPA Region 9 initiated an asbestos exposure and human health risk assessment 

for the CCMA. The goal of the assessment was to use current asbestos sampling and analytical techniques 

to update a 1992 BLM Human Health Risk Assessment and provide more robust information to BLM on 

the asbestos exposures from typical CCMA recreational activities and the potential cancer risks associated 

with those exposures. 

In order to assess the risk of exposure to asbestos in CCMA, Region 9 collected air samples while EPA 

employees and contractors participated in typical recreational activities at the Clear Creek Management 

Area. The samples were collected from the breathing zone of individuals riding motorcycles and allterrain vehicles (ATV), driving and riding in sports utility vehicles (SUV), hiking, camping, sleeping in a 

tent, fence building, and washing and vacuuming vehicles after use at CCMA. Air filter sample cassettes 

were placed on adult samplers to collect air samples representing the breathing zone heights of both adults 

and children and samples were collected for both lead and trailing riders. These activity-based air samples 

were then analyzed for asbestos. 

The activity-based sampling showed that activities which disturbed the soil recorded significantly 

elevated asbestos levels in the breathing zone. Motorcycle riding, ATV riding, and SUV driving/riding 

had the highest exposure concentrations, in some cases exceeding even the U.S. Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration (OSHA) 30-minute Excursion Limit for asbestos. Only hiking was near ambient 

asbestos concentrations. For Overall OHV Riding, combining motorcycling, ATV driving/riding, and 

SUV driving/riding, trailing riders had significantly higher exposures than lead riders. Chrysotile asbestos 

was the predominant asbestos type found in the air samples, but almost 8% of the phase contrast 

microscopy equivalent (PCME) asbestos fibers detected belonged to the amphibole asbestos group. When 

the sampling results were evaluated by the general meteorological conditions of the dates sampling was 

conducted, “dry”, “moist”, and “wet”, it was observed that asbestos air concentrations were only reduced 

when it was actively raining. Additionally, comparison of samples collected at the same time by the same 

individual wearing sampling cassettes set at different heights to simulate adult and child breathing zones 

showed that the child exposure concentrations exceeded that of the adult sample approximately 64% of 

the time. 

When the activity-based sampling asbestos concentrations were applied into typical use scenarios and 

excess lifetime cancer risks were estimated, the EPA report found that using the EPA Integrated Risk 

Information System (IRIS) toxicity value for asbestos, making five or more visits to CCMA per year over 

a 30-year period to participate in recreational scenarios of Weekend Riding, Day Use Riding, Weekend 

Hunting, or Combined Riding/Fence Building could put recreational users at an excess lifetime cancer 

risk above EPA’s acceptable risk range of 1x 10-4 (1 in 10,000) to 1 in 10-6 (1 in 1,000,000). The highest 

IRIS risk estimation, 2 in 1,000 (2 x 10-3), was based on the 95% upper confidence limit exposure 

concentration for 12 visits per year for the recreational Weekend Rider (EPA 2008). 
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Using the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) toxicity 

value for asbestos, even one visit per year for recreational scenarios of Weekend Riding, Day Use Riding, 

Weekend Hunting, or Combined Riding/Fence Building put users above EPA’s acceptable risk range. The 

higher risks reflect the fact that the OEHHA asbestos toxicity value is 8 times larger than the value in 

IRIS. At the high end of the risk range, excess lifetime cancer risk estimations using the OEHHA toxicity 

value and the 95% upper confidence limit concentration indicate that recreational users riding 

motorcycles 12 weekends per year could have as much as a 1 in 100 (1 x 10-2) lifetime chance of 

developing asbestos related cancer. 

As with any assessment of risk, there are assumptions and variables that can cause the calculations to 

either overestimate or underestimate the actual risk. The CCMA risk assessment report contains a more 

detailed discussion of the exposure and toxicity parameters which affect the calculations of estimated risk. 

The CCMA assessment may overestimate or underestimate risk if EPA’s measurements of exposure and 

the assumptions of exposure frequency are either greater or less than actual conditions. 

Additional uncertainty is introduced because both the IRIS and the OEHHA toxicity values for asbestos 

are based on epidemiological studies of work place exposures to intermittent high asbestos concentrations 

over extended periods. While the concentrations measured for activities at CCMA are significantly 

elevated, the exposure is infrequent and episodic. Because there is no clear mode of action for asbestosinduced disease and no threshold for cancer health effects, using a direct time-weighted extrapolation 

from the longer, chronic occupational exposures to shorter-term, episodic exposures may underestimate or 

overestimate the risk. The risks could be much lower because the exposures may be too infrequent or the 

total retained fiber burden too few to initiate the asbestos disease process. 

On the other hand, the EPA risk calculations may underestimate the risk because take-home exposures 

and non-cancer health effects were not considered. Asbestos can adhere to equipment, clothes, and the 

interior and exterior of vehicles, and can be tracked out of CCMA resulting in future exposures to CCMA 

users, families, and communities. The offsite exposure could increase the risk, proportional to the time of 

exposure and the concentration of asbestos tracked offsite. Perhaps most important, there is currently no 

reference value for calculating non-cancer risks from asbestos exposures and non-cancer risks were 

therefore not addressed in the EPA assessment. However, epidemiological studies indicate that noncancer respiratory health effects from exposure to asbestos can be significant and in some studies exceed 

the cancer cases. Therefore, the general probability of developing disease from exposure related to 

activities at Clear Creek may be underestimated in the EPA risk estimations. 

Asbestos is a known human carcinogen. Despite the uncertainties inherent in risk assessment, the 

evaluation of asbestos exposures and risks at the Clear Creek Management Area led EPA to conclude: 

The Activity Causes the Exposure – The concentration of asbestos in the breathing zone 

is directly related to the degree that an activity disturbs the soil and creates dust. 

Children Are of Special Concern – In a majority of the samples, the concentration of 

asbestos measured in the child’s breathing zone exceeded the asbestos concentration in 

the companion adult sample. Further, a child’s life expectancy exceeds the latency period 

for asbestos-related disease. 

The Higher the Exposure, the Higher the Risk – The activities with the highest exposure - 

motorcycling, ATV riding, and SUV driving/riding - had the highest corresponding 

excess lifetime cancer risk. 
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Reducing the Exposure Will Reduce the Risk – The risk of developing asbestos-related 

disease is dependent on the level of exposure, the duration of exposure, and the time 

since first exposure. 

Reducing exposure will reduce the risk of developing asbestos related cancers and 

debilitating and potentially fatal non-cancer disease. 

In response to the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008), BLM issued a 

temporary closure order simultaneously on May 1, 2008 that closed 30,000-acres within the CCMA’s 

Serpentine ACEC to all public use and entry. The closure order was published in the Federal Register 

(Volume 73, Number 85), pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1, to protect public land users from human health 

risks associated with exposure to airborne asbestos in the CCMA while the BLM completes this Resource 

Management Plan. 

3.2.4.2 Illegal Dumping and Illicit Drug Operations 

Over the years, substantial marijuana garden encampments have been discovered by law enforcement 

authorities in CCMA. Law enforcement confiscate the illegal product, but large amounts of solid waste, 

garbage, food, clothing, fertilizers, pesticides, and batteries remain on public lands. Many of these types 

of waste also contain hazardous materials that are a potential source of contamination of the air, water, 

and soil resources in CCMA. Similar waste piles are dispersed throughout CCMA due to illegal dumping 

of household chemicals and solid waste. 

3.2.4.3 Abandoned Mine Lands 

Some acid mine drainage has been characterized with respect to the mines located in this management 

area. Hazards associated with these mines include open shafts and adits, tailings piles, and abandoned 

equipment. Other hazardous materials of concern that may be found in the CCMA abandoned mine lands 

include cinnabar (mercury ore) deposits and piles of asbestos tailings that have been dispersed throughout 

the region by wind, water, and anthropogenic sources of disturbances. Current conditions and BLM goals 

for reclamation of some abandoned mine lands in CCMA are identified below. 

Aurora Abandoned Mine Lands Project 

The Aurora mine was active from 1853 up to the 1950’s. Historic photographs of the mine showed that 

several structures and an improved water source for the mine along with two large metal water tanks. 

These structures and the furnace used to retort the ore were previously removed, so no above ground 

structures were left when restoration activities began in the summer of 2000. 

Remediation of the site included the removal of 8,000 cubic yards of mercury retort waste rock (calcines) 

and placement into a repository located nearby. All unearthed mining debris was also placed into the 

repository. The disturbed areas were recontoured and capped with two to three feet of non-mercury native 

soil. Native plant seeds from the adjacent vegetated areas were spread out under several inches of weedfree rice straw. Rice straw hay bales were staked in the ground to control erosion and allow for the 

germination of the native plants. However, severe winter storms have caused the ephemeral drainage that 

was recontoured through the site to overflow and cut into the cap material causing additional erosion 

concerns. 
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Alpine Abandoned Mine Lands Project 

This mine was active from 1910 up to the 1950's and consisted of several shallow open cuts and 100 feet 

of subsurface workings. Historic photographs of the mine in operation indicated several structures were 

present which may have housed the miners. However, very little evidence of these structures remained 

just prior to the site cleanup. During mine operations, the calcines were dumped into the steep ravine and, 

over time, a substantial portion of the wastes were washed downstream. Therefore, the remediation plan 

called for the excavation and entombment of 3,000 cubic yards of calcines and other mining debris. 

In 2001, the calcines were removed and transported to a repository on the west side of the mill site. The 

retort wastes were capped with two-three feet of native (non-mercury ore) soil, seeded with the native 

plants and then covered with the weed-free rice straw. The excavated calcine pit was recontoured with 

native soil, reseeded with the same native plants and five rows of rice bales were staked along slope 

contours to reduce stormwater runoff. 

Jade Mill Site Abandoned Mine 

The Jade Mill Site began operations around 1900, and based on the volume of retort tailings, produced an 

estimated 50 flasks of mercury. In the 1970's the site was used for gemstone production. The mill site 

contained two brick and one metal retorts estimated at about 500 cubic yards. Site restoration began in the 

Spring of 2001 and was completed in the Summer of the same year. All structures were removed, all 

retort brick and calcine wastes were buried on site and capped. The site was fenced and seeded. 

Following the discovery of San Benito evening primrose in 1960 (Camissonia benitensis; CABE) and 

subsequent listing by the Fish and Wildlife Service as Threatened in 1985, the BLM began making efforts 

to protect the species’ habitat. Habitat protection efforts included establishing formal campgrounds and 

staging areas and fencing habitat to exclude OHV and other recreation impacts. Formal campgrounds 

established included Jade Mill. Upper Jade Mill campground is underlain by nonserpentine soils and thus, 

BLM first identified the Jade Mill site for development of recreation facilities in the Hollister RMP 

(BLM, 1984). Subsequently, BLM’s policy has been modified to not encourage use within Jade Mill area 

due to the asbestos hazard. However, the Upper Jade Mill site remains a favorite camping location and 

consistently receives heavy use. 

Conversely, Lower Jade Mill is underlain by serpentine soils and is regarded as potential habitat for the 

species. Due to the impacts of heavy OHV traffic and camping, this area has been prevented them from 

supporting San Benito evening primrose. There is also a known prehistoric archaeological site within the 

Jade Mill vicinity; CA-SBn-64 is a small lithic scatter that was extensively impacted by indiscriminant 

recreational use as early as 1975. The site had probably been impacted much earlier in time, during the 

historic mining and logging interests of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Until the remediation of Jade 

Mill, the area was not a likely candidate for the encouraged use of camping. Since the millsite was 

removed, camping pressures have moved into the site area and created the need for restoration of 

potential habitat for the San Benito evening primrose and better protection of the remnants of site CASBn-64. 

Xanadu Mill Site Abandoned Mine 

The Xanadu Mil Site was a small commercial operation within a riparian zone that produced very little 

calcines. However, the site was very heavily used by the visiting public for camping and target shooting, 

and the retort area was contaminated with mercury. The remediation plan called for the removal and onsite encapsulation of the milling retort oven debris, contaminated soils and building remnants. 
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Larious Canyon Mill Site Abandoned Mine 

The Larious Canyon mill site was another small operation with a retort oven similar in size and 

construction to that of the Xanadu Mill site. This site is within a perennial riparian zone. Cleanup action 

was especially necessary to reduce downstream transport of mercury contaminated sediments. The 

remediation plan was developed for entombment of all retort oven materials and associated calcines, to 

remediate both remove the human health and environmental impacts. 
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3.3 Travel and Transportation Management 

3.3.1 Introduction 

Travel and transportation management is aimed at providing adequate public and administrative access to 

BLM lands for visitor use and for management of those lands, while regulating travel to protect public 

safety, prevent damage to resources, and resolve conflicts among users. Central to travel management are 

OHV designations. All public lands are required to be designated as open, limited, or closed to motorized 

vehicle access (43 CFR 8342.1). 

Areas designated as “open” have primarily been selected for intensive motorized vehicle recreation and 

do not have compelling resource protection needs, user conflicts, or public safety issues that warrant 

limiting cross-country use. On lands designated as “limited”, cross-country travel is prohibited and travel 

is limited to designated “open” routes. The network of routes available and the terms and conditions of 

use on those roads and trails are usually identified on published maps. In areas designated as closed, no 

motorized or vehicle use is permitted. Cross-country travel by foot or horse is usually permitted in all 

areas regardless of route designation. 

A network of Federal, State, and County roads provide access to the Planning Area. Currently, public 

lands in the area are generally accessible by motorized vehicles to agency personnel (for resource 

management), to commercial enterprise (for use or extraction of public resources), and to the general 

public (for recreation and enjoyment of public lands). The population in the Planning Area is 

overwhelmingly urban, and rural areas are becoming increasingly less common as urbanization expands, 

especially in the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Coast communities, and in the San Joaquin Valley. 

Therefore, the wildland experiences in the Clear Creek Management Area are increasingly valuable as the 

supply of open space decreases in the region. 

There is a need to balance access to public lands with resource management and protection, including 

public health and safety. Areas where there is no public motorized access or access can be improved 

include the Condon, Tucker, and Cantua management zones. In southern Fresno County, the BLMmanaged portion of Joaquin Ridge is an area with limited roads, where public access is restricted by 

private lands and BLM-locked gates. As a result, there has been a trend of route proliferation, 

redundancy, and frequent trespasses and other unauthorized uses on BLM and private lands in the region. 

Whenever possible, BLM makes the public lands accessible, whether by motorized vehicles or nonmotorized means; and reasonable access is provided to persons engaged in valid uses such as mining 

claims, mineral leases, livestock grazing, and other land use authorizations. 

3.3.2 Regulatory Framework 

Current vehicle management is based on the 1984 Hollister RMP and associated amendment, including 

the BLM’s 2006 Record of Decision for CCMA RMP Amendment and Route Designation. This plan 

addressed a variety of concerns related to vehicle use, roadways, and resource protection, and provided 

guidelines for future road improvements, maintenance activities, and management decisions. The baseline 

for analysis of transportation in this RMP/EIS is the designated route network that was approved in the 

2006 Record of Decision for the CCMA RMP Amendment and Route Designation. 

Vehicle use in the Planning Area is managed under the direction and authority in 43 CFR Part 8340 “OffRoad Vehicles,” and Subpart 8342, “Designation of Roads and Trails.” The off-highway vehicle (OHV) 

regulations apply to use of routes by the general public. Certain other routes may be open to private 

landholders, and grazing or other permittees, to meet specific access needs and/or legal rights. 
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3.3.3 Regional Setting 

A network of Federal, State, and County roads provide access to the Planning Area. Currently, public 

lands in the area are generally accessible by motorized vehicles to agency personnel (for resource 

management), to commercial enterprise (for use or extraction of public resources), and to the general 

public (for recreation and enjoyment of public lands). The population in the Planning Area is rural, 

although visitor use is heavily influenced by urban centers nearby, especially from the San Francisco Bay 

Area, other Central Coast communities, and the San Joaquin Valley. 

There is a need to balance access to public lands with resource management and protection, including 

public health and safety. Areas where there is no public motorized access or access can be improved 

include the Condon, Tucker, and Cantua management zones. In southern Fresno County, the BLMmanaged portion of Joaquin Ridge is an area with limited roads, where public access is restricted by 

private lands and BLM-locked gates. As a result, there has been a trend of route proliferation, 

redundancy, and frequent trespasses and other unauthorized uses on BLM and private lands in the region. 

Whenever possible, BLM makes the public lands accessible, whether by motorized vehicles or nonmotorized means; and reasonable access is provided to persons engaged in valid uses such as mining 

claims, mineral leases, livestock grazing, and other land use authorizations. 

3.3.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.3.4.1 Designated Routes and Trails 

BLM has designated approximately 248.5 miles of roads and trails “open” for vehicle use in the CCMA. 

The authorized vehicles include two-wheeled drive vehicles, four-wheeled drive trucks and jeeps, allterrain or universal-terrain vehicles (ATV/UTV), and motorcycles. The vast majority of routes are 

unpaved, four-wheeled drive recommended, jeep trail, ATV/UTV trail, and single track trails; although 

there is approximately 3 miles of paved road formerly used to access the KCAC mine. Of the 248.5 miles 

of routes currently designated for vehicle use in CCMA, 105 miles are single track which are accessible 

by motorcycle, 35 miles are trails which are accessible by ATV/UTVs and motorcycles, 80 miles are jeep 

trails, four-wheeled drive recommended, and the remaining 26 miles are improved/unpaved, or paved 

roads (3 miles) that are accessible by all these vehicle types. 

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) use is the most prevalent recreation activity in the CCMA with almost all of 

the use occurring within the 30,000-acre Serpentine ACEC. The majority of the OHV use occurs within 

the lower six miles of Clear Creek Canyon. While motorcycle and ATV riding are the most common 

OHV recreation activities, four-wheeled drive vehicles and ATV/UTVs are also used for access to a 

variety of other recreational activities in CCMA, including hunting, rockhounding, and hiking. In 

addition, OHVs are also used on CCMA public lands for to access particular areas, such as 

communication sites, mining claims, and private in-holdings; and for activities requiring a permit, such as 

energy and mineral exploration and livestock grazing, 

A combination of regulatory signs, route number signs, directional signs, and fencing is used to direct 

visitors along the trails identified on the user map. BLM park rangers and law enforcement patrol the 

CCMA, providing visitor assistance and information, and enforcing Federal and State rules and 

regulations, as appropriate. 
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3.3.4.2 Maintenance & Operations 

Road system management has focused on maintaining major access roads, which generally receive most 

of the recreation traffic. Corrective maintenance occurs as problems are identified and funds permit. 

Road construction has been limited to improving or upgrading road segments to improve access or to 

alleviate maintenance or environmental problems. Best management practices include drainage 

improvements, construction of rolling dips, water bars, rock armored/hardened stream crossings, 

hardened sills, and half-pipe bridges. 

Logistically speaking, CCMA is a very unique and challenging place to manage. Transport time from the 

Hollister Field Office (HFO) is approximately 1 hour to the BLM’s decontamination facility (Section 8). 

A stop is made at the Section 8 administration site to obtain personal protective equipment (PPE), work 

gear and tools, air sampling equipment, etc. This usually takes 0.75-1.0 hrs. Transport to the CCMA 

entrance is 0.5 hrs. Transport to the more remote sites in CCMA from the entrance can take up to 2 hrs, 

depending on weather and road conditions. Once work is completed for the day, employees return to 

Section 8, about 1.5-2.5 hrs. At Section 8, decontamination of vehicles, gear and OHV’s takes 1-1.5 

hours, followed by a decontamination shower and completion of air sample calibration, another 0.5-0.75 

hrs. At this point, an hour drive back to HFO completes the cycle. This cycle does not take into account 

mechanical breakdowns or other logistical issues typical of remote locations. 

The non-project related portion of a work day takes approximately 6 hours. That means only 4 hours of 

actual mission critical work is accomplished during a 10 hour work day. This typically doubles or triples 

the time necessary to complete projects. Frequently, a 12-14 hour work day is utilized to offset the 

logistical issues surrounding the accomplishment of work within CCMA. While making for a more 

efficient CCMA work schedule, cost is greatly increased through overtime compensation. 

Decontamination facility maintenance and employee health monitoring also greatly contribute to project 

costs. 

3.3.4.3 CCMA Public Highways 

Congress enacted Revised Statute 2477 in 1866 to grant the right-of-way for construction of highways 

over public lands that were not reserved for public purposes. R.S. 2477 was repealed with the passage of 

FLPMA of 1976. However, highways established between 1866 and 1976 were grandfather as valid 

existing rights. In recent years, there has been growing debate and controversy regarding whether or not 

certain highways were authorized pursuant to R.S. 2477 and, if so, the extent of the rights obtained. 

However, issues related to R.S. 2477 are outside the scope of BLM’s land use decisions for transportation 

and travel management on CCMA public lands because the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 

that the validity of R.S 2477 claims can only be determined through the courts. Therefore, the Proposed 

RMP does not address the extent of these rights on public lands in the CCMA, as noted in Section 1.3.2.4. 

The following roads; Clear Creek (R1), Mexican Lake (R11), Wildass (R15), and Sawmill Creek (T158) 

have been informally identified as “County Roads” for a number of years. However, no record exists that 

San Benito County has a right of way or any legal right to these roads. The BLM has no record that the 

County established a right-of-way on the 26.1 miles of roads. The County has provided no information to 

the BLM to assert any rights-of-way and takes no responsibility for the roads, so by default these are 

Federal roads. 

Furthermore, San Benito County abandoned road maintenance on these roads in 1994 and has not 

conducted maintenance on them for 16 years. Lack of maintenance has resulted in impacts to natural 

resources, including water quality, habitat for special status species, and public health and safety. 
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Under the current conditions, public health and safety are being adversely affected by the lack of 

appropriate road maintenance, resulting in multiple injury accidents and at least one fatality on CCMA 

roads. Unlimited use of these roads also exposes the public to airborne asbestos and poses a health hazard. 

Nevertheless, BLM, existing rights-of-way holders, and private property owners with in-holdings still 

need reliable access to the area for resource management and other purposes, but are frequently impeded 

due to the unmanaged condition of the roads. Improper road maintenance can also lead to excessive 

sedimentation and transport of toxic materials from the CCMA into various watersheds. This is affecting 

BLM’s ability to comply with water quality standards for mercury and sediment within the CCMA. 

Stream crossings and riparian areas are being affected by the lack of maintenance. A 1995 study by a 

BLM contractor identified roads within the CCMA as the primary contributor of sediment into 

watersheds within the area. Maintenance proposed by BLM in the PRMP/FEIS would reduce 

sedimentation from these roads. 

The County’s failure to maintain these roads conflicts with resource management goals and the 

overarching laws and regulations governing BLM. Therefore BLM acknowledges its’ authority and 

jurisdiction over the aforementioned roads. BLM has the appropriate equipment and staff to perform 

maintenance and repairs and will maintain a public route system that would connect designated routes in 

CCMA with the network of Federal, State, and County roads in the region. BLM would also to provide 

access for valid existing rights of way, mining claims, leases, and private landowners. Refer to section 

2.3.3 for other management actions related to travel and transportation management. 

3.3.5 Trends and Forecast 

During the 1990’s the Department of Parks and Recreation estimated there are over 100,000 miles of 

OHV roads and trails at more than 200 sites on public lands managed by the federal, state, and local 

county governments in California. During this same time, the State reported a 52 percent increase in 

visitation to the six main State Vehicle Recreation Areas (SVRAs). Hollister Hills SVRA is one of the 

most heavily used OHV state parks and is closest to the CCMA. 

Studies done by the State of California, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division, indicate that 

over the last twenty years the number of registered OHVs has increased statewide. In the same time 

period, the available areas for riding have decreased significantly. For example, in the southern desert 

areas, there was a 40 percent decrease in available lands due to the California Desert Protection Act of 

1994. 

The US Forest Service prepared a report in June 2005 titled Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation in the 

United States, Regions and States: A National Report from the National Survey on Recreation and the 

Environment (NSRE). According to this report, driving motor vehicles ‘off-road’ became one of the 

fastest growing activities in the country from 1982 to 2000-01 Growth in OHV use from an earlier study 

conducted in 1994-1995 and a 1999 -2000 NSRE report, showed a 32-percent increase. This represented 

growth from about 27.3 million OHV users in 1994-1995 to about 36.0 million in 1999-2000 (USDA 

2005). The 2005 study reports “a slightly higher growth rate continued from 1999-2000 to the most recent 

NSRE interviewing period in late 2004. This resulted in growth in the number of OHV participants during 

that time period from 36.0 million to 51.0 million, a 42 percent increase.” Further, the study determined 

there has been consistent growth in OHV use between 1999 and 2004, with conservative estimates on 

OHV use from the combined or pooled NSRE 1999-2004 sample of more than 73,000 individuals to 

arrive at an estimate of 39.7 million OHV participants, 18.6 percent of the population, or almost 1-in-5 

people age 16 and older. 
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Nevertheless, urban sprawl has increased recreational use on BLM lands near urban zones. This has led to 

overcrowding of some recreation areas, accompanied by a deterioration of resources. With the state areas 

being heavily impacted and open areas harder to find, the BLM lands will likely see increased legal and 

illegal OHV use. The OHV-related environmental impacts from increasing OHV use on the CCMA route 

network would affect hazardous materials emissions, soil erosion, damage to vegetation, wildlife habitat 

fragmentation, and the spread of invasive species. Unauthorized OHV use is also likely to damage 

riparian zones and habitat for threatened or endangered species. 
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Table 3.3-1. Comparison of Dust Mitigation Measures for Reducing Chrysotile Emissions From Unpaved Road 
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Table 3.3-1 (cont.). Comparison of Dust Mitigation Measures for Reducing Chrysotile Emissions From Unpaved Road 
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3.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation 

3.4.1 Introduction 

Vegetation resource is essential for, or adds aesthetic value to, livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, soil 

stability, recreation, hunting, and sightseeing. The Planning Area consists of structurally and 

compositionally diverse plant communities that include barrens completely devoid of vegetation, 

grasslands, chaparral, oak woodland, and conifer forest. Variations in climate, terrain, geology, and soils 

support a mosaic of unique plant communities and rare species. The 1995 Clear Creek Management Area 

Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement identified 

23 special status and sensitive plant species occurring within the Clear Creek Management Area that 

require special management attention. Threats to vegetation resources include unauthorized off-highway 

vehicle (OHV) travel, inappropriate livestock grazing, surface disturbances from mineral extraction, and 

noxious and invasive weed establishment. 

3.4.2 Regulatory Framework 

Because vegetation is central to many management decisions, there are several regulatory directives that 

influence its management. These include the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (1973), the Taylor Grazing 

Act (1934), and Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines (approved on July 13, 2000). 

3.4.3 Regional Setting 

The CCMA overlays two primary geologic units including 1) the New Idria serpentine mass, which forms 

the core of the management area (32,000 acres total), and 2) a nonserpentine sedimentary rock complex 

which surrounds the serpentine mass (42,000 acres total). The Serpentine ACEC boundary encompasses 

the New Idria serpentine mass. The Tucker, San Benito River, Condon, and Cantua Zones are composed 

almost entirely of the nonserpentine sedimentary rock complex. Topography is rugged with an elevation 

range of 1,830 at Pine Canyon to 5,241 feet on San Benito Mountain. The climate, like most of California 

is classified as Mediterranean, punctuated by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Annual 

precipitation occurs primarily as winter rain with some snow occurring most years at the highest 

elevations on San Benito Mountain. Average annual precipitation in the CCMA is 12 inches. 

3.4.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.4.4.1 Inventory 

Soil type (serpentine vs. nonserpentine) and topography strongly influence the diversity of plant 

communities within the CCMA. Recent vegetation mapping of the CCMA (Evens et al. 2006) revealed 

high vegetation diversity with nine tree-overstory alliances, thirty shrub-overstory alliances, ten 

herbaceous alliances, and one rock outcrop/barrens association (ref. Map 3, Appendix I). Major 

vegetation communities (series) as defined by Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995) include “Coulter pine”, 

“leather oak”, “mixed willow”, “foothill pine”, “chamise-wedgeleaf ceanothus”, “California annual 

grassland”, “mixed saltbush”, “blue oak”, “interior live oak”, and “California buckwheat”. Two major 

unique vegetation series not described in Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf were added to the list due to their 

prominence within the Serpentine ACEC (New Idria serpentine mass). Those vegetation series include 

“serpentine willow” and “serpentine barrens.” “Serpentine willow” series dominates serpentine riparian 

zones within the Serpentine ACEC. “Coulter pine”, “leather oak”, “serpentine barrens”, “foothill pine”, 

and “chamise-wedgeleaf ceanothus” series dominate serpentine upland areas within the Serpentine ACEC 

(Figure 1). The higher elevations of San Benito mountain, located within the ACEC, support a unique 

conifer forest composed of foothill pine (Pinus sabiniana), Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri), Jeffrey pine 
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(Pinus jeffreyi), and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) (Figure 2). “Mixed willow” series dominates 

nonserpentine riparian zones outside of the ACEC. “foothill pine”, “chamise-wedgeleaf ceanothus”, 

“California annual grassland”, “mixed saltbush”, “blue oak”, “interior live oak”, and “California 

buckwheat” series dominate nonserpentine upland areas outside of the Serpentine ACEC (Figure 3). 

Vegetation types may be generally grouped as “serpentine riparian,” “serpentine upland,” “nonserpentine 

riparian,” and “nonserpentine upland” types. Table 3.4-1 summarizes the vegetation communities (series) 

that exist within the CCMA and how they are categorized for analysis as “serpentine riparian,” 

“serpentine upland,” “nonserpentine riparian,” and “nonserpentine upland” types. Table 3.4-2 lists the 

vegetation alliances within the CCMA as identified by Evans et al. (2006). Table 3.4-1 shows which 

vegetation alliances are associated with the different vegetation communities.

Figure 1. Typical vegetation types within the Serpentine ACEC (New Idria serpentine mass). 

Serpentine chaparral (foreground); Serpentine barren (middle-ground); Conifer forest 

(background, top of ridge). 
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Figure 2. San Benito mountain conifer forest within the Serpentine ACEC. San Benito 

Mountain Research Natural Area.

Figure 3. Typical vegetation types of the nonserpentine Franciscan, Moreno, and Panoche 

complexes outside of the Serpentine ACEC.
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Table 3.4-1. Vegetation communities in the planning area. * - Vegetation communities follow 

those designated by Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995). † - designations applied by the BLM 

Hollister Field Office to represent unique vegetation types found within the Serpentine ACEC on 

the New Idria serpentine mass. 

General

Vegetation vegetation Dominant Elevation Management

community* type species Serpentine Nonserp. (feet) Area (%)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Soil type

Serpentine 

willow†

Serpentine 

riparian

Brewer's willow, 

hoary coffeeberry X

Vegetation alliances

(see Table 3.4-2)

2800-4500 1

Coulter pine Serpentine 

upland

Coulter pine, 

foothill pine, 

Jeffrey pine, 

incense cedar

X 3400-5241 5

Leather oak Serpentine 

upland

Leather oak, bigberry 

manzanita, pointleaf 

manzanita, hoary 

coffeeberry, 

rabbitbrush, chamise

X 2800-5241 25

2800-5241 10

California 

annual 

grassland

Nonserpentine 

upland

Brome, wild oats, 

medusa head, 

filaree, lupine, 

tarweed

Foothill pine

Both 

Serpentine & 

Nonserpentine 

upland

Foothill pine, 

Coulter pine X

Chamisewedgeleaf 

ceanothus

Both 

Serpentine & 

Nonserpentine 

upland

Chamise, wedgeleaf 

ceanothus, mountain 

mahagony, scrub oak, 

bigberry manzanita

X

Serpentine 

barrens†

Serpentine 

upland

None X

Mixed willow Nonserpentine 

riaprian

Cottonwood, arroyo 

willow, mulefat

Mixed 

saltbush

Nonserpentine 

upland

Saltbush X

California 

buckwheat

Nonserpentine 

upland

California 

buckwheat, black 

sage, rabbitbrush, 

matchweed, 

chamise

X

Interior live 

oak

Nonserpentine 

upland

Interior live oak, 

toyon, California 

buckeye

X 1830-3600 2

Blue oak Nonserpentine 

upland

Blue oak, foothill 

pine, California 

juniper

1830-4500 15

1830-2400 1

X 1830-3600

1830-3600 6

1830-5241 10

X 2600-5241 20

1830-3600 1

X

X

X

5
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Table 3.4-2. Vegetation alliances associated with vegetation communities (see Table 3.4-1) in 

the planning area. Vegetation alliances follow those designated by Evans et al. (2006). 

Alliance Association

Tree-Overstory

Alliance # Conifer Alliances Serpentine Nonserp.

1 Pinus coulteri

Pinus coulteri-Calocedrus decurrens/Quercus durata -Arctostaphylos glauca X

Pinus coulteri-Calocedrus decurrens/Rhamnus tomentella /Aquilegia eximia X X

Pinus coulteri-Calocedrus decurrens-Pinus jeffreyi/Quercus durata X

Pinus coulteri-Pinus sabiniana /Quercus durata -Arctostaphylos pungens X

Pinus coulteri/Arctostaphylos glauca X X

Pinus coulteri/Quercus durata X

2 Pinus coulteri-Quercus chrysolepis

No association defined X X

2 Pinus jeffreyi

No association defined X

4 Pinus sabiniana

Pinus sabiniana /Juniperus californica /Annual-Perennial Herb X

Hardwood Evergreen Alliances

5 Quercus chrysolepis

Quercus chrysolepis X X

6 Quercus wislizeni -Quercus chrysolepis

Quercus wislizeni-Quercus chrysolepis X X

Hardwood Deciduous Alliances

7 Populus fremontii

No association defined X

8 Quercus douglasii

Quercus douglasii-Pinus sabiniana /Cercocarpus betuloides X

Quercus douglasii-Quercus wislizeni-Pinus sabiniana X

Quercus douglasii/Annual-Perennial Herb X X

Quercus douglasii/Ceanothus cuneatus X

Quercus douglasii/Ericameria linearifolia -Juniperus californica X X

Quercus douglasii/Eriogonum fasciculatum /Annual-Perennial Herb X

Quercus douglasii/Juniperus californica -Cercocarpus betuloides X

Quercus douglasii/Juniperus californica -Quercus john-tuckeri X X

9 Quercus lobata

No association defined X

Shrub-Overstory

Chaparral Alliances

10 Adenostoma fasciculatum

Adenostoma fasciculatum (pure) X

Adenostoma fasciculatum Serpentine X

11 Adenostoma fasciculatum -Arctostaphylos glauca

Adenostoma fasciculatum -Arctostaphylos glauca Serpentine X

Adenostoma fasciculatum -Arctostaphylos glauca -Salvia mellifera X

12 Adenostoma fasciculatum -Salvia mellifera

Alliance only X

13 Arctostaphylos glauca

Arctostaphylos glauca -Quercus durata /Pinus sabiniana X

14 Ceanothus cuneatus

No association defined X

15 Ceanothus leucodermis

No association defined X

16 Cercocarpus betuloides

Cercocarpus betuloides-Ceanothus cuneatus-Quercus john-tuckeri X X

Cercocarpus betuloides-Juniperus californica /Annual-Perennial Herb X X

17 Cercocarpus betuloides-Eriogonum fasciculatum

No association defined X

18 Prunus ilicifolia

No association defined X

19 Prunus virginiana

No association defined X

Soil type
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Alliance Association

Shrub-Overstory

Alliance # Chaparral Alliances Serpentine Nonserp.

20 Quercus berberidifolia

No association defined X

21 Quercus john-tuckeri

No association defined X

Quercus john-tuckeri-Adenostoma fasciculatum X X

Quercus john-tuckeri-Juniperus californica-Ericameria linearifolia X

Quercus john-tuckeri-Juniperus californica-Fraxinus dipetala X X

Quercus john-tuckeri-Quercus wislizeni-Garrya flavescens X

22 Quercus durata

Quercus durata/Pinus sabiniana X

Quercus durata-Adenostoma fasciculatum-Quercus wislizeni X

Quercus durata-Arctostaphylos glauca/Pinus sabiniana X

Quercus durata-Arctostaphylos glauca/Pinus sabiniana X

Quercus durata-Arctostaphylos glauca-Garrya congdonii/Melica torreyana X

Quercus durata-Arctostaphylos pungens/Pinus sabiniana X

Quercus durata-Cercocarpus betuloides X

Coastal Sage Scrub Alliances

23 Artemisia californica

Artemisia californica-Lepidospartum squamatum /Annual Herb X

Artemisia californica-Malacothamnus aboriginum X

Artemisia californica /Annual herb X

24 Artemisia californica-Eriogonum fasciculatum

Artemisia californica-Eriogonum fasciculatum-Ephedra californica X

25 Artemisia californica-Salvia mellifera

No association defined X

26 Eriogonum fasciculatum

Eriogonum fasciculatum /Annual grass-Herb X X

Eriogonum fasciculatum-Juniperus californica /Annual-Perennial herb X X

Eriogonum fasciculatum-Yucca whipplei/Annual-Perennial Grass-Herb X X

27 Lotus scoparius

No association defined X

28 Lupinus albifrons

No association defined X

29 Salvia mellifera

Salvia mellifera-Eriogonum fasciculatum - Eriodictyon tomentosum X

Desert Scrub and Desert Transition Alliances

30 Atriplex spinifera

Atriplex spinifera /Annual herb X

31 Chrysothamnus nauseosus

Alliance only X

Chrysothamnus nauseosus-Juniperus californica /Annual-Perennial Herb X

32 Ephedra californica

Ephedra californica /Annual-Perennial Herb X

33 Eriogonum heermanii

No association defined X

34 Eriogonum wrightii

Eriogonum wrightii-Eriophyllum confertiflorum/Monardella antonina X X

Eriogonum wrightii-Juniperus californica /Annual-Perennial Herb X X

35 Gutierrezia californica

Gutierrezia californica /Annual-Perennial herb X

36 Juniperus californica

Juniperus californica-Ericameria linearifolia /Annual-Perennial Herb X

Riparian Scrub Alliances

37 Baccharis salicifolia

Baccharis salicifolia-Lepidospartum squamatum-Hazardia squarrosa X

38 Salix breweri

Salix breweri/Muhlenbergia asperifolia X X

39 Tamarix ssp.

No association defined X X

Soil type
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Alliance Association

Herbaceous

Alliance # Upland Coastal and Coast Range Grasslands Serpentine Nonserp.

40 Elymus multisetus

No association defined X

41 Eriogonum nudum 

Eriogonum nudum var. indictum-Eriogonum vestitum X

42 Upland Annual-Perennial Herbaceous

No association defined X X

43 Vulpia microstachys

Vulpia microstachys-Plantago erecta X

Wet Meadow Alliances

44 Carex spp.

Carex spp.-Juncus mexicanus-Leymus triticoides X X

45 Eleocharis macrostachya

No association defined X

46 Juncus mexicanus

Juncus mexicanus X X

47 Phragmites australis

No association defined X

48 Typha latifolia

No association defined X X

49 Serpentine Vernal Pool

Habitat (placeholder) X

Rock/Barren

50 Sparsely Vegetated

Pinus coulteri Barren X

Pinus jeffreyi-Pinus sabiniana Barren X

Pinus sabiniana-Pinus coulteri Barren X

Soil type

Vegetation of the CCMA, particularly the Serpentine ACEC, has a long history of human use and 

impacts. Mining for cinnabar (mercury ore), chromite (chromium ore), asbestos and other minerals since 

the 1850’s, has removed vegetation over large areas. Trees were cut for mine timbers and building 

construction (Figure 4) and chaparral was cut as cord wood (Figure 5) to fuel the cinnabar retorts 

(Sloane, 1914) at New Idria which operated from 1854 to 1974. More recent impacts to vegetation (post1950) have occurred from OHV recreation (Figure 6). Massive disturbances caused by mining, 

particularly for cinnabar and asbestos, eclipses the vegetation loss due to OHV impacts (Figure 7). 

Although, one might surmise that the barren landscapes of the New Idria serpentine mass are due to 

mining or other human impacts, most of the barrens are in fact natural. Serpentine soils are extremely 

stressful to plant establishment and productivity due to abnormally low nutrient levels and toxic levels of 

heavy metals (Kruckeberg, 1984; Brooks, 1987). The uniquely-adapted plant species and abundance of 

barrens found on the New Idria serpentine mass are a testament to the harsh growing conditions imposed 

by serpentine soils (Figure 8). 
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Figure 4. CCMA circa 1932. Timber harvesting within the ACEC. 

Figure 5. New Idria mine circa 1910. Stacks of cord wood (foreground) obtained from within 

the CCMA to fuel the cinnabar retorts.
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1975 2008

Figure 6. Vegetation loss due to OHV impacts at Indian Hill, one of the most heavily-used OHV 

areas within the Serpentine ACEC.

Circa 1920. Aurora mine (currently inactive). 2007. KCAC mine (currently inactive).

Figure 7. Vegetation loss from cinnabar (left) and asbestos (right) mining within the Serpentine 

ACEC.

1932 2007

Figure 8. Natural serpentine barren at Cinnabar Hill (within the Serpentine ACEC) in 1932 and 

2007. Note the lack of growth of the pine tree to the right of photo center and the slow 

decomposition of the log at lower left. 
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3.4.4.2 Noxious and Invasive Weeds 

Noxious and invasive plant species are a serious problem in California. Noxious and invasive plant 

species are typically non-native, meaning that they were either intentionally or inadvertently introduced 

into an area not within their natural habitat range. Some invasive plant species were introduced for 

agricultural, landscaping, or erosion control purposes and later escaped into rangeland or forest 

ecosystems. Noxious weeds are those listed by State and Federal law and are generally considered to

negatively affect agriculture, navigation, fish, wildlife, or public health. Currently, more than 226 noxious 

plants occur in California and many occur in rangeland or forest ecosystems. In wildland ecosystems, 

noxious and invasive species may continue to reproduce and become viable populations, displacing native 

plant species by reducing their productivity, cover, and diversity. Invasive plant species are effective 

competitors against native plant species for space, soil, water, nutrients, and sunlight. 

Noxious and invasive plant species are an increasing problem on BLM lands throughout the West. 

Currently, their ecological and economic impact on rangelands and forestland is not fully understood or 

appreciated. Invasive species can rapidly and seriously degrade the quality of rangelands by altering the 

natural composition and processes of native vegetation, ultimately reducing biodiversity. Noxious and 

invasive species rapidly displace desirable plants that provide habitat for wildlife, livestock forage, and 

human aesthetic quality. Some species are poisonous or cause physical injury to wildlife, livestock, and 

people. Many invasive plant species become highly flammable and flashy fuels as they reach maturity in 

the summer causing wildland fires to burn faster and hotter than they would normally occur with 

rangeland or forests. The burned land can then be rapidly recolonized by invasive species, resulting in 

shorter periods between subsequent fires. Methods to control invasive vegetation include prescribed fire, 

herbicides, livestock grazing, and other biological methods. Proper management and monitoring are 

necessary after controlled applications to ensure that desirable vegetation becomes established. 

The Serpentine ACEC is relatively free of invasive plant species, owing to the harsh conditions imposed 

by serpentine soils. Areas outside of the ACEC, in contrast, contain an elevated level of invasive annual 

species. This is especially true for the annual grassland vegetation type. Of greatest concern is the 

invasion of noxious invasive plant species from nonserpentine plant communities into serpentine plant 

communities. Invasive species currently controlled within the CCMA include yellow starthistle 

(Centaurea solstitialis) and common reed (Phragmites australis). The San Benito River Zone of the 

CCMA is regarded as a leading edge for yellow starthistle invasion. Its control there is critical to prevent 

invasion of the species into areas beyond the leading edge and to improve habitat for rare plant species 

that exist there including San Benito evening primrose (Camissonia benitensis) and slender pentachaeta 

(Pentachaeta exilis ssp. aeolica).
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3.5 Biological Resources – Fish and Wildlife 

3.5.1 Introduction 

This section describes the fish and wildlife resources within the Planning Area. Clear Creek Management 

Area contains a subset of inner Coast Range habitats as well as unique ecosystems associated with 

serpentine soils. San Benito Mountain is a sky island that has long been regarded as a unique vegetative 

zone due to the co-occurrence of Coulter, Jeffrey pines, foothill pines, and incense cedar. Table 3.5-1 

identifies the habitat types and associated species. 

Table 3.5-1 Habitat Types and Associated Species 

Habitat Types Associated Species

California annual 

grassland

Game species, mountain lion, American badger, coast horned lizard.

Mixed saltbush San Joaquin kit fox, coast horned lizard.

Blue oak Game species, mountain lion, bats, important raptor nesting, and roosting.

Interior live oak Game species, mountain lion, bats, important raptor nesting, and roosting.

Valley oak Game species, mountain lion, bats, important raptor nesting, and roosting.

Foothill pine Game species, mountain lion, bats, important raptor nesting, and roosting.

Coulter pine Game species, migratory birds, mountain lion, bats, important raptor nesting, and 

roosting.

Chamise-wedgeleaf 

ceanothus

Game species, mountain lion, big-eared kangaroo rat, coast horned lizard.

California buckwheat Game species, mountain lion, coast horned lizard.

Leather oak Game species, mountain lion, coast horned lizard.

Mixed willow/riparian Migratory passerine birds, native fish, foothill yellow-legged frog, two-striped garter 

snake, invertebrates, and a high diversity of wildlife species that utilize streams as 

movement corridors.

Serpentine barrens Migratory birds

Vernal pool Fairy shrimp

This RMP addresses key species and their habitat when developing management actions. These species 

include those of economic interest such as deer, wild pigs, and upland game including California quail 

and mountain quail; and sensitive, rare, threatened, and endangered species and other species or groups 

that serve as indicators of ecosystem health or indicate the effects of management activities. 

3.5.2 Regulatory Framework 

The primary regulatory framework relating to fish and wildlife resources under the management of the 

BLM includes the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Executive Order 

13112 (Invasive Species). 

3.5.3 Regional Setting 

CCMA is located within a group of interior coast ridges and peaks at the southern end of the Diablo 

Range. The region is characterized by generally low rainfall, rare snowfall, and frequent winter freezing 

at the upper elevations. Vegetation in the region ranges from xeric communities dominated by yucca to 

lush riparian and meadow habitats as well as oak woodlands. Outside of the densely populated San 

Francisco Bay Area, the Coast Ranges are largely untouched, and therefore support diverse wildlife 

assemblages. Hunting and wildlife viewing are major public activities throughout the region 
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3.5.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

This section summarizes the current conditions and trends for mule deer, elk, wild pig, cougar, wild 

turkey, upland game birds, small game species (e.g., rabbits), nongame (e.g., coyotes), and fur-bearing 

mammals (e.g., gray fox). 

Mule deer herd populations are thought to be either stable or in decline as a result of foraging habitat 

senescence and drought. In past years, local prescribed burning may have contributed to temporary 

increases in deer herd numbers, but the overall trend is flat or downtrending. 

Tule elk are concentrated in the environs Tucker Zone as a result of introductions in areas near Hernandez 

Reservoir. Elk populations have generally increased as a result of introductions and management 

agreements between private landowners and CDFG. 

The current condition of wild pigs within the Planning Area is unknown. However, they are undergoing 

range expansion and local populations increase throughout the state. The wild pig was classified as a 

game mammal in 1957, which requires hunters to obtain license tags to hunt the species. Currently, the 

hunting season for pigs is year round, with no tag or possession limits. Habitat conditions for the wild pig 

are also unknown; the species is found within a variety of habitats where water and suitable cover are 

present. The most abundant population of wild pigs in the CCMA is found in areas of oak woodland and 

riparian areas. Wild pigs are a popular species for hunters, but they are also considered an exotic, 

invasive species and they have been removed or eradicated from some public lands to protect sensitive 

resources.. 

Mountain lion populations are protected throughout California as a result of a decades-old hunting ban. 

Wild turkey populations have grown within California and are fairly abundant within mixed pine-oak 

woodland habitats. CCMA provides suitable habitat for wild turkey, especially in oak woodlands and 

riparian areas. Currently, there are approximately 242,000 wild turkeys within California. The species is 

considered a valuable resource for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. 

Upland game birds such as quail are abundant throughout woodland and grassland habitats with some 

water source and are likely stable or increasing. Populations of small game, nongame, and fur-bearing 

mammals found at CCMA are presumed to be generally stable. 

3.5.4.1 Fisheries 

Water bodies in Clear Creek Management Area are classified as warm water fisheries, and include the 

upper reaches of the San Benito River as well as Larious, Cantua, San Carlos, and White Creeks and their 

tributaries. Although a “very limited” trout fishery was present in the headwaters of the San Benito River 

as late as 1960, no trout have been taken there in decades. Monterey roach (Lavinia symmetricus 

subditus), Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda harengus), and Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis) are 

widespread in the San Benito River watershed, whereas speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) are present 

only above Hernandez Reservoir. The upper San Benito River population of speckled dace is one of only 

two populations left in Monterey Bay-draining watersheds (the other is in the San Lorenzo River 

watershed) (Smith 2002). Representative fish species presently occupying or having the potential to 

occupy habitats in CCMA are identified in Table 3.5-2. 

Table 3.5-2 Fish Occurring Within Clear Creek Management Area 

Species Status

Monterey roach (Lavinia symmetricus subditus) Nongame; CDFG-SSC
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Species Status

Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda harengus) Nongame

Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis) Nongame

Speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) (undescribed ssp.) Nongame

3.5.4.2 Wildlife 

Only key species and their habitats are accounted for in management actions and are given consideration 

in the RMP. These species include those of economic interest, such as upland game birds; game, 

nongame, and fur-bearing mammals; sensitive, threatened and endangered species; and other species or 

groups that serve as indicators of ecosystem health or indicate the effects of management activities. 

The ecological values of healthy sustainable fish and wildlife populations are increasingly better 

understood by ecologists and wildlife managers. Wildlife species have unique interspecific relations, 

which link assemblages of species on a landscape to one another and to specific habitats contained within 

the landscape. Some of these relationships are as simple as predator-prey and some are more complex. 

Understanding the important of these relationships is critical during the development of management 

strategies, and conservation measures taken for one particular wildlife species or habitat must also 

conserve an entire assemblage of species and their habitat. 

Game populations are managed based on habitat condition and the quality of the animals being produced. 

Population levels are linked to a variety of factors, including vegetation quality and quantity, adequate 

space, shelter, cover, water distribution, and regional weather patterns and trends such as prolonged 

drought. Through cooperative transplants from other areas, introduction of game species have historically 

occurred on lands within or adjacent to CCMA. CDFG formally coordinates these activities with BLM 

and other public or private entities on a case-by-case basis. Certain management activities may be 

augmented by cooperative efforts with nonprofit conservation groups. 

CCMA supports populations of mountain lions, mule deer, and tule elk herds, and provides habitat for 

wild pigs, wild turkeys, upland game birds, small game, nongame, and fur-bearing mammals. A 

summary of the species occurrence, habitat requirements, and management goals is presented below. 

Cougar (Mountain Lion) 

The cougar (Puma concolor) is a North American native and one of North America’s largest cats. The 

status of the mountain lion in California evolved from that of "bountied predator" between 1907 and 

1963, meaning monetary incentives were offered for every mountain lion killed, to "game mammal" in 

1969, to "special protected mammal" in 1990. Today's population estimate ranges between 4,000 and 

6,000 animals. 

Mountain lions occupy virtually every ecological zone and habitat type in California, therefore suitable 

habitat is not strongly constrained by abiotic or botanical features. Instead, mountain lion density is 

largely dependent on prey abundance. Mountain lions are very powerful and normally prey upon large 

animals, such as deer, bighorn sheep, pigs, and elk. However, they can survive preying on small animals 

as well. They usually hunt alone at night. They prefer to ambush their prey, often from behind. They 

usually kill with a powerful bite below the base of the skull, breaking the neck. They often cover the 

carcass with dirt, leaves, or snow and may come back to feed on it over the course of a few days. Their 

generally secretive and solitary nature is what makes it possible for humans to live in mountain lion 

country without ever seeing a mountain lion. However, mountain lion attacks on humans, some fatal, 

have increased in recent years. 
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The mountain lion is the largest carnivore occurring in CCMA and can be expected throughout the area. 

They generally will be most abundant in areas with plentiful deer. An adult male's home range often 

spans over 100 square miles. Females generally use smaller areas – about 20 to 60 square miles. 

Mule Deer 

Mule deer are the dominant ungulate in California. They are found in a variety of habitats rangewide, 

with some habitat elements are common to all populations, namely, the presence of browse species 

(mixed-age shrubbery, chaparral, or oak woodland) and sufficient density of undergrowth to provide 

shelter. 

CCMA falls entirely within a single CDFG Deer Management Unit (DMU), Zone A South, unit 110. 

Mule deer at CCMA are assigned by CDFG to the San Benito deer herd and are members of the 

subspecies Odocoileus hemionus columbianus, the Columbian black-tailed deer. The herd is considered 

to be resident although some elevational movement likely occurs, and the population is stable or 

declining. CDFG biologists believe that long-term degradation in habitat condition is largely responsible 

for population decline. A chief cause of habitat degradation is the predominance of late-seral stage 

chaparral, which reduces forage for deer. Self-reporting by hunters in 2007 (prior to the emergency 

closure) indicating buck kills in the environs of CCMA are summarized as follows: Clear Creek = 2; 

Condon Peak = 3, Fawn Lake = 4, New Idria = 1, San Benito Mountain = 4, San Carlos Bolsa = 2. 

According to CDFG data, 152 deer were killed in San Benito County in 2007, 18 (11%) of which were 

recorded as killed on public lands. The locality data provided above suggest that a significant portion of 

the buck kills occurring on public lands were located in CCMA. 

A Proposed Wildlife Management Plan for the New Idria National Cooperative Land and Wildlife 

Management Area was signed by BLM and CDFG in 1963. The primary species to be managed was deer. 

Important actions included in the plan were resource inventories and spot kill maps, with other actions to 

be cleared with the cooperating agencies. The plan also covered water appropriations and improvements. 

The 1963 management plan was partially implemented, but is generally outdated and needs to be revised 

in coordination with the CDFG and other interested parties. 

BLM and CDFG signed the San Benito Deer Herd Management Plan in 1984 (also incorporated here by 

reference). The plan identifies a New Idria subunit that includes lands within CCMA. Recommendations 

for prescribed burning, harvest strategies, and other management tools are provided. In particular, it is 

recommended habitat improvement projects be concentrated on Condon Peak, Meyers Canyon and San 

Carlos Bolsa and that OHV use be restricted in those areas. Herds were historically designated by county, 

i.e. they were delineated by political rather than biological criteria. In recent years CDFG has shifted from 

the herd-management model and is now focusing on Deer Assessment Units (DAUs). 

BLM is signatory to a 2008 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with other Federal resources 

agencies and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) to manage mule deer on 

public lands, here included by reference. Parties to the MOU agreed to recognize the importance of mule 

deer in all land use and populations management planning.

Tule Elk 

The subspecies of elk that occurs in CCMA is the tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes). A small portion of 

CCMA falls within the Southern San Benito County Tule Elk Management Unit. The herd originated 

from three populations outside of San Benito County: 63 animals from the Owens Valley Independence 

herd, 57 from the Grizzly Island herd, and 7 bulls from San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. The 

introductions occurred in 1985, 1986, and 1987, respectively (Rohrer 1988). All of these source 

populations were themselves the result of prior introductions ultimately originating from the Miller and 
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Lux Buttonwillow Cattle Ranch in Kern County, which constituted the last remaining population of tule 

elk following the near-extinction of the species in the 1860’s. CCMA falls within the La Panza Elk Hunt 

Area, which covers portions of San Benito, Monterey County San Luis Obispo counties. Most of the 

hunting in the La Panza hunt zone occurs on private lands. Private landowners manage for tule elk on 

large hunting ranches in the immediate vicinity of CCMA, mostly in the environs of Hernandez Reservoir 

adjacent to the Tucker Mountain Zone. A radiotelemetry study immediately following the 1985-87 

introductions found elk rarely using public lands in CCMA. 

Tule elk are indigenous to California and once lived in large numbers in California's San Joaquin and 

Sacramento Valleys. The species’ original distribution was quite large, stretching from the Sacramento 

Valley to the San Joaquin Valley to the Sierra Nevada Foothills in the east to the coast in the west. 

Market hunting following the Gold Rush dramatically reduced herd numbers. Genetic studies suggest 

that the tule elk population may have dropped to as few as three animals before being protected by the 

state of California (Meredith et al. 2007). 

In the 1970s the total population numbered about 500 animals with 3 herds; today there are about 3,500 

animals with 22 herds. This comeback has occurred because of protective legislation passed by the State 

in the 1970s. In addition, the Tule Elk State Reserve (formerly the Tupman Reserve) near Bakersfield 

was established in 1932 to provide a permanent habitat for the elk, and tule elk are protected on other 

parks and wildlife refuges statewide. 

The goals of the CDFG Elk Management Program are to maintain healthy elk herds, reestablish elk in 

suitable historic range, provide public educational and recreational opportunities involving elk, and 

alleviate conflicts involving elk on private property. 

Wild Horses and Burros 

CCMA has no herd units, and no wild free-roaming horses and burros. 

Wild Pig 

Pigs (Sus scrofa) are not native to North America and did not exist in California before the early 1700s. 

Spanish and Russian explorers and settlers introduced domestic pigs to California and allowed them to 

forage freely. In 1925, wild boars from Europe were introduced to California by a private landowner for 

hunting purposes. The wild boars escaped and hybridized with the feral pigs abandoned by Spanish and 

Russian settlers. Wild pigs now exist in 56 of the state’s 58 counties and their numbers continue to 

increase. 

Prior to the mid-1950s, wild pigs were unclassified under State law and could be killed with no 

restrictions. In 1957, the State legislature designated the wild pig as a game mammal. Although CDFG 

has not established specific herd units or a designated hunting season for wild pigs in California, hunters 

are required to have wild pig license tags to hunt wild pigs. 

Wild pigs degrade riparian habitat, depress oak regeneration, consume and compete with native fauna, 

and cause nonnative vegetation to proliferate. Due to their multiple negative environmental impacts, wild 

pigs were the subject of a successful eradication program at Pinnacles National Monument, which 

resulted in the removal of 200 feral pigs from a 572km area in 2004-2005. 

Suitable habitat for wild pigs is characterized by moderate water availability, especially for the creation of 

mud wallows for heat regulation, and to some extent litter-producing overstory, such as oaks or mature 

chaparral. Due to these habitat preferences, wild pigs degrade riparian habitat. Wild pigs are present at 

CCMA and are actively hunted there and on nearby private and public lands. 
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Wild Turkey 

Populations of the non-native wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) resulting from numerous introductions 

have grown to become an established part of much of California’s mixed pine-oak woodlands. The first 

introduction of wild turkeys was reported in 1877. Current population estimates for wild turkeys in 

California place the population at 242,000. An important resource, valued by both hunters and other 

wildlife enthusiasts, turkeys are an important game bird, and turkey hunting is a growing hunting sport in 

California. 

Throughout the range of wild turkeys, suitable habitat contains a combination of two key components: 

trees and open grasslands. Trees provide food, escape cover, and roosting sites. Open grasslands provide 

food and open areas where turkeys can effectively forage while avoiding predation. Lateral cover, 

associated with nest selection, is commonly provided by shrubs, herbaceous vegetation, and woody 

debris. 

Wild turkey has been identified by CDFG as a game species present at CCMA and turkey sign are 

abundant near the entrance station on Hwy 25 (San Benito River Zone). 

Upland Game Birds 

CCMA provides habitat for California (or valley) quail (Callipepla californica, mountain quail (Oreortyx 

pictus) and mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). The introduced chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) were 

historically present in CCMA but are not presently hunted there. California quail are present at lower 

elevations on the fringes of the serpentine regions and are most abundant in the San Carlos Bolsa (Cantua 

Zone) and south of Condon Peak (Condon Zone). California quail habitat typically contains a 

combination of brushy vegetation, woodlands, canyons, foothills, and more open grassy habitat with some 

water supply. Two guzzlers were installed at CCMA in the late 1950’s, but only one, near Condon Peak, 

was documented by CDFG in a 1995 survey. Mountain quail are at low abundance at higher elevations in 

the vicinity of Santa Rita and Condon Peak (Condon Peak Zone). Hunting pressure is considered to be 

low by CDFG. 

Small Game, Nongame, and Fur-Bearing Mammals

CCMA provides habitat for small game, nongame, and fur-bearing mammals throughout the Planning 

Area. Suitable habitat for such species typically includes understory for shelter and a mix of grass and 

herb species for forage (for the herbivorous species). Depending on species, presence of water may or 

may not be crucial. Small game include desert cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus auduboni), brush rabbit 

(Sylvilagus bachmani), blacktailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), and western gray squirrel (Sciurus 

griseus). Nongame species include bobcat (Lynx rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), and California ground 

squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi). Species classified by CDFG as fur-bearing species that occur in the 

Planning Area are limited to the gray fox (Urocyon cineroargenteus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and 

American badger (Taxidea taxus). BLM rangers have observed deer hunters taking squirrel during 

drought years when deer are scarce. 

Raptors 

CCMA includes considerable habitat of value to raptors. Suitable habitat includes mixed understory and 

grassland where prey animals (small mammals, smaller birds, and reptiles) abound. Most raptors also 

require trees, tall bushes, or rocks that serve as foraging roosts and nest sites. Threats to raptors include 

poisoning, vehicle collisions, habitat loss, illegal hunting, illegal trading and egg collecting, power lines 

and towers, falconry, a reduced prey base, and disturbance of nesting and roosting sites. Adult raptors 

have few predators and may live for 20 to 30 years. In common with other long-lived species, raptors 
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have a slow breeding rate and a high mortality among young birds. Approximately one-quarter of raptors 

survive their first year, and only half of these will reach maturity and raise their own young. With a 

reduction in adult survivorship due to the abovementioned causes, the population of the affected species 

declines as a result. 

Migratory Birds 

CCMA contains unique habitats for migratory birds, particularly the high elevation conifer habitat on San 

Benito Mountain. Suitable habitat for migratory birds depends on the presence of prey (chiefly 

invertebrates) and forage (seeds and fruit) as well as nestsites for those species that breed in a particular 

area. Migratory birds are typically drawn to riparian zones ranging from shrubby willow thickets to tallcanopy cottonwood forests. Other types of woodland and chaparral are also magnets for migratory birds. 

The San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area is an important area for scholarly study of migratory 

birds as well as for recreational bird watching. Some species of note known to breed on San Benito 

Mountain include Western Tanager (Piranga lucoviciana), Nashville warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla), and 

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalias pinosus). Hollister Field Office staff conduct the San Benito Mountain 

transect for the annual Breeding Bird Survey. 

Amphibians 

Public concern for declining amphibians has resulted in a number of State and Federal actions, including 

Congressional funding of amphibian malformation research and numerous agency level actions by USGS, 

NPS, and USFWS. The foothill yellow-legged frog is presently under intense study by USFS as an 

indicator species for stream flow regime in drainages impacted by dams. BLM has been a collaborator in 

a study of chytrid fungus infection in populations of foothill yellow-legged frogs at CCMA, and a recent 

genetic study has identified the CCMA population as containing several unique mtDNA haplotypes. 

(Lind 2007, BLM unpublished data) Foothill yellow-legged frogs have been intensively surveyed at 

CCMA since the 1990’s and excellent data are available on presence/absence and abundance of the frog 

in numerous streams in CCMA that represent several major watersheds, including the Pajaro River and 

San Joaquin River watersheds. 

Other amphibians present in CCMA include the arboreal salamander (Aneides lugubris), the Gabilan 

slender salamander (Batrachoseps gavilanensis), California toad (Bufo boreas halophilus) and Pacific 

chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla). Take of otherwise unprotected amphibians is permitted by CDFG under 

a sport fishing license. 

Reptiles 

Collecting of reptiles is permitted under a CDFG sport fishing license and take is regulated, with limits 

established for individual species. In the environs of CCMA, reptiles of interest to collectors include 

California mountain king snakes (Lampropeltis zonata), California king snakes (Lampropeltis getulus 

californiae), and gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer). Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis oreganus) are 

abundant in the region and present a potential hazard to humans, pets, and livestock but are also subjects 

of interest to amateur herpetologists. Other species of interest include the sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus 

graciosus), which is confined to higher elevations in coastal regions. Sensitive species that require a 

special permit from CDFG to collect include the California horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum 

frontale), two-striped garter snake (Thamnophis hammondii), and Southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys 

marmorata pallida). 
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Invertebrates 

The western fairy shrimp, (Linderiella occidentalis), has been documented from the Spanish Lake vernal 

pools (Hopkins and Silverman 2004). Although USFWS has determined that the western fairy shrimp is 

not in danger of extinction, the species is an important indicator of vernal pool habitat and habitat quality. 

 Table 3.5-3 Wildlife Habitat Conditions in the Planning Area

Species/Group Habitat Conditions Comments

Mule deer Poor-good1-4Population fluctuates with yearly rainfall.

Tule Elk Poor-good1-4 Habitat managed mostly on private lands 

outside the planning area.

Wild pig Good1Present in oak woodlands and riparian areas.

Wild turkey Fair1 Numbers increasing throughout state

Mountain lion Fair2,3 Numbers increasing throughout state, conflicts 

with humans continue to increase as habitat 

and subpopulations become further 

fragmented

Upland game birds Good1Populations subject to wide annual 

fluctuations, primarily due to timing and 

amount of rainfall 

Small game, nongame, furbearingGood1,4 Population numbers generally stable to 

increasing, with the exception of the badger, 

which is experiencing a statewide population 

decline2,4

Raptors Good1,4 Populations likely stable.

Migratory Birds Good1,4 Populations likely stable.

Amphibians Good1,4 Populations likely stable.

Reptiles Good1,4 Populations likely stable.

Invertebrates Good1,4 Populations likely stable.

Notes: 

1 Vegetation resource condition. 

2 Development/density of intrusions. 

3 Competition with other resources. 

4 As reflected by population levels.
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3.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species 

3.6.1 Introduction 

Special status species are those species federally listed as threatened, endangered, proposed, or candidate, 

as well as BLM sensitive species, and State of California sensitive species. This section describes the 

special status species that occur or may occur within the BLM-administered lands within the Planning 

Area and the BLM management approach for these species. A brief discussion of each special status 

species is provided in Section 3.6.5 and Tables 3.6-1 through 3.6-8, which have been organized by plants, 

fish, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. 

3.6.2 Regulatory Framework 

The regulatory framework relating to special status species under the management of the BLM includes 

the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973; California Endangered Species Act of 1984 (CESA); and 

California Fish and Game Code § 2050-2116. 

3.6.3 Regional Setting 

Coastal Central California has a disproportionately high percentage of sensitive species compared to other 

regions in the United States. The complex tectonic and geologic history of the region historically fostered 

high levels of biodiversity at the landscape scale, while the booming development of the region following 

European colonization in the 19th and 20th centuries caused vast regions of wholesale habitat conversion 

to agricultural and urban uses. Some listed species such as the California red-legged frog (Rana 

draytonii) and California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) once had a widespread regional 

distribution in California and are still present over a large area in the Coast Ranges. Other species are 

adapted to, and dependent upon, isolated and unusual habitat types such as inland dunes or serpentine 

soils, and therefore show a high level of local endemism. Examples of local endemics include the 

flightless Ciervo aegialian scarab beetle (Aegialia concinna) that lives in isolated sand dunes in the 

Ciervo Hills and San Benito evening primrose (Camissonia benitensis), which is locally endemic to 

serpentine soils of the Clear Creek Management Area. The inner Coast Ranges provide habitat for floral 

and faunal assemblages representative of the Central Valley and the outer Coast Range as well as forms 

unique to the ranges themselves. The San Joaquin Valley to the east of the CCMA historically sustained 

a California perennial grassland ecosystem with endemic plant species such as San Joaquin woolythreads 

(Monolopia congdonii), California jewelflower (Caulanthus californicus) and animal species such as San 

Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), numerous species of kangaroo rat (Dipodomys sp.), and blunt 

nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia silus). Following intensive agricultural conversion, virtually all of these 

endemic species suffered precipitous declines and many, if not most of them, are now listed or proposed 

for listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Coastally, numerous ESUs of anadromous 

salmonids, as well as several species of marine mammals and birds and endemic coastal dune plants and 

animals, have become listed at the state or Federal levels, or both. 

3.6.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

The BLM has completed or is in the process of identifying areas of ecological importance, designating 

priority species and habitats, and identifying restoration strategies, opportunities, and management 

decisions to protect or prevent avoidable loss of habitat supporting special status species within each of 

the management areas. In addition, consultation with the USFWS and NOAA Fisheries is required by the 

Endangered Species Act for Federal actions that may affect listed species and designated critical habitat. 
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The consultation process ensures that actions taken are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of 

any threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat. 

BLM has expended considerable effort in species-directed inventories throughout the State, particularly 

as part of efforts to conserve listed animals and plants in the San Joaquin Valley bioregion, of which the 

HFO is a major land holder. Map 4 in Appendix I shows all known special status species locations within 

the CCMA administered BLM GIS databases and the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). 

3.6.5 Special Status Species within the Planning Area 

Special status species known to occur on the BLM-administered lands within CCMA and listed under the 

ESA or the CESA or otherwise identified by BLM as a special status species are enumerated in Tables 

3.6-2 through 3.6-9 below. Map 4 (Appendix I) illustrates known or potential occurrences of special 

status species in the CCMA. 

The CCMA has a relatively high percentage of rare species relative to surrounding areas due to its 

diversity of habitats. The CCMA contains both serpentine and nonserpentine-derived soils and an 

elevation range of 1,830 to 5,241 feet with rugged topography. The combination of drastically different 

soil types, elevational range, and topography (slope, aspect) support a variety of different vegetation types 

that include conifer forest, chaparral, grasslands, riparian areas, and even stark serpentine barrens which 

are completely devoid of vegetation. Due to the stressful physical and chemical conditions imposed by 

serpentine soils, the New Idria serpentine mass supports a high proportion of rare, edaphic endemic plant 

species. Despite its unique floral communities and its proximity to regions occupied by entire suites of 

Federally protected species, CCMA is known to harbor only one Federally-listed species, the San Benito 

evening primrose (Camissonia benitensis). 

Other Federally listed species potentially present within the CCMA include the California condor 

(Gymnogyps californicus), Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides) and San Joaquin kit 

fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica). The paucity of potential habitat for Tipton kangaroo rat and San Joaquin 

kit fox make their presence within the CCMA unlikely. The longstanding presence of Hernandez Dam on 

the San Benito River downstream from the CCMA precludes the current presence of anadromous fish, 

including federally-listed Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). 

Moreover, there are no historical records of those species in the CCMA. California red-legged frogs 

(Rana draytonii), while present in the San Benito River watershed fifteen miles or more downstream, 

have never been recorded in or near the CCMA. California tiger salamanders are present in sag pond 

habitat in the San Andreas Rift Zone to the west and in vernal pool habitat in the Central Valley to the 

east but have never been recorded in the environs of CCMA. Moreover, neither California red-legged frog 

nor California tiger salamander are expected anywhere within the planning area due to intrinsic habitat 

constraints. The planning area is mostly over 4,000 feet in altitude with a range from 1,800 to over 5,000 

feet and is wholly composed of steep mountainous terrain with rocky, swift moving creeks. Several 

alpine ponds exist, but these have no emergent vegetation and are ephemeral, and have been thoroughly 

investigated for amphibians by trained herpetologists for decades, with only Pacific chorus frogs ever 

having been documented. 

The unique vegetation types of the New Idria serpentine mass including serpentine chaparral and the San 

Benito Mountain conifer forest provide habitat for several sensitive bird species. The bald eagle was 

delisted on June 28, 2007. Although no longer protected under the ESA, new regulations were written for 

the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 to include a prohibition against “disturb,” which they 

defined as: “agitate or bother a bald or golden eagle to the degree that interferes with or interrupts normal 

breeding, feeding, or sheltering habits, causing injury, death, or nest abandonment.”
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3.6.5.1 Plants and Habitats 

Special status plants occurring within the Planning Area are shown in in Table 3.6-2. The New Idria mass 

(Serpentine ACEC) within the CCMA harbors a large number of rare serpentine endemic plant species. 

Special Status Plant Species 

San Benito Evening primrose (Camissonia benitensis) 

Family Onagraceae. Federally-listed Threatened. The US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the 

San Benito evening-primrose as an endangered species on October 31, 1983 (48 FR 50126) based on 

impacts to the species and its habitat from OHV activity. The USFWS designated the species as a 

threatened, rather than endangered, species on February 12, 1985 (50 FR 5758). San Benito evening 

primrose is a diminuitive annual with wiry, greenish-purple stems, clusters of linear, pubescent leaves, 

and yellow four-petaled flowers (Figure 1). The species is a narrow (localized distribution), strict 

serpentine endemic (Safford et al. 2005). Most populations are located upon or with close proximity to 

the New Idria serpentine mass and associated serpentine landslides. Populations of the species are also 

known to occur on serpentine masses and outcrops within 11 airline miles east, southeast, and south of the 

edge of the New Idria serpentine mass. The furthest most known population of the species is located 

approximately 11 airline miles southeast of the New Idria serpentine mass on serpentine near HWY 198 

between Mustang Ridge and Priest Valley. It is believed that the species may occur at an even greater 

radius (up to 20 miles) with a likely maximum range limit as far south as Priest Valley (Monterey county) 

and as far north as Panoche Valley (San Benito county), encompassing southern San Benito, western 

Fresno, and eastern Monterey counties. An estimated 70% of the total serpentine area within that range 

has been surveyed for the species to date. 

A detailed description of the species and its ecology may be found in a report by Taylor (1990). Until 

spring 2010, it was believed that most San Benito evening primrose occupied and potential habitat 

consisted of relatively level serpentine alluvial fans and terraces (Figure 2) often adjacent to perennial 

streams within the Serpentine ACEC. It is now known that the species also grow in uplands on serpentine 

soil at geologic boundaries between serpentine and nonserpentine rock types where vegetation type 

transitions from serpentine chaparral to blue oak (Quercus douglasii) and California juniper (Juniperus 

californica) woodland (Figure 3). The species frequently occurs on the margins of the serpentine 

chaparral, where invasive annual grassland density is low and native herbaceous plant diversity is high. 

Although slope angle does not appear to be a major factor in where the species occurs, soil physcial 

properties are important. The species most commonly occus in the upland geologic transition zone 

habitat where the serpentine soil is friable (soft) when dry (loam – sandy loam texture). Virtually no 

populations of the the species have been found where soils are hard or develop large, deep cracks when 

dry (indicative of clayey soil texture). The geologic transition zone habitat type may in fact represent the 

majority of the habitat for the species with serpentine stream terraces being a rarer habitat type. Other 

minor habitat types found for the species include hard, fractured, serpentine rock outcrop (two known 

suboccurrences) near the geologic transition zone and hard, fractured nutrient-poor shale outcrops (four 

known suboccurrences) or shale barrens (one known suboccurrence) near the geologic transition zone. 

Overall, the habitat types found for the species suggest that the most important habitat characteristics for 

the species are: 

Serpentine substrate. 

Friable loam – sandy loam soil texture. 

Sparse woody overstory cover (abundant gaps). Sparse herbaceous understory cover. 

Stable habitat. Relatively low levels of erosion. 
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Specific habitat types include the following: 

Major: Serpentine-nonserpentine geologic transition zones (serpentine riparian and upland) 

Major: Serpentine alluvial stream terraces (serpentine riparian; nonserpentine riparian –

serpentine alluvium outside of the Serpentine ACEC) 

Minor/anomalous: Serpentine rock outcrop (serpentine upland) 

Minor/anomalous: Shale outcrop/shale barrens (nonserpentine upland) 

Prior to spring 2010, there were 63 known populations (suboccurrences) of San Benito evening primrose. 

Following the discovery of the geologic transition zone habitat and subsequent intensive survey of that 

habitat type, there are now approximately 231 know populations of the species. Table 3.6-1 shows the 

distribution of the populations found with respect to the CCMA and habitat type. 

Table 3.6-1. Distribution of San Benito evening primrose populations inside and outside 

of the Serpentine ACEC and the CCMA

Location ↓ Land ownership → BLM (Public) Private TOTAL

CCMA; Inside Serpentine ACEC 87 15 102

CCMA; Outside Serpentine ACEC 53 4 57

Outside CCMA 10 62 72

Habitat type ↓ Land ownership → BLM (Public) Private TOTAL

Geologic transition zone 81 73 154

Serpentine stream terrace 63 7 70

Serpentine rock outcrop 2 0 2

Shale outcrop/barren 4 1 5

Most of the geologic transition zone occupied and potential habitat, being either outside of the core OHV 

use area or being located entirely outside of the CCMA, has experienced little to no impacts from OHV or 

other human-related activities such as livestock grazing. In comparison, most of the occupied and 

potential habitat of San Benito evening primrose on stream terraces has a long history of impacts from 

human activities, including road construction, logging, mining, and OHV use. Many routes, such as R1, 

R11, R15, and T158 were established on San Benito evening primrose habitat. The relatively level 

terraces have also been favored as staging areas for logging, mining, and more recently, for OHV use 

activities. Habitat disturbance has promoted the invasion of noxious species such as yellow starthistle 

(Centaurea solstitialis) into San Benito evening primrose habitat just outside of the Serpentine ACEC. 

Red brome (Bromus madritensis) has invaded some San Benito evening primrose habitat within the 

ACEC, but it is sparse and does not appear to be adversely impacting San Benito evening primrose. 

Invasive species are controlled through Integrated Pest Management. Most of the occupied and potential 

San Benito evening primrose habiat within the core OHV use area is now closed to OHV use and 

protected by fences and barricades. 
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Figure 1. San Benito evening primrose. 

Figure 2. San Benito evening primrose serpentine stream terrace habitat (suboccurrence 

51200) within the New Idria serpentine mass (Serpentine ACEC). Low density serpentine 

chaparral. 
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Figure 3. San Benito evening primrose geologic transition zone habitat on the edge of the New 

Idria serpentine mass (Serpentine ACEC). Low density blue oak and California juniper 

woodland. 

Rayless layia (Layia discoidea) 

Family Asteraceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Tiny annual with a basal rosette of leaves and small, 

bright yellow aster flowers on a wiry infloresence. Like San Benito evening primrose, rayless layia is a 

narrow serpentine endemic. Its habitat consists primarily of serpentine outcrops and scree on the New 

Idria and nearby Laguna Mountain and Hepsedam Peak serpentine masses (San Benito county). It 

occasionally co-occurs with San Benito evening primrose on serpentine stream terraces. Fencing of 

occupied and potential habitat for the San Benito evening primrose has afforded the rayless layia some 

protection. Most of the rayless layia occupied and potential habitat, however, is not physically protected. 

At least thirty populations are known to occur within the Serpentine ACEC. Two populations are known 

to occur outside of the Serpentine ACEC, one on serpentine landslide and one on shale outcrop. 

Numerous other populations are also know to occur on serpentine at Laguna Mountain outside of the 

CCMA. The largest known population of the species (>10,000 plants) occurs on serpentine at Hepsedam 

Peak outside of the CCMA. 

San Benito fritillary (Fritillaria viridea)

Family Liliaceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Perennial lily with whorled leaves on a lanky infloresence, 

bearing nodding, small yellowish-green flowers. San Benito fritillary is a serpentine endemic with a 

southern Coast Range distribution in San Benito, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties. It primarily 

grows as scattered individuals in the understory beneath serpentine chaparral. San Benito fritillary is 

sparse, but widespread within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Talus fritillary (Fritillaria falcata) 

Family Liliaceae, BLM Sensitve, CNPS 1B. Perennial lily with a basal rosette of leaves and erect, yellow 

flower with brown speckles. Talus fritillary is a serpentine endemic restricted to the northern part of the 
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southern Coast Range in San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Stanislaus counties. It grows on 

serpentine barrens and scree. Only nine populations in total are known with average population size 

being less than 100 individuals. Two populations are located within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

One of the populations contains several hundred individuals and is the largest population of the species. 

This population is protected by an exclosure fence. 

Mariposa cryptantha (Cryptantha mariposae) 

Family Boraginaceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Small annual bristly herb with small white flowers 

borne on curled infloresences. Mariposa cryptantha is a serpentine endemic found at a few locations on 

serpentine in Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa counties, as well as San Benito county 

within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. The species grows as an understory species in serpentine 

chaparral. Mariposa cryptantha is very uncommon within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Mt. Diablo phacelia (Phacelia phacelioides) 

Family Hydrophyllaceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Perennial plant with basal rosette of bristly leaves 

and small light purple flowers borne on curled infloresences. Mt. Diablo phacelia is distributed 

throughout the south Coast Range in Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Monterey, San Benito, and 

Kern counties. Although it often grows on serpentine soils as a chaparral understory species, it 

occasionally grows on nonserpentine soils as well. Mt. Diablo phacelia is very uncommon within the 

Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Chaparral harebell (Campanula exigua) 

Family Campanulaceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Annual herb with small, light purple, five-petaled 

flowers. Chaparral harebell is found in Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, and San Benito 

counties. Othough it most often grows on serpentine soils as a chaparral understory species, it 

occasionally grows on nonserpentine soils as well. Chaparral harebell is very uncommon within the 

Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Santa Cruz Mountains pussypaws (Calyptridium parryi var. hesseae) 

Family Polygonaceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Rosetted annual herb with prostrate, compact pink 

flowers. Santa Cruz Mountains pussypaws occurs in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Montery, Fresno, and San 

Benito counties. Although the species is often found on nonserpentine soils, within the Serpentine ACEC 

of the CCMA, the species is only associated with serpentine vernal pools north of Clear Creek and at 

Spanish Lake. Most populations of the species within the CCMA are protected by exclusion fences. 

Santa Cruz Mountains pussypaws is locally abundant around the serpentine vernal pools, but very 

uncommon within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA as a whole. 

San Benito spineflower (Chorizanthe biloba var. immemora) 

Family Polygonaceae, BLM Sensitve, CNPS 1B. Small, annual prostrate plant with spiny reddish-purple 

leaves and tiny light purple flowers. San Benito spineflower is a very rare species known from only San 

Benito and Monterey counties. The species grows on nonserpentine sandy soils in valleys. The single 

known population located outside of the Serpentine ACEC and within the CCMA is protected by an 

exclusion fence. 
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Slender pentachaeta (Pentachaeta exilis ssp. aeolica) 

Family Asteraceae, BLM Sensitve, CNPS 1B. Tiny annual with yellow aster flowers. Slender 

pentachaeta is also a very rare species known from only San Benito and Monterey counties. The species 

grows on nonserpentine clay soils in valleys. The single large population located outside of the 

Serpentine ACEC (same area as San Benito spineflower) and within the CCMA, is protected by an 

exclusion fence. 

Indian Valley bush mallow (Malacothamnus oboriginum) 

Family Malvaceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Small perennial shrub with light pink hibiscus-like 

flowers. Indian Valley bush mallow is an infrequent species that is distributed throughout the south Coast 

Range in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Monterey, Kings, Fresno, and San Benito counties. The species 

typically grows on rocky, nonserpentine soils. It responds favorably to fire and can appear in great 

numbers within burned areas. A few populations of Indian Valley bush mallow have been documented 

outside of the Serpentine ACEC within the CCMA. 

Pale yellow layia (Layia heterotricha) 

Family Asteraceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Small annual with light yellow aster flowers. Pale yellow 

layia is distributed throughout the south Coast Range in Monterey, San Benito, Fresno, Kings, San Luis 

Obispo, Kern, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties. It grows on sandy nonserpentine soils 

in uplands. A few populations of pale yellow layia have been documented on nonserpentine soils outside 

of the Serpentine ACEC in the southeast portion of the CCMA. 

Showy madia (Madia radiata) 

Family Asteraceae, BLM Sensitive, CNPS 1B. Small, aromatic annual with sticky foliage and small, 

bright yellow aster flowers. Showy madia is distributed throughout the south Coast Range in Contra 

Costa, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, San Benito, Fresno, Monterey, Kings, San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Santa 

Barbara counties. Like pale yellow layia, it also grows on sandy nonserpentine soils in uplands. Showy 

madia has been documented on nonserpentine soils outside of the Serpentine ACEC in the southern 

portion of the CCMA. 
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Table 3.6-2 Special Status Plants and Habitats Occurring within the Planning Area. 

Species with affinity for serpentine soils (Serpentine ACEC). Species with affinity for nonserpentine soils 

(outside of ACEC). CNPS 1B = Rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. 

1

Serpentine endemic status according to Safford et al. 2005. 
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Other Plant Species of Concern 

Other plant species of concern occurring within the Planning Area are shown in Table 3.6-3. 

Guirado’s goldenrod (Solidago guiradonis) 

Family Asteraceae, CNPS 4. Perennial with basal rosette and lanky infloresence with dense clusters of 

bright yellow aster flowers. Guirado’s goldenrod is a serpentine endemic with distribution in the south 

Coast Range limited to San Benito and San Luis Obispo counties. Its habitat consists of moist serpentine 

stream terraces and seeps. Guirado’s goldenrod is very common in all riparian areas within the Serpentine 

ACEC of the CCMA. 

Serpentine leptosiphon (Leptosiphon ambiguus) 

Family Polemoniaceae, CNPS 4. Small annual with pink phlox-like flowers. Serpentine leptosiphon is a 

serpentine endemic that has a widespread distribution throughout the south Coast Range in Contra Costa, 

Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Merced, San Benito, Monterey, Fresno, and 

San Luis Obispo counties. Its habitat is primarily serpentine streamside terraces. Serpentine leptosiphon 

is uncommon within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

San Benito monardella (Monardella antonina ssp. benitensis)

Family Lamiaceae, CNPS 4. Small, aromatic (minty), perennial herb with purple flowers. San Benito 

monardella is a serpentine endemic with a very limited distribution in Monterey and San Benito counties. 

It’s habitat includes serpentine soils of both stream terraces and uplands. San Benito monardella is 

common in all riparian areas (serpentine stream terraces) within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Hernandez bluecurls (Trichostema rubisepalum) 

Family Lamiaceae, CNPS 4. Small, aromatic, annual with sticky foliage and purple flowers. Hernandez 

bluecurls is a serpentine endemic found only in San Benito county (New Idria, Laguna Mountain and 

Hepsedam serpentine masses) in the south Coast Range. It is also found on serpentine in Calaveras, 

Tuolumne, Mariposa, and Trinity counties. It’s habitat is limited to moist serpentine stream terraces and 

seeps. Hernandez bluecurls is common in all riparian areas within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Carlotta Hall’s lace fern (Aspidotis carlotta-halliae) 

Family Pteridaceae, CNPS 4. Small fern. Carlotta Hall’s lace fern is a serpentine endemic with a south 

Coast Range distribution in Marin, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, and San Benito 

counties. Its habitat consists of serpentine rock outcrops and scree. Carlotta Hall’s lace fern is very 

uncommon within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

South Coast Range morning glory (Calystegia collina ssp. venusta) 

Family Convolvulaceae, CNPS 4. Small, perennial herb with a basal rosette of leaves and a white 

morning glory-like flower. South Coast Range. South Coast Range morning glory is a serpentine 

endemic distributed throughout the south Coast Range in Monterey, San Benito, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, 

and Santa Barbara counties. It’s habitat includes serpentine soils of both stream terraces and uplands. 

South Coast Range morning glory is very uncommon within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 
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Andrew’s bedstraw (Galium andrewsii ssp. gatense) 

Family Rubiaceae, CNPS 4. Small, compact, herbaceous perennial with tiny spiny leaves. Andrew’s 

bedstraw is a serpentine endemic distributed throughout the south Coast Range in Contra Costa, Alameda, 

Santa Clara, Stanislaus,Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, Fresno, and San Luis Obispo counties. It 

grows on serpentine soils in uplands. Andrew’s bedstraw is sparse, but widespread within the Serpentine 

ACEC of the CCMA. 

Benitoa (Benitoa occidentalis) 

Family Asteraceae, CNPS 4. Small, bushy annual with sticky foliage and bright yellow aster flowers. 

Benitoa has a limited distribution in the south Coast Range in Monterey, San Benito, and Fresno counties. 

Although it often grows on serpentine soils, it occasionally grows on nonserpentine soils as well. Benitoa 

is very uncommmon in the CCMA. The only documented population of the species near the CCMA (and 

San Benito county) is 1⁄2 mile west of New Idria (just outside of the CCMA). 

San Benito thorn mint (Acanthomintha obovata ssp. obovata) 

Family Lamiaceae, CNPS 4. Small, aromatic, spiny annual with white, snapdragon-like flowers. San 

Benito thornmint has a limited distribution in the south Coast Range in Monterey, San Benito, Fresno, 

and Ventura counties. Although it often grows on serpentine outcrops, it occasionally grows on 

nonserpentine rock outcrops as well. A few populations of San Benito thornmint have been documented 

both within and outside of the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Brewer’s clarkia (Clarkia breweri) 

Family Onagraceae, CNPS 4. Small annual with pink four-petaled flowers. Brewer’s clarkia is 

distributed throughout the south Coast Range in Alameda, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Merced, San Benito, 

Monterey, and Fresno counties. Although it often grows on serpentine outcrops and scree, it occasionally 

grows on nonserpentine rock outcrops as well. Brewer’s clarkia is very uncommon within the Serpentine 

ACEC of the CCMA. 

Sulphur flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum var. bahiiforme) 

Family Polygonaceae, CNPS 4. Small prostrate subshrub with compact, pink clusters of flowers. 

Sulphur flower buckwheat is a common, widespread species throughout California. Variety bahiiforme

has a limited distribution in California, primarily found in the north and south Coast Range. The variety 

is found as commonly on serpentine soils as nonserpentine soils throughout that range. Within the 

CCMA, the species is only found on serpentine soils within the Serpentine ACEC. Sulphur flower 

buckwheat is uncommon within the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Western Heerman’s buckwheat (Eriogonum heermannii var. occidentale) 

Family Polygonaceae, CNPS 4. Small woody shrub with clusters of tiny white flowers. Western 

Heerman’s buckwheat is a very rare species distributed in the northern portion of the south Coast Range 

in Monterey, San Benito, and Fresno counties. Its habitat consists of sandy, alluvial soils. In the CCMA, 

it grows outside of the ACEC on serpentine alluvium near the confluence of Clear Creek and San Benito 

River. The population is protected by an exclosure fence. 
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One-sided monkeyflower (Mimulus fremontii) 

Family Phrymaceae (Scrophulariaceae), CNPS 4. Small annual with purple shapdragon-like flowers. 

One-sided monkeyflower has a widespread distribution throughout the southern portion of the south 

Coast Range and into the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges and beyond into the Mojave desert. In the 

south Coast Range, it is found in San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Kern, and Santa Barbara 

counties. Its habitat is primarily serpentine stream terraces within the ACEC of the CCMA, but it also 

frequently grows on nonserpentine soils as well. One-sided monkeyflower is common within the 

Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Santa Clara thorn mint (Acanthomintha lanceolata) 

Family Lamiaceae, CNPS 4. Small, aromatic, spiny annual with white, snapdragon-like flowers. Santa 

Clara thorn mint is distributed throughout the south Coast Range in Alameda, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, 

Stanislaus, Merced, San Benito, Monterey, and Fresno counties. Although it often grows on serpentine 

outcrops, it occasionally grows on nonserpentine rock outcrops as well. A few populations of San Benito 

thorn mint have been documented both within and outside of the Serpentine ACEC of the CCMA. 

Protruding buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum var. indictum)

Family Polygonaceae, CNPS 4. Herbaceous perennial with a basal rosette of leaves and inflated 

infloresence stems bearing light pink flowers. Protruding buckwheat has a widespread distribution 

throughout the south Coast Range in Stanislaus, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, 

Kern, and Santa Barbara counties. Its habitat consists of sandstone rock and shale outcrops. Protruding 

buckwheat occurs primarily on the north and east sides of the CCMA outside of the Serpentine ACEC. 

Oval leaved snapdragon (Antirrhinum ovatum) 

Family Scrophulariaceae, CNPS 4. Annual herb with light pink, snapdragon-like flowers. Oval leaved 

snapdragon is a rare species found in the south Coast Range in San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, 

Kern, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. It grows primarily on sandy soils. Oval leaved snapdragon 

occurs just outside the eastern border of the CCMA with potential to occur within the CCMA. 

Stinkbells (Fritillaria agrestis) 

Family Liliaceae, CNPS 4. Perennial lily with a basal rosette of fleshy leaves, lanky infloresence, and 

nodding, dull yellow or red flower. Stinkbells has a widespread distribution in northern and central 

California. In the south Coast Range, it occurrs in Contra Costa, Alameda, San Mateo, Stanislaus, 

Monterey, San Benito, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, and Kern counties. Its habitat includes clay soils 

(occasionally serpentine-derived) in grasslands. Stinkbells occurs within the CCMA outside of the 

Serpentine ACEC. 

Salinas milkvetch (Astragalus macrodon) 

Family Fabaceae, CNPS 4. Perrenial herb with dissected leaves, forming a small shrub. Bears clusters of 

light yellow flowers. Salinas milkvetch is found in the south Coast Range in San Benito, Monterey, San 

Luis Obispo, Kern, and Santa Barbara counties. Its habitat consists primarily of sandy or gravelly 

substrates, especially alluvium. Salinas milkvetch occurs just outside the eastern border of the CCMA 

with potential to occur within the CCMA. 
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Table 3.6-3 Other Plant Species of Concern and Habitats Occurring within the Planning 

Area. Species with affinity for serpentine soils (ACEC). CNPS 4 = Limited distribution (watch list). 

1

Serpentine endemic status according to Safford et al. 2005.
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Table 3.6-3 Other Plant Species of Concern and Habitats Occurring within the Planning 

Area (cont.). Species with affinity for nonserpentine soils CNPS 4 = Limited distribution (watch list). 

1

Serpentine endemic status according to Safford et al. 2005.

3.6.5.2 Fish 

No federally listed fish species occur within the Planning Area. One California (fish) species of special 

concern may occur within the Planning Area, as presented in Table 3.6-4. The Monterey roach is thought 

to be in decline rangewide, partly through the action of dams, which may lead to increased competition 

from hitch (Lavinia exilicauda).

Table 3.6-4 Special Status Fish Occurring within the Planning Area 

Common Name Scientific Name Status

Monterey roach Lavinia symmetricus subditus State species of special concern

3.6.5.3 Invertebrates 

Two special status species of invertebrates may occur within the Planning Area, as presented in Table 3.6-

5. Critical habitat has been designated for the longhorn fairy shrimp and vernal pool fairy shrimp (Federal 

Register 68:46683; August 6, 2003). A vernal pool species recovery plan titled “Recovery Plan for 

Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California and Southern Oregon” was issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service in 2008. The vernal pool fairy shrimp is federally listed as threatened. The longhorn fairy shrimp 

is federally listed as endangered. These crustaceans inhabit rain-filled ephemeral pools within the vernal 

pools that form in depressions in bedrock and meadows. Pools must fill frequently and persist long 
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enough for the species to complete its life cycle, which takes place entirely within vernal pools. Although 

neither species was found in a recent survey of CCMA vernal pools (Figure 4), their potential presence 

could not be ruled out, while two other sensitive crustaceans, the Conservancy fairy shrimp and the vernal 

pool tadpole shrimp, are considered unlikely to occur within the Planning Area (Hopkins and Silverman 

2004). 

Table 3.6-5 Special Status Invertebrates Occurring within the Planning Area 

Common Name Scientific Name Status

Longhorn fairy shrimp Branchinecta longiantenna Federal endangered

Vernal pool fairy shrimp Branchinecta lynchi Federal threatened

Figure 4. Spanish Lake, a vernal pool underlain by serpentine within the CCMA. Potential 

habitat for fairy shrimp species. 

3.6.5.4 Amphibians 

One BLM sensitive amphibian species occurs within the Planning Area: the foothill yellow-legged frog. 

Table 3.6-6 lists the species, its status as a State species of special concern. Foothill yellow-legged frogs 

are locally abundant within the many streams of the CCMA (Figure 5), but its abundance is dependent on 

complex stream environments that allow them to choose optimal oviposition sites. Populations 

downstream from reservoirs are particularly susceptible to local extirpation due to non-natural pulsed 

flows. Siltation is also a potential problem because it can occlude the cobble-bottomed stream habitat 

frogs prefer. No other sensitive amphibians are known to occur or potentially occur in the planning area. 

Table 3.6-6 Special Status Amphibians Occurring within the Planning Area 

Common Name Scientific Name Status

Foothill yellow-legged frog Rana boylii BLM sensitive species, State 

species of special concern
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Figure 5. Riparian zone on the New Idria serpentine mass (upper San Benito River) provides 

habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs and two-striped garter snakes. 

3.6.5.5 Reptiles 

The four sensitive reptiles known to occur within the Planning Area are presented in Table 3.6-7. All four 

are protected by CDFG and cannot be handled without a scientific collecting permit. Threats to reptiles 

include direct mortality and habitat loss due to OHV activity, as well as predation from mesomammals 

such as raccoons (Procyon lotor) whose populations may be artificially increased by presence of garbage 

and hand feeding by the public. Coast horned lizards (Phrynosoma coronatum frontale) are at risk due to 

the replacement of native ant species by the inedible Argentine fire ant (Linepithema humile). California 

legless lizards (Anniella pulchra) are particularly vulnerable to disturbances that reduce shrubs and 

associated leaf litter from the sandy soils they inhabit. Two-striped garter snakes (Thamnophis 

hammondii) are comparatively robust but are dependent on healthy riparian systems with sustainable 

populations of fish. Southwestern pond turtles require pools and associated riparian structure and also 

needs undisturbed sandy uplands in which to bury eggs in late spring, and are at risk from vehicular 

traffic when moving from aquatic habitat to upland nesting sites. 

Table 3.6-7 Special Status Reptiles Occurring within the Planning Area 

Common Name Scientific Name Status

California horned lizard Phrynosoma blainvillii 

(=coronatum frontale) BLM sensitive species, SSSC1

California legless lizard Anniella pulchra SSSC1

Two-striped garter snake Thamnophis hammondii BLM sensitive species, SSSC1

Southwestern pond turtle Actinemys marmorata pallida BLM sensitive species, SSSC1

1California State Species of Special Concern 
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3.6.5.6 Birds 

The sixteen avian species presented in Table 3.6-8 occur or have the potential to occur within the 

Planning Area; the planning area includes considerable habitat of value to raptors. Sensitive raptor species 

that utilize habitats provided in the Planning Area include the California condor, bald and golden eagle, 

Swainson’s and sharp-shinned hawk, northern harrier, short-eared, long-eared, and burrowing owl, and 

prairie falcon. Threats to raptors include poisoning, vehicle collisions, habitat loss, illegal hunting, illegal 

trading and egg collecting, power lines and towers, falconry, a reduced prey base, and disturbance of 

nesting and roosting sites. California condors and bald eagles are expected to increase in frequency of 

sightings as their populations recover from historical declines. 

Table 3.6-8 Special Status Avian Species Occurring or Potentially Occurring within the 

Planning Area 

Common Name Scientific Name Status

California Condor Gymnogyps californicus Federal Endangered, State 

Endangered

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus FBEPA3

Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni State-listed Threatened, BCC1

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos PT2, FBEPA3,FP4

Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus SSSC5, BSSC5

Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus BCC1

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus SSSC5

Long-eared Owl Asio otus SSSC5

Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia BLM Sensitive Species, BCC1, 

SSSC5

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi SSSC5

Loggerhead Shrike (mainland populations) Lanius ludovicianus SSSC5

Yellow-breasted chat Ichteria virens SSSC5

Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum SSSC5

1

FWS Bird of Conservation Concern; 

2

Proposed threatened; 3Federal Bald Eagle Protection Act; 4State Fully 

Protected Species; 5California State Species of Special Concern. 

The bald eagle was delisted on June 28, 2007. Although no longer protected under the ESA, new 

regulations were written for the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 to include a prohibition 

against “disturb,” which they defined as: “agitate or bother a bald or golden eagle to the degree that 

interferes with or interrupts normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering habits, causing injury, death, or nest 

abandonment.”

3.6.5.7 Mammals 

Thirteen sensitive mammal species occur or have the potential to occur within the Planning Area, as listed 

in Table 3.6-9. Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) have been anecdotally observed in the CCMA. Bats of one 

or more unidentified species are known to inhabit abandoned mine shafts, and bats also likely roost in 

conifers and rock outcrops. Big-eared kangaroo rats are associated with chaparral and have been collected 

on San Benito Mountain and in Sawmill Creek. 
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Table 3.6-9 Special Status Mammals Occurring or Potentially Occurring within the Planning 

Area

Common Name Scientific Name Status

Western mastiff-bat Eumops perotis californicus BLM Sensitive Species, SSSC1

Townsend's western big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendi townsendi BLM Sensitive Species, SSSC1

Pallid bat Antrozus pallidus BLM Sensitive Species, SSSC1

Yuma myotis Myotis yumanensis BLM Sensitive Species

Long-eared myotis Myotis evotis BLM Sensitive Species

Fringed myotis Myotis thysanoides BLM Sensitive Species

Small-footed myotis Myotis ciliolabrum BLM Sensitive Species

Big-eared kangaroo rat Dipodomys venustus elephantinus SSSC1

Short-nosed kangaroo rat Dipodomys nitratoides brevinasus BLM Sensitive Species

Tipton kangaroo rat Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides Federal and State Endangered

San Joaquin pocket mouse Perognathus inornatus inornatus BLM Sensitive Species

San Joaquin kit fox Vulpes macrotis mutica Federal Endangered

American badger Taxidea taxus SSSC1

Ringtail Bassariscus astutus State Fully Protected Species

1California State Species of Special Concern 
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3.7 Air Quality 

3.7.1 Introduction 

As identified in the purpose and need (Section 1.1) for this RMP/EIS, the major air quality concern in the 

CCMA is the release of airborne asbestos emissions that pose a risk to human health and the environment 

when CCMA soils are disturbed from visitor use activities in the Serpentine ACEC. Six types of 

‘asbestos’ are classified as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 

Section 112(b), including chrysotile, which is the type of asbestos most commonly found in CCMA soils. 

In order to evaluate overall protection of human health and the environment in this RMP/EIS, hazardous 

air pollutants and the human health risk from exposure to airborne asbestos emissions are addressed under 

“Hazardous Materials and Public Health and Safety” in Sections 2.4.2, 3.2, and 4.2. The remainder of the 

affected environment discussion for air quality is based on the total Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by 

approximately 35,000 visitors/year in the 75,000-acre CCMA and is not directly related to the selection of 

a particular route network. 

For the purpose of monitoring and regulating air quality, the state of California has been divided into 15 

air basins based on meteorological and geographic similarities. Whenever practical, political boundary 

lines also affect the location of air basin boundaries. The two air basins encompassing CCMA are the 

North Central Coast and the San Joaquin Valley. There are two regional air quality boards that oversee 

these air basins: Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control Board (MBUAPCD) and the San Joaquin 

Valley Unified Air Pollution Control Board (SJVUAPCD). The North Central Coast Air Basin (NCCAB) 

includes Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. A portion of western Fresno County is located 

in the CCMA is located in the SJVAB. 

In addition to federal designations based on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the California 

Air Resources Board (CARB) has further designations based criteria established for nine pollutants: 

ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, suspended particulate matter, sulfates, lead, 

hydrogen sulfide and visibility reducing particles. 

Other air quality concerns in the air basins within the CCMA are ground-level ozone and particulate 

matter (PM10, PM2.5). The air pollutant concentrations of ozone and particulate matter recorded by 

monitoring stations in these air basins do not meet State of California ozone air quality standards. Ozone 

is not a directly emitted pollutant; it forms in the presence of sunlight from oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 

reactive organic gases (ROGs). Ambient air concentrations of particulate matter, measured as respirable 

particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), also are found above Federal and State 

standards. Particulate matter is directly emitted to the atmosphere by travel on paved and unpaved roads 

and surfaces, from combustion of fuels, waste burning, and agricultural practices; it is also indirectly 

emitted from the reaction of gases that result in the formation of smog. 

3.7.2 Regulatory Framework 

Federal and State regulations protect ambient air quality include: 

The Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970, 42 United States Code (USC) 7401 et seq., as amended in 

1977 and 1990. 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, Parts 50-99. 

The Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility and Clean-Up Liability Act (CERCLA)

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
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3.7.3 Regional Setting 

Title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended, established National Ambient Air Quality Standards 

(NAAQS) for a variety of air pollutants. National “primary” standards represent thresholds for six 

“criteria” pollutants, which may result in known impacts on human health when they are exceeded. 

National “secondary” standards for these “criteria” pollutants define levels of air quality judged necessary 

to protect the public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects of a pollutant, or to protect 

other resources. 

The State of California has also established a set of ambient air quality standards to provide additional 

protection. In particular, the State of California has begun to implement a long-term program to identify, 

assess, and control ambient levels of hazardous air pollutants. This program was initiated by passage of 

the Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Information and Assessment Act of 1987. As the name implies, “hot spots” 

are localized point-source emissions of air toxics generated by both large and small industrial operations 

such as mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, and processing. This Act is in accordance with Title III of the 

CAA as amended in 1990. The CAA directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to 

establish National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) that set limits on 

emissions of especially harmful air pollutants. Air Toxic “hot spot” violations are monitored and 

regulated by the local Air Pollution Control Districts (APCDs). For example, NESHAPS applied to 

asbestos mines and mill sites, state that there can be no visible dust emissions from these operations. 

PM10 in the atmosphere can be caused by both environmental factors and human activities. Human 

activities that contribute to PM10 emissions in CCMA include combustion sources, fugitive dust sources, 

and off-highway vehicle (OHV) travel on un-paved roads and barrens. The 2002 Estimated Annual 

Average Emissions (CARB) for San Benito County, indicate a total of 6.31 tons per day of PM10

emissions from unpaved road sources, however it is likely that these estimates do not account for 

emissions from the CCMA. The other pollutants associated with exhaust from motorized vehicles are: 

Reactive Organic Gases (ROG), Nitrogen Oxides (NOX), and Carbon Monoxide (CO). For Off-Road 

Recreational Vehicles (Other Mobile Sources), the 2002 Estimated Annual Average Emissions (CARB) 

for San Benito County, from these pollutants in tons per day is, ROG/0.03 and CO/0.34. Since the San 

Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Board adopted a PM10 reduction plan effective December 1993, all 

land-use decisions for the CCMA will need to conform to this plan. 

The US EPA has established new NAAQ standard for PM2.5 emissions. These fine particles have been 

implicated as an increased health risk. Sources for PM2.5 emissions mostly consist of chemical compounds 

from combustion processes in vehicles. However, natural processes and human activities, such as 

motorized vehicle operation, easily erode serpentine rocks bearing asbestos (Wrucke 1995). Vehicle 

travel on unpaved serpentine roads and trails can also generate asbestos emissions and other fine dust of 

less than ten microns (PM10), all of which can negatively impact air quality. The BLM’s National Science 

and Technology Center (now known as the National Operations Center) prepared an Air Conformity 

Analysis and updated PM emission inventory for the CCMA based on soil type, silt loading, and vehicle 

type to analyze the impacts to air quality from the Proposed CCMA RMP Amendment and Final EIS for 

Route Designation (2005). This data quantifies the PM10 and PM2.5 contribution from vehicles under 

current management (i.e. No Action Alternative) and is located in Appendix IX. The results of the 2005 

Air Conformity Analysis determined that emissions associated with BLM’s land use decisions and public 

vehicle use in the CCMA are below de minimis levels. 
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3.7.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.7.4.1 Climate 

In general, the summer climate of the West Coast is controlled by high pressure centered over the 

northeastern Pacific Ocean. The summer period is rarely stormy due to the high-pressure center. During 

this period, precipitation is negligible and winds are generally from the northwest. Air from the northwest, 

passing over cold, upwelling water off the coast frequently forms low clouds and/or fog along the coast. 

This generally tranquil weather period also is characterized by the presence of atmospheric temperature 

inversions, which tend to inhibit the dispersion of air pollutants and allow for high air pollution potential. 

During winter, the high pressure over the northeastern Pacific Ocean generally weakens and moves 

southward, allowing storms to occur more frequently along the West Coast. The summertime 

atmospheric temperature inversions and cold, upwelling water off the coast disappear during the winter, 

and wind speeds tend to be higher; these factors generally result in low air pollution potential. However, 

during winter, on occasions when the Pacific high-pressure area strengthens, strong atmospheric 

temperature inversions can develop near the land surface and winds weaken, resulting in high air 

pollution potential. 

Several climate subregions are within the Planning Area. These subregions are locations where local 

topography plays a significant role in modifying regional weather conditions along the West Coast. In the 

Central Coast regions, temperatures along the coast are milder, and there is less variation in day/night or 

seasonal temperatures than at inland locations (BAAQMD 2005). In the San Joaquin valley, the generally 

flat topography results in cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers (CARB 2005). Climate conditions 

within the North Central Coast Air Basin vary due to the rather mountainous topography found there; 

however, coastal areas have mild temperatures throughout the year (MBUAPCD 2004). 

3.7.4.2 Air Basins 

The western Fresno County portion of CCMA is in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin, and the San Benito 

County portion of CCMA is in the North Central Coast Air Basin. Air quality within these air basins is 

managed by two Air Pollution Control Districts (APCDs) that are identified below. Ambient air pollutant 

concentration levels are monitored within each basin and summarized by the California Air Resources 

Board. The California Almanac of Emissions and Air Quality – 2005 Edition, was used to summarize 

current air quality conditions (CARB 2005). 

San Joaquin Valley Air Basin 

Air quality in this air basin is managed by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District 

(APCD). The San Joaquin valley is a relatively flat area at an elevation at or below 400 feet above sea 

level. Twenty-nine ambient air quality monitors are located throughout the air basin. Rather than being 

dominated by one or two large sources, emissions in this air basin originate primarily from several 

modestly sized urban areas spread along a roughly north-south axis in the valley. 

Emissions of NOx, ROG, and carbon monoxide (CO) have been trending downward since 1990; during 

this same period, emissions of PM10 and PM2.5 have been increasing slightly. Controls on motor vehicle 

emissions are primarily responsible for these decreases, even though population and motor vehicle miles 

traveled in the air basin have increased between 1990 and 2005. Emissions of ROG also have decreased 

due to the implementation of stationary source controls on petroleum facilities in the air basin. The tons 

per day (on an annual average basis) of NOx, ROG, and CO emissions have decreased as shown in 

Table 3.7-1. Emissions of PM10 and PM2.5, also shown in Table 3.7-1, have remained steady and are 

primarily due to vehicle travel on paved and unpaved roads, agricultural activities, and waste burning. 
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Table 3.7-1 Emissions into the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin (in tons per day on an annual average 

basis) 

Year NOx ROG PM10 PM2.5 CO

1990 811 642 351 149 3,336

2005 479 386 358 149 1,670

2015 (projected) 335 357 385 157 1,187

Source: CARB 2005

The San Joaquin Valley Air Basin currently exceeds both Federal and California ambient air quality 

standards for ozone. The air basin is designated as extreme nonattainment for ozone under the Federal 

1-hour standard and severe nonattainment for ozone under the California 1-hour standard. It also is 

designated serious nonattainment for ozone under the Federal 8-hour standard (there is no California 

8-hour ozone standard). Although the 1-hour peak ozone concentration has not declined significantly 

between 1990 and 2004, the number of days exceeding the 1-hour ozone standard has decreased by 

55 percent, likely due to the decrease in NOx, and ROG emissions. CARB has found that the air basin 

serves as both a source of ozone-forming compounds that are transported to other air basins, as well as a 

receiver of ozone-forming compounds and ozone from other air districts. 

The air basin is designated as nonattainment for the Federal PM2.5 standard and is in maintenance status 

for the PM10 standard. Although there is year-to-year variation, the general trend in ambient PM10

concentration is slightly downward during the period 1990 through 2003. However, the rate of decrease 

in PM10 levels was not sufficient to achieve compliance with the standard for several years. CARB does 

not provide trend information for ambient PM2.5 due to the relatively short data set available; trends in 

PM2.5 generally follow the same pattern as for PM10. 

Air quality has improved in the San Joaquin valley for CO and for ozone in terms of the number of days 

exceeding the 1-hour ozone standard. The prognosis for improvement of air quality in the San Joaquin 

Air Basin is moderate. As shown for the period 1990 through 2005, reductions in the emissions of ROG 

and NOx reduced the number of 1-hour ozone exceedance days, although compliance with the standard 

has not yet been achieved. The CARB projects an approximately 10 percent decrease in ROGs and a 30 

percent decrease in NOx from 2005 to 2015, as shown in Table 3.7-1. Attainment of Federal air quality 

standards by 2015 for ozone is possible but remains uncertain. 

Much progress has been made in lowering CO levels in the air basin. Measured CO concentrations in the 

air basin have not exceeded the Federal CO standards since 1991, nor have they exceeded State of 

California standards for the last eight years. The trend of decreasing ambient CO levels is expected to 

continue. As shown in Table 3.7-1, CARB anticipates CO emissions will decrease another 29 percent 

between 2005 and 2015 (CARB 2005). 

North Central Coast Air Basin 

Air quality in this air basin is managed by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District 

(MBUAPCD). The district operates 10 air quality monitors in the basin to collect data for determining 

compliance with Federal and State air quality standards. Air quality also is monitored by the National 

Park Service at Pinnacles National Monument. The basin is designated as attainment, with a maintenance 

plan, for the Federal 8-hour ozone standard, and as attainment/unclassifiable for all other Federal 

standards. The basin is designated nonattainment for the California ozone and PM10 standards. 
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This air basin was in violation of the State ozone standard for a total of 14 days in 1994 and 1995. 

Analysis of those violations revealed that on 11 days the violation was due to the transport of pollutants 

from other basins. On the remaining three days, the analysis was either inconclusive or revealed that the 

cause of the ozone exceedance was beyond regulatory control (e.g., weather related). Thus, this air basin 

is significantly affected by the air quality of the surrounding air basins, and less so by emissions from 

within the basin boundary (MBUAPCD 2004). 

Emissions of NOx and ROG in the North Central Coast Air Basin are shown in Table 3.7-2. These 

emission values are much lower than those for the San Francisco Bay Area or San Joaquin Valley air 

basins. By 2015, the mix of sources producing NOx and ROG emissions is expected to shift away from 

being dominated by mobile sources. For example, emissions resulting from prescribed burning are 

expected to become a larger fraction of the total emissions, as are emissions from coatings/solvent use for 

ROG emissions and natural gas combustion for NOx emissions. 

Table 3.7-2 Emissions During the Ozone Season (May through September) into the North Central 

Coast Air Basin (in tons per day) 

Year NOx ROG

1990 135 114

2005 (projected) 84 76

2015 (projected) 62 69

Source: MBUAPCD 2004

Despite population in the North Central Coast Air Basin increasing by 44 percent by 2015, NOx and ROG 

emissions are projected to decrease (MBUAPCD 2004). 

The MBUAPCD has also adopted smoke management plans to control the emissions of NOx, ROG, and 

particulate matter from various types of vegetation burning (MBUAPCD 2004). Prescribed burns and 

agricultural burning are conducted regularly in the air basin. 

3.7.5 Climate Change 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that the southwestern United States is likely to 

become hotter and drier (Christensen et al. 2007). This prediction is the most current and thorough 

analysis of expected global climate change and is based on information from four potential sources: 

Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Model (AOGCM) simulations, downscaling of AOGCMsimulated data using techniques to enhance regional detail, physical understanding of the processes 

governing regional responses, and recent historical climate change. Analysis using a Regional Climate 

Model (RCM), shown to have good predictive value for California, also indicates that the CCMA is likely 

to be hotter and drier by the end of the 21st century (Kueppers et al. 2005). The RCM scenario was 

considered better than its AOGCM counterpart because the RCM had a much finer resolution and was 

based on local topography, distance from the coast, latitude, and other fine-scale attributes not available in 

an AOGCM. The California Energy Commission (2005), using older analyses, also predicted increased 

temperatures, but precipitation trends were unclear. 

Drier conditions for the CCMA mean that, overall, there would be less vegetative growth by the end of 

the 21st century. Therefore, a change in vegetation zones is also expected, where oak woodlands would 

potentially trend towards scrublands, scrublands to grasslands, and grasslands to desert-like habitat with 

significant portions of bare soils or biological crusts. As the general area becomes drier, plant 

communities and animal guilds are expected to migrate northward or upward in elevation. Depending on 
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the strength and rapidity of the change, some elements of the flora may also disappear. As precipitation 

levels and recharge decline, some springs would dry up, while others would diminish in flow. 

The amount and persistence of vegetation is expected to change. There would be less mulch generated, 

but, because winter moisture levels would be lower, less mulch would decompose. How this would affect 

the total amount of persistent biomass is unclear and would depend on the amount and pattern of 

precipitation as well as on the activities of herbivores. With less precipitation, there would be less annual 

production and, overall, less food and water resources for animals. 

With a drier climate, there should be more drought years, more years where the introduced annual grasses 

do poorly, and more years where the grassland vegetation is dominated by native drought-adapted species 

with long-lived seeds. However, there may be an invasion of weedy exotic species now prevalent in 

California deserts such as yellow star thistle and tamarisk. With fewer wet years, soils moisture content 

would decrease, and dust emissions would likely increase and management may be needed to control 

exposure to releases of hazardous air pollutants. 
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3.8 Soil Resources 

3.8.1 Introduction 

This section describes soil resources in the Planning Area, including faults and slopes. 

3.8.2 Regulatory Framework 

Regulations for geologic and soils resources include: 

Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act of 1972 (Public Resources Code, Section 

2621 et seq.). The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act of 1972 applies to 

development projects, and is designed to protect the health and safety of people from 

geologic hazards. 

General Plans and/or SOAR Initiatives. The General Plan from local cities and 

counties may provide regulations or guidelines relating to seismic hazards and soil 

resources as it applies to agriculture. 

Additional regulations such as those related to rangeland, paleontological resources, and water/wetlands 

are addressed in those sections of this report. 

3.8.3 Regional Setting 

The Planning Area is within the California Coast Ranges of the Pacific Border Physiographic Province. 

CCMA is located in the southernmost extension of the Diablo Range between the San Andreas Fault zone 

to the west and the San Joaquin valley to the east. Topography is rugged with an elevation range of 1,830 

at Pine Canyon to 5,241 feet on San Benito Mountain. 

3.8.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.8.4.1 Geology 

The CCMA is composed of two primary geologic units including 1) the New Idria serpentine mass at the 

core of the management area (32,000 acres total), and 2) nonserpentine sedimentary rock complex which 

surrounds the serpentine mass (42,000 acres total) (ref. Map 5, Appendix I). The Serpentine ACEC 

entirely contains and is delineated by the New Idria serpentine mass. The Tucker, San Benito River, 

Condon, and Cantua Zones are composed almost entirely of a nonserpentine sedimentary rock complex. 

The 15 mile long by 5 mile wide New Idria serpentine mass forms the center of an asymmetric anticlinal 

dome which is flanked by Jurassic and Cretaceous-aged sedimentary rocks (Coleman, 1986). The dome 

demarcates the northernmost extension of the Coalinga anticline. High angle faults and shear zones 

surrounding the dome serve as a record of the tectonic movement of the New Idria serpentine mass up 

through the adjacent sedimentary rock complex. 

The New Idria serpentine mass was formed from peridotite (harzburgite or dunite) which has been 

completely mineralogically-altered, sheared, and crushed to yield a nearly incoherent mass of serpentinite 

(Coleman, 1986; Coleman, 1996). The serpentinization and shearing process also produced abundant 

chrysotile asbestos widely disseminated throughout the serpentine mass. As such, the New Idria 

serpentine mass contains one of the largest reserves of chrysotile asbestos in North America (Merritt, 

1962). 
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The poor structural integrity of the New Idria serpentine mass has resulted in an unstable terrain 

composed of low, rounded hills that have a high tendency to slide when slopes become over-steepened. 

Evidence of this unstable terrain is represented by many prehistoric (<30 million years old; Miocene age) 

landslides including those which deposited serpentine in the nearby Vallecitos Valley and Big Blue Hills 

(Casey and Dickson, 1976). Smaller, more geologically recent landslides (< 10,000 years old; Holocene 

age) are indicated by tongues of material that project outward from the serpentine mass on the northern 

and eastern boundaries (Cowan and Mansfield, 1979). The New Idria serpentine mass contains many 

economically-important minerals including cinnabar (mercury sulfide), chromite (iron-chromium oxide), 

and asbestos, which have all been commercially-mined during the past 150 years. The serpentine mass 

also hosts many rare minerals including jadeite, fresnoite, joaquinite, neptunite, and benitoite which are 

highly valued by gem and mineral collectors. The privately-owned Gem Mine within the CCMA is the 

only known source of gem-grade benitoite in the world. 

The surrounding sedimentary rock complex is composed of three formations including the Jurassic-aged 

Franciscan formation and the Cretaceous-aged Moreno and Panoche formations. The Franciscan 

formation is primarily comprised of greywacke sandstone, greenstone, and chert, while the Moreno and 

Panoche formations are composed of marine sandstone and shale. The structure of the steeply-inclined 

sedimentary rocks has resulted in rugged terrain punctuated by steep slopes and deep gorges. 

3.8.4.2 Soils 

Soil types 

Soil type varies greatly throughout the CCMA and is strongly influenced by parent material (bedrock 

type), topography, local precipitation, and vegetation cover. Like, the geologic units, soil type may also 

be divided into those derived from serpentine and those derived from nonserpentine parent materials such 

as sandstone and shale. Since the serpentine-derived soils of the CCMA are derived from the asbestosrich New Idria serpentine mass, those soils typically contain high concentrations of asbestos. In general, 

soil types may be grouped as “serpentine soils” and “nonserpentine soils.” Map 5 in Appendix I shows 

the distribution of soil series within the CCMA. The Serpentine ACEC Zone consists almost entirely of 

serpentine soils, whereas the Tucker, San Benito River, Condon, and Cantua Zones located outside of the 

Serpentine ACEC, consist primarily of nonserpentine soils. Table 3.8-1 below summarizes all of the soil 

series found within the CCMA and how they are categorized for analysis as “serpentine soils” and 

“nonserpentine soils.” 
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Table 3.8-1. Attributes for soil series found within the CCMA. Soils derived from serpentine

(asbestos-rich). Soils derived from nonserpentine parent materials (sandstone, shale).
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Soil erosion 

Susceptibility of a soil to erosion is dependent upon a complex combination of soil factors including 

vegetative cover, soil aggregate stability (factor of organic matter and clay content), soil permeability 

(infiltration), and slope. Table 3.8-1 summarizes the slope, permeability class, surface runoff class, and 

erosion hazard for soils found within the CCMA. Although most soil types within the CCMA have 

moderate permeability, most of the soils are located on slopes between 15 and 75% grade which causes 

them to have medium to very rapid runoff, resulting in a moderate to very severe erosion hazard. 

The Atravesada and Henneke serpentine soil series are especially vulnerable to erosion due to sparse 

vegetative cover. Erosion assessment of serpentine barrens within the CCMA was conducted by PTI 

Environmental Services (1993) and Dynamac Corporation Environmental Services (1998). The PTI 

(1993) study focused exclusively on the Clear Creek watershed. Clear Creek is classified as an impaired 

watershed due to excessively high sediment rates and elevated mercury levels. Erosion factors including 

soil type, slope, vegetative cover, and road/trail type and concentration per unit area were used to estimate 

erosion rates for subwatersheds within the Clear Creek watershed. That study identified nine 

subwatersheds out of a total of forty-one, which had estimated erosion rates of more than 3,000 yd3/year 

(Figure 1). Most of the subwatersheds were rated at between 1,000 and 3,000 yd3/year. PTI’s best 

management practice recommendations for erosion and sediment control included limiting OHV access to 

soils having high erosion risk and structural erosion controls such as water energy dissipaters and 

sediment retention catchments. 

Dynamac (1998) conducted a more extensive evaluation of the erosion risk of serpentine barrens and their 

associated watersheds throughout the CCMA. Individual barrens and watersheds were relatively ranked 

based on a combination of key attributes that determine erosion risk and sediment delivery including 

drainage area size, barren area percentage of drainage area, soil color (indicator of soil disturbance), 

vegetative cover, gullying, slope, stream order, OHV use density, soil armoring (gravel lag), mining 

history, accessibility, and sediment trapping capability. A total of eleven watersheds and forty-seven 

barren polygons were evaluated throughout the CCMA. Following rank calculations, the results were 

divided into three erosion and sediment delivery groups including minor contributors, “at risk”, and major 

contributors. Eleven barren polygons were ranked as minor contributors, twenty-four were ranked as “at 

risk”, and twelve were ranked as major contributors. Dynamac’s best management practice 

recommendations for erosion and sediment control included silt fences, erosion control blankets, rock 

backfilling of gullies, check dams, interceptor dike and swales, sediment basins, rock filters, and gabion 

mattresses. Erosion and sediment control measures currently implemented by the BLM at the CCMA 

include vehicle barriers (fences), water diversion, rock armoring, rock gabion mattresses, gully plugs, 

sediment catchments, check dams (straw bales), and erosion control blankets (jute). 

The results of the PTI and Dynamac studies were important in the CCMA route designation process 

(2006 ROD). Although extensive watershed-level studies on erosion and sediment delivery rates have 

been conducted for the New Idria serpentine mass, essentially no studies have been conducted for the 

nonserpentine watersheds surrounding the serpentine mass. 
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Figure 1. Estimated erosion (yd3/year) from subwatersheds (numbered 1 to 37) in the Clear 

Creek watershed as predicted by the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Figure from PTI (1993). 

Clear Creek appears as a bold line bisecting the watershed from left to right.

Soil fertility and vegetative cover 

Parent material strongly influences the physical and chemical properties of soils derived from it. Those 

soil physical and chemical properties, in combination with topography and local climatic factors, 

determine the vegetative cover types that a soil type may support. Serpentine soils are stressful for plant 

establishment and productivity due to severe nutrient deficiency (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, 

calcium) and toxic concentrations of heavy metals (magnesium, nickel, chromium, cobalt) derived from 

the underlying serpentine parent material (Kruckeberg, 1984; Brooks, 1987). Due to the harsh growing 

conditions imposed by serpentine soils, the Atravesada and Henneke soil series within the CCMA are 

sparsely vegetated and have a preponderance of natural barrens which are very susceptible to both wind 

and water erosion (Figure 2). When left undisturbed, soils of the serpentine barrens develop a gravel lag 

(through removal of finer particle sizes) which partially protects the soil from further erosion (Figure 3). 

Soils derived from nonserpentine parent materials such as sandstone and shale, in contrast, are relatively 

fertile and support dense vegetative cover. Although nonserpentine soils have higher fertility and support 

more vegetative cover, natural revegetation following disturbance can be slow with the disturbed soils 

being highly susceptible to erosion (Figure 4). 
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Figure 2. Severely eroded serpentine barren. Henneke soil series.

Figure 3. Natural gravel lag on serpentine barren. Henneke soil series.
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Figure 4. OHV impacts and erosion on Gaviota soil series (above Jade Mill campground) within 

the CCMA. Erosion control including straw bales and straw rolls were installed in gullies and rills 

to slow erosion. 
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3.9 Water Resources 

3.9.1 Introduction 

Water resources refer to all surface water runoff into rivers and creeks within the CCMA and the values 

that this water provides to people, wildlife, and vegetation. The San Benito River is impounded by a 

dam, forming the Hernandez Reservoir, approximately six miles north of the mouth of Clear Creek. The 

Hernandez Reservoir provides for groundwater recharge for northern San Benito County. The State of 

California Regional Water Control Boards (CRWCB) with jurisdiction over water resources in the 

CCMA, as authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act are: the 

Central Valley Regional Water Control Board and the Central Coast Regional Water Control Board. The 

former agency oversees all waters flowing into the Central Valley, known collectively as the “West Side 

Streams”, and the latter agency oversees those waters within the CCMA that flow into the San Benito 

River. 

The Central Valley Regional Water Control Board has designated nine beneficial uses for this the “West 

Side Streams” (SWRCB 1975): Agricultural Supply (i.e. vegetation for livestock grazing), Industrial 

Process Supply (i.e. fire protection), Water Contact Recreation (i.e. swimming and wading), Non-Contact 

Water Recreation (i.e. camping, hunting and hiking), Warm Fresh Water Habitat (i.e. to sustain warm 

water aquatic species), Wildlife Habitat (i.e. for food, water, and shelter for wildlife), Preservation of 

Rare and Endangered Species, and Groundwater Recharge. 

The Planning Area is encompassed by two hydrologic regions: Central Coast and San Joaquin River. 

Approximately 11 waters and 43 National Wetlands Inventory mapped wetlands exist within the Planning 

Area. These aquatic areas function to recharge aquifers, slow flood waters, and assimilate and neutralize 

some pollutants before they enter rivers and lakes. 

Water demand exceeds water supply in many areas throughout the Planning Area, though more 

commonly east of the coast range. Watershed function and improved water quality is key to increasing 

water supply to support various resource needs within the Planning Area.

3.9.2 Regulatory Framework 

Water resources and quality are managed and protected under multiple regulations and policies, 

including: 

U.S. Clean Water Act (33 USC 1251) – aims to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and 

biological integrity of the Waters of the United States. Section 303(d) of the 1972 Clean Water 

Act requires states to identify waterbodies that do not meet water quality objectives and are not 

supporting their beneficial uses. Each state must submit an updated list, called the 303(d) list, to 

the U.S. EPA every two years. In addition to identifying the waterbodies that are not supporting 

beneficial uses, the list also identifies the pollutant or stressor causing impairment, and 

establishes a priority for developing a control plan to address the impairment. The list also 

identifies waterbodies where 1) a TMDL has been approved by U.S. EPA and an implementation 

is available, but water quality standards are not yet met, and 2) waterbodies where the water 

quality problem is being addressed by an action other than a TMDL and water quality standards 

are not yet met. 

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 USC 1001-1009). 

Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, 33 USC 1531 et seq. 
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Executive Order 11990: Protection of wetlands – establishes the protection of wetlands and 

riparian systems as the official policy of the federal government. It requires all federal agencies 

to consider wetland protection as an important part of their policies; take action to minimize 

destruction, loss, or degradation of wetlands; and preserve and enhance the natural and beneficial 

values of wetlands. 

Porter Cologne Water Quality Act of 1969: Contains a complete framework for the State Water 

Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to regulate waste discharges to both surface waters and 

groundwater of the state. 

3.9.3 Regional Setting 

The Planning Area encompasses eleven watersheds located within the CCMA: Clear Creek, Larious 

Creek, Upper San Benito River, San Carlos Creek, East Fork San Carlos Creek, Cantua Creek, Sawmill 

Creek, Picacho Creek, Diaz Creek, Arroyo Leona Creek, and White Creek. These areas represent distinct 

watersheds, often with extreme geographic, topographic, and mineralogical variability. The watersheds 

are drained by higher order perennial streams that, with the exception of White Creek and Diaz Creek, 

descend from San Benito Mountain. White Creek descends from Wright Mountain and flows to the 

southeast, converging with Diaz Creek and then with Los Gatos Creek, which flows into Arroyo Pasajero 

near Coalinga and thence drains into a landlocked basin in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Clear Creek 

and Picacho Creek converge with the San Benito River, which discharges into the Pajaro River 

watershed, which drains into Monterey Bay. Larious Creek and both forks of San Carlos Creek flow to 

the north where they discharge to Silver Creek and thence into the Panoche Creek watershed, which 

drains into the San Joaquin River, which empties into San Francisco Bay. 

The topography of the CCMA is dominated by convex gently sloping ridges, with slopes becoming quite 

steep as they approach the stream channels and inner gorges. Elevations within the CCMA range from 

approximately 2,500 feet at the mouth of the drainage to 5,000 feet along the crest of the Diablo Range. 

The ridges and slopes are dominated by naturally occurring areas of serpentinite soils forming complexes 

of barren areas interspersed with chaparral and conifers. Climate within the Planning Area is 

Mediterranean with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers; there is commonly a water supply surplus in 

the winter and deficit during the summer (Cal Alive 2005). Annual precipitation varies across the 

Planning Area from 8 inches on the drier eastern side of the Diablo Mountains to 40 inches in Hernandez 

Valley.; the predominant form of precipitation is rainfall (CARA 2005). Water demand exceeds water 

supply in many areas throughout the Planning Area. 

The serpentine watershed and riparian areas in the CCMA have been subject to widespread surface 

disturbances over the last century. In general, the watershed conditions observed in the CCMA reflect 

naturally high rates of erosion that have been accelerated by human impacts. These watershed conditions 

result from a long history of surface disturbance, beginning in the mid-1850, from road construction, 

logging, and mineral exploration and extraction, and in more recent times by off-road vehicle travel and 

recreation. These watersheds have high erosion rates due to the steep, unstable slopes which are 

composed of soft sheared serpentine bedrock. Since the mid-1970's motorized vehicle recreation has 

been the dominant public use within the area. Road maintenance operations and techniques also influence 

erosion and sedimentation rates. Maintenance of the route network is based on the BLM’s Protocol for 

Monitoring Soils, Vegetation, and Species of Concern On and Near Designated OHV Trails in California 

Lands Managed by the BLM (15 October 2002), to prioritize the work and determine the appropriate 

measures to reduce erosion and off-site sedimentation impacts, and to provide for safe motorized access. 

The riparian zones around the perennial streams and some intermittent streams, and the barren or sparsely 

vegetated serpentine slopes, exhibit a fragile ecology, diversity and assemblage of rare and unique plants. 

In addition, several special status plant and animal species occur in the CCMA and are dependent in some 
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stage of their life cycles on proper functioning condition of creeks and streams. In total, Clear Creek and 

surrounding watersheds support plant and animal communities that are important from the perspective of 

California native biodiversity. The management of watershed resources for the CCMA necessitates 

understanding the relationships between surface water, soil erosion and sedimentation, with respect to 

surface disturbances from human activities. 

3.9.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.9.4.1 Surface Water 

The Central Coast Regional Water Control Board has not specifically designated beneficial uses for any 

streams in the CCMA that drain into the San Benito River. Designated uses for the San Benito River 

include; Municipal and Domestic Water Supply, Agricultural Supply, Industrial Service Supply, 

Groundwater Recharge, Recreation Contact/Non-Contact, Wildlife Habitat, Freshwater Habitat, 

Spawning and Reproduction, Freshwater Replenishment, and Commercial and Sport Fishing. Designated 

uses for the Hernandez Reservoir include those listed for the San Benito River and Navigation. 

Because heavy metals and asbestos are concerns in this area, the BLM contracted a water quality study 

(Dynamac, 1998) to determine the magnitude of heavy metals being deposited into streams from 15 

abandoned mines. Soil and water sampling was completed below, at, and above each of the mined areas. 

Results from this study produced important findings. The background concentration of metals detected in 

soils tended to be above stated standards, and is consistent with the natural geochemistry of the area. 

However, differences in the water samples taken from below and above mined sites indicated that 

disturbed areas are contributing to metal concentrations over and above the naturally high levels. 

Accessibility by vehicles was also found to potentially be a factor in increasing concentrations of metals 

transported in the water downstream. As a result of this study, five mine areas, the Alpine, the Aurora, 

Clear Creek, Larious Canyon, and the Molina were determined to not only pose the greatest ambient 

hazard in terms of inhalation of hazardous materials, but also pose the greatest water contamination risk. 

To evaluate the potential threat to human health, BLM compared the results of surface water analyses 

(Dynamac, 1998) to Federal drinking water regulations. From six mine sites, down gradient surface water 

samples contained concentrations of antimony, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and nickel that exceeded 

the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). On Clear Creek and the San Benito River, where multiple 

sampling points were established, cumulative, increasing concentrations did not appear to occur. Mine 

sites in the San Carlos and Larious Creek watersheds were the only locations where metals were detected 

at concentrations three times the background levels. In general, the metal concentrations detected in the 

Clear Creek watershed were very low. Mercury compounds were the most prevalent metal compounds 

detected, occurring in all but one sample, over the five watersheds. Results from combined surface water 

sample data for the San Benito watershed indicated background and down gradient concentrations of 

nickel that exceeded the MCL. The San Carlos watershed exhibited means background and down gradient 

concentrations of mercury that exceed the MCL. The surface water exposure pathway would appear to 

present a minimal risk to recreation users of the CCMA, because of the limited number of days that a 

typical user visits, and the fact that the surface water is generally not used as a potable water source. The 

Alpine Mine and Larious Canyon would present the greatest exposure to users. 

Existing conditions of riparian areas addressed in this document are listed below, in Table 3.9-1. 
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Table 3.9-1 CCMA Existing Riparian Conditions
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Table 3.9-1 CCMA Existing Riparian Conditions (cont.) 

Reports or watershed assessments used in the preparation of this document are listed below, in 

Table 3.9-2. 

Table 3.9-2 Watershed Assessments or Reports within the Planning Area 

Watershed Assessment (CCMA watershed in parentheses) Date

Arroyo Pasajero Watershed Management Plan (White Creek and Diaz Creek) Jul. 1999

Panoche/Silver Creek Watershed Assessment (Larious Creek, E. & main fork of San Carlos Creek) Sep. 1998

Silver Creek/Panoche Alluvial Fan Assessment Draft Report (Larious & forks of San Carlos Creeks) May 2005

Assessment of the Little Panoche and Cantua Creek Watersheds (Cantua Creek) May 2004

Clear Creek TMDL (Clear Creek, San Benito River) Mar 2004

A summary of surface water information provided within various watershed reports and assessments is 

included below. This summary provides an overview of surface water conditions in the Planning Area 

with focus on the coastal and eastern portions of the Planning Area. 
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Arroyo Pasajero Watershed 

The Arroyo Pasajero Watershed has a contrast of between 22 and 8 inches of annual rainfall from the 

upper and lower portions of the watershed. Severe incision, stream bank cutting, stream bank 

meandering, and lateral erosion affect riparian function within the watershed area and occur primarily 

during high intensity runoff and are exacerbated by heavy grazing in the riparian area. Tamarisk trees, 

which are a problematic noxious plant species throughout the west, continue to influence channel flow by 

deflecting the flow toward channel banks and increasing channel meander but also impede lateral bank 

erosion. 

Cantua Creek Watershed 

Most streams within the Cantua Creek watershed are ephemeral with a few reaches of intermittent flows 

also occurring. Runoff from these drainages has historically resulted in transport of sediment and 

selenium, boron, salts, and other trace elements during large runoff events onto the alluvial fan area and 

into the California Aqueduct. Localized areas of incision, bank failures and gullying increase erosion 

within the watersheds. 

Panoche/Silver Creek Watershed 

Surface water quality is poor due to the underlying marine shales and sandstones. This water is very high 

in selenium and other salts which can be deposited into the downstream irrigated farmland. The primary 

water quality degradation issues caused by the large rainfall events include flooding, sediment deposition, 

and contamination. 

San Benito River Watershed 

In 2002, California State Water Resources Control Board listed the following streams as Clean Water Act 

Section 303 (d) Water Quality Limited Segments for; Clear Creek (mercury), San Benito River (fecal 

coliform and sedimentation), and Hernandez Reservoir (mercury). Clear Creek was previously identified 

as impaired by mercury on the 1998 CWA 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies. 

In 2004, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWCB) adopted a Total Maximum 

Daily Load (TMDL) for mercury in Clear Creek. The TMDL was established at 50 ng/L (0 .05 

micrograms/L) for low flow conditions in Clear Creek. After the adoption of this TMDL, BLM contracted 

with the USGS to perform water quality measurements to comply with the TMDL. 

After the first three years BLM (via USGS sampling) reported to the CCRWCB that the TMDL was not 

being met and established a study to determine where additional mercury mine waste was located which 

were responsible for the failure to meet the TMDL. Two additional abandoned mercury mines were 

located (Staging Area #2 and Staging Area #5) these sites were remediated in 2007, since that time BLM 

has met the CCRWCB mercury TMDL. 

Since the temporary closure of this area to OHV use and the additional mercury mine remediation, the 

TMDL has been met for three years, which is the metric for this TMDL. 

3.9.4.2 Groundwater 

The Planning Area is underlain by two major aquifers systems: the Central Valley Aquifer System 

comprised of unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers, and the California Coastal Basin aquifers which 

are also comprised of unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers (National Atlas 2005). Other bedrock 
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aquifers are also described in the Planning Area (Carmel 2004). Groundwater depths vary from 12,000 

feet below ground surface (bgs) within the San Joaquin Valley to 180 feet bgs along the Central Coast. 

The following summary describes relevant groundwater information provided within the watershed 

reports and assessments identified in Table 3.9-2. 

Arroyo Pasajero Watershed 

In most of the Arroyo Pasajero Watershed, clay separates an upper aquifer from a lower aquifer; the upper 

aquifer has poorer water quality so most of the groundwater is extracted from the lower aquifer with wells 

generally drawing their water from 500 to 2000 feet bgs. In some areas (Pleasant Valley), groundwater is 

withdrawn from a single unconfined aquifer and wells generally range from 200 to 800 feet bgs. 

Primary aquifer recharge is from surface flow runoff primarily during flood events. A prolonging of 

surface base flows would increase the period of effective groundwater recharge and help reduce historic 

overdraft and water quality conditions in the Pleasant Valley area. Concentrations of salts, chlorides, 

sulfates, and boron in groundwater reduce crop yields and limit the types of crops that may be effectively 

grown in some Pleasant Valley areas. 

Panoche Creek Watershed 

According to the most recent summary of groundwater in the basin (DWR 2003), driller’s logs for nine 

wells in the basin indicated that wells ranged in depth from 171 feet to 1,500 feet. Wells generally 

penetrate alluvial materials including gravels, sands, silts and clays. Additional descriptive units include 

shale, clay and rocks, and hard sand. From this information it seems likely that the water bearing units 

may include the alluvium, Quaternary nonmarine terrace deposits and Plio-Pleistocene nonmarine 

sediments. Water level measurements for 48 wells were found in the San Joaquin District water level data 

files. These measurements range in time from 1967 to 2000. Depth to water ranges from 30 to over 300 

feet, with most of the measurements being in the 30 to 80 foot range. There is a general trend of rising 

water levels from the 1970’s to 2000. Water levels have risen as much as 130 feet and typically over 40 

feet throughout the basin. Field reconnaissance in August 2001determined that irrigated agriculture was 

limited to one vineyard of less than 20 acres and one walnut orchard of less than 20 acres. A 2002 

interview with a 76-year-old life-long resident of Panoche Valley, revealed that in the 1940’s extensive 

areas of alfalfa were in production and in the 50’s and 60’s cotton was extensively grown in the basin. It 

appears that groundwater levels are recovering from a past period of groundwater pumping. 

San Benito River Watershed 

A recent study of the San Benito River Valley (DWR 2003) groundwater basin found no specific 

published information on water bearing deposits. A review of San Joaquin District well completion report 

files found 33 well reports in the basin. Wells ranged from 36 to 600 feet bgs and encountered alluvial 

materials as well as consolidated rock formations. Well yields ranged from a dry hole to 2,000 gpm. The 

highest yielding wells, one at 2,000 gpm and one at 1,100 gpm, are in alluvial material near the San 

Benito River. 

3.9.4.3 National Wetland Inventory 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetland Inventory lists 44 wetlands (excluding streams 

and rivers) within the boundaries of CCMA (ref. Table 3.9-3). Wetland types include Freshwater 

Emergent Wetlands, Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetlands, Freshwater Ponds, Lakes, and miscellaneous 

water bodies categorized as ‘Other.’ Wetlands range in size from approximately 0.06 to 62 acres in size, 
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excluding Hernandez Reservoir, an impoundment on the San Benito River, which borders the NW corner 

of CCMA and which is approximately 400 acres in size. 

Table 3.9-3 Wetlands identified in Clear Creek Management Area 

Wetland Type Number Range in size (acres) Total 

acreage

Freshwater Emergent Wetlands 12 0.098224 - 61.733511 86.020615

Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetlands 9 0.058224 - 8.204925 9.271925

Freshwater Ponds 12 0.098242 - 1.300237 5.308859

Lakes 4 2.479048 - 400.368716 437.456126

Lakes (excluding Hernandez Reservoir) 3 2.479048 - 32.007113

Other 6 0.177423 - 0.805119 2.347328

Total 44 0.058224 - 400.368716 540.404853

Total (excluding Hernandez Reservoir) 43 0.058224 - 61.733511 140.036137
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3.10 Special Designations 

3.10.1 Introduction 

The FLPMA directs BLM to consider and evaluate lands for a number of special designations during the 

land use planning process. In general, lands are eligible for these types of designations based on the 

presence of particular values and qualities. These areas receive designation or special management 

through different processes and are managed under special considerations. The Planning Area includes 

existing Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), Research Natural Areas (RNAs), and 

Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), and potential Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs). 

Even though management of public lands for wilderness values is not among rhe special designations 

listed above, this section also describes the results of BLM’s inventory of lands with wilderness 

characteristics in the CCMA, in accordance with Section 201 of FLPMA (ref. Sec. 3.10.2.5 below). 

3.10.2 Regulatory Framework 

3.10.2.1 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

BLM Manual 1613 – Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (BLM 1988) outlines the procedures for 

nominating, evaluating, and determining whether special management attention is required for potential 

ACECs. This process begins with compiling a list of areas recommended for ACEC designation. The 

BLM staff, other agencies, or members of the public may nominate lands for potential ACEC status. 

Land use plans are required to identify goals, standards, and objectives for each ACEC, as well as 

management practices and uses, and may include necessary constraints and mitigation measures. The 

BLM is directed to develop ACEC management prescriptions in enough detail and specificity to minimize 

the need for subsequent ACEC management plans (BLM 1988, 2005). 

3.10.2.2 Research Natural Areas 

Research Natural Areas (RNA) are areas that contain important ecological and scientific values, where 

natural processes are allowed to predominate, and which is preserved for the primary purposes of research 

and education (43 CFR 8223). RNA’s are designated because the land has one or more of the following 

characteristics: 

o A typical representation of a common plant or animal association; 

o An unusual plant or animal association; 

o A threatened or endangered plant or animal species; 

o A typical representation of common geologic, soil, or water features; or 

o Outstanding or unusual geologic, soil, or water features. 

Management and public use of the RNA are distinct from the ACEC because the management emphasis is 

on education and research. This allows management within the RNA to highlight the area's scientific 

importance, and still authorize appropriate public use. 

3.10.2.3 Wild and Scenic Rivers 

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (WSRA) established a National Wild and Scenic Rivers System 

(NWSRS) for the protection of rivers with important scenic, recreational, fish and wildlife, and other 
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values. The act designated a number of river segments for immediate inclusion in the system and 

prescribed the methods and standards by which other rivers may be added to the system. 

BLM’s policy is to adhere to the requirements of the WSRA by identifying and evaluating “all rivers on 

BLM-administered lands to determine if they are appropriate for addition to the NWSRS” (BLM 1992). 

In this process, streams and rivers are first evaluated for their eligibility as potential additions to the 

NWSRS and then to determine the suitability of eligible streams – i.e., suitability being a higher standard 

than eligibility. Inclusion in the NWSRS requires action by Congress. 

3.10.2.4 Wilderness Study Areas 

Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964 states that wilderness is an area of undeveloped Federal land 

in a natural condition, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which has outstanding 

opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation. In addition, a wilderness must 

comprise at least 5,000 acres of land or is of sufficient size to make its preservation and use practical. 

Wilderness may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or 

historical value. The original wilderness inventory of BLM public lands was performed pursuant to 

Sections 201 and 603 of the FLPMA, beginning in 1978. This process involved evaluating public lands 

to determine and locate areas containing wilderness characteristics that meet the criteria established in the 

Wilderness Act. 

Areas identified as WSAs are to be managed under the interim management policy until they are 

designated wilderness or released by Congress (BLM 1995). Land use plans are tasked with identifying 

management direction for WSAs should they be released from wilderness consideration by Congress 

(BLM 2005). 

3.10.2.5 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics 

Section 201 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) requires the BLM to maintain on 

a continuing basis an inventory of all public lands and their resources and other values. This inventory 

requirement includes maintaining information regarding wilderness characteristics. Section 202 of 

FLPMA requires BLM to rely on resource inventories in the development and revision of land use plans, 

including inventory information regarding wilderness characteristics. Consistent with FLPMA and other 

applicable authorities, the BLM will continue to consider the wilderness characteristics on public lands as 

part of its multiple-use mandate in developing and revising land use plans and when making subsequent 

project level decisions. 

BLM Instruction Memorandum (IM) 2011-154 further clarifies that the requirements of Sections 201 and 

202 of FLPMA remain in effect. It also provides guidance on how to conduct and maintain wilderness 

characteristics inventories and provides guidance on how to consider lands with wilderness characteristics 

in the land use planning process. In accordance with NEPA, BLM offices must analyze the potential 

effects of proposed actions and alternatives for land use plan decisions on lands with wilderness 

characteristics when they are present. 

3.10.3 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.10.3.1 Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern 

In 1984, the BLM designated approximately 30,000 acres of the New Idria Serpentine Formation within 

the CCMA as the Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). This ACEC 

is sometimes referred to as the Hazardous Asbestos Area (HAA). Areas of Critical Environmental 
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Concern are areas of concern where special management attention is required to protect and prevent 

irreparable damage to important historic, cultural or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other 

natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards. This Serpentine ACEC 

was designated because of the health concerns associated with the naturally occurring asbestos within the 

serpentine soils and because of the unique vegetation and forest types associated with serpentine soil. 

Human induced changes within this geologically unique area, and the presence of distinctive plant species 

associated with the serpentine formation, established the need for special management attention. Human 

disturbance to the soils and plants in the Serpentine ACEC is a special management concern, because 

throughout the ACEC, soil formation tends to be slow, and the topsoil shallow. Additionally, plant 

regeneration is slow, and accelerated erosion from human activities (such as mining, road building and 

maintenance, and recreation) has negatively affected soil and vegetative resources. Minimizing soil 

erosion and damage to sensitive plant populations is a management priority. The Serpentine ACEC 

provides visitors with a variety of recreation experiences. However, due to the high concentrations of 

naturally occurring asbestos, public health concerns persist over the use of this popular recreation area. 

The boundaries of the ACEC were defined by mapping of asbestos soils derived from the New Idria 

serpentine formation, and were delineated using identifiable landmarks, to the extent possible, and reflect 

the most current BLM policies for management of the public lands. 

3.10.3.2 San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area 

Within the Serpentine ACEC is the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area (SBMRNA). An RNA is 

an area where natural processes are allowed to predominate and which is preserved for the primary 

purposes of research and education because the land has one or more of the following characteristics: (1) 

A typical representation of a common plant or animal association; (2) an unusual plant or animal 

association; (3) a threatened or endangered plant or animal species; (4) a typical representation of 

common geologic, soil, or water features; or (5) outstanding or unusual geologic, soil, or water features 

(43 CFR 8223 - Research Natural Areas). 

The San Benito Mountain area was originally established as an Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) in 1972 

because of the unique forest assemblage covering approximately 1,500 acres. In 1986, the BLM started 

fencing the boundaries of the ONA easily accessible to vehicle trespass (due to unauthorized OHV use). 

Continued unauthorized OHV use in the ONA, primarily on the sparsely vegetated or barren hillsides, 

adversely affects this unique environment and the values for which it was established. 

The 1999 Record of Decision (ROD) for the CCMA Amendment to the Hollister RMP officially 

designated the ‘Outstanding Natural Area’ as the San Benito Mountain ‘Research Natural Area’ to 

encourage research and provide protection of the unique conifer forest on and around San Benito 

Mountain. The ROD (1999) also identified the need to expand the SBMRNA, which was completed in a 

2006 ROD for CCMA RMP Amendment and Route Designation, and approved expansion of the 

boundary of the San Benito Mountain RNA to 4147 acres. Following the 2006 ROD, BLM completed 

additional fencing to protect the RNA values described below. 

San Benito Mountain is the only place in the world that supports Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi), Coulter 

pine (P. coulteri), and foothill pine (P. sabiniana), and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) at the same 

location. The San Benito Mountain population of Jeffrey pine is the only population of this species in the 

California Coast Range south of northern Lake County (Kuchler 1977, p. 151). As such, the Jeffrey x 

Coulter pine hybrids around San Benito Mountain are an important natural source of genetic 

combinations and have been used in the past for genetic research and breeding programs. The unique 

forest assemblage also contains groves of incense cedars, the only incense cedars in the inner central 
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California Coast Range. The nearest stands of incense cedars found elsewhere, are in the coastal Santa 

Lucia Mountains 60 miles to the west and in Napa County 175 miles to the north. The rare talus fritillary 

(Fritillaria falcata) occurs at only nine locations in the world and two of those, including the largest 

population, occur in the understory of the San Benito Mountain Forest. These distinctions emphasize the 

importance of the San Benito Mountain and conservation of the biodiversity represented by the unusual 

genetic and species assemblages of this Research Natural Area. 

The BLM created the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area to provide special resource 

management protection for this unique area with three management goals: 1) to ensure survival of the 

pine forests in the CCMA; 2) to maintain the vegetation and soil resources in as natural a condition as 

possible; and 3) to provide opportunities for scientific and academic research in this unique ecosystem. 

Research and education conducted within the RNA includes programs and studies by the United States 

Forest Service, the United States Geological Service, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the 

University of California Davis, University of California Merced, the California Native Plant Society, and 

The Audubon Society. 

The SBMRNA contains sensitive resource values and riparian habitat, including populations of Federally 

threatened San Benito evening primrose (Camissonia benitensis) populations, serpentine barrens, and a 

unique forest assemblage of Jeffery pine, and other mixed-conifers. The boundaries are delineated using 

identifiable landmarks, to the extent possible, and reflect the most current BLM policies for management 

of the public lands. 

Table 3.10-1 Serpentine ACEC Subunit Acres 

Subunit Acres

San Benito Mountain Wilderness Study Area 1,500

San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area 4,147

TOTAL 4,147*

(*) RNA overlaps WSA 

3.10.3.3 Wild and Scenic Rivers 

A wild and scenic river inventory was prepared by the HFO during development of the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS to determine eligibility and suitability of rivers in CCMA to be included in the NWSRS. 

Though most river and stream segments on public lands in CCMA were found to be eligible, none were 

deemed to be suitable for addition to the NWSRS (see Appendix VI). 

3.10.3.4 San Benito Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA) 

Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, the BLM was mandated to study 

all public lands for wilderness potential. The results of the wilderness inventory in California and a 

general description of all WSAs in the state was published in BLM’s California Statewide Wilderness 

Study Report (BLM 1990). Those not meeting certain wilderness criteria could be dropped from further 

wilderness study. However, all existing designated Natural Areas were automatically put in the 

wilderness study category, and could not be dropped from further wilderness review except by Congress. 
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All WSAs are managed in accordance with the Interim Policy of Lands Under Wilderness Review. 

Therefore, the Wilderness Study Area will continue to be managed subject to the BLM's Interim 

Management Policy (IMP) for lands under wilderness review until Congress makes a determination as to 

the area's suitability for wilderness designation. 

While Congress considers whether to designate a WSA as permanent wilderness, the BLM manages the 

WSA in a manner as to prevent impairment of the area’s suitability for wilderness designation. 

On July 29, 1971, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management officially designated the San Benito 

Mountain Natural Area. The San Benito Wilderness Study Area (CA-040-309) designation covers 1,500 

acres within the CCMA. 

The California Statewide Wilderness Study Report (BLM 1990) final intensive inventory Map 04-L 

shows everything that was inventoried by the Hollister Field Office, including the San Benito Mountain 

Natural Area/Instant Study Area. The San Benito Mountain Natural Area/Instant Study Area Wilderness 

Report is linked on the following webpage: 

http://www.blm.gov/ca/pa/wilderness/wilderness_pdfs/wilderness_study_reports/sanbenitomountain.pdf

This report includes the CCMA portion of Map 04-L and says, “The San Benito Mountain Natural Area 

consists of many negative impacts by man, the· resultant damage being irreversible. Mans previous 

activities such as road building, mining, timber harvesting and manmade structures are too numerous 

and highly visible." The report also includes a wilderness characteristics review of other contiguous 

public lands in the CCMA that states, "Additional BLM Administered lands contiguous with the Natural 

Area were identified in February 1979 as not possessing wilderness characteristics."

As a result, the BLM’s wilderness report linked above concluded that the San Benito Mountain Natural 

Area/Instant Study Area is not suitable for wilderness based on size (1500 ac.) and the impacts of man 

“even when considered with contiguous public lands outside the Natural Area." If the 1,500-acre area is 

released from WSA status by Congress, it would be managed consistent with the goals and objectives and 

the resource management actions for the Serpentine ACEC and the San Benito Mountain RNA described 

in this RMP/EIS. 

3.10.3.5 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics 

The HFO has acquired lands since the completion of the 1984 Hollister RMP and the initial wilderness 

review per FLPMA. These lands were acquired primarily for the conservation of special status species or 

to improve management efficiency. 

Pursuant to IM 2011-154, BLM inventoried public lands throughout the CCMA for wilderness 

characteristics. Based on the acquisition of lands since the original inventory, BLM determined the public 

lands in between the Cantua drainage and Joaquin Ridge comprise approximately 5,070 acres with 

wilderness characteristics in the CCMA. The area borders the Serpentine ACEC boundary to the 

southwest, the San Carlos Bolsa to the northwest, BLM public lands to the north and Joaquin Ridge to the 

east/southeast. Coalinga is the closest town approximately 30 miles to the south. 

These public lands are located west of the San Joaquin Valley in the Diablo Mountains and include very 

steep, rugged terrain accentuated by intermittent drainages. An over flight was conducted on April 14, 

2011 and a series of aerial photos were taken to document the natural state of the area. 

Only one route lies within this area, BLM designated Limited Use T189. This route is a narrow route 

with an ATV RMO (48” wide). Since the emergency closure of CCMA in 2008, this route has already re-
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vegetated about 50%. It is likely it would be almost completely returned to natural conditions without 

further interference within 10 years. No structures were observed within the inventory area. Overall, 

human impacts are almost non-existent within the area with outstanding opportunities for solitude as well 

as primitive and unconfined recreation. 

The repeater towers on San Carlos and San Benito peaks are visible from several ridges within the 

inventoried area. However, they are not within the view shed throughout the rest of the area. 

A. Wilderness Characteristics Inventory 

1. Naturalness: The inventoried area has retained a high degree of natural character. The unit is 

characterized by steep, rugged terrain dissected by several deep drainages with slopes averaging 30 to 50 

percent. Vegetation of the area is predominately chaparral, Mediterranean annual grasses along with forbs 

and low shrubs, with juniper, pine, oak and yucca occurring at higher elevations. 

The unit remains relatively free from human influence. Some OHV tracks and exploratory mining pits 

occur within the area. These improvements and ways do not detract significantly from the naturalness of 

the area. 

2. Solitude: The rugged terrain, the steep canyons and associated drainages provide outstanding 

opportunities for solitude. This opportunity is less near the south western perimeter due to roads, 

communication towers, and/or views of surrounding homes. This area is periodically over flown by 

military and law enforcement aircraft as part of the national defense mission taking place in approved 

military operating areas and flight corridors, as well as part of ongoing anti-drug operations. The visual 

intrusions and associated noise create periodic temporary effects on solitude which are deemed necessary 

and acceptable as a part of the defense preparedness of the nation. 

3. Primitive and unconfined recreation: The area provides good opportunities for primitive and 

unconfined recreational pursuits common to an oak woodland/chaparral community in steep, rugged 

terrain. These include hunting, hiking, and bird-watching. Annual game bird, wild pig and deer 

populations vary greatly from year to year with hunting activity varying accordingly. Extreme daytime 

summer temperatures restrict recreational opportunities during the dry season. Streams are ephemeral. 

4. Special features: High potential for prehistoric and historic archaeological resources in the area that are 

likely in good condition due to remoteness of the location. Raptor nesting also occurs in the cliffs 

overlooking the steeper canyons. 
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3.11 Livestock Grazing 

3.11.1 Introduction 

The CCMA grazing lands have a Mediterranean-type climate, with cool, moist winters and hot, dry 

summers. Ninety percent of the precipitation (approximately 17 inches) comes during the late fall, 

winter, and early spring. The growth of forage grass begins with the first fall rains, and dormancy occurs 

in the late spring with soil water depletion. 

Forage production for livestock consumption is a historic land use in the Planning Area. The Hollister 

RMP, as amended, authorizes 1,354 animal unit months (AUMs), which are leased for grazing on 22,140 

acres of BLM-administered lands on 14 grazing allotments that are within portions of CCMA and the 

Serpentine ACEC. All of these lands consist of mixed chaparral and oak woodland vegetation types, as 

well as annual grasslands and half-shrub vegetation. Forage production, currently for cattle only, consists 

primarily of annual grasses and forbs that grow during the winter and spring, when the weather is cool 

and wet. Yearlong grazing is common on many allotments. Key aspects of managing annual grasslands 

for livestock production are maintenance of residual dry matter and appropriate season of use. 

Map 9 in Appendix I identifies existing grazing allotments in the Planning Area. 

3.11.2 Regulatory Framework 

Vegetation consists mainly of annual grasslands, chaparral, chamise, and oak savannah. Annual grasses 

are the important livestock forage. The HFO Planning Area currently consists of four management areas 

(MAs) categorized according to common features, resource issues, or management needs. 

The BLM administers it grazing program in California and in the other western States under 43 CFR 

4100. These regulations implement the laws that govern public land grazing, including the Taylor 

Grazing, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and Public Rangelands Improvement Act. 

The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 authorizes BLM administration of livestock grazing on public lands. 

Currently, the 1984 Hollister RMP provides specific guidance for livestock grazing within the Planning 

Area. In accordance with 43 CFR 4180.2, the Central California Rangeland Health Standards and 

Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management was approved on July 13, 2000. The standards establish 

four fundamentals for managing rangelands including soils, species, riparian, and water quality (see 

subsection 3.11.4). Specific indicators of rangeland health determine whether these standards are being 

met within a grazing allotment, and appropriate management corrective action is required if one or more 

of the standards are not being met. The grazing guidelines consist of 18 specific items that provide 

direction for grazing management. The standards describe the conditions needed to promote and sustain 

rangeland heath and apply to all land uses in addition to grazing. 

The 1978 Public Range Improvements Act established a national policy and commitment to improve 

conditions on public rangelands. The Act requires a national rangeland inventory, consistent federal 

management policies, and provides funds for range improvement projects. It also amends the Wild FreeRoaming Horses and Burros Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. 

The 1984 Hollister RMP, as amended provides current direction for livestock grazing management. The 

RMP calls for management action to improve forage production and animal distribution throughout the 

allotments. Livestock forage is allocated for grazing only in suitable areas. These acres are managed to 

maintain between 500 and 1,000 pounds of mulch per acre at the end of the grazing season. The grazing 

season is determined based on impacts on other resources. All livestock watering developments are 
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available and safe for wildlife use. Prescribed fire to improve forage production is considered on a caseby-case basis. Livestock use of burned areas is determined by monitoring. 

3.11.3 Regional Setting 

The 1984 Hollister RMP stated “resource production on public lands is not significant in relation to the 

overall economy” (BLM 1984). However, a few industries and individuals are economically dependent 

on public lands. For example, 11 livestock operations, or 91 percent of the lessees in the Planning Area, 

are dependent on public lands for more than 10 percent of their forage needs. 

The overall pattern of livestock production in California is similar to the pattern on HFO public lands. In 

1992 California supported 22,700 livestock operations, which had a total inventory of over 5.5 million 

cattle and sheep. During the preceding years from 1987–1992, the number of beef cattle and sheep 

operations decreased 14 percent and 20 percent, respectively. While the numbers of sheep have 

decreased on sheep operations, the opposite is true for numbers of cattle, which have increased on cattle 

operations. The decrease in the number of cattle ranches coupled with an increase in the number of cattle 

has been a consistent trend for the past 30 years. 

3.11.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

Livestock grazing occurs on 14 grazing allotments with boundaries in and around CCMA, comprising a 

total of 57,633 acres of BLM-administered lands located in southern San Benito and western Fresno 

counties. These allotments are identified in Table 3.11-1 and on Map 9 in Appendix I. 

Currently, 7,547 AUMs are leased on these fourteen grazing allotments, which include portions of CCMA 

and the Serpentine ACEC. Table 2.4-7 in Chapter 2 identifies the number of acres and AUMs for each 

grazing allotment. Based on management status, most of the grazing allotments need improvement and 

the balance require custodial or maintenance. These grazing allotments have been assessed for 

compliance with the Central California for Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines for Livestock 

Grazing Management (see Table 3.11-1). The standards for rangeland health and guidelines for livestock 

management on BLM lands are written to accomplish the four fundamentals of rangeland health, insofar 

as the standards are affected by livestock grazing practices. The fundamentals are: 

Watersheds are properly functioning; 

Ecological processes are in order; 

Water Quality complies with State standards; and, 

Habitats of protected species are in order. 

A "standard" is the criterion to determine whether management actions are resulting in the maintenance or 

attainment of rangeland health. The standards are expressions of physical and biological conditions or 

degree of function required for healthy, sustainable rangelands. The allotments are classified into one of 

four categories depending on the results of the rangeland health surveys: Category 1 allotments are those 

that do not meet one or more of the standards and livestock grazing is the cause; Category 2 allotments 

are those that do meet all of the standards; Category 3 allotments do not meet one or more of the 

standards and the cause is unknown; and Category 4 allotments do not meet one or more of the standards 

and livestock is not the cause. 

Twenty-nine percent of the grazing allotments (or 4 allotments) meet all four rangeland health standards 

(see Table 3.11-1). Seventy-one percent (or 10 allotments) are not in compliance with one or more of the 
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standards, and the cause is attributed to water quality or species diversity, where it has been determined 

that livestock grazing is not the cause. The water quality issues result from high levels of trace metals, and 

mercury, which are transported into surface water and groundwater after road cuts and flood events. 

Allotments with species diversity issues are dominated by decaying chamise and chaparral vegetation. 

Fire exclusion has prevented mixed age-class stands, which would provide plant diversity. No allotments 

fail to meet the standards with the cause not known. 

Table 3.11-1 Grazing Allotment Evaluations with Regards to the Central California 

Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines

Allotment Name Standard Class1 Rangeland Health Standards

Adobe 4 Water Quality

Akers 4 Water Quality, Species Diversity

Ashurst Ranch 4 Water Quality

Bar B Ranch 4 Species Diversity

Birdwell 2 NA

Diamond A 4 Water Quality

Goat Mountain 4 Water Quality, Species Diversity

Hernandez 4 Species Diversity

Joaquin Rocks 2 NA

Lewis Flat 2 NA

Quarter Circle 4 Species Diversity

Upper Los Gatos Creek 4 Water Quality, Species Diversity

Williamson 4 Water Quality, Species Diversity

Willow Spring 2 NA

Key1: Standard Class: 1 = Not meeting standards and livestock is the cause; 2 = Meeting standards; 3 = Not meeting standards and 

cause unknown; 4 = Not meeting standards and livestock is not the cause.
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3.12 Energy and Minerals 

3.12.1 Introduction 

This section addresses mineral resource exploration, development, and production on federal mineral 

estate in the CCMA. The history of exploration, extraction and production of industrial minerals has 

occurred in this region since the mid-1850’s. There have been four main mineral commodities of 

economic importance; mercury, chromite, asbestos and benitoite. All of these minerals occur on federal 

land, however the benitoite discovery (Gem Mine) was later patented to private fee land. 

Within the CCMA there are 66 historic abandoned mines on public land, which produced four mineral 

commodities, asbestos (18), chromite (19), mercury (25) and magnesite (3). 

Of these economic minerals that were produced over the last 150 years, mercury had the longest 

production period, from the New Idria mine (1857-1972). The major mercury production was ended 

when the New Idria mine closed in 1972 this mine produced 38,250,000 pounds of mercury over a period 

of 115 years . Besides the New Idria mine, at one time there were 24 other small mercury deposits that 

were sporadically productive in the CCMA. 

3.12.2 Regulatory Framework 

The 1920 Mineral Leasing Act governs the leasing of oil and gas lands and applies to all federally owned 

minerals. The Mineral Leasing Act provides that all of these lands are open to oil and gas leasing unless a 

specific order has been issued to close the area to leasing. 

BLM holds lease sales of the oil and gas resources in accordance with the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas 

Leasing Reform Act (FOOGLRA). Subject to the stipulations outlined in this Plan and standard terms 

and conditions, an oil and gas lease gives the lessee the right to extract the resource and to occupy the 

appropriate size area necessary for extraction. The lessee may conduct any activities necessary to develop 

and produce natural gas from the lease area, including drilling wells, building roads, and constructing 

pipelines and related facilities. Although the initial lease term is 10 years, it may be extended indefinitely 

as long as the lessee demonstrates that the lease is capable of producing oil or gas in paying quantities. 

Extended leases are considered “held by production.” Unleased parcels, or parcels for which the term has 

expired without development, may be requested by industry for inclusion in a new lease sale.

The California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources oversees the drilling, operation, 

maintenance, and plugging and abandonment of oil, natural gas, and geothermal wells. Applicable 

regulations include California Public Resources Code, Division 3, which governs the regulation of oil and 

gas operations; and California Code of Regulations Title 14, Division 2, Chapter 4: Development, 

Regulation, and Conservation of Oil and Gas Resources. 

3.12.3 Regional Setting 

Historically, the region was known as the New Idria Mining district. The New Idria Quicksilver Mining 

Company began mining cinnabar and mercury from the region in 1854. Other materials such as asbestos, 

magnesite, nickel, and chromium were also extracted (USDI 2005). Mining of asbestos began in the 

1950’s and the last active asbestos mine in the U.S. was the KCAC asbestos mine. 

In general, the region was an active mining and ore processing area for over a century. Many of the 

abandoned mercury mines were left to erode and degrade surface waters. BLM started an active 

Abandoned Mine Land program in the late 1990’s. A summary of BLM’s efforts to restore water quality 
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by restoration of abandoned mercury mines is included in Section 3.2.3.3. In 2004, the Regional Water 

Quality Control Board issued a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for mercury in the CCMA. 

There are two active oil and gas fields in southern San Benito and western Fresno counties. However, no 

new exploration wells have been drilled on BLM lands in the region in over 20 years. New geophysical 

exploration activity in the Vallecitos Valley was conducted in 2008, suggesting more wells could be 

drilled in this area as demand for these resources increases. New exploration drilling activity would 

include the construction of some associated roads and facilities, and pipelines installed to existing 

infrastructure. 

Exploratory oil wells have been drilled on less than 5 percent of the leases issued on BLM public lands, 

and only one of every 15 to 20 exploratory wells actually results in the discovery of oil. As a result, there 

is currently no oil and gas production within the Planning Area. The nearest production comes from oil 

fields near Coalinga and the Vallecitos Valley. 

Refer to BLM’s Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario (2005) in Appendix VIII for more 

information on potential oil and gas developments on CCMA public lands. 

3.12.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

Since 1999, BLM has remediated many of these old abandoned mercury mines, since mercury sediment 

contaminated surface water and due to a State of California limit of the amount of mercury that can be 

discharged into Clear Creek (TMDL. 2004). Further, in 2010, the New Idria is being evaluated by the 

EPA for inclusion into the Superfund program for possible future remediation (EPA, 2010). 

Asbestos mining also had a brief boom during the 1950’s at one time the Clear Creek area had 18 

asbestos mines on public land. Of these mines, two mines are notable, Atlas Mine became a Superfund 

site in 1984, and the Johns-Manville or KCAC mine, the last active asbestos mine in the U.S. 

Chromite was also produced in the area during the mid-1950’s and there were 19 chromite mines on 

public lands that were productive for a few years (1945-1958). However the production of chromite in 

the CCMA was not very high, approximately 30,000 tons have been produced from these mines (EPA, 

1988). The chromite deposits in the CCMA are not regarded as to be of a commercial grade (Fowkes, 

2003). 

Over the years, federal mining claims in the CCMA have seen a dramatic spike, from the time period 

1970-1988, there were over 868 individual claims that had been filed. However, more than 90% of these 

mining claims were closed after the first year. The only remaining active mining claims were for casual 

use hobby gem and mineral collection. From 1990-2010, less than 20 mining claims were filed and 

remained active for casual use collection of hobby gems and minerals. 

ECONOMIC MINERALS OF IMPORTANCE 

In the Clear Creek Management Area, there were only four historic industrial minerals produced in the 

last 100 years, asbestos chromite, magnesite, mercury. Of these minerals only chromite is included on the 

U.S. National Defense Stockpile list for critical and strategic minerals that would be needed in times of a 

national emergency. Due to the dynamic economic and political world setting, annual adjustments are 

made to the National Defense Stockpile. From 1987 to 1999, sales of excess stockpile inventories 

reduced the value of these from $10.1 billion to $3.4 billion (GAO, 2001). 

Chromite consumption of the U.S. is about 14% of all the chromite mined globally each year. There is 

no chromite production in the U.S. and 80% of the global chromite production comes from Turkey, 
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Kazakhstan and southern Africa. The world reserves for chromite are estimated at over 11 billion tons 

which would easily meet demand for hundreds of years (Mineral Information Institute, 2010). 

In the U.S. there are two major chromite deposits that may have future commercial importance. In 

Montana, the Stillwater complex is thought to host 80% of the chromite reserves in the U.S. (Chrome 

Mountain, 2010). In 1986-1987, the Chrome Corporation produced 132,000 tons of chromite ore at this 

Montana mine, but the mining ceased due to inadequate funds and low commodity prices. 

In 2010, a Coos Bay, Oregon company proposed to open pit chromite beach sand mine. A mining plan 

has been submitted for development and is pending regulatory permitting approved for mining this 

deposit. According to a company news release, Oregon Resources Corporation has stated that 130,000 

tons of finished chromite ore could be sold annually. Of this amount the expected market was 30% for 

domestic use, 30% for Europe, and the remained would go to China, and Australia. 

The only active mining on or immediately adjacent to BLM-administered land in the CCMA is for unique 

minerals and gemstones (benitoite). Since the 1984 Hollister RMP was prepared, mining claims in the 

CCMA have been limited to approximately 12 small claims for casual use mineral collection. Casual use 

means that no mechanized equipment is used and the disturbance is limited in size to less than 1 acre. 

Based on the BLM’s Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario (2005) in Appendix VIII, the 

hydrocarbon mineral potential for oil and gas in the Serpentine ACEC is classified as ‘none’ due to the 

serpentine rocks present. However, the other management zones within the CCMA boundary do contain 

sedimentary formations that could be suitable for hydrocarbon production and are classified as 

‘moderate’.

Overall, the CCMA has moderate potential for mineral development. The New Idria serpentine mass 

(ACEC) is highly-mineralized and was historically, commercially mined for magnesite, chromite, 

cinnabar, and asbestos. The Gem mine, a privately-owned inholding within the CCMA, continues to mine 

and market benitoite. Most other mineral development within the CCMA has ceased due to depletion of 

near-surface marketable minerals and changing mineral markets and mineral regulation (i.e. asbestos ban 

in U.S.). The CCMA has moderate potential for energy development. Oil and gas development potential 

is very low as the New Idria serpentine mass (ACEC) which comprises 40% of the CCMA land area has 

no potential for fossil fuel resources. The remainder of the CCMA contains sedimentary formations which 

have not yielded significant oil and gas resources within the local area. Wind energy development has 

some potential as the CCMA contains some of the highest points in the Diablo Range. 

Remediation efforts at the KCAC mine are still underway, and are being monitored by BLM, San Benito 

County, and the State of California under the 1976 SMARA regulations. There are many other abandoned 

mines and prospects for mercury, of which BLM has undertaken remediation to reduce the transport of 

contaminated sediment from impacting CCMA watershed values. Abandoned mine lands that have been 

remediated include the Atlas Superfund Site, Aurora, Jade Mill, Alpine, Xanadu, Larious Canyon, Archer, 

and multiple unnamed retort piles adjacent to Clear Creek. Refer to Hazardous Materials and Public 

Health and Safety, Section 3.2 for more information on abandoned mine lands in CCMA. 

To summarize, industrial mineral production in the CCMA has been episodic and tied to high commodity 

prices. Historic production of asbestos and mercury is not expected to be re-activated due to stricter 

environmental regulatory permitting. Chromite mining could be re-activated if ore prices rise to offset 

permitting and production costs. However, due to the current chromite market, huge world reserves and 

ample supply, it is unlikely that the future chromite prices would spike enough to make any new mining 

in California and in the CCMA economic. Further, the chromite deposits in the CCMA are not considered 

to be of commercial grade (Fowkes, 2003). 
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3.13 Cultural Resources 

3.13.1 Introduction 

Cultural resources are the dynamic interplay between people and their environment expressed on the 

landscape. The term “cultural resources” can apply to a wide array of different “things,” from historic 

archeological sites to contemporary plant collection areas. Other examples of cultural resources include 

sacred places, monuments, Native American cultural items, historic objects or buildings, religious or 

traditional practices, and historical documents (King 1998:7-9). Nevertheless, archeological sites are the 

most common type of cultural resource encountered on BM public lands. 

Most archeological sites are complex, containing diverse components, each of which may 

represent a different activity, time period, or even both. Artifacts are objects manufactured by hand 

or machine, such as: pottery bowls, porcelain plates, metal hinges, glass bottles, shell beads, stone 

projectile points, and groundstone bowls. Features are immovable manufactured objects, larger than 

artifacts (such as buildings). Features often contain artifacts or have artifacts associated with them. One of 

the values of archeological sites lies in the information that sites contain and the knowledge that can be 

gained from their study - the ability of a site's information to be used in answering important questions 

about the past. 

Archeological sites may also possess traditional cultural values, ascribed by a community, ethnic group, 

or Indian tribe to archeological sites and other places associated with its cultural practices or beliefs that 

are rooted in the community's history and are important in maintaining the continuing cultural identity of 

the community. These kinds of sites are important for economic, artistic, or other cultural practices in 

maintaining a group’s cultural/historical identity. Traditional cultural values are often central to the way a 

community or group defines itself, and maintaining such values are often vital to maintaining the group's 

sense of identity and self-respect. Archeological sites to which traditional cultural values are ascribed can 

take on vital significance, so any damage to or infringement upon them is deeply offensive to the group 

that values them. 

BLM management of cultural resources utilizes an integrated system of identifying and evaluating 

cultural resources, deciding on their appropriate uses, and administering them accordingly, both on public 

lands and in areas of BLM decision-making responsibility. An important goal for the BLM is to address 

the needs of Native Americans’ access to and unhampered use of places of traditional cultural or religious 

importance, including non-commercial collection of natural resources for traditional purposes. Public 

demand for places to visit and learn from cultural properties, such as interpretive development, should 

also be considered. 

3.13.2 Regulatory Framework 

3.13.2.1 Archeological and Historic Sites 

The following federal laws and regulations are applicable to cultural (prehistoric and historic 

archeological) resources: 

Antiquities Act of 1906 (P.L. 59-209; 34 Stat. 225; 16 U.S.C. 432, 433), is chronologically and 

philosophically the basic legislation for the protection and preservation of cultural properties 

(archeological and historic, without regard to minimum age) on Federal lands. It provides for permits to 

authorize scholarly use of properties, for misdemeanor-level penalties to control unauthorized use, and for 

presidential designation of outstanding properties as national monuments for long-term preservation. The 

act is implemented by uniform regulations at 43 CFR Part 3. Both broader in scope than and superseded 
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in part by the Archeological Resources Protection Act, it remains a fully active statutory authority. 

Recreation and Public Purposes Act of 1926 (P.L. 69-386; 44 Stat. 741; 43 U.S.C. 869) authorizes the 

lease or sale of historic properties under certain conditions. (See 43 CFR 2741 and BLM Manual Section 

2740.) 

Historic Sites Act of 1935 (P.L. 74-292; 49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461) declares national policy to identify 

and preserve "historic sites, buildings, objects and antiquities" of national significance, authorizing the 

National Historic Landmarks program of the National Park Service and providing a foundation for the 

later National Register of Historic Places. Regulations implementing the Landmarks program are at 36 

CFR 65. 

Reservoir Salvage Act of 1960, as amended by Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (P.L. 

86-523; 74 Stat. 220, 221; 16 U.S.C. 469; P.L. 93-291; 88 Stat. 174; 16 U.S.C. 469) provides for the 

preservation of historical and archaeological data that might otherwise be lost as the result of a Federal 

construction project or a federally licensed or assisted project, activity, or program having an effect on 

cultural resources. Although amended and broadened after 1966, the act makes no distinction regarding 

National Register eligibility. The act provides that up to one percent (1%) of funds the Congress 

authorizes to be appropriated for a project may be spent to recover, preserve, and protect archeological 

and historical data. BLM projects are rarely subject to line item authorization and appropriation; as such 

this provision generally does not apply to BLM. 

Wilderness Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-577, 16 U.S.C. 1131) established a National Wilderness Preservation 

System for values to be “protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which...may 

also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.”

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-665; 80 Stat. 915; 16 U.S.C. 470), as amended, 

extends the policy in the Historic Sites Act to include State and local as well as national significance, 

expands the National Register of Historic Places, and establishes the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation, State Historic Preservation Officers, Tribal Preservation Officers, and a preservation grantsin-aid program. Section 106 directs all Federal agencies to take into account effects of their undertakings 

(actions and authorizations) on properties included in or eligible for the National Register of Historic 

Places, and Section 110 sets inventory, nomination, protection, and preservation responsibilities for 

federally owned cultural properties. Section 110(c) requires each Federal agency to designate a 

Preservation Officer to coordinate activities under the act. Section 106 of the act is implemented by 

regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 36 CFR 800. The 10 Western BLM States 

and Alaska comply with Section 106 of the Act according to a national Programmatic Agreement (PA) 

dated March 26, 1997. 

National Trails System Act of 1968 (P.L. 90-543; 16 U.S.C. 1241 et. seq. as amended through P.L. 107-

325, December 4, 2002) established a national trails system to promote preservation of, public access to, 

travel within, and enjoyment of the open-air, outdoor areas, and historic resources of the nation. The act 

designated initial trail system components and established methods and standards for adding additional 

components. Trails are added to the system only by act of Congress. Historic Trails, trail sites, and trail 

segments must be evaluated against the National Register criteria at 36 CFR 60, whether congressionally 

designated or not, to determine National Register eligibility and responsibilities related to Section 106 of 

the National Historic Preservation Act. 

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190; 83 Stat. 852; 42 U.S.C. 4321) establishes 

national policy for the protection and enhancement of the environment. Part of the function of the Federal 

Government in protecting the environment is to "preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects 

of our national heritage." The act is implemented by regulations of the Council on Environmental 
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Quality, 40 CFR 1500-1508. 

Executive Order 11593 ("Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment," 36 F.R. 8921, May 

13, 1971) directs Federal agencies to inventory cultural properties under their jurisdiction, to nominate to 

the National Register of Historic Places all federally owned properties that meet the criteria, to use due 

caution until the inventory and nomination processes are completed, and also to assure that Federal plans 

and programs contribute to preservation and enhancement of non-federally owned properties. Some of 

the provisions of the Executive Order are also found in Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation 

Act. 

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-579; 90 Stat. 2743; 43 U.S.C. 1701; 

"FLPMA") directs the BLM to manage public lands on the basis of multiple use, in a manner that 

"recognizes the Nation's need for domestic sources of minerals, food, timber, and fiber from the public 

lands" and that will "protect the quality of . . . historical . . . resources, and archeological values." The act 

provides for the periodic inventory of public lands and resources, for long-range, comprehensive land use 

planning, for permits to regulate use of the public lands, and for the enforcement of public land laws and 

regulations. FLPMA is the primary basis for managing cultural resources on the public lands. 

Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (P.L. 96-95; 93 Stat. 721; 16 U.S.C. 47Oaa et seq.) as 

amended (P.L. 100-555; P.L. 100-588) provides felony-level penalties, more severe than those of the 

Antiquities Act of 1906, for the unauthorized excavation, removal, damage, alteration, defacement, or the 

attempted unauthorized removal, damage, alteration, or defacement of any archeological resource, more 

than 100 years of age, found on public lands or Indian lands. The act also prohibits the sale, purchase, 

exchange, transportation, receipt, or offering of any archeological resource obtained from public lands or 

Indian lands in violation of any provision, rule, regulation, ordinance, or permit under the act, or under 

any Federal, State, or local law. No distinction is made regarding National Register eligibility. The act 

establishes definitions, permit requirements, and criminal and civil penalties, among other provisions, to 

correct legal gaps and deficiencies in the Antiquities Act. The act overlaps with and partially supersedes 

the Antiquities Act. It is implemented by uniform regulations and departmental regulations, both at 43 

CFR 7. An amendment in 1988 gives Federal agencies explicit direction to establish educational 

programs explaining the importance of archeology, to help members of the public understand why 

archaeological resources are protected from unauthorized removal or damage. 

Executive Order 13287 (“Preserve America” 68 F.R. 43, March 5, 2003) orders the Federal government 

to take a leadership role in protection, enhancement, and contemporary use of historic properties owned 

by the Federal government, and promote intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships for preservation 

and use of historic properties. The order establishes new accountability for agencies with regard to 

inventories and stewardship. 

3.13.2.2 Native American Values 

The following federal laws and regulations are applicable to cultural (contemporary Native American 

traditional use) resources: 

American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-431; 92 Stat. 469; 42 U.S.C. 1996) resolves 

that it shall be the policy of the United States to protect and preserve for the American Indian, Eskimo, 

Aleut, and Native Hawaiian the inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise their traditional 

religions, including but not limited to access to religious sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and 

freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites. Federal agencies are directed to evaluate 

their policies and procedures to determine if changes are needed to ensure that such rights and freedoms 

are not disrupted by agency practices. The act, a specific expression of First Amendment guarantees of 

religious freedom, is not implemented by regulations. 
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Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-601; 104 Stat. 3048; 25 

U.S.C. 3001) establishes rights of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to claim ownership of 

certain "cultural items," including human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural 

patrimony held or controlled by Federal agencies and museums that receive Federal funds. The act 

requires agencies and museums to identify holdings of such remains and objects and to work with 

appropriate Native American groups toward their repatriation. Permits for the excavation and/or removal 

of “cultural items” protected by the act require Native American consultation, as do discoveries of 

“cultural items” made during land use activities. The Secretary of the Interior’s implementing regulations 

are at 43 CFR 10. 

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-141) establishes that the Federal government shall 

not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general 

applicability, except as provided in (1) furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is the 

least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. 

Executive Order 12898 (“Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and 

Low-Income Populations” 59 F.R. 7629, February 11, 1994) orders the Federal government that each 

Federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and 

addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of 

its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the United 

States and its territories and possessions, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 

and the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands. 

Executive Order 13007 ("Indian Sacred Sites" 61 F.R. 104, May 24, 1996) provides that in managing 

Federal lands, agencies - to the extent practicable, permitted by law, and not clearly inconsistent with 

essential agency functions - shall accommodate Indian religious practitioners' access to and ceremonial 

use of Indian sacred sites, shall avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of such sites, and shall 

maintain the confidentiality of sacred sites. The responsibility to identify such sacred sites to the 

managing agency resides with the Indian tribe or appropriately authoritative representative of an Indian 

religion. The responsibility to inform tribes, where practicable and appropriate, of proposed actions or 

land management policies that could restrict future access to or ceremonial use of, or adversely affect the 

physical integrity of, sacred sites, rests with the agency. The order directs agencies to comply with the 

Executive Memorandum of April 29, 1994, "Government-to-Government Relations with Native 

American Tribal Governments." It explicitly does not create any new right or benefit for Indian tribes, 

nor any new trust responsibility for the Federal Government. 

Executive Order 13084 (“Consultation and Coordination with Tribal Governments” F.R. Doc. 98-13553, 

May 14, 1998) orders the Federal government to establish regular and meaningful consultation and 

collaboration with Indian tribal governments in the development of regulatory practices on Federal 

matters that significantly or uniquely affect their communities; to reduce the imposition of unfunded 

mandates upon Indian tribal governments; and to streamline the application process for and increase the 

availability of waivers to Indian tribal governments. 

Executive Order 13175 (“Consultation and Coordination with Tribal Governments” F.R. Doc. 00-29003, 

November 8, 2000) orders the Federal government to establish regular and meaningful consultation and 

collaboration with tribal officials in the development of Federal policies that have tribal implications, to 

strengthen the United States government-to-government relationships with Indian tribes, and to reduce the 

imposition of unfunded mandates upon Indian tribes. 

Interagency Traditional Gathering Policy of 2006 is to promote consistency between the U.S. Forest 

Service Pacific Southwest Region and BLM California in support of traditional gathering of culturally 
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utilized plants. This policy also emphasizes local collaboration, implementation, and issue resolution 

between the agencies and Tribes, tribal communities, and traditional practitioners. 

3.13.2.3 Statewide Protocol Agreement 

The California Bureau of Land Management (BLM) utilizes a Programmatic Agreement (PA) approved 

in 1998 for cultural resources management. This PA was revised in 2004 and recently renewed in 2007. 

The PA is tiered to a national Programmatic Agreement (nPA) approved 1997 between the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National 

Council of State Historic Preservation Officers. 

Signatories to the Statewide Protocol Agreement in California are the California BLM, the California 

State Historic Preservation Officer and the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer. It is designed for 

the California BLM to “integrate its historic preservation planning and management decisions with other 

policy and program requirements to the maximum feasible extent in the public interest.”

 The Statewide Protocol Agreement meets Section 106 requirements of the National Historic Preservation 

Act (NHPA) to “take into account the effects of the agency’s undertaking on properties included in or 

eligible for the National Register of Historic Places” as cited in 36 CFR 800.1(a). The PA also provides 

for an enhanced level of consultation between BLM, Federally recognized tribal governments, and nonfederally recognized Native American groups as well. 

3.13.3 Regional Setting 

Some of the following background material is revisited from the Proposed Resource Management Plan / 

Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Diablo Mountain Range and Central Coast of 

California for the Hollister Field Office (2007). The text has been condensed, edited, and significantly 

augmented in certain sections to reflect specific information about the Planning Area for this RMP/EIS. 

3.13.3.1 Prehistoric Record 

Coastal Influences 

To begin, there are gaps in our knowledge of how Native American tribes that lived along the immediate 

coast articulated with those that lived in the interior portions on central California. Most culture-historical 

reconstructions for this region are predicated mainly on archeological data from the coastal strip, and the 

extent to which these trends or patterns parallel developments further inland remains largely 

undetermined. Archeologists surely recognize many of these shortcomings, but limited project 

development in the rugged interior of the South Coast Ranges has contributed little actual research. More 

focused research in the interior valleys will be necessary to flesh out the changing character of coastalinterior interaction over the last 10,000 or so years of human prehistory. 

Archeological patterns in the Monterey Bay area have emerged mainly in the last two decades based on 

work by, among others, Dietz and Jackson (1981), Dietz et al. (1988), Cartier (1993a, 1993b), and 

Breschini and Haversat (1989). The earliest cultural remains in this area derive from the Scotts Valley 

site (CA-SCr-177), where occupation may have initiated as early as 13,500 BP. Cartier (1993a) has 

proposed three phases for the pre-8,500 BP interval (Aruama (13,500 to 11,500 BP), San Lorenzo (11,000 

to 10,000 BP), and Umunhum (9,600 to 8,500 BP) based on superpositioning and slight shifts in 

assemblage composition. The two earliest phases are marked by numerous flake tools, small leaf-shaped 

and medium lanceolate projectile points or bifaces, battered cobbles, and ochre; limited core tools first 

appear during the San Lorenzo Phase. Artifacts attributed to the Umunhum Phase show apparent linkages 

to the San Dieguito Complex of southern California, including an eccentric crescent, bipointed 
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points/bifaces, refined flake tools, cobble-core implements, and heavy use of coarse-grained toolstone 

materials; small numbers of milling tools are also associated with this component, traits absent from the 

conventional San Dieguito definition. Similar materials have been reported from CA-Mnt-229 (Jones and 

Jones 1992), but the nature of these early occupations is still open to serious debate. Sites dated to the 

Millingstone Period are more common in the Monterey area, though only CA-SCl-178 in the interior 

contained large numbers of plant processing implements. That assemblages consonant with Encinitas 

Tradition (Warren 1968) complexes in southern California exist in this region is no longer open to 

question, but it remains unclear whether they reflect a consistently old cultural pattern. 

The Early Period, exemplified in materials from CA-Mnt-391 (Cartier 1993b), is characterized by thick 

rectangular (Class L), end-ground (B), and split (C) Olivella beads, Haliotis square beads, contractingstem and side-notched points, and both mortar/pestle and millingstone/handstone grinding technologies. 

Similar artifact assemblages are known from other Early Period components in the region (CA-SCr-239 

(Cartier 1992), CA-Mnt-108 (Breschini and Haversat 1989), and CA-SCr-7 (Jones and Hildebrandt 

1990)), but stratigraphic relationships are not so clear. The most important Middle Period sites in this 

area is CA-Mnt-229 (Dietz et al. 1988), where contracting-stem and side-notched points were recovered 

in association with Olivella saucer beads (G2 and G6 forms) and mortars and pestles; handstones and 

millingstones have been reported from Middle Period contexts at CA-SCr-9. Jones (1993) has observed 

that Late Period occupations in the Monterey area consist mainly of short term specialized processing 

stations that tend to be artifact-poor (Cf. Dietz and Jackson 1981). Excavations at CA-Mnt-1486/H 

(Breschini and Haversat 1992) led to identification of a Late Period component containing Desert Sidenotched points, end-ground (B2 and B5), cupped (K1), and sequin (M1) Olivella beads, and Haliotis

disks, together with mortars and pestles, handstones, earspools, and an imperforate plummet-shaped 

charmstone. 

The many competing cultural sequences proposed for this region have confused attempts to bring order to 

the record, some researchers developing entire chronologies based on stratigraphic relationships at a 

single site and others drawing phase breaks on the basis of shifts in one or another artifact class. 

Attempting to bring some order to this issue, Jones (1993) has recently offered a general sequence of 

periods that might conceivably apply to a whole range of geographic situations; these periods can be 

further segregated into phase units where archaeological and temporal controls permit. Beginning with 

the Paleoindian period (ca. 11,000 to 8,500 BP), this sequence progresses through Millingstone (ca. 8,500 

to 5,500 BP), Early (ca. 5,500 to 2,600 BP), Middle (ca. 2,600 to 1,000 BP), Late (ca. 1,000 to 500 BP), 

Protohistoric (ca. 500 BP to A.D. 1769), and Historic (post-A.D. 1769) periods. These general periods 

can be used to discuss cultural patterns in various sectors of the central coast region. Much of this 

information is drawn from Bouey and Basgall (1991) and Jones (1993). 

Valley Influences and the Establishment of a Local Chronological Sequence 

Over the last 60 years, the progress of archeological research along the western foothills of the San 

Joaquin Valley has fluctuated a great deal. Following the pioneering efforts of Schenck and Dawson 

(1929) and Hewes (1941), investigations slowed until the late 1960s and early 1970s when archeological 

activity reached a peak due to the construction of several large-scale water projects. Important 

contributions to regional prehistory came from the excavation of sites like CA-Fre-128 and CA-Fre-129 

(Olsen and Payen 1968, 1969). Based on the results of these excavations, Olsen and Payen (1969) 

developed a local chronological sequence consisting of four cultural complexes known as the “San Luis –

Little Panoche Chronology.” Work by Bennyhoff and Hughes (1987) resulted in revisions of the 

typological system and the absolute ages assigned to important chronological indicators originally used 

by Olsen and Payen (1968, 1969). The revised Pacheco Pass sequence, as proposed by Mikkelsen and 

Hildebrandt (1990), is included in Table 3.13.3.1.A. 
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Table 3.13.3.1.A - Concordance of Regional Chronological Sequences 

Years Before Present (BP) Santa Clara County1 Central Coast2 Pacheco Pass3

0

Historic

Late 2

Late 1 

Historic

Protohistoric

Late

Middle-Late Transition

Panoche

Gonzaga

1,000 Middle-Late Transition -- --

2,000 Middle Middle Pacheco A

3,000 Early -- Pacheco B

4,000 -- Early --

5,000 Millingstone -- Positas

6,000 -- Millingstone --

Notes: 1 Milliken and Bennyhoff (1993), 

2

 Jones (1993), 

3

 Mikkelsen and Hildebrandt (1990, 1993). 

Earliest evidence of occupation is termed the Positas Complex (approximately 4,500 to 5,200 BP). 

Lacking burials and structures, it is represented by a component at the base of CA-Mer-94 and appears to 

include perforated flat cobbles or "doughnut stones,” flake scrapers, shaped mortars, short cylindrical 

pestles, millingslabs and handstones, small scraper planes, spire-lopped Olivella beads, and perforated 

pebble pendants. Rather, it was thought that the presence of "doughnut stones" or “cog-stones” may 

indicate a tentative connection to the south coast. 

The succeeding Pacheco Complex has been tentatively divided into two phases. The earliest, Pacheco 

Complex B (2,500 to 4,500 BP), is poorly documented and only marginally represented at one site – CAMer-94. Material culture includes thick, rectangular Olivella beads, rectangular Haliotis or freshwater 

mussel beads, large leaf-shaped projectile points, a minor amount of milling equipment, and the 

questionable presence of two or three flexed burials. This artifact assemblage is indicative of an Early 

Period presence. 

The Pacheco A Complex (approximately 1,000 to 2,500 BP) is better represented at archeological site 

CA-Mer-94 and less so at CA-Mer-27 (Nissley 1975; Jensen 1976). It is characterized by flexed burials 

associated with spire-ground modified saddle, saucer, split-drilled Olivella beads, and Macoma clam disc 

beads. These artifacts indicate a Middle Period occupation. Other artifacts include perforated canine 

teeth, bird bone whistles, bone awls, spatula grass cutters, spatulate bone tools, rings of slate and jadeslate, flat pebble pendants, mortars and pestles, millingslabs and handstones, and a variety of projectile 

points. Architectural remains include four fragmentary floor surfaces, all suggesting the presence of 

small circular houses about 10 to 12 feet in diameter. The presence of marine shellfish refuse in the 

midden and large notched and stemmed projectile points similar to those found on Monterey Bay, in 

conjunction with the lack of extended burials (a Central Valley trait), led Olsen and Payen (1969) to 

conclude the complex might represent an intrusion of coastal people into the area possibly in association 

with southern Santa Clara Valley populations. 

The late prehistoric period, termed Gonzaga Complex (450 to 1,000 BP) is characterized by the 

dominance of extended burials associated with a wide variety of artifacts. Olivella bead types include 

whole spire-ground, thin centrally perforated rectangular, split-punched, oval, and several variant types of 

the thin rectangular form. Freshwater mussel disc beads, whole limpet shells, and Haliotis shell 

ornaments (circular, oval, and tear drop being the most frequent) are also present. Projectile points are 

rare, restricted to silicate specimens with square and tapered stems, as well as a few fragments of obsidian 

serrated forms. Bone artifacts include awls, pins, incised mammal bone tubes, bird bone whistles, and 

scapulae grass cutters. Large spool-shaped ear ornaments and small cylindrical plugs comprise the 

polished stone assemblage. Milling equipment includes large bowl mortars, shaped pestles, slab mortars 
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(rare), and slab millingstones and handstones. Architectural structures increase in size, ranging from 20 

to 30 feet in diameter and in some cases includes center posts. Extended burials associated with large 

quantities of shell beads and ornaments contrasts significantly with both earlier and later periods of 

occupation. 

The protohistoric period called the Panoche Complex (200 to 450 BP) is known from several sites and 

first defined by Olsen and Payen (1968) at CA-Fre-128 and CA-Fre-129. Diagnostic artifacts include 

clamshell disc beads, Tivella tubular clam beads, steatite disc beads, Haliotis epidermis disc beads, 

Olivella beads (lipped, side-ground, and rough disc), small side-notched projectile points, a variety of 

bone objects (awls, scapulae grass cutters, incised bird bone whistles, short bone beads, and dagger-like 

pieces), steatite ear spools, simple conical pipes, slate pins, a variety of mortar and pestle forms, and only 

a few millingslabs and handstones. The complex is also recognizable by the Panoche Side Notched 

projectile point, a unique projectile point form based on the desert side-notched form common to the 

western United States (Figure 3.13-1). Structures include large circular assembly/ceremonial houses 

(approximately 75 feet in diameter) and smaller circular dwellings, usually 30 to 50 feet in diameter. In 

addition to flexed burials, primary and secondary cremations are present. 

Figure 3.13-1: Panoche Side Notched Projectile Point 

found in the CCMA (E. Zaborsky, USDI BLM). 

Based on regional comparisons of numerous traits, it was noted that each major temporal period seemed 

to reflect occupations by different populations, or at least populations with divergent cultural/geographic 

affinities. The Positas Complex, although poorly represented, showed relationships to the south coast, 

while the Pacheco Complex was thought to possibly represent intrusion of peoples from the Monterey 

Bay area. Most conspicuous of all was the Gonzaga Complex with its extended burials similar to the 

Delta, followed by the protohistoric Panoche Complex, probably representing the ethnographically 

recorded Yokuts. 

3.13.3.2 Ethnographic Present 

The CCMA was a region used by different Native American populations in prehistory well into the 

European Contact period with Spanish settlers, followed by Mexican and then American settlers. By the 

beginning of the 20th century, California Indian peoples had experienced a dramatic shift in demographic 

distribution across their ancestral territories and extreme changes to their socio-cultural traditions and 
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economic systems. As Anthropologists set out in the early 1900s to characterize and record the cultural 

behaviors, practices, and physical traits of the California Indians – much as military and religious 

expeditions had done a century before – the documentation of these extant tribal groups during that era 

has become a standard point of reference when talking about modern Native American tribes and cultural 

groups. 

The CCMA may lie within the Chalon Costanoan/Ohlone region. The Chalon were known to have 

occupied the area around Chalone Creek - bounded to the west towards the Salinas River (Salinan 

country) and east to headwaters of the San Benito River in the Diablo Mountains that flanks the San 

Joaquin Valley (towards Tachi Yokuts country). The northern and southern extent of their occupation is 

less well defined, bounded by the Mutsun Costanoan to the north and the Salinan Indians to the south. 

However, it can also be argued that the region lies in an area where exact Native Californian tribal 

affiliation is unclear. The classic ethnographic literature also ascribes the region to the Tachi band of 

Yokuts Indians, largely on the basis of hydrographic provenance. In the past, watersheds were typically 

used in Native Californian ethnographic research, as a defining boundary line for much tribal territorial 

delineation. 

More current archeological research in the region has yielded a different interpretation. It is possible that 

the Chalon band of Costanoan (or Ohlone) Indians may have inhabited the area, based upon material 

culture identification and mortuary practices observed at CA-Fre-1333. A less investigated hypothesis 

relies on ethnohistoric data obtained from the baptismal records at Missions of San Antonio de Padua, 

Mission San Miguel, Mission San Juan Bautista, and Mission Soledad. Based upon general village 

location information supplied to the padres by the neophytes, the district may belong to the Chene band of 

the Salinan Indians. Ethnographically the Chene are not recognized as a distinct group, but this may only 

be a function of limited ethnographic details. The Salinans could only be loosely identified to either a 

Migueleno dialect (southern Salinan) or an Antoniano dialect (northern Salinan) (USDI 2005:3-37). 

Excavations at CA-Fre-1331 indicated a Yokutsian presence during the Late Period, prior to or coeval to 

the time of European exploration in California. There was also evidence of a much earlier occupation and 

interment, perhaps indicating the presence of another ethnic group (Zaborsky 2006). 

Costanoan/Ohlone 

The Costanoan were speakers of languages in the Penutian language family. The Costanoan (now 

commonly referred to as Ohlone) consisted of over 50 tribelets, speaking eight different but related 

languages that included: Karkin (southern edge of Carquinez Strait); Chochenyo (east shore of San 

Francisco between Richmond and Mission San Jose and probably Livermore Valley); Tanyen (southern 

San Francisco Bay and lower Santa Clara Valley); Ranaytush (San Mateo and San Francisco Counties); 

Awaswas (Santa Cruz Costanoan between Davenport and Aptos); Mutsun (Pajaro River drainage); 

Rumsen (lower Carmel, Sur, and lower Salinas Rivers); and Chalon (Salinas River) (Levy 1978:485-486). 

This territory encompasses a lengthy coastline as well as several inland valleys (Breschini et al. 1983:34). 

The Ohlone relied on gathering, hunting, and fishing to procure a wide variety of flora and fauna for 

subsistence and material needs. The Ohlone had both permanent village locations and seasonal camps to 

take advantage of the diverse terrain along the central coast. The first Spanish encounters with the 

Ohlone occurred as early as 1602 with the Sebastián Vizcaíno navigational expedition, followed by the 

inland exploratory expedition of Gaspar de Portola in 1769. Seven missions were established in Ohlone 

territory between 1770 and 1797 (Levy 1978:486). Ohlone were both forcibly and voluntarily brought to 

the missions along with other tribes, including Yokuts, Miwoks, Esselen, and Patwin. Once part of the 

mission system, the Ohlone were discouraged or forced from practicing their traditional rituals and social 

activities (Levy 1978:486). Contact with Euroamericans resulted in a drastic reduction of population due 

to disease, violence, and a declining birth rate. Ohlone population fell from an estimated 10,000 in 1770 

to less than 2,000 in 1832 (Cook 1943a, 1943b). Following the secularization of the missions in 1834, 
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most of the remaining Ohlone moved into growing towns to work as laborers or domestic servants (Bean 

1991:xxii). By the mid-twentieth century, the Ohlone population was reduced to a few hundred people in 

the San Francisco Bay area (Galvan 1968; Levy 1978). 

In the 1960s the Ohlone Indian tribe was incorporated as a formal organization now holding title to the 

Ohlone Indian cemetery in Fremont, California (Bean 1991:xxiv). In the 1970s the Pajaro Valley Ohlone 

Indian Council was created and actively preserves sites of traditional importance. Four groups of Ohlone 

are now seeking recognition: the Amah-Mutsun Band (Gilroy / San Juan Bautista area), the Carmel 

Mission Band (Monterey region), the Indian Canyon Band, and the Muwekma/Ohlone tribe (south San 

Francisco Bay Area) (Bean 1991:xxvi). The Ohlone have not been recognized by the Federal government 

and therefore have not received recognition, compensation, or assistance to preserve and protect their 

heritage. There have been continued efforts to document genealogies by using mission records to piece 

together family and tribal history. The groups mentioned above, as well as other individuals, have been 

actively involved in the management and preservation of their heritage and are frequently involved in the 

management of cultural resources. Ohlone descendants continue to conduct ceremonies and traditional 

practices such as the gathering of plant materials for basket making. 

Salinan 

The Salinan language speakers occupied a rugged and mountainous area in the south central coast of 

California. Salinan territory spanned from the later location of Mission Soledad on the north, southwest 

past Junipero Serra Peak to the town of Lucia along the Pacific Coast, and south to the north end of San 

Luis Obispo County (Hester 1978:500). The Salinans lived in both permanent and seasonal villages 

along the coast and relied upon a subsistence strategy that consisted of hunting, gathering, and fishing. 

Very little is known regarding their prehistory. During the late eighteenth century two missions were 

founded within Salinan territory, which ultimately led to the decline of Salinan population to fewer than 

700 by 1831 (Hester 1978:503). Disease, lowered birth rate, and violence were a few of the factors that 

reduced Salinan population. Following the secularization of the missions, Salinan survivors remained in 

the vicinity of the missions, but their populations continued to decline rapidly. By the 1880s Henshaw (in 

Powell 1891:101) estimated Salinan population to be only 12 persons (Hester 1978:503). In 1928 the 

California Roll enumerated 36 Salinans (Kroeber and Heizer 1970:13). Two Salinan groups petitioned 

the Federal government for tribal recognition – the Salinan Nation in 1989 and the Salinan Tribe of 

Monterey County in 1993. Members of those groups and other individuals have been active in cultural 

resource management projects in the Central Coast region to help manage and preserve what remains of 

their heritage. 

Yokuts 

In ethnographic research, the Yokuts were distinguished geographically between the Northern Valley 

Yokuts, Southern Valley Yokuts, and Foothills Yokuts. The western-half of the ancestral territory of the 

Northern and Southern Valley Yokuts is located within Hollister BLM San Joaquin and San Benito 

Management Areas. 

The Southern Valley Yokuts occupied territory in the southern portion of the San Joaquin Valley from the 

lower Kings River to the Tehachapi Mountains. Their territory was largely a slough-marsh environment 

consisting of the Tulare, Buena Vista, and Kern Lakes, their connecting sloughs, and the lower portions of 

the Kings, Kaweah, Tule, and Kern Rivers (Wallace 1978:448). At the beginning of the historic period at 

least 15 Yokuts groups inhabited the area, each with a separate language (Kroeber 1925:478-483). Each 

of the groups averaged 350 persons for a total population of 5,250. 

In 1772 Pedro Fages led an expedition through Southern Valley Yokuts territory. Additional expeditions 

did not occur until around 1802, when the Franciscans were looking for potential mission locations. The 
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tribes along the lakes surprisingly did not come under the control of the Franciscan missionaries, though 

some of the Tachi, Telamni, and others ended up relocating to the missions. In 1833 a malaria epidemic 

swept the valley with an estimated mortality rate of 75 percent (Wallace 1978:460). With the U.S. 

annexation of California in 1848 came the near total disappearance of native people from the San Joaquin 

Valley. While thousands of gold seekers poured over the Sierra Nevada, American settlers began to 

invade the Valley, ruthlessly displacing the remaining Yokuts populations. The Yokuts open-valley 

habitat made them extremely vulnerable, and there was no way for them to escape the full force of 

Euroamerican settlement (Wallace 1978:460). 

In 1851 the tribes relinquished their lands for reservations and goods but the treaties were never ratified 

by the United States Senate (Heizer 1972:26-37). A series of unsuccessful reservations was created, and 

it was not until 1873 that the Tule River Reservation was created in Tulare Country (outside the Planning 

Area), which is now home to the majority of Southern Valley Yokuts. In 1934, the Santa Rosa Rancheria 

was established on about 40 acres in Lemoore, California (outside the Decision and Planning Areas) with 

about forty Yokuts. For many years, those on the reservations lived in impoverished conditions. In 1983, 

the tribe established a gaming casino that has helped provide jobs and economic stability to the 

reservation. The Tachi Yokuts of the Santa Rosa Rancheria are currently the only federally recognized 

tribe affected by the CCMA planning effort. 

3.13.3.3 Historic Era 

Exploration and Settlement 

Historically this region of California was isolated from major population and transportation centers and 

therefore remained largely unsettled until the mid-nineteenth century. The first Europeans in the region 

were Spanish explorers, reaching the southern San Joaquin Valley under the leadership of Pedro Fages in 

1772. The early 1800s were the most active period of Spanish exploration in the San Joaquin Valley, 

followed by limited trapping expeditions. 

The earliest permanent settlers in the foothills of the South Coast Ranges were Mexican citizens and 

Californios. Mexican Governor Manuel Micheltorena granted a tract of land in this region in 1844; 

eleven square leagues to Julian Ursua and Pedro Romero, called Panoche de San Juan y los Carrisalitos. 

The 8,903-hectare (22,000-acre) rancho passed through a number of hands until the late 1870s at which 

time Daniel Hernandez acquired the land and ran a sheep ranch 

According to Peter Frusetta (former California State Assemblyman from San Benito County), Hernandez 

Valley was named for Augustine and Jesus Hernández who were farmers in the region in the 1870s 

(Iddings 2005a:1). Hernandez Valley provided access into the southwestern portion of the CCMA. The 

United States Postal Service established the Erie post office in Hernandez Valley in 1874. The name 

“Erie” is associated with the Erie school district which opened in 1871. According to Jack James and 

Henry Carrillo, the Erie school building was located near the junction of Coalinga Road and Clear Creek 

Road (Iddings 2005d:1). The school was named “Erie” by Adherbal Button because Erie, Pennsylvania 

was he and his wife’s American hometown. It was Button who purchased Augustine Hernández’s ranch 

in the early 1870s (Iddings 2005a:1). The Post Office name was changed to “Hernandez” in 1892, moved 

to different locations in the Valley, and finally closed in 1936 (Iddings 2005d:1). Hernandez Valley is 

now partially covered by the Hernandez Reservoir, which was completed in 1962. 

Located in eastern Hernandez Valley near the entrance of the CCMA is Byles Canyon, named after 

Joseph “Joe” Byles. Byles arrived in San Francisco as a sailor aboard a British ship in 1861 and later 

joined the U.S. Navy in 1872. He was stationed aboard the USS Benicia for three years; the same vessel 

that carried King Kalakana of Hawaii to San Francisco (Iddings 2005c:3). Byles moved to the town of 

San Benito around 1880 and married Emily Jane Prater in 1882. Their first child, James “Jim,” was born 
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on the Rosetti Ranch near San Benito in 1884 and they moved to Hernandez Valley a short time later 

where he became a prospector, miner and rancher. Their other five sons were all born in Hernandez 

Valley (Iddings 2005c:3). Byles’ wife died on Thanksgiving day in 1901, six weeks after giving birth to 

their son Archie. It is believed that she is buried in Hernandez Valley somewhere near their homestead in 

Byles Canyon (Iddings 2005c:3). 

East of Hernandez Valley, the San Joaquin Valley has many important landmarks related to the region’s 

Californio heritage, and just east of the CCMA is one of the more famous locations: Joaquin Rocks. 

Joaquin Rocks and nearby Cantua Canyon area were reportedly used at different times as a horse holding 

area and hideout by the notorious bandits Joaquin Murieta (1850s) and Tiburcio Vasquez (1870s). 

Historically the name Joaquin Murieta was associated with a gang of approximately 80 Californio men 

(and several women) that in the late 1840s and early 1850s captured and drove wild and stolen horses 

from all over central California south to Sonora, Mexico. During the Gold Rush-era this gang became 

known among American settlers (mostly of European descent) for their daring horse raids, robberies, and 

occasionally murder. From the stories of these crimes rose the legend of Joaquin Murieta, a MexicanAmerican “Robin Hood” figure who reputedly robbed and murdered in retaliation for injustices suffered 

by he and his family at the hands of violent rogue gold miners in the Sierra Nevada. In 1853 the 

California Rangers under the direction of Captain Harry Love claimed to have tracked the outlaw horse 

gang to their stronghold at Cantua Creek and took credit for having killed Joaquin Murieta himself. 

Wright Mountain located west of Joaquin Rocks was named after the early 20th century pioneer Dick 

Wright who lived most of his life in the CCMA. Wright was the son of a family who settled the Lemoore 

area of Kings County in the 1800s. He lived a solitary lifestyle in a “very simple brush cabin” and 

prospected for ores. According to oral history, Wright never rode a horse or in a vehicle but instead 

always walked to his destination. Wright would collect a monthly pension check at the home of local 

rancher in Los Gatos Creek Canyon, but after he failed to show up for two months at the rancher’s house 

in 1945, the rancher went to check on Wright and found him dead in his modest cabin. He was buried 

near his cabin and Dick Wright Spring is named in his memory. 

In 1907 a relatively new government agency chartered under the United States Department of Agriculture 

took ownership of a large portion of the CCMA from the United States General Land Office. This agency 

was later known as the United States Forest Service (USFS), and created the San Benito Division of the 

Monterey National Forest. Approximately 150,000 acres were set aside for the new Forest, including all 

of Sections in T18S, R12E and T19S, R12E and portions Sections in T17S, R11/12E; T18S, R10/11/13; 

T19S, R10/11/13 MDBM. The San Benito Division of the forest was “located principally in Clear Creek, 

Saw Mill and Eagle Creeks” (Sloane 1914:III,26). Part of the responsibility in managing this new forest 

reserve was to create a Plan of Operations, approved in October 1914. The Plan provided basic regional 

information and characterized the natural resources available or being currently utilized. 

Within the historical context of the Plan, it is interesting to observe how the attitude of government 

officials in their descriptions of citizenry has changed over time. In “Section I, General Description, 

Settlements” of the Plan, three “distinct classes” of people were identified as living in the region: 

“Mexican (includes Spanish Land Grantees), mostly easy-going, careless, ignorant and unprogressive 

Mexican type...Americans, coming in the early days to California in search of gold and locating a 

homestead...the descendents of the above two classes” and “the 41 survivors of the vanishing race of 

Salinan Indians live for the most part in the neighborhood of Jolon” (Sloane 1914:I,6).

Subsequent descriptions and accounts of natural resource utilization by those area residents are more 

revealing, especially in “Section III, Timber” of the Plan. The timber utilization policy in the San Benito 

Division in the early 20th century was to “cut as much timber as there is demand for, regardless of annual 

increment or growing stock” (Sloane 1914:III,25). The Plan further stated:
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...the demand for timber has been greater than the supply. The New Idria Mining Company has 

utilized closely all of the timber that we would mark for cutting. Here there has also been 

considerable demand for cordwood. In addition to the usual material, chaparral has also been 

used extensively as fuel for quicksilver reduction purposes. The future demand on this Division 

will depend largely on the mines. Otherwise the market will be in the local valley region. All 

material cut in the past has been closely utilized (Sloane 1914:III,23). 

Also of note there was a “good system of roads throughout this Division” and as maintained would 

sustain a permanent means for transportation (Sloane 1914:III,23). The Coulter pine tree species - an 

integral part of the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area forest - was described as a “very inferior 

lumber species” and only “used for mining timber and cordwood” (Sloane 1914:III,5). There was also a 

significant distribution of barren, treeless areas estimated to be 4,000 acres within the San Benito 

Division, described as “barren slopes of serpentine without any trace of vegetation” (Sloane 1914:III,7).

Almost immediately, the conflicting mining claims within the forest and “political pressure from grazing 

and homesteading interests apparently made management of the rather small National Forest unit 

difficult” (Griffen and Yadon 1989:17). Eventually the land reverted back to the public domain in 1916, 

portions of which eventually became the CCMA. 

Ranching 

Settlers in the area relied on an economy of cattle, sheep, and grain production in the late 1860s and early 

1870s. During this period increasing numbers of European-American settlers moved to the western San 

Joaquin Valley. Large ranching enterprises such as the Domengine Ranch spread from the Coast Range 

east to Fresno and covered more than 10,000 acres throughout the western part of the San Joaquin Valley 

during this period. Cattle baron Henry Miller (i.e., Miller & Lux) also used thousands of acres of land in

this region as part of his cattle-ranching empire. These foothills were well-suited to grazing sheep and 

cattle, although improved irrigation, other agronomic advances, and the inception of rail and truck 

transport in twentieth-century San Joaquin Valley made row crops a viable pursuit during this time. 

The operation of sheep and cattle ranches varied during the nineteenth century. Most ranches consisted of 

some acreage occupied by a ranch house with widely distributed ancillary features; many sheep ranches 

consisted solely of corrals and watering locations with an occasional cabin, although shepherds often slept 

near their herds in the pastures. 

Smaller ranching operation were able to co-exist with the larger operations by utilizing areas that were 

adjacent to the productive grasslands in the San Joaquin Valley. For example, a goat ranch operated in 

the CCMA area during the late 1800s. Today the peak Goat Mountain was once known as Great 

Mammoth Peak because it resembled the head of a mammoth when viewed from Clear Creek Road. 

However, by the 1920s it was renamed because local rancher and miner Joe Tirado ran his goats on the 

mountain (Iddings 2005b:2). 

Oil 

While ranching and farming remained a significant enterprise in areas surrounding the CCMA, petroleum 

production represented the second lucrative local industry in these areas. The town of Coalinga and the 

Pleasant Valley area was the site of one of California’s biggest early oil booms. The Coast Range Oil 

Company of Los Angeles sank one of the first wells in 1890 in the Oil City field, a few miles northeast of 

present-day Coalinga. In the late 1890s, a pipeline was built from Oil City south to a Southern Pacific 

railroad station near Coalinga, where the oil was loaded into tank cars for export. As new oil fields were 

discovered, large oil companies became more commonplace, and large pipelines were constructed to 

move oil across the South Coast Ranges to ports on the Pacific Ocean. In September 1904, the Coalinga 
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Oil and Transportation Company began construction of the 104 mile six-inch diameter pipeline from 

Coalinga to Monterey; completed in 90 days. The oil was used to fuel steamers at the Monterey wharf 

and also was transported to San Francisco (Cohan 1997). 

Concurrent with early oil speculation, coal mining established and funded an infrastructure that would 

facilitate the oil boom. Robinson & Rollins, a British firm, opened a mine on the western side of Pleasant 

Valley. The coal was hauled to the Southern Pacific railroad station in Huron until the Southern Pacific 

extended its line to Alcalde. Narrow-gauge spurs were built from the mine to three loading sites called 

Coaling Stations A, B, and C. When the oil boom took off, Coaling Station A became known as the town 

of Coalinga. 

Oil was discovered early in the Vallecitos Valley in 1886, just north of the CCMA Planning Area. The 

California Central Oil Company spent a reported $20,000 to sink a well that only produced a “small 

quantity” of oil and operated for less than two years (Irelan 1888:488). Shell Oil Company began 

production in the Vallecitos in 1951. Even though Shell Oil had apparently made contracts with some 

local landowners to sink wells, several parties filed suit in 1957 claiming partial ownership of the 

property and rights to part of the revenue from the oil. These ownership challenges were eventually 

settled in the 1960s (Jackson and Armstrong 2008:12). 

An oral history provided the San Benito County Historical Society in 1979 by Julius Nunez, a former 

long-time resident in the CCMA, recounted the discovery of oil in Vallecitos Valley: 

This was this side of the New Idria mines, what they call “the Vallecitos,” and that man John 

Ashurst (who was a family man) passed on, and it was his sons who struck oil there. There were 

many oil wells up there, and they became very rich. In fact, one of the sons had his own plane, 

and they raised a lot of cattle over there. They were just millionaires — all, from this little trade 

that my dad made for a horse” (Kier 1979:2).

Mining 

Historically, the region was known as the New Idria Mining district. Discovered in the late 1840s – early 

1850s by Mexican prospectors, large portions of the CCMA were mined for mercury to produce 

quicksilver during the California Gold Rush era. The New Idria Quicksilver Mining Company began 

mining in 1854, working a “huge deposit of naturally occurring cinnabar and native mercury found in the 

mountains and in the canyon followed by San Carlos Creek” (Iddings 2007a:2). Mercury from the 

CCMA was vital to gold production in the Sierra Nevada of California as well as silver mining at the 

Nevada Comstock Lode (Gilbert 1984:10). Later in time, the district’s mercury was used in medical 

products, paint, and even munitions for World War I. Other materials such as asbestos, magnesite, nickel, 

and chromium were also extracted (USDI 2005). The region in general was a historically active mining 

and ore processing area between about 1855 and 1970, and as such, supported a” diverse community of 

social, civic and industrial activity” represented by at least two dozen historic mine and mill sites (Fowkes 

and Iddings 2008:13). 

The New Idria Quicksilver Mines and Idria townsite are located north of the CCMA on the slope below 

San Carlos Peak. Dozens of freight wagons loaded with flasks of quicksilver or provisions and mail 

passed daily for nearly a century along the road through Panoche Valley between New Idria (the town 

was also referred to as simply “Idria”) and San Juan (San Juan Bautista), approximately 68 miles away. 

The route was lined with small settlements, including the station of Tres Pinos, now called Paicines. The 

quicksilver mines operated by the New Idria Mining and Chemical Company extended into the CCMA 

and were open until the company terminated in 1972-1974 (USDI 2007). During the 1880s this region 

was home to about 4,000 people who lived in various small communities and outlying cabins (Fowkes 

and Iddings 2008:5). 
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Since the 1850s at Idria there were professional miners from Chile, along with miners and other workers 

of Mexican, Irish, or Cornish descent. These miners were typically young single men. According to 

the1880 United States Census, other documented laborers included those of German, Scotch, French, 

Chinese, and Portuguese nationalities. Asian workers were commonly employed as furnace tenders – one 

of the most dangerous jobs because of the risk of inhaling mercury fumes. Non-mining occupations 

included brick-makers, sawyers, blacksmiths, carpenters, butchers, washers, house-keepers, and 

shepherds (Gilbert 1984:18). Separate camps for specific nationalities and/or ethnicities existed at Idria; 

Chilean Camp (also referred to as Mexican Flat) was located near Idria as early as 1867 and was occupied 

at least until 1879 (Gilbert 1984:18). There were also separate economic ventures by individual ethnic 

communities: in 1868 a group of Mexican miners formed the “Union Mexicana” corporation in order to 

raise enough money to work a nearby quicksilver site which they had discovered (Gilbert 1984:18). 

Early mining at New Idria had to contend with poor transportation networks to market the refined 

cinnabar. The distance from San Juan to the mine, about seventy-five miles over trails and mountain 

roads which were not always accessible, “required from two to five days” (Hillhouse 1931:3). In 

September 1858 at Idria there were eighty-eight miners. At that time it was estimated that 75,000 pounds 

of freight supplies had to be transported to the mines to sustain them for a two month period (Hillhouse 

1931:15). 

By 1867, the New Idria Mine had five working tunnels and the San Carlos Mine had seven. The large 

work area for the mines was called the Hacienda, where cinnabar was sorted and roasted. A brickyard, 

blacksmith shop, and boarding house were also located at the Hacienda site (Gilbert 1984:8). 

There were no railroads or telegraph services to New Idria. Fuel and equipment had to be “produced on 

the spot at high cost, or shipped in under crude and slow methods, which were also costly” (Hillhouse 

1931:18). By 1900 Idria began substituting oil for wood as fuel. Oil was procured from shipping points 

in Coalinga and Mendota to the east. Trucks hauled the oil from the San Joaquin Valley to Jackass Grade 

in Fresno County, approximately thirty-five miles from Idria. From that point horse-drawn carriages 

delivered the oil in tank wagons to the mines (Gilbert 1984:24). 

In 1906 the San Benito County Board of Supervisors allowed telephone lines for thirty miles along the 

route from the Idria mines north into Panoche Valley. This allowed the officials at Idria to make direct 

contact with the New Idria Mining Company headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts (Gilbert 1984:24). 

By the 1910s, New Idria had a good road network for large trucks and “a gigantic plant, operated by 

electricity with the latest equipment; gasoline locomotives for hauling; fuel oil ovens melting over 700 

tons of ore per day and producing upwards of 450 flasks of quicksilver” (Hillhouse 1931:18).

One of the more important cinnabar ore-processing methods invented at New Idria was the creation and 

installation of four Gould Rotary furnaces in 1918. Henry Gould was a mining engineer who arrived at 

Idria in 1908 to oversee cinnabar ore extraction, and while there he created an improved technique for the 

heating and collection of liquid mercury from cinnabar. Refined elemental mercury is extracted from 

cinnabar by roasting the material in a furnace to vaporize the mercury. The vaporized mercury is then 

sent through a series of condensers to cool, which forms into droplets and settles at the bottom of the 

condensing chamber where it is collected and bottled into steel flasks. The Gould Rotary furnace allowed 

for a very efficient (95%) processing of quicksilver opposed to earlier furnace designs (Iddings 2007:2). 

Although the mining and processing of cinnabar was a difficult and dangerous job, even the journey to 

reach Idria could be a challenge...but had its own rewards:

After a day or two of rest, we continued to Tres Pinos a very small village some distance south of 

San Jose, to catch a wagon to Idria. It was a big haywagon with benches on both sides, hitched to 

four large horses, which took us up the mountains. It took half a day to reach the place. We 
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crossed several creeks and stopped to move big rocks that had rolled down the road from the 

mountain. The scenery was beautiful - tall pine trees and hilly country - with very few houses 

along the way. Every time we moved, we came to a different kind of world. This was the best so 

far. The pine trees smelled good, and the cool air made us feel refreshed (Lee 1990). 

The above passage is a recollection of a trip to New Idria in February 1914 by a young Korean immigrant 

girl, Mary Lee, who came with her family to the United States to escape the ethnic cleansing occurring as 

a result of the Russo-Japanese War and the invasion of the Korean Peninsula in 1905. Once they arrived 

at Idria, her description of the town and mines reflects many other recollections about the place from 

other residents: 

The mines, the company buildings, the hotel, the store, the houses of a few Caucasian families, 

and the boardinghouse for Caucasian workers all had electricity, but there was no electricity in 

the shacks for the rest of the workers - mainly Mexicans, with a few Koreans (Lee 1990). 

Father worked in the furnace area of the mining company, stirring the rocks so they would burn 

evenly. He had to wear a piece of cloth over his nose so he would not breathe the poisonous 

fumes whenever the lid was opened. It was a hard, nasty job that few men wanted to do, even 

though the pay was five dollars a day, an unheard of amount in those times (Lee 1990). 

Despite the hazardous activity at the mines and mill sites, and the working landscape that seventy years of 

intensive mercury processing had created, it is interesting to note that even one-hundred years ago people 

came to visit the CCMA to get away from their perceived rigors of urban life in order to refresh 

themselves: 

In the spring, after the snow had melted away, the sun brought all the beautiful flowers to 

life...Every weekend people from San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose drove up to enjoy the 

scenery and to get some flowers. All the children came out to pick flowers, which we sold for 

twentyfive cents a bunch (Lee 1990). 

Life-long San Benito County resident Julius Nunez, who lived and worked in Idria from 1902-1923, 

provided a wonderful amount of oral history information to the San Benito Historical Society in 1979 

before his passing. Born at the mining community in 1902, there were nearly five-hundred families living 

in the area. There was no residential indoor plumbing or electricity, and home goods were obtained 

through a company store: 

Money didn’t really mean anything to us, because my mother had the General Store. So, we 

didn’t have to have money to buy anything. Later we drew on company checks and could buy 

everything from meat to vegetables and clothing. Why, if we even found pennies and nickels on 

the ground, we wouldn’t even pick them up, because we didn’t need them to buy things (Kier 

1979:1). 

Between the residents of the Idria mining community and the surrounding area there were social and 

economic relationships that proved advantageous to both parties. Nunez recounted a regular occurrence 

between local ranchers and miners: 

In the early days there was a family up there [at New Idria] we used to call “The Lilies” [Lillis]. 

They used to raise a lot of cattle up in the hills around New Idria, and used to hire a lot of 

cowboys for a roundup that they had once a year. They’d come in and brand cattle while the 

families would all get together. We’d come by buggies - families and the children. They played 

games, the mothers used to bring in salads and cakes, and the men, of course, would have beer. 

Altogether, they had barbecue and the roundup. They’d kill a beef and consumed it mostly in one 
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day. I wonder now how we ate that meat; it was so fresh. What was left they divided for the 

families. We used to have some good times in those days (Kier 1979:5). 

Mining itself was a dangerous occupation, no less so at Idria. However, in remote mining communities 

when a communicable disease affected the population, that community was left to rely upon itself until 

more effective medical treatments could arrive (immunizations, etc.). Nunez reluctantly described an 

Influenza outbreak that impacted the Idria district from 1917-1919: 

People were dying like - well, every minute you were seeing bodies dropping on the streets, like 

dead rats. A cousin of mine and I were able to get around while pretty near everybody was dying 

or sick. It was a mess. There were a lot of single men in those days up there, and we didn’t know 

whether their families had come from Mexico, or Spain, or wherever. They wrapped their bodies 

up with a sheet and we’d hook up some horses and take them out and dig ditches - with the four 

horses and mud up to our knees - and bury them by throwing dirt over them and letting them rest. 

Isn’t that terrible? (Kier 1979:3) 

Individual burial sites and cemeteries for miners and their families have been created over the decades 

throughout the CCMA. It is a distinct possibility that many of these locations are not well-documented or 

might have never been known to the general community. This aspect of the historical landscape should 

be considered in any historical reconstruction of the CCMA landscape: 

An uncle of mine passed away, and in those days they didn’t have any Hearst or undertakers, so 

they put the body in a blanket. We walked about ten miles, behind the funeral wagon, to the 

place where they buried him. There was a place [where he was buried] called Larios Peak - 

there’s also a Saxon’s [Sampson?] Peak - I’ll never forget that funeral procession; it takes you 

back a long time (Kier 1979:5). 

In addition to mining for cinnabar and mercury, there were efforts to recover other minerals of 

commercial value. Many of these mines were worked by employees or families of New Idria: 

Yes, of course, up at the mines there are other minerals besides quicksilver. There’s magnesite - I 

worked with magnesite as a youngster - you know what magnesite is: it’s a big, white mineral, 

used to make sinks - it’s a white ore that’s very hard. Also, there was asbestos up there; of 

course, they say asbestos is bad for you - you get cancer working around it (Kier 1979:7). 

During World War II, the Idria mines were one of the most important mercury extraction sites in the 

world for munitions and batteries manufacturing (Gilbert 1984:37). However, a very large wildfire in 

July 1942 put a strain on quicksilver production at Idria. As the mines were important to the war effort, 

two hundred soldiers from Fort Ord were deployed to help get control of the wildfire (Gilbert 1984:38). 

On large linear feature related to the mercury mining operations at Idria still exists today on public and 

private lands in the CCMA (Figures 3.13-2 and 3.13-3). It is the remains of two aerial trams that 

serviced the Aurora and San Carlos mines: 

...the road from the San Carlos Mine to the furnaces was a circuitous one, and the hauling of the 

ore to the furnaces proved too costly. For this reason, the company constructed a two-mile 

tramway from the San Carlos Mine to the reduction works. The tram began operating in 

September 1915, marking the first time since 1864 that workers roasted ore from the San Carlos 

Mine in the furnaces. The tramway had thirty buckets, capable of holding 1,000 pounds of ore 

per bucket. The tram descended 2,130 feet in elevation between terminals and could carry twenty 

tons of ore hourly (Gilbert 1984:25). 
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Figure 3.13-2: Aerial Tram in service from New Idria to San Carlos Mines 1942 

(A. Feininger, Office of War Information, National Archives). 
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Figure 3.13-3: Historic Aerial Tram Structure near San Carlos Peak 2007 

(R. Tiffen, California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program). 

The Aurora mine site, also known as the Morning Star mine (CA-SBn-192H ), was discovered by 

Mexican prospectors in 1853 looking for silver but who instead found mercury. Part of the New Idria 

complex, Aurora was mined throughout its history primarily for mercury and later for chromium. It was 

worked intermittently until 1911 with other concentrated mining efforts occurring between 1915-1917 

and 1930-1943. Smaller scale production continued into the mid-1950s. In 1911 a rotary furnace was 

installed, but due to technical and logistic supply problems the furnace only ran for one day. Several 

structures that related to the mining industry at Aurora have been destroyed by other miners seeking 

material to reuse, dismantled by the BLM for safety reasons, or vandalized by visiting users to the 

CCMA. The Aurora Mine was in part the inspiration for Bret Harte’s 1878 literary work The Story of a 

Mine (USDI 2005).

Another example of historic mercury production in the CCMA was the Alpine Mine, once known as the 

Esmeralda mine. Regular mercury production began here in 1912 with concentrated output generated 

sporadically from 1912-1914, 1916-1917, 1928, 1932-1936, and finally in 1945-1950. In 1915 a twentyton capacity Scott furnace and four brick condensers were installed to process the mercury, in addition to 

two pipe retorts already being used, but the furnace only operated until 1917 (USDI 2005). 

The townsite of Picacho was a small mercury mining community located on Picacho Creek south of San 

Benito Mountain. After the Picacho Mine was discovered in 1858 by Edward C. Tully and Wiley 

Williams, the town grew to three hundred residents in size. A U.S. Post Office opened in 1869 to serve 

Picacho but closed in 1880 when postal services were redirected to the Erie Post Office in Hernandez 
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Valley. Adherble Button, a resident of Hernandez Valley, managed the mine from 1871 until 1881. 

During this period the mine remained inactive until a new road was constructed to the mine in 1878 

(Iddings 2005d). A visit by the United States Geological Society (USGS) in 1884 described the Picacho 

area: 

Within a few miles of the area mapped and to the southwest, several mines have been opened and 

again abandoned. The Picacho is in the usual contorted, highly indurated rocks, partly silicifled 

and partly converted into carbonates. The ore appeared to have occurred in cracks across the 

strata and along the partings. It is said that the first continuous quicksilver furnace ever built in 

the State was erected here by Mr. John Roach. This structure was still in place at the time of my 

visit, in 1884, and substantially in the same condition as when it was examined by Mr. Goodyear 

thirteen years earlier. Several pounds of quicksilver still remained in the wooden condenser, 

showing how slowly quicksilver must volatilize, even at the high temperatures which prevail in 

this region during the summer. Near Clear Creek also are two mines, or prospects, at which ore 

associated with rocks of the same type as at the Picacho was extracted (Becker 1888:309). 

The mine was originally referred to as Picachos or Los Picachos. In 1902 it became known as the 

Ramirez Mine, later renamed the Hernandez Mine after 1913. The last known mining work occurred in 

1939 (Iddings 2005d). 

By far, cinnabar and mercury was the predominant mineral material historically extracted from the 

CCMA region. However, several other important minerals were also mined including magnesite, 

chromite, and asbestos. A large magnesite deposit near Sampson Peak was worked extensively during the 

early to mid 20th century (Figure 3.13-4). Magnesite was used in flooring and for electrical insulation 

applications. The Butler Estate Chromite Mine which opened in 1954 was the largest commercial 

chromite mine in the CCMA. A small “chromite boom” occurred in the CCMA during the 1950s-1960s 

as a reaction to the need for metals in post- World War II domestic automobile production. There have 

been at least three significant asbestos mines in the CCMA since the 1950s, namely the Railroad Mine 

(a.k.a. Johns-Manville Union Carbide Mine), the Atlas Mine, and the KCAC Mine (King City Asbestos 

Company). The Railroad Mine and Atlas Mine are located on private land but are surrounded by BLM 

public land, and both mines were designated as EPA Superfund sites under CERCLA. The KCAC Mine 

is also on private land and was the last active asbestos mine in the United States; the mine closed in 2002. 

Asbestos was traditionally used as an insulator material because of its durable “fireproof” nature.
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Figure 3.13-4: Hoffman-Price Magnesite Kilns near Sampson Peak 1917 (R. Stone, USGS). 

3.13.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.13.4.1 Current Conditions 

Archeological sites and other cultural resources are classified by the BLM into specific use allocation 

categories, each with a desired outcome. Refer to Table 3.13.4.1.A below: 

Table 3.13.4.1.A: Cultural Resource Use Allocations and Desired Outcomes

Use Allocation Management Actions

Scientific Use Permit appropriate research, including data recovery

Conservation for Future Use Propose protection measures/ designations*

Traditional Use Consult with tribes; determine limitations

Public Use Determine limitations, permitted uses*

Experimental Use Determine nature of experiment(s)

Discharged from Management Remove protective measures

* Managers may impose safeguards against incompatible land and resource uses through withdrawals, 

stipulations on leases and permits, design requirements, and similar measures which are developed and 

recommended by an appropriately staffed interdisciplinary team.
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In resolving conflicts between competing land use allocations with the potential to adversely affect 

cultural resources, the BLM shall consider all prudent and feasible alternatives to avoid adverse effects on 

historic resources. Where such alternatives require undue cost or are incompatible with undertaking goals, 

the BLM shall balance goals, considering the magnitude of the harm to the resource, the significance of 

the resource, the effect of mitigation activities on the competing use allocation, and public sensitivities. 

Benefits from the use of cultural resources may derive directly from the actual places on public lands, but 

also indirectly from the information - documents, records, or museum collections - that result when these 

places are recorded or scientifically investigated. These “information benefits” include an increased 

knowledge about past and contemporary cultures through formal archeological, anthropological, or 

historical study. Socio-cultural benefits may accrue to the general public or to a specific cultural group as 

a result of studying or interpreting resources that are representative of a group's culture and history. 

Economic benefits may come about as a result of Heritage Tourism efforts that incorporate these cultural 

resources.

There are also recreational and/or inspirational benefits; outdoor enthusiasts such as horseback riders, 

mountain bikers, hikers, and photographers use cultural resources as a focus for their personal recreation. 

For many of these recreationists, the benefits they derive are an increased sense of place and an increased 

connectedness to, and appreciation for, their historical roots or other sense of place. Heritage education 

programs serve to inspire and stimulate the public across a broad spectrum of subject areas while 

improving knowledge and respect for other cultures. Increasingly, cultural resource materials are being 

used to improve student reading, writing, mathematics, reasoning, and higher order thinking skills 

through the development of lesson plans, hands-on activities and multi-media products. 

Previous Studies and Planning Decisions 

In the “Affected Environment” section from a previous off-highway vehicle (OHV) impacts study for the 

Laguna Mountain Area in 1981, a discussion of the physical effects to cultural resources - specifically 

archeological sites - is still largely applicable today: 

Those archeological site types which are least susceptible to [OHV] impacts are bedrock mortars. 

Midden soil deposits and their constituents’ surface and subsurface artifact assemblages, and 

housepit features are all quite fragile and highly susceptible to direct impact from [OHV] 

activities. These activities cut into such cultural resources, alter constituent relationships both 

vertically and horizontally, cause artifact breakage and fragmentation, and can initiate and/or 

accelerate erosional displacement of site components. Indirect impacts in the form of casual 

surface collection and purposeful vandalism can occur as well. Although hill-climbing activities 

are usually the most surface-disturbing, most archeological sites do not occur on steeper slopes. 

Gentler slopes, flats, and hydrologic features do contain the majority of sites and would probably 

focus vehicular presence and activity both atop and around archeological sites, thus, potentially 

causing the direct and indirect impacts mentioned above. In short, if an area or route is to remain 

“open,” this generally results in higher maintenance costs; involving site monitoring, perhaps 

stabilization, etc. By contrast, when a route or area is designated “closed,” there are lower costs 

associated with maintenance and protection (USDI 1981:21-22). 

In 1968 BLM withdrew the Clear Creek Canyon bottom from further mineral entry and development 

previous allowable under the 1872 Mining Law (USDI 1978:12). The first BLM cultural resources 

survey in the CCMA was in 1975, completed by California State University Stanislaus. The inventory 

completed a general reconnaissance in three main canyons of the CCMA: Clear Creek, Picacho Creek, 

and Byles Canyon. It was determined that Clear Creek Canyon received “the brunt of human impact” 

attributed to mining, road construction, and OHV use (Napton 1975:3). As observed in Clear Creek 

Canyon: 
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ORV [OHV] activity has effected [sic] archeological sites on the flatlands near the creek, for 

example ORV-Four [CA-SBn-59] and South Fork site [CA-SBn-67], and on the uplands, for 

example ORV-Three [CA-SBn-58]. A secondary effect of ORV [OHV] utilization has been a 

large influx of campers. Site ORV-Two [CA-SBn-57] and Site ORV-Fifteen [CA-SBn-64] are 

located in areas utilized for camping (Napton 1975:2). 

In Picacho Creek canyon, observed impacts were less severe and “restricted to mining activities at the 

head of Picacho Creek, the Picacho Mine, and the Saint Thomas Mine at the lower end” of the canyon 

(Napton 1975:3). In 1975 the mouth of the canyon had been cut off from vehicle traffic because there 

was a private residence (Kennedy Ranch); observed OHV impacts were seen on “hills north of the creek” 

(Napton 1975:3). In the 1980s this private residence was sold to a private motorcycle club (Salinas 

Ramblers) that has participated in OHV events and free riding throughout the CCMA since the 1960s. In 

Byles Canyon which opens up into the Hernandez Valley, only three OHV single-tracks were observed. 

The inventory study concluded that impacts to cultural resources resulted from “three agencies” – natural 

erosion, mining and prospecting, and recreational vehicles (Napton 1975:16). At the time, the study 

recommended that “controlled collection of archeological materials is probably the only effective form of 

mitigation applicable in the Clear Creek area in view of the existing circumstances” (Napton 1975:17).

In 1981 the first formal attempt at OHV designations for the CCMA (at that time the “Clear Creek 

Recreation Area”) was created using data from the 1975 California State University Stanislaus inventory 

and an informal BLM inventory in 1980. The two studies located a total of 23 sites on public land, 

twelve of which were regarded as significant enough to be considered eligible for listing in the National 

Register of Historic Places (NRHP). These archeological sites were prehistoric habitations and camps 

with bedrock mortars, rockshelters, caves, isolated artifacts, midden soils, and petroglyphs. All of the 

sites had received some degree of human disturbance, and many were “in danger of complete destruction 

as a direct or indirect result of ORV [OHV] activity” (USDI 1981:28).

The OHV designation for CCMA was allowed, but not without some impacts to cultural resources. Two 

categories of impacts were identified: direct and indirect. It was determined that uncontrolled OHV use 

“in the past” and at present was “causing adverse impacts to the cultural resources within the Clear Creek 

ORV [OHV] area...Impacts range from complete destruction of these resources to localized pot hunting 

of certain sites” (USDI 1981:35). Direct impacts included activities such as OHV trails through 

archeological sites and camping on top of them. Indirect impacts were brought about by “access being 

created to potential and known cultural resource sites and areas,” primarily resulting in the looting and 

vandalization of those sites and resources (USDI 1981:36). The decision under all OHV designation 

alternatives was that significant archeological sites would be protected, and site-specific protection would 

be most expensive under the “open” and “partial closure” alternatives and least expensive under the 

“closed” alternative. Furthermore, increased visitor use and access into areas designated as “open” would 

require more extensive protection of sites (USDI 1981:26). 

The CCMA was historically bounded by smaller Planning Area units which the BLM used to characterize 

and manage the region. In addition to the 1975 cultural resources inventory within the CCMA, these 

other Planning Area units were also surveyed. Lands in the Laguna Mountain Area were cursorily 

examined in 1980 for cultural resources by inspecting existing vehicle routes and adjacent areas. The 

results included the discovery of one “occupation site with midden” on BLM land (postulated to be 

associated with the Chalon Costanoan) and three additional occupation sites containing “midden, lithics, 

BRMs, housepits and groundstone,” presumably not located on BLM land (USDI 1981:16). In the former 

Call Mountain-Hernandez Valley Management Area, the known sites at the time were in poor to good 

condition; road construction, uncontrolled OHV use, and unauthorized artifact collection were the main 

threats to cultural resources (USDI 1984:32). Impacts to archeological sites in the former Ciervo Hills-
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Joaquin Rocks Management Area were primarily a result of cattle grazing, road construction, natural 

weathering and erosion, unauthorized artifact collection, and uncontrolled OHV use (USDI 1984). 

Management Issues and Goals for cultural resources identified in the first Hollister Resource 

Management Plan (RMP) in 1984 were brief but clear. The Issue: direction for inventory, management, 

and interpretation of cultural resources. The Goal: “Ensure that cultural resources of high scientific, 

interpretive, or sociocultural significance are not destroyed by other land uses” (USDI 1984:12). Native 

American values identified in the 1984 RMP were defined to “revolve around the protection of Indian 

burials and access to cemeteries” (USDI 1984:8). In essence these issues, goals, and values have not 

fundamentally changed in 25 years. 

General mitigation and monitoring protocols for all resources within the CCMA were established in 

Appendix I of the 1984 Hollister RMP. Cultural Resources (Item #5) prescriptions called for photo 

monitoring (USDI 1984:99). The RMP provided little specific guidance for cultural resources 

management in the CCMA other than existing legislation. Within the CCMA Planning boundary in 1984 

there were approximately twenty-five known archeological sites on public land in a “very good” to 

“destroyed” condition. Impacts from historic mining, road construction, uncontrolled OHV use, soil 

erosion, and unauthorized artifact collection were identified as the main threats to cultural resources 

(USDI 1984:52). 

Three decisions to be implemented specific to cultural resources management in the Clear Creek - 

Condon Peak Management Area were outlined in the 1984 Hollister RMP: (1) determine the National 

Register eligibility for the White Creek Archeological District; (2) develop a Cultural Resource 

Management Plan for White Creek, focusing on the effects of wildfires and OHVs; and (3) implement the 

“Clear Creek ORV Designation and Implementation Plan,” which directed fencing and barrier protection 

for NRHP-eligible archeological sites (USDI 1984:57-58). To successfully implement these Decisions, 

the RMP also called for data retrieval (e.g., excavation) on “approximately 3 sites” (USDI 1984:59).

As part of the 1984 Hollister RMP recommendations, a Clear Creek Management Plan was developed and 

approved in 1986 with a Record of Decision (ROD). All of the cultural resources management decisions 

from the Clear Creek - Condon Peak Management Area in the 1984 Plan were restated in the 1986 Plan 

and ROD. Subsequent amendments to CCMA plans do not address cultural resources as a separate 

planning issue (including a 1995 FEIS with 1999 ROD, and a 2005 FEIS with 2006 ROD), as the 1986 

Management Plan adequately covered the basic treatments for cultural resource identification and 

protection. 

Within the 1986 Clear Creek Management Plan and ROD, “Protective Measures #4” mandated the 

installation of vehicle barriers where necessary (USDI 1986a:iv). The Plan also addressed “on-theground management and needs and actions for the Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental 

Concern,” specifically for (in original order): 

(1) cultural resources 

(2) wildlife habitat 

(3) recreation 

(4) asbestos hazard 

(5) watershed issues 

(6) endangered plant habitat 

(7) hobby gem and mineral collection, and 

(8) unique soils (USDI 1986a:1). 

The overall management goal for the 1986 Clear Creek Management Plan and ROD was to “Protect 

significant cultural, historical and visual resource values as well as the unique soil and vegetation of the 
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area” principally based on the belief that the cultural resources of the region were regarded as 

“irreplaceable aspect” of the area (USDI 1986a:2-3). “Objective #1” for area-wide (non-ACEC) 

management was to ensure appropriate measures for protection, data retrieval, and interpretation of 

cultural resources and to provide for opportunities for academic research (USDI 1986a:4). These planned 

actions for lands outside the ACEC were threefold: continued protection of White Creek (maintaining 

road closure until evaluated), data retrieval at three sites (chosen for management needs and ability to 

address research questions), and the use of fences/barriers to protect sites from human-caused or other 

disturbances (USDI 1986a:8). Appendix 2 of the 1986 Management Plan outlined “Planned Cultural 

Resource (Site Management) Projects,” which included the annual inventory of “high sensitivity areas” 

(500ac/yr) with site monitoring and completion of the data retrieval by the end of fiscal year 1987 (USDI 

1986a). Neither planned action was finalized. 

In 1986 a separate Cultural Resource Management Plan (CRMP) was developed for the former Ciervo 

Hills-Joaquin Rocks Management Area, public lands managed adjacent to the CCMA (CRMPs are now 

referred to as Cultural Resource Project Plans – CRPPs). This particular Plan outlined measures to 

protect eight archeological sites identified in the region primarily in response to “ongoing impacts from 

road building, grazing, erosion, natural weathering, and ORV [OHV] use” (USDI 1986b:1). The eight 

sites were located in the Ciervo Hills (CA-Fre-1386, CA-Fre-2568, CA-Fre-2569), Cantua Creek (CAFre-3048/H, CA-Fre-3053, CA-Fre-3054) and Joaquin Ridge (CA-Fre-83, CA-Fre-2244) east of the 

CCMA. The CRMP stated that “most of these actions are occurring on a limited scale, and are not 

resulting in significant damage to the resources at this time” (USDI 1986:4). One exception to this was 

Birdwell Rock (CA-Fre-2244), a rock art site with petroglyphs becoming degraded due to weathering of 

the sandstone surface. 

The following short-term management objectives were identified in the 1986 CRMP: (1) monitor the 

sites, (2) inventory or cultural resources on a regular basis, (3) record Birdwell Rock in detail; (4) protect 

the sites through the use of fences/barriers when significant impacts are detected (determined effective in 

mitigation for cattle and OHVs), and (5) if protection means are ineffective, then initiate data recovery 

(USDI 1986:4). The long-term management objective was to “preserve the resources in place for future 

socio-cultural and scientific use” (USDI 1986:4).

BLM monitors these sites on a semi-regular basis, biannually or as projects allow. The areas around these 

sites are inventoried under the guidance of Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act as much 

as possible, and are protected as necessary from natural causers (vegetation removal for fire) and human 

causers (truncated road lengths to limit users from accessing sensitive sites). Site CA-Fre-2244, Birdwell 

Rock, was formally documented and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Archeological site monitoring by Field Office staff, augmented (as appropriate) with an excellent 

Volunteer program, constitutes the primary method of data gathering for determining whether or not 

protective measures need to be incorporated or enhanced for a particular cultural resource. The California 

Archaeological Site Stewardship Program (CASSP) is the volunteer program approved by California 

BLM, the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP), the California Department of Parks and 

Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (DPR-OHMVR), and the Society for 

California Archaeology (SCA). The SCA is the chief avocational and professional organization for 

archeological and historical research in California with over 1100 members and growing. 

Artifacts that were not identified in previous cultural resource inventories have been discovered at 

recorded archeological sites; likewise archeological sites that were not identified in previous inventories 

have been discovered in areas regarded as adversely impacted by historic use. For example, a large chert 

projectile point was found at archeological site CA-SBn-60 in 2004 - a site that had been recorded in 

1975. This point was identified and classified as a “Rossi Square-stemmed” point (Figure 3.13-5). The 

primary attributes of this artifact style are the pronounced square-shaped base and stem of the point. In 
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relation to its size (approximately8 centimeters long) it was probably used to hunt large game animals. 

This projectile point style appears to represent an ancient tool form but falls out of favor with its uses 

circa 1000 BC (M. Hylkema 2008: Personal Communication 01/16/2008). Prior to this discovery the 

site's only recorded artifactual constituents were a single chert flake and a utilized chert core. 

Figure 3.13-5: Rossi Square-Stemmed Projectile Point found 

in the CCMA (E. Zaborsky, USDI BLM). 

With respect to the artifacts documented at prehistoric archeological sites within the CCMA, they appear 

to be inter-related based upon regional bead and projectile point typologies through time (Bennyhoff and 

Hughes 1987; Olsen and Payen 1968, 1969). Functionally the combination of sites represent a range of 

domestic subsistence behavior that included plant collection and processing, animal hunting and 

processing, trade material manufacture, intensive short-term habitation, and interment. The full extent of 

prehistoric time depth is not fully understood for the CCMA. To date there are approximately seventyfive cultural resource locations in the CCMA. There have been two archeological excavation data 

recovery projects conducted at prehistoric sites in the CCMA. These studies attempted to mitigate the 

effects of vandalism at site CA-Fre-1333 (Breschini et al 1983) and provide invaluable baseline data for 

the region at site CA-Fre-1331 (Zaborsky 2006). These research efforts were compliant with previously 

established CCMA Management Goals stated in the 1986 Clear Creek Management Plan and ROD 

(USDI 2005:3-36). 

Place names in the CCMA, like Indian Hill, provide a glimpse into the possible previous activities at a 

given location. At this place there are at least two origins for the name “Indian Hill.” One story is that it 

was so named because of a large Native American village site that once existed there in Clear Creek 

Canyon. This site was apparently known among local residents as artifacts were collected from this place 

(Iddings 2008: Personal Communication 11/28/2008). The other naming origin story for Indian Hill 

recounts that at least since 1965, the site had been occupied by a Native American man from Arizona who 
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operated 2 small mercury retorts to earn a living. During 1967-1968, this individual was arrested by the 

San Benito County Sheriff’s Department as he was wanted for murder in Arizona. Apparently he had 

been hiding from law enforcement authorities in the CCMA (Bunning 2008: Personal Communication 

11/21/2008). 

Another interesting namesake is Jade Mill, and like Indian Hill is located in Clear Creek Canyon. Jade 

Mill is currently a BLM limited facility camping site, but the area was once a mill site for jadeite material 

during the 1950s and 1960s. During this post-World War II era many people lived in the Canyon 

operating small mercury retorts to sustain themselves. Evidence of these small habitations and millsites 

have been lost to erosion, vandalism, or were cleaned-up under the BLM Abandoned Mine Lands 

remediation program. Jade Mill, the Alpine Mine, and the Xanadu Mill were sites in the Clear Creek 

Canyon watershed that were remediated to eliminate point-source pollution of mercury into larger 

watershed systems (e.g., Pajaro River watershed) (Figure 3.13-6). Many of these small sites were also 

located on top of earlier claims. For instance, the Jade Mill area had once been a chrysotile asbestos mine 

site operated by the “San Benito Asbestos Company” formed in 1917 (Fowkes and Iddings 2008:15). 

Figure 3.13-6: Xanadu Millsite prior to Abandoned Mine Lands clean-up 

(T. Moore, USDI BLM). 

3.13.4.2 Special Considerations 

Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern 

The Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) within the Clear Creek 

Management Area (CCMA) roughly approximates the boundary for the Hazardous Asbestos Area 
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(HAA). While there is no stand alone ACEC Management Plan, there are significant planning issues 

within the ACEC including cultural resources management. Under the 1986 Clear Creek Management 

Plan and Decision Record, policies and guidance for the management of prehistoric (and to a lesser extent 

historic) resources were established - with an emphasis on physical and administrative protection and data 

retrieval as a mitigation measure. Refer back to Section 3.13.4.1 for more specific information. 

San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area 

There are at least three prehistoric sites within the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area 

(SBMRNA). These sites are small prehistoric lithic scatters, and at least one site has an unrecorded 

historic - possibly protohistoric - component. One of the sites is split between public and private land. 

Native American issues related to the SBMRNA focus on continued and future access to the area for 

traditional uses (non-Federally recognized groups). Current management direction for cultural resources 

in the SBMRNA is to protect all cultural resources, encourage public partnerships for research and 

education, and consult with Native Americans from local tribes. 

Another observation between native plants and archeological sites was made at CA-SBn-212, located 

inside the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC but out of Clear Creek Canyon and in the upper San Benito 

River corridor. The site has produced several temporally diagnostic surface artifacts ascribed to tool 

forms used between 3,600 and 1,600 BP which correlates to the “Pacheco A” complex of the San LuisLittle Panoche regional artifact chronology. In 1997 no other prehistoric activities and/or artifact types 

had been identified at this site. In addition to its possible great antiquity, the botanical setting at the site 

also deserved attention. It was noted that the archeological deposit occurred “almost exclusively within 

the extent of a large occurrence of rabbit brush [Chrysothamnus spp.]...Discussions with the Area 

Botanist have concluded that while rabbit brush is not unknown for the region, its occurrence this far west 

may be unusual, as is its occurrence on serpentine soils...its ethnogrpahic use among Native Americans is 

well documented within California” (L. Hylkema 1997).

At present probably the most interesting association between cultural and botanical resources is the 

relationship of prehistoric archeological sites and Camissonia benitensis (CABE) populations. It is well 

documented that mining during the 1860s - 1940s “impacted a sizeable portion of suitable habitat for the 

species” and modern-day formal and informal campsite areas have “eliminated most of the remaining 

habitat” (Taylor 1990:1). Early camps associated with mining activity were located on terraces adjacent 

to Clear Creek Canyon “doubtlessly had great negative impact on populations of C. benitensis, but the 

degree of such impact is purely speculative...Judging from the degree of past mining disturbance evident 

today, somewhat over half of the alluvial terraces along Clear Creek were impacted by this activity” 

(Taylor 1990:69). Even before intensive recreation management by the BLM occurred in the CCMA, by 

1963 many areas had been impacted by camping activities “adjacent to Clear Creek, the headwaters of 

San Benito River, White Creek and in the Spanish Lake Area... there is heavy littering by the present 

campers” (USDI 1963:10). 

The geographic distribution of CABE is generally “restricted to flat to gently sloping alluvial terraces” 

(Taylor 1990:24). At present, there are at least fifteen archeological sites that are directly associated with 

CABE Populations. 

Native American Values 

There are no Federally recognized tribal entities residing within the Planning Area boundary. However, 

the Tachi Yokuts Tribe of Santa Rosa Rancheria in Lemoore, Kings County, ranged prehistorically and 

protohistorically within the foothills of the western San Joaquin Valley and Diablo Range. The Hollister 

Field Office consults with the Federally recognized Tachi tribe as undertakings or proposals have the 

potential to affect their ancestral lands. There are also several non-Federally recognized tribes, groups, 
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and individuals of Ohlone/Costanoan descent that the Hollister Field Office consults with as Bureau 

policy dictates: to make good-faith efforts in consultation when projects have the potential to impact 

Native American archeological sites, native plant material collection areas, sacred sites, or other places of 

spiritual or socio-cultural value. Refer back to Section 3.13.2.2 “Native American Values.”

A sacred site is defined by the BLM as "any specific, discrete, narrowly delineated location on Federal 

land that is identified by an Indian tribe, or individual determined to be an appropriately authoritative 

representative of an Indian religion, as sacred by virtue of its established religious significance to, or 

ceremonial use by, an Indian religion; provided that the tribe or appropriately authoritative representative 

of an Indian religion has informed the agency of the existence of such a site" (DM 8120; from Executive 

Order 13007, Section 1(b)(iii)). 

National Register of Historic Places 

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the official list of the Nation's historic places “worthy 

of preservation.” Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register 

is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and 

protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, 

buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, 

engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) 

which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior (http://www.nps.gov/nr/). National Register 

properties are distinguished by having been documented and evaluated according to uniform standards 

and set of criteria. These criteria recognize the accomplishments of all peoples who have contributed to 

the history and heritage of the United States and are designed to help state and local governments, Federal 

agencies, and others identify important historic and archeological properties worthy of preservation and of 

consideration in planning and development decisions. 

Below is a list of potentially eligible properties for listing to the National Register of Historic Places 

(NRHP) within the CCMA Planning boundary. These are geographic/physiographic areas which contain 

one or more cultural resources (“properties”) that are interrelated, some may even be considered a district:

Name of Resource/Property Era(s) of Significance

White Creek Prehistoric 

Condon Peak/Upper Los Gatos Creek Prehistoric 

New Idria Townsite Historic 

San Benito Mountain Natural Area Prehistoric, Protohistoric, and Historic 

Clear Creek Canyon Prehistoric and Historic 

Hernandez Valley Prehistoric and Historic 

California State Gem Mine Historic 

Los Picachos Prehistoric and Historic 

Larious Canyon Protohistoric, Historic, and Ethnographic 

San Carlos Bolsa Prehistoric and Historic 

Cantua Creek Prehistoric, Protohistoric, and Historic 

Joaquin Ridge / Joaquin Rocks Prehistoric, Historic, and Ethnographic 

Upper San Benito River Prehistoric, Historic, and Ethnographic 

The above locations are intended to be general points of reference for discussion and are not yet properly 

defined historic districts or properties with recognized boundaries. Some of these historic locations are 

not in public ownership or are partially on private property. In the case of the New Idria townsite and 

California State Gem Mine, these properties are entirely on private land and would require approval of the 

land owner for nomination to the NRHP. Of note, the New Idria Gould Rotary furnace structure has been 
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proposed to the NRHP for listing, and its nomination is currently under review by the California State 

Office of Historic Preservation. The Gould rotary furnace was first developed and used extensively for 

mercury mineral ore processing at New Idria – a technological innovation that was mimicked by other 

mining industries around the world during the 20th century (Figure 3.13-7). 

Figure 3.13-7: Gould Rotary Furnace at New Idria 1942 (A. Feininger, 

Office of War Information, National Archives). 

Traditional Cultural Properties 

The NRHP contains a wide range of historic property types that reflect the diversity of the nation's history 

and cultures. Typically buildings, structures, sites, historic districts, landscapes or individual objects can 

be listed to the Register if they meet the criteria specified in the Criteria for Evaluation (36 CFR 60.4). 

One level or type of cultural significance a property may possess and may make it eligible for inclusion to 

the NRHP is “traditional” cultural significance. "Traditional" in this context refers to “those beliefs, 

customs, and practices of a living community of people that have been passed down through the 

generations, usually orally or through practice” (Parker and King 1998:1). According to the BLM, a

“tradition” is defined as a “longstanding, socially conveyed, customary patterns of thought, cultural 

expression, and behavior, such as religious beliefs and practices, social customs, and land or resource 
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uses. Traditions are shared generally within a social and/or cultural group and span generations” 

(Department Manual 8120). This definition does not conflict with or challenge the TCP concept. 

Traditional cultural significance of a historic property by definition is significance derived from the role 

the property plays in a community's historically rooted beliefs, customs, and practices. Examples of 

properties possessing such significance include: 

A location associated with the traditional beliefs of a Native American group about its origins, its 

cultural history, or the nature of the world; 

A rural community whose organization, buildings and structures, or patterns of land use reflect 

the cultural traditions valued by its long-term residents; 

An urban neighborhood that is the traditional home of a particular cultural group, and that reflects 

its beliefs and practices; 

A location where Native American religious practitioners have historically gone, and are known 

or thought to go today, to perform ceremonial activities in accordance with traditional cultural 

rules of practice; and 

A location where a community has traditionally carried out economic, artistic, or other cultural 

practices important in maintaining its historic identity. 

A Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) is eligible for listing to the NRHP because of its association with 

cultural practices or beliefs of a living community that (a) are rooted in that community's history, and (b) 

are important in maintaining the continuing cultural identity of the community” (Parker and King 

1998:1). Traditional cultural values are central to the way a community or group defines itself, and 

maintaining those values is often vital to maintaining the group's sense of identity. Properties with 

traditional cultural value ascribed to them often take on this kind of vital significance. Typically any 

damage to or infringement upon them is “perceived to be deeply offensive to, and even destructive of, the 

group that values them” (Parker and King 1998:2). 

TCPs can be difficult to recognize and define. A traditional ceremonial location may look like just a 

mountaintop or a lake; a culturally important neighborhood may look like any other group of houses, and 

an area where culturally important technological, economic, or artistic activities have been carried out 

may look like an ordinary building, field, or stream. TCPs may not necessarily be revealed through 

standard archeological or historical surveys. The existence and significance of TCPs often can only be 

ascertained only through interviews with users of the property or through other forms of ethnographic 

research. The subtle nature of TCPs “make it easy to ignore them; on the other hand it makes it difficult 

to distinguish between properties having real significance and those whose putative significance is 

spurious” (Parker and King 1998:2). 

The concept of the TCP was originally applied with a focus to Native American properties, but the intent 

of TCPs “should not be taken to imply that only Native Americans ascribe traditional cultural value to 

historic properties...Americans of every ethnic origin have properties to which they ascribe traditional 

cultural value, and if such properties meet the National Register criteria, they can and should be 

nominated for inclusion in the Register” (Parker and King 1998:3). 

Some National Register properties can be less than fifty years in age, only as long as their significance 

can be adequately demonstrated under the general NRHP Criteria. This test of "exceptional importance" 

for a property ultimately determines its eligibility for listing in the National Register - a principle which 
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safeguards against the listing of properties which are only of “contemporary, faddish value” and to ensure 

that the National Register is “a register of historic places” [emphasis theirs] (Sherfy and Luce 1998:1). 

As a general rule “historic” properties that have achieved significance within the past fifty years are not 

eligible for listing to the National Register because the Register is “intrinsically a compilation of the 

Nation's historic resources that are worthy of preservation” and “does not include properties important 

solely for their contemporary impact and visibility” [emphasis theirs] (Sherfy and Luce 1998:1). It is 

nearly impossible and impractical to evaluate the historical impacts or relative value of a property 

immediately after an event occurs or a building is constructed; the passage of time is necessary “in order 

to apply the adjective ‘historic’ and to ensure adequate perspective” (Sherfy and Luce 1998:1). 

Naturally, the more recent a property has achieved a recognizable level of significance the more difficult 

it is to demonstrate its “exceptional importance” (Sherfy and Luce1998:7). “Exceptional importance” 

does not necessarily imply a national-level of significance, rather it is a “measure of a property's 

importance within the appropriate historic context, whether the geographic scale of that context is local, 

State, or national” (Sherfy and Luce 1998:8). In the evaluating and justification of “exceptional 

importance” it is important to remember that the level at which this evaluation is made is “directly related 

to the geographic level or ‘scale’ of the property's historic context” (Sherfy and Luce 1998:8). 

Arguably there are at least three distinct Communities that indentify the CCMA in a distinct way with 

their own distinct meaning: the California Indian/Native American Community (“The Land”), the OHV 

Recreation Community (“The Creek”), and the Gem & Mineralogical Society Community (“Clear 

Creek”). These three Communities use the CCMA in a fashion that fits well with the definition of a TCP, 

and has demonstrated this relationship in a meaningful way with the CCMA as a property over time. 

In a request for public comments about the future use of and access into the CCMA, a total of fourteen 

Comment Letters were received from various clubs and organizations that had a self-perceived stake in 

the disposition of management at “Clear Creek.” Nine letters came from off-highway vehicle (OHV) 

groups (American Motorcycle Association (AMA), District 36; BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC); California 

Association of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc. (CA4WD); California Off Road Vehicle Association 

(CORVA); Hayward Motorcycle Club, North Bay Motorcycle Club; OHV Consortium rep. by Moore, 

Turcke, & Smith Chartered; Sacramento Top Gun Jeep Club, Timekeepers Motorcycle Club), three letters 

came from gem and mineralogical societies (Bay Area Mineralogists (BAM); California Federation of 

Mineralogical Societies; Searchers Gem and Mineral Society), and one letter each from a botanical 

society and equestrian society (California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and California Equestrian Trails 

Lands Council, respectively) (USDI 2008). 

A fourth community, the Hunting Community, is another set of people that could make a case for a 

Traditional Cultural Property relationship with the CCMA. The presence of this group is notable: 

technically this traditional use of the CCMA spans thousands of years, but the continual practice of use is 

not well documented - modern hunting methods and tools differ from prehistoric hunting techniques. 

Today’s hunting trends focus around use of the Condon Peak area in the CCMA for pig, upland game 

birds like quail, and big game like deer. The San Carlos Bolsa area and even Clear Creek Canyon are 

popular for deer and pig hunting, and to the east of the CCMA on Joaquin Ridge deer hunting is very 

common. Early data from the region collected by the BLM indicated hunting as a recreational pursuit at 

least by the 1960s (USDI 1963:4). 

California Indian/Native American Community 

The CCMA has been used for thousands of years by local Native American tribal groups, including the 

Yokuts and the Costanoan/Ohlone. They lived, hunted game for food, quarried minerals for tools and 

pigment paint, camped for short-term and long-term intervals, harvested plants for food, fuel, and 
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medicines, and conducted socio-religious ceremonies that maintained their cultural identity. The 

evidence of these use-patterns is preserved in archeological sites, but also in California Indian traditions 

passed down between the generations. Some of these traditions were only known through oral history 

and were not documented in the ethnographic studies conducted by Anthropologists in the late 19th and 

early 20th centuries (Chapter 3.13.3.2). 

Identified through consultation with California tribes, tribal groups, and individual Native Americans, 

there are several TCPs within the CCMA (Figure 3.13-8). In fact, the CCMA itself should be regarded 

itself as a single TCP for this Community. For the purposes of this RMP the exact locations and details of 

the nature of these tribal use areas are not discussed as part of BLM practice and to avoid unanticipated 

impacts to Native American practitioners. Needless to say that many places in the CCMA are associated 

with special uses, and to the east of the CCMA in the Joaquin Ridge area. 

Figure 3.13-8: California Indian Traditional Use Area within the CCMA 

(E. Zaborsky, USDI BLM). 

Gem and Mineralogical Society Community 

The CCMA has been an important location for over one hundred years, used by a special group of people 

who are interested in the science and beauty of geology. The people of this community search for and 

collect rock, mineral, and gem specimens from all over the world and are not ascribed to a single 

ethnicity, gender, economic class, or level of formal education. This community is known to gather 

together and share their experiences, finds, and sometimes trade collected items for other geologic items 

or for economic profit. Many of these community members join one another in regional organizations or 

private clubs. For the purposes of this discussion, this community shall be identified as the Gem and 

Mineralogical Society Community, and it is the whole CCMA which provides a significant part of their 
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community identity. 

Some of the best information about this community of gem and mineral enthusiasts, collectors, and 

scientists whom view the CCMA as a special place and part of their group’s identity was addressed in an 

October 2007 comment letter to the BLM from William Spence, President of Bay Area Mineralogists. It 

should be noted that some of the individuals in this community refer to themselves as “rockhounds,” a 

term which is also used outside of the community to identify a mineralogical enthusiast that could be a 

novice or even a professional in the geological sciences: 

BLM should understand that without exaggeration CCMA is a world class rockhounding 

destination...Since WWII the discoveries of new minerals here have been made primarily by the 

efforts of rockhounds. Free access to CCMA for rockhounding is essential for the continuance of 

the hobby in northern California and continued research and discoveries related to the geology 

and mineralogy of San Benito County (USDI 2008). 

Spence went on to describe more about their community; members are from both genders and visit the 

CCMA in small groups of “2 to 8 people, sometimes in larger groups but not often.” Visitation to the 

CCMA by rockhounds may be as much as ten times per year but “the norm is probably between 1 and 3 

visits per year.” Another important aspect of the community is that “most rockhounds are over 40 years 

of age” (USDI 2008). 

At least forty-five different species of rocks and minerals that are desired by rockhounds can found within 

the CCMA, including amethyst, benitoite, fresnoite, jadeite, plasma agate, quartz, and serpentine (Iddings 

2004: 119-133). Some of the earliest documented recreational use of the area by the BLM identified the 

area as “intensively by gem and mineral clubs” (USDI 1963:4). Moreover, many universities and 

colleges have used the CCMA as a field school site since the 1900s, including local institutions like West 

Hills Community College in Coalinga, San Jose State University, the University of California, Berkeley 

and Santa Cruz campuses, and Stanford University. 

The practice of being a “rockhound” and the participation in gem and mineral societies or clubs began in 

earnest during the early 20th century as an academic pursuit in California, and by the 1930s was a popular 

hobby. “Rockhounding” became more popular following World War II as more clubs and societies 

formed around the state (Spence 2008: Personal Communication). The CCMA became a known 

destination for rockhounders because so many different types of rock and gem specimens were available 

in one geologic formation (the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC). 

One such rockhounder during this era was Phil Bolander of Oakland, California. Bolander was a gem 

collector who was the first to discover perovskite and diopside in San Benito County. Bolander later died 

of a heart attack in the early 1950s while trying to free his car from mud on Clear Creek Canyon Road 

(Spence 2008: Personal Communication 10/31/2008). The great variety of minerals in the CCMA has 

been the draw “of many mineralogical societies over the years” but the unique gem benitoite is the only 

mineral that has “been intensely prospected for ever since its discovery” (Frazier and Frazier 1990:58). It 

is collected and prized by the rockhounding community not only for its beauty “but also its rarity...all in 

all, a most spectacular, unusual possession to have” (Norton 1976:32).

The mineral benitoite is only found in one locality in the entire world: the CCMA. Discovered in 1907, 

benitoite gems were originally mistaken for some type of diamond but that theory was soon discounted by 

University of California, Berkeley, geology professor George C. Louderback in 1909. Louderback 

published “one of the great classic papers of mineralogy and gemology: Benitoite, its paragenesis and 

mode of occurrence, Bulletin of the Department of Geology, University of California, vol. 5, no. 23, 

pp.331-380” (Frazier and Frazier 1990:56). This “much sought after publication” is famous for not only 

for its numerous illustrations but also for its completeness of the geological and mineralogical description 
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of benitoite. This study was recognized world-wide and has been described as a “bright chapter in the 

history of science in California” (Frazier and Frazier 1990:56). Louderback himself visited the benitoite 

mine, known in 1908 as the Dallas Gem Mine, and collected some outstanding specimens which are still 

on display in the Geology Department at University of California, Berkeley (Figure 3.13-9). Neptunite 

specimens from the benitoite mine are recognized as some of the world's finest examples, and Joaquinite 

gems are unique to only the benitoite mine in the CCMA (Spence 2008: Personal Communication 

10/31/2008). Louderback was not only a professor at Berkeley but also graduated from the school with a 

Bachelor’s degree in 1986 and a Ph.D. in 1899. Louderback died in 1957 and is regarded as “one of the 

founders of the scientific tradition of the University of California” (Taliaferro, Buck, and Lenzen 1959; 

George D. Louderback Foundation 2008).

Figure 3.13-9: Benitoite Specimen on Display at University of California, Berkeley 

(E. Zaborsky, USDI BLM). 

Benitoite is a barium silicate crystal with a unique triangular crystal habit, “distinctive in the mineral 

world for being the only known representative of the ditrigonal dipyramidal crystal class” (Wilson 

2008:1). Its color can be described as “pale to dark cornflower-blue to sapphire- blue color,” found in 

direct association with neptunite and joaquinite and “is a special favorite among collectors” (Wilson 

2008:1). Benitoite is primarily a collector’s item but there is at least one industrial application for the 

gem: a minor amount of high quality benitoite is used to “help align and adjust electron microprobe 

beams” (CGS 2002:1).

In anticipation of the second annual convention of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies in 

Bakersfield, January 1937, geology students William Nisson and George Switzer collected benitoite 

specimens from the mine and offered them for sale at the convention. Nisson became a geologist and 

discovered the copper mineral Nissonite east of Panoche in San Benito County (Spence 2008: Personal 

Communication). Switzer went on to start the Smithsonian Institution National Gem and Mineral 

Collection, beginning with the acquisition of the Hope Diamond in 1958. This National Collection is one 

of the most comprehensive in the world; it includes fifteen thousand gems, three hundred and fifty 
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thousand mineral specimens, three hundred thousand rock and ore specimens, and thirty-five thousand 

meteorites (Hevesi 2008). 

Switzer graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1937 and then earned a Master’s degree 

(1939) and a Ph.D. (1942) in mineralogy at Harvard University. Switzer was Chairman of the Mineral 

Sciences Department at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History from 1964 to 1969, and 

had been Associate Curator of the museum’s Division of Mineralogy 1948 - 1964 (Hevesi 2008). He also 

played a significant role in analyzing rocks brought back from the moon by the Apollo 15 and 16 space 

missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In the 1970s through a grant 

from NASA, he acquired an electron probe micro-analyzer for minerals studies. This instrument, new at 

the time, allowed researchers to determine a mineral’s origin. Dr. Switzer and other scientists examined 

samples moon rock samples with the analyzer and determined that “the moon never had water on its 

surface and never had an atmosphere like Earth’s” (Hevesi 2008). Switzer passed away this year in 

March 2008. 

The benitoite mine site also attracted two gem collectors from Los Angeles, California, in the 1930s: 

Peter Bancroft and Ed Swoboda. Photographs from their trips show the original cabins built in the 1900s 

and a forest prior to wildfires that consumed the CCMA in the 1940s and 1950s. Both of these 

rockhounds became “internationally prominent mineral collectors by the 1970s” from their work the 

CCMA (Spence 2008: Personal Communication). 

An infamous story related to the benitoite mine dates to 1938. According to rockhounds, the Italian 

Ambassador to the United States was interested in the gem Benitoite, and purchased the largest cut gem 

known at the time - approximately 6.5 carats. He intended to present the gem as a gift to Benito 

Mussolini, the leader of Italy who would have his country become a part of the Axis powers in World 

War II. Subsequent to the Allied victory in Europe, the status and location of Mussolini’s gem was lost to 

history and its whereabouts are currently unknown (Frazier and Frazier 1990:49). 

During the 1950s, the benitoite mine was operated by Clarence L. Cole of Oakland, California, who 

promoted and advertised himself as "Cole's Mines" in various gem and mineral journals. He subleased 

the mine to various parties when he was not working it himself, including Josephine Louise Scripps 

(1910-1992), heir to the Scripps-Howard newspaper fortune and “a dedicated mineral collector” (Wilson 

2008: 4). 

In the late 1970s-1980s, the benitoite mine was operated by Buzz Gray and Bill Forrest of Fresno County, 

California. Gray and Forrest's mining activities and publicizing benitoite to collectors had finally brought 

the gemstone to the attention of the general public beyond the gem and mineralogical community. In 

1985 benitoite was officially declared the State Gemstone of California. Gray and Forrest purchased the 

mine property from the Dallas family (Hellen Dallas Read) in 1987 (Wilson 2008:5).

It is important to remember that “scientific history was made with the discovery of benitoite” because to 

date “no naturally formed minerals have been proven to belong to this crystal class except benitoite and 

pabstite, the tin analog of benitoite” (Frazier and Frazier 1990:56). Pabstite was discovered in 1963 in the 

Kalkar quarry of Santa Cruz County, California (now part of the University of California, Santa Cruz) and 

is the only known locality in the world. It was named after the late Dr. Adolf Pabst of the University of 

California, Berkeley, “one of the greatest of American mineraologists...and was well known as a friend 

of amateur mineral collecting and collectors” (Frazier and Frazier 1990:56).

In 2003 gem concentrate material was produced by a new magnetic separation system, the first instance 

of magnetic separation technology used to separate gems from a concentrate. The new technique was 

employed at the benitoite mine site and effective in isolating benitoite gems from its natrolite matrix 

because “only benitoite, among all the various minerals in the deposit, contains no iron.” The use of this 
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new, innovative process has finally allowed “commercial quantities of faceted benitoite became available 

for the first time since the early 1900s” for high-end jewelry brokers as well as a “flood of specimen 

material” that can be shared among the gem and mineralogical community (Wilson 2008:6).

On the County Road access to the private road to the Benitoite Mine - now referred to as the California 

State Gem Mine - there is a monument erected to honor the discovery of Benitoite. Constructed by the 

avocational historical society “E Clampus Vitus” (Monterey Viejo Chapter 1846 and James Savage 

Chapter 1852) and dedicated October 27, 2001, the plaque inscription reads: 

Benitoite was discovered on February 22, 1907 by James Marshall Couch while prospecting for 

quicksilver on a fifty dollar grubstake for shares from R. W. Dallas and Tom Sanders. On July 

30, 1907, mineralogy professor George D. Louderback identified it as a new mineral species, 

Barium Titanium Silicate (BaTiSi3O9). He named it Benitoite after the river, county and nearby 

mountain range. The gem-quality crystal combines the color of a sapphire with the fire of a 

diamond. It looks like two studdy triangular pyramids attached at their bases; its shape is unique. 

It flouresces a bright deep-sky blue under ultraviolet light. Benitoite in gem quality occurs 

nowhere else in the world. It is associated with other rare minerals such as Fresnoite, Joaquinite, 

Natrolite, and Neptunite. They formed in fractures of a serpentine rock from hydrothermal 

solutions. Just how such solutions occurred and what other conditions caused the crystallization 

of these rare minerals is still not well understood. Benitoite was declared the official California 

state gem on October 1, 1985. 

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Community 

As evidenced in visitor use data at CCMA and as witnessed in the Public Comment meetings for CCMA 

plan scoping in October 2007 and May 2008, there is an OHV community of several thousand people that 

consider the CCMA a special destination place. From the oral comments made at public meetings, in-thefield visitor contacts, and written statements provided by this community at meetings and open comment 

periods for planning documents, it is clear there is a history of use in the CCMA that is generational, 

familial, and possibly unique to this Management Area. Most of the community members live in central 

California and regard the “The Creek” as one of the more challenging, remote, and beautiful places to ride 

in the state. A history and information web site maintained by the public about the CCMA succinctly 

described the relationship between OHV use and the CCMA landscape: 

There is probably no place in California quite like Clear Creek for vehicle recreation. The old 

roads and trail provide an infrastructure for exploring the Clear Creek area. Whether you enjoy 

four-wheeling or dirt-biking, you will be able to find a trail to enjoy. There are roads and trails to 

satisfy every appetite - from easy to technically difficult. The upper elevations offer spectacular 

views. 

This area is also very rich in California history and because of the rugged conditions and remote 

location it can only be explored with OHV and dirt bikes are probably the vehicle best suited for 

exploring this rich and beautiful space. However, irresponsible driving can damage or destroy 

some these important historical artifacts. Please act responsibly while you tour this wondrous 

resource of the People's land (Iddings 2006). 

The history of OHV use in the CCMA began unofficially with the use of mining trucks in the 20th

century, which arguably created a large network of roads in the area to access mines and mill sites in the 

region. OHV as an established recreational pursuit did not occur in the CCMA until the 1950s-1960s. 

Perhaps the first motorcycle club (M/C) to “adopt” the CCMA was the Mountaineers M/C. The 

Mountaineers M/C was established in 1951, mostly from guys who were hillclimbers living in the San 

Jose area (Bunning 2008: Personal Communication). At one time the club was a recognized with the 
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American Motorcycle Association (AMA), District 36. One of the club founders, Slim Kocher, was a 

Ride Leader in the CCMA for many years. Club Rides were usually held during the winters, from 1960s1980s, and took place all over the CCMA. The Mountaineers M/C still exists today as a loose 

organization of dirtbike and off-highway motorcycle riders; there are no dues. In 1985 Kocher passed 

away and the club erected a monument to his memory in the CCMA. 

Glen Haston was the primary ride leader in the CCMA for the Mountaineers M/C in the 1960s. During 

this era the Mountaineers cut and engineered many of the original motorcycle OHV trails in the CCMA. 

On Saturdays club members would cut trails with machetes and on Sunday test-ride the newly constructed 

trails. In the winter of 1970, extensive flooding in the Clear Creek Canyon forced the Mountaineers to 

ride over the hill to Idria. There they met with then-mine Superintendent Mark Ward and camped out in 

the town (Bunning 2008: Personal Communication). This began a pattern of more extensive use in the 

CCMA of motorcycle-related OHV traffic. The Salinas Ramblers M/C (SRMC; once called the Salinas 

Dirt Riders) started coming to CCMA as a club in the 1960s. Gary Estes of SRMC (1962) was in the 

CCMA riding regularly beginning in 1969. The Mountaineer M/C trail system was extensively used by 

the SRMC during the 1980s (Bunning 2008: Personal Communication). 

Until the 1970s and 1980s recreational motorcycle use apparently had been primarily in the Clear Creek 

Canyon area of the CCMA (Figures 3.13-10 and 3.13-11). The Idria and San Carlos Bolsa areas also 

received a fair amount of recreational activity from hunting and hiking, which created its own network of 

user trails. One motorcycle rider who was born in the 1930s used to visit relatives that worked the mines 

at Idria (a former mine superintendent) with his family until the company closed the mines in 1974. He 

began riding in the 1950s at CCMA, which according to him at that time had minimal motorcycle use but 

was becoming a more common pastime for local residents (Boyes 2008: Personal Communication). 

Figure 3.13-10: Gathering of OHV Recreational Users in the CCMA 1973 

(Unknown, USDI BLM). 
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Figure 3.13-11: OHV Recreational Use in the CCMA 1973 (Unknown, USDI BLM). 

The Salinas Dirt Riders disbanded around 1973-1976 and those members joined the Salinas Ramblers. 

During the 1950s and 1960s many of these riders had been using the Panoche Hills for OHV recreation 

(Tobin 2008: Personal Communication). By the 1960s OHV use on public and private lands in the inner 

South Coast Ranges increased. In the Panoche Hills, Tumey Hills, Ciervo Hills, and Kettleman Hills 

conflicts with grazing rights and soil erosion problems prompted the BLM to close those areas to OHV 

use in 1970 (Figure 3.13-12). As observed by many, much of this OHV use was redirected to the CCMA 

and “caused conflicts with other recreational uses and accelerated the erosion rates on the bald slopes 

used for motorcycle free play areas” (Griffen and Yadon 1989:17).
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Figure 3.13-12: OHV Use Impacts in the Panoche Hills 1968 (Unknown, USDI BLM). 

The SRMC formed in 1934, founded by Salinas, California, resident Larry Ketzel. The SRMC was “a 

family affair from the beginning...women have always been in the club and children are welcome on 

rides and campouts...The club's emphasis is on riding for pleasure” (Belli 1984). The club began with six 

charter members and strived to maintain a target membership of sixty people. The club historically would 

organize rides for fun and also to raise money for charity. Starting in 1982, the CCMA become the 

location of an AMA-sanctioned one hundred mile national enduro sponsored by the SRMC, nationally 

televised by ESPN (sports television network). The last of these “Quicksilver Enduros,” the longestrunning national Enduro and named in recognition of the rich mining history in the CCMA, was held in 

2007. 

There is more to a cultural property for a community than its historical use, although that is a significant 

component. Another component is how that community views that property as a place and what values 

they ascribe to it. In a non-traditional way, OHV use in CCMA can be viewed (quite literally) as the 

vehicle that allows a person to transcend the ordinary experiences of daily life and be allowed to 

contemplate other perspectives of being. The transcendence is commonly associated with values regarded 

exclusive to Wilderness concepts which emphasize a non-mechanized experience. A “Wilderness” can be 

a physical place, but it relies upon a “symbolic environment, a socially constructed behavioral 

setting...Like a church, cathedral, or monument to which it is so often compared, wilderness has become 

invested with meanings that make it prone to support spiritual interpretation and experience” (Kaye 

2006:6). 

As evidenced in the eighty written comments provided by the CCMA OHV user community, there are 

more values being demonstrated than simply OHV recreation. Without trying to bias their comments, for 

many of these people OHV is part of their wilderness experience and becomes a “medium for 

transcending the effects of socialization and conformity” (Kaye 2006:4). Below are selected questions 

and responses from the Public Scoping Form Comments reprinted out of the BLM “Public Scoping 
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Report Clear Creek Management Area Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement 

June 2008” which demonstrate community values related to OHV use at the CCMA:

Question: What do you value most about CCMA, and why? 

Besides great riding, this place is like a second home to me and my family. I have been 

recreating there since I was five years old. To have this place taken away is like losing a family 

member. 

CCMA is the largest, most unique and most versatile area I have ever ridden. If it is close I will 

not have the opportunity to enjoy it anymore, nor will I have the opportunity to share it with my 

children. 

The variety of terrain and great single-track! The weekends we enjoy as an entire family -- it 

would be very difficult to describe the importance to my entire family! 

Dirt bike riding, it is a huge wilderness area with many trails. It is a great place to enjoy the 

outdoors with friends and family. 

My family and friends have enjoyed using Clear Creek for many years. I enjoy camping, quad 

riding, four wheeling with my family and friends. 

If I want to go ride my motorcycle and asbestos it should be my God-given right to do so. 

CCMA is an area of history and heritage good for one thing, camping and riding. My club has 

used this area since the early 1950s. 

An outstanding place to ride off-road motorcycles and ATVs and other off-road recreation, four 

wheeling camping, etc. generations of families have enjoyed this venue. 

CCMA provides the most diverse experience anywhere in the nation for OHV use. CCMA was 

home to the longest-running national and early [enduro?] in the USA. 

Mental health cannot be measured by any chart. Mental health that is received by riding at Clear 

Creek, outweigh any supposed health risk assumptions given. We are not criminals do not turn us 

into criminals, that is the only government agenda. 

Freedom. 

A place to ride so I do not have to ride a legally [sic]. A place to go with friends and family. A 

place for kids to ride so they don't go down the wrong path. 

It’s a very family-friendly area. Freedom. Family. Friends. Nature. The best riding in the 

world. Clear Creek is what California and America are all about. Don't take away my freedom! 

I value the time spent there with friends and family and what Clear Creek offers people during the 

different seasons of the year. I have enjoyed OHV riding in CCMA for over 35 years. I'm 68 

years of age and have taken my family of four on many, many outings to CCMA. I value the 

recreation aspect of CCMA. 

I value the world-class riding and four wheeling. The incredible feeling of freedom being 

surrounded by beauty and open spaces. The memories that I have made in Clear Creek are some 

of the fondest memories that I have. The openness availability to move around unique soils and 
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therefore plants and animals and birds. The stark beauty. 

It is very important to me that access to the land continues while protecting the land from 

destructive use that threatens the many rare species. Being able to get away from all the 

distractions at home (TV, phone, cell phone, etc.) and spend time together doing something we all 

enjoy is "priceless." 

3.13.4.3 Trends 

Archeological sites are fragile, and there are a variety of things that can alter, damage, or destroy them. 

There are two general categories of forces that can damage or destroy archeological sites and their values: 

natural forces and human forces. Examples of natural forces are erosion from wind or water, flooding, 

freezing and thawing, animal action (e.g., burrowing, digging, or trailing), vegetation, fire, landslides, 

earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. Examples of human forces are vandalism, looting and theft, 

uncontrolled recreation (e.g., off-highway vehicles, bicycles, or animal traffic), development (e.g., 

agriculture, mining, logging, oil and gas, dams, roads, or utilities), fire suppression activities, noise 

vibration, or incompatible laws, regulations, and procedures. 

Forces of nature act continually on archeological sites, ranging from the relatively minor activities of 

earthworms and freeze-thaw cycles to major catastrophic events such as earthquakes and volcanic 

eruptions. Many natural forces have acted in conjunction with human action over time to form the 

archeological site, and archeologists have developed techniques to understand how natural forces affect 

the formation of archeological sites. Sometimes erosion and patterns of plant growth help archeologists 

find archeological sites. Some natural forces have worked to encapsulate sites that were later discovered 

and studied by archeologists. However, these same forces can change and can destroy archeological 

information by increasing the rate of decay for perishable organic materials such as fabrics, basketry, and 

leather, as well as disrupt the spatial and temporal relationships of archeological information (e.g., 

moving artifacts around). 

The most varied and damaging forces affecting archeological sites are caused by humans. Looting and 

vandalism are the major sources of site damage and destruction. Motivations for these behaviors vary. 

Archeological sites are sometimes "mined" for commercial profit where artifacts have monetary value on 

the national and international art markets. This is especially true on BLM lands in the Southwestern 

United States and along the Colorado River in Southern California. Other sites are looted to acquire relics 

for personal collections or small-scale profit at hobby shows. This is probably the more common problem 

to BLM in Central California. These kinds of activities are illegal on Federal, tribal, state and county 

public lands without a permit. 

Although site damage and destruction from looting is deliberate and intentional, other actions that damage 

cultural resources occur largely because of ignorance of a site's existence or its importance. Despite a 

general, widespread public fascination with archeology and learning about a “hidden” past, the 

consideration of archeological sites and related issues (including Native American values) is usually not 

factored into the daily conduct of individuals, governments, or businesses unless legislated and 

implemented. 

General land development and resource exploitation activities continue to increase as the nation's growing 

population demands for more food, housing, manufactured goods, and of course places to recreate - in a 

variety of different ways. Each of these actions involves land modification that can damage or destroy 

archeological sites. While not intentional, some of these activities take a greater toll on archeological 

sites than others. For example, agricultural activities such as land-leveling and plowing may either move 

archeological materials around and mix materials from separate layers or just totally destroy the site, 

depending upon the depth of the archeological remains. Massive land modifications that accompany 
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flood control projects, large-scale residential developments, and interstate highway construction can cause 

the loss of hundreds of archeological sites – site that represent entire communities that once thrived in the 

past. Recreational access and site development can also impact archeological resources through indirect 

or unintentional user activities or poorly developed facilities by the agency responsible for providing the 

recreational opportunity. 

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) use presents the most immediate threats to negatively impacting cultural 

resources in the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), especially at archeological sites. With a 

properly designed and well-designated route system, inadvertent damage to archeological sites can be 

avoided. Typically the observed and reported damage to cultural resources in the CCMA results from 

off-trail vehicular play or OHV trespass into closed areas that are protected for natural and/or cultural 

resource values. There have been a few incidents of reported unauthorized collection at prehistoric and 

historic sites, but as best as can be determined these incidents fall into the category of uninformed, 

unintentional attempts at artifact collection, not directed vandalism or intentional looting of sites for 

artifacts. 

There is also illegal marijuana cultivation in the CCMA. This activity has the distinct possibility of 

indirectly impacting archeological resources through physical site alteration (e.g., spring sites 

development, planting, etc.). This illegal activity also affects Native American traditional cultural use 

practitioners. The presence of marijuana farmers protecting their gardens with firearms or other weapons 

poses a danger to the safety of the practitioners, not to mention the disruption to the natural ecosystem 

that native use plants need to thrive. Natural weathering and soil erosion also affects cultural resources in 

the CCMA. The serpentine soils of the New Idria Formation are highly susceptible to heavy rain events 

that can displace large amounts of soil given the right circumstances. Other factors that can affect cultural 

resources result from agency use: recreational site development, road maintenance, or controlled 

burning/prescribed fires. These factors are identified through planning and are mitigated for through 

project redesign, monitoring, Native American consultation, data retrieval, or a combination of these 

measures.
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3.14 Paleontological Resources 

3.14.1 Introduction 

The paleontological resources found on the public lands are recognized by the BLM as constituting a 

fragile and nonrenewable scientific record of the history of life on earth, and so represent an important 

and critical component of America's natural heritage. BLM will exercise stewardship of these resources 

as a part of its public land management responsibility.

3.14.2 Regulatory Framework 

In addition to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), Paleontological 

Resources are protected under several regulations and policies described below: 

Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431-433) provides that penalties shall be assessed against "any person 

who shall appropriate, excavate, injure or destroy any historic or prehistoric ruin or monument, or any 

object of antiquity, situated on lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States" except 

as granted permission by the appropriate secretary of the department having jurisdiction; permits the 

examination, excavation, or gathering of antiquities from government property by recognized scientific or 

educational institutions in accordance with uniform rules defined in the act. 

Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009, Paleontological Resources Preservation (OPLA-PRP) P.L. 111-11, 

Title VI, Subtitle D, Sections 6301-6312, 123 Stat. 1172, 16 U.S.C. 470aaa law requires the Secretaries of 

the United States Department of Interior and Agriculture to manage and protect paleontological resources 

on Federal land using scientific principles and expertise. The PRPA includes specific provisions 

addressing management of these resources by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park 

Service (NPS), the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the U.S. 

Forest Service (USFS). 

Title 43 CFR 8365.1-5 addresses the collection of invertebrate fossils and, by administrative extension, 

fossil plants, including the willful disturbance, removal and destruction of scientific resources or natural 

objects, and Subpart 8360.0-7 identifies the penalties for such violations. 

Title 43 CFR 3802 and 3809 address protection of paleontological resources from operations authorized 

under the mining laws. 

BLM Manual 8270 and Handbook H-8270-1 provides the criteria for permitting, collection, and use of 

fossils on BLM administered lands, and creates a framework for how geologic formations are ranked 

according to paleontological potential. 

3.14.3 Regional Setting 

3.14.3.1 Geologic Setting 

The CCMA Planning Area is within the Coast Range Physiographic Province of California; bounded by 

the Pacific Ocean to the west and the great Central Valley to the east. It is characterized by northwestsoutheast trending faults and mountain ranges (Staebler 1981; USGS 2005). From the Upper Cretaceous 

time period through the Miocene epoch much of Hollister Field Office Area was periodically covered by 

shallow, warm seas which allowed sediment to wash onto the area from the low-lying continental mass to 

the east. This is evident in the San Joaquin Management Area that shows great thickness of Jurassic age 

or younger marine and terrestrial sedimentary deposits (Staebler 1981). 
Clear Creek Management Area 3.0 Affected Environment

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3.14.3.2 Paleontological Setting 

Since the first major paleontological discovery in 1937of a nearly complete plesiosaur in the Moreno 

Formation, both the Moreno and Temblor Formations have produced many fossils that are either endemic, 

unique, or serve as guide fossils (Staebler 1981). Most major localities within the Moreno and Temblor 

Formations are located within the boundary of the Panoche/Coalinga Area of Critical Environmental 

Concern (ACEC). 

There are no significant paleontological resources that have been discovered within the boundary of the 

CCMA. It is expected that fossil invertebrates can be associated with the Panoche and Franciscan 

Sandstone Formations which contact the New Idria Serpentine Formation (refer to Table 3.14.4.2. below). 

Table 3.14.4.2 - Rock Formations in the Planning Area and their Paleontological Sensitivity

Formation 

Name Formation Description Formation Age

Fossil Types 

known to Occur

Paleontological 

Sensitivity1

Panoche

Clay shale to conglomerate 

beds of boulders up to several 

feet in diameter

Upper 

Cretaceous

Mollusca including 

ammonites Class 3

Franciscan Sandstones, shales, cherts, and 

limestones

Jurassic, 

Cretaceous

Invertebrates, 

vertebrates, plants Class 3

New Idria 

Serpentine Metavolcanic minerals and ores Late Jurassic None Class 1

Notes: 1 Paleontological Sensitivity conditions are subject to change based upon new data provided to BLM by qualified experts working in the 

Planning Area.

Paleontological Sensitivity is defined by the “Potential Fossil Yield Classification” (PFYC) system. The 

PFYC is utilized for land use planning, the preliminary assessment of potential impacts to fossils for 

specific projects, and identify proper mitigation needs. It is intended to provide a tool to assess potential 

occurrences of significant paleontological resources on BLM administered lands. 

Using the PFYC system, geologic units are classified based on the relative abundance of vertebrate fossils 

or scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils and their sensitivity to adverse impacts, with a 

higher class number indicating a higher potential. This classification is applied to the geologic formation, 

member, or other distinguishable unit, preferably at the most detailed level. Although significant 

localities may occasionally occur in a geologic unit, a few widely scattered important fossils or localities 

do not necessarily indicate a higher class; instead, the relative abundance of significant localities is 

intended to be the major determinant for the class assignment. 

There are five classes within the PFYC system; Class 1 is rated as having “Very Low Potential” to Class 

5 having “Very High Potential.” It is important to note that although granite, lava beds, and other igneous 

or metamorphic rock types are usually considered to be void of any fossils, outcrops of these rocks may 

have fissure fillings, cave-like structures, sinkholes, and other features that may preserve significant 

paleontological resources or information, so the potential is not zero; therefore Class 1 is applied to these 

rock types usually considered not to contain fossil resources. The New Idria Serpentine body as defined 

by the BLM Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC falls under this Class 1 category. 
Clear Creek Management Area 3.0 Affected Environment

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For convenience, the five classes as defined by the PFYC system are provided below: 

Class 1 – Very Low: Geologic units that are not likely to contain recognizable fossil remains. 

The probability for impacting any fossils is negligible. Assessment or mitigation of 

paleontological resources is usually unnecessary. The occurrence of significant fossils is nonexistent or extremely rare. 

Class 2 – Low: Sedimentary geologic units that are not likely to contain vertebrate fossils or 

scientifically significant non-vertebrate fossils. The probability for impacting vertebrate fossils or 

scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils is low. Assessment or mitigation of 

paleontological resources is not likely to be necessary. Localities containing important resources 

may exist, but would be rare and would not influence the classification. These important 

localities would be managed on a case-by-case basis. 

Class 3 – Moderate or Unknown: Fossiliferous sedimentary geologic units where fossil content 

varies in significance, abundance, and predictable occurrence; or sedimentary units of unknown 

fossil potential. This classification includes a broad range of paleontological potential. It 

includes geologic units of unknown potential, as well as units of moderate or infrequent 

occurrence of significant fossils. Management considerations cover a broad range of options as 

well, and could include pre-disturbance surveys, monitoring, or avoidance. Surface-disturbing 

activities will require sufficient assessment to determine whether significant paleontological 

resources occur in the area of a Proposed Action, and whether the action could affect the 

paleontological resources. These units may contain areas that would be appropriate to designate 

as hobby collection areas due to the higher occurrence of common fossils and a lower concern 

about affecting significant paleontological resources. 

Class 4 – High: Geologic units that containing a high occurrence of significant fossils. Vertebrate 

fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils are known to occur and have been 

documented, but may vary in occurrence and predictability. Surface disturbing activities may 

adversely affect paleontological resources in many cases. The probability for impacting 

significant paleontological resources is moderate to high, and is dependent on the Proposed 

Action. Mitigation considerations must include assessment of the disturbance, such as removal or 

penetration of protective surface alluvium or soils, potential for future accelerated erosion, or 

increased ease of access resulting in greater looting potential. If impacts to significant fossils can 

be anticipated, on-the-ground surveys prior to authorizing the surface disturbing action will 

usually be necessary. On-site monitoring or spot-checking may be necessary during construction 

activities. 

Class 5 – Very High: Highly fossiliferous geologic units that consistently and predictably 

produce vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils, and that are at 

risk of human-caused adverse impacts or natural degradation. The probability for impacting 

significant fossils is high. Vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate fossils are 

known or can reasonably be expected to occur in the impacted area. On-the-ground surveys prior 

to authorizing any surface disturbing activities will usually be necessary. On-site monitoring may 

be necessary during construction activities. 

3.14.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

The primary causes of paleontological resource damage are road construction, unauthorized collection, 

wildfires, natural weathering and erosion. The majority of BLM data regarding fossil-bearing rock units 

in the Hollister Field Office area is focused on lands within the Panoche/Coalinga ACEC. The New Idria 

Serpentine body within the CCMA is a geologic mass that was once a volcanic intrusion. This nearly 
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33,000 acre formation was designated by the BLM as the Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical 

Environmental Concern (ACEC) in 1982. As the formation is volcanic in origin, there are no fossil 

present within the ACEC and none have been scientifically documented to date. 

A 1991 study for possible expansion of OHV-based recreation in the CCMA considered twelve planning 

factors including paleontological resources (USDI 1991:1-3). The report addressed 102,000 acres in the 

CCMA region that covered Byles Canyon, Larious Canyon, San Carlos Bolsa, Cantua Creek, Joaquin 

Ridge, White Creek, and Condon Peak (USDI 1991:4). It was determined that there were “no known 

vertebrate fossil locations in the study area” and the geological formations in the CCMA did not suggest 

that there could be such fossil locations (USDI 1991:27). Moreover, paleontological resources in the 

CCMA did “not limit further consideration of OHV recreation” (USDI 1991:27).

Significant vertebrate fossils have been found east of the CCMA Planning Area on private and public 

lands, primarily in locations associated with the Moreno Shale deposits along Cantua Canyon. 

Invertebrate fossils have been found in various locations also on private and public lands in Los Gatos 

Creek Canyon south of the CCMA Planning Area. These fossils are associated with the sandstone 

formations outside of the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC. 

Fossils are also known to occur throughout the Coalinga and Pleasant Valley areas east of the Planning 

Area. For example, an unusual single invertebrate fossil specimen was recovered by a volunteer in 2006 

on public lands near Black Mountain, east of the CCMA Planning Area. 

There have been no requests from researchers or the general public about conducting paleontological 

studies in the CCMA Planning Area. Consistent with the Clear Creek Management Area RMP 

Amendment and Route Designation Record of Decision (2006), the identification and protection of all 

vertebrate and significant invertebrate paleontological localities remains a priority. 
Clear Creek Management Area 3.0 Affected Environment

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3.15 Social and Economic Conditions 

3.15.1 Introduction 

This section discusses the social and economic environments within the Planning Area and the ways in 

which public lands and public land resources administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

interact with that environment. The social and economic indicators discussed include demographic 

factors, employment, and income, as well as some non-quantifiable elements such as quality of life, 

traditions, and life styles. 

3.15.2 Regulatory Framework 

Executive Order (EO) 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority and LowIncome Populations, (Federal Register 1994) requires that disproportionately high and adverse health or 

environmental impacts on minority and low-income populations be avoided or minimized to the extent 

feasible. EO 12898 requires Federal agencies to achieve environmental justice by identifying and 

addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including the 

interrelated socioeconomic effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and 

low-income populations in the United States. 

3.15.3 Regional Setting 

Throughout most of the western United States where public lands are located, the resident population 

within the administrative boundaries of a Field Office is small, and the public land area is often the major 

component of the total land area. However, the 12 counties in which the HFO public lands are located –

Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, 

Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Stanislaus – have a resident population of over eight million, and the HFO 

administers only 2.5 percent of the total land area, about 274,000 acres. At 63,000 acres, CCMA 

comprises almost one-quarter (~23%) of the BLM-administered lands in the region. Other communities 

within commuting distance from CCMA include residents from Tulare, Madera, San Luis Obispo and 

Kings Counties. 

The large population centers near CCMA have implications for public land management because they 

represent the potential user and customer base that is within a three-hour drive from CCMA, but they do 

not provide a useful context for discussion of socioeconomic conditions. The number of people and the 

size of the economy associated with that population dwarf any of the social and economic contributions 

that might be made by public land resources. To facilitate discussion of socioeconomic conditions, the 

local analysis area for this RMP/EIS will be defined as the Central Coast and the Southern Diablo Range 

– each of which focuses on communities most directly affected by the CCMA RMP/EIS alternatives. The 

Central Coast analysis area focuses on residents of Santa Clara, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties; and 

the Southern Diablo Range analysis area includes San Benito, Merced, and Fresno Counties. San Benito 

and Fresno counties encompass CCMA and a large block of contiguous BLM public lands in the 

Southern Diablo Range located west of Interstate 5, north of the town of Coalinga and south of the town 

of Los Banos. 

3.15.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.15.4.1 Demographics 

Table 3.15-1 indicates the populations in the counties within the Planning Area, in California, and in the 

U.S in the years 1990, 2000, and 2004. The population is large because it includes much of the south San 
Clear Creek Management Area 3.0 Affected Environment

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Francisco Bay Area. Almost a quarter of California’s total population resides within the Planning Area. 

The rate of population growth within the Planning Area was about the same as that for the entire state 

from 1990 to 2000 but dropped below the State rate after 2000. For both periods, the State and the region 

Table 3.15-1 Total Population, by County, in the Planning Area 

County 1990 2000 2004 % Change

1990-00

% Change

2000-04

Fresno 670,250 804,333 876,842 20.0 9.0

Merced 179,400 211,245 237,155 17.8 12.3

Monterey 356,797 403,943 425,521 13.2 5.3

San Benito 36,911 53,789 57,353 45.7 6.6

Santa Clara 1,495,296 1,692,759 1,749,365 13.2 3.3

Santa Cruz 229,329 256,488 259,990 11.8 1.4

Total in Area 2,967,983 3,422,557 3,606,266 13.3 5.1

California 29,828,496 34,098,740 36,590,814 14.3 7.3

U.S. (mil.) 248.7 281.4 293.7 13.1 4.4

grew at a faster rate than the nation. Population growth in the 1990s moved at a more rapid pace in the 

counties surrounding the Bay Area, probably reflecting a move to more affordable residential and 

commercial property on the part of families and businesses. San Benito County, of which Hollister is the 

county seat, grew faster than any other county in the Planning Area because, according to most reports, 

the northern part of the county became a bedroom community for people working in Santa Clara County 

and beyond. 

In rough terms, the population described in the table represents the population within a three-hour drive of 

the public lands administered by the HFO and thus a pool of potential public land users and customers. 

Although many of the area residents may not even know BLM lands are located nearby, the sheer size of 

the pool speaks to the potential demand for public land resources, in particular, recreation resources. 

Discussions with area residents, public land users, and BLM staff indicate that, in fact, recreationists 

come from all over California and the U.S. to recreate in CCMA. 

The populations of the counties and major cities and towns in the two regional analysis areas are shown in 

Table 3.15-2. However, the large population statistics from Santa Clara County are not included in any of 

the remaining tables in this analysis in order to focus directly on the social and economic conditions of the 

communities most affected by the land use planning decisions in the CCMA RMP/EIS. 

The Central Coast has grown at a slower pace than the State and the rest of the HFO for several reasons: 

driving time to the Bay Area and local housing costs make the area’s towns less attractive as bedroom 

communities, and the closure of Fort Ord in the early 1990s resulted in actual population declines in some 

communities, notably Seaside and Marina, two towns directly associated with activity at the former Fort 

Ord. Two places within the Central Coast – Watsonville and the communities in the Salinas Valley –

outpaced the average population growth rate of California. 

Public lands in CCMA are accessed from the sparsely populated San Benito valley on the west and the 

San Joaquin valley on the east. The rather large population totals for Merced and Fresno Counties mask 

the relatively smaller populations in the immediate vicinity of CCMA. Tract data from the 2000 Census 

indicate that less than 20 percent of Fresno and Merced Counties’ one million residents in 2000 lived in 

the Interstate 5 Corridor just east of the Diablo Range. This analysis area grew far more rapidly than the 

State average, driven by the growth of Hollister and Los Banos as bedroom communities and population 

increases in Fresno and other towns in the central San Joaquin valley. 
Clear Creek Management Area 3.0 Affected Environment

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Table 3.15-2(a) Populations of Counties and Major Towns in the Central Coast 

Table 3.15-2(b) Populations of Counties and Major Towns in the Diablo Range 

3.15.4.2 Employment and Income 

Table 3.15-3 presents employment data for the Central Coast and Diablo Range analysis areas from 1980 

to 2002, the last year for which data are available. Table 3.15-4 presents personal income data for the 

same areas and the same period. Data for all of California and for the U.S. are shown as well for 

comparison purposes. All values are based on 2002 dollars. 

County 1990 2000 2004 % Change 

1990-00

% Change 

2000-04

Monterey 356,797 403,943 425,521 13.2 5.3

 Marina 27,550 21,014 19,165 -23.7 -8.8

 Monterey 31,800 29,674 30,314 -6.7 2.2

 Salinas 107,600 143,776 152,590 33.6 6.1

 Seaside 38,950 31,696 33,386 -18.6 5.3

Santa Cruz 229,329 256,488 259,990 11.8 1.4

 Santa Cruz 48,800 54,593 56,018 11.9 2.6

 Watsonville 30,850 44,265 48,041 43.5 8.5

Total 586,126 660,431 685,511 12.7 3.8

County 1990 2000 2004 % Change 

1990-00

% Change 

2000-04

Fresno 670,250 804,333 876,842 20.0 9.0

 Clovis 49,650 68,468 81,256 37.9 18.7

 Coalinga 8,050 16,213 16,735 101.4 3.2

 Fresno 350,700 427,652 458,203 21.9 7.1

 Reedley 15,650 20,756 21,849 32.6 5.3

 Sanger 16,650 18,931 20,612 13.7 8.9

 Selma 14,650 19,444 21,881 32.7 12.5

Merced 179,400 211,245 237,155 17.8 12.3

 Atwater 22,100 23,113 26,594 4.6 15.1

 Los Banos 13,750 25,869 30,898 88.1 19.4

 Merced 55,700 63,893 70,415 14.7 10.2

San Benito 36,911 53,789 57,353 45.7 6.6

 Hollister 19,000 34,413 36,993 81.1 7.5

Total 886,561 1,069,367 1,171,350 20.6 9.5
Clear Creek Management Area 3.0 Affected Environment

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Table 3.15-3(a) Total Employment Central Coast, 1980 to 2002 

Area 1980 1990 2000 2002 % Change

1980-90

% Change

1990-00

% Change

2000-02

Monterey 160,425 202,278 222,474 235,299 26.1 10.0 5.8

Santa Cruz 84,962 125,987 149,579 148,933 48.3 18.7 -0.4

 Central Coast 245,387 328,265 372,053 384,232 33.8 13.3 3.3

Table 3.15-3(b) Total Employment Diablo Range, 1980 to 2002 

Area 1980 1990 2000 2002 % Change

1980-90

% Change

1990-00

% Change

2000-02

Fresno 275,065 345,726 411,608 427,912 25.7 19.1 4.0

Merced 64,009 77,254 84,576 88,941 20.7 9.5 5.2

San Benito 10,680 15,618 21,604 22,559 46.2 38.3 4.4

Diablo Range 339,074 422,980 496,184 516,853 24.7 17.3 4.2

California (Mil.) 12.8 17.0 19.6 19.9 32.8 15.7 1.3

U.S. (Mil.) 114.2 139.4 166.8 167.0 22.0 19.6 0.2

Table 3.15-4(a) Total Personal Income Central Coast, 1980 to 2002 

Area 1980 1990 2000 2002 % Change

1980-90

% Change

1990-00

% Change

2000-02

Monterey 7,299 10,074 12,638 13,091 38.0 25.5 3.6

Santa Cruz 4,689 6,894 10,462 9,707 47.0 51.8 -7.2

 Central Coast 11,988 16,968 23,100 22,799 41.5 36.1 -1.3

Table 3.15-4(b) Total Personal Income Diablo Range, 1980 to 2002 

Area 1980 1990 2000 2002 % Change

1980-90

% Change

1990-00

% Change

2000-02

Fresno 12,102 15,534 18,416 19,544 28.4 18.6 6.1

Merced 2,811 3,759 4,319 4,640 33.7 14.9 7.4

San Benito 350 900 1,631 1,598 157.1 81.2 -2.0

 Diablo Range 14,913 19,293 22,735 24,184 29.4 17.8 6.4

California (mil.) 621,037 892,291 1,153,201 1,154,685 43.7 29.2 0.1

U.S. (mil.) 5,017,671 6,692,137 8,798,671 8,900,007 33.4 31.5 1.2

Table 3.15-4(c) Per Capita Personal Income Central Coast, 1980 to 2002 

Area 1980 1990 2000 2002 % Change

1980-90

% Change

1990-00

% Change

2000-02

Monterey 24,961 28,176 31,357 31,842 12.9 11.3 1.5

Santa Cruz 24,769 30,024 40,904 38,323 21.2 36.2 -6.3

 Central Coast 25,049 28,949 34,978 33,830 15.6 20.8 -3.3
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Table 3.15-4(d) Personal Income Diablo Range, 1980 to 2002

Area 1980 1990 2000 2002 % Change

1980-90

% Change

1990-00

% Change

2000-02

Fresno 23,378 23,106 22,962 23,492 -1.2 -0.6 2.3

Merced 20,726 20,889 20,406 20,623 0.8 -2.3 1.1

San Benito 19,182 24,432 30,286 28,660 27.4 24.0 -5.4

 Diablo Range 22,972 22,707 22,386 22,773 -1.2 -1.4 1.7

California 26,092 29,783 33,918 32,989 14.1 13.9 -2.7

U.S. 22,081 26,809 31,182 30,906 21.4 16.3 -0.9

For both analysis areas, the data demonstrate that economic change varies greatly from State and national 

trends but also varies within the analysis areas themselves. This is not surprising given the size of the 

areas and the diversity of terrain and history within them, but this makes it difficult to make 

generalizations about the areas. 

Employment growth in the Central Coast analysis area seemed to mirror the rate for the State, but the 

experiences of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties were quite different. Santa Cruz employment growth 

was very rapid in the 1980s, began to slow down in the 1990s, and has recently been stagnant. 

Monterey’s employment growth lagged that of the State in the 1980s, slowed down in the 1990s, but then 

became robust in the first few years of this century. 

In the Diablo Range analysis area, average employment growth lagged behind the State rate in the 1980s, 

began to outpace it in the 1990s, and grew much more rapidly from 2000 to 2002. These averages, 

however, mask the continuing very high rate of growth in San Benito County for the entire 22-year 

period, the fact that Merced lagged behind the State growth rate until recently, and that Fresno County has 

maintained steady growth throughout this period. 

California’s per capita income grew at a slower rate than the U.S. average between 1980 and 2000 and 

declined faster between 2000 and 2002. Consequently, the gap in 1980 between California’s very high 

per capita income and the U.S average has narrowed considerably. The same trend has been followed in 

the Central Coast area despite a surge in personal income in Santa Cruz County in the 1990s. The Diablo 

Range area represents an anomaly in that per capita income has declined since 1980. A per capita income 

that was slightly higher than the U.S. average is now less than 75 percent of the national average. 

3.15.4.3 Environmental Justice 

The requirements for environmental justice review during the environmental analysis process were 

established by Executive Order 12898 (February 11, 1994). That order declares that each Federal agency 

is to identify “disproportionately high and adverse human health or environment effects of its programs, 

policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations.” 

Table 3.15-5 describes the results of the 2000 U.S. Census with regard to ethnicity and poverty in the 

counties that make up the Central Coast and Diablo Range analysis areas. Most of the counties share the 

same general ethnic patterns that the State of California exhibits – a very large Hispanic population, 

ranging from 25 to 50 percent of the population; distinct minority populations of African Americans, 

generally comprising less than 5 percent of the population; Asian/Pacific Islanders, comprising between 5 

and 10 percent of the population; and a very small Native American population. There are no federally 

recognized Native American tribal lands within the Planning Area. Santa Cruz is the county that least 

represents the State ethnic pattern, with minority populations that are all below the State average. 
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The percent of the population with personal income below the poverty level is extremely high in both 

Fresno and Merced Counties, over 20 percent of the population. With the very low and declining real per 

capita income shown for these counties in Table 3.15-4, these poverty levels are not surprising. 

Table 3.15.5(a) Percent Ethnicity and Poverty Level, Central Coast, 2000 Census 

County Hispanic African

American

American

Indian

AsianPacific

Percent

Below

Poverty 

Level

Monterey 46.8 3.7 1.0 6.4 13.5

Santa Cruz 26.8 1.0 1.1 3.5 11.9

 Area Total 39.0 2.9 1.1 6.2 12.8

Table 3.15.5 Percent Ethnicity and Poverty Level, Diablo Range and Statewide, 2000 Census 

County Hispanic African

American

American

Indian

AsianPacific

Percent

Below

Poverty 

Level

Fresno 44.0 5.3 1.6 8.2 22.9

Merced 45.3 3.8 1.2 7.0 21.7

San Benito 47.9 1.1 1.2 2.6 10.0

 Area Total 44.0 4.9 1.4 8.3 22.0

California 32.4 6.7 1.0 11.2 14.2

3.15.4.4 BLM Contribution to the Local Economy 

Recreation 

Although no management decisions for public lands outside the CCMA will be part of this planning 

effort, these areas may be referred to here to provide a more complete discussion of the socioeconomic 

role of recreation on public lands in the Planning Area. These include other public lands administered by 

the BLM, Forest Service, the National Park Service, and California State Parks. 

The major share of recreation use in the CCMA is concentrated in the Serpentine ACEC, with over 

78,000 visits in 2006 and 2007 combined. Together they account for over 70 percent of the recreation use 

on public lands in the Planning Area. (See Section 3.8, “Recreation,” for a more extensive treatment of 

recreation use). There are two semi-developed campgrounds in the CCMA that traditionally receive the 

majority of visitor use from October to May. Compared to the recreation requirements of the millions of 

people who reside within 2 hours of other major blocks of public lands in Central California, the use of 

CCMA public lands is inconsequential. The same is true for expenditures related to recreation on CCMA 

public lands. 

The California Department of Parks and Recreation recently commissioned a study that was conducted by 

California State University, Sacramento's Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration 

from 2007 to 2009. The preliminary findings of the study report that 74.9 million people visit California 
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state parks annually, spending an average of $4.32 billion per year in park-related expenditures. About 

half of this amount is related to recreation on the California Coast, which means the other half of all of the 

expenditures were made in other regions including the Coast Ranges, Sierra-Nevada, and the California 

Desert. 

The amount of spending within the CCMA would not be significant given size of the Diablo region and 

its economy. However, recreation on public lands in CCMA is still very important to many sectors of the 

local economy, and to the many individuals who recreate there. The motorcycle shops in Hollister rely 

heavily on off-highway vehicle recreation opportunities in CCMA, which along with Hollister Hills 

SVRA, is a primary local OHV resource. Several shop owners indicated a very heavy reliance on OHV at 

CCMA. In addition to hosting several major national events such as the Quicksilver and Wild Boar 

enduros, the area is close enough to several hundred thousand residents that it is a popular weekend 

recreation area. On weekends, the area draws visitors from several hours away for a variety of motorized 

and non-motorized recreation activities. 

Other forms of recreation at CCMA include hunting, rock-hounding, and hiking. The area is highly 

valued by these visitors as well as the OHV community because it is nearby, because it offers varied 

terrain, and because there are no comparable properties that allow public access in the vicinity. The 

CCMA is also frequently said to be valued as a place to get away from the stress of population and traffic. 

One segment of the local community, however, appears to experience a direct economic benefit from 

recreation on BLM public lands in the Diablo Range, and CCMA in particular. Private landowners with 

large ranches who live adjacent to large tracts of public land in the Diablo Range charge hunters for 

access to their own private land and to adjacent BLM land (Moore 2005). These charges are often in the 

form of membership fees in hunting clubs that provide lodging or camping sites and a variety of support 

features in addition to access. 

Hunting is an important recreation activity on public lands in the Diablo Range. Upland game birds 

(chukar, quail), black-tailed deer, and wild pig are all hunted there. The southern part of the Range is in 

an area called “the pig triangle” (King City to Paso Robles to Coalinga) because of the number of pigs 

taken there every year. Hunters come here from throughout the state, and they purchase some supplies 

and equipment locally in support of their hunting. However, the only economic sector that clearly 

benefits from hunting in the Diablo Range is the hunting clubs. 

Many of the ranchers that benefit financially from managing hunting clubs and providing access also hold 

BLM grazing leases. Several of the smaller ranchers who participate in this indicated that the benefit 

from hunting-related activities exceeded that from grazing. Land values in the Diablo Range have risen 

in recent years beyond their potential to produce income from grazing. It may be that the potential of 

these lands as hunting areas was an element in the increase in value. 

Beyond any financial contribution, the public lands in the Central Coast and Diablo Range, like those in 

CCMA, provide places for local residents and others to get away from the very densely populated 

communities in this part of California. The area is accessible for day trips to the more than 8 million 

residents of the Bay Area and the Central Valley, and it provides a sense of isolation that is difficult to 

find elsewhere in the region. 

OHV Recreation 

According to a 1993-1994 report prepared by the California Department of State Parks and Recreation 

Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division titled, “Off Highway Vehicle Recreation’s 

$3 Billion Economic Impact in California & A Profile of OHV Users: A Family Affair”, expenditures by 

OHV users for equipment, activities and events generated about $3 billion in economic activity in 1992, 
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and supported 43,000 jobs. The OHMVR Division estimated there are some 100,000 miles of roads and 

trails, on more than 200 county, state and federal sites, open to OHV use; and approximately 3.5 million 

people, 14.2% of California households, participated in OHV activity statewide in 1992. 

The report also concluded that rural communities, places that often need it the most, realize much of the 

economic benefit. In particular, the report detailed the benefits to San Benito County from OHV 

recreation at Hollister Hills SVRA from 1992-1993, including 85,000 visitors with an economic impact 

totaling $4.1 million and over 100 jobs attributable to OHV recreation. 

During this RMP/EIS effort, BLM evaluated statistics from the US Census 2000 data and a 2009 study 

prepared by Dean Runyan and Associates, Inc. for the California Travel and Tourism Commission to 

determine impacts of travel expenses by county in California. Although BLM has not estimated the 

economic benefits generated from recreation-related expenditures by visitors to the CCMA alone, the 

majority of CCMA public lands are in southern San Benito County; and the data shows that travel and 

recreation in San Benito County generate some $78,300,000 in spending in the county, $25,300,000 in 

earnings, and 940 jobs in the county (directly and indirectly). This amount ranks San Benito number 47 of 

58 counties with revenues generated and number 52 of 58 counties with jobs created from travel and 

recreation tourism (Dean Runyan Associates, Inc. 2009). The growth in jobs for the travel and recreationrelated sectors since 1992 has been less than 100. Jobs related to travel and recreational tourism account 

for 5.7 percent of all jobs in San Benito County. 

Much of the economic benefit for income and employment, from people’s expenditures for motorized 

recreation, appears closer to the urban homes in the visitor-shed, than in the communities near the 

CCMA. Other factors that influence economic conditions are associated with restaurants, lodging, and gas 

stations where visitors spend money traveling to and from the CCMA. Purchases of vehicles for 

recreation use are prime examples of big-ticket expenditures that occur at considerable distances from the 

CCMA, although several notable retail motorcycle and OHV businesses are located in San Benito 

County. 

In particular, motorcycles are popular vehicles for motorized recreation in the CCMA. The US Census 

Bureau 2001 Zip Code Business Patterns (http://censtats.census.gov/cbpnaic/cbpnaic.shtml) provide 

information by zip code, for the number of businesses and categories of numbers of employees at these 

businesses. The pertinent North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) category 441221 

covers vendors of all-terrain vehicles, mopeds, motorbikes, motorcycles, and motorcycle parts and 

equipments, both new and used. 

Also, California State Parks and Recreation commissioned a study by ICF International titled, 

“Estimating the State Fuel Tax Paid on Gasoline Used in the Off-Highway Operation of Vehicles for 

Recreation”, which was completed in September 2006. The ICF report developed estimates on the 

amount of fuel used for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation on public lands in California, as well as 

providing information on the geographic distribution of OHV users and the numbers of off-highway 

vehicles used for recreation. 

The ICF study was prepared to assist the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the OHMVR Division 

with decisions regarding transfers of fuel tax funds to the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund (OHVTF). 

California State Parks funded the study because of concerns over the existing Fuel Tax Transfer Model, 

which is derived from two surveys carried out by Tyler and Associates in 1989-1990. 

The OHVTF is administered by the OHMVR Division of California State Parks and Recreation, and is 

used for the acquisition, development, and maintenance of off-highway recreation facilities and 

opportunities as well as the protection of natural and cultural resources associated with off-highway 

recreation. 
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Findings from the ICF survey were compared to those presented in the 1990 Study. The results suggest 

the number of households that drive off-highway for recreation decreased from 13.6% in 1989 to 9.9% in 

late 2003. Another objective of the study was to determine whether people are using their OHVs for 

recreation, or to gain access to a recreational pursuit. According to ICF, over half of the respondents 

claimed to “drive off-highway for the fun of it”, and to gain access for some other recreational pursuit.

One-third of respondents indicated that they only drive off-highway to gain access to a recreational 

pursuit other than OHV recreation, and less than 15% reported OHV use strictly for recreational purposes. 

Perhaps the most important objective of the study was to determine the amount of non-registered OHVs 

in California. The results of the ICF study show the ratio of non-registered to registered vehicles has 

dropped significantly from 1990. The decrease in non-registered vehicles has been attributed to efforts by 

retail dealerships that now aid purchasers in registering their vehicles with DMV, and new enforcement 

programs that began following the results of the 1990 study, as well as amnesty programs with DMV to 

create incentives for non-registered vehicle owners to register their OHVs. A comparison of the estimated 

non-registered vehicles in 1989 and estimated non-registered vehicle in 2003 shows a major decline in 

off-highway motorcycles. 

As noted in their conclusion, “The ICF International Study provides a significant improvement in the data 

used for estimating the amount of gasoline used for recreation on public lands in California.” The ICF 

International Study also improved vehicle counts by vehicle type. Significant miscounting of registered 

ATVs as “motorcycles” in the Existing Tax Transfer Model resulted in overestimation of non-registered 

vehicles. 

By correcting counts of vehicle types, the study identified an overestimation of approximately 1.4 million 

vehicles from the 1990 data. In addition, a significant increase in 4WD vehicles was observed by taking 

into account vehicle models that had been produced since 1990 when the Existing Tax Transfer Model 

was developed. Overall, the ICF report estimates that California use approximately 151,000,000 gallons 

of gasoline recreating off-highway on public lands and the total tax revenue from the purchase of fuel 

alone generates almost $28,000,000 for the State, which represents less than 50% of the total tax revenue 

reported in the 1990 study (ICF 2006). 

Grazing 

Although no management decisions for public lands outside the Clear Creek Management Area will be 

part of this planning effort, these areas may be referred to here to provide a more complete discussion of 

the socioeconomic role of livestock grazing on public lands in the Planning Area. 

The BLM manages long-term grazing leases on 57,633 acres of public land in the Planning Area,

providing 7,547 animal unit months (AUMs) of forage annually. As noted in Table 2.4-7, these leases 

include public lands outside of CCMA. All of the grazing is done by cattle operations, and all of the 

forage provided annually is in the Diablo Range area. (See Section 3.11, “Livestock Grazing” for a more 

extensive treatment of public land grazing.) At the current average California private land lease rate for 

livestock grazing land ($14.50/AUM), the annual forage contribution from CCMA public lands is valued 

at just over $109,000. 

The forage provided annually by BLM-managed lands in the Diablo Range amounts to less than 0.1 

percent of the total livestock forage requirements of the three counties that make up the analysis area, and 

there is no forage contribution in the Central Coast area. In general terms, the economic contribution of 

public lands in the Planning Area to the livestock economy of the Diablo Range analysis area is 

negligible. However, that is not the case when individual economic units are considered. 
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The three largest leaseholders authorized for grazing on public lands in the CCMA lease from 1,036 

AUMs to 2,914 AUMs annually. These leaseholders account for almost two-thirds of the acres leased by 

the HFO in the CCMA and for over 80 percent of the AUMs. On average, 45 percent of the acreage they 

graze is public land. That figure serves as an indicator of the degree of importance public lands hold for 

these individual grazing operations. Moreover, for the remaining 8 smaller leaseholders, public lands 

make up 25 to 50 percent of their grazing acreage. Most of these smaller lessees may not be viable 

economic units, but their grazing operations likely yield some supplemental income, and public lands 

clearly are important to that supplement. 

Minerals 

The Federal mineral estate in the southern portion of the Diablo Range has historically been a source of 

both oil and natural gas, though nearly all of the production in Fresno and San Benito counties has been 

outside of CCMA. Moreover, production in the entire region has declined in the recent past, and the 

potential for oil and gas development in CCMA is extremely limited given more reasonably foreseeable 

energy and mineral development on other lands. In 2004, annual production in the entire Hollister Field 

Office stood at 585 million cubic feet (mmcf) of natural gas and 50,500 barrels of oil. Both of these 

figures are less than 2/100 of a percent of annual production of natural gas and oil in California. 

Although important at one time, the production of asbestos, bentonite, and mercury from public lands has 

ceased and is unlikely to start up again. (See Section 3.12, “Energy and Minerals,” for a more extensive 

treatment of mineral extraction in the CCMA) 

Public Revenue 

Public land management activities and resource uses contribute only marginal revenues to local and State 

governments, based on the very limited Federal revenue from grazing fees, oil and gas royalties, and fees 

for recreation special use permits. Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) based on BLM land ownership in the 

entire 12 county Hollister Field Office, contributed about $225,000 to local government revenues in 2004, 

which comprises a very small portion of these governments total revenues. As with other quantifiable 

economic indicators such as personal income, the public land resources in the CCMA are simply too 

small relative to other public revenue generators to make a significant contribution. 

3.15.4.5 Other Socioeconomic Contributions of BLM Lands 

In addition to the contribution of public land resources to local income and employment, other 

socioeconomic elements that are more difficult to quantify are affected. Especially in areas of the western 

U.S., where BLM lands make up the majority of the land base, public land resources may have a distinct 

effect on the lifestyles, quality of life, and traditions of a community. Since data on these types of 

socioeconomic indicators are not gathered in any regular and systematic way by a governmental entity, 

the analysis in this section is based on comments received by BLM over many years regarding CCMA 

from knowledgeable local individuals, government employees, and businessmen. 

Considering these issues involves a review of the economic and social conditions described in the 

sections above, and acknowledging the broader context of socioeconomic indicators, and understanding 

the importance of things such as quality of life, community traditions, and lifestyles, and how they would 

be affected by land use alternatives in the CCMA RMP. 

Several focal points emerged from the scoping meetings. comments, and discussions with public land 

visitors, including the potential utility of public lands as a way to connect Native Americans with their 

ancestral lands; the role that public lands play as a place to escape, to experience remoteness, and to have 

an unstructured outdoor experience; the place that public lands in the Diablo Range serve in linking 
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modern day residents with traditional lifestyles; and the use of public lands as a mitigation pool for 

endangered species habitat. 

A recurrent theme in most discussions of public lands in the CCMA was their function as a place to 

escape, to get away from the stress of population. Visitors to CCMA from the Bay Area must drive 

several hours, but then may spend an entire day riding, hiking, or rockhounding without seeing another 

person. An important element of this feeling of escape is that experiences on public lands are far less 

regulated, far less structured, than those at other recreation sites. There are a number of State Parks in the 

Planning Area, for example, but they are heavily used, sometimes requiring reservations, and often with a 

single focus, such as motorcycling, that requires intense regulation to manage its use safely. The 

downside to the remoteness of areas such as the CCMA is that many illegal activities such as poaching, 

trespassing, and marijuana cultivation are more prevalent. 

Public comments referred repeatedly to the link between public lands in the CCMA and traditional 

lifestyles and practices. Many of the current grazing leaseholders are descended from the original 

homesteaders. Although few of these people derive their financial livelihood from public lands today, 

they still place great value on grazing cattle where their fathers and grandfathers did, and on hunting the 

same hills and canyons that their family has hunted for generations. 

OHV Recreation and Family Values 

Since 1984, the classic stereotype of an OHV recreationist does not reflect the growing popularity of the 

sport, as public lands are now host to visitors of all ages including families, women, children, and 

octogenarian riders who enjoy OHV use on public lands. 

Increasingly, recreational use of OHVs is a social sport, with most visitors coming in groups. The 1993-

1994 California State OHMVR Division study describes how motorcycle clubs and OHV user 

associations often function as extended families, with families, singles, and couples all traveling together 

to enjoy the sights and camaraderie associated with outdoor recreation on public lands. In 1992, the 

OHMVR Division determined that 82% or more of the OHV-owning households had two or more drivers 

per household. 

The importance of family-oriented recreation identified by the OHMVR Division is emphasized in the 

findings of a 1993 Statewide User Survey Analysis that emphasizes the physical, emotional, and mental 

benefits of outdoor recreation activities. This California State Parks report states, “Recreation has the 

potential to be a major balancing factor in peoples’ lives. Depending on the specific recreation or activity 

chosen, users can seek either excitement or relaxation through recreation. Participation in group outings 

builds an understanding of team work and provides a positive group affiliation. Family recreation 

strengthens the solidarity of the family unit.” These same values are reflected in public visitor use and 

enjoyment of CCMA, as local clubs and organizations sponsor numerous annual family events on public 

lands. 

Public Health and Safety 

Besides preserving and protecting natural and cultural resources, BLM’s stewardship role extends to 

protecting public health, safety, and property. The Bureau is responsible for maintaining facilities and 

infrastructure, reducing health and safety risks to employees and the public, and protecting public lands 

from hazardous materials releases, illegal dumping of wastes, theft and destruction of Federal property, 

misuse of resources, and wildland fires. 

In CCMA, releases of hazardous substances can have a significant impact on the health, diversity, and 

productivity of the public lands as well as on the health and safety of individuals who utilize and work on 
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those lands. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 

provides BLM’s authority and identifies agency responsibilities when responding to sudden releases of 

hazardous substances affecting public lands, or from historic disposal or release sites associated with 

abandoned mine lands that continue to pose a risk the overall protection of the environment and human 

health. 

CERCLA was amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) on October 17, 

1986. SARA expanded the federal government's response authorities and clarified that federal facilities 

are subject to the same CERCLA requirements as private industry. Under Section 120 of CERCLA, each 

department, agency, and instrumentality of the United States is subject to, and must comply with, 

CERCLA in the same manner as any nongovernmental entity. Generally, funds from the Superfund do 

not go towards paying for the cleanup of releases from federally-owned facilities [Section 111(e)(3)]. 

Historically, approximately 80 percent of all hazardous substance releases on public lands in CCMA were 

related to mines and mill sites. The other 20 percent have been caused by illegal activities, such as illegal 

dumping, industrial wastes, and illicit drug production. In recent years, marijuana cultivation has 

increased substantially, introducing even more fertilizers and toxic wastes into regions not previously 

plagued by this problem, as well as previously located encampments. 

The National Contingency Plan (NCP) establishes the processes and procedures used by lead agencies to 

respond to releases of hazardous substances pursuant to CERCLA. The NCP is published in the Code of 

Federal Regulations (CFR) under 40 CFR 300. As the lead agency responsible for releases on CCMA 

public lands, BLM must ensure that any investigatory or cleanup action taken pursuant to CERCLA, in 

response to a release of a hazardous substance affecting public lands, is in accordance with the NCP. 
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3.16 Visual Resource Management 

3.16.1 Introduction 

BLM lands in the Planning Area were inventoried for scenic quality in 1979. These inventories were used 

in the 1984 Hollister RMP when the public lands were assigned to one of four visual resource 

management (VRM) classes, and scenic quality has not been reassessed to date. However, public lands in 

CCMA are known for the outstanding scenic quality, as numerous peaks and ridge routes in the area 

provide unparalleled views of Central California. In particular, San Benito Mountain is the highest peak 

in the Southern Diablo Range and boasts a vista that spans the entire San Joaquin Valley and Coast 

Ranges. Other locations to be considered with regards to visual resources management classifications 

include Tucker Mountain, Goat Mountain, Santa Rita Peak, Condon Peak, and Wright Mountain.

3.16.2 Regulatory Framework 

Visual resources on BLM land are regulated by the guidance provided in the BLM Handbook H-8410-1. 

The visual resources of an area are inventoried and then assigned to a class by rating the visual appeal of a 

tract of land, measuring public concern for scenic quality, and determining whether the tract of land is 

visible from travel routes or observation points. Visual resource classes are defined as follows: 

Class I Objective: To preserve the existing character of the landscape. The level of change to 

the characteristic landscape should be very low and must not attract attention. 

Class II Objective: To retain the existing character of the landscape. The level of change to the 

characteristic landscape should be low and not attract the attention of a casual observer. 

Class III Objective: To partially retain the existing character of the landscape. The level of 

change to the characteristic landscape should be moderate and may attract the attention but should 

not dominate the view of the casual observer. 

Class IV Objective: To manage activities that require major modification of the existing 

character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic landscape can be high and 

may dominate the view and be the major focus of the viewer’s attention.

3.16.3 Regional Setting 

The CCMA consists of contiguous lands and isolated parcels spread across the rugged, mountainous 

terrain, although it is generally surrounded by low-elevation, rural ranching areas located in the nearby 

valleys. Elevations range from 1,000 to more than 5,000 feet. Modifications of public lands typically 

consist of visitor use facilities and range improvements such as fence lines and wildlife guzzlers. 

Electrical transmission lines, radio communication sites (including buildings and towers), and fuelbreaks 

are also located on BLM lands in CCMA. 

3.16.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.16.4.1 Overview of Management Zones 

Approximately half of the BLM public lands in CCMA lie within the Serpentine ACEC. Visual resources 

in the Serpentine ACEC include expansive views of California’s Central Valley, as well as the SierraNevada and Coast Ranges. Scenic values in the Tucker, Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River 

management zones, emphasize other distinct watershed features associated with the New Idria serpentine 

mass, San Carlos Bolsa, Tucker Mountain, Condon Peak, White Creek, the San Benito River, and 

Hernandez Valley. 
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BLM public lands in the Cantua Zone are also highly visible from U.S. Interstate 5. Scenery in this area is 

typical of the grassy hills along the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley, and therefore is an important 

visual resource. From the Ciervo Hills, west of the I-5 corridor, two large communication sites are visible 

on the ridgeline but they do not dominate the landscape, which is characterized by annual grasslands and 

scattered California junipers. 

BLM lands in the San Benito River Zone are generally inconspicuous, although they are visible from 

Coalinga Road. Also, this zone includes Goat Mountain, which has been identified as preferred location 

in CCMA for recreational hang-gliding because of the prevailing wind patterns and ideal topography. 

The Condon Zone includes BLM-managed properties that share boundaries with two significant 

California State Lands Commission holdings. Neither of these two areas has been assigned VRM class 

designations at the time of this report. 

Of course, the predominant feature in the Southern Diablo Range is Joaquin Ridge, culminating at 

Joaquin Rocks, and Black Mountain. These arid foothills in the rain shadow of the Diablo Range are 

characterized by annual grassland/shrub vegetation and the steep chaparral and oak-covered slopes of the 

Diablo Range. Although Joaquin Ridge and Joaquin Rocks are outside the CCMA RMP ‘planning area’, 

BLM will consider potential effects on these resources in the CCMA RMP. 

In the Tucker zone, public lands have limited non-motorized access, but are visible from Hernandez 

Valley and Vallecitos. The topography in this area is typical of the inner central coast range, with steep, 

rugged canyons, sandstone cliffs, and escarpments. Vegetation in this region is typically mixed chaparral 

and chamise chaparral. There are some areas of oak savannah and oak woodland, especially in canyon 

bottoms and on north-facing slopes. 

Table 3.16-1 identifies the VRM Class standards that are currently applied to lands managed by the HFO. 

Table 3.16-1 Existing VRM Designations 

Management Zone Current Decision

Serpentine ACEC, 

Tucker,

Cantua,

San Benito River

Class IV, unless otherwise stated.

Limit communication facilities to existing sites.

Utility corridors are established along utility rights-of-way.

Condon Zone Class III in the Condon Peak area.

Limit communication facilities to existing sites.

Utility corridors are established along utility rights-of-way.

San Benito Mountain RNA and WSA Class I

No expansion of existing sites in the RNA.

Utility corridors are established along utility rights-of-way.

3.16.4.2 Visual Resources Inventory 

BLM’s analytical process for VRM identifies, sets, and meets objectives for maintaining scenic values 

and visual quality. Once inventoried and analyzed, lands are given relative visual ratings (visual resource 

classifications). VR class ratings are derived from an analysis of scenic quality rated by landform, 

vegetation, water, color, influence of adjacent scenery, scarcity, and cultural modifications. A 
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determination of viewer sensitivity levels to changes in the landscape, and the distances that visual quality 

can be seen across a landscape, in order to determine an appropriate VRM Class objective. 

Management Classes describe the different degrees of modification to the basic elements of the landscape 

(form, line, color, texture) that would be allowed from BLM management in CCMA. When a site-specific 

project is proposed, the degree of contrast between the proposed activity and the existing landscape is 

measured (Contrast Rating). The Contrast Rating process compares the proposed activity with existing 

conditions element-by-element (form, line, color, texture) and feature-by-feature (land/water surface, 

vegetation, structures). The Contrast Rating is compared to the appropriate Management Class to 

determine if contrasts are acceptable. If the proposed project exceeds the allowable contrast, a BLM 

decision is made to (1) redesign, (2) abandon or reject, or (3) proceed, but with mitigation measures 

stipulated to reduce critical impacts. 

Currently, only the San Benito WSA and Research Natural Area are managed as VRM Class I areas, 

where only natural changes from ecological processes and very limited management activity are allowed, 

and contrasts within the landscape are designed to avoid attracting attention. 

All other BLM public lands within CCMA are managed as VRM Class 4 areas, which allows contrasts 

within the landscape that attract attention and could be dominating features in terms of scale, but still 

attempts to repeat the form, line, color, and texture of the characteristic landscape. 

The CCMA visual resource management classification process included an identification of cultural 

modifications in the landscape and an evaluation of the effects of those modifications on character and 

quality. The trend in scenic quality since most of the visual resource assessment work was done in 1979 

has been relatively stable and unchanging in terms of landscape character and scenic quality. Much of this 

can be attributed to the amount of rough terrain throughout the Planning Area, coupled with lack of water, 

which were seen to be hindrances to development. 

However, OHV use has increased over the past thirty years, and the resulting impacts to scenic qualities 

are highly visible in Clear Creek Canyon, and are expected to continue to increase in designated vehicle 

use areas within CCMA. Due to the degree of cultural modification (particularly surface area disturbance) 

observed over the period, HFO determined that the scenic quality of certain areas may have been reduced 

as a result of the cultural modifications. As a result, BLM is considering revised VRM Classes for certain 

areas as part of this RMP/EIS process including the Serpentine ACEC and the Condon management zone. 

A brief discussion of these areas follows. 

Serpentine ACEC 

The Serpentine ACEC encompasses both the San Benito Mountain RNA (4,147 acres) and WSA (1,500 

acres). It was designated as VRM Class IV in the 1984 Hollister RMP. Rugged terrain, inclement weather 

conditions limit visitor use during summer and winter months. The existing character of the landscape is 

mostly retained, although the level of visual contrast is high in many areas due to historic timber 

harvesting, mining operations, and road construction. Since 2006, HFO has observed lower levels of 

surface disturbance from OHV use on designated routes, and the presence of the San Benito Mountain 

RNA and WSA are valid reasons for reconsideration of the ACEC management as VRM Class II rather 

than IV. 
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Condon Zone 

This management zone includes the Condon Peak/White Creek area located northwest of Coalinga, to the 

north of Coalinga-Los Gatos Road. It was designated as VRM Class III in the 1984 Hollister RMP. 

Scenic quality is moderate to high and very minimal impacts from surface disturbance or other visual 

contrast are visible from primary viewing routes. Existing conditions warrant retention of the Class III 

designation. However, the potential for increased use of this area for OHV recreation, hunting, camping, 

and fuelbreaks warrant consideration of Condon zone management as VRM Class IV rather than III 

because of impacts associated with these surface disturbing activities. 

This area also abuts the CCMA’s southern boundary and portions of it receive moderate vehicular traffic 

associated with private landowners and numerous clubs and organizations accessing CCMA public lands 

from Coalinga-Los Gatos Road, as well as law enforcement and military activities, which are expected to 

increase into the future. 

The range of alternatives for VRM classification of these areas is described and analyzed in Chapters 2 

and 4, respectively. 
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3.17 Fire Management 

3.17.1 Introduction 

Fire risk is the probability that wildfire will start from natural or human-caused ignitions. Fire hazard is 

the presence of ignitable fuel coupled with the influences of terrain and weather. The nature of fuels, 

terrain, and weather conditions combine to dictate fire behavior, rate of spread, and intensity. Wildland 

fuel attributes refer to both dead and live vegetation and include such factors as density, bed depth, 

continuity, loading, vertical arrangement, and moisture content. In the wildland urban interface (WUI), 

structures are also potential fuel. Fire tends to burn more rapidly and intensely upslope than on level 

terrain. Also, weather conditions such as high ambient temperatures, low relative humidity, and windy 

conditions favor fire ignition and erratic fire behavior. The Hollister Field Office (HFO) strategy for 

wildfire management is to reduce the risk of unwanted fire in the Planning Area by managing wildland 

fuel and reducing human-caused ignitions. To develop the most effective management strategy, the 

Planning Area is divided into eight fire management units (FMU) based on geography and fuel type (see 

Map 6 in Appendix I). The FMUs differ in fuel type, acreage, and land use (see Table 3.17-1). 

Table 3.17-1 Fire Management Units (FMU) in the Planning Area 

Fire 

Management 

Unit

Type Dominant Vegetation/Fuel

BLM 

acres 

in CCMA

San Benito Natural 

Area

Special 

Management Area

Southern Ultramafic Jeffrey Pine Forest (also referred to as 

the “San Benito Forest” [Kuchler, 1997], comprising a 

Jeffrey-Coulter-foothill pine and incense cedar association), 

and Serpentine Chaparral (more specifically leather oak 

[Quercus durata] chaparral)

4,147

Clear Creek 

Serpentine ACEC

Area of Critical 

Environmental 

Concern

Serpentine Barrens, Serpentine Foothill Pine-Chaparral 

Woodland 

30,300

Hernandez Valley Wildland Urban 

Interface

Non-Serpentine Foothill Pine-Chaparral Woodland, Chamise 

Chaparral, Valley Oak Savannah, Blue Oak Savannah, and 

Non-Native Grassland

5,000

San Joaquin 

Valley South

Special 

Management Area

Annual grassland and shrub with steep chaparral and oakcovered slopes14,500

San Joaquin South 

Continued

Special 

Management Area

Annual grasses and herbaceous forbs with few scattered 

California Juniper

6,500

Source: HFO Fire Management Plan (2008).

3.17.2 Regulatory Framework 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for wildland fire and fuel management in the 

Planning Area. The HFO, under a mutual aid agreement with the California Department of Forestry and 

Fire Protection (CALFIRE), provides appropriate management response (AMR) for all wildland fires 

within the HFO. CALFIRE is responsible for actual fire suppression on HFO lands. The HFO currently 

manages wildland and prescriptive fire through the 1984 Hollister RMP and 2008 Fire Management Plan 

(FMP). 
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3.17.3 Regional Setting 

Historically, managing wildland fire for multiple objectives has not been emphasized to achieve 

management goals on public lands administered by the Hollsiter Field Office. The goal is to suppress all 

wildfires involving less than 10 acres 90 percent of the time. Prescribed fire and non-fire fuels 

treatments, including mechanical, biological, and chemical, are implemented as appropriate to create firesafe communities, protect private property, achieve resource management goals, and restore ecosystem 

health. 

3.17.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.17.4.1 Historic Fire Patterns 

The natural (historic) fire regime for the Planning Area is characterized by low-intensity surface fires with 

a recurrence frequency of less than 35 years. A historic fire regime is the natural role of fire across a 

landscape and the practice of Native American burning in the absence of modern human intervention 

(Agee 1993; Brown 1995). Fire managers define five natural (historical) fire regimes that are classified 

based on the average number of years between fire recurrences combined with its severity to the dominant 

vegetation (Schmidt et al. 2002). Severity is judged on the damage caused to vegetation. For example, a 

stand replacing fire completely burns the dominant overstory vegetation and is consider a severe fire. 

Based on the Schmidt et al. classification, the historic natural recurrence of fire for ecosystems in the 

Planning Area is Fire Regime Class I, which includes surface fires with a recurrence of 0 to 35 years and 

low to moderate severity. 

Natural and human-caused fire has long been an integral part of vegetation communities in the Planning 

Area. Lightening-ignited fire is a natural component of central California ecosystems, and its occurrence 

is important to maintaining the health of rangeland ecosystems. Native Americans used fire for such 

things as hunting, improving wildlife habitat, land clearing, and warfare. As such, many of the plant 

species and communities within the Planning Area are adapted to recurring fire through phenological, 

physiological, or anatomical attributes. Some plants that occur in the Planning Area (e.g., chaparral shrub 

species) require recurring fire to persist. 

However, the migration of European settlers into the area changed the natural fire regime in several 

interrelated ways, directly in response to changes in human intervention (Agee 1993; Brown 1995). The 

nature of vegetation (fuel) changed due to land use practices such as homesteading, livestock grazing, 

agriculture, water development, and road construction. Livestock grazing reduced the amount of fine 

fuels such as grasses and forbs, which carried fire across the landscape. In addition, continuous stretches 

forest and rangeland fuels were broken up by land-clearing activities. The removal of the natural 

vegetation allowed introduced weedy plants to colonize and occupy – in many instances – large expanses 

of land. The annual grasslands of central California are an example. Many of these weedy plants become 

flashy fuels as they age, causing fires to burn faster and hotter than with normal wildland fuels. In 

addition, more than a century of fire-suppression policy resulted in an unusually large accumulation of 

hazardous fuels in many rangeland ecosystems. The presence of flashy fuels coupled with the large 

accumulation of naturally occurring fuels has created hazardous situations for public safety and fire 

management. 

Modern-day land managers continue the use of fire in the Planning Area by using prescribed fire as a tool 

to improve wildlife habitat, control noxious weeds, or reduce hazardous fuels. Their primary efforts in 

managing fuels and fire are to protect human life, economic values, and ecological values. An example is 

a WUI, which occurs where forest or rangeland vegetation intermixes with human structures and values. 

Proactive and vigilant fire and fuels management in the Planning Area is necessary to protect the WUI 

and its associated economic and ecological values from fire loss. 
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3.17.4.2 Recent Fire History 

Fires have regularly occurred in the Planning Area, with several fires burning thousands of acres. (see 

Table 3.17-2). Fires occur an average of four times per year, and approximately 85 percent are caused by 

humans. This level of human-caused fire is of concern to the HFO because of the threat it poses to WUI 

communities and other economic and ecological values important to the residents of central California. 

Table 3.17-2 Fires Occurring within the HFO for the Years 1980 through 2008 

Fire 

Management 

Unit

Fire 

Number

Largest 

Fire 

(acres)

Average 

Fire Size 

(acres)

Total Area 

Burned 

(acres)

Ignition Cause

Lightening Human

San Benito Natural 

Area

2 150 76 152 1 1

Clear Creek 

Serpentine ACEC

2 1 0.6 1.1 2 0

San Joaquin Valley 

South

10 18,340 1,972 19,724 1 9

San Joaquin South 

Continued

19 7,800 1,082 20,560 3 16

Hernandez Valley 18 2,797 519 9,339 3 15

Table 3.17-3 presents an overview of the values at risk to fire loss, fuel hazard, and the approach to 

reduce fuel hazards in the FMUs. The level of fuel hazard is based on what is termed the fire regime 

condition class (FRCC). The FRCC includes three classes that measure the degree departure from the 

historical natural fire regime (Hann and Bunnell 2001). The departure from a natural fire regime is 

caused by changes to vegetation characteristics such as fuel composition, fire frequency and behavior, and 

other associated disturbances. The three FRCCs are low (FRCC 1), moderate (FRCC 2), and high (FRCC 

3). The FRCC for an area is assigned based on current fuel conditions. FMUs that are classified as 

FRCC 1 are considered to be within the historic range of the fire regime variation for a vegetation type in 

central California; FMUs classified as FRCC 2 and FRCC 3 exhibit, respectively, moderate and 

considerable departure from the normal range of variation. Currently, the FMUs are classified as either 

FRCC 2 or FRCC 3. 

Fires that occur in areas classified as FRCC 3 will usually burn more severely than fires in areas classified 

as FRCC I. In extreme cases, FRCC 3 fires can “sterilize” the soil by destroying the soil seed bank, soil 

organic matter, and soil microorganisms, and kill vegetation that otherwise may survive a less intense fire. 
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Table 3.17-3 Fire Management Unit Values at Risk and Fire Regime Condition Class Targets and 

Management Actions 

FMU Values At Risk

FRCC Management Actions to Reach FRCC

Proposed in CCMA RMP (Ch. 2)

Current Target Wildland 

Fire Use

Prescribed 

Fire Use

Non-fire Fuels 

Management

San Benito 

Natural Area

Unique forest assemblage, 

Special status species

habitats, Watersheds

3/2 1 No No No

Clear Creek 

Serpentine 

ACEC

Special status species

habitats, Watersheds, 

Cultural sites, Wildlife 

habitat

3 1 No Yes Yes

Hernandez 

Valley

WUI, Watersheds,

Wildlife habitat, Grazing 

Riparian

3 1 No Yes Yes

San Joaquin 

Valley South

Special status species

habitats, Watersheds,

Cultural sites

3/2 1 No Yes Yes

San Joaquin 

South 

Continued

Camping sites, Cultural 

sites, Special status 

species habitats, Grazing,

Wildlife habitat

3/2 1 No Yes Yes

The recovery of desirable vegetation in these situations will usually not occur without management 

intervention. Rehabilitating or returning FMUs classified as FRCC 2 or FRCC 3 to a lower classification 

may require proactive fuels management in the form of prescriptive vegetation treatments to reduce the 

buildup of hazardous fuels (Brown 2000). Prescribed fire, mechanical treatment (mowing, chopping, 

thinning), chemical treatments (herbicides), and biological treatments (livestock grazing, insects) are 

ways to improve the FRCC rating of an FMU by changing the nature of the fuel load and distribution to 

be within the range of natural variation, thereby reducing fire risk. Prescribed fires are carefully planned 

and purposely ignited to achieve specific management goals under very controlled conditions. 
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3.18 Lands and Realty 

3.18.1 Introduction 

The lands and realty program can be divided between land tenure adjustments and land use 

authorizations. Land tenure adjustments focus primarily on land acquisition and disposal, while land use 

authorizations consist of BLM approvals of rights-of-ways (ROWs), utility corridors and communication 

sites, and other leases or permits. Scattered tracts of public lands are present throughout the Planning 

Area, complicating BLM’s ability to manage or control access or provide opportunity for enjoyment by 

the public. Opportunities exist to increase public benefits by disposing of some public lands through sale 

or exchange, or to acquire offered lands in areas that would enhance public enjoyment and facilitate 

resource management more efficiently. Acquired lands through previous land tenure adjustments are 

incorporated into this plan. 

3.18.2 Regulatory Framework 

3.18.2.1 Federal Regulations and Policies 

In addition to being consistent with the goals and objectives for natural resources within the Planning 

Area, land tenure decisions must conform to the following regulations and policies: 

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA)– Lands are to be retained 

in Federal ownership, unless it is determined that disposal of a particular parcel will serve the 

national interest. Land use plans should avoid prescribing the method of disposal, acquisition, or 

property interest to be acquired. 

FLPMA (Sales – Section 203, 43 USC 1713(a); Exchanges – Section 206, 43 USC 1716(a); 

and Reservation and Conveyance of Minerals – Section 209, 43 USC 1719(a)) or other 

statutes and regulations – Lands or interest in lands that are available for disposal must be 

identified by parcel or by specific areas (on a map or by legal description). 

Federal Land Transfer Facilitation Act (FLTFA) of 2000 – The FLTFA amended FLPMA to 

allow disposal in land use plans prior to July 25, 2000. The FLTFA currently does not apply to 

lands identified for disposal after July 25, 2000. 

Recreation and Public Purposes Act (RPPA) of 1954, 43 U.S.C. § 869, et seq.1 – The RPPA, 

as amended, authorizes sale or lease of public lands for recreational or public purposes to State 

and local governments, and to qualified nonprofit organizations. RPPA leases must be for 

definitively proposed project with reasonable timetable and satisfactory plans for development, 

they must meet FLPMA disposal criteria, and no lands having “national significance” can be 

conveyed. Amount leased must be “reasonable” – no set amount total, but limits the amount per 

year by entity and should be no more than is “reasonably necessary” for the proposed use. 

43 CFR 2740, 43 CFR 2912, 43 CFR 2911, and 43 CFR 2920 Land Use Authorizations –

Describes where and under what circumstances authorizations for use, occupancy, and 

development (such as major leases and land use permits) may be granted. 

43 CFR 2806 – Corridor Designation. Existing and potential ROW corridors (potential 

corridors include existing ROW routes with the potential for at least one additional facility and 

thus can be considered a corridor if not already designated) to minimize adverse environmental 

impacts and the proliferation of separate ROW. 
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3.18.2.2 County General Plans 

The Planning Area includes 2 counties, each with their own County General Plan. In addition to these 

concerns, County General Plans define open space and conservation policy in the Planning Area and 

opportunities to coordinate with federal agencies like the BLM. The followings General Plans are 

currently in place: Fresno County, February 1995 and San Benito County, February 1995. 

3.18.3 Regional Setting 

The HFO administers approximately 63,000 acres of public land located in 2 counties. There are an 

additional 3,500 acres of private land with Federal ownership of the subsurface minerals, also known as 

“split-estate.” Adjacent landowners include private holdings and the federal, state, county, or local 

governments. Consolidation of federal lands through exchange or disposal per FLPMA and as amended 

in the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) would require consideration of suitability 

criteria, multiple-use values, and consistency with other HFO management objectives and plans. 

3.18.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

Since the release of the 1984 Hollister RMP, BLM has pursued an aggressive land exchange program to 

consolidate public lands in the Central Valley surrounding Clear Creek and Condon Peak. Most of these 

realty actions occurred as a result of land tenure decisions within the 1984 Hollister RMP. Land tenure 

adjustments have resulted in the disposal of approximately 2 acres for every acre acquired. 

The trend in land exchanges have allowed for more efficient and better management of resource values on 

BLM lands with contiguous ownership. Acquisition of non-federal lands has improved public access, 

provided additional protection for threatened and endangered species habitat, reduced the potential for 

trespass, and improved the management and protection of cultural and rangeland resources. Land 

disposals have relieved BLM of the administrative burden of managing isolated parcels of federal lands. 

Long-term benefits include the reduction of encroachment onto public lands from the surrounding private 

property and increasing the local property tax rolls of additional private lands. 

3.18.4.1 Lands for Retention 

All lands not identified for disposal through this land use plan are identified for retention. They would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis for exchange or disposal per FLPMA. Lands identified for retention 

are considered as unsuitable for entry under any of the agricultural land laws because of significant 

multiple-use values. 

3.18.4.2 Land Acquisition 

Acquisition of lands in the past decade have been along the west side of the San Joaquin valley (Ciervo 

Hills – Joaquin Rocks) and were considered the highest priority action needed to implement a recovery 

strategy for the rare complex of San Joaquin endemic species in the northern sector of their range. 

3.18.4.3 Land Disposal 

Public lands transferred from BLM ownership are made subject to existing ROWs. ROWs closed 

through the disposal of public lands tend to be for small access roads rather than the larger utility ROWs. 

Lands that should be considered for disposal are scattered parcels that are difficult to manage, parcels that 

are continually threatened with encroachment or parcels without public access. No lands will be made 

available for disposal that will compromise the management objectives for the CCMA. 
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3.18.4.4 Land Use Authorizations 

Rights of Way 

Requests for ROW or construction of utility sites and related facilities outside of designated or established 

corridors are considered on a case-by-case basis (this would include additional costs for mitigation). 

Communication sites are authorized under FLPMA according to BLM’s ROW policy. The CCMA has 

several mountaintops that are well suited for communication sites. There are presently seven 

communications sites located on or near San Benito Mountain, Santa Rita Peak, Spanish Lake, Sampson 

Peak and Sampson Creek Ridge. Existing utility corridors are located along Spanish Lake Road in the 

northeast portion of the CCMA. 

3.18.4.5 Forecast 

The BLM’s lands and realty program for the Hollister Field Office includes a general acquisition and 

disposal plan, consistent with the goals and objectives for natural resources, that identifies a primary 

target area for future land acquisitions almost exclusively in western Fresno County. Many of the lands in 

this target area are adjacent to Clear Creek Management Area; and while the CCMA RMP identifies 

potential land tenure adjustments, future opportunities for acquisition or disposal of lands inside the 

CCMA boundary would be considered in light of the entire for the Hollister Field Office lands and realty 

program. 

Land Tenure Adjustments 

Although BLM may determine that disposal of a particular parcel will serve the national interest (FLPMA 

Section 102(a)(1)) through the land use planning, the CCMA RMP avoids prescribing the method of 

disposal, acquisition, or property interest to be acquired. Lands or interest in lands are available for 

disposal under a variety of disposal authorities, provided they meet the criteria outlined in FLPMA (Sales 

- Section 203, 43 U.S.C. 1713(a); Exchanges – Section 206, 43 U.S.C. 1716(a); and Reservation and 

Conveyance of Minerals, Section 209, 43 U.S.C. 1719(a)) or other statutes and regulations, are identified 

by parcel on Maps A – G in Appendix I. 

None of the BLM-managed lands in CCMA are available for disposal under the Federal Land Transaction 

Facilitation Act of 2000 (FLTFA), because none of these public lands were identified as suitable for 

disposal in a land use plan prior to July 25, 2000. Conversely, all of the CCMA RMP amendments prior 

to 2000 proposed withdrawal of areas to be continued, modified, or revoked (including how the lands 

would be managed if the withdrawal were relinquished and an opening order issued) (see 43 CFR 2300). 

These proposed withdrawals were intended to be applied on BLM-administered lands in Clear Creek 

Canyon and the San Benito Mountain RNA to protect unique resource values. As a result, 995 acres of 

public lands are withdrawn from mineral entry in this portion of the Serpentine ACEC, as identified in the 

Federal Register, Volume 25, No. 142, published on July 23, 1970. 

 Land Classifications: Recreation and Public Purposes Act 

Public comments received during the scoping period for the CCMA RMP suggested that BLM authorize 

sales or leasing of public lands in CCMA. With the exception of public lands in the Serpentine ACEC, 

BLM will evaluate suitability of public lands for disposal in the CCMA RMP. Pursuant to the BLM Land 

Use Planning Handbook, lands classification under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act are required 

for sales (see 43 CFR 2740) and leases (see 43 CFR 2912). To the extent that the land use planning 

procedures pursuant to 43 CFR 1600 differ from applicable classification procedures under 43 CFR 2400, 

the latter procedures shall be followed and applied. 
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The criteria that supports classification decisions is the same criteria utilized in the land use planning 

process to make decisions concerning the disposal or retention of public lands (FLPMA, Section 203). 

The process usually begins with an application by an entity desiring land (focuses on purpose to be 

served) for BLM-managed lands identified as suitable for lease or sale under the RPPA during the land 

use planning process. If lands are not identified as “suitable” for disposal in RMP, then a separate notice 

of realty action (and RMP Amendment) must be published and circulated prior to lease/sale. 

A commitment by lessee(s) or conveyee(s) to a plan of physical development, management and use of the 

lands shall be required before a lease or conveyance is approved. To assure development of public lands 

in accordance with a development plan and compliance with an approved management plan, the 

authorized officer may require that public lands first be leased for a period of time prior to issuance of a 

patent, and funds from RPPA sales and leases usually go to the General Treasury. 

Land Use Authorizations 

Authorizations for use, occupancy, and development (such as major leases and land use permits) are 

currently granted (see 43 CFR 2740, 43 CFR 2912, 43 CFR 2911, and 43 CFR 2920, respectively) within 

existing and potential right-of-way corridors (potential corridors include existing right-of-way routes with 

the potential for at least one additional facility and thus can be considered a corridor if not already 

designated) to minimize adverse environmental impacts and the proliferation of separate right-of-ways 

(see 43 CFR 2806). However, the potential for development of areas in CCMA for renewable energy 

projects (e.g., wind and solar), additional communication sites, and other uses are limited, as wind and 

solar energy have low potential to produce significant economic activity. Nevertheless, western Fresno 

County is the area most likely to see interest in wind and solar energy development. 

Currently, the Serpentine ACEC is not a right-of-way avoidance area (areas to be avoided but may be 

available for location of right-of-ways with special stipulations and areas which are not available for 

location of right-of-ways under any conditions). However, this type of restriction would be consistent 

with BLM’s management objectives to minimize asbestos exposure and reduce asbestos emissions in the 

ACEC. Terms and conditions that may apply to right-of-way corridors or avoidance areas, including best 

management practices to minimize environmental impacts would be necessary to maintain resource 

values and protect public health and safety.
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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 

This chapter analyzes the environmental consequences, or impacts, that are expected to occur as a result 

of implementing the management actions for the range of alternatives and the Proposed Action described 

in Chapter 2. The depth and breadth of the impact analyses presented in this chapter is commensurate 

with the level of detail of the management actions presented in Chapter 2, and the availability and/or 

quality of data necessary to assess impacts. The baseline used for reasonably foreseeable effects is the 

current conditions in the Planning Area, as described in Chapter 3. These are the conditions that would be 

expected under the current management alternative (Alternative A: No Action Alternative). 

The BLM’s Proposed Action is derived from the “preferred alternative” identified in Chapter 2, Section 

2.5 of the Draft RMP & Draft EIS; and comprises a combination of land use authorizations and 

management actions proposed within the range of alternatives. Major changes to the Preferred Alternative 

are identfied in Section 2.1.1 of the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS and are incorporated into the 

Proposed Action. Therefore, the the “preferred alternative” considered in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS is 

not further evaluated in the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS. 

For the purpose of analysis, the impacts that are common among alternatives are grouped similar to 

Chapter 2. However, the intensity of impacts for each alternative are still based on the different 

combinations of management actions and varying levels of motorized or non-motorized access inside the 

Serpentine ACEC, and other allowable uses, land use authorizations, and the associated mitigation 

measures for public health and safety. 

Generally, the impact analysis for each resource program is organized into the following subsections: 

Introduction 

Overview of Impacts to Resources; 

Impacts and Mitigation Measures under Alternatives A, B, C, D, and E; 

Impacts and Mitigation Measures under Alternatives F and G; 

Impacts and Mitigation Measures under the Proposed Action. 

Cumulative effects under Alternatives A, B, C, D, and E; 

Cumulative effects under Alternatives F and G; 

Cumulative effects under the Proposed Action. 

4.0.1 Impact Analysis Methodology 

In general, impacts to resources in the Planning Area are analyzed by determining the effects on a given 

resource from its resource-specific management actions (e.g., the Recreation section addresses impacts to 

recreation from recreation management actions), and then by determining the effects on that resource 

from the management actions listed under other resources (e.g., the Recreation section addresses impacts 

to recreation from biological resources management actions). In some cases, the impacts to other 

resources from the management actions listed for that resource are also analyzed (e.g., the Livestock 

Grazing section also addresses impacts on biological resources from rangeland management actions). 

Impacts are related to desired future conditions by comparing the impacts from implementation of 

management actions to achieving the goals and objectives specified for each resource/resource program 

under the Proposed Action, and to the existing environmental conditions (under the No Action). For 

management actions that do not achieve the stated goals and objectives of the Proposed Action, or that 

generally do not meet BLM’s multiple use mandate, or that result in significant negative changes to 
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physical or social conditions, the impact is characterized as adverse. For management actions that do 

achieve goals and objectives, the impact is characterized as beneficial. If a management action does not 

specifically affect a desired future condition, there is no impact. Finally, if there is not enough specificity 

to determine whether a management action would achieve the goals and objectives, the impact can only 

be described in general terms. 

4.0.2 Types of Impacts to be Addressed 

4.0.2.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts 

Terms referring to the intensity, context (geographic extent), and duration of impacts are used in this 

chapter. Impacts are not necessarily only negative; many are positive benefits and are specified as such. 

The standard definitions for terms used in the impacts analysis include the following: 

Adverse – the effect is negative. 

Beneficial – the effect is positive. 

Negligible – the effect is at the lower level of detection; change would be hard to measure. 

Minor – the effect is slight but detectable; there would be a small change. 

Moderate – the effect is readily apparent; there would be a measurable change that could result in 

small but permanent change. 

Major – the effect is large; there would be a highly noticeable, long-term, or permanent 

measurable change. 

Localized – the effect occurs in a specific site or area. 

Temporary – the effect occurs only during implementation of a management action. 

Short-term – the effect occurs only for a short time after implementation of a management action. 

Long-term – the effect occurs for an extended period after implementation of a management 

action. 

Permanent – the effect is irreversible; the resource would never revert to current conditions. 

Direct – effect that occurs as a result of actions on the resource being addressed. 

Indirect – effect that occurs as a result from actions on other resources, or which are caused by 

the action and are later in time or farther removed in distance. 

4.0.2.2 Cumulative Effects 

40 CFR 1508.25 and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations require evaluation of an 

action’s potential to contribute to “cumulative” environmental impacts during the land use planning 

process. A cumulative impact is defined as: “The impact on the environment which results from the 

incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future 

actions, regardless of what agency or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result 

from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. 

Cumulative impacts can result from similar projects or actions, as well as from projects or actions that 

have similar impacts” (40 CFR 1508.7). Cumulative impacts are also addressed in this chapter. 

The objective of cumulative impact analysis is to evaluate the significance of the management alternatives 

and the Proposed Action’s contribution to cumulative environmental impacts. The past and present 
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actions are discussed in Chapter 3, Affected Environment, while the future actions are discussed in this 

chapter. 

4.0.3 Incomplete or Unavailable Information 

Impacts are quantified where possible. Impacts are sometimes described using ranges of potential impacts 

or in qualitative terms. In the absence of quantitative data, impacts are described based on the professional 

judgment of the interdisciplinary team of technical specialists using the best available information. 

Impacts analysis based on incomplete or unavailable information is identified where applicable in this 

chapter. In particular, uncertainties with regards to human health risks associated with asbestos 

and the impacts of public health and safety management actions are addressed in Section 4.2, 

Hazardous Materials and Public Health and Safety.

4.0.4 Mitigation Measures 

Mitigation measures designed to avoid or reduce impacts are incorporated into the management actions of 

each alternative and the Proposed Action, as defined in Chapter 2. Therefore, impacts identified in this 

chapter are unavoidable and would result from implementing the management actions and related 

mitigation measures. 

4.0.5 Assumptions 

The detailed impact analyses and conclusions are based on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) 

knowledge of resources and the project area, reviews of existing literature, and information provided by 

experts in BLM, other agencies, interest groups, and concerned citizens. Data from field investigations 

were used to quantify effects where possible. However, in the absence of quantitative data, qualitative 

information and best professional judgment was used. Acreage calculations, projected use levels, and 

other numbers used in this analysis are approximate and provided for comparison and analytic purposes; 

they do not reflect exact measures of on-the-ground situations. If an activity or action is not addressed in a 

given section, no impacts are expected or the impact is expected to be negligible, based on existing 

knowledge. 

Several general assumptions were made to facilitate the analysis of potential impacts. The assumptions 

listed below are common to all resources. Other assumptions specific to a particular resource are listed 

under that resource. 

EPA’s Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008) provides the best available 

information on the risk associated with exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in CCMA. 

Changes in BLM policies have been made since the 1984 RMP was approved. 

Funding and personnel would be sufficient to implement any alternative described. 

The Proposed Action would be implemented in accordance with all laws, regulations, and standard 

management guidelines/best management practices. 

The level of motorized recreation activity on BLM-administered land is expected to decline, while 

levels of non-motorized recreation activities would increase based on historical trends, population 

increases, and statements of interest in land use by individuals and industry organizations. This 

includes ongoing reasonable access to private land or interests. 

Climate change will affect the planning area and likely result in warmer and drier conditions. 
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4.1 Recreation 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goals for recreation management are to (1) provide a variety of experiences and settings for a 

diversity of users and to meet potential changes in demand while minimizing conflicts with 

adjacent property owners and among user groups; (2) provide a range of recreational use 

opportunities while protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources from human intrusion; (3) 

promote sharing of ideas, resources, and expertise to increase the public’s appreciation and 

understanding of natural and cultural resources on BLM public lands; and (4) disseminate 

information that will foster responsible behavior in order to achieve the highest possible 

environmental quality on BLM public lands. 

4.1.1 Introduction 

This section focuses on recreational opportunities and allowable uses, and impacts to users and resources. 

Section 4.15, “Social and Economic Conditions” addresses the social and economic value of recreation in 

the Planning Area. Motorized vehicle use for recreational purpose is described here; a discussion of 

vehicle use and route designations is included in Section 4.3, “Travel Management and Transportation.” 

The range of alternatives and the Proposed Action analyzed in this PRMP/FEIS were developed based on 

public comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009), and in response to the purpose and need 

identified in Chapter 1, in order to evaluate overall protection of human health and the environment. The 

management alternatives provide a reasonable range of recreational opportunities to consider, as 

allowable uses and other restrictions are stratified among Motorized (A, B, C, D, E) and Non-motorized 

Alternatives (F and G). The Proposed Action would also provide limited vehicular access with an 

emphasis on non-motorized recreation opportunities across the management zones within the CCMA. 

The range of alternatives and the Proposed Action consider a variety of management actions to address 

human health risks from exposure to asbestos to CCMA recreational visitors. Under Alternative A (No 

Action), there would be no change to the type of allowable uses and recreation opportunities on BLMmanaged lands in CCMA. Whereas, under Alternatives B – G and the Proposed Action, BLM would use 

a combination of best management practices (BMPs) and administrative actions (i.e. require permits and 

enforce supplementary rules) to reduce human health risks from exposure to asbestos in CCMA. Under all 

the alternatives, BLM would augment the existing public asbestos hazard information program through 

improved signing, hand-outs, advisories, monitoring, public contact, and education programs with new 

information from the EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment incorporated 

into these materials. 

Overnight camping and staging would be prohibited in the ACEC. Although certain other allowable uses, 

competitive events, and commercial activities would also be prohibited within the Serpentine ACEC, the 

Proposed Action would allow vehicle access and scenic touring through the ACEC. Additionally, 

management of CCMA public lands would be focused on establishing and managing appropriate 

recreation opportunities on BLM-administered lands outside of the ACEC. 

4.1.2 Overview of Impacts 

This sub-section provides an overview of impacts that occur under all alternatives. The background and 

overall impact assessment is provided here and, as needed, further analysis, such as the location or 

severity of the impact, is provided under each alternative. 
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4.1.2.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

As described in Chapters 2 and 3, in order to manage recreation on BLM-managed lands, public lands are 

designated as Special Recreation Management Areas (SRMAs) or Extensive Recreation Management 

Areas (ERMAs). Recreation in SRMAs is under intensive management, with investment in facilities and 

supervision. Anything not delineated as a SRMA is an ERMA. ERMAs are typically managed for more 

dispersed recreation with less oversight of facilities (e.g., trails, parking areas). The designation of a 

SRMA or an ERMA is an administrative action and does not result in any direct physical environmental 

impacts. Designation of a SRMA can, however, result in changes to the recreational opportunity in that 

area based on subsequent planning efforts. 

Under all alternatives, except G, the CCMA would be managed as a SRMA and would have some 

inherent management emphasis as to the type of recreation that occurs within the different management 

zones. Under these alternatives, non-motorized recreation activities such as hiking, hunting, and rockhounding would be allowed throughout the CCMA. Mountain bike and equestrian use opportunities 

would also be available; although, they would be limited to routes and trails on BLM-managed lands 

outside the Serpentine ACEC under alternatives E, F, and G because of health risk concerns from 

exposure to asbestos emissions that would be similar to riding a motorcycle or ATV. 

Camping within the Serpentine ACEC would be prohibited inside the ACEC under all the alternatives. 

The broad spectrum of existing recreational opportunities currently meets the needs and demands of 

visitors; although additional opportunities for recreation would be needed in the future, especially in areas 

closer to urban centers, as the population in California continues to grow. Therefore, other recreation 

facilities would be developed outside the Serpentine ACEC under Alternatives B-F.

Recreational use of public lands can be expected to increase as population grows, not only in the Central 

Coast and Diablo Range areas that support local use but also throughout the HFO and California. If 

recreation use were to grow at a rate proportional to projected population growth in the Central Coast and 

Diablo Range areas, over 50,000 annual visits would be expected, compared to the 43,000 visitor use days 

recorded in 2006. 

Increased visitor use would place higher demands on the recreation infrastructure and increase demand 

for developed and maintained facilities, access points (trailheads), comprehensive trail maps, and trail 

maintenance. Increased use would also place more demand on management resources, natural resources, 

and trail system infrastructure. Current observations are that OHV use at CCMA is not increasing at the 

rate of other OHV areas, although publicity and population growth would be expected to contribute to 

slight increases in CCMA visitor use over the life of this plan. 

Conflicts with Other Uses, Adjacent Property Owners, or Among User Groups 

Conflicts among users can occur between hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers, or between motorized 

and non-motorized recreationists using the same trails or areas. For example, if one user is seeking a 

quiet and natural experience and another user is creating considerable noise or dust, there may be 

resulting conflict between the users. Under all alternatives, except E and F, some level of conflict would 

likely exist between hikers/hunters/rockhounds vs. motorized recreationists. This would primarily be an 

issue at the existing recreation facilities, mainly due to the disproportionate number of motorized users 

and diverse attitudes of CCMA visitors. 
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Additionally, conflicts can arise with adjacent property owners where poor signage or lack of property 

boundary posting allows potential trespass onto private property, or if nuisance noise or dust from biking 

or vehicles migrates from BLM lands to private property. 

Education and Interpretation 

Under all alternatives, BLM’s management presence on public lands would continue to be improved 

through the use of signs, boundary markers, and outdoor displays. Educational and interpretive activities 

in and of themselves would not directly affect public services. The use of exhibits and interpretive 

facilities is an important and positive mechanism to educate CCMA visitors and conduct outreach 

regarding environmental stewardship and human health risks from exposure to asbestos. Web-based and 

print media would also be effective tools for assisting recreationists in planning visits to the public lands. 

Establishing expected behaviors and actions before a visitor arrives is the best way to minimize health 

risks and conflicts between users/individual recreationists and natural/cultural resources. If use patterns 

change based upon the selected alternative, new visitor use patterns will need to be ascertained so that 

education and interpretation materials can be tailored to better serve the new activities. 

The construction of new education and interpretation facilities would be limited to concentrated use areas, 

so the impacts would be in association with existing use sites or new use site developments. In either 

case the education/interpretation portion of the development would have negligible impacts to the 

environment. 

4.1.2.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Biological Resources 

Management actions under Biological Resources may preclude recreational activities at certain times and 

locations. This includes restricting recreational activities near certain nesting sites, vernal pools, or near 

newly re-established vegetation, or restricting pets from entering ponds that may contain special status 

species. These restrictions are generally limited to very small areas, and may or may not be limited to a 

certain time frame, depending on the Alternative. While restricting recreation to a reduced area, even 

temporarily, would create additional burden on the surrounding recreation areas, the intent of these 

restrictions is to enhance the biological or ecological resources in the area, which in the long-term should 

enhance the recreation user’s experience. 

Livestock Grazing 

The presence of livestock near recreation sites may or may not affect the activities occurring at the site. 

Some observers enjoy seeing cattle on the landscapes, while the signs of livestock grazing, such as fences, 

manure, and stock ponds, may impact the natural aesthetic for some visitors and impair the ability to 

enjoy the scenery and/or the solitude of the area they are visiting. Additionally, the presence of livestock 

in close proximity to recreation users can cause some conflict, as there can be collisions between users 

and livestock on heavily used trails. This would likely only be an issue in the Condon Zone where current 

grazing leases exist and future grazing leases are most likely to occur. 

Energy and Minerals 

Management actions associated with mineral and energy development may preclude recreational activity 

at certain locations and times. Currently, recreation users are restricted from entering public lands that are 

part of the Atlas and KCAC mine sites. Active and inactive mine sites have negative impact on the 
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viewshed of the area for recreation users. Increased traffic associated with active mine operations would 

increase asbestos emissions and pose an additional health risk to recreation users. Existing hard rock 

mining claims and newly established claims will prohibit access to public lands by amateur rockhounding 

enthusiasts. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

All alternatives afford protection of these resources and permit some level of access to special areas. If 

during a planned event or by accident a special resource is encountered or if a special study is under way, 

recreation may be restricted from that area for a limited time. The restricted area would likely be small 

and also fenced or otherwise marked as restricted. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Recreational activities including horseback riding, hunting, and rock hounding, require foot and/or 

vehicular access. Each alternative analyzed here establishes varying degrees of motorized and nonmotorized access to certain recreation areas, miles of routes, and use of routes for specialized purposes. 

While closing or specifying the appropriate use of certain routes may limit unnecessary impacts to other 

resources like vegetation or water resources, having some routes only open to administrative or research 

vehicles, and some routes closed on a seasonal basis would be confusing to some visitors and would 

require increased signage. While useful for navigating, any additional signage may alter the natural 

setting of the immediate surroundings. 

Additionally, closing roads to motorized access for recreation could limit the ability of the public to 

access those areas, especially those areas far from other public roads or in areas where the terrain is 

difficult to access by foot or the distance to the destination is too great. 

Furthermore, closing redundant roads that were previously open could result in increased use of those 

roads that remain open, possibly resulting in unanticipated impacts from the increased use. 

Lands and Realty 

BLM can increase public benefits by disposing of some public lands through sale or exchange, or by 

acquiring offered lands in areas that would enhance public enjoyment and facilitate resource management 

more efficiently. The BLM can enhance opportunities on public lands by acquiring lands that offer 

unique or desirable opportunities, or that allow increased or improved access. 

4.1.3 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative A 

4.1.3.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

Under Alternative A, Clear Creek Management Area would remain a SRMA. Recreation would be 

governed only by existing decisions, and BLM would incorporate health risk information into public 

outreach and educational materials to improve human health and safety. Designation of CCMA as a 

SRMA would preserve BLM’s ability to plan, expand, or restrict certain uses, and adequately plan for 

recreation use in this popular OHV recreation area, resulting in major, long-term, beneficial impacts to 

recreational opportunity in these areas. 
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Under Alternative A, vehicle use in the area would be limited to designated routes and barrens, and there 

would be no new roads constructed and no existing routes would be closed. This would be a considered a 

negligible impact to recreation opportunities in CCMA because it would maintain current management 

direction. However, continuing to allow motorized access in the Serpentine ACEC would be a major 

long-term benefit for OHV recreation because of the high-quality OHV riding opportunism available on 

the extensive OHV route network in CCMA, which is primarily concentrated within the ACEC. 

Increased visitor use would place higher demands on the recreation infrastructure and increase demand 

for developed and maintained facilities, access points (trailheads), comprehensive trail maps, and trail 

maintenance. Increased use would also place more demand on management resources, natural resources, 

and trail system infrastructure. Current observations are that OHV use at CCMA is not increasing at the 

rate of other OHV areas, although publicity and population growth would be expected to contribute to 

slight increases in CCMA visitor use over the life of this plan. 

Hobby gem and minerals collection (rock-hounding) and hunting would also continue to be popular 

activities in CCMA. Both would probably be subject to more restrictions due to human health risks from 

exposure to asbestos in CCMA. Areas outside the Serpentine ACEC will likely become more popular as 

BLM implements public health and safety measures. Volunteers could play a greater role in the 

development and maintenance of these areas. 

Development of trails as well as installation of any other visitor facilities may become necessary to 

manage public use and meet recreation opportunity demands in the CCMA’s San Benito Mountain 

Research Natural Area. Such infrastructure would require greater law enforcement presence, as well as 

increased demand for non-motorized trail use and improved facilities outside the Serpentine ACEC. 

Conflicts with Other Uses, Adjacent Property Owners, or Among User Groups 

Under Alternative A, user conflicts would continue to be an issue in areas where there is competition for 

non-motorized and motorized use on roads and trails and at other recreation facilities, such as 

campgrounds. Individual conflicts are temporary and localized, but would continue to have major longterm adverse effects on non-motorized recreationist and private landowners that are negatively impacted 

by safety hazards, noise, and large crowds associated with OHV use in CCMA. Whereas, impacts to 

motorized recreationist and OHV recreation would be negligible, even as recreation demand grows, 

because of the size of the designated OHV route network and the existing recreation facilities. 

Education and Interpretation 

Under this alternative, the use of boundary postings and outdoor kiosk/display sites would be encouraged. 

The Hollister Field Office would continue to provide outreach and education through publications and 

field contacts to create public awareness of human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers 

in CCMA. By incorporating the best available information on human health risks from CCMA recreation 

activities, BLM’s interpretation and education program would provide minor long-term benefits to public 

health and safety. 

Additionally, all alternatives would promote a limited number of facilities in the Tucker, Condon, and 

Cantua management zones. Facilitates could include kiosk/display sites, restrooms, parking areas, trails, 

and campgrounds, depending on the need and level of use in the area. Use of such facilities would have 

mixed consequences. They can increase the enjoyment of recreation experiences for some visitors, but 

may detract from the naturalness for others. Implementation of these facilities would require greater law 

enforcement presence or patrol by BLM. 
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Overall, the addition of signs, kiosks, and facilities such as restrooms and parking areas in those areas 

most in need of such facilities would provide a moderate beneficial impact to recreation in those areas. 

Visitor Use Fees 

Visitor use fees were approved and implemented for CCMA on January 1, 2007. Use fees may exclude or 

detract certain visitors from participating in the activity for which the use fee is established. While this 

could adversely impact the population who cannot afford the fee, this would also have a minor beneficial 

impact in instances where overcrowding leads to less enjoyment of the activity or to environmental 

impacts. 

4.1.3.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Biological Resources 

Alternative A affords adequate environmental protection to biological and cultural resources. If this 

Alternative were selected, all road activities must be consistent with BLM Manual 9113, H-9113-2, and 

9114. These actions would result in minor long-term beneficial impacts for transportation. 

Livestock Grazing 

Rangeland management activities would not appreciably impact opportunities for recreation. The 

presence of cattle near recreation sites may or may not affect the activities occurring at the site, or have an 

impact on the users’ enjoyment of the landscape, depending on personal preference. 

Energy and Minerals 

Major energy and mineral exploration/development is unlikely within CCMA under Alternative A based 

on the underlying geology and health and safety concerns associated with the presence of asbestos. 

However, past mining activities have adversely impacted the viewshed and have created asbestos 

emissions in association with road construction and vehicle traffic. Currently all hard rock mining is 

casual use. No plans of operations are on file. The atlas and KCAC asbestos mines are fenced and no 

public access is allowed. 

Lode claims in the area conflict with recreation opportunities. Rockhounders can recreate on sites with 

active lode claim. Development mine operations will create conflicts with other uses due to increased 

equipment use and potential for higher asbestos emissions. 

Some oil and gas development has occurred in the Cantua area historically, and future development of 

energy and minerals anywhere in the CCMA would have potential conflicts with recreation opportunity 

and use. However, development of oil and gas on BLM-administered lands is not reasonably foreseeable 

and future mining activities are also unlikely due to environmental constraints. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Alternative A provides adequate protection of these resources. If a special resource is encountered or if a 

special study is under way, recreation may be restricted from that area for a limited time. The restricted 

area would likely be small, and a fence or barrier would be erected. This impact would generally be 

localized and short-term and would not result in any noticeable changes to recreation use or opportunity. 
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Travel and Transportation Management 

This alternative would maintain current motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities on 

approximately 270 miles of roads and trails within CCMA. The route network would continue to be 

evaluated for soil loss and habitat concerns with reroutes occurring as deemed necessary by appropriate 

staff in conjunction with further planning efforts, in compliance with the Biological Opinion. All uses 

other than pedestrian would continue to be restricted to designated routes and barrens. Minor user 

conflicts, both within and between motorized and non-motorized users, will likely continue and is 

considered a minor long term impact to recreation. Primary access would continue to be the main 

entrance at the intersection of Coalinga Road and Clear Creek Road. Access through Idria would be 

analyzed for management concerns and discussed with San Benito County, the current owner of the road, 

regarding public safety and environmental impacts stemming from this point of entry. 

Alternative A would continue to be beneficial for the users’ transportation and access throughout the

management area, creating no new adverse impacts to either. 

4.1.3.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are incorporated into the management actions described in Chapter 2. Therefore, no 

mitigation measures for impacts to recreation resources are necessary under Alternative A. 

4.1.4 Impacts to Recreation Common to Alternatives B, C, D, E, F and G 

4.1.4.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

Under all alternatives, Clear Creek Management Area would remain a SRMA. Recreation would be 

governed by BLM manuals and policy, and the Hollister Field Office would incorporate health risk 

information into public outreach and educational materials to improve human health and safety. If the 

area could not be designated as a SRMA through this RMP process, the BLM would have limited ability 

to plan, expand, or restrict certain uses. The inability of the BLM to adequately plan for recreation use in 

these popular areas would result in minor, long-term, adverse impacts to recreational opportunity in these 

areas. 

Human health risks and impacts to natural and cultural resources associated with allowable uses and 

recreation opportunities in CCMA would be mitigated through management actions and restrictions 

unique to each Alternative. Motorized and non-motorized recreation are a component of all Alternatives, 

with varying levels of access and use restrictions in each of the five management zones based on EPA’s 

Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008). 

Under Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, and G, special recreation permits (SRPs) would only be authorized 

outside the ACEC to further reduce asbestos exposure and emissions associated with organized events. 

The restrictions on SRPs for organized events in the ACEC would have major long-term negative impacts 

on OHV clubs and groups that have historically held competitive motorcycle races, jeep tours, and other 

events; as well as any other organizations or clubs that promote group activities in the Serpentine ACEC 

because of the lost opportunity for fundraising and events sanctioned by the American Motorcycle 

Association. 
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As a result of the varying levels of recreation management and differences in allowable uses from 

Alternative A, all of these alternatives would have some potential for adverse effects on existing 

recreation resources. In particular, each of these alternatives would prohibit staging for recreational 

activities and overnight camping in the ACEC, with the exception of visitor use at Jade Mill for camping 

under all alternatives. Although the purpose and need for this RMP/EIS is based on minimizing and 

reducing human health risk associated with asbestos exposure, Upper Jade Mill campground is underlain 

by nonserpentine soils. BLM first identified the Jade Mill site for development of recreation facilities in 

the Hollister RMP (BLM, 1984); and as a result, the Upper Jade Mill site remains a favorite camping 

location and consistently receives heavy use. 

These restrictions would have minor long-term negative impacts on all types of recreation use in the 

ACEC, including motorized and non-motorized activities, because of the decrease in facilities to support 

these visitor uses. On the other hand, Alternatives B, C, D, E, and F also promote enhancing recreation 

opportunities within the CCMA as a whole by developing new recreation facilities in the Tucker, Cantua, 

and Condon Zones, which would provide long-term benefits to recreation resources since they will no 

longer be exclusive to the ACEC. 

Indirect impacts would increase as restrictions on allowable uses increase and recreation opportunities 

decrease across the range of alternatives from A - G, particularly within the Serpentine ACEC. These 

restrictions would displace thousands of recreationists, who would end up seeking OHV recreation 

opportunities in other County, State or Federal recreation areas. Most of these other areas are smaller than 

CCMA and additional visitors would contribute to overcrowded conditions and additional impacts to the 

human environment in those areas. Overcrowding can lead to increased conflicts among user groups, 

decreases in recreational quality and experience, and adverse impacts to other resources like vegetative 

cover, wildlife habitat, soil loss and erosion, and water and air quality. 

Conflicts with Other Uses or Adjacent Property Owners, or Among User Groups 

As under Alternative A, the existing, but limited, conflicts among user groups would continue at CCMA 

under all alternatives. While there are no management actions defined to address this issue, the change in 

recreational opportunities throughout the Planning Area, as provided under Alternatives B, C, D, E, F and 

G would decrease the potential for these conflicts due to substantial reductions in annual visitor use. 

Education and Interpretation 

Under these alternatives, the Hollister Field Office would provide recreation information such as maps, 

brochures, and educational opportunities to enhance visitors’ experience on BLM public lands, 

incorporate the best available information concerning: asbestos health hazards, OHV use designations, 

fire prevention, BLM regulations, and natural resources of the area into educational materials and on all 

maps, brochures, and kiosks.. By incorporating the best available information on human health risks from 

CCMA recreation activities and other BLM regulations, the Hollister Field office interpretation and 

education program would provide moderate long-term benefits to CCMA recreation visitors. 

All alternatives would allow the construction of new or upgraded facilities, depending on the availability 

of funding and partnerships, including signage, wayside exhibits, and kiosks, and therefore potentially 

would cause increased demand for public services (e.g. restrooms, picnic areas, more parking) at remote 

areas like Condon Peak and Cantua Zone. These efforts would result in moderate benefits for the 

awareness and understanding of CCMA resources for recreation visitors, and minor adverse effects on 

law enforcement patrols and emergency services. 
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Visitor Use Fees 

Alternatives B through G would allow BLM the flexibility to continue visitor use fees. Use fees may 

exclude or detract certain visitors from participating in the activity for which the use fee is established. 

While this could adversely impact some visitors, most public land visitors are willing to pay a small fee 

for recreation opportunities in CCMA, and collection of visitor use fees could help improve recreation 

facilities and reduce the negative impacts associated with overcrowding or other environmental impacts. 

Overall, the adverse effects of visitor use fees would be outweighed by these potential benefits 

4.1.4.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Biological Resources 

Management actions for biological resources may preclude recreational activities at certain times in order 

to conduct restoration or scientific activities. These would be done on a limited basis in a limited area. In 

the short-term, the closure to recreation of these areas would be a temporary, negligible to minor adverse 

impact; however, in the long-term, users could appreciate the enhanced natural surroundings. 

Livestock Grazing 

Under the range of alternatives, impacts to recreation resources and activities could result from closures 

of access routes due to Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines. Without vehicular access, the 

resource quality remains, but the opportunity for use is reduced or eliminated. The significance of 

impacts on recreational activities in the Planning Area would depend on the routes no longer available as 

a means of access to the public lands. However, rangeland health is not a major factor in the selection of 

routes in CCMA. Thus little impact to recreation resources and activities is anticipated. 

As with Alternative A, the presence of livestock near recreation areas could result in collisions between 

users and livestock on heavily used trails. Generally, limiting allotments to grazing would avoid these 

conflicts. Alternatives F and G would exclude grazing from the Serpentine ACEC and the entire CCMA, 

respectively, which could have a minor, long-term beneficial effect on recreational opportunities for 

hunting, as game species would have increased forage available in the Condon, Cantua, and Tucker 

Zones. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Same as Alternative A. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

As with Alternative A, vehicle use on all BLM lands would be limited to designated routes under all 

alternatives. Additionally, full size vehicle traffic on the designated roads and trails would increase 

incrementally over time, and might show increases due to displaced use from closed roads and areas. 

However, a shift in emphasis from heavily motorized use to non-motorized use might reduce overall use 

of some roads and bring about a minor to moderate beneficial long-term impact to the character of the 

landscape that contribute to the value of recreation opportunities in the CCMA. 

The environmental consequences of the range of alternatives for transportation and access are described 

in detail in Section 4.3. 
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Lands and Realty 

Under all alternatives, the BLM could enhance recreation opportunities on public lands by acquiring lands 

that offer unique or desirable opportunities, or that allow increased or improved access. Because these 

actions would be highly subject to availability of funding and/or appropriate lands for acquisition, impacts 

can only be addressed at a general level. A detailed description of potential acquisitions and disposals of 

lands by Alternative is described in Section 4.18. 

 4.1.4.3 Mitigation 

Development of recreational trails and facilities would be established utilizing BMPs outlined in 

Appendix V. 

4.1.5 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative B 

4.1.5.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

Under Alternative B, there would be no new roads constructed and no existing roads abandoned. Vehicle 

use in the resource area would be limited to designated routes. The public lands managed by the Hollister 

Field Office would remain open to motorized recreation use on designated routes, except where closed by 

closure notices, and/or by activity-level planning decisions. Under Alternative B, BLM would continue to 

manage up to 270 mile route network and 478 acres of designated barrens for OHV use. 

Under this alternative, BLM would require permits for access into the Serpentine ACEC to limit annual 

visitor use days in order to reduce asbestos exposure to acceptable risk levels. Based on the potential for 

excess lifetime cancer risk calculated in EPA’s risk assessment, motorized access would be limited to less 

than 5 days/year, and non-motorized access would be limited to less than 12 days/year. The requirement 

to obtain access permits for authorized recreation activities in the ACEC would have moderate long-term 

negative effects on recreation resources in the ACEC because the opportunities for motorized and nonmotorized would be substantially reduced, even though they would continue to be available in the ACEC. 

Under this alternative, user conflicts would continue to be an issue in areas where there is competition for 

non-motorized and motorized use within the same travel ways. Individual conflicts are short-term but the 

occurrence would continue over the long term or permanently. This would be considered a minor, longterm adverse impact to non-motorized recreationists. Although, limits on annual visitor use days would 

have major long-term adverse impacts to motorized recreationists and OHV recreation in CCMA. 

Education and Interpretation 

Same as Alternative A.

4.1.5.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Energy and Minerals 

Major energy and mineral exploration/development is unlikely within CCMA based on the underlying 

geology and health and safety concerns associated with the presence of asbestos. However, under this 

alternative the area would be open to lode claims and the development of a mine operation would 
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potentially have long-term adverse impacts to recreation in CCMA because mine development would 

preclude recreation use in mined areas and would generally increase asbestos exposure and emissions in 

the Serpentine ACEC. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Same as Alternative A. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Route network is the same as Alternative A. 

The Dry Season Use Restrictions would be extended from April 15th through December 1st, which would 

further reduce the visitor use season by 12 weeks and limit access to CCMA more than 60% of the year. 

Wet Season Use Restrictions would continue using established or improved methods as they become 

available. Under this alternative, visitors will be limited in their use by days/year based on the EPA and 

BLM risk assessment models and activity-based air sampling data gathered during the ‘wet season’, 

which is the time of year CCMA is open to the public. 

4.1.5.3 Mitigation 

Development of recreational trails and facilities would be established utilizing BMPs outlined in 

Appendix V. 

4.1.6 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative C 

4.1.6.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

Alternative C would authorize full size vehicles on County roads and designate 150 miles of existing 

routes for “single track/motorcycle use only”; and visitors under the age of 18 would be prohibited in the 

ACEC. The Condon Peak and Cantua Zones would continue to be managed for hunting via ATV and full 

size vehicle as well as non-motorized recreation opportunities. Pedestrian recreational opportunities like 

hobby gem and mineral collection would continue to be available throughout the Serpentine ACEC. 

Age restrictions, loss of route mileage and change in designations would present major long term adverse 

impacts on minors and ATV/4WD user groups. On the other hand, this alternative would provide major 

long-term benefits for (adult) motorcycle recreation by emphasizing development and maintenance of 

single-track trails in the Serpentine ACEC. 

Education and Interpretation 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.1.6.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Energy and Minerals 

Same as Alternative B. 
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Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Same as Alternative A. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

The transportation network would have major long-term adverse impacts on access for all user groups 

other than motorcycles and full-size vehicles. Access would also further be limited to users 18 years of 

age and older, negatively impacting young visitors and family recreation in the ACEC. Since the county 

road network would be the only available routes to full size vehicles, access to areas off of major roads 

would also be permanently adversely impacted. 

4.1.6.3 Mitigation 

Development of recreational trails and facilities would be established utilizing BMPs outlined in 

Appendix V. 

4.1.7 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative D 

4.1.7.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

Alternative D would only authorize full-size vehicles on County roads and BLM routes identified on Map 

D in the ACEC. These restrictions on allowable uses would have major long-term adverse impacts on 

OHV recreation in the ACEC. However, under this alternative, BLM would matintain 24.5 miles of 

designate dopen routes in the Condon management zone, and develop approximately 60 miles of trails to 

promote OHV recreation opportunities on public lands in the Cantua and Tucker management zones. 

BLM would also maintain exisitng campgrounds (Oak Flat, Jade Mill, and Condon) and establish new 

campgrounds, staging areas to support OHV recreation in the Cantua Zone, as well as lands surrounding 

Tucker Mountain. These new OHV recreation opportunities would provide moderate long-term benefits 

to OHV recreation in Central California and off-set some of the adverse impacts from prohibiting OHV 

recreation in the ACEC; although the quality and quantity of OHV recreation opportunities would still be 

diminished compared to Alternatives A, B, and C. 

Education and Interpretation 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.1.7.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Energy and Minerals 

Mineral leasing or sales within the Serpentine ACEC would not adversely to recreation opportunities 

under this alternative. The withdrawal of public lands in the ACEC from locatable mineral entry would 

have long term beneficial impacts to recreation by reducing use conflicts between mine operations and 

recreationists. Conflicts for gem and mineral collection, increased asbestos emissions due to mine 

operations, and adverse impacts to the viewshed would be avoided. 
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Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Same as Alternative A 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Transportation and access within the Serpentine ACEC would be greatly restricted with expanded 

opportunities developed in the surrounding Zones. Since the dry season route network will be the only 

available routes within the Serpentine ACEC, access to some areas may be pedestrian only. 

4.1.7.3 Mitigation 

Development of recreational trails and facilities would be established utilizing BMPs outlined in 

Appendix V. 

4.1.8 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative E 

4.1.8.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

Alternative E would allow motorized access inside the ACEC for full-size vehicles from the CCMA 

entrance near New Idria on Spanish Lake Road to Wright Mountain. Access would be authorized by 

permit only for less than 5 days/year for vehicle access and less than 12 days/year for pedestrian use. 

Gates would be installed where necessary to control access. Facilities such as pull-outs and parking areas 

would be developed in areas exhibiting unique recreational values, such as SBMRNA/WSA, Wright 

Mountain, and other scenic points of interest. 

Alternative E would have major adverse impacts on motorized recreation in CCMA. Up to 65.5 miles of 

routes would be available in the entire CCMA. Only highway-licensed vehicles would be allowed on the 

designated route system. Access for hobby gem and mineral collection would be adversely impacted by 

route closures and could significantly increase time required for hiking to and from collecting sites. 

Hikers and hunters would be afforded access along the route to designated points of interest for natural 

and cultural resources. Public recreation opportunities in the ACEC would be further adversely impacted 

by requiring permits for access that limit annual visitor use days to a set number of days in the ACEC for 

recreation purposes. 

Special recreation permits for hobby gem and mineral collection would be issued on a case-by-case basis. 

Under this alternative, the requirement to obtain a special recreation permit for rockhounding would have 

negligible impact on CCMA visitors because the opportunities for hobby gem and mineral collection 

would continue to be available in the ACEC. 

Pedestrian access would be enhanced slightly based upon improvements to trail system and reduced 

conflicts with motorized vehicles. Facilities such as pull-outs and parking areas would be developed in 

areas exhibiting unique recreational values, such as SBMRNA/WSA, Wright Mountain parking access to 

Joaquin Rocks and other scenic points of interest. The Cantua and Tucker zones would be managed for 

non-motorized recreation opportunities, while the Condon zone would maintain existing route 

management objectives (RMOs). In general, these management actions would have moderate long-term 

benefits for non-motorized recreation outside the Serpentine ACEC; however, health and safety 

mitigation measures that limit annual visitor use days would have moderate long-term adverse impacts on 
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non-motorized recreation visitors in the Serpentine ACEC because these recreation opportunities would 

be restricted to less than 12 days/year. 

The restrictions on allowable uses under Alternative E would have major long-term adverse impacts on 

OHV recreationists due to the complete loss of OHV opportunities in CCMA. These displaced users 

would seek OHV opportunities in other recreation areas that provide OHV access, like State Vehicular 

Recreation Areas (SVRAs), Metcalf County Park, Frank Raines County Park, and BLM’s Jawbone Area 

of Critical Environmental Concern, which would most likely become more congested. This would have 

indirect negative effects on these and other OHV areas as increased visitor use would place higher 

demands on the recreation infrastructure, budget resources, and natural resources; as well as presenting 

safety concerns as conflicts among impacted groups/individuals will become more frequent, 

Education and Interpretation 

Informational and interpretive panels would be developed and placed at strategic locations along the 

access route. 

4.1.8.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Energy and Minerals 

Under this alternative, 30,000 acres of public lands within the Serpentine ACEC would be unavailable for 

mineral leasing or sales and withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. These land use allocations would 

have a minor long-term beneficial impact on recreation resources by preserving wildlife habitat and other 

areas with recreation values from potential mineral leasing and development. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Same as Alternative A. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Transportation and access would be severely limited in scope throughout the Serpentine ACEC, with 

pedestrian access the only available option outside of the Spanish Lake Road corridor. New opportunities 

would become available as developed in the surrounding zones. 

4.1.8.3 Mitigation 

Development of recreational trails and facilities would be established utilizing BMPs outlined in 

Appendix V. 

4.1.9 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative F 

4.1.9.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

Alternative F would restrict ACEC recreation access to pedestrian traffic and require written access 

authorization for all other uses necessarily consistent with management goals and objectives. The 

restrictions on allowable uses under Alternative F would have major long-term adverse impacts on OHV 
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and motorized recreation opportunities, as well as mechanical and equestrian opportunities due to the 

complete loss of OHV opportunities in CCMA. These displaced users would seek OHV opportunities in 

other recreation areas that provide OHV access, like State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRAs), Metcalf 

County Park, Frank Raines County Park, and BLM’s Jawbone Area of Critical Environmental Concern,

which would most likely become more congested. This would have indirect negative effects on these and 

other OHV areas as increased visitor use would place higher demands on the recreation infrastructure, 

budget resources, and natural resources; as well as presenting safety concerns as conflicts among 

impacted groups/individuals will become more frequent, 

Access and facilities in other zones would be improved to support allowable uses throughout CCMA, 

with all zones managed for non-motorized recreation. BLM would matintain 24.5 miles of designated 

open routes in the Condon management zone. BLM would also maintain exisitng campgrounds (Oak 

Flat, Jade Mill, and Condon). These improvements would have moderate beneficial impacts for nonmotorized recreation. 

Under this alternative, hobby gem and mineral collection would be authorized within the Serpentine 

ACEC by permit only. The requirement to obtain permits for hobby gem and mineral collection would 

have minor short term negative effects on visitors that must learn to acquire the necessary approval before 

visiting CCMA. On the other hand, health and safety mitigation measures that limit annual visitor use 

days would have moderate long-term adverse impacts on these recreation visitors because the opportunity 

for rockhounding in the Serpentine ACEC would be restricted to approximately 12 days/year. 

Education and Interpretation 

Informational and interpretive panels would be developed and placed at strategic locations both within the 

Serpentine ACEC as well as in the surrounding management zones. 

4.1.9.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Energy and Minerals 

Under this alternative, 30,000 acres of public lands within the Serpentine ACEC would be unavailable for 

mineral leasing or sales and withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. These land use allocations would 

have a minor long-term beneficial impact on recreation resources by preserving wildlife habitat and other 

areas with recreation values from potential mineral leasing and development. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Same as Alternative A. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Transportation and access would be severely limited in scope throughout the Serpentine ACEC, with 

pedestrian access the only available option. New opportunities would become available as developed in 

the surrounding zones. 

4.1.9.3 Mitigation 

Development of recreational trails and facilities would be established utilizing BMPs outlined in 

Appendix V. 
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4.1.10 Impacts to Recreation from Alternative G 

4.1.10.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 

Alternative G would prohibit public recreation inside the ACEC. Cantua and Tucker Mtn. zones would 

be managed for non-motorized recreation and Condon Peak zone would be limited to full-sized vehicles 

and ATVs on designated routes with a new staging area established along Los Gatos Creek Road. 

Complete closure of the Serpentine ACEC would have the most significant and long-term adverse 

impacts on recreation opportunities among the range of alternatives because all forms of public entry in to 

the ACEC would be prohibited and no new recreation resources would be developed in other zones, 

except for the route from Coalinga-Los Gatos Road to Condon Peak, which would provide minor benefits 

for non-motorized recreation in the Condon Peak area. 

Education and Interpretation 

Informational and interpretive panels would be developed and placed at strategic locations in the 

management zones surrounding the Serpentine ACEC. 

4.1.10.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Energy and Minerals 

Under this alternative, all public lands within the CCMA (66,500 acres) would be unavailable for mineral 

leasing or sales and withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. These land use allocations would only have 

a minor long-term beneficial impact on recreation resources because the potential for mineral leasing and 

development on CCMA public lands is low. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Same as Alternative A. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

With the Serpentine ACEC completely closed to public access, the surrounding management zones would 

sustain all transportation networks and provide the only public access to the region. 

4.1.10.3 Mitigation 

Development of recreational trails and facilities would be established utilizing BMPs outlined in 

Appendix V. 

4.1.11 Impacts to Recreation from the Proposed Action 

4.1.11.1 Impacts from Recreation Management Actions 

Recreation Uses and Demand 
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Under the Proposed Action, Clear Creek Management Area would remain a SRMA. Recreation would be 

governed by BLM manuals and policy, and the Hollister Field Office would incorporate health risk 

information into public outreach and educational materials to improve human health and safety. 

Designation of CCMA as a SRMA would preserve BLM’s ability to plan, expand, or restrict certain uses, 

and adequately plan for future recreation use in this popular management area, resulting in major, longterm, beneficial impacts to recreational opportunity in these areas. 

Human health risks and impacts to natural and cultural resources associated with allowable uses and 

recreation opportunities in CCMA would be mitigated through management actions and restrictions. 

Motorized and non-motorized recreation have varying levels of access and use restrictions in each of the 

five management zones based on EPA’s Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008). 

Areas outside the Serpentine ACEC will likely become more popular as BLM implements public health 

and safety measures in the ACEC. 

The Proposed Action would allow motorized access inside the ACEC for highway-licensed vehicles on 

the scenic route of approximately 32 miles (Appendix I, Proposed Action Map). The designated route 

network would provide access to Wright Mountain, Goat Mountain, and the Clear Creek and San Benito 

River watersheds. Facilities such as pull-outs and parking areas would be developed in areas exhibiting 

unique recreational values, such as SBMRNA/WSA, Wright Mountain, and other scenic points of 

interest. 

BLM also proposes to install gates to control public access on CCMA roads in order to reduce risks to 

public health and safety because the existing use of these roads can expose public visitors to excess 

lifetime cancer risks. Access to the ACEC would be allowed only by access permit and would be limited 

to 5 days for motorized recreation and 12 days for non-motorized recreation, in order to reduce asbestos 

exposure to acceptable risk levels, based on the potential for excess lifetime cancer risk calculated in 

EPA’s risk assessment. Prohibiting camping and requiring permits to limit annual visitor use days in the 

ACEC would only have moderate long-term adverse impacts to recreationists in CCMA because most 

visitors only recreate in the Planning Area for 5 – 12 days/year and camping would still be available at the 

Oak Flat and Jade Mill Campgrounds. 

In general, the Proposed Action would provide moderate long term benefits to non-motorized recreation 

opportunities within the ACEC because motorized access would be maintained and visitor use conflicts 

would be reduced, and because it includes development of new recreation facilities and campgrounds in 

Condon and Cantua Zones to promote allowable uses in these areas. 

On the other hand, these Proposed Action would have major long term adverse impacts to OHV 

(motorized) recreation opportunities in the ACEC because the miles of routes and trails available for 

OHV use would be reduced by more than 75% from the previously designated 242 miles of routes that 

were approved for OHV use in the 2006 ROD for CCMA Route Designation. Furthermore, limiting 

motorized access to highway licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV’s would eliminate all single-track trail 

riding opportunities on public lands in the CCMA. 

Additionally, special recreation permits (SRPs) for organized events would not be allowed in the ACEC, 

and these restrictions would have major long-term negative impacts on OHV clubs and groups that have 

historically held competitive motorcycle races, jeep tours, and other events; as well as any other 

organizations or clubs that promote group activities in the Serpentine ACEC. SRPs would be authorized 

outside the ACEC, however this would not likely make up for the lost opportunities in the ACEC. 
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The Proposed Action would also have minor long-term adverse effects on other existing recreation 

resources due to limits on annual visitor use days in CCMA. For example, hikers and hunters would 

continue to be afforded access to a large portion of the ACEC along the Scenic Touring Route to 

designated points of interest for these activities, with negligible long term impacts. Hobby gem and 

minerals collection (rock-hounding) and hunting would also continue to be popular activities in CCMA, 

however, both activities would be limited to day use and other restrictions due to human health risks from 

exposure to asbestos in CCMA. In particular, staging for recreational activities and overnight camping in 

the ACEC would be prohibited, with the exception of visitor use at Jade Mill for camping based on the 

following rationale. Upper Jade Mill campground is underlain by non-serpentine soils and poses a 

minimal health risk. BLM first identified the Jade Mill site for development of recreation facilities in the 

Hollister RMP (BLM, 1984); and as a result, the Upper Jade Mill site remains a favorite camping location 

and consistently receives heavy use. These use restrictions would have minor long-term negative impacts 

on all types of recreation use in the ACEC, including motorized and non-motorized activities, because of 

the decrease in facilities within the ACEC to support these visitor uses. 

The Proposed Action promotes enhancing recreation opportunities within CCMA as a whole by 

developing recreation access and new recreation facilities in the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua Zones, 

which would provide long term benefits to recreation resources since they will no longer be exclusive to 

the ACEC. Pedestrian access would be enhanced slightly based upon improvements to trail system and 

reduced conflicts with motorized vehicles. Facilities such as pull-outs and parking areas would be 

developed in areas exhibiting unique recreational values, such as SBMRNA/WSA, Wright Mountain 

parking access to Joaquin Rocks and other scenic points of interest, including Goat Mountain. The 

Cantua and Tucker zones would be managed for non-motorized recreation opportunities, while the 

Condon zone would maintain existing route management objectives (RMOs) for access for non-motorized 

activities. In general, these management actions would have moderate long-term benefits for nonmotorized recreation outside the Serpentine ACEC 

Indirect impacts related to recreation use of the ACEC, would increase as restrictions on allowable uses 

increase and recreation opportunities decrease. These restrictions would displace thousands of OHV 

recreationists, who would end up seeking OHV recreation opportunities in other County, State or Federal 

recreation areas. Many of these other areas are smaller than CCMA and additional visitors would 

contribute to overcrowded conditions and additional impacts to the human environment in those areas. 

Overcrowding can lead to increased conflicts among user groups, decreases in recreational quality and 

experience, and adverse impacts to other resources like vegetative cover, wildlife habitat, soil loss and 

erosion, and water and air quality. 

Conflicts with Other Uses or Adjacent Property Owners, or Among User Groups 

Under the Proposed Action, the change in allowable uses and recreational opportunities throughout the 

Planning Area, would decrease the potential for these conflicts due to substantial reductions in annual 

visitor use and the change in types of uses inside the ACEC and other management zones. Under the 

Proposed Action, some level of conflict would still likely exist between hiker/hunters vs. motorized 

recreationists. This conflict would be minor and localized, and primarily be an issue at the developed 

recreation facilities, where motorized and non-motorized users with diverse attitudes would be sharing 

facilities. 

Management actions associated with mineral and energy development may preclude recreational activity 

at certain locations and times. Currently, recreation users are restricted from entering public lands that are 

part of the Atlas and KCAC mine sites. Active and inactive mine sites have negative impact on the 

viewshed of the area for recreation users. Increased traffic associated with active mine operations would 
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increase asbestos emissions and pose an additional health risk to recreation users. Existing hard rock 

mining claims and newly established claims will prohibit access to public lands by amateur rockhounding 

enthusiasts. 

Education and Interpretation 

Under the Proposed Action, the Hollister Field Office would provide recreation information such as maps, 

brochures, and educational opportunities to enhance the public’s experience on BLM public lands; by 

incorporating the best available information concerning: asbestos health hazards, OHV use designations, 

fire prevention, BLM regulations, and natural resources of the area into these educational materials. By 

incorporating the best available information on human health risks from CCMA recreation activities and 

other BLM regulations, the Hollister Field office interpretation and education program would provide 

moderate long-term benefits to CCMA recreation visitors. 

The Proposed Action would allow the construction of new or upgraded facilities, depending on the 

availability of funding and partnerships, including signage, wayside exhibits, and kiosks, and therefore 

potentially would cause increased demand for public services (e.g. restrooms, picnic areas, more parking) 

at remote areas like Condon Peak and Cantua Zone. These efforts would result in moderate benefits for 

the awareness and understanding of CCMA resources for recreation visitors, and minor adverse effects on 

law enforcement patrols and emergency services. 

Visitor Use Fees 

The Proposed Action would allow BLM the flexibility to continue visitor use fees. Use fees may exclude 

or detract certain visitors from participating in the activity for which the use fee is established. While this 

could adversely impact some visitors, most public land visitors are willing to pay a small fee for 

recreation opportunities in CCMA, and collection of visitor use fees could help improve recreation 

facilities and reduce the negative impacts associated with overcrowding or other environmental impacts. 

Overall, the adverse effects of visitor use fees would be outweighed by these potential benefits 

4.1.11.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Biological Resources 

Management actions for biological resources may preclude recreational activities at certain times in order 

to conduct restoration or scientific activities. These would be done on a limited basis in a limited area. In 

the short-term, the closure to recreation of these areas would be a temporary, negligible to minor adverse 

impact; however, in the long-term, users could appreciate the enhanced natural surroundings. 

Livestock Grazing 

Rangeland management activities would not appreciably impact opportunities for recreation. The 

presence of cattle near recreation sites may or may not affect the activities occurring at the site, or have an 

impact on the users’ enjoyment of the landscape, depending on personal preference. Rangeland health is 

not a major factor in the determination of closure for routes in CCMA. Thus little impact to recreation 

resources and activities is anticipated. 

Energy and Minerals 
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Under the Proposed Action, 30,000 acres of public lands within the Serpentine ACEC would be 

unavailable for mineral leasing or sales and recommended for withdrawal from locatable mineral entry. 

These land use allocations would have a minor long-term beneficial impact on recreation resources by 

preserving wildlife habitat and other areas with recreation values from potential mineral leasing and 

development. 

However, past mining activities have adversely impacted the view shed and have created asbestos 

emissions in association with road construction and vehicle traffic. Existing lode claims in the area would 

continue to conflict with certain recreation opportunities because rock hounds cannot recreate on sites 

with active lode claim. Likewise, future development of mine operations could create additional conflicts 

with other uses due to increased equipment use and potential for higher asbestos emissions. 

Some oil and gas development has occurred in the Cantua area historically, and future development of 

energy and minerals anywhere in the CCMA would have potential conflicts with recreation opportunity 

and use. However, development of oil and gas on BLM-administered lands is not reasonably foreseeable 

and future mining activities outside the ACEC are also unlikely due to environmental constraints. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

The Proposed Action provides adequate protection of these resources. If a special resource is encountered 

or if a special study is under way, recreation may be restricted from that area for a limited time. The 

restricted area would likely be small, and a fence or barrier would be erected. This impact would 

generally be localized and short-term and would not result in any noticeable changes to recreation use or 

opportunity. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Vehicle use on all BLM lands would be limited to designated routes under all alternatives. All barrens 

would be designated closed. Additionally, highway-licensed vehicle traffic on the designated roads and 

trails would increase incrementally over time, and might show increases due to displaced use from closed 

roads and areas. However, a shift in emphasis from heavily motorized use in the ACEC to primarily nonmotorized use outside the ACEC would disperse vehicle use and might reduce overall use of some roads, 

and bring about a minor to moderate beneficial long-term impact to the character of the landscape that 

contribute to the value of recreation opportunities in the CCMA. 

The environmental consequences for travel and transportation management are described in detail in 

Section 4.3. 

Lands and Realty 

Under all alternatives, the BLM could enhance recreation opportunities on public lands by acquiring lands 

that offer unique or desirable opportunities, or that allow increased or improved access. Acquiring access 

for non-motorized recreation opportunities in the Tucker and Cantua Zones would be a beneficial long 

term effect for meeting recreation demand for dispersed recreation. Because these actions would be 

highly subject to availability of funding and/or appropriate lands for acquisition, impacts can only be 

addressed at a general level. A detailed description of potential acquisitions and disposals of lands by 

Alternative is described in Section 4.18. 
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 4.1.11.3 Mitigation 

Development of recreational trails and facilities would be established utilizing BMPs outlined in 

Appendix V. 

4.1.12 Cumulative Effects of Management Alternatives 

Cumulative effects of BLM’s land use decisions vary among the range of alternatives, though the 

proposed limits on allowable uses and BLM management actions to reduce human health risk from 

exposure to asbestos in CCMA would all have some adverse impacts on recreation resources in the 

Planning Area, as restrictions on visitor use, particularly within the Serpentine ACEC, would send 

recreationists to other BLM areas or to other County, State or Federal recreation areas. Alternatives A, B, 

C, and D would have moderate beneficial cumulative effects on recreation resources in the region because 

they would continue to allow OHV recreation and motorized access for non-motorized recreation 

opportunities in the Serpentine ACEC and other management zones within CCMA. The opportunities 

available in CCMA for OHV recreation would benefit recreation users in the region and resources within 

other recreation areas by dispersing the impacts of motorized and non-motorized recreation on public 

lands. 

Long-term adverse cumulative effects would most likely occur under Alternatives E, F and G because 

these alternatives effectively eliminate OHV use as it has historically occurred within CCMA and would 

permanently displace user groups that would be forced to seek opportunity elsewhere. These cumulative 

effects would all have major long-term adverse impacts on motorized and non-motorized recreation 

opportunities in the planning area. 

4.1.13 Cumulative Effects of Proposed Action 

Cumulative effects of BLM’s land use decisions from proposed limits on allowable uses and other 

management actions to reduce human health risk from exposure to asbestos in CCMA would have some 

adverse impacts on recreation resources in the Planning Area, as restrictions on visitor use, particularly 

within the Serpentine ACEC, would send recreationists to other BLM areas or to other County, State or 

Federal recreation areas that are identified in Section 3.1.3. 

In particular, the Proposed Action considered in this RMP/EIS would have major long-term negative 

cumulative impacts on OHV recreation opportunities at existing vehicle recreation areas within a 2-4 hour 

drive of the Planning Area because it would effectively eliminate OHV use as it has historically occurred 

within CCMA and would permanently displace user groups that would be forced to seek opportunity 

elsewhere. While restrictions to motorized use in CCMA would likely result in increased use of other 

OHV recreation areas, it is unlikely that these other OHV use areas would grow significantly because 

they are already operating under regulatory limitations and budget constraints at existing use levels. As 

use of these areas increases, these impacts could become more problematic. Refer to Section 4.3.3 for 

more information on the cumulative effects of BLM’s proposed travel and transportation management 

decisions on OHV use. 

On the other hand, the Proposed Action would have minor long term beneficial cumulative impacts on 

other recreation resources in the region because it would reduce visitor use conflicts and improve public 

health and safety while continuing to allow non-motorized recreation opportunities in the Serpentine 

ACEC and other management zones within CCMA. 
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4.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Health & Safety 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goals for hazardous materials and public safety management are to (1) protect public health 

and safety and environmental resources by minimizing environmental contamination from past 

and present land uses (i.e., abandoned mine lands) on public lands and on BLM-owned and 

operated facilities; (2) comply with Federal, State, and local hazardous materials management 

laws and regulations; (3) maintain the health of ecosystems through assessment, cleanup, and 

restoration of contaminated lands; (4) manage the costs, risks, and liabilities associated with 

hazardous materials so that the responsible parties and not the government bear the brunt of 

financial liabilities; and (5) integrate environmental protection and compliance with all 

environmental statutes into BLM activities. 

4.2.1 Introduction 

BLM’s mission to sustain the health diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and 

enjoyment of present and future generations includes efforts to minimize and reduce threats from releases 

of hazardous substances that could have an impact on the health, diversity, and productivity of the public 

lands as well as on the health and safety of the individuals who utilize and work on these lands. The 

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 requires that BLM actions comply with approved 

standards for public health and safety. Of particular concern to BLM are the safety impacts related to 

abandoned mines, debris flows, and hazardous materials. 

Under all the management alternatives and the Proposed Action, BLM would continue to ensure proper 

handling of hazardous materials and wastes; identify mine-related, illegal dumps and other public land 

hazards, eliminating or mitigating them as soon as possible; and identify and resolve mining-related 

trespasses, especially public safety conflicts occurring with visitor use. 

4.2.1.1 Assumptions 

Asbestos Exposure Scenarios for Recreation Activities 

The CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (EPA 2008) analyzed excess 

lifetime cancer risk under the current management situation (No Action Alternative) based on the average 

number of hours visitors spend in the ACEC conducting different types of recreation activities. The same 

recreation scenarios are presented in this PRMP/FEIS to estimate human health risk from exposure to 

asbestos while conducting different types of recreation activities in the Serpentine ACEC. BLM modified 

the number of hours visitors spent in the ACEC for each recreation scenario based on public comments on 

the Draft RMP/EIS, as illustrated in Table 4.2-1 below. The scenarios were then analyzed by EPA 

toxicologists to determine the human health risk associated with each activity. The results of the EPA 

analysis are presented in Tables 4.2-2 to 4.2-9 below. 

The following general principles were used to calculate the human health risk from exposure to asbestos 

presented in Tables 4.2-2 to 4.2-9. 

1. Risk calculations will be performed for the 30-year adult, 30-year combined (12-year child + 18 

year adult), and 12-year child exposures. 

2. Risk calculations for each scenario will be performed for mean air concentrations and the 95% 

upper confidence limit (UCL). 
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3. Risk calculations will be performed using both the IRIS and OEHHA Unit Risks. 

4. Risk calculations will be performed for 1, 5 (Reasonable Maximum Exposure), and 12 (High 

Estimate Exposure) visiting days per year. 

The following assumptions were also incorporated into the human health risk information presented in 

Tables 4.2-1 to 4.2-9. 

5. Visitor use scenarios are presented with estimates of time spent traveling on routes in the ACEC 

only, based on average speeds identified below: 

i. County Roads: 10-15 mph (full-sized vehicles), ~20 mph (OHV) 

ii. Dry Season (and Scenic) Routes: 10-15 mph (full-sized vehicles) 

iii. Single Track Trails: 15-20 mph (motorcycles only) 

iv. Proposed Routes: 10-15 mph (full-sized vehicles), ~20 mph (OHV) 

6. Scenarios/activities need to include 1 hour (+/-) for stopping and parking in ACEC 

7. Camping and staging at Jade Mill Campground = NO RISK because of administrative 

improvements and engineered controls to minimize exposure and reduce emissions at the site. 

8. Risk calculations for hiking and hunting would be representative of all non-motorized use (i.e. 

rockhounding). 

9. Drive time and duration of non-motorized use (hiking/hunting) would vary by access location and 

destination, which is why time estimates increase under Alternatives D, E, and F. (i.e. 4 hr. drivetime and 8 hrs hiking/day). 

10. Risk calculation for “drive-in/drive-out” based on SUV sampling data.

11. Risk calculations do not incorporate reduction value from proposed Health & Safety Mitigation 

Measures because they cannot be quantified. 

12. A qualitative evaluation of the mitigation measures effectiveness would be incorporated into the 

determination of whether alternatives provide overall protection of human health and the 

environment. 

Table 4.2-1 (below) identifies the visitor use scenarios and modified exposure estimates under the range 

of alternatives and the Proposed Action analyzed in the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS.
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Table 4.2-1 Visitor Use Scenarios and Average Time Estimate in ACEC under the Range of Alternatives 
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Table 4.2-1 Visitor Use Scenarios and Average Time Estimate in ACEC under the Range of Alternatives (cont.) 
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4.2.2 Limits and Constraints of the Analysis 

4.2.2.1 Incomplete or Unavailable Information 

The BLM’s analysis of public health and safety in this PRMP/FEIS is based primarily on the EPA’s 

CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008). The EPA report identifies the 

limits and constraints of the analysis, which are summarized below. This information is relevant to 

evaluating the reasonably foreseeable impacts to human health and the environment, and is essential to a 

reasoned choice among the range of alternatives considered in the PRMP/FEIS. 

The constraints include areas of uncertainty within the EPA’s risk assessment and other incomplete or 

unavailable information that affect BLM’s evaluation of reasonably foreseeable effects on the human 

environment. In particular, BLM was unable to quantify reductions in human health risk and asbestos 

emissions from implementation of mitigation measures because reliable data on the effectiveness of 

surface hardening techniques or dust suppression on roads in CCMA cannot be obtained because of cost 

and feasibility issues. Therefore, BLM's evaluation of such impacts is based upon theoretical approaches 

or research methods discussed in the EPA’s risk assessment and this RMP/EIS that are generally accepted 

in the scientific community. 

For the purposes of analyzing human health risks from exposure to asbestos in CCMA, BLM shall 

incorporate by reference the definition of “reasonably foreseeable'' from 40 CFR 1502.22(b)(4), which 

“includes impacts which have catastrophic consequences, even if their probability of occurrence is low, 

provided that the analysis of the impacts is supported by credible scientific evidence, is not based on pure 

conjecture, and is within the rule of reason.”

4.2.2.2 Exposure and Risk Uncertainties 

The CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (EPA, 2008) identifies all relevant 

areas of uncertainty in order to provide the public and BLM managers an understanding of the associated 

areas of uncertainty to make informed decisions to manage the risk of exposure to asbestos in CCMA. 

As stated in the executive summary of the risk assessment (EPA, 2008; pg. ES-6): 

“The assessment of risk as a probability of an outcome always has unknown values that are 

estimated in health protective ways to ensure that the risks are neither underestimated nor grossly 

overestimated. The largest uncertainty in the assessment of risk to users of CCMA is that the risk 

evaluation only assesses excess lifetime cancer risk. It is known that asbestos causes debilitating 

and fatal diseases other than cancer, such as respiratory and pleural disease. The non-cancer 

effects are not quantitatively taken into account in the assessment because there is no asbestos 

toxicity value for non-cancer health effects, even though non-cancer effects could actually be 

more significant to total disease outcome from CCMA asbestos exposure. Therefore, the general 

probability of developing disease from exposure related to activities at Clear Creek may be 

significantly underestimated in the report. Uncertainties related to the exposure parameters in the 

CCMA assessment that could cause the estimated risk to be less or greater than the actual risk 

include: the frequency of exposure and the time actually engaged in dust-generating activities; the 

effect of the exposures on children; and the representativeness of the areas used for the sampling 

as accurate models of typical CCMA conditions. One exposure that was not measured, and which 

could cause the exposure and risk to be higher, is the continued exposure that results when 

asbestos fibers from CCMA are taken home in vehicles and on equipment. Uncertainty related to 

the toxicity parameters of the risk characterization includes the application of the IRIS and 
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OEHHA asbestos toxicity values, which were developed from epidemiological studies of 

occupational exposures, to infrequent and episodic recreational exposures. This uncertainty could 

mean that the actual risks could be much lower than those estimated in the CCMA assessment. 

Another uncertainty, adjustments for early lifetime childhood exposures, could mean that the 

actual risks are higher than those estimated in the report.”

In conclusion, the major uncertainties inherent in the assessment of exposure to asbestos at CCMA and 

the resulting estimate of risk include factors that may cause the EPA calculated risks to be overestimated 

or underestimated. Nevertheless, the disease potential of asbestos is recognized by the EPA, the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the California EPA and Department 

of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the National Academy of Sciences, and the World Health 

Organization (WHO). While there is on-going research on the relative potencies of the different mineral 

forms of asbestos, there is consensus in the medical and public health community that both chrysotile and 

amphibole asbestos cause disease. 

 4.2.2.3 Epidemiology of Chrysotile Asbestos 

During development of the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment and scoping 

meetings for the CCMA RMP/EIS, many public comments expressed concern about the lack of an 

epidemiological study specific to CCMA visitors that provides empirical evidence of asbestos-related 

disease from exposure while conducting recreational activities. 

In the Record of Decision for the Atlas Asbestos Mine Superfund Site (1991), EPA addressed comments 

from the public questioning the lack of asbestos-related health and epidemiological studies of the local 

population. In response, EPA stated “because the local population is small, an epidemiological study 

restricted to this population would probably not be sensitive enough to detect the incidence of asbestos 

related disease, even if it is occurring at an unacceptable rate.” Furthermore, census data shows that 

California’s Central Coast population is highly transitory and includes visitors or residents that travel 

from long distances or move in and out of the area at a rate that would further limit the efficacy of 

epidemiological studies of asbestos–related illnesses. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) report titled “Chrysotile Asbestos” (1998) states under 

conclusions and recommendation for protection of human health, “exposure to chrysotile asbestos poses 

increased risks for asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma in a dose-dependent manner. No threshold 

has been identified for carcinogenic risks.” The WHO report reflects the collective view of an 

international group of experts, and was published under the joint sponsorship of the WHO, the United 

Nations Environment Programme, and the International Labour Organization; and produced within the 

framework of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals. 

The WHO Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) program was initiated with the following objectives: 

1) to assess information on the relationship between exposure to environmental pollutants and 

human health, and to provide guidelines for setting exposure limits; 

2) to identify new or potential pollutants; 

3) to identify gaps in knowledge concerning the health effects of pollutants; 

4) to promote the harmonization of toxicological and epidemiological methods in order to have 

internationally comparable results. 
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Since that time, many EHC studies have been devoted to evaluating toxicological methodology, while 

numerous other publications have been concerned with epidemiological guidelines and evaluation of 

short-term tests for carcinogens. According to the WHO and EPA, the disease potential of asbestos is 

established by at least 40 epidemiological studies. 

The WHO report (1998) states: “Commercial grades of chrysotile have been associated with an increased 

risk of pneumoconiosis4

, lung cancer and mesothelioma in numerous epidemiological studies of exposed 

workers.” Whereas, “the non-malignant diseases associated with exposure to chrysotile comprise a 

somewhat complex mixture of clinical and pathological syndromes not readily definable for 

epidemiological study.” Therefore, the primary focus of most epidemiological studies has been asbestosis 

among workers exposed to chrysotile in different occupational settings. 

These studies have broadly demonstrated exposure-response or exposure-effect relationships for 

chrysotile-induced asbestosis. However, they all acknowledge that uncertainties still remain with regard 

to diagnosis of asbestos–related illnesses and the possibility of disease progression on cessation of 

exposure. Furthermore, risk estimates vary among the available studies. The reasons for the variations are 

related to uncertainties in exposure estimates, as described in Section 4.2.2.2 above. 

The WHO report goes on to say the “estimation of the risk of mesothelioma is complicated in 

epidemiological studies by factors such as the rarity of the disease, the lack of mortality rates in the 

populations used as reference, and problems in diagnosis and reporting.” However, the report does claim 

“there is evidence that fibrous tremolite causes mesothelioma in humans”, and since approximately 8% of 

EPA’s air samples from the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008) 

contained fibrous tremolite, exposure to asbestos in CCMA may contribute to mesotheliomas in CCMA 

visitors, even though they are exposed primarily to chrysotile. 

4.2.2.4 Estimates of Asbestos Emissions Reductions, Cost, Effectiveness, and 

Feasibility of Mitigation Measures 

Table 3.3-1 identifies potential mitigation measures for management of transportation and roads to reduce 

asbestos emissions. The BLM’s analysis of feasibility for implementation management alternatives and 

the Proposed Action are based on the estimates associated with the cost and effectiveness in meeting 

resources management goals and objectives, including reducing and minimizing human health risk from 

exposure to asbestos. These estimates are based on best available information at the time the CCMA 

PRMP/FEIS was prepared, and are described in more detail under Travel and Transportation Management 

in Chapter 3, Table 3.3-1. 

The analysis of cost and effectiveness in reducing asbestos emissions from surface hardening, dust 

suppression, and a variety of soil stabilizers on CCMA roads treatments and other mitigation measures is 

presented qualitatively because information on the effectiveness of these mitigation measures specific to 

CCMA is currently unavailable. Therefore, BLM developed the estimates outlined in Table 3.3-1 based 

on an EPA evaluation of asbestos mitigation measures prepared in 1981, and a study conducted by the 

California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) that briefly evaluated reductions in 

emissions on roads in areas with serpentine soils. 

 

4

 Pneumoconiosis is defined as any chronic disease of the lungs characterized by lung fibrosis and 

possible loss of lung function, as caused by repeated inhalation of particulate matter, especially mineral 

or metallic dust particles.
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In the study titled “A Study of Airborne Asbestos from a Serpentine Road in Garden Valley, California” 

(April 2005), DTSC studied airborne asbestos along a privately maintained road in El Dorado County. 

The DTSC study concluded that unimproved roads surfaced with serpentine aggregate pose a significant 

risk to public health, and that resurfacing the serpentine aggregate road with a multi-layered chipseal 

surface resulted in a dramatic reduction in airborne asbestos emissions. The study also found that airborne 

asbestos was detected at greater distances than visible dust, but the level of airborne asbestos decreased 

with distance from roads. Nevertheless, the study suggests that local conditions on other serpentine roads, 

like those in CCMA may have different results due to factors such as wind, concentrations of asbestos 

fibers in the road surfacing material and native soils, moisture conditions, and topography. 

As a result, BLM anticipates that air sample results would show lower asbestos emissions after the 

serpentine aggregate on CCMA roads is covered and sealed with the road surfacing materials described in 

Appendix V; and that dust emissions on those roads would continue to remain low. However, due to the 

concentrations of asbestos in the serpentine soils in CCMA, weather conditions, and the presence of 

‘fugitive dust’ that contains asbestos fibers previously deposited on vegetation, rocks, and soils adjacent 

to CCMA roads could be re-suspended by wind and air disturbances from passing vehicles would still 

pose a risk to human health following surface hardening and dust suppression or other mitigation 

measures on CCMA roads. 

Many of the other mitigation measures considered in the range of alternatives and the Proposed Action for 

the CCMA PRMP/FEIS are also limited to qualitative analysis because there is no information available 

on the effectiveness of such measures as restricting annual visitor use days/year, vehicle types, installing 

vehicle wash racks, enforcement of speed limits, indemnification of risk, and other administrative actions 

in reducing exposure to asbestos emissions in CCMA. However, the unavailable information identified 

above is not critical to making a reasoned analysis of Alternatives A – G or the Proposed Action because 

the estimates outlined in Table 3.3-1, and the qualitative analysis of other mitigation measures in Section 

4.2.4 can be used to inform the BLM and the public on the cost and effectiveness of the mitigation 

measures for public health and safety. Regardless of the location, resources conditions, and levels of use 

on roadways, all mitigation measures on routes in the ACEC would have to be monitored and evaluated 

for effectiveness in reducing asbestos emissions to meet the purpose and need of the CCMA RMP/EIS for 

overall protection of human health and the environment. 

4.2.3 Overview of Impacts to Public Health & Safety from Hazardous Materials 

In general, all the hazardous materials and public safety management actions in the range of alternatives 

and the Proposed Action would contribute to meeting the BLM’s goals and objectives, because they are 

designed to improve the overall environmental resource protection and public safety for public land uses. 

However, Alternative A (No Action Alternative) would have major negative impacts to public health and 

safety by increasing the public’s long-term risk of contracting cancer associated with exposure to asbestos 

from CCMA. 

Alternatives B and C would have minor beneficial impacts to human health and the environment, 

compared to Alternative A, because Alternatives B and C include administrative management actions and 

other projects to reduce asbestos emissions in CCMA. 

Other management actions to minimize asbestos exposure included under alternatives D and E would 

result in moderate beneficial impacts to environmental resource protection and public safety, compared to 

Alternatives B and C, because of further limits on allowable uses, as well as other projects to reduce 

asbestos emissions in CCMA. 
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Finally, alternatives F and G would have major long-term benefits to human health and the environment, 

compared to all the other alternatives, because allowable uses would reduce asbestos emissions to dust 

generated by foot traffic (Alt. F), or BLM would minimize asbestos exposure by prohibiting all public use 

and entry into the Serpentine ACEC (Alt. G). 

Under the Proposed Action, land use allocations and other administrative management actions to 

minimize asbestos exposure included (i.e. permitting access, supplementary rules) would result in 

moderate beneficial impacts to environmental resource protection and public safety; especially when 

compared to the Alternatives A - D, because of increased limits on allowable uses and reduced asbestos 

emissions from BLM management activities in CCMA. 

Other authorized BLM activities involving hazardous materials or wastes that could impact public land 

resources under the range of alternatives and the Proposed Action include rangeland improvements, 

energy and minerals development, and lands and realty. Under all alternatives, BLM land use 

authorizations and permits for these activities will incorporate requirements for the proper use, storage, 

and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes, such as petroleum products, pesticides, herbicides, 

lubricants, drilling wastes, waste waters, and mining wastes in compliance with Federal and state 

regulations. 

4.2.3.1 CCMA Naturally Occurring Asbestos 

Asbestos is the name given to a group of six different fibrous minerals that occur naturally in the 

environment. Asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye. They do not dissolve in water or 

evaporate. They are resistant to heat, fire, and chemical or biological degradation. The two general types 

of asbestos are amphibole and chrysotile (fibrous serpentine). Chrysotile asbestos has long, flexible fibers. 

This type of asbestos is most commonly used in commercial products. Amphibole fibers are brittle, have 

a rod or needle shape, and are less common in commercial products. Although exposure to both types of 

asbestos increases the likelihood of developing asbestos-related diseases, amphibole fibers tend to stay in 

the lungs longer. They also are thought to increase the likelihood of illness, especially mesothelioma, to a 

greater extent than chrysotile asbestos. 

Naturally occurring asbestos refers to those fibrous minerals that are found in the rocks or soil in an area 

and released into the air by routine human activities or weathering processes. If naturally occurring 

asbestos is not disturbed and fibers are not released into the air, then it is not a health risk. Asbestos is 

commonly found in ultramafic rock, including serpentine rock, and near fault zones. The amount of 

asbestos that is typically present in these rocks ranges from less than 1% up to about 25%, and sometimes 

more. Asbestos can be released from ultramafic and serpentine rock if the rock is broken or crushed. 

Asbestos exposure results from breathing in asbestos fibers. If rocks, soil, or products containing asbestos 

are disturbed, they can release asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers can be breathed into your lungs 

and could remain there for a lifetime. Asbestos exposure is not a problem if ultramafic and serpentine 

rocks are left alone and not disturbed. 

Elements that contribute to human health risks from asbestos exposure include, but are not limited to 

asbestos type and size of airborne fibers, frequency and duration of exposure to asbestos emissions, time 

since initial exposure to asbestos emissions, extent of exposure to asbestos emissions, and exposure to 

other pre-existing lung conditions. In particular cigarette smoking significantly increases risk of cancer 

associated with asbestos. 
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Children have more time to be exposed and develop asbestos-related diseases. Medical experts do not 

know whether lung differences may cause a greater amount of asbestos fibers to stay in the lungs of a 

child who breaths in asbestos compared with the amount that stays in the lungs of an adult. 

Asbestos-related diseases can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Examples of non-cancerous asbestos 

related disease include asbestosis, which is a scarring of the lungs, and pleural diseases. Asbestosis is 

typically caused by very high exposure levels over a prolonged period of time, as seen in work-related 

asbestos exposure. Smoking increases the risk of developing asbestosis. Some late stage symptoms 

include progressive shortness of breath, a persistent cough, and chest pain. 

Pleural changes or pleural plaques include thickening and hardening of the pleura (the lining that covers 

the lungs and chest cavity). Most people will not have symptoms, but some may have decreased lung 

function. Some people may develop persistent shortness of breath with exercise or even at rest if they 

have significantly decreased lung function. 

Lung cancer is cancer of the lungs and lung passages. Cigarette smoking combined with asbestos 

exposure greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer. Lung cancer caused by smoking or asbestos 

looks the same. Symptoms for lung cancer can vary. Some late stage symptoms can include chronic 

cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and coughing up blood. 

Lung cancer from all causes affects about 61 out of every 100,000 Americans a year. According to the 

American Cancer Society, it is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women and 

accounts for about 29% of all cancer deaths. Asbestos exposure is only one of many potential causes of 

lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is by far the most important risk factor for lung cancer. Cigarette smoking 

combined with asbestos exposure greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer. 

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer mostly associated with asbestos exposure. It occurs in the covering of the 

lungs and sometimes the lining of the abdominal cavity. Some late stage symptoms include chest pain, 

persistent shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss. Mesothelioma is relatively rare. According to 

the American Cancer Society, there are about 2,000 – 3,000 new cases per year in this country. It is most 

common in asbestos-related work exposure though it has been observed in certain communities 

worldwide where people have had lifetime exposures to naturally occurring asbestos. (DHHS, 2005).

4.2.3.2 CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk 

The EPA Superfund program defines the acceptable risk range for exposure to a carcinogen, like asbestos, 

as 10-4 (1 in 10,000) to 10-6 (1 in 1,000,000) excess lifetime cancer risk. Exposures which are calculated 

to cause more than 1 in 10,000 excess cancers are considered to be of concern and may require action to 

reduce the exposure and resulting risk. 

In 2004, as part of the process of evaluating the completeness of the Atlas Mine cleanup for possible 

delisting from the federal Superfund list, EPA Region 9 initiated an asbestos exposure and human health 

risk assessment for the CCMA. The goal of the assessment was to use current asbestos sampling and 

analytical techniques to update a 1992 BLM Human Health Risk Assessment and provide more robust 

information to BLM on the asbestos exposures from typical CCMA recreational activities and the excess 

lifetime cancer risks associated with those exposures. 

The assessment was conducted consistent with U.S. EPA policy and guidance, including the Risk 

Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) (EPA/540/1-89/002), and with the encouragement of the 
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California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control 

(DTSC). 

In 2004 and 2005, Region 9 collected air samples while EPA employees and contractors participated in 

typical recreational activities at the Clear Creek Management Area. The samples were collected from the 

breathing zone of individuals riding motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATV), driving and riding in 

sports utility vehicles (SUV), hiking, camping, sleeping in a tent, fence-building, and washing and 

vacuuming vehicles after use at CCMA. Sample cassettes were placed to collect air samples representing 

the breathing zone heights of both adults and children, and samples were collected for both lead riders and 

those trailing behind them. These activity based air samples were then analyzed for asbestos. 

After the exposure data was collected for the various individual activities, the activities were used to 

calculate risk for seven CCMA use scenarios. Risk estimate calculations were then conducted for the 

scenarios. The scenarios were designed to make the risk estimations better reflect the typical activities an 

individual would participate in during a typical day or weekend visit to CCMA and to provide more 

useable information to BLM and the public regarding health risk associated with these activities. The 

scenarios were developed with input from BLM and DTSC. The report provides excess lifetime cancer 

risk estimates for the seven scenarios and is available on-line at: 

http://www.epa.gov/region09/toxic/noa/clearcreek/index.html.

Exposure Assessment - Most of the asbestos found in the EPA air samples was short fiber (< 5 microns 

in length) chrysotile asbestos. However, only the fiber size which has been most closely linked to 

asbestos disease, the longer Phase Contrast Microscopy Equivalent or PCME fibers (> 5 microns long, 

0.25 – 3.0 microns wide, > 3:1 aspect ratio) were used in the EPA exposure and risk assessment. The 

activity-based sampling showed that activities which disturbed the soil recorded significantly elevated 

asbestos levels in the breathing zone.

Risk Characterization – Importing the mean and 95% upper confidence level of the mean (UCL) 

exposure data into the scenarios, excess lifetime cancer risk was estimated using both the U.S. EPA 

Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) and the California EPA Office of Environmental Health 

Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) cancer toxicity values for asbestos. 

Calculations were prepared for 30-year adult exposures, as recommended by the Superfund risk 

assessment guidance. In addition, 30-year combined child and adult exposures (12 years as a child and 

then 18 years as an adult) and 12-year child exposures (a population which recreates with families from 

ages 6 to 18) were also evaluated. Risks were calculated for 1 visit per year, 5 visits per year (Reasonable 

Maximum Exposure), and 12 visits per year (High Estimate) for the recreational scenarios. 

The risks are compared to the EPA Superfund program acceptable risk range for exposure to a 

carcinogen, like asbestos, of 10-4 (1 in 10,000) to 10-6 (1 in 1,000,000) excess lifetime cancer risk. 

Exposures which are estimated to cause more than 1 in 10,000 excess cancers are considered by EPA to 

be of concern and may require action to reduce the exposure and resulting risk. 

There was no combination of scenario, toxicity value, or visits per year that was below the lower end of 

EPA’s acceptable risk range, i.e. risks less than 1 in 1,000,000. Only Scenario 3 (Day Use Hiking) had 

risk calculations within the acceptable range. Using the IRIS toxicity value, as shown in the 2008 CCMA 

Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (Figure ES-1), EPA’s risk estimations found that 

making five or more visits to CCMA per year over a 30-year period to participate in recreational 

Scenarios 1 (Weekend Rider), 2 (Day Use Rider), 4 (Weekend Hunter), or 5 (Combined Rider/Workday) 

could put recreational users at an excess lifetime cancer risk above EPA’s acceptable risk range of 1x 10-4
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(1 in 10,000) to 1 in 10-6 (1 in 1,000,000). The highest IRIS risk estimation, 2 in 1,000 (2 x 10-3), was

based on the 95% UCL exposure concentration for 12 visits per year for recreational Scenario 1 

(Weekend Rider). 

Using the OEHHA toxicity value, even one visit per year for recreational scenarios 1, 2, 4, and 5, put 

users above EPA’s acceptable risk range. The higher risks reflect the fact that the OEHHA asbestos 

toxicity value is 8 times larger than the value in IRIS. At the high end of the risk range, excess lifetime 

cancer risk estimations using the OEHHA toxicity value and the 95% UCL concentration indicate that 

recreational users riding motorcycles 12 weekends per year could have as much as a 1 in 100 (1 x 10-2) 

lifetime chance of developing asbestos related cancer. It should be noted that neither the IRIS nor 

OEHHA values are designed for very high exposure levels, so the number calculated for the high-end risk 

has a higher degree of uncertainty than the numbers calculated for the lower exposure scenarios. 

However, the risks are still extremely high. 

4.2.3.3 Risk Assessment Results 

It is important to note that the EPA risk assessment presents quantitative estimates of excess cancer risk 

over a lifetime in a population based on the defined exposure scenarios. The scenarios have been designed 

to represent current and future exposures for recreational and working users of CCMA. The numbers do 

not predict individual exposures or individual health outcomes. It is also important to reiterate that the 

asbestos concentrations used by EPA in the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk 

Assessment are based only on asbestos fibers known as phase contrast microscopy equivalent (PCME) 

fibers because they are the fibers whose shape and size have been most closely linked to asbestos disease. 

The EPA Risk Assessment Guidelines recommend that risks be calculated using the reasonable maximum 

exposure (RME) that is expected to occur at a site under both current and future land-use conditions. 

Based on national recreational survey data and statements made by CCMA users, EPA and BLM 

estimated an RME for the CCMA of 5 visitor use per year. Some users indicated that they rode for longer 

periods and more frequently, so the risk analysis also considers a “high estimate” of 12 visits per year. To 

provide a low estimate of exposures and to facilitate the evaluation of the range of alternatives, 1 visit per 

year was also incorporated into the CCMA RMP/EIS risk assessment. 

Since cancer risk from asbestos is a function of exposure concentration, duration of exposure, and time 

from first exposure, assessments of human health risks under each alternative are based on estimates of 

continuous lifetime exposure. Therefore, authorizations of access into the Serpentine ACEC by permit 

only to limit the number of visitor use days/year to 12 days for non-motorized recreation and 5 days for 

motorized activities would have major long-term benefits on human health and safety, compared to the 

No Action Alternative, because the total number of authorized visitor use days/year for any individual 

would be within the acceptable risk range for exposure to carcinogens. 
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The Activity Drives the Exposure 

Figure 1 shows the individual sample results for each activity and for measurements of CCMA ambient 

air. The data shows that the activities which typically create the most soil disturbance and dust, 

motorcycling, ATV driving/riding, and SUV driving/riding, also release the most asbestos into the 

breathing zone. In some instances, the concentration of asbestos measured in the EPA samples even 

exceeded what the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets for workers as a 30-

minute limit for asbestos.
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Position Is Important 

Figure 2 shows the results for motorcycle riders in the lead and trailing behind and for ATV and SUV 

drivers/riders. First trailing drivers/riders encountered higher asbestos air concentrations than lead 

drivers/riders and second trailing drivers/riders typically encountered higher levels than first trailing 

drivers/riders. This means that the asbestos levels in the air increased with the larger dust clouds 

encountered by those riders following one or more riders ahead of them. 
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Wet Weather Reduces But Does Not Eliminate Exposure 

Figure 3 shows the effect of sampling event weather conditions on asbestos air concentrations. Using 

rainfall patterns and on-site observations, the September 2004 and 2005 events were determined to be 

conducted under “dry” conditions, with little or no precipitation in the month prior to the event. The 

November 2004 event was designated as occurring under “moist” conditions, with two to three inches of 

rain in the two weeks before the event. The February 2005 events were conducted under “wet” conditions, 

with rain immediately before and during the events. Based on the sampling results, it appears that only 

active rainfall reduces asbestos air concentrations, although further study would be needed to define the 

exact conditions necessary to reduce dust generation and asbestos exposure. 
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SUV Exposures Were Significant 

As shown in Figure 4, driving on the unpaved CCMA access roads resulted in significant measured 

asbestos air concentrations inside the vehicles, even with the windows closed and the air system set to 

“recirculate”.

Child Exposures Tend to Be Higher 

Figure 5 shows the ratio between the child and adult samples collected at the same time on the same 

sampler. With the exception of the camping activity, the majority of child exposures exceeded the 

exposure recorded for the paired adult sample. In total, the asbestos concentration in the child sample 

exceeded the concentration in the adult sample 64% of the time. 
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Amphibole Asbestos was Detected in the Air Samples 

While chrysotile asbestos was the predominant asbestos mineral type found in the EPA air samples, 

almost 8% of the PCME fibers were identified as tremolite, actinolite, or another amphibole asbestos 

mineral. There is an emerging consensus in the scientific community that amphibole asbestos may present 

an even greater health risk. 

4.2.4 Impacts to Public Health & Safety from Alternatives A - G 

It is important to note that the risk assessment of the range of alternatives presents quantitative estimates 

of excess cancer risk over a lifetime in a population based on the defined exposure scenarios and EPA risk 

assessment data collected for the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risks Assessment 

(2008). The scenarios have been designed to represent current and future exposures for recreational 

visitors of CCMA. The numbers do not predict individual exposures or individual health outcomes. The 

asbestos concentrations used by BLM in the CCMA RMP/EIS are based only on asbestos fibers known as 

phase contrast microscopy equivalent (PCME) fibers because they are the fibers whose shape and size 

have been most closely linked to asbestos disease. 

Based on EPA risk assessment data collected for the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risks 

Assessment (2008), Alternatives B and C would result in similar risks to human health and safety as 

under Alternative A. Alternatives D and E would both have similar risk to human health because they 

both allow for motorized access and non-motorized recreation in the Serpentine ACEC. Alternative F 
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would reduce human health risk from exposure to asbestos more than Alternatives A-E because it would 

prohibit motorized access in the Serpentine ACEC. However, only Alternative G would truly minimize 

human health risks from exposure to asbestos in CCMA because it would prohibit public entry into the 

ACEC, thereby eliminating CCMA visitor exposure to airborne asbestos entirely. 

This is described in Table 4.2-2, which compares risk to human health by each of the alternatives using 

the IRIS model for risk assessment. A comparison of risk to human health by each of the alternatives 

using the OEHHA model for risk assessment is also included in Table 4.2-3 (below). Shaded values are 

those above 1 x 10-4 (1 excess lifetime cancer per 10,000 exposed individuals), the upper end of the EPA 

risk range. 

Table 4.2-2 IRIS Risk Summaries 

Note: Numbers shaded in gray are outside the EPA’s acceptable risk range described in Section 4.2.4.1. 

Scientific notation in the tables above reads as follows: 

EPA’s acceptable risk range = 1.E-04 to 1.E-06 or 1 X 10-4 (1 in 10,000) to 1 X 10-6 (1 in 1,000,000) 
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Table 4.2-3 OEHHA Risk Summaries 
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Note: Numbers shaded in gray are outside the EPA’s acceptable risk range described in Section 4.2.4.1. 

Scientific notation in the tables above reads as follows: 

EPA’s acceptable risk range = 1.E-04 to 1.E-06 or 1 X 10-4 (1 in 10,000) to 1 X 10-6 (1 in 1,000,000) 

4.2.4.1 Impacts from Mitigation Measures for Alternatives A, B, C, and D 

Under these alternatives mitigation measures to reduce risk to public health and safety include restricting 

the season of use, establishing supplementary rules to require waivers of risk, limiting annual visitor use 

days, enforcing speed limits, limiting vehicle types, hardening and dust suppression on major routes, and 

taking other corrective action(s) to comply with Federal, State, and local regulations. 

Seasonal Use Restrictions

Under Alternative A, BLM would continue to enforce seasonal use restrictions to limit vehicle use to 

major roads in the Serpentine ACEC from June 1 to October 15. Alternatives B and C would further 

restrict the season of use from December 1 – April 15. Alternative D would allow vehicle use on major 

roads in the Serpentine ACEC all year-round. Human health risks from airborne asbestos exposure would 

be similar under all alternatives. Restricting the season of use would have negligible impacts on asbestos 

exposure and human health risk because EPA’s CCMA AEHHRA (2008) explains that wet weather 

reduces but does not eliminate exposure. For example, the September 2004 and September 2005 sampling 

events were conducted under dry conditions, and the November 2004 sampling event was conducted 

within one week of a two day rainfall event that produced about one inch of precipitation in the CCMA 

area, and the preceding month of October was very rainy. During the November sampling event, lowlying areas contained standing water, while elevated areas were nearly dry. EPA further explains that 

many of the concentrations in the samples from the November event were actually higher than those 

measured in the September events, leading to a higher overall mean and 95% UCL for the “moist” event. 

Based on the EPA sampling, it appears that only active rainfall reduces asbestos air concentrations. 

Reasons why include topographic and soil factors affecting soil moisture such as slope, aspect, 

permeability, drainage and surface runoff, but further study would be necessary to define the exact 

conditions necessary to reduce dust generation. Additionally, because precipitation is so variable in the 

project area, it would be difficult to predict when conditions would typically be wet enough to reduce 

risk. As a result, seasonal use restrictions would only provide minor benefits for human health.
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CHART-1C (below) shows, the EPA results for the dry season and the wet or “moist” season are comparable. There was no significant difference in the 

concentrations between dry and wet exposures. 

CHART-1C: Comparison of Mean and 95% UCL for All Data1 and Wet Season Data2 – Riding Positions from motorcycling and ATV riding only. 

Concentrations are PCME f/ml as defined in EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (May 2008). 

Position No. Valid Data 

- All/Wet

No. Detected 

Data - All/Wet

All 

Mean 

Wet

Mean Difference Ratio Wet to All Mean 

All 

UCL 

Wet

UCL Difference Ratio Wet to All UCL 

Adult Lead 41/20 35/17 0.0673 0.0554 0.0119 0.8232 0.1040 0.1010 0.0030 0.9712 

Adult First 

Trailing 37/20 34/17 0.2480 0.2720 -0.024 1.0968 0.3940 0.3300 0.0640 0.8376 

Adult Second 

Trailing 17/10 16/9 0.5630 0.4800 0.083 0.8526 1.0790 1.2720 -0.1930 1.1789 

Child Lead 36/17 33/14 0.0991 0.0971 0.002 0.9798 0.1660 0.1960 -0.0300 1.1807 

Child First 

Trailing 31/14 31/14 0.3830 0.4760 -0.093 1.2428 0.5950 1.27703

-0.682 2.9529 

Child Second 

Trailing 17/10 17/10 0.5410 0.4880 0.053 0.9020 0.6730 0.6770 -0.0040 1.0059 

1. All data includes results from Sept ’04, Nov ’04, Feb ’05 and Sep ’05. 

2. Wet data includes results from only Nov ’04 and Feb ’05. 

3. Maximum result, UCL exceeds max detected.
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Waivers of Liability and Indemnification of Risk 

During public scoping, authorization of access into the Serpentine ACEC based on signed waivers of 

liability (i.e. indemnification of risk), was identified as a potential mitigation measure to inform visitors 

of the health risk associated with exposure to asbestos to determine their own willingness to accept the 

risk of exposure to asbestos in CCMA. In other words, this measure would allow individuals to “ride at 

their own risk”, and reflects the preferred approach identified by the majority of the public scoping 

comments. However, developing a waiver of liability, or establishing indemnification of risk, would have 

no beneficial impacts on public health and safety because neither approach would actually reduce 

exposure to airborne asbestos or improve overall protection of human health and the environment 

Therefore, the potential for waivers of liability or indemnification of risk as “stand-alone” mitigation 

measures for human health and safety do not satisfy the purpose and need for the CCMA RMP/EIS. 

Furthermore, these actions would likely have major long-term adverse impacts on human health and the 

environment due to the perception that exposure to airborne asbestos fibers above the acceptable risk 

range established under the EPA Superfund Act is permissible and authorized by the Federal government. 

Limited Annual Visitor Use Days/Year (Access by Permit Only) 

Under Alternative B, BLM would reduce risk to public health and safety by limiting annual visitor use 

days and requiring permits for access into the Serpentine ACEC. 

The EPA Risk Assessment Guidelines for Superfund (RAGS) recommends that risks be calculated using 

the reasonable maximum exposure (RME) that is expected to occur at a site under both current and future 

land-use conditions. Based on national recreational survey data and statements made by CCMA users, 

EPA and BLM estimated an RME for the CCMA of 5 visitor use per year. Some users indicated that they 

rode for longer periods and more frequently, so the risk analysis also considers a “high estimate” of 12 

visits per year. To provide a low estimate of exposures and to facilitate the evaluation of the range of 

alternatives, 1 visit per year was also incorporated into the CCMA RMP/EIS risk assessment. 

Cancer risk from asbestos is a function of exposure concentration, duration of exposure, and time from 

first exposure. Therefore, requiring permits for access into the Serpentine ACEC to limit the number of 

visitor use days/year to less than 12 days for non-motorized recreation and less than 5 days for motorized 

activities would have major long-term benefits on human health and safety because the total number of 

authorized visitor use days/year for any individual would be within the acceptable risk range for exposure 

to carcinogens. There would be additional benefits to public health and safety from authorizing access 

permits because BLM would also provide asbestos awareness information and other educational outreach 

materials to further reduce public health risks to CCMA visitors. 

Vehicle Wash Rack (Public Decontamination Facility) 

The installation of vehicle wash racks is a mitigation measure proposed under Alternatives A, B, C, and D 

to reduce asbestos exposure by preventing the potential for "take home" or “track out” of serpentine soils 

that contain asbestos on vehicles and clothing, in order to minimize subsequent exposure to asbestos 

fibers from CCMA. If managed properly, installing vehicle wash racks would provide a major long-term 

benefit to public health and safety by reducing the potential for "track out" of asbestos laden soils and 

subsequent exposure to asbestos fibers from CCMA. 

. 
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Public comments from representatives of the American Motorcycle Association District 36 (and other 

planning participants within the OHV community) contend that the vast majority of riders would jump at 

the chance to wash off their vehicles before leaving the area and recommend the newly constructed 

decontamination facility be utilized as both a cleanup station and welcome center for arriving visitors. 

This would provide the opportunity for visitor outreach and education to explain CCMA resources 

concerns and land use management issues. 

Although many CCMA visitors may be willing to use vehicle wash racks, it is not feasible to maintain the 

cost of operating a state-of-the-art decontamination facility to industrial hygiene standards for public use. 

Furthermore, the effectiveness of this mitigation measure is limited because only one vehicle can be 

decontaminated at a time and it is unclear whether there are water resources available for public use of the 

decontamination facility to support the visitor use levels under the range of alternatives. 

Enforce Speed Limits on Major Routes (15-25 mph) 

In April 2005, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control completed a report titled, “Study of 

Airborne Asbestos from a Serpentine Road in Garden Valley, California”. The objectives of the study 

were to measure asbestos concentrations on the road segment under traffic patterns that represent typical 

driving speeds and vehicle frequency. Therefore, DTSC collected air samples based on a 25 mile per 

hour (mph) speed limit, and a 10 mph speed limit to compare asbestos emissions on the road. The results 

of these air samples were calculated in a risk assessment, and as could be expected, the lowest estimated 

risk is associated with NOA concentrations at the farthest distance from the road, the fewest vehicles, the 

lowest speeds. Nevertheless, even under low speeds, asbestos emissions were still measureable and the 

human health risk from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers persists. 

Based on the results of the DTSC study, establishing speed limits on major routes in CCMA would have 

some long-term beneficial impacts on vehicle traffic and visitor safety by reducing potential for accidents 

and head-on collisions. However, reliance upon speed limits to mitigate human health risks from exposure 

to asbestos would have negligible long-term benefits because of the persistence of airborne asbestos 

emissions from vehicular traffic and fugitive dust on roadways. 

Minimum Age Requirements and Limits on Vehicle Types 

Under Alternative C, motorized access in the Serpentine ACEC would be limited to full-size vehicles and 

motorcycles on designated routes. Alternative D would prohibit motorcycle use in the ACEC and only 

allow full-sized vehicles on designated routes. Alternatives C and D would both limit use in the 

Serpentine ACEC to visitors 18 years of age or older. 

The minimum age requirement would have major long-term benefits for children and visitors under age 

18 because it would minimize their health risk from exposure to asbestos. On the other hand, there would 

be no reduction in risk to visitors by restricting the use of vehicles types, such as ATVs or UTVs, because 

the levels of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers and the associated risks to human health would be the 

same as existing conditions for motorcycles and full-size vehicles on routes and trails in the Serpentine 

ACEC. 

Dust Suppression on OHV Routes and Trails 

Multiple products are available for dust suppression on trails. The impacts and effectiveness of these 

mitigation measures are analyzed in Section 4.3, Travel and Transportation Management. Overall, 

application of suppressant would likely have major adverse impacts on OHV recreation, but major long-
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term benefits for general vehicle use in the ACEC because these products provide a hardened, “capping” 

action that is only suitable for major routes and is not preferable to motorcycle or ATV users. 

4.2.4.2 Impacts from Mitigation Measures for Alternatives E, F, and G 

Seasonal Use Restrictions 

Alternative E would allow vehicle use on major roads in the Serpentine ACEC all year-round. Under 

Alternative F, BLM would continue to enforce seasonal use restrictions to limit vehicle use to major roads 

in the Serpentine ACEC from June 1 to October 15. However, human health risks from airborne asbestos 

exposure would be similar because restricting the season of use would have negligible impacts. As shown 

in CHART-1C (Sec. 4.2.4.1), the EPA results for the dry season and the wet or “open” season are 

comparable. There was no significant difference in the concentrations between dry and wet exposures. 

Alternative G would close the Serpentine ACEC to public use. This alternative would have the most longterm beneficial impacts on human health and safety of all the alternatives considered in this PRMP/FEIS 

because it would minimize human health risks associated with exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in the 

Serpentine ACEC. 

Limited Annual Visitor Use Days/Year (Access by Permit Only) 

Alternative E and F would also authorize access into the Serpentine ACEC by permit only for < 12 days 

for non-motorized recreation, and < 5 days for motorized activities. Requiring permits for access into the 

Serpentine ACEC to limit the number of visitor use days/year to less than 12 days for non-motorized 

recreation and less than 5 days for motorized activities would have major long-term benefits on human 

health and safety because the total number of authorized visitor use days/year for any individual would be 

within the acceptable risk range for exposure to carcinogens. There would be additional benefits to public 

health and safety from authorizing access permits because BLM would also provide asbestos awareness 

information and other educational outreach materials to further reduce public health risks to CCMA 

visitors. 

Limits on Vehicle Types 

Under Alternative D and E motorized access in the Serpentine ACEC would be limited to full-size 

vehicles on designated routes, which would minor long-term benefits on public health and safety because 

it would minimize the risk of exposure to asbestos for motorcycle riders and other visitors in the 

Serpentine ACEC. Although there would be no reduction in risk from asbestos exposure to visitors in

full-size vehicles on routes and trails in the Serpentine ACEC, there would be some benefits to public 

safety from limiting vehicle types because there would be less potential for injuries and accidents 

associated with vehicle collisions.

Dust Suppression on OHV Routes and Trails 

Multiple products are available for dust suppression on trails. The impacts and effectiveness of these 

mitigation measures are analyzed in Section 4.3, Travel and Transportation Management. Overall, 

application of suppressant would likely have major adverse impacts on OHV recreation, but major longterm benefits for general vehicle use in the ACEC because these products provide a hardened, “capping” 

action that is only suitable for major routes and is not preferable to motorcycle or ATV users. 
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4.2.5 Impacts to Public Health & Safety from the Proposed Action 

BLM is required by Federal, State, and local regulations to collect, store, and dispose of hazardous 

materials and wastes appropriately. Impacts would be beneficial for environmental resource protection 

and the safety of the public by implementing the recommendations from the past and future Compliance 

Assessment Safety, Health, and Environment (CASHE) audits, which may include correcting deficiencies 

in storage of hazardous materials, disposal practices for hazardous wastes, and other possible findings 

identified in the CASHE audits. Additional beneficial impacts of management actions are related to 

monitoring for illegal dumping of chemicals on Federal lands to identify and cleanup potential impacts to 

the environment and public safety before the hazard migrates off-site and correcting abandoned miningrelated and other public land hazards. 

The presence of airborne asbestos dust, a known carcinogen, poses a potential human health risk in the 

serpentine portion of the CCMA. Studies have proven that the vast majority of airborne asbestos dust in 

the Clear Creek area is generated by human activities, primarily vehicle use. Motorized use on the Scenic 

Touring Route includes unpaved routes and would generate asbestos emissions and exposure to asbestos 

emissions in the ACEC for visitors. 

Surface disturbing activities would only be permitted during periods when air concentrations of asbestos 

fall below OSHA action levels for a given activity. All BLM road maintenance and grading activities 

would be conducted in compliance with MBUAPCD ATCM for airborne asbestos, to prevent visible 

emissions during these operations. Education programs related to asbestos exposure and hazards would 

be expanded, and any new risk assessments would be incorporated into informational materials. Closure 

of all remaining mine areas and restricting vehicle access to these areas would further reduce public 

exposure to hazardous contaminants and transport of hazardous metals to streams and corresponding offsite transport. 

Closure of the majority of routes and all barrens to motorized access and OHV recreation would 

contribute to an overall reduction in asbestos dust generation and its transport by wind off-site, and would 

contribute to lower levels of asbestos transported by water and reduced impacts to beneficial uses. 

EPA risk assessment calculations prepared for the Proposed Action analyzed in this PRMP/FEIS are 

presented below in Table(s) 4.2-5(a), 4.2-5(b), and 4.2-5(c). Table(s) 4.2-5(d), 4.2-5(e), and 4.2-5(f) then 

provide a comparison of risk to human health under the range of alternatives (and the Proposed Action) 

analyzed in this PRMP/FEIS using the IRIS model for risk assessment. Finally, a comparison of risk to 

human health under the range of alternatives (and the Proposed Action) analyzed in this PRMP/FEIS 

using the OEHHA model for risk assessment is also included in Tables 4.2-6(a), 4.2-6(b), 4.2-6(c), 4.2-

6(c), 4.2-6(d), 4.2-6(e), and 4.2-6(f). Shaded values are those above 1 x 10-4 (1 excess lifetime cancer per 

10,000 exposed individuals), the upper end of the EPA risk range. 

 
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Table 4.2-5(a) Proposed Action – IRIS Summary Table 
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Table 4.2-5(b) Proposed Action – IRIS Summary Table 
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Table 4.2-5(c) Proposed Action – IRIS Summary Table 
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Table 4.2-5(d) 1-day IRIS Risk Summary of Management Alternatives (A – F) and the Proposed Action (P) 
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Table 4.2-5(e) 5-day IRIS Risk Summary of Management Alternatives (A – F) and the Proposed Action (P) 
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Table 4.2-5(f) 12-day IRIS Risk Summary of Management Alternatives (A – F) and the Proposed Action (P) 
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Table 4.2-6(d) 1-day OEHHA Risk Summary of Management Alternatives (A – F) and the Proposed Action (P) 
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Table 4.2-6(e) 5-day OEHHA Risk Summary of Management Alternatives (A – F) and the Proposed Action (P) 
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Table 4.2-6(f) 12-day OEHHA Risk Summary of Management Alternatives (A – F) and the Proposed Action (P) 
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4.2.5.1 Mitigation 

Under the Proposed Action, mitigation measures to reduce risk to public health and safety include 

limiting vehicle types, restricting annual visitor use days, establishing speed limits, making improvement 

to major routes, dust suppression and hardening road surfaces, and taking other corrective action(s) to 

comply with Federal, State, and local regulations. 

Limits on Vehicle Types 

Motorized access in the Serpentine ACEC would be limited to highway-licensed vehicles on designated 

routes. Although there would be no reduction in risk from asbestos exposure to visitors in highwaylicensed vehicles in the Serpentine ACEC, there would be some benefits to public safety from limiting 

vehicle types because there would be less potential for injuries and accidents associated with vehicle 

collisions with green- sticker and red-sticker off-highway vehicles.

Limited Annual Visitor Use Days/Year (Access by Permit Only) 

Since cancer risk from asbestos is a function of exposure concentration, duration of exposure, and time 

from first exposure, assessments of human health risks are based on estimates of continuous lifetime 

exposure. Therefore, authorizations of access into the Serpentine ACEC by permit only to limit the 

number of visitor use days/year to 12 days for non-motorized recreation and 5 days for motorized 

activities would contribute long-term benefits on human health and safety because the total number of 

authorized visitor use days/year for any individual would be within the acceptable risk range for exposure 

to carcinogens. 

Enforce Speed limits on Major Routes (10-20 mph) 

In April 2005, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control completed a report titled, “Study of 

Airborne Asbestos from a Serpentine Road in Garden Valley, California”. The objectives of the study 

were to measure asbestos concentrations on the road segment under traffic patterns that represent typical 

driving speeds and vehicle frequency. Therefore, DTSC collected air samples based on a 25 mile per 

hour (mph) speed limit, and a 10 mph speed limit to compare asbestos emissions on the road. The results 

of these air samples were calculated in a risk assessment, and as could be expected, the lowest estimated 

risk is associated with NOA concentrations at the farthest distance from the road, the fewest vehicles, the 

lowest speeds. Nevertheless, even under low speeds, asbestos emissions were still measureable and the 

human health risk from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers persists. 

Based on the results of the DTSC study, establishing speed limits on major routes in CCMA would have 

some long-term beneficial impacts on vehicle traffic and visitor safety by reducing potential for accidents 

and head-on collisions. However, reliance upon speed limits to mitigate human health risks from exposure 

to asbestos would have negligible long-term benefits because of the persistence of airborne asbestos 

emissions from vehicular traffic and fugitive dust on roadways. 

Dust Suppression on OHV Routes and Trails 

Multiple products are available for dust suppression on trails. The impacts and effectiveness of these 

mitigation measures are analyzed in Section 4.3, Travel and Transportation Management. Overall, 

application of suppressant would likely have major adverse impacts on OHV recreation, but major longterm benefits for general vehicle use in the ACEC because these products provide a hardened, “capping” 

action that is only suitable for major routes and is not preferable to motorcycle or ATV users. 
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4.2.6 Overview of Impacts to HAZMAT from Other Management Activities 

BLM is required by Federal, State, and local regulations to collect, store, and dispose of hazardous 

materials and wastes appropriately. Impacts would be beneficial for environmental resource protection 

and the safety of the public by implementing the recommendations from the past and future Compliance 

Assessment Safety, Health, and Environment (CASHE) audits, which may include correcting deficiencies 

in storage of hazardous materials, disposal practices for hazardous wastes, and other possible findings 

identified in the CASHE audits. Additional beneficial impacts of management actions are related to 

monitoring for illegal dumping of chemicals on Federal lands to identify and cleanup potential impacts to 

the environment and public safety before the hazard migrates off-site and correcting abandoned miningrelated and other public land hazards. 

4.2.6.1 Illegal Dumping 

Illegal dumping of hazardous materials and wastes occurs area-wide and is a common concern throughout 

the Planning Area. Impacts are typically localized and could be short- to long-term, depending on the 

time of site discovery and the corrective action. Illegal dumping may occur at any time and any place, 

particularly along secluded roads and trails that are relatively accessible to motorized vehicles. 

Hazardous materials and wastes may take the form of 55-gallon drums and other, smaller containers, but 

also may include large automobile parts, household appliances, large- and small-scale illicit drug 

laboratories, and discarded household solid wastes. Because BLM-managed lands are typically remote 

and secluded, and available to the public; management actions to identify and maintain an inventory of 

hazardous materials sites and eliminate or mitigate them as soon as possible would have an added benefit 

to the environment and public safety. 

4.2.6.2 Abandoned Mine Lands 

Abandoned mines, particularly for mercury ores, are scattered throughout BLM public lands within the 

Planning Area. Abandoned mines may pose a threat to human health and the environment through the 

presence of abandoned hazardous materials, such as cyanide, which may be found in containers or in 

tailings piles; acid mine drainage; and containers of diesel fuel and gasoline for operating the mining 

equipment. Also, physical threats to public safety include open shafts and tunnels, deteriorated buildings, 

and mining equipment. Eroding tailings piles may pose a threat to the environment, particularly if they 

contain extraction chemicals (e.g., cyanide) or elevated levels of metals, or if they are eroding into a 

stream or creek. Because BLM-managed lands are typically remote and secluded, and available to the 

public; management actions to identify and maintain an inventory of abandoned mines, and eliminate or 

mitigate hazards associated with them as soon as possible, would be an overall benefit to the environment 

and public safety. Depending on the type of mining, adits, tunnels, and caves also create a beneficial 

impact to biological habitats for nocturnal species such as bats. 

4.2.6.3 Energy and Mineral Development 

Hard rock mining operations in the CCMA have resulted in mercury, chromium and asbestos 

contamination in state waters. Any development of mine operations has potential to result in additional 

contamination to waterways as well potential airborne asbestos emissions. Oil and gas development 

activities often require the use of or creation of hazardous materials, including drilling muds. Drilling 

muds may contain various contaminants such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and hydrocarbons, among 

others, and if not managed correctly can seep into surrounding surface and ground water and degrade the 

quality. 
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4.2.6.4 Livestock Grazing 

Rangeland use can require the use or storage of hazardous materials such as fuel tanks and various paints, 

solvents or thinners. In the event of an accidental spill, the fuel can migrate to into surrounding surface 

and ground water and degrade the water quality. 

4.2.6.5 Impacts to HAZMAT from Other Management Activities under Alternatives A 

Under Alternatives A, impacts from oil and gas development will likely be limited to areas with high 

development potential (reference Map 10, Appendix I). Additionally, under all alternatives, oil and gas 

development is expected to be minimal over the next 10-15 years. Therefore, the impacts of hazardous 

materials use from oil and gas development are expected to be negligible. 

The rangeland management actions for Alternative A would not increase the size of livestock grazing 

allotments; therefore any impacts on grazing improvements, such as added fuel tanks, would also be 

negligible. 

Impacts from land tenure adjustments on hazardous materials emissions would be negligible because 

BLM cannot accept lands that are contaminated from hazardous materials and wastes. There would be no 

impact to existing right-holders either, as BLM would maintain land use authorizations for private 

landowners and rights-of-way holders. 

Mitigation 

Mitigation measures under Alternative A are included in the management actions in Chapter 2. BLM 

would eliminate or mitigate as soon as possible potential environmental and public safety impacts from 

exposure to airborne asbestos emissions, illegally dumped hazardous materials, and waste and from 

abandoned mine sites. Additionally, BLM would seek cost avoidance and/or cost recovery from the 

legally responsible parties to mitigate BLM funding impacts for cleanup costs of contaminated public 

lands. 

4.2.6.6 Impacts to HAZMAT from Other Management Activities under Alternatives B - G 

Alternatives B through G would benefit the overall public safety and the environment by maintaining an 

inventory of hazardous materials and by seeking cost avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally 

responsible parties. Compared to Alternative A, the management actions to identify and maintain an 

inventory of hazardous materials sites and eliminate or mitigate them as soon as possible would be an 

overall benefit to the environment and public safety. 

Impacts from land tenure adjustments on hazardous materials emissions would be negligible because 

BLM cannot accept lands that are contaminated from hazardous materials and wastes. There would be no 

impact to existing right-holders either, as BLM would maintain land use authorizations for private 

landowners and rights-of-way holders. 

While the impacts from permitted activities like livestock grazing, communications sites, and energy and 

development would be similar under all alternatives, the potential and the location could be different. 

Alternatives B and C have the greatest flexibility as to the type and location of high-impact activities and, 

as such, provides the most potential for activities that could result in the release of hazardous materials. 

Permitted uses such as mining, telecommunications, or wind development would require compliance with 

all Federal, State, and local regulations. However, these activities could have more severe impacts on 
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BLM-managed lands if not mitigated, monitored, or implemented properly, especially in the Serpentine 

ACEC. 

Alternatives D, E, and F would restrict authorization of new communications sites and other rights-ofways in the Serpentine ACEC to existing facilities and stipulate human health and safety mitigation 

measures in land use authorizations. Under these alternatives, livestock grazing would be excluded from 

the Serpentine ACEC and BLM would recommend the 30,000-acre ACEC for withdrawal from locatable 

mineral entry under the mining laws. These actions would have moderate long-term beneficial effects on 

public health and safety because they would reduce potential emissions of asbestos associated with land 

use authorizations and BLM management activities in the Serpentine ACEC. 

Alternative G would prohibit new rights-of-ways in the Serpentine ACEC. Under Alternative G, BLM 

would recommend all the BLM-administered lands in CCMA (66,500 acres) for withdrawal from 

locatable mineral entry under the mining laws and unavailable for livestock grazing. This alternative 

would have the most long-term beneficial impacts on human health and safety of all the alternatives 

considered in this PRMP/FEIS because it would minimize potential emissions of asbestos associated with 

land use authorizations and BLM management activities in the Serpentine ACEC. 

Mitigation 

Mitigation measures under Alternatives B – G are included in the management actions in Chapter 2. BLM 

would eliminate or mitigate as soon as possible potential environmental and public safety impacts from 

exposure to illegally dumped hazardous materials, and waste and from abandoned mine sites. 

Additionally, BLM would seek cost avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally responsible parties to 

mitigate BLM funding impacts for cleanup costs of contaminated public lands. 

4.2.5.6 Impacts to HAZMAT from Other Management Activities under the Proposed 

Action 

Under the Proposed Action, impacts from oil and gas development will likely be limited to areas with 

high development potential (reference Map 10, Appendix I). Additionally, oil and gas development is 

expected to be minimal over the next 10-15 years. Therefore, the impacts of hazardous materials use 

from oil and gas development are expected to be negligible. 

The rangeland management actions for the Proposed Action would not increase the size of livestock 

grazing allotments; therefore any impacts on grazing improvements, such as added fuel tanks, would also 

be negligible. 

Impacts from land tenure adjustments on public safety would be negligible because BLM cannot accept 

lands that are contaminated from hazardous materials and wastes. There would be no impact to existing 

right-holders either, as BLM would maintain land use authorizations for private landowners and rights-ofway holders. 

The Proposed Action would benefit the overall public safety and the environment by maintaining an 

inventory of hazardous materials and by seeking cost avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally 

responsible parties. Management actions to identify and maintain an inventory of hazardous materials 

sites and eliminate or mitigate them as soon as possible would be an overall benefit to the environment 

and public safety. 
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The Proposed Action would restrict authorization of new communications sites in the Serpentine ACEC 

to existing facilities. Permitted uses such as mining, telecommunications, or wind development outside 

the ACEC would require compliance with all Federal, State, and local regulations. However, these 

activities could have more severe impacts on BLM-managed lands if not mitigated, monitored, or 

implemented properly, especially in the Serpentine ACEC. 

Under the Proposed Action, BLM would propose that none of the public lands in the special designation 

areas would be available for leasing, sales, or hard rock mining. Although BLM would recommend 

withdrawal of public lands in the ACEC from mineral entry; only the United States Congress can 

formally withdraw public lands from mineral entry, which would result in major long-term benefits to 

public health and safety because it would reduce the potential for increased hazardous materials emissions 

form energy development proposals and the associated public health and safety concerns in a 30,000 acre 

area with high concentrations of asbestos fibers in the serpentine soils. 

Under the Proposed Action, BLM would authorize current use levels and work with grazing operators to 

prevent possible contamination. Because there is no change to current use levels, the proposed livestock 

grazing decisions would have negligible effects on hazardous materials and public health and safety. 

4.2.7 Cumulative Effects on HAZMAT and Public Health & Safety 

Pneumoconioses are diseases caused by the inhalation and deposition of mineral dusts in the lungs, 

resulting in pulmonary fibrosis and other parenchymal changes. In a July 2004, the United States Center 

for Diseases Control and Prevention reported that temporal patterns of pneumoconiosis mortality during 

1968—2000 indicate an overall decrease in pneumoconiosis mortality. The CDC report describes known 

pneumoconioses, which include “coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), silicosis, asbestosis, mixed dust 

pneumoconiosis, graphitosis, and talcosis”, and explains that no effective treatments for these diseases are 

available. Despite the marked decrease in some pneumoconioses, the CDC study concludes that 

“asbestosis increased steadily” from 1968-2000, and is “now the most frequently recorded 

pneumoconiosis on death certificates” (CDC 2004). The CDC acknowledges that the findings in this 

report are subject to limitations. 

The overall effect of these limitations are unclear, and “as with any data based solely on death certificate 

information, cause of death information is subject to potential errors associated with disease diagnosis, 

recording, and coding.” Furthermore, substantial increases in asbestos-related litigation through the 

1990’s raised awareness of asbestosis, “likely leading to its more frequent diagnosis and recording on 

death certificates.” Despite these limitations, CDC asserts the data is useful as a “historical perspective on 

pneumoconiosis mortality”, and “can be used to assess the effectiveness of preventive measures”. The 

CDC study was based on a mortality surveillance system for respiratory diseases of occupational interest 

maintained by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 

According to the report, “the data are drawn from annual National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) 

multiple-cause-of-death mortality files, which include all deaths in the United States since 1968. For this 

report, pneumoconiosis deaths were identified during 1968--2000, the most recent year for which 

complete data are available, and include any death certificates for which an International Classification of 

Diseases (ICD) code* for CWP, silicosis, asbestosis, or unspecified/other pneumoconiosis was listed as 

either the underlying or contributing cause of death.” The CDC also provides on-line resources and 

information regarding public health and safety that describes asbestos exposure as the leading cause of 

malignant mesothelioma. 
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4.2.7.1 Cumulative Effects of the Management Alternatives A, B, C, and D 

The presence of airborne asbestos dust, a known carcinogen, poses a potential human health risk in the 

serpentine portion of the CCMA. Studies have proven that the vast majority of airborne asbestos dust in 

the Clear Creek area is generated by human activities, primarily vehicle use. Continued OHV use on 

unpaved routes, trails, and barrens would generate asbestos emissions, and visitor use and exposure to 

asbestos in the ACEC would have long-term negative cumulative effect on individuals excess lifetime 

cancer risks (ELCR). 

Alternatives A, B, C would have long-term adverse cumulative effects on public health and safety from 

airborne asbestos emissions because visitor use would be similar to current levels. Potential health risks 

and air quality impacts from airborne asbestos emissions associated with OHV recreation use would still 

include an elevated risk of contracting serious and/or life-threatening asbestos-related diseases from 

exposure to asbestos fibers. Any reductions in impacts to human health would come primarily from 

mitigation and administrative measures. Extending dry season vehicle restrictions would contribute to 

reduced impacts to human health. 

Furthermore, airborne asbestos emissions and public exposure would be reduced by dust suppression with 

water trucks, on approximately 25 miles of major routes in CCMA. A public vehicle wash rack for 

removing dust, mud and other asbestos-containing materials from vehicles could substantially reduce the 

cumulative impacts on public health and safety from off-site transport of asbestos by OHV user vehicles 

and subsequent exposure. 

Under these alternatives, surface disturbing activities would only be permitted during periods when air 

concentrations of asbestos fall below OSHA action levels for a given activity. All BLM road maintenance 

and grading activities would be conducted in compliance with MBUAPCD ATCM for airborne asbestos, 

to prevent visible emissions during these operations. Education programs related to asbestos exposure 

and hazards would be expanded, and any new risk assessments would be incorporated into informational 

materials. Closure of all remaining mine areas and restricting vehicle access to these areas would further 

reduce public exposure to hazardous contaminants and transport of hazardous metals to streams and 

corresponding off-site transport. 

Nonetheless, exposure to concentrations of asbestos similar to those analyzed by EPA in the CCMA 

Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment would have a long-term negative cumulative 

impact on public health and safety due to the elevated risk of asbestos related diseases and cancer. 

4.2.7.2 Cumulative Effects of the Management Alternatives E, F, and G 

Under Alternatives E, F, and G, closure of routes and barrens to motorized access and OHV recreation 

would contribute to an overall reduction in asbestos dust generation and its transport by wind off-site, and 

would contribute to lower levels of asbestos transported by water and reduced impacts to beneficial uses. 

Alternatives E, F, and G would have long-term beneficial cumulative impacts on public health and safety 

compared to other alternatives because visitor use would be much lower than current levels and additional 

mitigation measures would be implemented to further reduce human health risks. Nonetheless, potential 

health risks and air quality impacts from airborne asbestos emissions associated with motorized and nonmotorized recreation use would still include an elevated risk of contracting serious and/or life-threatening 

asbestos-related diseases from exposure to asbestos fibers. Any reductions in impacts to human health 

would come primarily from mitigation and administrative measures. 
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4.2.7.3 Cumulative Effects of the Proposed Action 

Under the Proposed Action, there would be long-term beneficial cumulative impacts on public health and 

safety compared to the Alternatives A - D because visitor use would be much lower than current levels 

and additional mitigation measures would be implemented to further reduce human health risks from 

exposure to airborne asbestos fibers and asbestos emissions from BLM’s resource management activities 

on public lands in the CCMA. Nonetheless, potential health risks and air quality impacts from airborne 

asbestos emissions associated with motorized and non-motorized recreation use within the ACEC above 

the levels in Alternatives F and G would still result in an elevated risk of contracting serious and/or lifethreatening asbestos-related diseases from exposure to asbestos fibers. Any reductions in impacts to 

human health would come primarily from mitigation and administrative measures. 
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4.3 Travel and Transportation Management 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goals for travel management are to (1) continue to maintain roads for resource management 

purposes; (2) continue to support local counties and the State of California in providing a network 

of roads for movement of people, goods, and services across public lands; (3) manage motorized 

access use to protect resource values, promote public safety, provide responsible motorized 

access use opportunities where appropriate and minimize conflicts among various user groups.

4.3.1 Introduction 

Travel management is the process of planning for and managing access and transportation systems on the 

public lands. Travel management planning should address all resource values and uses and accompanying 

modes and conditions of travel on public lands, and impacts to resources associated with the travel 

network. These include travel and transportation access needs for all the BLM-administered programs and 

resource management activities, including activities and access associated with mineral and energy 

development, rights-of-way and utility corridors, livestock management, wildlife and vegetation 

management, fire, lands and realty, and recreation. 

All routes in the Planning Area are assigned one of four travel management designations: (1) open to 

motorized or mechanized cross-country travel, (2) limited to designated routes, (3) closed to motorized 

and mechanized travel, or (4) closed to all public use. 

In 1999, CCMA was designated a “Limited” OHV use area available for motorized recreation on 

designated routes and trails. In 2006, BLM approved the CCMA RMP Amendment for Route 

Designation, which identified “open” routes and trails on CCMA public lands. Therefore, the baseline for 

the analysis of impacts from BLM transportation management actions is limited to routes on public lands 

designated ‘open’ in the 2006 ROD.

4.3.2 Overview of Impacts 

4.3.2.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

This subsection provides an overview of impacts on this resource. The background and overall impact 

assessment is provided here and, as needed, further analysis, such as the location or severity of the 

impact, is provided under each alternative. 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

All of the designated routes under each alternative were selected from routes previously designated as 

open in the 2006 CCMA RMP amendment. The BLM planning team developed extensive criteria for 

evaluating routes and areas in the 2006 route designation process. These designation criteria address a 

variety of management issues and concerns, including compliance with statutory guidelines. Designation 

decisions are be based on a variety of data, including previous studies, field inventory data, biological, 

environmental, cultural, natural and recreation resources, land use, and land ownership. This process is 

standardized, repeatable, and can be logically followed; it assesses each route and area, and documents 

that assessment; and establishes a clear link between the designation decision and the rational for that 
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decision. As a result, the routes designated open under each alternative in this PRMP/FEIS have been 

screened through the route designation criteria (Appendix II). 

Vehicle use area designations (i.e., open, limited, or closed) under the range of alternatives are based on 

248.5 miles of existing designated open routes, with designated routes (open, closed) and mileage varying 

by alternative. 

Impacts from travel restrictions include changes in the amount and type of traffic, construction of new 

roads/trails, and abandonment of existing roads/trails. The development and construction of new routes 

and the abandonment and restoration of existing routes would also have minor negative, indirect impacts 

on private property owners and other existing rights-holders that would be required to obtain rights-ofways to travel across BLM public lands on authorized on specific routes. Similarly, changes in the level 

and types of traffic on roads accessing CCMA could result in minor negative, indirect impacts on local 

and State governments that manage the road system if additional maintenance or patrol becomes 

necessary. 

Appropriate capacity and modes of access is an important feature of travel management planning. Too 

little route capacity may result in overcrowding, and lack of roads or access could result in the inability of 

the public to enjoy certain areas of the CCMA public lands. Areas where there is no public access or 

where access could be improved include Condon Zone, Cantua Zone, Tucker Zone and Joaquin Ridge, 

directly south of the CCMA. Traditional access to Joaquin Ridge has been through the CCMA along 

Spanish Lake Road. 

Redundant routes are routes that no longer serve their intended purpose that are excessive or unnecessary 

routes serving the same destination. Redundant routes can result in deterioration of visual or biological 

resources, or cause an additional maintenance load on the managing agency. Closure of these routes can 

result in beneficial impacts on water and biological resources and visual quality; however, the potential 

added burden on the remaining open routes may result in negative impacts such as soil erosion or 

compaction, loss of vegetative cover, or traffic congestion on the remaining route network. 

Route Management 

Some level of use restriction would be necessary to varying degrees under all alternatives. This may 

include temporary closure of roads due to the presence of unstable soils or rare or endangered plant 

species, or during severe weather conditions and seasonal closures. While some users may prefer to use 

the BLM’s open routes year-round, these temporary closures could provide beneficial long-term impacts 

to the routes, natural surroundings, and public health and safety. 

Indirect impacts, including the need for added sign maintenance or patrol in order to institute these 

restrictions, could be an added burden on BLM or local law enforcement agencies. 

Dust Suppression on OHV Routes and Trails 

Multiple products are available for dust suppression on trails. See Appendix V. Each of these products 

requires multiple applications per year, especially in areas sustaining high mechanical wear, such as OHV 

routes and trails. Rain and snow further shorten the application intervals due to run-off. There is no 

production-grade application device available for a single track trail situation, especially when dealing 

with the narrow, off-camber and steep grade trails endemic to CCMA. An application device would have 

to be fabricated for motorcycle or hand application and would likely be unfeasible from a cost/benefit 

perspective, especially when labor is considered. 
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Only a limited amount of dust suppressant (~3 gal=24lbs) would be able to be transported at a time due 

to weight limitations. This would greatly limit productivity with frequent refill trips. Trails would need to 

be closed during application and drying periods, and barrens would need constant application if 

continually disturbed by vehicle use. 

Overall, application of suppressant would likely have major adverse impacts on OHV recreation, but 

major long-term benefits for general vehicle use in the ACEC because these products provide a hardened, 

“capping” action that is only suitable for major routes and is not preferable to motorcycle or ATV users. 

Other trail hardening techniques, such as base-rock, would be extremely costly and difficult to apply. 

Weight would be an issue for transportation. The trails with a grade above 6-7% would not hold the 

gravel, with the majority of the material ending up down-watershed. Mechanical erosion would also 

further exacerbate this condition. Soil run-off and fugitive dust would need to be periodically capped with 

a reapplication as well. 

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

User conflicts can occur in areas where there is heavy non-motorized and motorized use within the same 

travel ways. While there are no management actions defined to address this issue, the change in 

recreational opportunities throughout the Planning Area, as provided under Alternatives B, C, D, E, F and 

G would lessen the potential for these conflicts, primarily due to decreased motorized recreation 

opportunities. Alternatives D, E, F and G offer the most restrictions to motorized recreation and it is 

these Alternatives which offer the greatest potential for lessening any conflicts with non-motorized user 

groups. 

4.3.2.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Biological Resources 

Biological resources management can aid in reducing soil erosion and reducing dust, and also can 

generally improve local ecological conditions, all of which can help stabilize roads and trails, thereby also 

reducing maintenance costs. There also may be secondary effects of improved user enjoyment. 

Conversely, in areas where water and biological restoration projects are conducted, roads may need to be 

temporarily or permanently closed in order for these projects to be successful. This may be burdensome 

on public lands users in areas of popular road use. Alternatives C, D, E, F and G offer the greatest 

opportunity to enhance water and biological resources. These Alternatives limit to varying degrees the 

amount of travel within the management area, with Alternative G eliminating all but specially permitted 

access, thus offering the greatest benefits to resources. 

Recreation 

The type, intensity, and location of recreation activity affect the need and use of routes in the Planning 

Area. Access is driven by recreation demands and management objectives. Each Alternative addresses a 

different type, intensity and location within the Management Area while taking into account human health 

and safety. These limitations on recreation will directly impact transportation routes and access within 

the Management Area. 

Livestock Grazing 
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No new routes are foresee-ably needed in support of the HFO grazing program in the management area. 

The proposed new access at Condon Peak Zone from Los Gatos Creek Road would be implemented to 

primarily support recreation access, with grazing support a secondary benefit. 

Energy and Minerals 

Major energy and mineral exploration in the management area stopped in 1996 with the KCAC Asbestos 

Mine and would see no impacts under all alternatives. 

4.3.3 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative A 

4.3.3.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

Alternative A, the “No Action” alternative, would maintain existing management policies and procedures. 

There would be no new routes constructed and/or existing routes abandoned. Vehicle use on BLM public 

lands in the planning area would be limited to designated routes and barrens. The BLM would continue to 

designate open up to 270 miles of motorized roads and trails where deemed appropriate through proper 

planning actions. 

The public lands managed within CCMA would remain open to motorized vehicle use on existing routes, 

except where closed by closure notices, and/or by activity-level planning decisions. OHV regulations 

would still apply to route use by the general public. Under this alternative, plans addressing recreational 

activities for specific areas and access issues would be developed and implemented. These actions would 

provide major long-term benefits for travel management and a variety of motorized visitor uses in 

CCMA.

Route Management 

Alternative A would continue those practices set forth in the 2006 Record of Decision for the CCMA 

RMP Amendment and Route Designation. These actions would provide major long-term benefits for 

travel management and a variety of motorized visitor uses in CCMA.

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

Under this alternative, minor user conflicts would continue to be an issue in areas where there is nonmotorized and motorized use within the same travel ways, as well as in areas with heavy pressure for 

multiple uses and resource value concerns. Minor conflicts would also continue between the three types 

of OHV user groups. 

4.3.3.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Biological Resources 

Alternative A would provide adequate environmental protection to biological resources, as all activities 

and improvements to roads and access would be required to comply with established road construction 

and route maintenance standards. Actions that may affect special status species would be subject to 

consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and BLM would incorporate conservation 

recommendations from the associated Biological Opinion(s), Many measures mitigating transportation 
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and access on designated routes and trails in CCMA have already been implemented and would only 

result in minor short-term impacts to resources in the Planning Area. 

Recreation 

The type, intensity, and location of recreational activities affect the need and use of roads in the Planning 

Area. Alternative A offers a variety of high and low-impact recreation. Many of the recreational 

opportunities that are allowed or promoted under Alternative A require some mode of vehicular access. 

Because this Alternative offers the largest amount of open or limited access routes in the management 

area, this would result in the most major long-term benefits to public transportation among the range of 

alternatives. 

Livestock Grazing 

Over time, rangeland use may introduce new roads into the Planning Area. These would likely be for 

administrative purposes only and would not have any substantial effect on transportation and access 

within the Planning Area. 

Energy and Minerals 

Energy and mineral development consists of hobby gem and mineral collection within the ACEC. 

Therefore, energy and mineral development is expected to have negligible impact on the transit network 

in the Planning Area. 

4.3.3.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Mitigation includes 

closing routes, limiting access, or instituting use restrictions in specified areas as needed. Mitigation 

measures included under other resource programs will also lessen the impacts of roads and access on 

natural resources like water quality and vegetation. 

4.3.4 Impacts to Travel Management Common to Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, & G 

4.3.4.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

Under all the alternatives (except G5) the CCMA public lands vehicle use area designation would be 

“Limited”, as described in Section 2.1.1 of this PRMP/FEIS, Routes designated open, under all 

alternatives, satisfy 43 CFR 8342.1 “minimization criteria”, and the corresponding route designation 

criteria defined in Appendix II. Routes designated as closed do not contribute to achieving the Proposed 

RMP’s resource objectives or fulfill the identified Planning Criteria to ensure overall protection of human 

health and the environment from hazardous airborne asbestos emissions. 

The selection of routes is based on the route designation criteria identified in Appendix II, and the 

Limited vehicle use area designation to promote resources protection and minimize conflicts among 

existing and potential uses of the management area. 

 

5 Alt. G would designate the area “closed” to vehicle use to meet resource objectives & satisfy minimization criteria.
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The designated routes under each alternative would only provide basic access to the public lands within 

select management zones, while providing transportation manageability, route continuity, and avoiding 

redundancy and route proliferation. It is acknowledged that some segments of the touring network could 

be substituted with alternate routes; however BLM determined that the designated routes provide suitable 

access to areas of interest with a broad range of recreation opportunities and would accommodate a 

variety of off highway vehicles. 

All Alternatives allow for some type of a transportation network, with varying levels of access under 

each. Each alternative takes into account human health and safety, based on EPA calculated exposure 

levels, and attempts to meter traffic, access and duration of exposure based on the limits set forth in the 

CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008). 

All alternatives also consider new development of both motorized and non-motorized transportation and 

access within those Zones outside the ACEC. 

Route Management 

All alternatives include some level of restriction of public use of roads and trails during periods of 

inclement weather and would continue BMPs described in Appendix V. 

In addition, the designated route network would be improved to mitigate asbestos dust emissions utilizing 

a combination of paving/asphalt, base rock, chip seal, surfactants and copolymer emulsion soil stabilizers. 

A comparison of these mitigation measures, including initial cost and maintenance estimates is presented 

below in Table 3.3-1, and was used to determine feasibility of implementing these measures. In addition, 

monitoring would be necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dust suppression methods in 

reducing asbestos emissions and the associated human health risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers 

in CCMA. 

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

User conflicts can occur in areas where there is heavy non-motorized and motorized use within the same 

travel ways. With Alternative B, it is anticipated that motorized vehicle traffic on roads and trails 

remaining open may increase incrementally over time because the use season would be shortened from 

Alternative A. Alternative C would see increased congestion, especially on the single track, since the trail 

mileage for the same group of users would be reduced by nearly 100 miles. These actions could result in 

increased conflicts with non-motorized traffic due to increased user density. Conflicts also may increase 

as a result of road closures under Alternatives D, E, and F because the same amount of users would be 

forced to use fewer roads. Alternative G would see no conflicts, as users would not be present. 

4.3.4.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Biological Resources 

All Alternatives would provide adequate environmental protection for biological resources. All activities 

and improvements to roads and access would be required to comply with the Biological Opinion criteria. 

In the long run, most of these mitigating actions have been implemented and would result in no 

foreseeable impacts to maintaining adequate routes in the Planning Area. 

Recreation 
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The type, intensity, and location of recreational activities affect the demand for roads in the Planning 

Area. Generally, Alternatives B, C, D and E promote some form of recreation supported by a route 

network within the ACEC. Additional areas outside of the ACEC with designated routes become 

increasingly important as mileage is restricted within the ACEC, especially for those areas traditionally 

accessed through the ACEC. Alternatives F and G restrict ACEC access to pedestrian or prohibit it 

altogether, respectively. Motorized access would be severely limited or eliminated under these 

alternatives, which would have major long-term adverse effects on motorized recreation in CCMA. 

Hobby gem and mineral collection would also be adversely impacted under Alternatives F and G because 

access within the ACEC under Alternative F would be limited to foot traffic, and no public access under 

Alternative G would eliminate rockhounding opportunities entirely. 

Livestock Grazing 

Over time, rangeland use may introduce new roads into the Planning Area. These would likely be for 

administrative purposes only and would not have any substantial effect on transportation and access 

within the Planning Area. 

Energy and Minerals 

Energy and mineral development consists of hobby gem and mineral collection within the ACEC. 

Therefore, energy and mineral development is expected to have negligible impact on the transit network 

in the Planning Area.

Lands and Realty 

Under Alternatives B-G, there are potential adverse impacts to existing rights-holders and CCMA private 

land owners that use routes crossing public lands from requirements to obtain a formal right-of-way 

(ROW) pursuant to FLPMA and pay annual rental fees. The intensity of those adverse impacts varies 

based on the alternatives. Alternatives A through D would be considered minor because County roads 

would be used for primary access to private inholdings. Whereas, Alternatives E, F, and G would have 

moderate short-term adverse impacts because these alternatives would effectively close all County roads 

and require all landowners to get ROW from BLM for travel on routes in the ACEC. BLM may consider 

undue hardship on landowners and negotiate rental rates in accordance with BLM guidance. Often times 

this can mitigate the financial impact. 

4.3.4.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions in Chapter 2 and Appendix V. Mitigation 

includes closing roads, limiting access, or instituting use restrictions in specified areas as needed. 

Mitigation under other management actions will also lessen the impacts of roads and access on natural 

resources like water quality and vegetation. Alternative G would provide the most restrictions when it 

comes to roads and minimizing their impact on ecological resources. Alternatives E and F offer slightly 

less protection of these resources, Alternatives C and D offer a moderate amount of protection and 

Alternative B offers the least when compared to the No Action Alternative. 

4.3.5 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative B 

4.3.5.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 
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Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

Alternatives A and B provide the most amount of open or limited access routes in the Management Area. 

The route networks are identical and are only different by temporal/seasonal access restrictions. 

Alternative B would designate the CCMA a ‘Limited’ OHV use area and reaffirm the route and barren 

network designated under the 2006 CCMA ROD. Access points would be limited to the main entrance to 

Clear Creek Canyon from Coalinga Road and the county road through the former town of Idria. The 

Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club would also continue to have access via R7, which ends at their 

property boundary. 

The Dry Season Use Restriction would extend from April 15th through December 1st, which would further 

reduce the visitor use season by 12 weeks and limit access to CCMA more than 60% of the year. Wet 

Season Use Restrictions would continue using established or improved methods as they become 

available. Under this alternative, visitors will be limited in their use by days/year based on the EPA and 

BLM risk assessment models and activity-based air sampling data gathered during the ‘wet season’, 

which is the time of year CCMA is open to the public. 

Route Management 

This alternative includes a level of restriction of public use of roads and trails during periods of inclement 

weather and would continue those BMPs set forth in the Appendix V. 

In addition, the designated route network would be improved to mitigate asbestos dust emissions utilizing 

a combination of paving/asphalt, base rock, chip seal, surfactants and copolymer emulsion soil stabilizers. 

A comparison of these mitigation measures, including initial cost and maintenance estimates is presented 

above in Table 3.3-1, and was used to determine feasibility of implementing these measures. In addition, 

monitoring would be necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dust suppression methods in 

reducing asbestos emissions and the associated human health risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers 

in CCMA. 

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

Same as Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, and G (Sections 4.3.4.1 and 

4.3.4.3). 

4.3.5.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.3.5.3 Mitigation 

Alternative B includes mitigation that is as also specified for Alternative A. Mitigation includes closing 

roads, limiting access, or instituting use restrictions in specified areas as needed. Alternative B would 

also close or relocate travel routes that cross populations, critical habitat, or potential habitat of special 

status species, and would not allow vehicle use within riparian areas except at designated crossing. 

4.3.6 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative C 

4.3.6.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 
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Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

The BLM would implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce off-site water quality impacts 

for roads and trails that no longer serve their original purpose, or exceed State soil loss standards. 

Alternative C designated routes would consist of the County roads and dry season route network with 

year-round access. County Roads would not be maintained, and BLM anticipates that certain sections of 

Clear Creek Road (R1) would become impassable over the life of this Plan. An additional 150 miles of 

single track trails would be designated for motorcycle use only. Testing would be necessary to determine 

those products most effective and durable for dust suppression. OHV use in the Serpentine ACEC would 

be limited to visitors over 18 years of age. Remote automated weather stations would be established to 

effectively monitor soil moisture conditions to determine the need for dry and/or wet weather closures. 

These actions would result in a permanent net loss of open or limited access routes in the Planning Area. 

While there are many ecological benefits to this, this loss of opportunity is considered an adverse impact 

to the transportation network in the Planning Area as it may cause additional crowding of the remaining 

roads which can result in secondary effects of off-road driving and creation of unofficial, user-inspired 

routes that ultimately will need to be closed or maintained. 

Route Management 

This alternative includes a level of restriction of public use of roads and trails during periods of inclement 

weather and would continue those BMPs set forth in Appendix V. 

In addition, the designated route network would be improved to mitigate asbestos dust emissions utilizing 

a combination of paving/asphalt, base rock, chip seal, surfactants and copolymer emulsion soil stabilizers. 

A comparison of these mitigation measures, including initial cost and maintenance estimates is presented 

above in Table 3.3-1, and was used to determine feasibility of implementing these measures. In addition, 

monitoring would be necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dust suppression methods in 

reducing asbestos emissions and the associated human health risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers 

in CCMA. 

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

Same as Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, and G (Sections 4.3.4.1 and 

4.3.4.3). 

Minor user conflicts may occur in areas where motorized access is allowed 

4.3.6.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Same as Alternatives A and B. 

4.3.6.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures under Alternative C include closing roads, limiting access, or instituting use 

restrictions in specified areas as needed. Alternative C would implement BMPs to reduce off-site water 

quality impacts from roads and trails newly closed that no longer serve their original purpose, or exceed 

state soil loss standards; and mitigate or relocate travel routes that cross populations, critical habitat, or 

potential habitat of special status species. 
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4.3.7 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative D 

4.3.7.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

Alternative D would designate routes for full sized vehicles comprised of the County roads and major 

BLM roads for year-round access. Routes would be limited to full size vehicles within the ACEC. 

Cooperation would continue between the BLM and San Benito County to maintain County roads for 

public access through the ACEC to Joaquin Ridge. Remote automated weather stations would be 

established to effectively monitor soil moisture conditions to determine the need for dry and/or wet 

weather closures. 

Motorized access to the Condon Zone would be through a newly developed recreation site and staging 

area off of Coalinga-Los Gatos Road. OHV opportunities would be provided within the Condon Zone. 

The Cantua and Tucker Zones would also be developed with new recreation sites, access roads and OHV 

routes on the public lands within these zones. 

According to public comments from the Timekeepers Motorcycle Club, this alternative is not reasonable 

because it promotes developing trails where access is not reasonably foreseeable in the future. They assert 

that because the trail network couldn’t be connected, the proposed trail network would be worthless.

BLM acknowledges that there is no public access to the Tucker Mountain area in Table 2.6-14. The 

PRMP/FEIS also explains that access would be obtained by working with private land owners to develop 

public easements or by acquiring properties to provide public access to the BLM-managed lands in these 

zones. The timeframe for this to occur would be based on participation from willing landowners and other 

details to determine if this is feasible or cost effective. 

These actions would result in a permanent net loss of open or limited access routes in the Planning Area. 

While there are many ecological benefits to this, this loss of opportunity is considered an adverse impact 

to the transportation network in the Planning Area as it may cause additional crowding of the remaining 

roads which can result in indirect adverse impacts from off-road driving and creation of unofficial, userinspired routes that ultimately will need to be closed or maintained. 

It is important to note that new route development, especially in the Cantua and Condon Zones, would 

likely result in the discovery of asbestos bearing serpentine inclusions and would present further health 

and safety issues at any points of crossing. The San Benito River Zone is a fragmented area that presents 

many difficulties for a motorized route network because the majority of the public lands in this Zone are 

non-contiguous and broken by private property. Connecting this Zone to any other routes outside of the 

Serpentine ACEC within the neighboring Condon Zone would not be possible without crossing private 

lands. These considerations make this zone an unlikely candidate for any further routes. 

Route Management 

This alternative includes a level of restriction of public use of roads and trails during periods of inclement 

weather and would continue those BMPs set forth in Appendix V. 

In addition, the designated route network would be improved to mitigate asbestos dust emissions utilizing 

a combination of paving/asphalt, base rock, chip seal, surfactants and copolymer emulsion soil stabilizers. 

A comparison of these mitigation measures, including initial cost and maintenance estimates is presented 
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above in Table 3.3-1, and was used to determine feasibility of implementing these measures. In addition, 

monitoring would be necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dust suppression methods in 

reducing asbestos emissions and the associated human health risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers 

in CCMA. 

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

Minor user conflicts may occur in areas where motorized access is allowed between traditional motorized 

use and the new OHV user groups in the peripheral Management Zones. 

4.3.7.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Same as Alternative A, B, and C for fire management, livestock grazing, and energy and minerals. 

Recreation and Access 

Under Alternative D, OHV recreation activities would be allowed on designated open routes in the 

Condon Zone, which could result in adverse impacts on riparian areas from streambed disruption or 

trampling of riparian vegetation, and not meeting the goal of maintaining or enhancing water quality. 

Motorized recreation access would be authorized on approximately 60 miles of route network following 

inventory resource screening, and route designation criteria outlined in Appendix II. Additional roads and 

parking for vehicles would be allowed near Coalinga-Los Gatos Road, San Carlos Bolsa, and Tucker and 

Wright Mountain(s), and increased development and/or expansion of recreation facilities such as 

campgrounds throughout the Planning Area would be pursued. Compared to other action alternatives, 

Alternative D would allow the most motorized recreation outside the ACEC and the most development of 

recreation facilities in the CCMA, which has the potential to create moderate adverse impacts to water 

resources through increased erosion from roads, trails, and recreation facility developments, introduction 

of contaminants to water bodies during development of new facilities, and increased potential for riparian 

habitat destruction through the development of new roads and increased visitor numbers in these areas. 

This alternative would have a negative impact on BLM’s goal of maintaining or enhancing water quality 

in CCMA watersheds. 

Under Alternative D, closure or restoration of roads would only occur in the Serpentine ACEC on 

designated closed routes with stream crossings, or other areas with high potential for sedimentation of 

waterways. These actions have the potential to create moderate to major beneficial impacts to water 

resources through decreased soil erosion, vehicle-related contaminant introduction to water bodies, and 

enhanced watershed functions. Like Alternative C, this alternative does not specifically prohibit vehicles 

from major routes and stream crossings in the ACEC, which would result in more adverse impacts to 

water resources than Alternatives E, F, and G. 

4.3.7.3 Mitigation 

Reference 4.3.4.1 and 4.3.4.3 and/or Appendix V. 

Mitigation includes closing roads, limiting access, or instituting use restrictions in specified areas as 

needed. Alternative D would implement BMPs to reduce off-site water quality impacts from roads and 

trails newly closed that no longer serve their original purpose, or exceed state soil loss standards; and 

mitigate or relocate travel routes that cross populations, critical habitat, or potential habitat of special 

status species. 
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4.3.8 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative E 

4.3.8.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

Alternative E would restrict public access to T153 and Spanish Lake Road (Route R-11) year-round 

within the ACEC. All public rights-of-way would be vacated on County roads within the ACEC. The 

County roads from Clear Creek entrance to Jade Mill would be maintained, as would the County road 

from Idria to its connection with T153. Access would be restricted during extreme weather conditions 

based on soil moisture monitoring and/or established procedures for seasonal use restrictions. Gates 

would be installed at all entrance points to control public access. Motorized access throughout the rest of 

the ACEC would be authorized for existing rights-holders, private property in-holders, scientific studies, 

research and education from accredited institutions and individuals and on a case-by-case basis. The 

Condon and Tucker Zones would be maintained for non-motorized activities. The Cantua Zone would be 

analyzed for construction of a motorized route network. If implemented, this route would provide primary 

hunting and hiking access, and new recreation facilities would be constructed to support non-motorized 

recreation opportunities. Existing RMOs would be maintained within the Condon Zone. 

These actions would result in a permanent net loss of open or limited access routes in the Planning Area. 

While there are many ecological benefits to this, this loss of opportunity is considered an adverse impact 

to the transportation network in the Planning Area as it may cause additional crowding of the remaining 

roads which can result in secondary effects of off-road driving and creation of unofficial, user-inspired 

routes that ultimately will need to be closed or maintained. 

Route Management 

This alternative includes a level of restriction of public use of roads and trails during periods of inclement 

weather and would continue those BMPs set forth in Appendix V. 

In addition, the designated route network would be improved to mitigate asbestos dust emissions utilizing 

a combination of paving/asphalt, base rock, chip seal, surfactants and copolymer emulsion soil stabilizers. 

A comparison of these mitigation measures, including initial cost and maintenance estimates is presented 

above in Table 3.3-1, and was used to determine feasibility of implementing these measures. In addition, 

monitoring would be necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dust suppression methods in 

reducing asbestos emissions and the associated human health risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers 

in CCMA. 

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

Minor user conflicts may occur in areas where motorized access is allowed between traditional motorized 

use and the new OHV user groups in the peripheral Management Zones. 

4.3.8.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Same as Alternative A, B, and C for fire management, livestock grazing, and energy and minerals. 

4.3.8.3 Mitigation 

Reference 4.3.4.1 and 4.3.4.3 and/or Appendix V. 
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Mitigation includes closing roads, limiting access, or instituting use restrictions in specified areas as 

needed. Alternative E would implement BMPs to reduce off-site water quality impacts from roads and 

trails newly closed that no longer serve their original purpose, or exceed state soil loss standards; and 

mitigate or relocate travel routes that cross populations, critical habitat, or potential habitat of special 

status species. 

4.3.9 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative F 

4.3.9.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

Alternative F would restrict public access in the ACEC to pedestrian traffic and/or written motorized 

access authorizations. All existing rights-of-way would be maintained, and gates would be constructed at 

entrance points to control vehicle access into the ACEC. Clear Creek Road would be decommissioned 

and restored to provide habitat and control erosion. Non-motorized recreation opportunities would be 

allowed for the general public within the ACEC, but permits would limit access to less than 12 visitor 

days. Written authorizations would also be required for scientific research and education groups to access 

the Serpentine ACEC, SBMRNA, and Joaquin Rocks. Access would be restricted during extreme weather 

conditions based on soil moisture monitoring and/or established procedures for seasonal use restrictions. 

New transportation facilities would be considered in the Cantua and Tucker Zones to support nonmotorized recreation opportunities. Existing RMOs would be maintained within the Condon Zone, with a 

new staging area and motorized access established along Coalinga-Los Gatos Road. 

This alternative would result in a permanent net loss of open or limited access routes in the Planning 

Area. While there are many ecological benefits to this, this loss of opportunity is considered an adverse 

impact to the transportation network in the Planning Area as it may cause additional crowding of the 

remaining roads which can result in secondary effects of off-road driving and creation of unofficial, userinspired routes that ultimately will need to be closed or maintained. 

Route Management 

This alternative includes a complete restriction on motorized use of roads and trails in the Serpentine 

ACEC. BLM would continue to implement the BMPs set forth in Appendix V for routes in the ACEC 

that would continue to be used for administrative purposes and authorized access for landowners and 

existing rights-of-way holders. 

In addition, the administrative route network would be improved to mitigate asbestos dust emissions 

utilizing a combination of paving/asphalt, base rock, chip seal, surfactants and copolymer emulsion soil 

stabilizers. A comparison of these mitigation measures, including initial cost and maintenance estimates is 

presented above in Table 3.3-1, and was used to determine feasibility of implementing these measures. In 

addition, monitoring would be necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dust suppression methods 

in reducing asbestos emissions and the associated human health risk of exposure to airborne asbestos 

fibers in CCMA. 

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

Minor user conflicts may occur in areas where motorized access is allowed between traditional motorized 

use and the new OHV user groups in the peripheral Management Zones. 
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4.3.9.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Same as Alternative A, B, and C for fire management, livestock grazing, and energy and minerals. 

4.3.9.3 Mitigation 

Reference 4.3.4.1 and 4.3.4.3 and/or Appendix V. 

Mitigation includes closing roads, limiting access, or instituting use restrictions in specified areas as 

needed. Alternative F would implement BMPs to reduce off-site water quality impacts from roads and 

trails newly closed that no longer serve their original purpose, or exceed state soil loss standards; and 

mitigate or relocate travel routes that cross populations, critical habitat, or potential habitat of special 

status species. 

4.3.10 Impacts to Travel Management for Alternative G 

4.3.10.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

Alternative G would prohibit all public access inside the ACEC. All public rights-of-way would be 

terminated on County Roads and gates would be constructed at entrance points to control vehicle access 

into the ACEC. Access would be authorized into the ACEC for existing rights-holders, private property 

in-holders, scientific studies, research and education from accredited institutions and individuals and on a 

case-by-case basis. Access authorizations would stipulate health and safety requirements and, where 

deemed appropriate, would require compliance with the Hollister Field Office Health and Safety Plan for 

the ACEC. Cantua and Tucker Mtn. zones would be managed for non-motorized recreation and Condon 

Peak zone would be limited to full-sized vehicles and ATVs on designated routes with a new staging area 

established along Los Gatos Creek Road. 

This alternative would result in a permanent net loss of open or limited access routes in the Planning 

Area. While there are many ecological benefits to this, this loss of opportunity is considered an adverse 

impact to the transportation network in the Planning Area as it may cause additional crowding of the 

remaining roads which can result in secondary effects of off-road driving and creation of unofficial, userinspired routes that ultimately will need to be closed or maintained. 

Route Management 

This alternative includes a complete restriction on motorized use of roads and trails in the Serpentine 

ACEC. BLM would continue to implement the BMPs set forth in Appendix V for routes in the ACEC 

that would continue to be used for administrative purposes and authorized access for landowners and 

existing rights-of-way holders. 

In addition, the administrative route network would be improved to mitigate asbestos dust emissions 

utilizing a combination of paving/asphalt, base rock, chip seal, surfactants and copolymer emulsion soil 

stabilizers. A comparison of these mitigation measures, including initial cost and maintenance estimates is 

presented above in Table 3.3-1, and was used to determine feasibility of implementing these measures. In 

addition, monitoring would be necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dust suppression methods 

in reducing asbestos emissions and the associated human health risk of exposure to airborne asbestos 

fibers in CCMA. 
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Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

All public access within the ACEC is prohibited, therefore no conflicts are predicted. Minor user 

conflicts may occur in areas where motorized access is allowed within the Condon Zone. 

4.3.10.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions 

Same as Alternative A, B, and C for fire management, livestock grazing, and energy and minerals. 

4.3.10.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation includes closing roads, limiting access, or instituting use restrictions in specified areas as 

needed. Alternative G would implement BMPs to reduce off-site water quality impacts from roads and 

trails newly closed that no longer serve their original purpose, or exceed state soil loss standards; and 

mitigate or relocate travel routes that cross populations, critical habitat, or potential habitat of special 

status species. 

4.3.11 Impacts to Travel Management for the Proposed Action 

4.3.11.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

The Proposed Action would designate a Scenic Touring Route for highway-licensed vehicles comprised 

of the roads identified in Appendix I on the Proposed Action Map, for year-round access. Vehicle use on 

the designated routes would be limited to highway-licensed vehicles within the ACEC. Access would be 

restricted during extreme weather conditions based on soil moisture monitoring and/or established 

procedures for seasonal use restrictions. Gates would be installed at all entrance points to control public 

access. Vehicle use on other administrative routes in CCMA that are designated closed would be for 

existing rights-holders, private property in-holders, scientific studies, and for research and education 

proposals from accredited institutions and individuals. 

These actions would result in a major long-term reduction of transportation routes in the CCMA. The 

impacts to the transportation network in the Planning Area would be minor because the designated route 

network would maintain access for highway-licensed vehicles on all the existing major roads that provide 

public access to BLM-administered land in CCMA. However, the Proposed Action would have moderate 

adverse impacts on transportation in the Serpentine ACEC due to the loss of 191 miles of designated 

routes that were previously available for motorized use. 

The selection of routes was not solely based on the BLM developed route designation criteria (Appendix 

II), but was based on the Limited Use area designation, restricting use to a scenic touring route to promote 

safety (public health) and minimize conflicts among the various uses of the management area. To ensure 

overall protection of human health and the environment from hazardous airborne asbestos emissions, the 

following criteria were used to develop the Scenic Touring Route network from among other routes that 

satisfy 43 CFR 8342.1 “minimization criteria” and the designation criteria identified in Appendix II.

 Transportation Manageability – routes suited to a range of highway-licensed vehicles that have 

adequate width/clearance, route maintenance objectives, gradient, and suitability for all season use. 

These routes also must provide continuity, and avoid redundancy and route proliferation. 
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 Recreation Opportunity – routes that provide access to key areas of interest that have historically 

provided a broad range of non-motorized recreation opportunities, including Clear Creek Canyon, 

the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area, Wright Mountain/Joaquin Rocks, and the upper 

San Benito River. 

The selected route network will provide access to areas of interest, including Clear Creek Canyon, the San 

Benito Mountain Research Natural Area, Wright Mountain/Joaquin Rocks, Goat Mountain, and the upper 

San Benito River. The selected routes provide the only practical access to the aforementioned areas, 

while providing transportation manageability, route continuity, and avoid redundancy and route 

proliferation. It is acknowledged that some segments of the touring network could be substituted with 

alternate routes, however it was determined that the selected scenic touring route best provides access to 

areas of interest with a broad range of recreation opportunities, accommodating a range of highwaylicensed vehicles. Segments of the touring route network were primarily selected from the “R” routes 

which have a higher maintenance objective, are generally wider with less gradient, and best suited to a 

range of vehicle types. In certain areas routes were selected from the “T” routes to improve connectivity 

and minimize impacts to sensitive resources. All routes comprising the scenic touring route were selected 

from routes previously designated as open in the 2006 CCMA RMP amendment. 

Criteria used to identify an inventory of routes suitable for the scenic touring route, under the Limited Use 

area designation, and the screening process is explained below. 

 The Limited area restrictions will also include type of vehicle (highway licensed), and access by 

permit only (limiting annual visitor use days within the Serpentine ACEC.) 

These restrictions are based on evaluation of a reasonable range of alternatives and the associated impacts 

as described in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS; whereas BLM has selected a combination of management 

actions and objectives from among the range of alternatives for the Proposed RMP, with an emphasis on 

public health and safety measures to minimize asbestos exposure, reduce airborne asbestos emissions, and 

reduce human health risks associated with exposure to asbestos in CCMA. It is acknowledged that the 

Serpentine ACEC portion of the CCMA will no longer be considered an “OHV Recreation Area.” 

The overall vision of this scenic touring route designation is to provide the public access to key areas that 

have historically provided various non-motorized recreation opportunities, while minimizing impacts to 

public health from exposure to airborne asbestos by limiting the size (mileage) of the route network. This 

will meet the goals of providing a wide range of recreation opportunities and experiences; managing 

recreation use to minimize user impacts to the environment and public health; emphasizing the use of 

public outreach to increase public awareness of health issues related to exposure to airborne asbestos and 

sensitivity to resources; and to adaptively manage changing visitor use patterns. 

 Outside the Serpentine ACEC, the Limited Use area designation shall be defined as restricting 

motorized use to designated routes, utilizing the designation methodology described in Appendix 

A, to satisfy minimization criteria outlined in 43 CFR 8342.1 

The Condon and Tucker Zones would be maintained for non-motorized activities. The Cantua Zone 

would be analyzed for construction of a motorized route network to provide access for non-motorized 

activities and hunting. If implemented, this route would provide primary hunting and hiking access, and 

new recreation facilities would be constructed to support non-motorized recreation opportunities. 

Motorized access to the Condon Zone would be through a newly developed recreation site and staging 

area off of Coalinga-Los Gatos Road. Existing RMO’s would be maintained within the Condon Zone 

allowing motorized use on the designated route network for full-size 4-wheel vehicles and ATV/UTVs. A 
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one-way route to Goat Mountain would be improved and designated for use by highway-licensed vehicles 

to provide access hang-gliding, a scenic overlook, and other non-motorized activities. 

Motorized access and recreation facilities outside the ACEC would be improved for a moderate long term 

benefit for non-motorized activities in particular. 

The San Benito River Zone is currently a fragmented area that presents many difficulties for a motorized 

route network because the majority of the public lands in this Zone are non-contiguous and broken by 

private property. Connecting this Zone to other routes outside of the Serpentine ACEC within the 

neighboring Condon Zone would be difficult. These considerations make this zone an unlikely candidate 

for any further routes without acquisition of additional lands. 

Route Management 

The Proposed Action includes a level of restriction of public use of roads and trails during periods of 

inclement weather and would continue those BMPs set forth in Appendix V. Travel Management Plans 

would be completed for the Condon, Tucker, and Cantua Zones. Access into the ACEC would be by 

permit only, and limited to 5 days for motorized use and 12 days for non-motorized use. 

Over time, the designated route network would be improved where determined to be feasible to mitigate 

asbestos dust emissions utilizing a combination of paving/asphalt, base rock, chip seal, surfactants and 

copolymer emulsion soil stabilizers. A comparison of these mitigation measures, including initial cost and 

maintenance estimates is in Table 3.3-1, and was used to determine feasibility of implementing these 

measures. In addition, monitoring would be necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dust 

suppression methods in reducing asbestos emissions and the associated human health risk of exposure to 

airborne asbestos fibers in CCMA. 

In general, implementation of BMPs, limiting access within the ACEC, and proving for future recreation 

opportunities outside the ACEC will provide moderate long term benefits for protection of watershed 

resources, public health, and dispersed recreation. 

The following Route Maintenance Objectives were selected as the first screening criteria for the level of 

road best suited to provide access to a broad range of highway-licensed vehicles. The selection was 

chosen from the database of designated open routes from the 2006 RMP amendment. 

1. Improved/Maintained Roads [Width > or = to 14 ft., Vertical Clearance > or = to 14 ft.] 

Discussion: FIMMS level 4 road- this level is assigned to roads where management objectives require the 

road to be open all year (except may be closed or have limited access due to snow conditions) and to 

connect major administrative features (recreation sites, local road systems, administrative sites, etc.) to 

County, State, or Federal roads. Typically, these roads are single or double lane, aggregate, or bituminous 

surface, with higher volume of commercial and recreational traffic than administrative traffic. 

The entire roadway is maintained at least annually, although a preventive maintenance program may be 

established. Problems are repaired as discovered. These routes will be maintained for access year-round 

for all vehicles. Route designation will be open to all vehicles unless designated for administrative use 

only. - General access to the CCMA 

2. 4WD Recommended [Width > or = to 10 ft. Vertical Clearance > or = to 14 ft.] 
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Discussion: FIMMS level 3 road- this level is assigned to roads where management objectives require the 

road to be opened seasonally or year-round for commercial, recreation, or high volume administrative 

access. Typically, these roads are natural or aggregate surfaced, but may include low use bituminous 

surfaced roads. These roads have defined crossings section with drainage structures (e.g., rolling dips, 

culverts, or ditches). User comfort and convenience are not considered a high priority. 

Drainage structures are to be inspected at least annually and maintained as needed. Grading is conducted 

to provide a reasonable level of riding comfort at prudent speeds for the road conditions. Brushing is 

conducted as needed to improve sight distance. Slides adversely affecting drainage will receive high 

priority for removal; otherwise they will be removed on a scheduled basis. Route designation will be open 

to all vehicles unless designated for administrative use only. 

Motorized Vehicle Use Conflicts 

User conflicts may occur in areas where motorized access is allowed for new user groups in the Cantua 

and Condon management zones. For example, noise, dust, and vehicle accidents can occur in areas where 

there is heavy non-motorized and motorized use within the same areas. Under the Proposed Action, these 

conflicts may increase because the same amount of users would be forced to use fewer roads as a result of 

major reductions in the designated route network and increased user density on the designate routes. 

BLM used the best available data for decisions on process and evaluation of resource conditions and 

impacts, implementation of monitoring, enforcement, route restoration and route maintenance. 

Assessments of route condition and soil loss support decisions used in route designations. Information 

gathered in the future may lead to a re-evaluation of, and possible change in, route and area designation. 

An additional subset of routes would be available for “administrative use” by permittees, licensees, rightsof-way holders, and the Federal government and authorized representatives. These routes would not be 

available for casual recreation use. These routes differ from closed routes, in that they would be regularly 

maintained and would not be considered for restoration. A majority of closed routes would be identified 

and prioritized for restoration over a period of years. Restoration refers to reclaiming of closed routes to 

revert to a natural state over time and disappear into the landscape. Route restoration would be evaluated 

through a separate environmental analysis. All of these actions would have moderate long-term beneficial 

effects on public lands resources because they would reduce motorized vehicle use conflicts with other 

resources uses and values. 

4.3.11.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions under the Proposed Action 

Recreation 

The type, intensity, and location of recreational activities affect the demand for roads in the Planning 

Area. The Proposed Action promotes a variety of recreation activities supported by a route network 

within the ACEC. Additional areas outside of the ACEC with designated routes would become 

increasingly important as mileage is restricted within the ACEC, especially for those areas traditionally 

accessed through the ACEC. Hobby gem and mineral collection would experience negligible adverse 

impacts, as the Scenic Touring Route would continue to provide access to most collection areas. 

Under the Proposed Action, motorized recreation activities would be allowed on designated open routes 

in the Condon Zone, which could result in adverse impacts on riparian areas from streambed disruption or 

trampling of riparian vegetation, and not meeting the goal of maintaining or enhancing water quality. 

Motorized recreation access would be authorized on approximately 30 miles of route network outside the 
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ACEC, following inventory resource screening, and route designation criteria outlined in Appendix II. 

Additional roads and parking for vehicles would be allowed near Coalinga-Los Gatos Road, San Carlos 

Bolsa, and Tucker and Wright Mountain(s), and increased development and/or expansion of recreation 

facilities such as campgrounds throughout the Planning Area would be pursued. Providing motorized 

access to areas outside the ACEC and the development of recreation facilities would have the potential to 

create moderate adverse impacts to water resources through increased erosion from roads, trails, and 

recreation facility developments, introduction of contaminants to water bodies during development of 

new facilities, and increased potential for riparian habitat destruction through the development of new 

roads and increased visitor numbers in these areas. 

Biological Resources 

The Proposed Action would provide adequate environmental protection to biological resources, as public 

access and all route management activities would incorporate BMPs outlined in Appendix V. Actions that 

may affect special status species would be subject to consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 

and BLM would incorporate conservation recommendations from the associated Biological Opinion(s). 

Many measures mitigating the effects of transportation on designated routes in CCMA have already been 

implemented, so the Proposed Action would only result in minor short-term impacts from recurring route 

maintenance projects. 

Soil Loss and Erosion 

The origin of the unimproved network of roads and trails in the CCMA is a direct result of the extensive 

mineral exploration and mine development for over a century (est. 1850-1980). Almost all of these roads 

and trails were not designed or maintained for erosion control. Due to increasing concerns for watershed 

resources in the mid-1980’s, BLM began conducting an intensive inventory and analysis of the CCMA 

road system to analyze its contribution to the erosion of soils and the transportation of sediment into 

surface water bodies. 

Since 1996, BLM has been recording annual sedimentation along Clear Creek by contracting with the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Based upon BLM’s watershed studies and the USGS stream gauging 

measurements the sediment contribution associated with the CCMA road system can be accurately 

estimated. 

The 1998 PWA report estimated that of 100 miles of road & trails evaluated, stream crossings accounted 

for about 8,500 cubic yards of increased sediment, road segments accounted for about 2,250 cubic yards 

of increased sediment, individual problem sites (needing spot treatments) accounted for about 2,500 cubic 

yards of increased sediment. PWA’s report also identified that natural background erosion such as 

landslides, cut bank and stream bank erosion accounted for about 5,000 cubic yards. PWA’s report 

concluded that about 40% of all erosion within this watershed was associated with improperly constructed 

and maintained roads. 

The USGS monitored Clear Creek stream gauging station is located adjacent to the Oak Flat 

campground. In 2008, the USGS reported the annual sediment transported from Clear Creek into the San 

Benito River was 9,633 cubic yards. In 2006, the values for this USGS stream gauging site was much 

lower, only 870 cubic yards were documented. Over the last 15 years of USGS recorded sediment data, 

the combined sediment yield is approximately 71,000 cubic yards. 

However, less than half of the estimated 71,000 cubic yards of sediment are due to a lack of proper road 

design and recurrent maintenance. About 28,400 cubic yards of asbestos and mercury contaminated 
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sediment that was transported downstream in the Hernandez Reservoir could be attributed to poor road & 

trail design and lack of proper maintenance. 

Under the Proposed Action, reclamation or restoration of closed roads in the Serpentine ACEC on routes 

with stream crossings, or other areas with high potential for sedimentation of waterways would have the 

potential to create moderate to major long-term beneficial impacts to water resources through decreased 

soil erosion, vehicle-related contaminant introduction to water bodies, and enhanced watershed functions. 

Livestock Grazing 

The proposed routes in the Condon Zone from Los Gatos Creek Road would be implemented primarily 

support public access for non-motorized recreation opportunities. However, developing these proposed 

routes would also provide indirect benefits to livestock operators by improving access to grazing 

allotments. 

Energy and Minerals 

Major energy and mineral exploration in the management area stopped in 1996 with the closure of the 

KCAC Asbestos Mine and therefore there would be no impacts to travel management under the Proposed 

Action. Energy and mineral development currently consists of hobby gem and mineral collection within 

the ACEC. Therefore, energy and mineral development is expected to have negligible impact on the 

transportation network in the Planning Area. 

4.3.11.3 Mitigation 

Reference Appendix V. 

Mitigation includes closing roads, limiting access, or instituting use restrictions in specified areas as 

needed. The Proposed Action would implement BMPs to reduce off-site water quality impacts from 

roads and trails newly closed that no longer serve their original purpose, or exceed soil loss standards; and 

mitigate or relocate travel routes that cross populations, critical habitat, or potential habitat of special 

status species. 

4.3.12 Cumulative Effects 

Federal agencies’ management of travel management (i.e. motorized public access) and OHV use on 

federal lands is guided by policies and procedures to control and direct the use of OHV on federal lands in 

a manner that protects the resources of those lands, promotes the safety of all users, and minimizes 

conflicts among land uses. These policies and procedures also direct each federal land management 

agency to develop and issue regulations that designate specific areas and trails on public lands as open or 

closed with respect to OHV use. 

Specifically, Executive Order No. 11644 (Feb. 8, 1972) (as amended by Exec. Order No. 11989, (May 24, 

1977) provides the authority for federal land managers to close areas or trails if OHVs are causing 

considerable adverse effects. The Forest Service and BLM initially implemented these executive orders 

by designating areas as open, which allows cross-country OHV use; limited, which allows OHV use on a 

specific route authorized by an agency; or closed, which prohibits OHV use. More recently, these 

agencies have begun to reevaluate the procedures they use to make OHV designations because of the 

significant increase in popularity of OHV use through the 1990’s. 
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As reported in the Government Accountability Office’s June 2009 Report to the Subcommittee on 

National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands titled Enhanced Planning Could Assist Agencies in Managing 

Increase Use of Off-Highway Vehicles, “the environmental impacts of OHV use, both direct and indirect, 

have been studied and documented over the past several decades. In fact, in 2004, the Forest Service 

Chief identified unmanaged motorized recreation as one of the top four threats to national forests, 

estimating that there were more than 14,000 miles of user-created trails, which can lead to longlasting 

damage. Potential environmental impacts associated with OHV use include damage to soil, vegetation, 

riparian areas or wetlands, water quality, and air quality, as well as noise, wildlife habitat fragmentation, 

and the spread of invasive species. For example, studies on the impacts of OHV use indicate that soil 

damage can increase erosion and runoff, as well as decrease the soil’s ability to support vegetation. 

Additionally, research has shown that habitat fragmentation from OHV use alters the distribution of 

wildlife species across the landscape and affects many behaviors such as feeding, courtship, breeding, and 

migration; habitat fragmentation can also negatively affect wildlife beyond the actual amount of surface 

area disturbed by roads. In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey reported that as a result of OHV use, the size 

and abundance of native plants may be reduced, which in turn may permit invasive or nonnative plants to 

spread and dominate the plant community, thus diminishing overall biodiversity. Another potential 

impact of OHV use is damage to cultural resources, including archaeologically significant sites such as 

Native American grave sites, historic battlefields, fossilized remains, and ruins of ancient civilizations.”

As a result the Forest Service issued a travel management regulation in 2005 to standardize the 

designation process to identify roads, trails, and areas that will be open to motorized travel. They 

developed a schedule to complete the route designations and to develop the required motor vehicle use 

maps by the end of calendar 2009. As of March 2009, the Forest Service had completed travel 

management planning for 53 million acres, or about 28 percent of its lands. 

Like the Forest Service, BLM has also begun to reevaluate the procedures it uses to make OHV 

designations. Over the past 10 years, BLM has issued increasingly detailed guidance on how its field 

offices should address travel management in their resource management plans. In accordance with the 

executive orders, BLM regulations require that all its lands be given an area designation of either open, 

limited, or closed with respect to motorized travel and that these designations be based on protecting 

resources, promoting the safety of users, and minimizing conflicts between users. As of March 2009, 

BLM had designated about 32 percent of its lands as open to motorized travel, 48 percent as limited, and 

4 percent as closed; 16 percent are not yet designated. BLM officials have estimated that in about 10 

years they will complete updating resource management plans to include travel planning. 

While updating a resource management plan, BLM field offices are to inventory and evaluate OHV routes 

and area designations (such as open, limited, and closed), seek public input, and make changes as 

appropriate. When the Hollister Field Office finalized its Record of Decision for the CCMA RMP 

Amendment and Route Designation in 2006, the plan changed the policy from “OHV use limited to 

existing routes” to “OHV use limited to designated routes”. The management actions approved by BLM 

in the Record of Decision (2006) also reduced the miles of routes and trails open for OHV use from over 

440 miles to 270 miles, and the acres of barrens open for OHV use from over 2,800 acres to 478 acres. 

It is unlikely that the County, State, or local OHV areas within the Planning Area would grow 

significantly because they are already operating under regulatory limitations and budget constraints at 

existing use levels. As use of these areas increases, these impacts could become more problematic. These 

effects are addressed in more detail under Section 4.1 “Recreation.”
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4.3.12.1 Cumulative Effects of the Management Alternatives A, B, C, and D 

Alternative A would have major long-term cumulative benefits for public and administrative access to 

BLM-administered lands in the Planning Area because it would continue to allow all forms of motorized 

and non-motorized recreation activities on designated routes and barrens in CCMA. Even though 

Alternatives B, C, and D would also authorize OHV recreation and motorized access for hunting and 

rockhounding on public lands, these alternatives would only have minor long-term cumulative benefits 

because of increasing restrictions on visitor use and vehicle types, or reductions in the miles of designated 

routes and barrens in the CCMA. 

4.3.12.2 Cumulative Effects of the Management Alternatives E, F, and G 

Alternatives E, F, and G would have long-term negative cumulative impacts on the regional transportation 

network, motorized access to BLM-administered lands, and OHV recreation opportunities at existing 

vehicle recreation areas within a 2-4 hour drive of the Planning Area. This is because any alternative 

resulting increased restrictions to motorized use in CCMA would likely result in increased use of other 

OHV recreation areas managed by Private, County, State and other Federal agencies. 

4.3.12.3 Cumulative Effects of the Proposed Action 

Even though the Proposed Action would limit motorized access for recreation opportunities on public 

lands, it would only have minor long-term negative cumulative effects on transportation and access 

because the 32 miles of designated routes would provide a public route system that connects the CCMA 

public lands with the network of Federal, State, and County roads in the region. 

 
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4.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation 

For ease of use, the management goals from Chapter 2.4 are reiterated here: 

The goals for vegetation resources are to (1) restore, maintain, or improve ecological conditions, 

natural diversity, and associated watersheds of high value, high-risk, native plant communities 

and unique plant assemblages and (2) restore degraded landscapes and plant communities. 

4.4.1 Introduction 

Within the CCMA, many vegetation types are correlated with soil type. Likewise impacts to vegetation 

are closely related to impacts to soils. The Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) consists of 

the serpentine soil group and the San Benito River, Condon Peak/White Creek, Cantua, and Tucker 

Mountain Zones consist of the nonserpentine soil group. Vegetation types may be grouped into upland or 

riparian. Riparian vegetation is generally more sensitive to impacts than upland vegetation. 

For the purpose of analysis: Vegetation types are grouped and analyzed as “serpentine riparian,” 

“serpentine upland,” “nonserpentine riparian,” and “nonserpentine upland.” Analysis of impacts to 

vegetation resources is focused upon the location and intensity of the activity with respect to the general 

soil type, serpentine or nonserpentine, which supports the corresponding vegetation type, riparian or 

upland. 

Decisions relating to vegetation management will be within the context of the Standards and Guidelines 

for Rangeland Health in Central California (hereinafter referred to as the Standards and Guidelines). 

Vegetation structure and composition are key components of rangeland health. The management goals 

are achieved by 1) maintaining or improving current ecological values and processes, productivity, and 

biological diversity, 2) rehabilitating areas affected by wildland fire and other surface-disturbing activities 

to stabilize soils and promote growth of desired plant communities, and 3) preventing the introduction 

and proliferation of noxious weeds. Table 4.4-1 through Table 4.4-12 provides an overview of the 

management actions that would affect vegetation and how disturbance as dictated by the Proposed Action 

would impact vegetation. 
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Table 4.4-1 Summary of vegetation resource management actions for: Vegetation 

disturbance by non-motorized recreation. 

Alternative Impact: Vegetation disturbance by nonmotorized recreation

Management action: Maintain 

vegetation integrity and diversity

A

Continued non-motorized recreation within

both riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities. Limited non-motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities. 

Provide a mosaic of vegetative 

communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. Maintain 

sustained yield of vegetation for 

consumptive and non- consumptive 

uses. Protect sensitive riparian and 

riparian vegetation. 

B

Reduced non-motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities. Limited non-motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Mitigate or relocate proposed 

activities within 100 feet of riparian 

vegetation if the activities have the 

potential for negative impacts.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced non-motorized recreation 

(relative to Alts. B and C) within both riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities. 

Increased non-motorized recreation within 

both riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities. 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced non-motorized recreation 

(relative to Alts. B and C) within both riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities. 

The magnitude of reduction of motorized 

recreation impacts would be greater for 

serpentine riparian than serpentine upland 

communities. Limited motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland nonserpentine 

plant communities. 

Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

G

No non-motorized recreation within riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities. 

Non-motorized recreation impacts upon 

nonserpentine plant communities similar to 

Alt. D. 

Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced non-motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. The magnitude

of reduction of motorized recreation impacts 

would be greater for serpentine riparian than 

serpentine upland communities. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Mitigate or relocate proposed 

activities within 100 feet of riparian 

vegetation if the activities have the 

potential for negative impacts.
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Table 4.4-2 Vegetation disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and 

nonserpentine soil types for: Vegetation disturbance by non-motorized recreation. 

Table 4.4-3 Summary of vegetation resource management actions for: Vegetation 

disturbance by motorized recreation. 

Alternative Impact: Vegetation disturbance by 

motorized recreation

Management action: Maintain 

vegetation integrity and diversity

A

Continued intensive motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland serpentine

plant communities. Limited motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities. 

Provide a mosaic of vegetative 

communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. Maintain 

sustained yield of vegetation for 

consumptive and non- consumptive 

uses. Protect sensitive riparian and 

upland vegetation. 

B

Reduced motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities. Limited motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland nonserpentine 

plant communities. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Mitigate or relocate proposed 

activities within 100 feet of riparian 

vegetation if the activities have the 

potential for negative impacts.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced motorized recreation (relative 

to Alts. B and C) within both riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities. Greatly 

increased motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities. 

Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Vegetation disturbance by 

motorized recreation

Management action: Maintain 

vegetation integrity and diversity

E

Further reduced motorized recreation (relative 

to Alts. B and C) within both riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities. 

Magnitude of reduction of motorized 

recreation impacts would be greater for 

serpentine riparian than serpentine upland 

communities. Limited motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland nonserpentine 

plant communities. 

Same as Alternative B.

F

No motorized recreation within riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities. 

Same as Alternative B.

G

No motorized recreation within riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities. 

Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland serpentine 

plant communities. Magnitude of reduction of 

motorized recreation impacts would be 

greater for serpentine riparian than serpentine 

upland communities. Limited motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Mitigate or relocate proposed 

activities within 100 feet of riparian 

vegetation if the activities have the 

potential for negative impacts.

Table 4.4-4 Vegetation disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and 

nonserpentine soil types for: Vegetation disturbance by motorized recreation. 
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Table 4.4-5 Summary of vegetation resource management actions for: Vegetation 

disturbance by energy and mineral exploration. 

Alternative Impact: Vegetation disturbance by 

energy and mineral exploration

Management action: Maintain 

vegetation integrity and diversity

A

Continued energy and mineral exploration 

within both riparian and upland plant 

communities of serpentine and nonserpentine 

areas.

Provide a mosaic of vegetative 

communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. Maintain 

sustained yield of vegetation for 

consumptive and non- consumptive 

uses. Protect sensitive riparian and 

upland vegetation. 

B

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Mitigate or relocate proposed 

activities within 100 feet of riparian 

vegetation if the activities have the 

potential for negative impacts.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

E

Energy and mineral exploration limited to both 

riparian and upland plant communities of 

nonserpentine areas outside of the ACEC. 

Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

G Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Energy and mineral exploration limited to both 

riparian and upland plant communities of 

nonserpentine areas outside of the ACEC. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Mitigate or relocate proposed 

activities within 100 feet of riparian 

vegetation if the activities have the 

potential for negative impacts.
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Table 4.4-6 Vegetation disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and 

nonserpentine soil types for: Vegetation disturbance by energy and mineral exploration. 

Table 4.4-7 Summary of vegetation resource management actions for: Noxious weed 

invasion. 

Alternative Impact: Noxious weed invasion Management action: Maintain 

vegetation integrity and diversity

A

Continued movement of weed seed on 

vehicles from both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities into riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities. 

Continued movement of weed seed on 

livestock from both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities into riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities. 

No management actions specified.

B

Reduced movement of weed seed on vehicles 

from riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. Continued 

movement of weed seed on livestock from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. 

Prevent and control noxious weed 

invasion. Develop an integrated 

pest management plan. Prioritize 

noxious weed eradication based on 

the BLM and California State list.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Noxious weed invasion Management action: Maintain 

vegetation integrity and diversity

D

Further reduced movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (relative to Alts. B and C) from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. Greatly 

increased movement of weed seed on 

vehicles used within riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities. Continued 

movement of weed seed on livestock from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (relative to Alts. B and C) from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. Limited 

movement of weed seed on vehicles used 

within riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities. Continued movement of weed 

seed on livestock from riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities into riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities. 

Same as Alternative B.

F

No movement of weed seed on vehicles from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. Limited 

movement of weed seed on vehicles within 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities. Weed seed movement on 

livestock limited to only within riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities 

outside of the ACEC.

Same as Alternative B.

G

No movement of weed seed on vehicles from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. Limited 

movement of weed seed on vehicles within 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities. No weed seed movement on 

livestock within the CCMA.

Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Further reduced movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (relative to Alts. B and C) from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities. Limited 

movement of weed seed on vehicles used 

within riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities. Continued movement of weed 

seed on livestock from riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities into riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities. 

Prevent and control noxious weed 

invasion. Develop an integrated 

pest management plan. Prioritize 

noxious weed eradication based on 

the BLM and California State list.
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Table 4.4-8 Vegetation disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and 

nonserpentine soil types for: Noxious weed invasion. 

Table 4.4-9 Summary of vegetation resource management actions for: Livestock 

grazing. 

Alternative Impact: Livestock grazing Management action: Maintain 

vegetation integrity and diversity

A

Continued grazing within riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities.

Provide a mosaic of vegetative 

communities and adequate plant 

cover to protect soil, watershed, 

and wildlife. Rangeland health 

monitoring is required.

B

Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A, plus: Allow

nonnative, naturalized plant species 

to be used in revegetation materials 

consistent with rangeland health 

standards.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.

E Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.

F

Livestock grazing limited to only upland and 

riparian nonserpentine plant communities 

outside of the ACEC.

Same as Alternative B.

G No livestock grazing within the CCMA Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A, plus: Allow 

nonnative, naturalized plant species 

to be used in revegetation materials 

consistent with rangeland health 

standards.
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Table 4.4-10 Vegetation disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and 

nonserpentine soil types for: Livestock grazing. 

 

Table 4.4-11 Summary of Vegetation Resource Management Actions for: Plant 

community restoration and fire management. 

Alternative Impact: Plant community restoration and 

fire management

Management action: Maintain 

vegetation integrity and diversity

A

Continued plant community restoration within 

disturbed riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities and disturbed riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities. 

Utilization of control burns for fuels reduction 

and habitat improvement.

Provide a mosaic of vegetative 

communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. Restore 

closed routes and degraded lands. 

Utilization of control burns. 

B

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Rehabilitate vegetation using local 

genotypes of native species for 

revegetation materials. Allow 

noninvasive, nonnative species to 

be used in revegetation materials.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

E Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

G Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Rehabilitate vegetation using local 

genotypes of native species for 

revegetation materials. Allow 

noninvasive, nonnative species to 

be used in revegetation materials.
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Table 4.4-12 Vegetation disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and 

nonserpentine soil types for: Plant community restoration and fire management. 

4.4.2 Overview of Impacts to Vegetation 

This subsection provides an overview of impacts that occur under all alternatives. The background and 

overall impact assessment is provided here and, as needed, further analysis is provided for each 

alternative. 

4.4.2.1 Vegetation Resources and Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation activities including camping, hiking, hunting, and rockhounding can cause 

minor adverse impacts to vegetation resources. Of these activities, camping poses the greatest impact to 

vegetation resources since camping sites are repeatedly used. Repeated use of campsites can result in 

localized vegetation damage and removal (adverse). This is particularly true for serpentine riparian 

vegetation within the ACEC. The many level stream terraces adjacent to Clear Creek and other riparian 

areas within the CCMA were heavily used historically as OHV staging areas and camp sites. Although 

most of those terraces are now closed, some stream terraces remain open and continue to be used as 

campsites. Most campsites with the CCMA are located at designated campgrounds and staging areas, 

however, there are several small, popular informal campsites scattered throughout the CCMA. Foot 

traffic activities such as hiking, hunting, and rockhounding tend to be dispersed and not result in 

measurable adverse impacts to vegetation resources. Most hiking and hunting activities tend to occur 

primarily outside of the ACEC which are more vegetated and support more game animals, whereas most 

rockhounding activities are focused within the ACEC where there is a wide variety of rare minerals that 

appeal to collectors. 

4.4.2.2 Vegetation Resources and Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

OHV recreation activities and motorized vehicle access for recreation can cause direct removal or damage 

to vegetation (adverse). Vegetation removal exposes soil and accelerates erosion (adverse). Currently, the 

majority of OHV activities within the CCMA are located within the Serpentine Area of Critical 

Environmental Concern. The ACEC contains sensitive vegetation resources. Due to the stressful 

conditions imposed by serpentine soils, vegetation within the ACEC is relatively sparse and very slow to 

recover following disturbance. Nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC are comparatively more fertile 

and support a greater density of vegetation which recovers more rapidly following disturbance. 

Vegetation compliance monitoring is conducted by an interdisciplinary team of HFO specialists using 
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Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines. The Standards and Guidelines apply to all land uses and not 

only livestock grazing. Variance from the Standards and Guidelines indicate that land health may be 

compromised and corrective management action may be required. 

4.4.2.3 Vegetation Resources and Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Energy and mineral development can result in long-term damage to- or permanent loss of vegetation 

(adverse). Like vehicle travel impacts, construction can cause direct removal of or damage to vegetation. 

Vegetation disturbance from construction is typically more intense compared to OHV (light vehicle) 

impacts due to the use of heavy equipment. Generally, the significance of vegetation loss depends on the 

type of impact, amount of area disturbed, plant community types affected, and capacity for the disturbed 

area to recover. These factors determine whether impacts to vegetation are short- or long-term. Impacts 

to vegetation from transmission lines and staging areas would be temporary, whereas impacts from 

building construction and open pit mining may be regarded as permanent as both vegetation and soil are 

removed down to bedrock. 

Overall, the CCMA has moderate potential for mineral development. The New Idria serpentine mass 

(ACEC) is highly-mineralized and was historically, commercially mined for magnesite, chromite, 

cinnabar, and asbestos. The Gem mine, a privately-owned inholding within the CCMA, continues to mine 

and market benitoite. Most other mineral development within the CCMA has ceased due to depletion of 

near-surface marketable minerals and changing mineral markets and mineral regulation (i.e. asbestos ban 

in U.S.). The CCMA has moderate potential for energy development. Oil and gas development potential 

is very low as the New Idria serpentine mass (ACEC) which comprises 40% of the CCMA land area has 

no potential for fossil fuel resources. The remainder of the CCMA contains sedimentary formations which 

have not yielded significant oil and gas resources within the local area. Wind energy development has 

some potential as the CCMA contains some of the highest points in the Diablo Range. Under all 

alternatives, the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area is withdrawn from energy and mineral 

development. 

4.4.2.4 Vegetation Resources and Disturbance by Noxious Weed Invasion 

Noxious and invasive weeds compete with desirable plant species for light, space, water, and nutrients 

(adverse). Invasive weeds may have detrimental effects on: 1) plant community structure and function, 2) 

wildlife habitat, 3) rare, threatened, and endangered special status species habitat, 4) forage production, 5) 

recreation, and 6) aesthetic quality. Invasive weed species may also increase the risk of wildfire because 

they are typically composed of fine fuels and become flammable as they age. 

Land use activities that disturb or remove native plant cover may have a moderate impact on the spread of 

noxious and invasive weeds throughout the CCMA. Activities that reduce native plant productivity, 

vigor, or cover and results in soil disturbance reduce the competitive ability of the native plant species. 

Reduction of native species competitive ability, combined with soil disturbance, results in land becoming 

susceptible to invasion by noxious weeds. Land use activities that remove native vegetation and disperse 

invasive species seed include livestock grazing, oil and mineral exploration or other construction 

activities, and motorized vehicle travel. The duration and intensity of adverse impacts to vegetation 

resources from noxious and invasive weeds would depend on weed species, terrain, soils, climate, and 

area of occupation. An integrated pest management (IPM) approach including prescribed fire, 

mechanical, chemical, and biological treatments, and public outreach are beneficial to reducing the spread 

of noxious, invasive weeds. 
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An IPM for noxious weed abatement would be beneficial to improving native plant community structure 

and function. A weed IPM is a systematic approach that integrates all information and management 

tactics to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of noxious weeds. An effective IPM 

noxious weed program includes best management practices for weed abatement, including removal, 

adaptive management, post-treatment rehabilitation, and public outreach. An IPM program recognizes the 

specificity of noxious weed species and designs a specific abatement program for each. Weed control may 

include a combination of manual or mechanical removal, herbicides, or prescribed fire. The application of 

each will follow BLM procedures. Post-treatment management is essential to prevent the re-colonization 

of noxious weeds. Post-treatment may include methods such as soil stabilization and native plant 

establishment. Public outreach provides the public with information on the ecological and economic 

concerns of noxious weeds and ways to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of weeds. An 

IPM program is an effective, low-risk means of responding to noxious weed problems. 

 

4.4.2.5 Vegetation Resources and Disturbance by Livestock Grazing Impacts 

Livestock grazing has the potential to affect plant community structure, function, and composition on the 

14 grazing allotments located at least partially within the CCMA. Inappropriate livestock management 

may result in the overgrazing of forage and browse plants and adverse impacts to soils (adverse). Proper 

livestock grazing, however, may improve forage production, reduce fine fuel loads, and control invasive 

species (beneficial). Vegetation structure, composition, and function are important components of 

rangeland health monitoring. Rangeland health monitoring is conducted by an interdisciplinary team of 

HFO experts using the BLM-approved monitoring approach. Variance from one or more of the standards 

may indicate that rangeland health has been compromised and corrective management action may be 

required in the form of revised vegetation management. 

4.4.2.6 Vegetation Resources and Disturbance by Plant Community Restoration and 

Fire Management Impacts 

Vegetation restoration is an important tool for restoring or improving function of degraded ecosystems 

(beneficial). Restoration has many different levels based on the initial condition of the ecosystem and the 

desired final condition of the ecosystem. Restoration of drastically-disturbed lands, such as mines and 

serpentine barrens may include erosion control and/or revegetation with native plant species which 

typically requires intensive soil amendment. Restoration of lands invaded by noxious, invasive species 

typically includes eradication of the invasive species, followed by establishment of native vegetation. 

The IPM plan for some noxious, invasive species includes prescribed fire. Restoration of climax plant 

communities such as decadent chaparral also involves prescribed fire. Although initial short-term 

restoration impacts may be detrimental to the ecosystem, the overall long-term effects are beneficial. 

 

Fire can either be beneficial or detrimental to vegetation, depending on factors such as its severity, terrain, 

weather, fuel type and condition, and post-fire rehabilitation. Wildland fire is any non-structure fire 

occurring in rangeland or forest ecosystems; it includes prescribed fire, wildland fire use, and wildfire. 

Wildland fire that accomplishes resource management objectives is referred to as prescribed fire. 

Prescribed fires are typically fires planned and ignited by resource managers, although some result from 

other uncontrolled ignition sources and are subsequently used to achieve management purpose under 

carefully controlled conditions with minimal suppression costs known as wildland fire use (WFU). 

Wildfires are unplanned and undesirable fires that result from natural ignition, unauthorized humancaused fire, escaped WFU, or escaped prescribed fire. WFU is not approved for use in the CCMA. 

Prescribed fire may be used to achieve beneficial management objectives such as increasing forage 

production, improving wildlife habitat, or controlling noxious, invasive weeds. Many times, wildfire may 

have detrimental effects on vegetation because livestock forage, wildlife habitat, and special status plant 
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species and their habitats are burned. Soil erosion and weed invasion may be accelerated after a wildfire 

because the native vegetation has been removed. Vegetation recovery may be short- or long-term, 

depending on soils, terrain, climate, and lost plant community attributes. Some special status species and 

habitats may never recover from wildfire. Post-fire rehabilitation is usually necessary to return the area 

into a productive plant community that meets resource management objectives. 

Fuels management is critical in the Planning Area to reduce the risk of fire to life and property, reduce the 

risk of catastrophic fire, create plant community diversity, and reduce fire intensity to protect natural and 

cultural resources. Prescribed fire is the main tool used by the HFO to manage fuels, however, non-fire 

fuels management tools are useful in areas where prescribed fire is not appropriate, such as in the 

wildland urban interface and in critical habitats. Non-fire management tools include mechanical and 

biological fuels and herbicides. Mechanical fuels treatment is the most common non-fire fuels 

management tool. The treatment involves the use of chain saws, chippers, weed eaters, mowers, and a 

masticator mounted on an all-terrain vehicle to manipulate woody fuels. Woody plant material may be 

piled and burned as a follow-up treatment. Control by biological fuels occurs in the form of cattle grazing 

to manage the amount and distribution of fine fuels. Herbicides are used on a limited basis to control 

unwanted vegetation that eludes prescribed fire or mechanical treatments. Plant debris may be left on site 

to provide soil organic matter and reduce soil erosion. 

4.4.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A 

4.4.3.1 Vegetation Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative A, non-motorized recreation will continue both within and outside of the ACEC. 

Camping impacts will continue to be the greatest within the ACEC, as associated with OHV user 

camping. As a result, both serpentine riparian and upland plant communities and nonserpentine riparian 

and upland plant communities will continue to be disturbed. 

Alternative A management actions include: Provide a mosaic of vegetative communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. Maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and non- consumptive 

uses. Protect sensitive riparian and riparian vegetation. 

4.4.3.2 Vegetation Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative A, both highway-licensed and green sticker vehicle recreation and its impacts will 

continue to be concentrated within the ACEC. Impacts outside of the ACEC will continue to be minor as 

few designated open routes exist outside of the ACEC. As a result, serpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities within the ACEC, which is generally sparse and slow to recover from disturbance, will 

continue to be disturbed. Highway-licensed and green sticker vehicle recreation will also continue within 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC. Vehicle disturbance will 

continue to result in vegetation loss, resulting in accelerated erosion rates and sedimentation of local 

watersheds. 

Alternative A management actions include: Provide a mosaic of vegetative communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. Maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and non- consumptive 

uses. Protect sensitive riparian and upland vegetation. 
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4.4.3.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Under Alternative A, energy and mineral exploration will continue both within and outside of the ACEC, 

resulting in impacts to both serpentine riparian and upland plant communities and nonserpentine riparian 

and upland plant communities. 

Alternative A management actions include: Provide a mosaic of vegetative communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. Maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and non- consumptive 

uses. Protect sensitive riparian and upland vegetation. 

4.4.3.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative A, there will continue to be movement of weed seed on vehicles, humans (foot traffic), 

and livestock from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC into 

serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC. 

 

Alternative A does not specify management actions for controlling noxious weeds. 

4.4.3.5 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative A, livestock grazing will continue both within and outside of the ACEC, resulting in 

impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities and nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities. 

Alternative A management actions include: Provide a mosaic of vegetative communities and adequate 

plant cover to protect soil, watershed, and wildlife. Rangeland health monitoring is required. 

4.4.3.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Under Alternative A, restoration of closed routes and degraded lands will continue both within and 

outside of the ACEC, resulting in impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities and 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities. Control burns will continue to be used for fuels 

reduction and habitat improvement. 

Alternative A management actions include: Provide a mosaic of vegetative communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. Restore closed routes and degraded lands. Utilization of control burns. 

4.4.3.7 Mitigation 

The mitigation measures incorporated into vegetation resource management actions described in Chapter 

2 would have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on biological resources and water quality in CCMA. 

4.4.4 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative B 

4.4.4.1 Vegetation Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 
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Under Alternative B, non-motorized recreation will continue both within and outside of the ACEC. 

Visitor use within the ACEC will be limited to ≤ 12 days. Camping impacts will continue to be the 

greatest within the ACEC, as associated with OHV user camping, but will be reduced relative to 

Alternative A due to visitor use limitations. As a result, there would be a minor decrease (beneficial) of 

non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities as compared to 

Alternative A. Non-motorized recreation location and intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged 

and therefore non-motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities 

would be unchanged compared to Alternative A 

Management actions are the same as Alternative A, with the following additional management action: 

Mitigation or relocation of proposed activities within 100 feet of riparian vegetation if the activities have 

the potential for negative impacts. 

4.4.4.2 Vegetation Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative B, motorized recreation of each visitor within the ACEC would be limited to ≤ 12 days 

per year and motorized vehicle use would be restricted to outside of the proposed Dry Season Use 

Restriction period of April 15th through December 1st (extended 45 days compared to the current Dry 

Season Use Restriction period). As a result, vehicle recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities within the ACEC would be reduced (beneficial) as compared to Alternative A. 

Vehicle recreation location and intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged and therefore 

motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the 

ACEC would be unchanged as compared to Alternative A. 

Management actions are the same as Alternative A, with the following additional management action: 

Mitigation or relocation of proposed activities within 100 feet of riparian vegetation if the activities have 

the potential for negative impacts. 

4.4.4.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Alternative B vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Management actions are the same as Alternative A, with the following additional management action: 

Mitigation or relocation of proposed activities within 100 feet of riparian vegetation if the activities have 

the potential for negative impacts. 

4.4.4.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative B, there would be a reduction (beneficial), but continued movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (as compared to Alternative A) from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities 

outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC, coincident 

with greater restrictions in vehicle use. As a result, there would be less exotic species invasion into 

serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC (beneficial). There would be 

continued movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) and livestock from nonserpentine riparian and 

upland plant communities outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities 

within the ACEC. 
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Alternative B management actions include: Prevent and control noxious weed invasion. Develop an 

integrated pest management plan. Prioritize noxious weed eradication based on the BLM and California 

State list. 

4.4.4.5 Livestock Grazing 

Alternative B vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Management actions are the same as Alternative A, with the following additional management action: 

Allow nonnative, naturalized plant species to be used in revegetation materials consistent with rangeland 

health standards. 

4.4.4.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Alternative B vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Management actions are the same as Alternative A, with the following additional management action: 

Rehabilitate vegetation using local genotypes of native species for revegetation materials. Allow 

noninvasive, nonnative species to be used in revegetation materials. 

4.4.4.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives B, C, and D include best management practices 

outlined in Appendix V. 

4.4.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative C 

4.4.5.1 Vegetation Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Impacts for Alternative C would be similar to those for Alternative B with visitor use restrictions. As a 

result, impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities and nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities would be unchanged as compared to alternative B. 

Alternative C management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.5.2 Vegetation Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Impacts for Alternative C would be similar to those for Alternative B. Motorized recreation would be 

subject to the same restrictions as Alternative B with the added restriction of only highway-licensed 

vehicles being permitted on county roads and the dry season route network and green-sticker motorcycle 

use being permitted only on single track trails. This is the same general use pattern for vehicle type on 

route type (full-sized vehicles on roads; motorcycles on single-track trails) that currently exists, so the 

level of motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities would be 

expected to be about the same as Alternative B. Like Alternative B, motorized recreation location and 

intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged and therefore, motorized recreation impacts to 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC would be unchanged. 
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Alternative C management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.5.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Alternative C vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative C management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.5.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Alternative C vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative B. 

Alternative C management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.5.5 Livestock Grazing 

Alternative C vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative C management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.5.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Alternative C vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative C management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.5.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives B, C, and D include best management practices 

outlined in Appendix V. 

4.4.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative D 

4.4.6.1 Vegetation Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Alternative D represents a major shift in non-motorized recreation activities from inside to outside of the 

ACEC as new staging areas and campgrounds are established outside of the ACEC. With increased 

motorized recreation staging outside of the ACEC, there will be a major increase in OHV users camping 

outside of the ACEC (adverse). Likewise, improved access to hunting areas and improved camping 

opportunities outside of the ACEC will likely encourage more hunters to camp in those areas outside of 

the ACEC as well. As a result, there would be an even greater reduction of non-motorized recreation 

impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC as compared to Alternative 

C (beneficial) and a major increase of non-motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and 

upland plant communities outside of the ACEC (adverse) as compared to Alternative C. 

Alternative D management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 
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4.4.6.2 Vegetation Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Alternative D represents a major shift in the location of motorized recreation from inside to outside of the 

ACEC. Under Alternative D, motorized recreation within the ACEC would be restricted to only highwaylicensed vehicles on county roads and the dry season route network. All green sticker vehicle recreation 

would be relocated to outside of the ACEC. New staging areas and routes would be constructed through 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito 

River Zones. A new route would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on CoalingaLos Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The route would be open to full-sized vehicles and ATV/UTVs to 

access Condon Peak for both motorized and non-motorized recreation. The result would be an even 

greater reduction of motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities 

within the ACEC (beneficial) as compared to Alternative C, and a major increase of motorized recreation 

impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC (adverse) as 

compared to Alternative C. 

Alternative D management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.6.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Alternative D vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative D management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.6.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative D, there would be a further reduced (beneficial), but continued movement of weed seed 

on vehicles (relative to Alternatives B and C) from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities 

into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities, coincident with even greater vehicle use 

restrictions within the ACEC. As a result, there would be even less exotic species invasion into 

serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC. There would likely be greatly 

increased (adverse) movement of weed seed on vehicles used within nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities outside of the ACEC, coincident with greater anticipated vehicle use in those areas. 

Under Alternative D, there would be continued movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) and 

livestock from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC into serpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC. 

Alternative D management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.6.5 Livestock Grazing 

Alternative C vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative D management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.6.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 
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Alternative C vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative D management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.6.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives B, C, and D include best management practices 

outlined in Appendix V. 

4.4.7 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative E 

4.4.7.1 Vegetation Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation under Alternative E would be further reduced (beneficial) as visitor use 

continued to be limited within the ACEC and less new routes are constructed outside of the ACEC as 

compared to Alternative D. Camping impacts would be reduced (beneficial) as compared to Alternative D 

as it is expected that there would be fewer OHV users and hunters. Under Alternative E, non-motorized 

recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC would be 

similar to Alternative D. Non-motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities outside of the ACEC would be slightly greater (adverse) than Alternative A and much less 

than Alternative D. 

Alternative E management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.7.2 Vegetation Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative E, motorized recreation within the ACEC would be similar to Alternative D with 

highway-licensed vehicles restricted to a scenic route network composed of T153 and R11 south of its 

intersection with T153. T153 and R11 south of its intersection with T153 primarily follow hill slopes 

some distance from streams (except for at upper Sawmill Creek). Motorized recreation outside of the 

ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) as compared to Alternative A due to the construction of a 

limited number of access routes (much less than Alternative D) through nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River Zones. A new route would be 

constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. 

The new route would be open to full-sized vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for nonmotorized recreation only. Due to the closure of R1, R11 north of the intersection with T153, and R15, 

which parallel and impact perennial streams within the ACEC, motorized recreation impacts to serpentine 

riparian plant communities within the ACEC would be reduced (beneficial) as compared to Alternative D 

and reduced even more than impacts to serpentine upland plant communities. Since vegetation impacts 

from the construction of the new routes outside of the ACEC are expected to be short term, and 

vegetation impacts from their use as access routes are expected to be minimal, overall motorized 

recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC would be 

slightly greater (adverse) than Alternative A and much less than Alternative D. 

 

Alternative E management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.7.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 
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Under Alternative E, energy and mineral exploration would only be permitted outside of the ACEC. As a 

result, impacts to serpentine upland and riparian plant communities within the ACEC from energy and 

mineral exploration would cease (beneficial). Energy and mineral exploration impacts to nonserpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC would continue. 

Alternative E management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.7.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative E, movement of weed seed on vehicles from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the 

ACEC would be similar to Alternative D. Movement of weed seed on vehicles within nonserpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC would be limited. Under Alternative E, there 

would be continued movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) and livestock from nonserpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities within the ACEC. 

Alternative E management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.7.5 Livestock Grazing 

Alternative E vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative E management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.7.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Alternative E vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative E management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.7.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures included in the management actions under Alternative E in Chapter 2 and Best 

Management Practices outlined in Appendix V would have major long-term benefits for soils and 

vegetation resources in CCMA because of major reductions in surface disturbing activities and increased 

emphasis on resources protection and restoration. 

4.4.8 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative F 

4.4.8.1 Vegetation Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation under Alternative F would be similar to Alternative E for use both within and 

outside of the ACEC. As such, non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities within the ACEC and nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the 

ACEC would be similar to Alternative E. 
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Alternative F management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.8.2 Vegetation Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative F, motorized recreation within the ACEC would not be permitted. Clear Creek Road 

(R1) would be decommissioned. As a result, there would be a major reduction (beneficial) of motorized 

recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC as compared to 

Alternative A. Motorized recreation outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) compared 

to Alternative A due to the construction of a limited number of access routes (much less than Alternative 

D) through nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San 

Benito River zones. A new route would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on 

Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The new route would be open to full-sized vehicles and 

ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for non-motorized recreation only. Since vegetation impacts from the 

construction of the new routes outside of the ACEC are expected to be short term, and vegetation impacts 

from their use as access routes are expected to be minimal, overall motorized recreation impacts to 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC would be slightly greater 

(adverse) than Alternative A and much less than Alternative D. 

 

Alternative F management actions would be the same as Alternative B.

4.4.8.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Alternative F vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative E. 

Alternative F management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.8.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative F, the movement of weed seed on vehicles from nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the 

ACEC would cease, due to vehicle use not being permitted within the ACEC. As a result noxious weed 

invasion into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC would be drastically 

reduced (beneficial). Movement of weed seed on vehicles within nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities outside of the ACEC would be limited. Under Alternative F, there would be continued 

movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the 

ACEC. Movement of weed seed on livestock from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities 

outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC would 

cease (beneficial) due to livestock grazing not being permitted within the ACEC. 

 

Alternative F management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.8.5 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative F, livestock grazing would only be permitted outside of the ACEC. As a result, 

impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC from grazing would cease 

(beneficial). Grazing impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland vegetation outside of the ACEC 

would continue. 
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Alternative F management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.8.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Alternative F vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative F management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.9 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative G 

4.4.9.1 Vegetation Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative G, non-motorized recreation within the ACEC would not be permitted. As a result, 

impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities from non-motorized recreation within the 

ACEC would cease (beneficial). Similar to Alternative F, non-motorized recreation outside of the ACEC 

would be slightly increased (adverse) compared to Alternative A due to the construction of a limited 

number of access routes through nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities in the Tucker, 

Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River zones. As such, non-motorized recreation impacts to 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC would be similar to 

Alternative F. 

Alternative G management actions would be the same as Alternative B.

4.4.9.2 Vegetation Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative G, motorized recreation within the ACEC would not be permitted. Clear Creek Road 

(R1) would not be decommissioned. As a result, motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and 

upland plant communities within the ACEC would be reduced slightly less than Alternative F due to the 

fact that Clear Creek Road would not be decommissioned. Vehicle use outside of the ACEC would be 

slightly increased (adverse) compared to Alternative A due to the construction of a limited number of 

access routes (much less than Alternative D) through nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River zones. A new route would be 

constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. 

The new route would be open to full-sized vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for nonmotorized recreation only. Since impacts to vegetation from the construction of these few new routes are 

expected to be short term and impacts to vegetation from their use as access routes are expected to be 

minimal, overall motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities 

outside of the ACEC would be similar to Alternatives E and F. 

Alternative G management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.9.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Alternative G vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative G management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.9.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 
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Under Alternative G, the movement of weed seed on vehicles from nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the 

ACEC would cease (beneficial), due to vehicle use not being permitted within the ACEC, similar to 

Alternative F. Movement of weed seed on vehicles within nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities outside of the ACEC would be limited. Under Alternative G, there would be continued 

movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) within nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities outside of the ACEC. No livestock grazing would be permitted within the CCMA, 

therefore, weed seed movement by livestock within the CCMA would cease. 

 

Alternative G management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.9.5 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative G, livestock grazing would not be permitted within the CCMA. As a result, impacts to 

serpentine and nonserpentine riparian and upland vegetation would cease (beneficial). Excessive mulch 

buildup may occur in nonserpentine grasslands. As a result, native herbaceous species within the 

grasslands may be adversely impacted through greater competition from invasive species and greater risk 

of catastrophic fire, due to increased fuel loads. 

 

Alternative G management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.9.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Alternative G vegetation disturbance impacts would be the same as Alternative A. 

Alternative G management actions would be the same as Alternative B. 

4.4.10 Impacts to Vegetation for the Proposed Action 

4.4.10.1 Impacts from Non-motorized Recreation 

Under the Proposed Action, non-motorized recreation will continue both within and outside of the ACEC. 

However, non-motorized recreation under the Proposed Action would be further reduced (beneficial) as 

visitor use continued to be limited within the ACEC, resulting in moderate long term beneficial impacts to 

serpentine riparian vegetation. Camping impacts within the ACEC would see a major long term reduction 

(beneficial) benefitting riparian vegetation communities. 

The Proposed Action represents a moderate shift in non-motorized recreation activities from inside to 

outside of the ACEC as new access points and campgrounds are established outside of the ACEC. 

Likewise, improved access to hunting areas and improved camping opportunities outside of the ACEC 

will likely encourage more hunters to camp in those areas outside of the ACEC as well. As a result, there 

would be an even greater reduction of non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities within the ACEC. It is likely there would be a moderate increase in camping outside of 

the ACEC (adverse) and a corresponding moderate increase in non-motorized recreation impacts to 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC. 

4.4.10.2 Impacts from Motorized Recreation 
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Under the Proposed Action, motorized recreation within the ACEC would be limited to highway-licensed 

vehicles restricted to a Scenic Touring Route. The substantial limitations and reduction of routes within 

the would represent major long term reduction in impacts to riparian vegetation in the ACEC. Motorized 

recreation outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) as compared to the No Action 

Alternative, due to the development of a limited number of access routes through nonserpentine riparian 

and upland plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River Zones. A new route 

would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to 

Condon Peak. The new route would be open to full-sized vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon 

Peak for motorized and non-motorized recreation. Since vegetation impacts from the development of 

new routes outside of the ACEC are expected to be short term, and vegetation impacts from their use as 

access routes are expected to be minimal; overall motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian 

and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC would be short term minor adverse impacts. 

4.4.10.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Under the Proposed Action, energy and mineral exploration would only be permitted outside of the 

ACEC. As a result, impacts to serpentine upland and riparian plant communities within the ACEC from 

energy and mineral exploration would cease and provide long term moderate beneficial impacts. There is 

a potential for energy and mineral exploration impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities outside of the ACEC, however as the potential for such development is low, it is unlikely. 

4.4.10.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under the Proposed Action, there would be movement of weed seed on vehicles from nonserpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities within the ACEC that would be further reduced from the No Action Alternative, coincident 

with even greater vehicle use restrictions within the ACEC. As a result, there would be even less exotic 

species invasion into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC. There would 

likely be moderately increased (adverse) movement of weed seed on vehicles used within nonserpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC, coincident with greater anticipated vehicle 

use in those areas. There would also be continued minor movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) 

and livestock from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC into 

serpentine riparian and upland plant communities within the ACEC. 

4.4.10.5 Livestock Grazing 

Under the Proposed Action livestock grazing would continue both within and outside of the ACEC, 

resulting in minor adverse impacts to serpentine riparian and upland plant communities and nonserpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities. 

4.4.10.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Management actions include: (1) Providing a mosaic of vegetative communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife. (2) Maintaining sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. (3) Protecting sensitive riparian areas and riparian vegetation, through mitigation or 

relocation of proposed activities within 100 feet of riparian vegetation, if the activities have the potential 

for negative impacts. (4) Conducting rangeland health monitoring. (5) Preventing and controlling noxious 

weed invasion. (6) Developing an integrated pest management plan. (7) Prioritizing noxious weed 

eradication based on the BLM and California State list. (8) Allowing nonnative, naturalized plant species 

to be used in revegetation materials consistent with rangeland health standards. (9) Restoring closed 

routes and degraded lands. (10) Utilization of control burns. 
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Under the Proposed Action, restoration of closed routes and degraded lands would continue both within 

and outside of the ACEC, resulting in moderate long term beneficial impacts to serpentine riparian and 

upland plant communities and nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities. Control burns 

would provide long-term beneficial impacts on vegetation communities and wildlife habitat. 

4.4.10.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures included in the management actions under the Proposed Action in Chapter 2 and 

Best Management Practices outlined in Appendix V, would have major long-term benefits for soils, water 

quality, and vegetation resources in CCMA because of major reductions in surface disturbing activities 

and increased emphasis on resources protection and restoration. 

4.4.11 Cumulative Effects 

At present, the noxious invasive species yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) is found within Clear 

Creek Canyon from the confluence of Clear Creek with San Benito River up to Staging Area 1. The 

primary agents for long-distance seed dispersal of invasive species are road maintenance equipment and 

the undercarriage of motor vehicles. 

The displacement of native vegetation and wildlife habitat would be considered a negative cumulative 

impact. The BLM is in the process of developing a comprehensive weed management program for the 

CCMA and surrounding area, which would contribute to mitigating these impacts. 

In general, the major beneficial cumulative impacts of selecting management actions that result in overall 

reductions to vegetation disturbance would be increased vegetation cover; which would provide increased 

protective cover for soils from erosion, benefitting downstream water quality, and improving habitat 

quality for wildlife within the region. 

4.4.11.1 Cumulative Effects of Alternatives A - D 

Alternatives A – D have the greatest potential for yellow starthistle to spread to additional areas within 

the CCMA and displace native vegetation and wildlife habitat in the Planning Area because these 

alternatives would allow intense OHV recreation to continue on a large network of routes and trails. 

4.4.11.2 Cumulative Effects of Alternatives E, F, and G 

Alternatives E \has lower potential for yellow starthistle to spread to additional areas within the CCMA 

than Alternatives A - D because it would only allow vehicle use on one route to provide access for nonmotorized recreation opportunities. 

Alternatives F and G have the lowest potential for yellow starthistle to spread to additional areas because 

they would either restrict access in the CCMA to foot traffic only (Alt. F) or prohibit all public use in the 

Serpentine ACEC. 

4.4.11.1 Cumulative Effects of the Proposed Action 

Compared to Alternatives A – D, the Proposed Action is less likely to contribute to the spread of yellow 

starthistle to additional areas and displace native vegetation and wildlife habitat in the Planning Area. 

Although there is more potential for cumulative effects than under Alternatives F and G, BLM would 

mitigate these effects through early detection and rapid response to any new weed infestations in the 

CCMA. 

 
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4.5 Biological Resources – Fish & Wildlife 

For ease of plan reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goal for management of fish and wildlife is to provide diverse, structured, resilient, and 

connected habitat on a landscape level to support viable and sustainable populations of wildlife, fish, 

and other aquatic organisms. 

4.5.1 Introduction 

This section describes the effects and potential impacts of implementing the Proposed Action presented in 

Chapter 2 on those resources identified in Chapter 3. With respect to wildlife habitat, Alternative A 

would continue the management direction outlined in the 1984 Hollister Resource Management Plan 

(RMP) as amended. The 1984 Hollister RMP does not address the potential changes and impacts on 

natural resources within the Planning Area, such as significant population growth, increased recreation 

uses, and acquisition of additional Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-managed lands. The Proposed 

Action would also continue management of wildlife habitat, but would also provide for conservation of 

natural resources, emphasizing habitat enhancement to increase commodity production (i.e., game 

species), and public access to BLM lands. 

4.5.2 Overview of Impacts 

This subsection provides an overview of impacts that occur under all alternatives, divided into those 

management actions that occur within this resource program and those management actions that fall under 

other resource programs. The background and overall impact assessment is provided here, and further 

analysis, as needed, such as the location of severity of the impact, is provided for each alternative. 

4.5.2.1 Wildlife Habitat Management Actions 

Habitat Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

The overarching goal of managing for wildlife is to maintain and improve habitat. Strategies for habitat 

improvement and maintenance include simple protection (administrative closure, exclusion fencing), 

stabilization (streambank armoring), and restoration (revegetation and reintroduction). 

Goals that promote water quality and vegetative resources would tend to also promote wildlife habitat. 

Impacts from management actions on water resources, vegetation, or special-status species can also have 

direct effects on wildlife habitat. These actions include watershed, riparian, or vegetation restoration 

efforts; plant collection; and commercial woodcutting. In general, watershed improvement, riparian 

revegetation, and other restoration and stabilization efforts would benefit wildlife because healthy water 

and plant communities are essential to wildlife habitat. Narrow conflicts do occasionally arise. An 

example of such a conflict is the discovery that giant kangaroo rats, an endangered species, promote the 

spread of nonnative grassland species, causing a potential conflict between kangaroo rat management and 

native plant restoration. Such instances are generally uncommon. 

Collection of wildflowers, seeds, seedlings, rhizomes, stolons, roots, and whole plants for commercial and 

non-commercial purposes could have detrimental effects on native plant populations, especially on 

special status species. The impacts of collecting whole plants or plant parts would have short- or longterm implications, depending on plant species, reproductive strategies, type of tissues removed, and vigor. 

Commercial woodcutting could degrade plant communities and watersheds by compacting soils, 

decreasing soil-water infiltration, increasing soil erosion, encouraging weed proliferation, and decreasing 
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aesthetic quality. Conversely, woodcutting may be used to remove unwanted trees to achieve specific 

management needs, such as increasing forage production or decreasing wildland fire risk. Additionally, 

commercial woodcutting can alter the types of habitat available for wildlife species. For example, the 

primary succession or pioneer plant community that occurs after commercial woodcutting has a different 

species composition with a limited overstory stratum and an increased herbaceous layer. This type of 

habitat would be attractive to the deer population but would provide limited habitat for avian species 

because of the limited tree cover. 

4.5.2.2 Other Management Actions 

Impacts on wildlife habitat from other management actions include direct habitat loss, direct mortality, 

habitat fragmentation, habitat modification, and other nuisances such as noise, encounters with humans 

and dogs. Impacts would vary depending upon the type of surface disturbance and location within the 

landscape. Activities within the Planning Area that may affect habitat include woodcutting and plant 

collection; oil and gas development; new construction activities, such as road construction and utility 

projects; recreational activities; and grazing. 

BLM has established procedures and policies that assess the effects of existing and proposed projects on 

BLM-managed lands. BLM would be responsible for analyzing potential impacts to ensure that activities 

do not cause significant adverse effects on the habitats that support various wildlife species. 

Fire Management 

High-intensity fires, such as wildfires, can devastate vegetation communities that provide habitat for 

wildlife species. Reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires by reducing the fuels available for fire 

would improve vegetation communities and habitat for wildlife species. Wildland fire management 

includes using prescribed fire and non-fire fuel treatments to modify vegetation communities to achieve 

beneficial uses of wildland resources. 

Prescribed fire could be used to reduce the amount of hazardous fuels, improve plant species diversity, 

increase livestock and game forage production, abate noxious and invasive weeds, and improve wildlife 

habitat. Prescribed fire would be used particularly in chaparral vegetation to reduce hazardous fuel, 

improve wildlife habitat, and enhance watersheds. Prescribed burning can also reduce the density of 

inedible nonnative plants such as yellow star thistle that displace native plants, such as perennial grasses, 

that provide high-quality forage for mule deer. A yellow star thistle control program is in its fifth year at 

CCMA and future projects are in the planning stage. A prescribed burn to restore early-seral forage to 

areas currently dominated by old-growth chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) is planned for Condon Peak 

(Condon Zone). 

Non-fire fuels management tools include mechanical and biological controls. Mechanical fuels treatment 

is the most common and includes using chain saws, chippers, weed-eaters, mowers, and a masticator 

mounted on an all-terrain vehicle. Woody plant material may be piled and burned as a follow-up 

treatment. Biological controls such as cattle grazing manage the amount and distribution of fire fuels. 

Fuels reduction treatments would reduce the excessive amounts of built-up fuel and decrease the risk of 

high-intensity wildfires. Such treatments would also reduce the influence of woody vegetation on the 

associated herbaceous understory. Herbaceous plant cover and density would increase after fuels 

treatment. This increase would benefit grazing animals, but could be adverse to animals that use the 

woody habitat, since the latter would need to relocate. After the fuels treatment, woody plants would 

return and could regain dominance in some areas, depending on the climate and post-fire strategies. 
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Fire and non-fire treatments would result in short-term adverse impacts on habitat, including vegetation 

trampling and soil compaction or erosion. Over the long-term, however, the use of prescribed fire and 

non-fire fuels management would improve wildlife habitat, increase habitat diversity by controlling nonnative and noxious weed species, and increase forage production in areas of tule elk and mule deer 

populations. 

Livestock Grazing 

Grazing throughout an allotment is not uniform because of differences in terrain, forage quantity and 

quality, weather, and water availability. Livestock may affect sensitive plant communities, wildlife 

habitat, or special status species habitat through grazing and trampling. Rangeland improvements such as 

roads or fences can impede the movement of wildlife and potentially result in direct mortality. 

Alternatively, certain levels of grazing have been found to be beneficial to maintaining habitat for 

wildlife. 

Sensitive habitat management and protection within grazing allotments will be accomplished in Allotment 

Grazing Plans. The Hollister Field Office (HFO) would work with grazing lessees to minimize potential 

impacts by placing salt licks, watering facilities, and supplemental feeding sites away from sensitive 

habitats. Appropriate levels of livestock grazing would be attained through implementation of seasons of 

use, fencing, strategic placement of watering and salting sites, and animal numbers. 

Energy and Mineral Development 

Energy and mineral development has the potential to impact habitat that supports wildlife species by 

clearing vegetation, increasing the potential for soil erosion, altering topography, and increasing the 

potential to introduce non-native and noxious weed species. New roads and additional vehicles in these 

areas may lead to increased animal disturbance and direct contact between wildlife and humans. 

Activities that cause impacts on wildlife habitat such as placement of new energy and mineral 

development sites within the landscape, or new access roads, would be evaluated for potential impacts on 

wildlife species and their habitat. 

Only up to approximately 10 oil and gas wells are expected to be developed over the next 15 to 20 years, 

with a total disturbance of 74 acres. For wind energy projects, according to the BLM’s 2005 Wind 

Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, the impacted areas would represent 

no more than five to 10 percent of the entire project area. 

Recreation and Access 

Motorized vehicle access and other high-impact recreational activities have the potential to impact 

wildlife and damage their habitat. Access or travel on non-approved routes damages those areas that are 

intended to remain undisturbed by the public. Potential impacts may include direct mortality from 

vehicles, damage to habitat from vehicles, and nuisances to wildlife and habitat. Indirect effects include 

the introduction of nonnative seeds to natural areas and alteration in abundance of certain species (such as 

raccoons or ravens) due to increased garbage and litter. 

4.5.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A, B, C, and D 

4.5.3.1 Wildlife Habitat Management Actions 

Habitat Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 
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In keeping with the goals and objectives outlined in the 1984 RMP, Alternative A would maintain or 

improve certain key habitat types. Prescribed burns to maintain uneven-aged brushfields would continue, 

habitat would be maintained and enhanced for upland game species, and sensitive areas would be 

protected by fencing, barricades, and/or authorized seasons of use to exclude access by livestock and 

vehicles. 

Alternative A would require the management of native plant populations and communities for a sustained 

yield for consumptive and non-consumptive uses. Additionally, the management actions affecting water 

quality would serve to improve or protect water resources from siltation and sedimentation resulting from 

road and trail development and maintenance. These actions would have beneficial effects on wildlife 

habitat. 

No specific management action for vegetation collection is specified under Alternative A. The lack of 

management actions controlling the collection of vegetation could result in short- or long-term adverse 

impacts on habitat. 

Under Alternative A, the existing woodcutting permits would continue to be considered on a case-by-case 

basis. Issuance of a permit would require the implementation of current best management practices to 

minimize impacts on vegetation and to limit soil erosion, and would require buffer setbacks from stream 

and riparian areas. This would not result in substantial or long-term adverse impacts on habitat. 

Under alternatives B-D, active management to improve wildlife populations would occur, including 

control of nonnative species, preservation of woody habitat such as downed trees, removal of manmade 

barriers, active maintenance of wildlife-specific water developments such as guzzlers, and restoration of 

native fish and wildlife species. Alternatives B-D also include protection of raptor nests from disturbance. 

Research on raptor behavior has identified a range of buffer distances from nests and perch sites sufficient 

to reduce by 90% the direct disturbance from human activities. Two hundred (200) meters (=1/8 mile) is a 

conservative distance that would be sufficient to encompass the behavioral responses of raptors present at 

CCMA (Craig 2002 and references therein). In order to provide additional protection to T&E raptors, a 

doubling of this distance to 400 meters (1/4 mile) will unequivocally afford sufficient protection to reduce 

the potential of harassment to near zero. All of these actions would have moderate long-term beneficial 

effects on wildlife habitat because of the increase in suitable areas for wildlife in CCMA. 

4.5.3.2 Other Management Actions 

Fire and Prescribed Burns 

Alternative A would continue to use prescribed fires to maintain uneven-aged chaparral brushland habitat, 

and would provide a diversity of vegetation communities to support wildlife species. Chaparral habitat is 

prone to intense burning; it has dense growth, and plant species within the environment typically have dry 

evergreen leaves. As a result, the chaparral plant species have adapted to survive repeated fires. Fire 

within chaparral habitat spreads rapidly and extensively if the occurrence of fire has been minimal. 

Prescribed burning to reduce chaparral would occur in Condon Peak, Byles Canyon, San Carlos Bolsa, 

Sampson Peak and Goat Mountain areas. Approximately 21000 acres would be burned in the Tucker 

management zone and 14000 in the Condon Peak zone. Prescribed burning would be use to improve 

wildlife habitat in SBMRNA under the direction of a botanist. Prescribed burning would also be 

conducted to control yellow star thistle and medusahead grass. Areas burned in the Natural Area will not 

be reseeded to avoid importing nonnative competitors. 
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While these measures for prescribed fires would have short-term adverse impacts on habitat including 

trampling of vegetation and soil erosion, there is a long-term benefit of protecting these areas from severe 

wildland fire and restoring habitat that has been be degraded by invasive nonnative plant species. 

Alternatives B-D would incorporate all the beneficial impacts of alternative A. Prescribed burning in the 

Condon Peak, Byles Canyon, San Carlos Bolsa, Sampson Peak and Goat Mountain would be reduced. 

Burning in the SBMRNA would be conducted to maintain the “naturalness” of the area. Although the 

benefits of wildland fire on wildlife habitats would be reduced if prescribed burns are not conducted, the 

overall impact on wildlife habitat relative to existing conditions would be neutral. 

Livestock Grazing 

Alternative A-E includes 22,140 acres of allotted grazing lands in CCMA. This alternative would ensure 

that livestock watering developments will be managed to provide safe drinking water for wildlife. This 

action is a beneficial impact on water availability for wildlife needs. Alternative F would allocate grazing 

on 20,154 acres, and exclude grazing on 1,986 acres of public lands within the Serpentine ACEC. 

Although water availability will be reduced under alternatives F and G relative to alternatives A-E, the 

overall effect relative to a baseline, non-human-occupied landscape is neutral. Some benefit might accrue 

to wildlife populations that compete with cattle, e.g. elk, which destroy fences and reduce forage. 

Alternative G would prohibit grazing altogether in CCMA and therefore reduce overall grazed acres to 0. 

Relative to alternative F, water availability would be substantially reduced but the baseline effect would 

still be considered neutral. Wildlife that competes with cattle would substantially benefit from such a 

large area being excluded from grazing. However, grazing has been found to have the beneficial effects of 

reducing nonnative annual grasses which outcompete native vegetation with concomitant effects on 

wildlife; therefore, reduction in grazing on a large scale could have unknown potential negative effects on 

wildlife. 

Energy and Mineral Development 

Alternative A would withdraw Clear Creek Canyon and the SBMRNA from energy and mineral 

development, with concomitant reduction in negative wildlife habitat impacts. Elsewhere energy and 

mineral exploration and development would proceed on a case-by-case basis. Energy and mineral 

development can result in short-term to permanent loss of vegetation and adverse impacts on local water 

quality. While development would require certain mitigation measures, some of the disturbance would be 

unavoidable. However, the overall strategy for minerals development is to proceed under principles of 

balanced multiple-use management, which would minimize impacts to wildlife habitat. 

Alternatives B-C would exclude the San Benito Mountain WSA from wind energy development, with a 

corollary reduction in wildlife habitat impacts. 

Alternatives D would prohibit leasing in the ACEC and withdraw ACEC from locatable mineral entry, 

with a further reduction in impacts to wildlife habitat relative to alternatives A-C.

Alternative G would pursue mineral withdrawal throughout CCMA and exclude wind development from 

CCMA, reducing impacts to wildlife habitat from energy and mineral activities to a minimum. 

Recreation and Access 

Recreational use:--Alternative A would continue the allowable “limited” use of existing roads for 

motorized vehicles at CCMA. High-impact recreational activities such as motorized recreational touring 

can cause direct removal or crushing of vegetation as well as soil compaction and increased erosion, 
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which lead to impacts on water quality. Impacts would be reduced by limiting vehicle access to roads and 

barrens and prohibiting camping in SBMRNA. Shooting would be prohibited in Clear Creek Canyon, 

with a potential beneficial effect on wildlife. Dry season restrictions would also be enforced, resulting in 

reduced impacts to wildlife. 

Under alternative B, night visitation to the Serpentine ACEC would be prohibited, leading to a substantial 

reduction in overall wildlife habitats and specific reductions in disturbance to nocturnal species. In 

addition, special recreation permits for events would be prohibited, reducing impacts to wildlife habitat. 

Alternative C would limit OHV use to adults over 18 years old and designate 150 miles of trails for 

motorcycle use only. The reduction in visitor use commensurate with that portion of the OHV user 

population under 18 would result in a substantial reduction in impacts to wildlife habitat compared to the 

first two alternatives. 

Alternatives D would limit shooting in CCMA due to limited access in the ACEC or increased use outside 

the ACEC, which would result in reduced disturbance to wildlife from noise and illegal hunting, 

reduction in litter (targets and casings), and a general reduction in impacts to wildlife habitat from 

shooting. 

Among the range of alternatives, Alternative G provides for the least amount of public recreation in 

CCMA and the most beneficial impacts to wildlife within the ACEC. In areas outside the ACEC, impacts 

will be limited to those that arise from hunting and non-motorized recreation activities, which are 

predicted to have minimal impacts on wildlife other than transitory disturbance. 

Visitor services:--Alternative A would develop access for hunters into Condon Peak and San Carlos 

Bolsa, with a concomitant minor increase in wildlife disturbance and habitat impacts. 

Alternatives B-D would emphasize protection of natural resources, including temporary closing of 

recreation sites to protect wildlife habitat. Impacts to wildlife habitat would be neutral or beneficial. 

Interpretation and Education:--Alternative A would provide for enhanced education on appropriate OHV 

use in CCMA, resulting in reductions to wildlife impacts from inappropriate and illegal OHV operation. 

Alternatives B-D would also provide educational materials relevant to appropriate use of public lands, 

and would have a neutral or beneficial effect on wildlife habitat relative to alternative A. 

Lands and Realty 

Alternative A would retain lands of significant recreation or habitat value, and dispose of, acquire, or 

exchange lands to ensure more efficient management. Acquisition of lands with high biological resource 

value would have a long-term beneficial impact on wildlife habitat. However, acquisition is highly 

dependent on availability of suitable lands and funding, and therefore assessment of actual impacts would 

be speculative. 

Alternative B would prioritize acquisitions with a high value for biological resources. Alternative C 

would rank acquisitions for multiple resources. Alternative D would list by priority acquisition of lands 

with a high recreation potential. Alternative B would likely be the most beneficial for wildlife habitat. 

Acquisition is highly dependent on availability of suitable lands and funding, however, and therefore 

assessment of actual impacts would be speculative. 

Alternatives B and C would make approximately 3,300 acres available for disposal in the Tucker, 

Condon, and San Benito River zones. Impacts on wildlife habitat from disposal of public lands would be 
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negative and long-term based on the potential for these lands to be privately developed. Adverse impacts 

in the San Benito River and Condon zones would be minor because of the relatively small size of the 

parcels. Impacts in the Tucker zone would be moderate or major based on the amount of lands that would 

be available for disposal and potential modification of habitat that is part of an on-going elk preservation 

program between the California DFG and private land owners in the area. 

4.5.3.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Potential impacts on 

wildlife species and their habitat from mineral and energy production, recreation, livestock grazing, 

wildfires, and woodcutting may be identified through Rangeland Health Monitoring. Additional 

mitigation measures, to be determined on a case-by-case basis, may be required to avoid, reduce, or 

minimize potential environmental impacts. Measures would include maintenance of watersheds and 

riparian areas, use of fencing and rock barriers around sensitive areas, and use of stipulations from the 

BLM’s 1993 Oil and Gas Management Plan. 

4.5.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives E, F, and G 

4.5.4.1 Wildlife Habitat Management Actions 

Habitat Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

Under Alternatives E-F, active management to improve wildlife populations would occur, including 

control of nonnative species, preservation of woody habitat such as downed trees, removal of manmade 

barriers, active maintenance of wildlife-specific water developments such as guzzlers, and restoration of 

native fish and wildlife species. Alternatives E, F, and G also include protection of raptor nests from 

disturbance. Research on raptor behavior has identified a range of buffer distances from nests and perch 

sites sufficient to reduce by 90% the direct disturbance from human activities. Two hundred (200) meters 

(=1/8 mile) is a conservative distance that would be sufficient to encompass the behavioral responses of 

raptors present at CCMA (Craig 2002 and references therein). In order to provide additional protection to 

T&E raptors, a doubling of this distance to 400 meters (1/4 mile) will unequivocally afford sufficient 

protection to reduce the potential of harassment to near zero. All of these actions would have moderate 

long-term beneficial effects on wildlife habitat because of the increase in suitable areas for wildlife in 

CCMA. 

4.5.4.2 Other Management Actions 

Water and Biological Resources - Vegetation 

Under Alternatives E, F and G, common management actions are listed that aim to protect water quality 

in the Planning Area. Compared to Alternative A, the actions common to Alternatives E, F and G 

represent a more defined and proactive approach to protecting water quality in the Planning Area. 

Alternatives E, F and G would also aim to maintain or improve plant community ecological values, 

process, and productivity, and biological diversity. Rehabilitation of areas disturbed by wildland fires, 

mineral or energy extraction, grazing, recreation, or other activities would stabilize soils and promote the 

development of desirable plant communities. Additional detail is provided under each alternative. 

Fire Management 

Fire management actions under Alternatives E-G would have the same beneficial impacts of alternative A 

even though prescribed burning in the Condon Peak, Byles Canyon, San Carlos Bolsa, Sampson Peak and 
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Goat Mountain would be reduced. Burning in the SBMRNA would be conducted to maintain the 

“naturalness” of the area. Although the benefits of wildland fire on wildlife habitats would be reduced if 

prescribed burns are not conducted, the overall impact on wildlife habitat relative to existing conditions 

would be neutral because of the historic low frequency of prescribed fire and mechanical fuels treatments 

within the ACEC/RNA. 

Livestock Grazing 

Where livestock grazing is found to limit achievement of multiple-use objectives, actions to control 

grazing intensity, duration, timing, and deferment would be required to meet physiological requirements 

of key plant species or other resource objectives. If new information demonstrates that livestock grazing 

is not compatible with conservation or preservation of threatened and endangered or sensitive species, 

livestock grazing would not be available on these areas. Spring developments to provide water for 

livestock and wildlife would usually be fenced to prevent trampling. Livestock grazing would be used as 

appropriate for habitat improvement, fuels reduction, or other resource management objectives. 

Energy and Mineral Development 

Alternatives D-F would prohibit leasing in the ACEC and withdraw 30,000 acres of public lands from 

locatable mineral entry, resulting in a further reduction adverse in impacts to wildlife habitat relative to 

alternatives A-C.

Alternative G would pursue mineral withdrawal throughout CCMA and exclude wind development from 

CCMA, reducing impacts to wildlife habitat from energy and mineral activities to a minimum. 

Recreation and Access 

Alternative D-F would limit shooting in CCMA due to limited access in the ACEC or increased use 

outside the ACEC, which would result in reduced disturbance to wildlife from noise and illegal hunting, 

reduction in litter (targets and casings), and a general reduction in impacts to wildlife habitat from 

shooting. 

Among the range of alternatives, Alternative G provides for the least amount of public recreation in 

CCMA and the most beneficial impacts to wildlife within the ACEC. In areas outside the ACEC, impacts 

will be limited to those that arise from hunting and non-motorized recreation activities, which are 

predicted to have minimal impacts on wildlife other than transitory disturbance. 

Visitor services: Alternatives E-G would provide enhanced access to Condon, Tucker and Cantua 

management zones for hunting and other recreation consistent with protection of natural values. The 

resulting net increase, if any, in visitor use is unknown. Increased visitor use and development of facilities 

would be expected to lead to some increase in impacts to wildlife from direct disturbance and habitat 

degradation. Alternative G would exclude all visitors from CCMA, with concomitant benefits to wildlife. 

Interpretation and Education: Alternative E-G would provide educational materials relevant to 

appropriate use of public lands, and would have a neutral or beneficial effect on wildlife habitat relative to 

alternative A. 

Lands and Realty 

Priorities for acquisitions under Alternatives E, F, and G would have similar benefits on wildlife habitat 

as Alternative B with a high value for biological resources. However, Alternatives E and G would make 

approximately 3,300 acres available for disposal in the Tucker, Condon, and San Benito River zones. 
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Impacts on wildlife habitat from disposal of public lands would be negative and long-term based on the 

potential for these lands to be privately developed. Adverse impacts in the San Benito River and Condon 

zones would be minor because of the relatively small size of the parcels. Impacts in the Tucker zone 

would be moderate or major based on the amount of lands that would be available for disposal and 

potential modification of habitat that is part of an on-going elk preservation program between the 

California DFG and private land owners in the area. 

4.5.4.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Potential impacts on 

wildlife species and their habitat from mineral and energy production, recreation, livestock grazing, 

wildfires, and woodcutting may be identified through Rangeland Health Monitoring. Additional 

mitigation measures are required to avoid, reduce, or minimize potential environmental impacts. 

Common to Alternatives E, F, and G are measures to use fire to improve wildlife habitat, to limit the use 

of fire retardant drops to prevent damage to vernal pools, to relocate man-made barriers that substantially 

impede migration outside of wildlife travel corridors, to reduce or rehabilitate redundant and damaging 

routes, and to use “no surface occupancy” stipulations.

4.5.5 Impacts to Fish & Wildlife from the Proposed Action 

4.5.5.1 Wildlife Habitat Management Actions 

Habitat Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

Under the Proposed Action, active management to improve wildlife populations would occur, including 

control of nonnative species, preservation of woody habitat such as downed trees, removal of manmade 

barriers, active maintenance of wildlife-specific water developments such as guzzlers, and restoration of 

native fish and wildlife species. Management actions also include protection of raptor nests from 

disturbance. Research on raptor behavior has identified a range of buffer distances from nests and perch 

sites sufficient to reduce by 90% the direct disturbance from human activities. Two hundred (200) meters 

(=1/8 mile) is a conservative distance that would be sufficient to encompass the behavioral responses of 

raptors present at CCMA (Craig 2002 and references therein). In order to provide additional protection to 

T&E raptors, a doubling of this distance to 400 meters (1/4 mile) will unequivocally afford sufficient 

protection to reduce the potential of harassment to near zero. All of these actions would have moderate 

long-term beneficial effects on wildlife habitat because of the increase in suitable areas for wildlife in 

CCMA. 

Prescribed burns to maintain uneven-aged brushfields would continue, habitat would be maintained and 

enhanced for upland game species, and sensitive areas would be protected. Management of native plant 

populations and communities would be directed for a sustained yield for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. Additionally, the management actions affecting water quality would serve to improve 

or protect water resources from siltation and sedimentation resulting from road and trail development and 

maintenance. These actions would have beneficial effects on wildlife habitat. 

4.5.5.2 Impacts from Other Management Actions under the Proposed Action 

Water and Biological Resources - Vegetation 

Under the Proposed Action, management actions are identified that aim to protect water quality in the 

Planning Area. These actions represent a more defined and proactive approach to protecting water quality 

in the Planning Area. Management emphasis would also aim to maintain or improve plant community 

ecological values, process, and productivity, and biological diversity. Rehabilitation of areas disturbed by 
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wildland fires, mineral or energy extraction, grazing, recreation, or other activities would stabilize soils 

and promote the development of desirable plant communities. 

Fire Management 

Management actions would continue to use prescribed fires to maintain uneven-aged chaparral brushland 

habitat, and would provide a diversity of vegetation communities to support wildlife species. Chaparral 

habitat is prone to intense burning; it has dense growth, and plant species within the environment 

typically have dry evergreen leaves. As a result, the chaparral plant species have adapted to survive 

repeated fires. Fire within chaparral habitat spreads rapidly and extensively if the occurrence of fire has 

been minimal. Prescribed burning would be use to improve wildlife habitat in SBMRNA under the 

direction of a botanist. Prescribed burning would also be conducted to control yellow star thistle and 

medusahead grass. Areas burned in the Natural Area will not be reseeded to avoid importing nonnative 

competitors. 

While these measures for prescribed fires would have short-term adverse impacts on habitat including 

trampling of vegetation and soil erosion, there is a long-term benefit of protecting these areas from severe 

wildland fire and restoring habitat that has been be degraded by invasive nonnative plant species. 

While these measures for prescribed fires would have short-term adverse impacts on habitat including 

trampling of vegetation and soil erosion, there is a long-term benefit of protecting these areas from severe 

wildland fire and restoring habitat that has been be degraded by invasive nonnative plant species. 

Fire management actions under the Proposed Action would have the same beneficial impacts of the No 

Action alternative even though prescribed burning in the Condon Peak, Byles Canyon, San Carlos Bolsa, 

Sampson Peak and Goat Mountain would be reduced. Burning in the SBMRNA would be conducted to 

maintain the “naturalness” of the area. Although the benefits of wildland fire on wildlife habitats would 

be reduced if prescribed burns are not conducted, the overall impact on wildlife habitat relative to existing 

conditions would be neutral because of the historic low frequency of prescribed fire and mechanical fuels 

treatments within the ACEC/RNA. 

Livestock Grazing 

The Proposed Action includes 22,140 acres of allotted grazing lands in CCMA and would ensure that 

livestock watering developments will be managed to provide safe drinking water for wildlife. This action 

is a beneficial impact on water availability for wildlife needs. Where livestock grazing is found to limit 

achievement of multiple-use objectives, actions to control grazing intensity, duration, timing, and 

deferment would be required to meet physiological requirements of key plant species or other resource 

objectives. If new information demonstrates that livestock grazing is not compatible with conservation or 

preservation of threatened and endangered or sensitive species, livestock grazing would not be available 

on these areas. Spring developments to provide water for livestock and wildlife would usually be fenced 

to prevent trampling. Livestock grazing would be used as appropriate for habitat improvement, fuels 

reduction, or other resource management objectives. Grazing has been found to have the beneficial 

effects of reducing nonnative annual grasses which outcompete native vegetation with concomitant 

effects on wildlife; therefore, continued grazing on allotted lands within CCMA would have long term 

beneficial effects on wildlife. 

Energy and Mineral Development 

The Proposed Action would prohibit leasing in the ACEC and withdraw 30,000 acres of public lands in 

the ACEC from locatable mineral entry, with a further reduction in impacts to wildlife habitat relative to 

the No Action alternative. Elsewhere energy and mineral exploration and development would proceed on 
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a case-by-case basis. Energy and mineral development can result in short-term to permanent loss of 

vegetation and adverse impacts on local water quality. While development would require certain 

mitigation measures, some of the disturbance would be unavoidable. However, the overall strategy for 

minerals development is to proceed under principles of balanced multiple-use management, which would 

minimize impacts to wildlife habitat. 

Recreation and Access 

Recreational use:--Shooting would be prohibited in Clear Creek Canyon, with a potential beneficial effect 

on wildlife. The Proposed Action would limit shooting in CCMA due to limited access in the ACEC 

which would result in reduced disturbance to wildlife from noise and illegal hunting, reduction in litter 

(targets and casings), and a general reduction in impacts to wildlife habitat from shooting. In areas outside 

the ACEC, impacts will be limited to those that arise from hunting and non-motorized recreation 

activities, which are predicted to have minimal impacts on wildlife other than transitory disturbance. In 

general, in the ACEC limitations on motorized vehicle use and access restrictions would have long term 

beneficial impacts to wildlife. 

Visitor services: Enhanced access to Condon, Tucker and Cantua management zones for hunting and 

other recreation would consistent with protection of natural values. There would likely be a resulting net 

increase in visitor use in these areas; however providing better access in all these areas may help disperse 

use and resulting impacts. Increased visitor use and development of facilities would be expected to lead to 

a minor increase in impacts to wildlife habitat from direct disturbance and habitat degradation. 

Interpretation and Education: The Proposed Action would provide enhanced educational materials 

relevant to appropriate use of public lands, and would have a beneficial effect on protection of wildlife 

habitat. 

Lands and Realty 

The Proposed Action would retain lands of significant recreation or habitat value, and dispose of, acquire, 

or exchange lands to ensure more efficient management. Acquisition of lands with high biological 

resource value would have a long-term beneficial impact on wildlife habitat. Three hundred sixty eight 

(368) acres would be available for disposal in the Condon and San Benito River zones. Adverse impacts 

in the San Benito River and Condon zones would be minor because of the relatively small size of the 

parcels. 

4.5.5.3 Mitigation and Impacts 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Potential impacts on 

wildlife species and their habitat from mineral and energy production, recreation, livestock grazing, 

wildfires, and woodcutting may be identified through Rangeland Health Monitoring. Additional 

mitigation measures, to be determined on a case-by-case basis, may be required to avoid, reduce, or 

minimize potential environmental impacts. Measures would include maintenance of watersheds and 

riparian areas, and use of fencing and rock barriers around sensitive area. Mitigation would include 

measures to use fire to improve wildlife habitat, to limit the use of fire retardant drops to prevent damage 

to vernal pools, to relocate man-made barriers that substantially impede migration outside of wildlife 

travel corridors, to reduce or rehabilitate redundant and damaging routes, and to use “no surface 

occupancy” stipulations.

Impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitats may be caused through sedimentation, erosion, loss of soil, 

crushing, habitat destruction, removal and use for fuel. The Proposed Action would have a beneficial 

effect, to differing degrees, upon wildlife and wildlife habitat, as altered habitat and impacted vehicle 
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routes and barrens are returned to the land base, creating an increase in wildlife habitat. Fragmentation of 

small species’ habitats would be decreased as altered habitat and impacted routes become restored and 

illegal off route travel is curtailed. There would be a lowered potential for vehicle incursions with small 

animals and of harassment of all species by people through route designation and enforcement of travel 

on approved routes. Impacts to species found within the riparian areas are expected to decrease as 

restrictions on use of routes, trails and barrens increase, and by reducing the number of stream crossings 

and miles of routes in riparian areas. The reduction of miles of roadway and vehicle types on routes 

would also yield cumulative benefits, as riparian vegetation impacts are expected to diminish as erosion 

and sediment flows diminish. Considering estimates that nearly half the sediment delivered to streams 

within the CCMA come from stream and swale crossings, this reduction in the number of crossings 

should result in substantial reductions in sediment delivery and benefit riparian vegetation communities 

and sensitive species habitat. These reductions would have indirect long-term benefits due to the 

increased protection given to these habitats. 

A key component of the long term reduction in sediment yields benefiting riparian areas is the 

rehabilitation and restoration of closed routes to a natural condition, so that they trend towards 

undisturbed soil erosion and sediment delivery rates. Closure and restoration of barrens would benefit 

riparian vegetation and increase the acreage of barrens which would be able to support vegetation and 

special status species. 

Any future inventoried routes would be screened through resource evaluation criteria for the presence of 

known or potential sensitive resources, proximity to sensitive resources, and an analysis of potential 

impacts of routes from non-compliant use. Where conflicts exist with resource condition objectives and 

protection of sensitive resources, routes would be modified or closed. As a result, these actions would 

have long-term beneficial cumulative impacts to biological resources. 

4.5.6 Cumulative Effects 

Cumulative impacts may include unauthorized fires, livestock grazing above animal unit months, and 

motorized access in sensitive habitat or outside of approved routes, and non-compliance with hunting 

regulations. The severity of cumulative effects would depend upon the species present within the area, 

the existing conditions of the habitat within the surrounding area, the type of activity proposed to occur, 

monitoring and reclamation efforts, and existing or proposed management goals and objectives. Public 

education, adequate planning, mitigation, and monitoring may reduce the significance of the impacts on 

wildlife species and their habitat. 

Impacts on wildlife would result from increasing levels of human use and development throughout the 

region, regardless of management actions within the Planning Area. 

4.5.6.1 Cumulative Effects for Alternatives A, B, C, and D 

Alternatives A, B, C, and D would contribute to enhancing the long-term protection of the sensitive 

habitat and special status species that occur throughout the CCMA. This would be accomplished by 

eliminating unregulated use, implementing Best Management Practices, completing significant road 

repairs and improvements, reducing the number of stream crossings and miles of routes in riparian areas 

by 50 percent, and reducing soil disturbing activities by reducing the number of miles of unpaved roads 

and substantially reducing the acres of barren play areas. Considering estimates that nearly half the 

sediment delivered to streams within the CCMA come from stream and swale crossings, this reduction in 

the number of crossings should result in substantial reductions in sediment delivery and benefit riparian 

vegetation communities and sensitive species habitat. 
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A key component of the long term reduction in sediment yields benefiting riparian areas is the 

rehabilitation and restoration of closed routes to a natural condition, so that they trend towards 

undisturbed soil erosion and sediment delivery rates. Over 150 miles of roads and trails would be closed 

and restored over a 5-year period. Closure and restoration of barrens would benefit riparian vegetation 

and increase the acreage of barrens which would be able to support vegetation and special status species. 

Route and barren closures in high erosion sub-watersheds, including Upper Clear Creek Canyon, south 

fork of Clear Creek, and Larious Canyon would contribute to reductions in sediment delivery and impacts 

to sensitive species habitat. A portion of R008 contributing significant amounts of sediment to the subwatershed, riparian areas, and sensitive habitat would be closed. In addition, the designation of routes and 

areas and the enforcement of these designations should result in less off route travel and route 

proliferation. 

Under Alternatives B and C, stream terraces in lower Clear Creek Canyon would continue to experience 

impacts related to day-use activities. Fencing and barriers protect most sensitive resources in these areas. 

However, the continued erosion of topsoil in high vehicle use areas would have direct long-term adverse 

impacts on the productive soil horizons and inhibit natural re-vegetation of some areas. 

Under Alternative C and D, there would be a substantial reduction in routes and trails affecting wildlife 

habitat in the Serpentine ACEC compared to existing conditions. This reduction would have indirect 

long-term benefits due to the increased protection given to these habitats. 

4.5.6.2 Cumulative Effects for Alternatives E, F, G, and the Proposed Action 

Impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitats may be caused through sedimentation, erosion, loss of soil, 

crushing, habitat destruction, removal and use for fuel. These alternatives would have a beneficial effect, 

to differing degrees, upon wildlife and wildlife habitat, as altered habitat and impacted vehicle routes and 

barrens are returned to the land base, creating an increase in wildlife habitat. Fragmentation of small 

species’ habitats would be decreased as altered habitat and impacted routes become restored and illegal 

off route travel is curtailed. There would be a lowered potential for vehicle incursions with small animals 

and of harassment of all species by people through route designation and enforcement of travel on 

approved routes. Impacts to species found within the riparian areas are expected to decrease as 

restrictions on use of routes, trails and barrens increase. The reduction of miles of roadway and vehicle 

types on routes would also yield cumulative benefits, as riparian vegetation impacts are expected to 

diminish as erosion and sediment flows diminish. 

Any future inventoried routes will be screened through resource evaluation criteria for the presence of 

known or potential sensitive resources, proximity to sensitive resources, and an analysis of potential 

impacts of routes from non-compliant use. Where conflicts exist with resource condition objectives and 

protection of sensitive resources, routes would be modified or closed. As a result, none of these

alternatives would have adverse cumulative impacts to biological resources. 

Rather, the cumulative effects of CCMA management on biological resources under these alternatives, 

and the overall emphasis on limited use and improvement of biological resources would provide longterm beneficial cumulative effects. 
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4.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goals for management of special status species are to (1) protect and/or improve habitat 

necessary to recover populations of sensitive or special status species, and (2) manage Bureau of 

Land Management (BLM) land to maintain, restore, or enhance populations and habitat of special 

status fish, wildlife, and plant species. 

4.6.1 Introduction 

This section describes the effects and potential impacts of implementing the Proposed Action presented in 

Chapter 2 on those resources identified in Chapter 3.6. Impacts to vegetation (Chapter 4.4; Biological 

Resources - Vegetation), wildlife habitat (Chapter 4.5; Biological Resources – Wildlife Habitat), and soils 

(Chapter 4.8; Soil Resources) are similar to impacts to both plant and animal special status species. 

The term ‘special status species’ is used in this section to refer to all species listed with U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, and 

the State of California, and to special status species listed with BLM. 

The No Action alternative would continue the management direction outlined in the 1984 Hollister 

Resource Management Plan (RMP) as amended. The 1984 Hollister RMP does not address those species 

that have been listed as threatened, endangered, species of concern, or rare with the USFWS, NOAA 

Fisheries, or the State of California, or those that have been listed as species of concern with BLM. 

Alternatives B through G and the Proposed Action would all provide added focus for improvement and 

protection of special status species habitat, and also provide specific management direction for the Clear 

Creek Management Area. 

Impacts to special status plant species are strongly associated with impacts to vegetation (Chapter 4.4; 

Biological Resources – Vegetation; Tables 4.4-1 through 4.4-12) and soils (Chapter 4.8; Soil Resources; 

Tables 4.8-1 through 4.8-10). Like vegetation, special status plant species often have a high affinity for 

particular soil types, such as serpentine. 

San Benito evening primrose, a federally-listed Threatened plant species which is a local serpentine 

endemic within the CCMA, is singled out and analyzed separately from all other special status plant 

species due to its high list status and the large number of management actions which are specific to it. 

The majority of San Benito evening primrose populations and potential habitat occur on two habitat 

types: 1) serpentine stream terraces, and 2) serpentine-nonserpentine geologic transition zones. Riparian 

serpentine stream terrace habitat is the primary type of habitat within the interior of the Serpentine ACEC 

(“serpentine riparian”). Streams that flow from inside the Serpentine ACEC to outside of the Serpentine 

ACEC, deposit serpentine alluvium in that zone (“nonserpentine riparian”). San Benito evening primrose 

populations and potential habitat have been documented to occur there. San Benito evening primrose 

also occurs on serpentine soils in upland geologic transition zones between serpentine and nonserpentine 

rock types at the Serpentine ACEC boundary (“serpentine upland”). Additionally, the species has been 

documented on serpentine landslides and a few shale outcrops outside of the Serpentine ACEC 

(“nonserpentine upland”). As a result, impacts to all four habitat groups are analyzed.

For the purpose of analysis: San Benito evening primrose is analyzed separately from all of the other 

special status plant species. Analysis of impacts to special status plant species is focused upon the 

location and intensity of the activity with respect to the general soil (serpentine or nonserpentine) and 

vegetation (riparian or upland) type, which provides habitat for the special status species group. 
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Tables 4.6-1 through Table 4.6-12 provide an overview of the management actions that would affect San 

Benito evening primrose and how disturbance as dictated by the alternatives would impact the species. 

Tables 4.6-13 through Table 4.6-24 provide an overview of the management actions that would affect all 

other special status plant species and how disturbance as dictated by the alternatives would impact the 

species. 

Table 4.6-1 Summary of San Benito evening primrose management actions for: San 

Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance by non-motorized recreation. 

Alternative Impact: San Benito evening primrose 

habitat disturbance by non-motorized 

recreation

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued non-motorized recreation within

both riparian and upland serpentine San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. Limited nonmotorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. 

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor all 

populations for compliance with 

respect to the existing Compliance 

Monitoring Plan. Initiate long-term 

ecological studies to determine 

habitat requirements and effects of 

human impacts. 

B

Reduced non-motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland serpentine San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. Limited nonmotorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a revised 

Compliance Monitoring Plan. 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced non-motorized recreation 

(relative to Alts. B and C) within both riparian 

and upland serpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. Increased non-motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine San Benito evening primrose 

habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: San Benito evening primrose 

habitat disturbance by non-motorized 

recreation

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

E

Further reduced non-motorized recreation 

(relative to Alts. B and C) within both riparian 

and upland serpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. The magnitude of reduction 

of motorized recreation impacts would be 

greater for serpentine riparian than serpentine 

upland San Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Limited motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland nonserpentine San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

G

No non-motorized recreation within riparian 

and upland serpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. Non-motorized recreation 

impacts upon nonserpentine San Benito 

evening primrose habitat similar to Alt. D. 

Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced non-motorized 

recreation) within both riparian and upland 

serpentine San Benito evening primrose 

habitat. The magnitude of reduction of 

motorized recreation impacts would be greater 

for serpentine riparian than serpentine upland 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a revised 

Compliance Monitoring Plan. 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

Table 4.6-2 San Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: San Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance by non-motorized 

recreation. 
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Table 4.6-3 Summary of San Benito evening primrose management actions for: San 

Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance by motorized recreation. 

Alternative Impact: San Benito evening primrose 

habitat disturbance by motorized 

recreation

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued intensive motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland serpentine

San Benito evening primrose habitat. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. 

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor all 

populations for compliance with 

respect to the existing Compliance 

Monitoring Plan. Initiate long-term 

ecological studies to determine 

habitat requirements and effects of 

human impacts. 

B

Reduced motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland serpentine San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. Limited motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine San Benito evening primrose 

habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced motorized recreation (relative 

to Alts. B and C) within both riparian and 

upland serpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. Greatly increased motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine San Benito evening primrose 

habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced motorized recreation (relative 

to Alts. B and C) within both riparian and 

upland serpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. Magnitude of reduction of 

motorized recreation impacts would be 

greater for serpentine riparian than serpentine 

upland San Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Limited motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland nonserpentine San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

F

No motorized recreation within riparian and 

upland serpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. Limited motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland San 

Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: San Benito evening primrose 

habitat disturbance by motorized 

recreation

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

G

No motorized recreation within riparian and 

upland serpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. Limited motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine San Benito evening primrose 

habitat.

Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland serpentine 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Magnitude of reduction of motorized 

recreation impacts would be greater for 

serpentine riparian than serpentine upland 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

Table 4.6-4 San Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: San Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance by motorized recreation . 
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Table 4.6-5 Summary of San Benito evening primrose management actions for: San 

Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance by energy and mineral exploration. 

Alternative Impact: San Benito evening primrose 

habitat disturbance by energy and mineral 

exploration

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued energy and mineral exploration 

within both riparian and upland San Benito 

evening primrose habitat of serpentine and 

nonserpentine areas.

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor all 

populations for compliance with 

respect to the existing Compliance 

Monitoring Plan. Initiate long-term 

ecological studies to determine 

habitat requirements and effects of 

human impacts. 

B

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

E

Energy and mineral exploration limited to both 

riparian and upland nonserpentine San Benito 

evening primrose habitat outside of the 

ACEC. 

Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

G Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Energy and mineral exploration limited to both 

riparian and upland nonserpentine San Benito 

evening primrose habitat outside of the 

ACEC. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.
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Table 4.6-6 San Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: San Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance by energy and mineral 

exploration. 

 

Table 4.6-7 Summary of San Benito evening primrose management actions for: 

Noxious weed invasion. 

Alternative Impact: Noxious weed invasion Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued movement of weed seed on 

vehicles from both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and San 

Benito evening primrose habitat into riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Continued movement of weed seed on 

livestock from both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and San 

Benito evening primrose habitat into riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor all 

populations for compliance with 

respect to the existing Compliance 

Monitoring Plan. Initiate long-term 

ecological studies to determine 

habitat requirements and effects of 

human impacts. 

B

Reduced movement of weed seed on vehicles 

from riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. Continued 

movement of weed seed on livestock from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.
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Alternative Impact: Noxious weed invasion Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (relative to Alts. B and C) from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. Greatly increased 

movement of weed seed on vehicles used 

within riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. Continued movement of 

weed seed on livestock from riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat into 

riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (relative to Alts. B and C) from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. Limited movement 

of weed seed on vehicles used within riparian 

and upland nonserpentine plant communities 

and San Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Continued movement of weed seed on 

livestock from riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and San 

Benito evening primrose habitat into riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

F

No movement of weed seed on vehicles from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. Limited movement 

of weed seed on vehicles within riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. Weed 

seed movement on livestock limited to only 

within riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat (outside of the ACEC).

Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Noxious weed invasion Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

G

No movement of weed seed on vehicles from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat into riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and San Benito 

evening primrose habitat. Limited movement 

of weed seed on vehicles within riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. No 

weed seed movement on livestock within the 

CCMA.

Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced movement of weed 

seed on vehicles from riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and San 

Benito evening primrose habitat into riparian 

and upland serpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. Limited 

movement of weed seed on vehicles used 

within riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. Continued movement of 

weed seed on livestock from riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat into 

riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

Table 4.6-8 San Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: Noxious weed invasion. 
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Table 4.6-9 Summary of San Benito evening primrose management actions for: 

Livestock grazing. 

Alternative Impact: Livestock grazing Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued grazing within riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and San Benito 

evening primrose habitat and riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat.

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor all 

populations for compliance with 

respect to the existing Compliance 

Monitoring Plan. Initiate long-term 

ecological studies to determine 

habitat requirements and effects of 

human impacts. 

B

Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.

E Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.

F

Livestock grazing limited to uplands and 

nonserpentine plant communities outside of 

the Serpentine ACEC.

Same as Alternative B.

G No livestock grazing within the CCMA. Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.
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Table 4.6-10 San Benito evening primrose habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: Livestock grazing. 

 

Table 4.6-11 Summary of San Benito evening primrose management actions for: Plant 

community restoration and fire management. 

Alternative Impact: Plant community restoration and 

fire management

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued plant community restoration within 

disturbed riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities and San Benito evening 

primrose habitat and disturbed riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

San Benito evening primrose habitat. 

Utilization of control burns for fuels reduction 

and habitat improvement.

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor all 

populations for compliance with 

respect to the existing Compliance 

Monitoring Plan. Initiate long-term 

ecological studies to determine 

habitat requirements and effects of 

human impacts. 

B

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

E Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Plant community restoration and 

fire management

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

F Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

G Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Monitor all populations for 

compliance with respect to a 

revised Compliance Monitoring 

Plan. Prohibit collection of special 

status species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

Table 4.6-12 Type of effects on San Benito evening primrose habitat as predicted to 

change for: Impacts to San Benito evening primrose habitat from plant community 

restoration and fire management. 
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Table 4.6-13 Summary of special status plant species management actions for: Special 

status plant species habitat disturbance by non-motorized recreation. 

Alternative Impact: Special status plant species 

habitat disturbance by non-motorized 

recreation

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued non-motorized recreation within

both riparian and upland serpentine special 

status plant species habitat. Limited nonmotorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine special status plant 

species habitat. 

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor the effects 

of management activities on 

significant habitat areas. Initiate 

long-term ecological studies to 

determine habitat requirements and 

effects of human impacts. 

B

Reduced non-motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland serpentine special status 

plant species habitat. Limited non-motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine special status plant species 

habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced non-motorized recreation 

(relative to Alts. B and C) within both riparian 

and upland serpentine special status plant 

species habitat. Increased non-motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine special status plant species 

habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced non-motorized recreation 

(relative to Alts. B and C) within both riparian 

and upland serpentine special status plant 

species habitat. The magnitude of reduction 

of motorized recreation impacts would be 

greater for serpentine riparian special status 

plant species habitat than serpentine upland 

special status plant species habitat. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine special status plant 

species habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

G

No non-motorized recreation within riparian 

and upland serpentine special status plant 

species habitat. Non-motorized recreation 

impacts upon nonserpentine special status 

plant species habitat similar to Alt. D. 

Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Special status plant species 

habitat disturbance by non-motorized 

recreation

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced non-motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

serpentine special status plant species 

habitat. The magnitude of reduction of 

motorized recreation impacts would be 

greater for serpentine riparian special status

plant species habitat than serpentine upland 

special status plant species habitat. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine special status plant 

species habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

Table 4.6-14 Special status plant species habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: Special status plant species habitat disturbance by non-motorized 

recreation. 
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Table 4.6-15 Summary of special status plant species management Actions for: Special 

status plant species habitat disturbance by motorized recreation. 

Alternative Impact: Special status plant species 

habitat disturbance by motorized 

recreation

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued intensive motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland serpentine

special status plant species habitat. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland special status plant species habitat. 

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor the effects 

of management activities on 

significant habitat areas. Initiate 

long-term ecological studies to 

determine habitat requirements and 

effects of human impacts. 

B

Reduced motorized recreation within both 

riparian and upland serpentine special status 

plant species habitat. Limited motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine special status plant species 

habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced motorized recreation (relative 

to Alts. B and C) within both riparian and 

upland serpentine special status plant species 

habitat. Greatly increased motorized 

recreation within both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine special status plant species 

habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced motorized recreation (relative 

to Alts. B and C) within both riparian and 

upland serpentine special status plant species 

habitat. Magnitude of reduction of motorized 

recreation impacts would be greater for 

serpentine riparian than serpentine upland 

special status plant species habitat. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine special status plant 

species habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

F

No motorized recreation within riparian and 

upland serpentine special status plant species 

habitat. Limited motorized recreation within 

both riparian and upland special status plant 

species habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Special status plant species 

habitat disturbance by motorized 

recreation

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

G

No motorized recreation within riparian and 

upland serpentine special status plant species 

habitat. Limited motorized recreation within 

both riparian and upland nonserpentine 

special status plant species habitat.

Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced motorized recreation 

within both riparian and upland serpentine 

special status plant species habitat. 

Magnitude of reduction of motorized 

recreation impacts would be greater for 

serpentine riparian than serpentine upland 

special status plant species habitat. Limited 

motorized recreation within both riparian and 

upland nonserpentine special status plant 

species habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

Table 4.6-16 Special status plant species habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: Special status plant species habitat disturbance by motorized recreation. 
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Table 4.6-17 Summary of special status plant species management actions for: Special 

status plant species habitat disturbance by energy and mineral exploration. 

Alternative Impact: Special status plant species 

habitat disturbance by energy and mineral 

exploration

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued energy and mineral exploration 

within both riparian and upland special status 

plant habitat of serpentine and nonserpentine 

areas.

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor the effects 

of management activities on 

significant habitat areas. Initiate 

long-term ecological studies to 

determine habitat requirements and 

effects of human impacts. 

B

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

E

Energy and mineral exploration limited to both 

riparian and upland nonserpentine special 

status plant species habitat outside of the 

ACEC. 

Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

G Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Energy and mineral exploration limited to both 

riparian and upland nonserpentine special 

status plant species habitat outside of the 

ACEC. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.
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Table 4.6-18 Special status plant species habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: Special status plant species habitat disturbance by energy and mineral 

exploration. 

 

Table 4.6-19 Summary of special status plant species management actions for: Noxious 

weed invasion. 

Alternative Impact: Noxious weed invasion Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued movement of weed seed on 

vehicles from both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat into riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat. 

Continued movement of weed seed on 

livestock from both riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat into riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat. 

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor the effects 

of management activities on 

significant habitat areas. Initiate 

long-term ecological studies to 

determine habitat requirements and 

effects of human impacts. 

B

Reduced movement of weed seed on vehicles 

from riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat into riparian and upland serpentine 

plant communities and special status plant 

species habitat. Continued movement of 

weed seed on livestock from riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat into 

riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Noxious weed invasion Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

D

Further reduced movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (relative to Alts. B and C) from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat into riparian and upland serpentine 

plant communities and special status plant 

species habitat. Greatly increased movement 

of weed seed on vehicles used within riparian 

and upland nonserpentine plant communities 

and special status plant species habitat. 

Continued movement of weed seed on 

livestock from riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat into riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (relative to Alts. B and C) from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat into riparian and upland serpentine 

plant communities and special status plant 

species habitat. Limited movement of weed 

seed on vehicles used within riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat. 

Continued movement of weed seed on 

livestock from riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat into riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat. 

Same as Alternative B.

F

No movement of weed seed on vehicles from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat into riparian and upland serpentine 

plant communities and special status plant 

species habitat. Limited movement of weed 

seed on vehicles within riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat. Weed seed 

movement on livestock limited to only within 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat outside of the ACEC.

Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Noxious weed invasion Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

G

No movement of weed seed on vehicles from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat into riparian and upland serpentine 

plant communities and special status plant 

species habitat. Limited movement of weed 

seed on vehicles within riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat. No weed seed 

movement on livestock within the CCMA.

Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Further reduced movement of weed seed on 

vehicles (relative to Alts. B and C) from 

riparian and upland nonserpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat into riparian and upland serpentine 

plant communities and special status plant 

species habitat. Limited movement of weed 

seed on vehicles used within riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat. 

Continued movement of weed seed on 

livestock from riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat into riparian and 

upland serpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

Table 4.6-20 Special status plant species habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: Noxious weed invasion. 
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Table 4.6-21 Summary of special status plant species management actions for: 

Livestock grazing. 

Alternative Impact: Livestock grazing Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

No Action

Continued grazing within riparian and upland 

serpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat and riparian and 

upland nonserpentine plant communities and 

special status plant species habitat.

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor the effects 

of management activities on 

significant habitat areas. Initiate 

long-term ecological studies to 

determine habitat requirements and 

effects of human impacts. 

B

Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.

E Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative B.

F

Livestock grazing limited to uplands and 

nonserpentine plant communities outside of 

the Serpentine ACEC.

Same as Alternative B.

G No livestock grazing within the CCMA. Same as Alternative B.

Proposed 

Action

Livestock grazing limited to uplands and 

nonserpentine plant communities outside of 

the Serpentine ACEC.

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.
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Table 4.6-22 Special status plant species habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: Livestock grazing. 

 

Table 4.6-23 Summary of special status plant species management actions for: Plant 

community restoration and fire management. 

Alternative Impact: Plant community restoration and 

fire management

Management action: Maintain 

habitat integrity and diversity

A

Continued plant community restoration within 

disturbed riparian and upland serpentine plant 

communities and special status plant species 

habitat and disturbed riparian and upland 

nonserpentine plant communities and special 

status plant species habitat. Utilization of 

control burns for fuels reduction and habitat 

improvement.

Establish appropriate levels of 

surface disturbance to protect 

significant RTE habitat and species. 

Plan development to avoid sensitive 

habitat. Maintain buffer zones 

around sensitive habitat features. 

Manage potential habitat for 

introductions. Rehabilitate potential 

habitat. Perform habitat vegetation 

manipulations. Monitor the effects 

of management activities on 

significant habitat areas. Initiate 

long-term ecological studies to 

determine habitat requirements and 

effects of human impacts. 

B – G

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Prohibit collection of special status 

species, except for scientific 

research of traditional Native 

American religious practices.

Proposed 

Action 

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B - G
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Table 4.6-24 Special status plant species habitat disturbance levels as predicted to 

change for: Plant community restoration and fire management. 

4.6.2 Overview of Impacts to Special Status Plant Species 

Impacts to special status plant species and their habitat would be similar to those impacts discussed in 

Section(s) 4.4 (Biological Resources – Vegetation) and 4.8 (Soil Resources). Impacts would vary 

depending upon the type of disturbance, location within the landscape, seasonal timing, and duration. 

Generally, the management actions for special status plant species aim to maintain or improve habitat and 

reduce potential impacts to special status species. 

Impacts to special status plant species from management actions include direct mortality, direct habitat 

loss, habitat fragmentation, and habitat modification. Impacts would vary depending upon the type of 

surface disturbance and location within the landscape. Activities within the Planning Area that may cause 

adverse impacts include: Vehicle travel, energy and mineral exploration, noxious weed invasion, plant 

collection, livestock grazing, and fire management. Beneficial impacts may be provided by restoration 

and fire management, when conducted under controlled conditions (i.e. fuels reduction to improve special 

status species habitat). 

BLM has established procedures and policies that assess the effects of existing and proposed projects on 

BLM-managed lands. BLM would be responsible for analyzing potential impacts to ensure that activities 

do not cause significant adverse effects on special status species habitat. BLM would be responsible for 

analyzing potential impacts to ensure that no significant adverse effects would occur to sensitive species 

habitat. In addition, BLM would consult with USFWS and NOAA Fisheries in accordance with Section 7 

of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

4.6.2.1 Special Status Plant Species and Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

 Non-motorized recreation activities including camping, hiking, hunting, and rockhounding can cause 

adverse impacts to special status plant species and their habitat. Of these activities, camping poses the 

greatest impact to vegetation resources since camping sites are repeatedly used. Repeated use of 

campsites can result in localized vegetation damage and removal and soil compaction and erosion 

(adverse). This is particularly true for serpentine riparian habitat within the ACEC. The many level 

stream terraces adjacent to Clear Creek and other riparian areas within the CCMA were heavily used 

historically as OHV staging areas and camp sites. Most of the terraces are occupied and potential habitat 

for San Benito evening primrose. Although most of those terraces are now closed, some stream terraces 

remain open and continue to be used as campsites. Most campsites with the CCMA are located at 
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designated campgrounds and staging areas, however, there are several small, popular informal campsites 

scattered throughout the CCMA. Foot traffic activities such as hiking, hunting, and rockhounding tend to 

be dispersed and not result in measurable adverse impacts to special status plant species. Most hiking and 

hunting activities tend to occur primarily outside of the ACEC which are more vegetated and support 

more game animals, whereas most rockhounding activities are focused within the ACEC where there is a 

wide variety of rare minerals that appeal to collectors. 

4.6.2.2 Special Status Plant Species and Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

OHV recreation activities and motorized vehicle access for recreation can cause direct removal of special 

status plants and/or damage their habitat (adverse). Habitat disturbance including vegetation removal 

exposes soil and accelerates erosion (adverse). Currently, the majority of OHV activities within the 

CCMA are located within the serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Many special 

status plant species within the CCMA, including the San Benito evening primrose and rayless layia, are 

local serpentine endemics. Due to the stressful conditions imposed by serpentine soils, habitat within the 

ACEC is sparsely vegetated and very slow to recover following disturbance. Given the very limited 

distribution of some of the serpentine endemic species at the CCMA including San Benito evening 

primrose and rayless layia, even small impacts to their limited habitat can have large, adverse impacts to 

the species as a whole. Motorized recreation impacts to special status species and their habitat have been 

reduced by the CCMA route designation (2006) and fencing closed areas. 

4.6.2.3 Special Status Plant Species and Disturbance by Energy and Mineral 

Exploration 

Like vehicle travel impacts, construction can cause direct removal of special status plant species and/or 

damage their habitat (adverse). Habitat disturbance from construction is typically more intense compared 

to OHV (light vehicle) impacts due to the use of heavy equipment. As discussed in more detail in Section 

4.4, the CCMA has moderate potential for mineral and energy development. Although the Serpentine 

ACEC was mined historically for metal ores and minerals, which adversely impacted special status plant 

species habitat, most mining has since ceased due to the depletion of near-surface marketable minerals 

and changing mineral markets and mineral regulation (i.e. asbestos ban in U.S.). Oil and gas 

development potential is very low as the New Idria serpentine mass (ACEC) which comprises 40% of the 

CCMA land area has no potential for fossil fuel resources. The remainder of the CCMA contains 

sedimentary formations which have not yielded significant oil and gas resources within the local area. 

Wind energy development has some potential as the CCMA contains some of the highest points in the 

Diablo Range. The BLM would be responsible for analyzing potential impacts from energy and mineral 

development impacts to ensure that activities do not cause significant adverse effects to special status 

species and their habitat. 

4.6.2.4 Special Status Plant Species and Disturbance by Noxious Weed Invasion 

Noxious and invasive weeds can invade special status plant species habitat and compete with special 

status plant species for light, space, water, and nutrients (adverse). Invasive weed species may also 

increase the risk of wildfire because they are typically composed of fine fuels and become flammable as 

they age (adverse). An integrated pest management (IPM) approach is utilized to control weeds within 

special status plant species habitat (i.e. yellow starthistle control within San Benito evening primrose 

habitat). The IPM includes prescribed fire, mechanical, chemical, and biological treatments, and public 

outreach in order to reduce the spread of noxious, invasive weeds. The IPM is discussed in more detail in 

Section 4.4 (Biological Resources – Vegetation). 
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4.6.2.5 Special Status Plant Species and Disturbance by Livestock Grazing 

Livestock grazing has the potential to affect special status plant species in the 14 grazing allotments 

located at least partially within the CCMA. Inappropriate livestock management may result in 

overgrazing which may directly remove special status plant species and/or adversely impact special status 

plant species habitat (adverse). Livestock grazing, however, can also benefit special status plant species 

by reducing competing native and invasive plant species (beneficial).

4.6.2.6 Special Status Plant Species and Disturbance by Plant Community Restoration 

and Fire Management 

Vegetation restoration is an important tool for restoring or improving function of degraded ecosystems 

(beneficial). Restoration has many different levels based on the initial condition of the ecosystem and the 

desired final condition of the ecosystem. Restoration of drastically-disturbed lands, such as mines and 

serpentine barrens may include erosion control and/or revegetation with native plant species which 

typically requires intensive soil amendment. Restoration of lands invaded by noxious, invasive species 

typically includes eradication of the invasive species, followed by establishment of native vegetation. 

The IPM plan for some noxious, invasive species includes prescribed fire. Restoration of climax plant 

communities such as decadent chaparral also involves prescribed fire. Although initial short-term 

restoration impacts may be detrimental to the ecosystem, the overall long-term effects are beneficial. 

Plant community restoration and fire management impacts are discussed in more detail in Section 4.4 

(Biological Resources – Vegetation). 

4.6.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A 

4.6.3.1 Habitat Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative A, non-motorized recreation will continue both within and outside of the ACEC. 

Camping impacts will continue to be the greatest within the ACEC, as associated with OHV user 

camping. As a result, San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species 

serpentine riparian and upland habitat, which generally has sparse vegetative cover and is slow to recover 

from disturbance, will continue to be disturbed. Nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening 

primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat will also continue to be disturbed by nonmotorized recreation. 

4.6.3.2 Habitat Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative A, both highway-licensed and green sticker vehicle recreation and its impacts will 

continue to be concentrated within the ACEC. Impacts outside of the ACEC will continue to be minor as 

few designated open routes exist outside of the ACEC. As a result, San Benito evening primrose and 

other special status plant species serpentine riparian and upland habitat, which generally has sparse 

vegetative cover and is slow to recover from disturbance, will continue to be disturbed. Nonserpentine 

riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat will 

also continue to be disturbed by motorized recreation. Vehicle disturbance will continue to result in 

habitat disturbance and vegetation loss, resulting in accelerated erosion rates and sedimentation of local 

watersheds. 

Alternative A includes special status plant species monitoring in order to prevent sharp declines in plant 

numbers and adverse impacts to occupied and potential habitat. Sensitive habitat upland and riparian 

habitat is protected. 
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4.6.3.3 Habitat Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Under Alternative A, energy and mineral exploration will continue both within and outside of the ACEC. 

Serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species 

habitat as well as nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other 

special status plant species habitat will continue to be disturbed. 

Alternative A includes special status plant species monitoring in order to prevent sharp declines in plant 

numbers and adverse impacts to occupied and potential habitat. Sensitive habitat upland and riparian 

habitat is protected. 

4.6.3.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative A, there will continue to movement of weed seed on vehicles and livestock from 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other 

special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat within 

the ACEC. 

 

Alternative A does not implicitly specify management actions for controlling noxious weeds within San 

Benito evening primrose or other special status plant species habitat, however, rehabilitation of special 

status species potential habitat and performing habitat vegetation manipulations within that potential 

habitat would include the control of noxious weeds as a form of habitat rehabilitation and vegetation 

manipulation. The control of noxious weed species is typically employed at the plant community level 

and as such, is addressed by Alternative B in Section 4.4 (Biological Resources – Vegetation). 

4.6.3.5 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative A, livestock grazing will continue to be permitted within and outside of the ACEC, 

resulting in impacts to serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other 

special status plant species habitat, as well as nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening 

primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat. 

Alternative A includes special status plant species monitoring in order to prevent sharp declines in plant 

numbers and adverse impacts to occupied and potential habitat. 

4.6.3.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Under Alternative A, restoration of San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant 

species habitat will continue within and outside of the ACEC, resulting in impacts to serpentine riparian 

and upland and nonserpentine riparian and upland special status species habitat. Control burns will 

continue to be used for fuels reduction and habitat improvement. 

Alternative A includes restoration of special status plant species habitat and utilization of control burns, 

which would have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on CCMA resources. 

4.6.3.7 Mitigation 

Alternative A includes management actions and mitigation measures to prevent excessive vegetation loss 

including vegetation compliance monitoring. These mitigation measures would have moderate long-term 

beneficial impacts on these resources. 
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4.6.4 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative B 

4.6.4.1 Habitat Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative B, non-motorized recreation will continue both within and outside of the ACEC. 

Visitor use within the ACEC will be limited to ≤ 12 days. Camping impacts will continue to be the 

greatest within the ACEC, as associated with OHV user camping, but will be reduced relative to 

Alternative A due to visitor use limitations. As a result, there would be a minor decrease (beneficial) of 

non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat 

and other special status plant species habitat as compared to Alternative A. Non-motorized recreation 

location and intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged and therefore non-motorized recreation 

impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status 

plant species habitat would be unchanged compared to Alternative A 

Mitigation or relocation of proposed activities within 100 feet of riparian vegetation if the activities have 

the potential for negative impacts. 

4.6.4.2 Habitat Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative B, motorized recreation of each visitor within the ACEC would be limited to a certain 

number of days per year (based upon asbestos exposure limits) and vehicle use would be restricted to 

outside of the proposed Dry Season Use Restriction period of April 15th through December 1st (extended 

45 days compared to the current Dry Season Use Restriction period). As a result, motorized recreation 

impacts to serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status 

plant species habitat within the ACEC would be reduced compared to Alternative A. Motorized 

recreation location and intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged and therefore motorized 

recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other 

special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would be unchanged compared to Alternative A. 

4.6.4.3 Habitat Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.4.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative B, there would be reduced, but continued movement of weed seed on vehicles (as 

compared to Alternative A) from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito 

evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC into 

serpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status 

plant species habitat within the ACEC, coincident with greater restrictions in vehicle use. As a result, 

there would be less exotic species invasion into nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening 

primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat within the ACEC (beneficial). There would 

be continued movement of weed seed on livestock from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat outside 

of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, 

and other special status plant species habitat within the ACEC. 

4.6.4.5 Livestock Grazing 

Same as Alternative A. 
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4.6.4.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.4.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives A, B, C, and D, including the CABE Monitoring 

Plan outlined in Appendix IV. These mitigation measures and others incorporated into vegetation 

resource management actions would all have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on biological 

resources in CCMA. 

4.6.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative C 

4.6.5.1 Habitat Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation impacts for Alternative C would be similar to those for Alternative B with 

visitor use restrictions. As a result, non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland 

San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat and nonserpentine 

riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat 

would be unchanged as compared to Alternative B. 

4.6.5.2 Habitat Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Impacts for Alternative C would be similar to those for Alternative B. Motorized recreation would be 

subject to the same restrictions as Alternative B with the added restriction of only highway-licensed 

vehicles being permitted on county roads and the dry season route network and green-sticker motorcycle 

use being permitted only on single track trails. This is the same general use pattern for vehicles on routes 

(full-sized vehicles on roads; motorcycles on single-track trails) that currently exists, so the level of 

motorized recreation impact to serpentine riparian and upland plant San Benito evening primrose habitat 

and other special status plant species habitat would be expected to be about the same as Alternative B. 

Like Alternative B, motorized recreation location and intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged 

and therefore motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening 

primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would be unchanged. 

4.6.5.3 Habitat Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.5.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Same as Alternative B. 

4.6.5.5 Livestock Grazing 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.5.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 
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4.6.5.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives A, B, C, and D, including the CABE Monitoring 

Plan outlined in Appendix IV. These mitigation measures and others incorporated into vegetation 

resource management actions would all have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on biological 

resources in CCMA. 

4.6.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative D 

4.6.6.1 Habitat Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Alternative D represents a major shift in non-motorized recreation activities from inside to outside of the 

ACEC as new staging areas and campgrounds are established outside of the ACEC. With increased 

motorized recreation staging outside of the ACEC, there will be a major increase (adverse) in OHV users 

camping outside of the ACEC. Likewise, improved access to hunting areas and improved camping 

opportunities outside of the ACEC will likely encourage more hunters to camp in those areas outside of 

the ACEC as well. As a result, there would be an even greater reduction (beneficial) of the disturbance of 

serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species 

habitat within the ACEC as compared to Alternative C and a major increase (adverse) of the disturbance 

of nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant 

species habitat plant outside of the ACEC as compared to Alternative C. 

4.6.6.2 Habitat Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Alternative D represents a major shift in the location of motorized recreation from inside to outside of the 

ACEC. Under Alternative D, motorized recreation within the ACEC would be restricted to only 

highway-licensed vehicles on county roads and the dry season route network. All green sticker vehicle 

recreation would be relocated to outside of the ACEC. New staging areas and routes would be 

constructed through nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, 

and San Benito River Zones. A new route would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead 

on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The route would be open to full-sized vehicles and 

ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for both motorized and non-motorized recreation. The result would 

be an even greater reduction (beneficial) of motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and 

upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and special status plant species habitat within the ACEC as 

compared to Alternative C, and a major increase (adverse) of motorized recreation impacts to 

nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant 

species habitat outside of the ACEC as compared to Alternative C. 

4.6.6.3 Habitat Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.6.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative D, there would be a further reduced (beneficial), but continued movement of weed seed 

on vehicles (relative to Alternatives B and C) from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, 

San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status plant species habitat into serpentine riparian and 

upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status plant species habitat, 

coincident with even greater vehicle use restrictions within the ACEC. As a result, there would be even 

less exotic species invasion into serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and 
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other special status plant species habitat within the ACEC (beneficial). There would likely be greatly 

increased (adverse) movement of weed seed on vehicles used within nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat 

outside of the ACEC, coincident with greater anticipated vehicle use in those areas. Under Alternative D, 

there would be continued movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) and livestock from 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other 

special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status species habitat within the ACEC. 

4.6.6.5 Livestock Grazing 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.6.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.6.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives A, B, C, and D, including the CABE Monitoring 

Plan outlined in Appendix IV. These mitigation measures and others incorporated into vegetation 

resource management actions would all have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on biological 

resources in CCMA. 

 

4.6.7 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative E 

4.6.7.1 Habitat Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation under Alternative E would be further reduced as visitor use continued to be 

limited within the ACEC and less new routes are constructed outside of the ACEC as compared to 

Alternative D. Camping impacts would be reduced as compared to Alternative D as it is expected that 

there would be fewer OHV users and hunters. Under Alternative E, non-motorized recreation impacts to 

serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species 

habitat within the ACEC would be similar to Alternative D. Non-motorized recreation impacts to 

nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and special status plant species 

habitat outside of the ACEC would be slightly greater (adverse) than Alternative A and much less than 

Alternative D. 

4.6.7.2 Habitat Disturbance by Vehicle Use 

Under Alternative E, motorized recreation within the ACEC would be similar to Alternative D with 

highway-licensed vehicles restricted to a scenic route network composed of T153 and R11 south of its 

intersection with T153. T153 and R11 south of its intersection with T153 primarily follow hill slopes 

some distance from streams (except for at upper Sawmill Creek). Motorized recreation outside of the 

ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) as compared to Alternative A due to the construction of a 

limited number of access routes (much less than Alternative D) through nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River Zones. A new route would be 

constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. 

The new route would be open to full-sized vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for nonmotorized recreation only. Due to the closure of R1, R11 north of the intersection with T153, and R15, 

which parallel and impact perennial streams within the ACEC, motorized recreation impacts to serpentine 
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riparian San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat within the 

ACEC would be reduced (beneficial) as compared to Alternative D and reduced even more than impacts 

to serpentine upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat. 

Since vegetation impacts from the construction of the new routes outside of the ACEC are expected to be 

short term, and vegetation impacts from their use as access routes are expected to be minimal, overall 

motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat 

and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would be slightly greater (adverse) than 

Alternative A and much less than Alternative D. 

 

4.6.7.3 Habitat Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Under Alternative E, energy and mineral exploration would only be permitted outside of the ACEC. As a 

result, impacts to serpentine upland and riparian San Benito evening primrose and other special status 

plant species habitat within the ACEC from energy and mineral exploration would cease (beneficial). 

Energy and mineral exploration impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening 

primrose and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would continue. 

4.6.7.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative E, movement of weed seed on vehicles from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat outside 

of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, 

and other special status plant species habitat within the ACEC would be similar to Alternative D. 

Movement of weed seed on vehicles within nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San 

Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would 

be limited. Under Alternative E, there would be continued movement of weed seed on humans (foot 

traffic) and livestock from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening 

primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC into serpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status plant 

species habitat within the ACEC. 

4.6.7.5 Livestock Grazing 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.7.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.7.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures included with management actions under the range of alternatives in Chapter 2 and 

BMPs outlined in Appendix V would have major long-term benefits for soils and vegetation resources in 

CCMA because of major reductions in surface disturbing activities and increased emphasis on resources 

protection and restoration. 

4.6.8 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative F 

4.6.8.1 Habitat Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation under Alternative F would be similar to Alternative E for use both within and 

outside of the ACEC. As such, non-motorized recreation disturbance of serpentine riparian and upland 
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plant communities within the ACEC and nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of 

the ACEC would be similar to Alternative E. 

Management Actions 

Same as Alternative B. 

4.6.8.2 Habitat Disturbance by Vehicle Use 

Under Alternative F, vehicle use within the ACEC would not be permitted. Clear Creek Road (R1) would 

be decommissioned. As a result, there would be a major reduction (beneficial) of motorized recreation 

impacts to serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status 

plant species habitat within the ACEC as compared to Alternative A. Decommissioning Clear Creek 

Road will restore serpentine terrace potential habitat currently occupied by the road bed, back to San 

Benito evening primrose and other special status plant species that typically occupy the serpentine 

terraces. The proposal to decommission Clear Creek Road is in accordance with the 2005 BO for the 

CCMA RMP and final EIS (1-8-05-F-20). Motorized recreation outside of the ACEC would be slightly 

increased (adverse) compared to Alternative A due to the construction of a limited number of access 

routes (much less than Alternative D) through nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities in the 

Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River zones. A new route would be constructed from the 

existing Condon Peak trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The new route would 

be open to full-sized vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for non-motorized recreation only. 

Since vegetation impacts from the construction of the new routes outside of the ACEC are expected to be 

short term, and vegetation impacts from their use as access routes are expected to be minimal, overall 

motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat 

and special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would be slightly greater (adverse) than 

Alternative A and much less than Alternative D. 

 

4.6.8.3 Habitat Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative E. 

4.6.8.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative F, the movement of weed seed on vehicles from nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat 

outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose 

habitat, and special status plant species habitat within the ACEC would cease, due to vehicle use not 

being permitted within the ACEC. As a result noxious weed invasion into serpentine riparian and upland 

San Benito evening primrose habitat and special status plant species habitat within the ACEC would be 

drastically reduced (beneficial). Movement of weed seed on vehicles within nonserpentine riparian and 

upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status special habitat outside 

of the ACEC would be limited. Under Alternative F, there would be continued movement of weed seed 

on humans (foot traffic) from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening 

primrose habitat, and special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and 

upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status plant species habitat 

within the ACEC. With livestock grazing only being permitted outside of the ACEC under Alternative F, 

movement of weed seed on livestock would only occur within nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status plant species habitat outside of the 

ACEC. 
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4.6.8.5 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative F, livestock grazing would only be permitted outside of the ACEC. As a result, 

impacts to serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status 

plant species habitat within the ACEC from grazing would cease. Grazing impacts to nonserpentine 

riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose and special status plant species habitat outside of the 

ACEC would continue. 

4.6.8.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.6.9 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative G 

4.6.9.1 Habitat Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative G, non-motorized recreation within the ACEC would not be permitted. As a result, 

non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat 

and other special status plant species habitat within the ACEC would cease. Similar to Alternative F, 

non-motorized recreation outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) compared to 

Alternative A due to the construction of a limited number of access routes through nonserpentine riparian 

and upland plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River zones. As such, 

non-motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose 

habitat and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would be similar to Alternative 

F. 

4.6.9.2 Habitat Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative G, motorized recreation within the ACEC would not be permitted. Clear Creek Road 

(R1) would not be decommissioned. As a result, motorized recreation impacts to serpentine riparian and 

upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and special status plant species habitat within the ACEC 

would be reduced slightly less so than Alternative F due to the fact that Clear Creek Road would not be 

decommissioned. Additionally, not decommissioning Clear Creek Road would prevent serpentine terrace 

potential habitat currently occupied by the road bed from being restored back to San Benito evening 

primrose and other special status plant species that typically occupy the serpentine terraces. Vehicle use 

outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) compared to Alternative A due to the 

construction of a limited number of access routes (much less than Alternative D) through nonserpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River zones. A 

new route would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up 

to Condon Peak. The new route would be open to full-sized vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon 

Peak for non-motorized recreation only. Since impacts to vegetation from the construction of these few 

new routes are expected to be short term, and impacts to vegetation from their use as access routes are 

expected to be minimal, overall motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San 

Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would 

be similar to Alternatives E and F. 

4.6.9.3 Vegetation Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative E. 
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4.6.9.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under Alternative G, the movement of weed seed on vehicles from nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status species habitat outside of the 

ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and 

special status plant species habitat within the ACEC would cease (beneficial), due to vehicle use not 

being permitted within the ACEC, similar to Alternative F. Movement of weed seed on vehicles within 

nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special 

status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would be limited. Under Alternative G, there would be 

continued movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) within nonserpentine riparian and upland 

plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat 

outside of the ACEC. No livestock grazing would be permitted within the CCMA, therefore, weed seed 

movement by livestock within the CCMA would cease. 

 

4.6.9.5 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative G, livestock grazing would not be permitted within the CCMA. As a result, impacts to 

serpentine and nonserpentine riparian and upland vegetation would cease. Excessive mulch buildup may 

occur in nonserpentine grasslands. As a result, special status plant species that occur within the 

grasslands, such as stinkbells, may be adversely impacted through greater competition from invasive 

species and greater risk of catastrophic fire, due to increased fuel loads (adverse). 

 

4.6.9.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative E. 

4.6.10 Impacts to Special Status Plant Species for the Proposed Action 

4.6.10.1 Habitat Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Under the Proposed Action, non-motorized recreation would continue both within and outside of the 

ACEC; however within the ACEC these recreation activities would be limited as visitor use is reduced. 

Camping impacts would be essentially eliminated within the ACEC. There would be a substantial 

reduction (beneficial) of the disturbance of serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose 

habitat and other special status plant species habitat within the ACEC as compared to the No Action 

Alternative. The Proposed Action represents a moderate shift in non-motorized recreation activities from 

inside to outside of the ACEC as new recreation areas and campgrounds are established outside of the 

ACEC. Likewise, improved access to hunting areas and improved camping opportunities outside of the 

ACEC will likely encourage more hunters and recreation users to camp in those areas outside of the 

ACEC as well. As a result, there would likely be a minor increase (adverse) of the disturbance of 

nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant 

species habitat plant outside of the ACEC. 

4.6.10.2 Habitat Disturbance by Vehicle Use 

Under the Proposed Action, vehicle use within the ACEC would be restricted to a Scenic Touring Route

for highway-licensed vehicles only. Vehicle use outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased 

(adverse) as compared to the No Action Alternative due to the construction of a limited number of access 

routes through nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and 

San Benito River Zones. A new route would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on 

Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The new route would be open to full-sized vehicles and 

ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for non-motorized recreation only. This represents a moderate shift in 
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the location of motorized recreation from inside to outside of the ACEC, and a resulting increase 

(adverse) of motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening 

primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC. 

Since vegetation impacts from the construction of the new routes outside of the ACEC are expected to be 

short term, and vegetation impacts from their use as access routes are expected to be minimal, overall 

motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine riparian, upland San Benito evening primrose habitat, and 

other special status plant species habitat outside of the ACEC would be slightly greater (adverse) than the 

No Action Alternative.

4.6.10.3 Habitat Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Under the Proposed Action, energy and mineral exploration would only be permitted outside of the 

ACEC. As a result, impacts to serpentine upland and riparian San Benito evening primrose and other 

special status plant species habitat within the ACEC from energy and mineral exploration would cease 

and provide long term moderate beneficial impacts. There is a potential for energy and mineral 

exploration impacts to nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities outside of the ACEC, 

however as the potential for such development is low, it is unlikely. Energy and mineral exploration and 

development would proceed on a case-by-case basis. Energy and mineral development can result in loss 

of vegetation, special status species habitat, and adverse impacts on local water quality. Development 

would require certain mitigation measures, and the overall strategy for minerals development is to 

proceed under principles of balanced multiple-use management, which would minimize impacts to special 

status species habitat. 

4.6.10.4 Noxious Weed Invasion 

Under the Proposed Action, there would be a reduced (beneficial), but continued movement of weed seed 

on vehicles from nonserpentine riparian and upland plant communities, into serpentine riparian and 

upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status plant species habitat, 

coincident with even greater vehicle use restrictions within the ACEC. As a result, there would be even 

less exotic species invasion into serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and 

other special status plant species habitat within the ACEC (beneficial). There would likely be increased 

(adverse) movement of weed seed on vehicles used within nonserpentine riparian and upland plant 

communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status plant species habitat outside 

of the ACEC, coincident with moderate increase in anticipated vehicle use in those areas. There would be 

limited continued movement of weed seed on humans (foot traffic) and livestock from nonserpentine 

riparian and upland plant communities, San Benito evening primrose habitat, and other special status 

plant species habitat outside of the ACEC into serpentine riparian and upland plant communities, San 

Benito evening primrose habitat, and special status species habitat within the ACEC. Management 

actions for controlling noxious weeds within San Benito evening primrose or other special status plant 

species habitat, would include the control of noxious weeds as a form of habitat rehabilitation and 

vegetation manipulation. 

4.6.10.5 Livestock Grazing 

Livestock grazing would continue to be permitted within and outside of the ACEC, resulting in minor 

long-term negative impacts to serpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening primrose habitat and 

other special status plant species habitat, as well as nonserpentine riparian and upland San Benito evening 

primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat. Special status plant species monitoring 

would be conducted in order to prevent sharp declines in plant numbers and adverse impacts to occupied 

and potential habitat. 
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4.6.10.6 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Restoration of San Benito evening primrose habitat and other special status plant species habitat would 

continue within and outside of the ACEC, including utilization of control burns for fuels reduction and 

habitat improvement, which would have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on CCMA resources. 

4.6.10.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures included with management actions in Chapter 2 and BMPs outlined in Appendix V 

would have major long-term benefits for soils and vegetation resources in CCMA because of major 

reductions in surface disturbing activities and increased emphasis on resources protection and restoration. 

Mitigation measures, including the CABE Monitoring Plan outlined in Appendix IV, measures to prevent 

excessive vegetation loss including vegetation compliance monitoring, and measures incorporated into 

vegetation resource management actions would all have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on 

biological resources in CCMA. 

4.6.11 Overview of Impacts to Special Status Animal Species 

As with plants, impacts to special status animal species are strongly associated with impacts to soils 

(Chapter 4.8; Soil Resources; Tables 4.8-1 through 4.8-10) and vegetation (Chapter 4.4; Biological 

Resources – Vegetation; Tables 4.4-1 through 4.4-12). Specifically, erosion and sediment entry into 

creeks has the potential to directly degrade habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs, southwestern pond 

turtles, and Monterey roach, and to indirectly impact two-striped garter snakes by reducing populations of 

native fish and amphibians. Woodcutting can directly affect habitat for birds, bats, and other mammal 

species. Other impacts are unique to animal species: noise and light pollution; vehicle strikes; harassment 

of adults and young; litter; and release of nonnative competitors and predators. 

Table 4.6-25 summarizes the management actions that would affect special status animal species. 
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Table 4.6-25 Summary of Special Status Species Management Actions 

4.6.11.1 Special Status Animal Species Disturbance by Vehicle Use 

Vehicle use, especially off-road, is known to disturb soils and cause shifts in seral state in vegetation. 

Therefore a multitude of impacts to many of CCMA’s special status species can be predicted. Direct 

impacts to special status animal species include vehicle strikes and destruction of habitat. 

Vehicles strikes cause direct mortality of wildlife, including special status species. Off-road vehicle use 

can lead to direct mortality of both terrestrial and aquatic species. Coast horned lizards are extremely 

cryptic and can be killed by vehicle use in barrens. Sandy soil habitats occupied by California legless 

lizards near riparian areas are prone to vehicle disturbance and, when disturbed, can rapidly dry out, 

causing legless lizards to die or abandon habitat. Southwestern pond turtles lay their eggs in sandy soils, 
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and these too can be directly destroyed or can become unviable due to drying. Confining vehicle use to 

roads reduces the chances of direct mortality but significant mortality can still occur. Coast horned 

lizards, two-striped garter snakes, and southwestern pond turtles are particularly at risk because they tend 

to bask on roads during daylight hours when use is highest; they are also relatively slow-moving and 

difficult to see and avoid. Even aquatic species such as foothill yellow-legged frogs frequently are found 

crossing roads. California legless lizards are at lower risk due to their tendency to remain underground. 

All of the special status mammal species are nocturnal, and face a somewhat lower risk due to lower 

vehicle use, but are still subject to mortality from vehicles operated at night. 

Habitat destruction results primarily from off-road vehicle use and can cause significant, long term 

reduction in available habitat, especially for terrestrial mammals and reptiles, but also for riparian species 

through loss of riparian vegetation, alteration of stream banks, and sedimentation. 

4.6.11.2 Special Status Animal Species Disturbance by Energy and Mineral 

Exploration 

Special status bats can be affected by any use of existing mine shafts for further mining purposes. New 

exploratory or extractive earth disturbance can destroy animal habitat on the surface and can lead to 

sediment deposition in creeks, altering habitat for aquatic species such as Monterey roach and foothill 

yellow legged frogs. 

4.6.11.3 Special Status Animal Species Disturbance by Noxious Weed Invasion 

Coast horned lizards, California legless lizards and all three species of kangaroo rats all prefer open 

understory habitats and therefore can be negatively affected by nonnative vegetation such as yellow star 

thistle if the vegetation becomes dense enough. Nonnative riparian vegetation such as Arundo can 

degrade riparian habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs, southwestern pond turtles, two-striped garter 

snakes, and Monterey roach. 

4.6.11.4 Special Status Animal Species Disturbance by Livestock Grazing 

Overgrazing in riparian habitats can degrade habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs, two-striped garter 

snakes, southwestern pond turtles and Monterey roach. Overgrazing in dry habitats can reduce Atriplex

stands and other shrub habitats preferred by the three special status kangaroo rats. In oak woodlands, 

grazing can prevent new tree seedlings and therefore retard the replacement of mature oaks that provide 

nesting and roosting habitat for special status birds and bats. 

4.6.11.5 Special Status Animal Species Disturbance by Commercial Woodcutting 

Commercial woodcutting has the potential to destroy or disturb nesting and roosting sites for special 

status birds and bats. 

4.6.11.6 Special Status Animal Species Disturbance by Plant Community Restoration 

and Fire Management 

Plant restoration projects can have short term displacement and disturbance effects on special status 

animal species, but would tend to benefit native animals in the long term due to the return of native 

habitats. Fire management can also cause limited mortality and displacement of special status species, 

but can also increase habitat for particular species such as coast horned lizard and kangaroo rats which 

require open understory and bare ground habitats. 
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4.6.11.7 Special Status Animal Species Disturbance by Water Resources 

Management 

Any actions that affect water availability will likely impact special status species that occupy aquatic 

habitats such as the Monterey roach, foothill yellow-legged frog, southwestern pond turtle, and twostriped garter snake as well as the two special status invertebrates that may be present in CCMA. 

Significant effects can result from alterations in flow regime. For example, pulsed releases from 

impoundments are known to negatively affect breeding foothill yellow-legged frogs. 

4.6.11.8 Special Status Animal Species Disturbance by Recreation 

The discharge of firearms for hunting and target shooting purposes, and the presence of hunters in 

wildlife habitat, can temporarily disturb or displace sensitive species. These activities can also can have 

major indirect negative impacts on raptors, including California condors, due to ingestion of lead 

ammunition from carcasses and gut piles. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has placed 

a ban on lead ammunition that applies to most hunting activities in the CCMA. The restrictions on lead 

ammunition do not apply to target shooting. Therefore, the proposed action for recreation resources is not 

likely to adversel;y affect special species animal species in the CCMA. 

4.6.12 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative A 

Under Alternative A, both highway-licensed and green sticker vehicle recreation and its impacts will 

continue to be concentrated within the ACEC. Impacts outside of the ACEC will continue to be minor as 

few designated open routes exist outside of the ACEC. As a result, special status species will still be 

subject to direct mortality both on and off roads. Vehicle disturbance will continue to result in habitat 

disturbance and vegetation loss, resulting in accelerated erosion rates and sedimentation of local 

watersheds. 

Management actions 

Twenty-one management actions specific to special status species are common to all alternatives, 

including A. Six actions are specific to CABE and are addressed under the Special Status Plants section 

of this chapter. The remaining actions are tailored to reduce or mitigate the effects of vehicle use on 

habitat, and include avoidance of habitat through signings and fencing (including buffers); monitoring the 

effects of management actions on special status species; managing special status species through the 

interagency consultation process; and on- and off-site compensation. The combined effect of management 

actions will be to offset impacts to special status species such that catastrophic declines do not occur and 

all species continue to exist at CCMA. 

4.6.13 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternatives B and C 

Special Animal Species and Disturbance by Vehicle Use 

Alternatives B and C would impose temporal restrictions on vehicle use within the Serpentine ACEC as 

described under section 4.6.4.1 above. The accompanying reduction in vehicle strikes and habitat 

destruction would be quantitative, rather than qualitative, because the geographic distribution of effects 

(e.g. both off- and on-road travel) would remain the same as under Alternative A. Effects outside the 

Serpentine ACEC would be unchanged relative to alternative A. 

The one management action specific to alternatives B and C is to prohibit collecting special status animals 

in CCMA without permission from BLM. Because all of the species named above are off-limits to 

collecting without special collecting permits from either CDFG or USFWS, the restriction would 
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essentially provide BLM a role in decision making regarding take of special status species from CCMA 

and would likely lead to better information sharing, better management planning, and ultimately, 

enhanced conservation of special status species at CCMA. 

One management action, SSS-BG1, provides for monitoring of all special status species at CCMA and is 

common to all alternatives except alternative A. Due to the demonstrable beneficial interaction between 

monitoring and management, this provision would likely have a large and positive effect on special status 

species conservation at CCMA. 

4.6.14 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternatives E-F 

Special Animal Species and Disturbance by Vehicle Use 

Alternatives E-G represent incremental temporal and geographic restrictions in on- and off-road vehicle 

use as described under sections 4.6.7 and 4.6.8 above. The net effect of such restrictions are to greatly 

reduce the impacts to special status species from vehicular disturbance and impacts relative to alternatives 

A-C, and respect a significant state shift away from those alternatives. Under E-F, habitat preservation 

becomes a priority activity at CCMA, with major long-term beneficial impacts on special status species. 

4.6.15 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternatives G 

Special Animal Species and Disturbance by Vehicle Travel 

Under alternative G, vehicle use in the Serpentine ACEC would be prohibited as described in section 

4.6.9 above. The response of special species populations and habitat are not wholly predictable, but it is 

expected that a more “natural” regime would eventually reassert itself at CCMA. Because management 

actions under alternative A were mostly designed to mitigate vehicle disturbance, they would not be 

implemented or would be implemented at a lower level. If such actions had beneficial effects above and 

beyond the simple mitigation of disturbance, a reduction in these collateral beneficial effects would be 

expected. In particular, ongoing restoration efforts might be reduced or halted, leaving habitats to 

essentially self-restore at a natural rate. Overall, a major beneficial effect on all special status species is 

predicted to occur under alternative G. SSS-G1 would further limit surface activities in the Serpentine 

ACEC, which would have long-term beneficial impacts on special status animal species. 

4.6.16 Impacts to Special Status Animal Species for the Proposed Action 

As with plants, impacts to special status animal species are strongly associated with impacts to soils 

(Chapter 4.8; Soil Resources; Tables 4.8-1 through 4.8-10) and vegetation (Chapter 4.4; Biological 

Resources – Vegetation; Tables 4.4-1 through 4.4-12). Specifically, erosion and sediment entry into 

creeks has the potential to directly degrade habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs, southwestern pond 

turtles, and Monterey roach, and to indirectly impact two-striped garter snakes by reducing populations of 

native fish and amphibians. Woodcutting can directly affect habitat for birds, bats, and other mammal 

species. Other impacts are unique to animal species: noise and light pollution; vehicle strikes; harassment 

of adults and young; litter; and release of nonnative competitors and predators. 

4.6.16.1 Habitat Disturbance by Vehicle Use 

Vehicle use, especially off-road, is known to disturb soils and cause shifts in seral state in vegetation. 

Therefore a multitude of impacts to many of CCMA’s special status species can be predicted. Direct 

impacts to special status animal species include vehicle strikes and destruction of habitat. 
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Vehicles strikes cause direct mortality of wildlife, including special status species. Off-road vehicle use 

can lead to direct mortality of both terrestrial and aquatic species. Coast horned lizards are extremely 

cryptic and can be killed by vehicle use in barrens. Sandy soil habitats occupied by California legless 

lizards near riparian areas are prone to vehicle disturbance and, when disturbed, can rapidly dry out, 

causing legless lizards to die or abandon habitat. Southwestern pond turtles lay their eggs in sandy soils, 

and these too can be directly destroyed or can become unviable due to drying. Confining vehicle use to 

roads reduces the chances of direct mortality but significant mortality can still occur. Coast horned 

lizards, two-striped garter snakes, and southwestern pond turtles are particularly at risk because they tend 

to bask on roads during daylight hours when use is highest; they are also relatively slow-moving and 

difficult to see and avoid. Even aquatic species such as foothill yellow-legged frogs frequently are found 

crossing roads. California legless lizards are at lower risk due to their tendency to remain underground. 

All of the special status mammal species are nocturnal, and face a somewhat lower risk due to lower 

vehicle use, but are still subject to mortality from vehicles operated at night. 

Habitat destruction results primarily from off-road vehicle use and can cause significant, long term 

reduction in available habitat, especially for terrestrial mammals and reptiles, but also for riparian species 

through loss of riparian vegetation, alteration of stream banks, and sedimentation. 

Management actions are tailored to reduce or mitigate the effects of vehicle use on habitat, and include 

avoidance of habitat through signings and fencing (including buffers); monitoring the effects of 

management actions on special status species; managing special status species through the interagency 

consultation process; and on- and off-site compensation. The combined effect of management actions will 

be to offset impacts to special status species such that catastrophic declines do not occur and all species 

continue to exist at CCMA. 

The Proposed Action represents incremental temporal and geographic restrictions in on- and off-road 

vehicle use, and the net effect of such restrictions are to greatly reduce the impacts to special status 

species from vehicular disturbance and impacts relative to the No Action Alternative. Under the Proposed 

Action, habitat preservation becomes a priority activity at CCMA, with major long-term beneficial 

impacts on special status species. Restrictions on vehicle use within the Serpentine ACEC and the 

accompanying reduction in vehicle strikes and habitat destruction would provide moderate long term 

beneficial effects. Effects outside the Serpentine ACEC, due to some expected increase in vehicle use, 

would result in minor long term adverse effects. Monitoring of all special status species in the CCMA 

would be a demonstrable beneficial interaction between monitoring and management, and this provision 

would likely have a large and positive effect on special status species conservation at CCMA. 

4.6.16.2 Habitat Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Special status bats can be affected by any use of existing mine shafts for further mining purposes. New 

exploratory or extractive earth disturbance can destroy animal habitat on the surface and can lead to 

sediment deposition in creeks, altering habitat for aquatic species such as Monterey roach and foothill 

yellow legged frogs. 

Under the Proposed Action, energy and mineral exploration would only be permitted outside of the 

ACEC. As a result, impacts to special status animal species within the ACEC from energy and mineral 

exploration would cease and provide long term moderate beneficial impacts. There is a potential for 

energy and mineral exploration impacts to nonserpentine special status animal species habitat outside of 

the ACEC, however as the potential for such development is low, it is unlikely. Energy and mineral 

exploration and development would proceed on a case-by-case basis. Energy and mineral development 

can result in loss of special status animal species habitat. Development would require certain mitigation 

measures, and the overall strategy for minerals development is to proceed under principles of balanced 

multiple-use management, which would minimize impacts to special status animal species habitat. 
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4.6.16.3 Habitat Disturbance by Noxious Weed Invasion 

Coast horned lizards, California legless lizards and all three species of kangaroo rats all prefer open 

understory habitats and therefore can be negatively affected by nonnative vegetation such as yellow star 

thistle if the vegetation becomes dense enough. Nonnative riparian vegetation such as Arundo can 

degrade riparian habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs, southwestern pond turtles, two-striped garter 

snakes, and Monterey roach. 

An integrated pest management (IPM) approach including prescribed fire, mechanical, chemical, and 

biological treatments, and public outreach are beneficial to reducing the spread of noxious, invasive 

weeds. An IPM for noxious weed abatement would be beneficial to improving special status animal 

species habitat community structure and function. A weed IPM is a systematic approach that integrates all 

information and management tactics to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of noxious 

weeds. An effective IPM noxious weed program includes best management practices for weed 

abatement, including removal, adaptive management, post-treatment rehabilitation, and public outreach. 

4.6.16.4 Habitat Disturbance by Livestock Grazing 

Livestock grazing would continue to be permitted within and outside of the ACEC, resulting in minor 

long term impacts to special status animal species habitat. Overgrazing in riparian habitats can degrade 

habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs, two-striped garter snakes, southwestern pond turtles and 

Monterey roach. Overgrazing in dry habitats can reduce Atriplex stands and other shrub habitats 

preferred by the three special status kangaroo rats. In oak woodlands, grazing can prevent new tree 

seedlings and therefore retard the replacement of mature oaks that provide nesting and roosting habitat for 

special status birds and bats. 

4.6.16.5 Habitat Disturbance by Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Plant restoration projects can have short term displacement and disturbance effects on special status 

animal species, but would tend to benefit native animals in the long term due to the return of native 

habitats. Fire management can also cause limited mortality and displacement of special status species, 

but can also increase habitat for particular species such as coast horned lizard and kangaroo rats which 

require open understory and bare ground habitats. Restoration and habitat improvement, including 

utilization of control burns for fuels reduction, would have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on 

CCMA resources. 

4.6.16.6 Habitat Disturbance by Water Resources Management 

Any actions that affect water availability will likely impact special status species that occupy aquatic 

habitats such as the Monterey roach, foothill yellow-legged frog, southwestern pond turtle, and twostriped garter snake as well as the two special status invertebrates that may be present in CCMA. 

Significant effects can result from alterations in flow regime. For example, pulsed releases from 

impoundments are known to negatively affect breeding foothill yellow-legged frogs. A reduction of miles 

of routes in riparian areas, and implementation of BMPs (see Appendix V) related to watershed 

improvement and road maintenance to reduce erosion and off-site sedimentation transport, and to reduce 

impacts to watershed resources would have long term major beneficial impacts. 
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4.6.16.7 Habitat Disturbance by Recreation Activities 

of firearms for hunting and target shooting purposes, and the presence of hunters in wildlife habitat, can 

temporarily disturb or displace sensitive species. These activities can also can have major indirect 

negative impacts on raptors, including California condors, due to ingestion of lead ammunition from 

carcasses and gut piles. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has placed a ban on lead 

ammunition that applies to most hunting activities in the CCMA. The restrictions on lead ammunition do 

not apply to target shooting. Therefore, the proposed action for recreation resources is not likely to 

adversel;y affect special species animal species in the CCMA. 

4.6.17 Cumulative Effects 

None of the special status animal species are confined to CCMA, and therefore effects on them at CCMA 

must be viewed in the larger scale of impacts to these species across their range. Coast horned lizards, 

California legless lizards, and two-striped garter snakes are all under threat from coastal development in 

historic habitats; therefore negative impacts at CCMA may have a disproportionate effect on the status of 

any of those species. Foothill yellow-legged frogs are at risk rangewide from large-scale conversion of 

cobble-bottomed riverine systems downstream from dams and impoundments and are especially 

vulnerable in the southern end of the range, which includes CCMA. If foothill yellow-legged frogs 

continue to decline, CCMA could play a crucial role as a refuge for this amphibian species. Southwestern 

pond turtles are also at risk due to residential development rangewide and undeveloped areas such as 

CCMA may be critical for the species’ perseverance. California condors are slowly increasing in numbers 

but continue to suffer from ongoing contacts with humans and human artifacts such as power lines, which 

elevates the significance of relatively unoccupied regions such as CCMA to the species. 

One important adverse cumulative impact of restricting off-road vehicle use at CCMA is the predictable 

uptick in unauthorized off-road vehicle operation and accompanying negative impacts in other areas, such 

as the Tumey and Panoche Hills, which are also known to provide valuable habitat for other special status 

species not found in CCMA, such as the San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, and blunt-nosed leopard 

lizard. 
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4.7 Air Quality 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goal for air quality management is to ensure that BLM authorizations and management 

activities comply with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and local, State, 

and Federal air quality regulations, requirements, State Implementation Plans, and Regional Air 

Board standards and goals. 

4.7.1 Introduction 

This section addresses impacts to air quality from activities allowed under other resource programs. The 

primary air quality impacts that can be reasonably expected to occur are vehicle and dust emissions 

associated with off-highway vehicle recreation and motorized access on BLM lands. As described under 

the purpose and need in Chapter 1, this RMP/EIS also incorporates new information about CCMA visitor 

health risk from the Environmental Protection Agency’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health 

Risk Assessment to address public health and safety and resources protection issues in CCMA. The 

analysis of management alternatives, including the Proposed Action, and their associated human health 

risk from exposure to airborne asbestos emissions is addressed under “Hazardous Materials and Public 

Health and Safety” in Sections 4.2.

Other air quality impacts evaluated in this PRMP/FEIS include hazardous air pollutant (HAP) and 

particulate matter emissions from fire management activities, energy and minerals development, route 

maintenance, and other BLM management activities and land use authorizations. 

4.7.1.2 Assumptions and Incomplete or Unavailable Information 

4.7.1.2.1 Air Conformity Analysis 

In lieu of preparing another air conformity analysis for the Proposed CCMA RMP and Final EIS, the 

Hollister Field Office considers the 2005 analysis to be adequate to determine conformity because all the 

management alternatives and the Proposed Action would substantially reduce emissions associated with 

BLM’s land use decisions and public vehicle use in the CCMA from the current management (No Action 

Alternative). Based on this assumption, Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, G, and the Proposed Action each 

conform with all applicable local, state, and federal air quality laws, regulations, and statutes, as defined 

in the San Joaquin Valley, CA (Fresno County) Planning Area State Implementation Plan (SIP) because 

the potential total emissions are well below de minimis levels: 

Per 40 CFR 93.153(b)(1) 

<50 T/Y NOx ; 

<50 T/Y VOC (Serious Ozone NAA); 

<70 T/Y PM-10 (Serious PM-10 NAA); and 

<70 T/Y PM-2.5 (PM-2.5 NAA) 

4.7.1.2.2 Climate Change 

Secretarial Order No. 3289, Amendment No. 1, dated February 22, 2010, reinstated the provisions of 

Secretarial Order No. 3226, signed on January 19, 2001, requiring all Department of the Interior agencies 

to evaluate climate change impacts in management planning. The most recent order states: “Each bureau 

and office of the Department must consider and analyze potential climate change impacts when 

undertaking long-range planning exercises, setting priorities for scientific research and investigations, 
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developing multi-year management plans, and making major decisions regarding potential use of 

resources under the Department’s purview.” 

This analysis assumes that global climate change will make the planning area warmer and drier by the end 

of the 21st century. However, the body of information and predictive models for climate change is in its 

infancy regarding prediction of site specific impacts to areas such as the CCMA, and the plan assumes 

that knowledge will advance quickly with the current emphasis on climate research and model 

development. As the RMP is implemented, BLM managers would place a continued emphasis on 

research, and studies may include components to assess the impacts of changing climate. In the event that 

climate change made achievement of RMP objectives themselves infeasible, the plan would need to be 

amended accordingly. Overall, BLM’s air quality management efforts under the range of alternatives and 

the Proposed Action considered in this PRMP/FEIS would have negligible impacts on global climate 

change because greenhouse gas emissions would be lower than the current conditions. 

4.7.2 Overview of Impacts 

4.7.2.1 Air Quality Management Actions 

Management strategies for air quality center on compliance with State and Federal regulations for 

hazardous air pollutants. Generally, the impacts from these management actions would be beneficial for 

air quality and public health and safety. 

In particular, using the best management practices (BMPs) identified in Appendix V for dust abatement 

on roads and during project implementation that include, but are not limited to, paving, base rock, chip 

seal, or applications of liquid based copolymers to stabilize and solidify soils or aggregates and control 

erosion would have major long-term beneficial impacts for air quality and public health and safety by 

reducing airborne asbestos emissions. 

The following resources/programs will have no or negligible impacts to air quality and will not be further 

addressed in this section: wildlife (effects of various habitat management tools will be covered in the fire 

and grazing sections), vegetation, soils, water resources, geology and paleontology, cultural resources, 

and visual resources management. 

4.7.2.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation and Transportation & Access 

Motorized vehicle travel produces air pollution from engine exhaust and fugitive dust from travel on 

unpaved roads. Fugitive dust may also be produced to a much lesser extent from travel on paved roads 

where soil has been tracked onto the paved road. 

Vehicles sold and operated in California are equipped with engines that are designed to meet strict 

mobile-source air pollution regulations; vehicles maintained in compliance with these rules will minimize 

air pollution emissions. In addition, fuel sold in California must meet specifications that are designed to 

minimize air pollution. 

Other recreational uses such as hiking, rockhounding, and vehicle touring also generate emissions of 

hazardous air pollutants. Human health risks associated with recreational use are addressed under 

Hazardous Materials and Public Health and Safety in Section 4.2. 

Fire Management 
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Prescribed fires are used to manage fuel stock (vegetation). Small acreages are burned on a rotating basis 

over the course of several years to reduce the available fuel and thus manage fires. Each air district has 

specific regulations regarding plans and/or permits required and conditions for prescribed burning. 

Before implementing each prescribed fire, coordination with the air districts, application for 

plans/permits, and receipt of an approved permit would be needed. 

Fire can have adverse impacts on air quality, depending on the size, location, and type of fire. However, 

prescribed fires are used to manage fuel stock (vegetation); small acreages would be burned on a rotating 

basis over the course of several years to reduce the available fuel and thus manage fires. Prescribed fires 

offer a long term benefit of reducing the available fuel and thus reducing the potential for future wildland 

fires. 

Prescribed fire activities would be coordinated with the appropriate APCD, depending on the location of 

the prescribed fire and applicable smoke management plan, or permit approvals would be obtained before 

implementing prescribed fires. This would minimize concurrent multiple smoke sources close to one 

another that could result in a cumulative smoke impact. 

Energy and Mineral Development 

Energy and mineral development involves extracting materials from the earth using various methods, 

which depend on the type of material being extracted. Extraction of petroleum resources generally 

requires preparing the site, drilling, installing well equipment, and storing or transporting the resource offsite. Mineral extraction involves mechanical removal of minerals via heavy equipment and transport offsite via truck. 

These processes produce air pollution in the form of engine exhaust emissions and fugitive dust from the 

transport of materials and the movement of vehicles over unpaved areas. Additional air pollution may be 

produced at extraction sites where a facility for processing the extracted material is located. 

Before initiating any type of energy or mineral development, the entity proposing the development would 

need to apply for and obtain approval for air permits from the air district where the activity would be 

located. The permit rules provide for an evaluation of air quality impacts for the proposed activity and 

must be deemed acceptable by the administering APCD before an air permit would be approved. 

4.7.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A 

4.7.3.1 Air Quality Management Actions 

Under the No Action Alternative, BLM would continue to address air quality standards for land use 

authorizations in CCMA to comply with State and Federal air quality regulations. Air quality impacts 

under Alternative A would have negligible benefits and perpetuate current attainment levels for air quality 

standards. 

4.7.3.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation and Transportation & Access 

Alternative A would allow OHV use on 242 miles of unpaved roads and trails and 478 acres of barren 

play areas. Compared to existing conditions, the air quality would remain unchanged as related to 

emissions of particulate matter and PM10 & PM2.5 concentrations. The amount of OHV use would also be 

sustained at 35,000 visitor use days, with slight increases over the life of this plan. Therefore, vehicles 

would continue to emit pollutants, although stricter emission standards for vehicles and motorcycles 
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imposed by the State of California could contribute to some minor improvement in air quality. There 

could be some potential for reductions in fugitive dust and particulate matter due to the miles of closed 

roads that are scheduled to be reclaimed and the restoration of barrens where soil disturbing activities 

would be eliminated. Though the particulate emissions varied among the alternatives, the difference 

among all alternatives was nominal. 

Alternative A would have the greatest impacts on air quality, as described below: 

Temporary dry season use restrictions were implemented in 2005 to restrict public use and motorized 

access of the Serpentine ACEC from June 1st through October 15th. These restrictions are intended to 

reduce particulate emissions during the driest part of the year, providing a substantial, but temporary, 

improvement to air quality. 

 Alternative A also includes the mitigation measures to restore closed routes to a natural landscape. This 

will result in fewer emissions due to the inability to easily use closed roads and in a reduction in 

emissions due to wind. Compliance with the ATCM for airborne asbestos, and implementing Best 

Management Practices and dust control measures related to road maintenance will also contribute to a 

reduction in airborne emissions for these operations. In the proposed action all barren play areas within 

the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin portion of the CCMA will be closed, and would contribute to a 

reduction in particulate matter emissions from these lands for the air basin. Environmental impacts 

related to ozone precursor emissions would likely remain unchanged from present conditions. 

4.7.3.3 Mitigation 

Air quality impacts under Alternative A would be mitigated by maintaining compliance with the National 

Ambient Air Quality Standards, NESHAPs, applicable California air quality regulations, and State 

Implementation Plans. 

4.7.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B and C 

4.7.4.1 Air Quality Management Actions 

Under these alternatives, air quality management strategies rely on compliance with local, State, and 

Federal regulations. Alternatives B and C would have negligible impacts on existing air quality conditions 

described in Chapter 3, because OHV recreation would continue inside the Serpentine ACEC. 

4.7.4.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation and Transportation & Access 

Improvements to major routes identified under Transportation and Access would have major long-term 

beneficial impacts on air quality by reducing overall emissions from vehicle travel on roadways in 

CCMA. 

In particular, paving the major routes would be the most effective way to reduce emissions, including 

hazardous air pollutants. According to studies conducted by the California DTSC, applying base rock and 

chip seal to major routes, would also reduce emissions on those routes. 
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Under Alternative C, there would be fewer routes designated as open compared to current conditions. 

Overall, there will be a reduction of approximately 40 percent of the miles of unpaved routes available for 

use, and a 100 percent reduction in acres of barren play areas. Additionally, Alternative C motorized 

vehicle travel on major routes roads to minimize air pollution from dust and exhaust by restricting vehicle 

types and seasons when vehicles could be used. 

Fire Management and Energy & Minerals 

Impacts from other management actions, such as fire management and energy and mineral development 

would be the same as those described in Chapter 3 and Section 4.1.2, “Overview of Impacts”. 

4.7.4.3 Mitigation 

Prescribed fire activities would be coordinated with the APCD charged with protecting air quality within 

the locale of the prescribed fire. Smoke management plans and/or permit applications would be prepared 

and submitted for approval, and smoke-dispersion models would be used as a tool to evaluate the 

potential for air quality impacts from fires on BLM public lands before conducting prescribed fires. 

Information provided by the model would also aid decision makers in determining potentially adverse 

impacts from prescribed fires, or wildland fires, and how to mitigate those impacts.

4.7.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives D and E 

4.7.5.1 Air Quality Management Actions 

Under these alternatives, air quality management strategies rely on compliance with local, State, and 

Federal regulations. Alternatives D and E would have positive long-term impacts on air quality compared 

to Alternatives A, B, or C by reducing emissions of hazardous air pollutants. However, effects on existing 

air quality conditions described in Chapter 3 would still be negligible under Alternative D, in particular, 

because OHV recreation would continue outside the Serpentine ACEC. 

4.7.5.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation and Transportation & Access 

Under Alternatives D and E, certain resource uses would be limited or excluded in sensitive areas. In 

general, air quality impacts under this alternative would be limited to recreation, transportation and 

access. However, applying surfactants on major routes identified under Alternative D and E would have 

moderate beneficial impacts on air quality because biodegradable liquid copolymers can effectively 

reduce emissions, including hazardous air pollutants. 

Assuming BLM would follow manufacturer recommended application rates, overall reductions in 

emissions on major routes in the Serpentine ACEC under Alternatives D and E would be greater than 

Alternatives A, B, or C. Emissions would be significantly less because vehicle travel would only be 

authorized on major routes, thereby minimizing the amount of fugitive dust that would be tracked onto 

these routes from other non-improved routes and trails. 

Alternative D would further reduce air pollution from dust and exhaust by restricting vehicle types to fullsize vehicles, whereas Alternative E would allow for potentially more visitor use because all highwaylicensed vehicles would be authorized on the major routes designated open in the Serpentine ACEC under 

this alternative. 
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In addition, the reduction in designated open routes and the enforcement of these designations would 

result in less off route travel and route proliferation. Off route travel creates new roads, which increases 

the particulate matter emissions due to vehicle use and windblown emissions. 

Fire Management and Energy & Minerals 

Air quality impacts from fire management and energy and minerals would be negligible compared to 

other alternatives, although there would be a minor long-term benefit to air quality from withdrawal of 

mineral entry on public lands in the Serpentine ACEC. 

4.7.5.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are contained in the management actions in Chapter 2. The effects of those measures 

are same as Alternatives A through E. 

4.7.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives F and G 

4.7.6.1 Air Quality Management Actions 

Under these alternatives, air quality management strategies rely on compliance with local, State, and 

Federal regulations. Alternatives F and G would have the greatest beneficial long-term impacts on air 

quality compared to all other alternatives. Emissions of hazardous air pollutants would be limited to foot 

traffic, vehicle travel by existing rights-holders, and limited BLM resource management actions.

Overall, Alternative F and G would have long-term positive effects on existing air quality conditions 

described in Chapter 3. 

4.7.6.2 Other Management Actions 

Air quality impacts under Alternatives F and G would be negligible with regard to recreation and public 

use. Air quality impacts from land use authorizations would be regulated by State and/or local air quality 

regulations applicable to such facilities. Particulate emissions from prescribed fire activities would be 

regulated by air district smoke management and/or prescribed fire rules. 

4.7.6.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are contained in the management actions in Chapter 2. The effects of those measures 

are same as Alternatives A through F. 

4.7.7 Impacts to Air Quality for the Proposed Action 

4.7.7.1 Air Quality Management Actions 

Under the Proposed Action, BLM would continue to to manage air resources for land use authorizations 

in CCMA to comply with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and State and Federal 

air quality regulations, and implement air quality management strategies that rely on compliance with 

local, State, and Federal regulations. There would be moderate long-term beneficial impacts on air quality 

compared to the No Action Alternative by reducing emissions of hazardous air pollutants, and in 

particular airborne asbestos within the ACEC. There would be minor long term localized effects on 

existing air quality conditions described in Chapter 3 as motorized recreation would continue outside the 

Serpentine ACEC. 
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4.7.7.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation and Travel & Transportation Management 

The Proposed Action also includes mitigation measures to restore and reclaim closed routes to a natural 

landscape. This will result in fewer emissions due to the inability to easily use closed roads and in a 

reduction in emissions due to wind. Compliance with the ATCM for airborne asbestos, and implementing 

Best Management Practices and dust control measures related to road maintenance would also contribute 

to a reduction in airborne emissions for these operations. In the Proposed Action all barren play areas 

within the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin portion of the CCMA will be closed, and would contribute to a 

reduction in particulate matter emissions from these lands for the air basin. Environmental impacts 

related to ozone precursor emissions would likely remain unchanged from present conditions. 

Improvements to major routes identified under Transportation and Access would have major long-term 

beneficial impacts on air quality by reducing overall emissions from vehicle travel on roadways in 

CCMA. In particular, paving the major routes would be the most effective way to reduce emissions, 

including hazardous air pollutants. According to studies conducted by the California DTSC, applying 

base rock and chip seal to major routes, would also reduce emissions on those routes. Applying 

surfactants on major routes would have moderate beneficial impacts on air quality because biodegradable 

liquid copolymers can effectively reduce emissions, including hazardous air pollutants. 

Fire Management and Energy & Minerals 

Air quality impacts from fire management and energy and minerals would be negligible compared to the 

No Action Alternative, although there would be a minor long-term benefit to air quality from withdrawal 

of mineral entry on public lands in the Serpentine ACEC. 

4.7.7.3 Mitigation 

Air quality impacts under the Proposed Action would be mitigated by maintaining compliance with the 

National Ambient Air Quality Standards, NESHAPs, applicable California air quality regulations, and 

State Implementation Plans. Prescribed fire activities would be coordinated with the APCD charged with 

protecting air quality within the locale of the prescribed fire. Smoke management plans and/or permit 

applications would be prepared and submitted for approval, and smoke-dispersion models would be used 

as a tool to evaluate the potential for air quality impacts from fires on BLM public lands before 

conducting prescribed fires. Information provided by the model would also aid decision makers in 

determining potentially adverse impacts from prescribed fires, or wildland fires, and how to mitigate 

those impacts.

4.7.8 Cumulative Effects 

The area of consideration for cumulative effects to air quality is based on the air districts that the CCMA 

is located within. The majority of the area is within the jurisdiction of the Monterey Bay Unified Air 

Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD). However, a small portion is within Fresno County, which is 

administered by the San Joaquin Valley APCD. The San Joaquin Valley APCD has some of the worst air 

pollution in the nation, especially when considering ozone and particulate matter. The San Joaquin Valley 

APCD is in non-attainment for the state air quality standard for 1-hour ozone levels; and the state and 

federal standards for 8-hour ozone levels, and PM10 and PM2.5. 
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The North Central Coast Air Basin has better overall air quality, due to the marine weather influence, 

although the MBUAPCD is in non-attainment status for the state standard for ozone and PM10. The 

annual air quality report for Monterey County attributes these ozone exceedances to transport pollution 

coming from the San Francisco Bay Area. 

It is likely that continued growth within both the North Central Coast and the San Joaquin Valley air 

basins will contribute to continued poor air quality in urbanized areas. Stringent regulations and state 

implementation plans aimed at reaching attainment of air quality standards will contribute to improved air 

quality; however, reaching attainment goals is likely several years in the future. 

The respective air districts managing air quality in the Planning Area have also developed air quality 

plans that govern development and air pollution-producing activities within each air district. These plans 

consider the cumulative effects of all air pollution sources on the overall air pollution levels within each 

district. The ultimate goal of these plans is to maintain compliance with an air quality standard or to 

achieve compliance with an air quality standard if the air district is not in compliance. BLM coordination 

with California Air Resources Board (CARB) and local APCD’s would ensure cumulative effects on air 

quality from resource management actions (i.e. prescribed fires) do not exceed standards for primary and 

secondary air quality standards. 

While air quality may remain bad in the surrounding San Joaquin Valley and contribute to transport 

pollution, BLM management actions within the CCMA would have little effect on regional air quality 

conditions. Management activities that produce harmful emissions are localized and limited in scope and 

duration. The undeveloped nature of the CCMA and surrounding areas contribute to low levels of 

pollution sources in the near vicinity. Nevertheless, public health and safety measures included in the 

range of alternatives to reduce human health risks, and compliance with federal and state air quality rules 

and regulations, would contribute to long-term beneficial cumulative impacts on the air quality in the 

North Central Coast and the San Joaquin Valley air basins. 

4.7.8.1 Cumulative Effects for Alternative A, B, C, and D 

Under these alternatives, land use authorizations for surface disturbing activities and BLM management 

actions during periods of high OHV recreation use would have adverse cumulative impacts on air quality, 

but the impacts would be localized to the CCMA. Impacts following high-use periods would dissipate 

within 48 to 72 hours depending upon weather conditions. These cumulative impacts would also be 

reduced as a result of restrictions to OHV riding during the dry season. 

Besides vehicle emissions, particulate matter (PM10 & PM2.5) are the major sources of impacts to air 

quality. San Benito and Fresno Counties are in non-attainment for PM10 with Clean Air Act NAAQS. 

However, particulate matter emissions are not expected to contribute to cumulative air quality impacts to 

Fresno or San Benito counties due to prevailing winds. 

Overall, motorized vehicle use on unpaved routes would contribute some level to emissions inventories 

for the affected air basins, but the cumulative impacts would be negligible because recreation use levels 

are anticipated to remain near current levels with only slight increases over the life of this plan. 

4.7.8.2 Cumulative Effects for Alternatives E, F, G, and the Proposed Acton 

California State efforts to implement stricter motorized street-legal vehicle and off-road vehicle emissions 

standards for other pollutants associated with exhaust from motorized vehicles, including: reactive 

organic gases (ROG), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and carbon monoxide (CO) would lessen contributions for 

these emissions. 
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However, cumulative impacts of CCMA management and visitor use on air quality are considered 

negligible because of the short-term localized nature of the effects of air quality and prevailing winds. 

Therefore, reducing or eliminating the number of unpaved roads available for OHV use in the CCMA, 

would only have long-term beneficial cumulative impacts in the CCMA portion of both air basins. 

Under Alternatives E, F, G, and the Proposed Action, motorized vehicle use on designated routes would 

contribute some level of emissions to inventories for the affected air basins, but the cumulative impacts 

would be much less than Alternatives A - D because recreation and visitor use levels would decrease 

substantially. 
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4.8 Soil Resources 

 

4.8.1 Introduction 

The greatest soil disturbance activities within the CCMA include non-motorized recreation, motorized 

recreation, energy and mineral exploration, livestock grazing, and plant community restoration and fire 

management. As highlighted in Chapter 3.8, soil resources of the CCMA may be divided into two 

general soil types: 1) serpentine soils found upon the New Idria serpentine mass (within the ACEC), and 

2) nonserpentine soils found upon nonserpentine rock types surrounding the serpentine mass (outside of 

the ACEC). The Serpentine ACEC consists almost entirely of serpentine soils, whereas the San Benito 

River, Condon, Cantua, and Tucker zones consist almost entirely of nonserpentine soils. 

For the purpose of analysis: Soil types are grouped and analyzed as “serpentine soils” and 

“nonserpentine soils.” Analysis of impacts to soil resources is focused upon the location and intensity of 

the activity with respect to these two general soil groups. 

Chapter 2 describes the management actions for soil resources under all the management alternatives and 

the Proposed Action. Tables 4.8-1 through 4.8-10 provide an overview of the management actions that 

would affect soils and how disturbance under the range of alternatives and the Proposed Action would 

impact soil resources. 

Table 4.8-1 Summary of soil resource management actions for: Soil disturbance by nonmotorized recreation. 

Alternative Impact: Soil disturbance by nonmotorized recreation

Management action: Erosion 

control

A

No Action

Continued non-motorized recreation upon 

serpentine soils. Continued non-motorized 

recreation upon nonserpentine soils. 

Maintain/enhance soil productivity. 

Install soil erosion control 

structures. Maintain routes. 

Prioritize closed areas for 

restoration. No disturbance on 

slopes in excess of 50%.

B

Reduced non-motorized recreation upon 

serpentine soils. Continued non-motorized 

recreation upon nonserpentine soils. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Restoration plan required for soils 

with poor restoration potential prior 

to soil disturbance.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced non-motorized recreation 

(relative to Alts. B and C) upon serpentine 

soils. Increased non-motorized recreation 

impacts upon nonserpentine soils. 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced non-motorized recreation 

(relative to Alt. D) upon serpentine soils. 

Slight increase in non-motorized recreation 

impacts upon nonserpentine soils (relative to 

Alt. A).

Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.

G

No non-motorized recreation upon serpentine 

soils. Non-motorized recreation impacts upon 

nonserpentine soils similar to Alt. D. 

Same as Alternative B, except: No 

disturbance on slopes in excess of 

40%. 
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Alternative Impact: Soil disturbance by nonmotorized recreation

Management action: Erosion 

control

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced non-motorized 

recreation upon serpentine soils. Slight 

increase in non-motorized recreation impacts 

upon nonserpentine soils (relative to Alt. A).

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Restoration plan required for soils 

with poor restoration potential prior 

to soil disturbance.

Table 4.8-2 Soil disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and nonserpentine soil 

types for: Soil disturbance by non-motorized recreation. 

Table 4.8-3 Summary of soil resource management actions for: Soil disturbance by motorized 

recreation.

Alternative Impact: Soil disturbance by motorized 

recreation

Management action: Erosion 

control

A

No Action

Continued intensive motorized recreation 

upon serpentine soils. Limited motorized 

recreation upon nonserpentine soils. 

Maintain/enhance soil productivity. 

Install soil erosion control 

structures. Maintain routes. 

Prioritize closed areas for 

restoration. No disturbance on 

slopes in excess of 50%.

B

Reduced motorized recreation upon 

serpentine soils. Limited vehicle use upon 

nonserpentine soils. 

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Restoration plan required for soils 

with poor restoration potential prior 

to soil disturbance.

C Same as Alternative B. Same as Alternative B.

D

Further reduced motorized recreation (relative 

to Alts. B and C) upon serpentine soils. 

Greatly increased motorized recreation upon 

nonserpentine soils. 

Same as Alternative B.

E

Further reduced motorized recreation (relative 

to Alts. B and C) upon serpentine soils. 

Limited motorized recreation upon 

nonserpentine soils outside of ACEC.

Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Soil disturbance by motorized 

recreation

Management action: Erosion 

control

F

No motorized recreation upon serpentine 

soils. Limited vehicle use upon nonserpentine 

soils. 

Same as Alternative B.

G

No motorized recreation upon serpentine 

soils. Limited vehicle use upon nonserpentine 

soils. 

Same as Alternative B, except: No 

disturbance on slopes in excess of 

40%. 

Proposed 

Action

Substantially reduced motorized recreation) 

upon serpentine soils. Limited motorized 

recreation upon nonserpentine soils outside of 

ACEC.

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Restoration plan required for soils 

with poor restoration potential prior 

to soil disturbance.

Table 4.8-4 Soil disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and nonserpentine soil 

types for: Soil disturbance by motorized recreation. 

Table 4.8-5 Summary of soil resource management actions for: Soil disturbance by energy and 

mineral exploration.

Alternative Impact: Soil disturbance by energy and 

mineral exploration

Management action: Erosion 

control

A

No Action

Continued energy and mineral exploration in 

serpentine and nonserpentine areas.

Maintain/enhance soil productivity. 

Install soil erosion control 

structures. No disturbance on 

slopes in excess of 50%.

B

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Restoration plan required for soils 

with poor restoration potential prior 

to soil disturbance.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

E

Energy and mineral exploration limited to 

nonserpentine areas outside of the ACEC.

Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B.
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Alternative Impact: Soil disturbance by energy and 

mineral exploration

Management action: Erosion 

control

G

Same as Alternative E. Same as Alternative B, except: No 

disturbance on slopes in excess of 

40%. 

Proposed 

Action

Energy and mineral exploration limited to 

nonserpentine areas outside of the ACEC.

Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Restoration plan required for soils 

with poor restoration potential prior 

to soil disturbance.

Table 4.8-6 Soil disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and nonserpentine soil 

types for: Soil disturbance by energy and mineral exploration. 

Table 4.8-7 Summary of soil resource management actions for: Livestock grazing.

Alternative Impact: Livestock grazing Management action: Erosion 

control

A

No Action

Continued grazing within serpentine and 

nonserpentine areas.

Maintain/enhance soil productivity. 

Rangeland health monitoring is 

required.

B Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A.

D Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A.

E Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A.

F

Livestock grazing limited to only 

nonserpentine areas outside of the ACEC.

Same as Alternative A.

G No livestock grazing within the CCMA. Same as Alternative A.

Proposed 

Action

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A.
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Table 4.8-8 Soil disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and nonserpentine soil 

types for: Livestock grazing.

Table 4.8-9 Summary of soil resource management actions for: Plant community restoration 

and fire management.

Alternative Impact: Plant community restoration and 

fire management

Management action: Erosion 

control

A

No Action

Continued plant community restoration within 

disturbed serpentine and nonserpentine 

areas. Continued fire management activity 

within serpentine and nonserpentine areas.

Maintain/enhance soil productivity. 

Install soil erosion control 

structures. Maintain routes. 

Prioritize closed areas for 

restoration. No disturbance on 

slopes in excess of 50%.

B

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Restoration plan required for soils 

with poor restoration potential prior 

to soil disturbance.

C Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

D Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

E Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

F Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B.

G

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative B, except: No 

disturbance on slopes in excess of 

40%. 

Proposed 

Action

Same as Alternative A. Same as Alternative A, plus: 

Restoration plan required for soils 

with poor restoration potential prior 

to soil disturbance.
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Table 4.8-10 Soil disturbance levels as predicted to change on serpentine and nonserpentine soil 

types for: Plant community restoration and fire management.

4.8.2 Overview of Impacts 

The primary impact of concern for soil resources is erosion. Erosion is a function of four primary factors 

including precipitation (amount, intensity, and frequency), soil and bedrock permeability, slope, 

vegetative cover, and disturbance type and intensity. Erosion is a natural process, but it can be greatly 

accelerated by human impacts including motorized recreation, development (mining, roads, pipelines, 

buildings, fences), livestock grazing, and fire. Indirect impacts can result when eroded sediment is 

transported downstream. 

The two general soil types as discussed in Chapter 3.8 in detail, include: 1) serpentine soils found upon 

the New Idria serpentine mass (within the ACEC), and 2) nonserpentine soils found upon nonserpentine 

rock types surrounding the serpentine mass (outside of the ACEC). Both serpentine and nonserpentine 

soil types within the CCMA have moderate to very severe erosion hazard due to their presence on steep 

slopes. Serpentine soil types are particularly susceptible to erosion due to their naturally sparse vegetative 

cover. Additionally, serpentine soil types are very slow to naturally revegetate as compared to 

nonserpentine soils due to their severe, adverse physical and chemical properties. This subsection 

provides an overview of impacts that occur under all alternatives. The background and overall impact 

assessment is provided here and, as needed, further analysis is provided for each alternative. 

4.8.2.1 Soil Resources and Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation activities including camping, hiking, hunting, and rockhounding can cause 

minor adverse impacts to soil resources. Of these activities, camping poses the greatest impact to soil 

resources since camping sites are repeatedly used. Most campsites with the CCMA are located at 

designated campgrounds and staging areas, however, there are several small, popular informal campsites 

scattered throughout the CCMA. Repeated use of campsites can result in localized soil compaction and 

erosion (adverse). Foot traffic activities such as hiking, hunting, and rockhounding tend to be dispersed 

and not result in measurable adverse impacts to soil resources. Most hiking and hunting activities tend to 

occur primarily outside of the ACEC which are more vegetated and support more game animals, whereas 

most rockhounding activities are focused within the ACEC where there is a wide variety of rare minerals 

that appeal to collectors. 

4.8.2.2 Soil Resources and Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

OHV recreation activities and motorized vehicle access for recreation can cause soil compaction and 

increase erosion (adverse). Soil erosion and compaction can lead to decreases in soil fertility, water 

permeability and retention, and vegetative cover. These conditions may in turn cause secondary impacts 
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such as sedimentation of local watersheds. Currently, the majority of OHV activities within the CCMA 

are located within the serpentine ACEC. The ACEC contains large areas of naturally barren serpentine 

soils which are susceptible to erosion following disturbance. Due to the stressful soil conditions imposed 

by serpentine soils, they are slow to revegetate. Soils outside of the ACEC are comparatively more fertile 

and support a greater density of vegetation which recovers more rapidly following disturbance. 

Soil compliance monitoring is conducted by an interdisciplinary team of HFO specialists using Rangeland 

Health Standards and Guidelines. The Standards and Guidelines apply to all land uses and not only 

livestock grazing. Variance from the Standards and Guidelines indicate that land health may be 

compromised and corrective management action may be required. 

 

4.8.2.3 Soil Resources and Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration Impacts 

Energy and mineral development can result in long-term damage to- or permanent loss of soils (adverse). 

Soil disturbance from construction, is typically more intense compared to OHV (light vehicle) impacts 

due to the use of heavy equipment. Impacts to soil from transmission lines and staging areas may be 

temporary, with minor compaction and erosion, whereas impacts from building construction and open pit 

mining may be regarded as permanent as soil is removed down to bedrock. 

 

Overall, the CCMA has moderate potential for mineral development. The New Idria serpentine mass is 

highly-mineralized and was historically, commercially mined for magnesite, chromite, cinnabar, and 

asbestos. The Gem mine, a privately-owned inholding within the CCMA, continues to mine and market 

benitoite. Most other mineral development within the CCMA has ceased due to depletion of near-surface 

marketable minerals and changing mineral markets and mineral regulation. The CCMA has moderate 

potential for energy development. Oil and gas development potential is very low as the New Idria 

serpentine mass which comprises 40% of the CCMA land area has no potential for fossil fuel resources. 

The remainder of the CCMA contains sedimentary formations which have not yielded significant oil and 

gas resources within the local area. Wind energy development has some potential as the CCMA contains 

some of the highest points in the Diablo Range. Under all alternatives, the San Benito Mountain Research 

Natural Area is withdrawn from energy and mineral development. 

4.8.2.4 Soil Resources and Disturbance by Livestock Grazing Impacts 

Livestock grazing has the potential to affect soils on the 14 grazing allotments located at least partially 

within the CCMA. Overgrazing by livestock may result in soil compaction and accelerated soil erosion 

(adverse). Therefore, soil integrity is an important component of rangeland health monitoring. Rangeland 

health monitoring is conducted by an interdisciplinary team of HFO experts using the BLM-approved 

monitoring approach. Variance from one or more of the standards may indicate that rangeland health has 

been compromised and corrective management action may be required in the form of revised 

management. 

 

4.8.2.5 Soil Resources and Disturbance by Plant Community Restoration and Fire 

Management Impacts 

Vegetation restoration is an important tool for restoring or improving function of degraded ecosystems 

(beneficial). Restoration has many different levels based on the initial condition of the ecosystem and the 

desired final condition of the ecosystem. Restoration of drastically-disturbed lands, such as mines and 

serpentine barrens may include erosion control and/or revegetation with native plant species which 

typically requires intensive soil amendment. The IPM plan for some noxious, invasive species includes 

prescribed fire. Restoration of climax plant communities such as decadent chaparral also involves 

prescribed fire. Although initial short-term restoration impacts may be detrimental to the ecosystem, the 

overall long-term effects are beneficial. 
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Although fire typically is beneficial to vegetation by controlling weeds (prescribed fire), removing dead 

vegetation, and promoting new growth of native species. It can however, have adverse effects on soils. 

Fire lines require the removal of fuels down to bare soil. This often requires the use of heavy equipment. 

Bare fire lines are often compacted and susceptible to erosion. Additionally, soil erosion may be 

accelerated after a wildfire within the burn area because the native vegetation was removed. 

 

4.8.3 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative A 

4.8.3.1 Soil Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative A, non-motorized recreation would continue both inside and outside of the ACEC. 

Impacts associated with CCMA visitor camping would continue to be the greatest within the ACEC. As a 

result, serpentine soils within the ACEC, which are sparsely vegetated and susceptible to erosion, would 

continue to be disturbed, and have minor long-term impacts on erosion rates and sedimentation of local 

watersheds. 

4.8.3.2 Soil Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative A, both highway-licensed and green sticker vehicle recreation and its impacts will 

continue to be concentrated within the ACEC. Impacts outside of the ACEC will continue to be minor as 

few designated open routes exist outside of the ACEC. As a result, serpentine soils within the ACEC, 

which are sparsely vegetated and susceptible to erosion, will continue to be disturbed. Motorized 

recreation disturbance and have major long-term impacts on erosion rates and sedimentation of local 

watersheds. 

4.8.3.3 Soil Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Under Alternative A, energy and mineral exploration will continue within serpentine (ACEC) and 

nonserpentine (outside of the ACEC) areas, resulting in soil impacts in both areas. 

4.8.3.4 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative A, livestock grazing will continue to be permitted both within and outside of the 

ACEC, resulting in minor adverse impacts to both serpentine and nonserpentine soils because of the 

currently low grazing intensity on CCMA public lands. 

4.8.3.5 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Under Alternative A, restoration of closed routes and degraded lands will continue both with and outside 

of the ACEC, resulting in impacts to both serpentine and nonserpentine soils. Control burns would 

continue to be used for fuels reduction and habitat improvement. 

 

4.8.3.6 Mitigation 

The mitigation measures incorporated into vegetation resource management actions described in Chapter 

2 would have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on biological resources and water quality in CCMA. 

4.8.4 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative B 

4.8.4.1 Soil Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 
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Under Alternative B, non-motorized recreation will continue both within and outside of the ACEC. 

Visitor use within the ACEC will be limited to ≤ 12 days. Camping impacts will continue to be the 

greatest within the ACEC, as associated with OHV user camping, but will be reduced relative to 

Alternative A due to visitor use limitations. As a result, there would be a minor decrease (beneficial) of 

non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine soils as compared to Alternative A. Non-motorized 

recreation location and intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged and therefore non-motorized 

recreation impacts to nonserpentine soils would be unchanged as compared to Alternative A. 

4.8.4.2 Soil Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative B, motorized recreation of each visitor within the ACEC would be limited to ≤ 12 days 

per year and motorized vehicle use would be restricted to outside of the proposed Dry Season Use 

Restriction period of April 15th through December 1st (extended 45 days compared to the current Dry 

Season Use Restriction period). As a result, there would be a minor decrease (beneficial) of motorized 

recreation impacts to serpentine soils as compared to Alternative A. Motorized recreation location and 

intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged and therefore motorized recreation impacts to 

nonserpentine soils would be unchanged as compared to Alternative A. 

 

4.8.4.3 Soil Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.4.4 Livestock Grazing 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.4.5 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.4.6 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives B, C, and D, and include best management 

practices outlined in Appendix V. 

4.8.5 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative C 

4.8.5.1 Soil Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Impacts for Alternative C would be similar to those for Alternative B with visitor use restrictions. As a 

result, impacts to both serpentine and nonserpentine soils would be unchanged as compared to alternative 

B.

4.8.5.2 Soil Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Impacts for Alternative C would be similar to those for Alternative B. Motorized recreation would be 

subject to the same restrictions as Alternative B with the added restriction of only highway-licensed 

vehicles being permitted on county roads and the dry season route network and green-sticker motorcycle 

use being permitted only on single track trails. This is the same general use pattern for vehicles on routes 

(full-sized vehicles on roads; motorcycles on single-track trails) that currently exists, so the amount of 
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disturbance on serpentine soils would be expected to be about the same as Alternative B. Like Alternative 

B, motorized recreation location and intensity outside of the ACEC would be unchanged and therefore, 

vehicle recreation impacts to nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC would be unchanged. 

4.8.5.3 Soil Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.5.4 Livestock Grazing 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.5.5 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.5.6 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives B, C, and D, and include best management 

practices outlined in Appendix V. 

4.8.6 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative D 

4.8.6.1 Soil Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Alternative D represents a major shift in non-motorized recreation activities from inside to outside of the 

ACEC as new staging areas and campgrounds are established outside of the ACEC. With increased 

motorized recreation staging outside of the ACEC, there will be a major increase (adverse) in OHV users 

camping outside of the ACEC. Likewise, improved access to hunting areas and improved camping 

opportunities outside of the ACEC will likely encourage more hunters to camp in those areas outside of 

the ACEC as well. As a result, there would be an even greater reduction (beneficial) of non-motorized 

impacts to serpentine soils within the ACEC as compared to Alternative C and a major increase in nonmotorized impacts to nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC as compared to Alternative C. 

4.8.6.2 Soil Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Alternative D represents a major shift in the location of motorized recreation from inside to outside of the 

ACEC. Under Alternative D, motorized recreation within the ACEC would be restricted to only full-size 

vehicles on the designated route network. All green sticker vehicle recreation would be relocated to 

outside of the ACEC. New staging areas and routes would be constructed upon nonserpentine soils in the 

Tucker, Cantua, and Condon zones. A new route would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak 

trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The route would be open to full-size vehicles 

and ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for both motorized and non-motorized recreation. The result 

would be an even greater reduction (beneficial) of motorized recreation impacts to serpentine soils within 

the ACEC as compared to Alternative C, and a major increase in motorized recreation impacts to 

nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC as compared to all other alternatives. 

4.8.6.3 Soil Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative A. 
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4.8.6.4 Livestock Grazing 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.6.5 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.6.6 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included in the management actions defined in Chapter 2. Many of these 

mitigation measures are common among Alternatives B, C, and D, and include best management 

practices outlined in Appendix V. 

4.8.7 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative E 

4.8.7.1 Soil Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation under Alternative E is further reduced as visitor use continues to be limited 

within the ACEC and less new routes are constructed outside of the ACEC as compared to Alternative D. 

Camping impacts will be reduced as compared to Alternative D as it is expected that there would be fewer 

OHV users and hunters. Under Alternative E, non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine soils within 

the ACEC would be similar to Alternative D. Non-motorized impacts to nonserpentine soils outside of 

the ACEC would be slightly greater (adverse) than Alternative A and much less than Alternative D. 

4.8.7.2 Soil Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative E, vehicle use within the ACEC would be similar to Alternative D, although highwaylicensed vehicles rather than full-size vehicles would be restricted to a scenic route network composed of 

T153 and R11, which would allow street-legal motorcycles on the designated route. Motorized recreation 

outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) as compared to Alternative A due to the 

construction of a limited number of access routes (much less than Alternative D) on nonserpentine soils in 

the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River zones. A new route would be constructed from the 

Condon Peak BLM access point on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The new route would 

be open to both highway-licensed vehicles and green sticker ATVs to access Condon Peak for nonmotorized recreation only. Since soil impacts from the construction of these few new routes are expected 

to be short term, and soil impacts from their use as access routes are expected to be minimal, overall 

motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC would be slightly greater 

(adverse) than Alternative A and much less than Alternative D. 

4.8.7.3 Soil Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Under Alternative E, energy and mineral exploration would only be permitted outside of the ACEC. As a 

result, impacts to serpentine soils within the ACEC from energy and mineral exploration would cease. 

Energy and mineral exploration impacts to nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC would continue. 

4.8.7.4 Livestock Grazing 

Same as Alternative A. 
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4.8.7.5 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.7.6 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures included in the management actions under the range of alternatives in Chapter 2 and 

BMPs outlined in Appendix V would have major long-term benefits for soils and watershed resources in 

CCMA because of major reductions in surface disturbing activities and increased emphasis on resources 

protection and restoration. 

4.8.8 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative F 

4.8.8.1 Soil Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 

Non-motorized recreation under Alternative F would be similar to Alternative E for use both within and 

outside of the ACEC. As such, non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine soils within the ACEC and 

nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC would be similar to Alternative E. 

4.8.8.2 Soil Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative F, motorized recreation within the ACEC would not be permitted. Clear Creek Road 

(R1) would be decommissioned. As a result, there would be a major reduction (beneficial) of motorized 

recreation impacts to serpentine soils within the ACEC as compared to Alternative A. Motorized 

recreation outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) compared to Alternative A due to 

the construction of a limited number of access routes (approximately 15 miles) on nonserpentine soils in 

the Tucker, Cantua, and Condon zones. A new route would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak 

trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The new route would be open to both 

highway-licensed vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for non-motorized recreation only. 

Since impacts to soil from the construction of these few new routes are expected to be short term, and 

impacts to soil from their use as access routes are expected to be minimal, overall motorized recreation 

impacts to nonserpentine soil resources outside of the ACEC would be similar to Alternative E. 

4.8.8.3 Soil Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative E. 

4.8.8.4 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative F, livestock grazing would only be permitted outside of the ACEC. As a result impacts 

to serpentine soils within the ACEC from grazing would cease (beneficial). Grazing impacts to 

nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC would continue. 

4.8.8.5 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.9 Impacts and Management Actions for Alternative G 

4.8.9.1 Soil Disturbance by Non-motorized Recreation 
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Under Alternative G, non-motorized recreation within the ACEC would not be permitted. As a result, 

non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine soils within the ACEC would cease (beneficial). Similar 

to Alternative F, non-motorized recreation outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) 

compared to Alternative A due to the construction of a limited number of access routes on nonserpentine 

soils in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River zones. As such, non-motorized recreation 

impacts to nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC would be similar to Alternative F. 

4.8.9.2 Soil Disturbance by Motorized Recreation 

Under Alternative G, motorized recreation within the ACEC would not be permitted. Clear Creek Road 

(R1) would not be decommissioned. As a result, impacts to serpentine soils from motorized recreation 

within the ACEC would be reduced slightly less so than Alternative F due to the fact that Clear Creek 

Road would not be decommissioned. Vehicle use outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased 

compared to Alternative A due to the construction of a limited number of access routes (much less than 

Alternative D) on nonserpentine soils in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River zones. A new 

route would be constructed from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to 

Condon Peak. The new route would be open to full-sized vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon 

Peak for non-motorized recreation only. Since soil impacts from the construction of these few new routes 

are expected to be short term, and soil impacts from their use as access routes are expected to be minimal, 

overall motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine soil resources outside of the ACEC would be 

similar to Alternatives E and F. 

4.8.9.3 Soil Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Same as Alternative E. 

4.8.9.4 Livestock Grazing 

Under Alternative G, livestock grazing would not be permitted within the CCMA. As a result impacts to 

serpentine soils within the ACEC and nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC would cease (beneficial). 

4.8.9.5 Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Same as Alternative A. 

4.8.10 Impacts to Soil Resources for the Proposed Action 

4.8.10.1 Soil Disturbance by Motorized and Non-motorized Recreation 

Under the Proposed Action, non-motorized recreation would continue both within and outside of the 

ACEC. However, non-motorized recreation under the Proposed Action would be further reduced 

(beneficial) as visitor use continued to be limited within the ACEC, resulting in moderate long term 

beneficial impacts to serpentine soils. Camping impacts within the ACEC would see a major long term 

reduction (beneficial) benefitting serpentine soils resources. 

The Proposed Action represents a moderate shift in non-motorized recreation activities from inside to 

outside of the ACEC as new access points and campgrounds are established outside of the ACEC. 

Likewise, improved access to hunting areas and improved camping opportunities outside of the ACEC 

will likely encourage more hunters to camp in those areas outside of the ACEC as well. As a result, there 

would be an even greater reduction of non-motorized recreation impacts to serpentine soil resources 

within the ACEC. Serpentine soils within the ACEC, which are sparsely vegetated and susceptible to 

erosion, would see moderate long-term beneficial impacts on erosion rates and sedimentation of local 
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watersheds. It is likely there would be a moderate increase in camping outside of the ACEC (adverse) and 

a corresponding moderate increase in non-motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine soil resources 

outside of the ACEC. 

Under the Proposed Action, motorized recreation within the ACEC would be limited to highway-licensed 

vehicles restricted to a Scenic Touring Route. The substantial limitations and reduction of routes within 

the ACEC would represent major long term reduction in impacts to serpentine soil resources and erosion. 

Motorized recreation outside of the ACEC would be slightly increased (adverse) as compared to the No 

Action Alternative, due to the development of a limited number of access routes through nonserpentine 

soils in the Tucker, Cantua, Condon, and San Benito River Zones. A new route would be constructed 

from the existing Condon Peak trailhead on Coalinga-Los Gatos Road up to Condon Peak. The new route 

would be open to highway-licensed vehicles and ATV/UTVs to access Condon Peak for motorized and 

non-motorized recreation. Since soil impacts from the construction of these few new routes outside of 

the ACEC are expected to be short term, and soil impacts from their use as access routes are expected to 

be minimal; overall motorized recreation impacts to nonserpentine soils outside of the ACEC would be 

short term minor adverse impacts. 

4.8.10.2 Soil Disturbance by Travel and Transportation Management 

During the mid-90’s, BLM funded research and field studies on the roads and trails network in the 

CCMA for two major watershed and geomorphic studies to evaluate road related erosion and sediment 

problems for over 100 miles of roads and trails in the CCMA and to determine which barrens are at most 

risk due to accelerated erosion which delivers increased sediment to surface water. 

The 1998 Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) report identified the portion of the CCMA route network 

having erosion and sediment problems and also recommended specific engineered treatments at selected 

problem locations. This report further characterized that 40% of the accelerated erosion was related due 

to poor road design and lack of maintenance and recommended that 9 miles of major roads be re-shaped 

to reduce sediment from entering into Clear Creek and other surface water. 

BLM instituted a few of the of the remedies on the Clear Creek road network, such as rolling dips, box 

culverts and a major concrete stream crossing across the San Benito River. The PWA report also 

recommended closure and restoration of many roads and trails. BLM also implemented many of these 

recommendations, such as a major re-route around the Aurora Grade and closure of Sawmill Creek road, 

which were associated with the county route network. 

Since 1996, BLM has been recording sedimentation along Clear Creek by contracting with the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS). As part of this BLM funded project ($60,000 per year) sediment yields have 

been measured annually. Based upon BLM’s watershed and geomorphic studies along with the USGS 

stream gauging measurements the sediment contribution associated with the county un-maintained road 

system can be accurately estimated. 

The PWA report estimated that stream crossings accounted for about 8,500 cubic yards of increased 

sediment, road segments accounted for about 2,250 cubic yards of increased sediment, individual problem 

sites (needing spot treatments) accounted for about 2,500 cubic yards of increased sediment. PWA’s 

report also identified that natural background erosion such as landslides, cut bank and stream bank 

erosion accounted for about 5,000 cubic yards. PWA’s report concluded that about 40% of all erosion 

within this watershed was associated with improperly constructed and maintained roads. 

Under the Proposed Action, reclamation or restoration of closed roads in the Serpentine ACEC on routes 

with stream crossings, or other areas with high potential for sedimentation of waterways would have the 
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potential to create moderate to major long-term beneficial impacts to water resources through decreased 

soil erosion, vehicle-related contaminant introduction to water bodies, and enhanced watershed functions. 

4.8.10.3 Soil Disturbance by Energy and Mineral Exploration 

Under the Proposed Action, energy and mineral exploration would only be permitted outside of the 

ACEC. As a result, impacts to serpentine soils within the ACEC from energy and mineral exploration 

would cease and provide long term moderate beneficial impacts. There is a potential for energy and 

mineral exploration impacts to nonserpentine soil resources outside of the ACEC, however as the 

potential for such development is low, it is unlikely. 

4.8.10.4 Soil Disturbance by Livestock Grazing 

Under the Proposed Action, livestock grazing would continue to be permitted both within and outside of 

the ACEC, resulting in minor adverse impacts to both serpentine and nonserpentine soils because of the 

currently low grazing intensity on CCMA public lands. 

4.8.10.5 Soil Disturbance by Plant Community Restoration and Fire Management 

Under the Proposed Action, restoration of closed routes and degraded lands would continue both within 

and outside of the ACEC, resulting in moderate long term beneficial impacts to serpentine soils and 

nonserpentine soil resources. 

 

4.8.10.6 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures included in the management actions under the Proposed Action in Chapter 2 and 

Best Management Practices outlined in Appendix V, would have major long-term benefits for soils and 

watershed resources in CCMA because of major reductions in surface disturbing activities and increased 

emphasis on resources protection and restoration. 

4.8.11 Cumulative Effects 

Cumulative impacts from management actions under other resource programs would vary depending on 

the alternative selected. Since many activities can affect soil erosion, the cumulative impact resulting 

from management actions under other resource programs can vary greatly. With increases or decreases in 

soil disturbance, soil-specific management actions including erosion control and revegetation, would also 

be increased and decreased, and focus of those actions may shift from inside the ACEC to outside of the 

ACEC as determined by visitor use patterns under each management alternative. 

Alternatives A, B, C, and D would have more adverse cumulative effects on soils than Alternatives E, F, 

G, and the Proposed Action because they would emphasize maintenance and development of extensive 

roads and trails for motorized OHV recreation opportunities. Alternatives E, F, G, and the Proposed 

Action would not have any adverse cumulative effects to soils resources because they would 

incrementally decrease soil disturbance from visitor use and resource management activities to emphasize 

public health and safety and non-motorized recreation opportunities. Soil-specific management actions 

including erosion control and revegetation would result in beneficial cumulative effects from overall 

reductions in soil loss and sediment delivery to the San Benito River and Clear Creek watersheds. The 

focus of those soil-specific management actions may shift from inside the ACEC to outside of the ACEC 

as determined by visitor use patterns. 
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4.9 Water Resources 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goals for water resources management are to (1) maintain, restore, or improve water quality 

and quantity to sustain the designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and (2) ensure that surface 

and groundwater quality comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and with California State 

standards.

4.9.1 Introduction 

Management decisions can impact water quality, water quantity, and availability of water for multiple 

uses, as well as the watershed Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) for both surface water and 

groundwater. Water resource management must take into account both intra- and inter-resource 

relationships. Impacts to water quality analyzed in this section are based on management actions 

described in the range of alternatives and the Proposed Action for recreation, transportation, fire 

management, livestock grazing, energy and minerals development, and resource protection measures 

identified for soil resources. 

4.9.2 Overview of Impacts 

Water resource management decisions generally focus on actions that maintain, restore, or improve water 

quality and quantity to sustain the designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and ensure that surface and 

groundwater comply with the U.S. Clean Water Act and California State standards. Other management 

actions have the potential to impact water resources through the implementation of various resource 

programs, as described below. 

4.9.2.1 Water Resources Management Actions 

The management actions specified for water resources focus on protecting water quality, maintaining or 

enhancing overall watershed function, and managing water availability on BLM lands for an array of 

users. 

4.9.2.2 Other Management Actions 

The following resource programs have the potential to impact water resources: 

Recreation & Travel and Transportation Management 

Development and use of recreational roads and trails can affect water quality through sediment-laden 

runoff and the introduction of contaminants to surface waters. 

Fire Management 

The frequency and location of prescribed fires and methods in which prescribed fires and wildfires are 

suppressed can impact water quality through increased overland flow and resulting sedimentation and 

introduction of chemical contaminants to water bodies. Fire suppression activities can affect watershed 

function by destruction of riparian vegetation. Introduction of noxious weeds following wildfires can also 

adversely affect watershed function. 

Livestock Grazing 
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Livestock grazing can affect watershed function by creating plant diversity and improved vegetation 

cover. Overgrazing can lead to soil compaction, reduced vegetative cover, and increased sediment 

transport to streams. 

Energy and Minerals 

Development of oil and gas drilling sites and minerals extraction sites can impact water quality through 

sedimentation and accidental introduction of contaminants. Energy and minerals development can also 

impact groundwater quality and quantity. Energy and minerals development can impact water availability 

to downstream users if extraction operations divert water from aquatic resources. 

Development of new roads and rights-of-ways can impact water quality through increased erosion and 

sedimentation of surface waters. 

4.9.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A 

4.9.3.1 Water Resource Management Actions 

Management actions affecting water quality serve to improve or protect water resources from siltation and 

sedimentation from road and trail development and maintenance. These actions would have a beneficial 

impact to water resources because they meet the Alternative A goal of maintaining/enhancing water 

quality. 

Watershed Function 

Under Alternative A, best management practices (BMPs) are established to guide watershed enhancement 

and stabilization measures where needed, representing a beneficial impact to water resources because this 

action serves to meet the goal of enhancing water quality, a primary watershed health indicator. 

Many of these management practices have been implemented over the years. BLM does not 

propose to have funds available to implement all referenced management practices. The 

continuing priority in the short term is to provide for protection of unstable areas, minimize 

sediment production, protect water quality by minimizing soil erosion, and ensure that 

constructed erosion control structures are stabilized and working. Of primary concern are 

management practices to reduce impacts from motorized travel on roads in CCMA, which have 

been identified as a significant source of airborne asbestos emissions and excess lifetime cancer 

risks for CCMA visitors, as identified in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Asbestos 

Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008). Erosion related to vehicle use on roads 

and barrens is also a contributor of sediment yield above background erosion rates in the CCMA 

watersheds. Minimizing dust emissions and erosion on routes and barrens, involving surface 

hardening, dust suppression, control of drainage, road slope stabilization, slope design, stream 

crossings, stream course protection, and seasonal use restrictions the extreme weather conditions 

are critical components to improving watershed conditions and overall protection of human 

health and the environment. 

Water Availability 

Alternative A contains management actions that allow BLM to control water diversions by land 

permittees or lessees through the establishment of Federal reserved water rights. This alternative does 

allow for public water withdrawals from BLM lands through the State water right appropriation process; 

however, BLM also retains control of how water can be diverted from aquatic systems on BLM lands 

through the right-of-way approval process for water transmission infrastructure. These actions have an 
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overall beneficial impact on ensuring water is available for watershed function and habitat value in 

riparian areas, while also allowing for water withdrawal for approved uses in the Planning Area. This 

alternative meets the goal of increasing water availability to meet resource needs. 

4.9.3.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation & Travel and Transportation Management 

The no action alternative would continue to allow OHV use on 242 miles of unpaved roads and trails and 

478 acres of barren play areas. Impacts related to OHV use of the barrens would be limited to the Clear 

Creek watershed. By reducing unauthorized uses, eliminating vehicle access to abandoned mine lands and 

completing significant road improvements and abandoned mine remediation projects, the BLM would 

minimize the potential for impacts to water quality. 

The extent of the contribution of heavy metals and asbestos into the Hernandez Reservoir remains an 

issue, and some continued natural contribution of mercury and asbestos may be unavoidable. Water 

sampling data through 2002 indicates a possible overall slight downward trend in mercury concentrations 

in Clear Creek. However data from 2004/2005 indicates exceedance of the numeric objective for mercury 

in Clear Creek. 

The available data indicate that the San Benito River is currently meeting water quality objectives for 

mercury. The data also indicate that Hernandez Reservoir is currently meeting water quality objectives for 

mercury (1998 data); however, mercury in fish tissues is at levels which do not meet stated objectives. 

The Central Coast Regional Board’s Technical Report6 indicates that sediment loading into the creek is 

roughly at background levels throughout most of the Clear Creek watershed, which suggests that the 

OHV activities are not causing any significant mercury loading. Based on both the water and sediment 

data collected by the Regional Board, it appears that high-use OHV areas are not a significant source of 

mercury loading. 

Though some recent actions by BLM appear to have implemented the mercury-loading controls necessary 

to achieve the TMDL, Clear Creek is not yet fully attaining standards. Therefore BLM has committed to 

the Regional Board a five year program of quarterly sampling and monitoring. The Regional Board has 

not requested any additional implementation efforts as the remedial actions of BLM appear to be causing 

a decrease in sediment concentrations of mercury in Clear Creek. Achieving the load allocations in Clear 

Creek is reasonably expected to achieve the load allocations in Hernandez Reservoir and restore 

beneficial uses of the reservoir. 

Fire Management 

Fire management actions under Alternative A are intended to improve range conditions and for fuels 

reduction. These prescribed burns are conducted on intervals of decades. With appropriate suppression 

controls and the BMPs that will be implemented to protect water quality during prescribed or wild fires, 

BLM’s fire management actions would have a negligible adverse impact on water resources because the 

goal to maintain/enhance water quality could be compromised on a localized basis during fire suppression 

efforts around aquatic systems. 

 

6

 Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Staff Report; Total Maximum Daily Load, Technical Support 

Analysis for Mercury Impairment of Clear Creek and Hernandez Reservoir, March 10, 2004. 
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Livestock Grazing 

Alternative A includes actions for protecting springs from livestock trampling and establishing grazing 

seasons to protect other resources, including water resources. These are beneficial impacts to water 

resources because it meets the goal of enhancing water quality. Alternative A includes 156,152 acres of 

allotted grazing lands, the least amount of acreage of the four alternatives. Some of these grazing lands 

are located in proximity to surface waters in the Planning Area, so this management action represents a 

minor potential adverse impact to water resources from overgrazing in upland areas adjacent to water 

bodies. Finally, Alternative A ensures that livestock watering developments will be managed to provide 

safe drinking water for wildlife. This action is a beneficial impact to water availability for wildlife needs 

because it meets the goal of increasing water availability to meet resource needs. 

Energy and Minerals 

Alternative A allows for energy and mineral development throughout the Planning Area, as long as 

development protects rare, threatened, and endangered species and paleontological resources, and meets 

the principals of multiple-use management of BLM-administered lands, including the protection of water 

resources. Since oil and gas leases and mining plans of operation are required to address protection of 

water resources, energy and minerals actions would meet the goal of maintaining water quality and would 

therefore have no adverse impact on water resources. 

4.9.3.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are included within the management actions identified in Chapter 2. Management 

actions prescribed for Alternative A that serve as mitigation measures would include seasonal closures to 

activities that can affect water quality, as determined on a case-by-case basis; monitoring water quality 

and soil loss/sedimentation; and implementing BMPs as determined on a case-by-case basis. 

4.9.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B, C, D, and E 

4.9.4.1 Water Resources Management Actions 

Water Quality 

Under Alternatives B, C, D, and E common management actions are listed that aim to protect water 

quality in the Planning Area, including the use of BMPs in activity plans, and management of water 

bodies to meet Clean Water Act objectives through total maximum daily load pollutant allowances and 

other water quality standards. These actions would result in beneficial, long-term impacts to water quality 

in the Planning Area because they would improve water quality by complying with the Total Maximum 

Daily Loads of pollutants in Clear Creek and San Benito River. Compared to Alternative A, the actions 

common to Alternatives A, B, and C represent a more defined and proactive approach to protecting water 

quality in the Planning Area. 

Watershed Function 

Alternatives B, C, D, and E have common management actions that serve to protect watershed function 

through restoration projects and coordination with other resource management groups to protect water 

bodies. These actions would have a beneficial, long-term impact on watershed function, similar to the 

beneficial impacts stated under Alternative A, because they meet the goal of improving water quality to 

sustain beneficial uses. 
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Water Availability 

Alternatives B, C, D, and E common management actions include provisions for maintaining spring 

developments and reservoirs, and maintaining existing adjudicated water rights in the Planning Area. 

These actions would result in generally beneficial impacts to water availability because they meet the goal 

of maintaining water quantity in the Planning Area. 

4.9.4.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation & Travel and Transportation Management 

Under Alternatives B, C, and D, allowable uses and BLM management actions are proposed to provide 

for off-highway vehicle use, as well as other non-motorized recreation opportunities. Most of these 

actions would result in beneficial impacts to water resources because they meet the goal of maintaining 

and improving water quality. In particular, dust suppression and surface hardening techniques on 25-30 

miles of major roads and reducing soil disturbing activities on abandoned mine lands would contribute to 

reducing off-site transport of metals and asbestos and have major long-term benefits on water quality in 

the CCMA watersheds. 

Under Alternative D, management actions specify increasing and/or improving motorized access to 

CCMA public lands outside of the ACEC for recreation opportunities. These new access developments 

and improvements could result in increased sediment runoff to water bodies, which would represent a 

short-term minor adverse impact to water resources because water quality could be compromised in 

specific locations. However, Alternatives B, C, D, and E also contain provisions for restricting motorized 

access by vehicle type and incorporate route designation criteria that would minimize the introduction of 

sediments or contaminants into water bodies and prevent destruction of riparian habitat by recreational 

vehicle use. Thus, these Alternatives would have negligible impacts to water resources compared to the 

existing conditions described in Chapter 3. 

As additional data becomes available, this information will be valuable in monitoring the implementation 

of management actions, to determine whether restricting use in mine areas and reducing the miles of 

routes available for vehicle use, is having the desired effect of reducing contaminated sediment delivery 

downstream. The Aurora Mine site area would be completely closed between the Aurora grade and 

SBMRNA reducing soil disturbance and the potential for off-site transport of contaminants. 

Alternative E would reduce the miles of available routes in the Larious and San Carlos watershed where 

the highest levels of background concentrations of hazardous metals are present, thereby reducing the 

potential for human exposure and contaminated sediment delivery. Additional routes accessing the 

following mine areas (Chromium, Mercury, Asbestos) would be closed: Larious watershed – Larious, 

Sampson, Spanish, and Wonder Mines; San Carlos watershed – San Carlos and Molina Mine; Cantua 

watershed – Del Mexico, Anita, Sec. 28 asbestos, and Coalinga asbestos Mines; San Benito watershed –

Big Ridge Mine; White Creek watershed – Big Ridge, Tromby, Archer, Byles, and Butler Mines. Any 

motorized OHV use on highly erosive areas such as barren slopes and on unpaved roads and trails, would 

disturb soils containing hazardous metals, and increase erosion and transport of sediment above natural 

background levels. Closure of routes accessing these mines and a corresponding reduction in soil 

disturbance from OHV’s at these areas, would contribute to improvements in water quality by reducing 

the potential for contaminated sediment delivery. 

In general, under Alternative E designated beneficial water uses identified for streams associated with the 

CCMA would be enhanced through a reduction in miles of routes and acres of barrens available for OHV 

use, reductions in stream crossings, and implementation of Best Management Practices to minimize 

watershed impacts. Considering estimates that nearly half the sediment delivered to streams within the 
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CCMA come from stream and swale crossings, the vast reduction in the number of crossings should result 

in substantial reductions in sediment delivery. This information will assist in evaluating the effectiveness 

of route designation & barren area closures, along with other watershed restoration projects. 

Fire Management 

Fire management actions common to Alternatives B, C, D & E include coordination efforts with the 

CALFIRE to minimize environmental damage, including damage to water resources, from fire 

suppression efforts. Wildland fire suppression and the use of prescribed fire or mechanical treatments 

would be managed to prevent adverse impacts to vernal pools and other waterways. These actions would 

have a beneficial impact to water quality and watershed function by controlling the introduction of 

sediment-laden suppression waters and/or chemical retardants into water bodies. These actions would 

have a positive long-term effect on water resources described in Chapter 3. 

Livestock Grazing 

Alternatives B, C, D, and E include common management actions that would allow BLM to make lands 

unavailable for livestock grazing if water resources were being degraded by grazing practices. They also 

would allow for fencing of spring developments to prevent trampling by livestock. These actions would 

result in beneficial impacts to water resources because they meet the goal of maintaining and improving 

water quality. These actions would have a positive long-term effect on water resources described in 

Chapter 3. 

Energy and Minerals 

Energy and minerals management actions under Alternatives B, C, D, and E for energy and minerals 

would have negligible impacts on water resources described in Chapter 3. 

4.9.4.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are built into the management actions in Chapter 2. Mitigation measures common to 

Alternatives B, C, D, and E include management actions that include use of BMPs, restricting certain uses 

that degrade water quality, and periodic monitoring of water quality. These mitigation measures would 

have a positive long-term effect on water resources described in Chapter 3. 

4.9.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative F and G 

4.9.5.1 Water Resource Management Actions 

Water Quality and Watershed Function 

Under Alternatives F and G, all fluvial systems would be managed to meet PFC. This action is the most 

environmentally protective measure of the alternatives because it addresses all water bodies in the 

Planning Area. This alternative would have a beneficial and long-term impact because it meets the goal 

of improving water quality. 

Water Availability 

Alternatives F and G contain management actions that allows BLM to file for Federal reserved water 

rights on acquired lands. This action has an overall beneficial impact on ensuring water is available for 

watershed function and habitat value in riparian and upland areas because it meets the goal of maintaining 

water quantity for beneficial uses. It does not afford specific opportunities for private entities to acquire 
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water rights on BLM managed lands, which would represent a minor adverse impact to permittees or 

lessees wishing to divert water for various developments or grazing purposes. 

4.9.5.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation & Travel and Transportation Management 

Under Alternatives G all recreation activities in the Serpentine ACEC would be prohibited, including offhighway vehicle recreation, which would decrease the chance of adverse visitor impacts on riparian areas. 

These actions would result in beneficial impacts to water resources because they help meet the goal of 

maintaining and improving water quality. 

Management actions to restore roads that no longer serve their original purpose, prohibit public use within 

the ACEC would serve to protect water quality and watershed function, and overall would minimize or 

eliminate adverse impacts on water resources from vehicle use. However, foot traffic in the ACEC and 

travel routes cross steams or riparian habitat outside of the ACEC under Alternatives F and G could have 

minor localized impacts to water resources described in Chapter 3. 

Fire Management 

Under Alternatives F and G, approximately 1,450 acres in the Planning Area would be targeted for annual 

prescribed burns, and 12,500 acres for decadal prescribed burns. Approximately 3,350 acres would also 

be targeted for mechanical treatments to control wildfire fuels on a decadal basis. These acreages are 

greater than the current management strategy for fire management (Alternative A), and could result in 

minor to moderate adverse impacts to water resources from the introduction of sediment-laden 

suppression water and/or chemical retardants to water bodies in proximity to treated areas. This 

alternative would temporarily not meet the goal for maintaining water quality on a localized basis. 

Livestock Grazing 

Alternative G includes 43,397 acres of allotted grazing lands, approximately 70 percent less area than 

Alternative A. Some of these grazing lands are located in proximity to surface waters in the Planning 

Area, so this management action represents a moderate to major potential beneficial impact to protect 

water resources from overgrazing in upland areas adjacent to water bodies.

Energy and Minerals 

Under Alternatives G, all CCMA public lands would be closed to all energy and mineral development, 

which would serve to protect water quality and watershed function, and would be considered a moderate 

long term beneficial impacts to water resources described in Chapter 3. 

4.9.5.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are built into the management actions in Chapter 2. Mitigation measures under 

Alternatives F and G are the same as Alternatives B, C, D, & E, and include use of BMPs, restricting 

certain uses that degrade water quality, and periodic monitoring of water quality. These mitigation 

measures would have a positive long-term effect on water resources described in Chapter 3. 
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4.9.6 Impacts to Water Resources for the Proposed Action 

4.9.6.1 Water Resource Management Actions 

Water Quality 

Under the Proposed Action, management actions are identified that function to protect water quality in the 

Planning Area, including the use of BMPs in activity plans, and management of water bodies to meet 

Clean Water Act objectives through total maximum daily load pollutant allowances and other water 

quality standards. These actions would result in beneficial, long-term impacts to water quality in the 

Planning Area because they would improve water quality by complying with the Total Maximum Daily 

Loads of pollutants in Clear Creek and San Benito River. Management actions affecting water quality 

serve to improve or protect water resources from siltation and sedimentation from road and trail 

development and maintenance. In general, the identified management actions represent a more defined 

and proactive approach to protecting water quality in the Planning Area, as compared to the No Action 

Alternative, and contribute to meeting the goal of maintaining/enhancing water quality. 

Watershed Function 

Best management practices (BMPs) are established to guide watershed enhancement and stabilization 

measures where needed, representing a beneficial impact to water resources because this action serves to 

meet the goal of enhancing water quality, a primary watershed health indicator. Under the Proposed 

Action, management actions serve to protect watershed function through restoration projects and 

coordination with other resource management groups to protect water bodies. These actions would have a 

beneficial, long-term impact on watershed function, similar to the beneficial impacts stated under the No 

Action Alternative, because they meet the goal of improving water quality to sustain beneficial uses. 

Many of these management practices have been implemented over the years. BLM does not propose to 

have funds available to implement all referenced management practices. The continuing priority in the 

short term is to provide for protection of unstable areas, minimize sediment production, protect water 

quality by minimizing soil erosion, and ensure that constructed erosion control structures are stabilized 

and working. Of primary concern are management practices to reduce impacts from motorized travel on 

roads in the ACEC, which have been identified as a significant source of airborne asbestos emissions and 

excess lifetime cancer risks for CCMA visitors, as identified in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 

Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008). Erosion related to vehicle use on roads is 

also a contributor of sediment yield above background erosion rates in the CCMA watersheds. 

Minimizing dust emissions and erosion on routes and barrens, involving surface hardening, dust 

suppression, control of drainage, road slope stabilization, slope design, stream crossings, stream course 

protection, and seasonal use restrictions the extreme weather conditions are critical components 

to improving watershed conditions and overall protection of human health and the environment. 

Water Availability 

Under the Proposed Action, management actions include provisions for maintaining spring developments 

and reservoirs, and maintaining existing adjudicated water rights in the Planning Area. These actions 

would result in generally beneficial impacts to water availability because they meet the goal of 

maintaining water quantity in the Planning Area. Management actions allow BLM to control water 

diversions by permittees or lessees through the establishment of Federal reserved water rights. This 

allows for public water withdrawals from BLM lands through the State water right appropriation process; 

however, BLM also retains control of how water can be diverted from aquatic systems on BLM lands 

through the right-of-way approval process for water transmission infrastructure. These actions have an 

overall beneficial impact on ensuring water is available for watershed function and habitat value in 
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riparian areas, while also allowing for water withdrawal for approved uses in the Planning Area. This 

meets the goal of increasing water availability to meet resource needs. 

4.9.6.2 Other Management Actions 

Recreation & Travel and Transportation Management 

Under the Proposed Action, allowable uses and BLM management actions are proposed to provide for 

limited off-highway vehicle use, as well as other non-motorized recreation opportunities. Most of these 

actions would result in beneficial impacts to water resources because they meet the goal of maintaining 

and improving water quality. In particular, dust suppression and surface hardening techniques on 25-30 

miles of major roads and reducing soil disturbing activities on abandoned mine lands would contribute to 

reducing off-site transport of metals and asbestos and have major long-term benefits on water quality in 

the CCMA watersheds. 

The Proposed Action would also provide for increasing and/or improving motorized access to CCMA 

public lands outside of the ACEC for recreation opportunities. These new access developments and 

improvements could result in increased sediment runoff to water bodies, which would represent a shortterm minor adverse impact to water resources because water quality could be compromised in specific 

locations. However, the Proposed Action also contains provisions for restricting motorized access by 

vehicle type and incorporate route designation criteria that would minimize the introduction of sediments 

or contaminants into water bodies and prevent destruction of riparian habitat by motorized recreational 

vehicle use. Therefore, there would be negligible impacts to water resources compared to the existing 

conditions described in Chapter 3. 

As additional data becomes available, this information will be valuable in monitoring the implementation 

of management actions, to determine whether restricting use in mine areas and reducing the miles of 

routes available for vehicle use, is having the desired effect of reducing contaminated sediment delivery 

downstream. The Aurora Mine site area would be completely closed between the Aurora grade and 

SBMRNA reducing soil disturbance and the potential for off-site transport of contaminants. 

The Proposed Action would reduce the miles of available routes in the Larious and San Carlos watershed 

where the highest levels of background concentrations of hazardous metals are present, thereby reducing 

the potential for human exposure and contaminated sediment delivery. Additional routes accessing the 

following mine areas (Chromium, Mercury, Asbestos) would be closed: Larious watershed – Larious, 

Sampson, Spanish, and Wonder Mines; San Carlos watershed – San Carlos and Molina Mine; Cantua 

watershed – Del Mexico, Anita, Sec. 28 asbestos, and Coalinga asbestos Mines; San Benito watershed –

Big Ridge Mine; White Creek watershed – Big Ridge, Tromby, Archer, Byles, and Butler Mines. Any 

motorized vehicle use on highly erosive areas such as unpaved roads and trails, would disturb soils 

containing hazardous metals, and increase erosion and transport of sediment above natural background 

levels. Closure of routes accessing these mines and a corresponding reduction in soil disturbance from 

OHV’s at these areas, would contribute to long term beneficial improvements in water quality by 

reducing the potential for contaminated sediment delivery. 

In general, under the Proposed, Action designated beneficial water uses identified for streams associated 

with the CCMA would be enhanced through a reduction in miles of routes and acres of barrens available 

for OHV use, reductions in stream crossings, and implementation of Best Management Practices to 

minimize watershed impacts. Considering estimates that nearly half the sediment delivered to streams 

within the CCMA come from stream and swale crossings, the vast reduction in the number of crossings 

should result in substantial reductions in sediment delivery and provide major long term beneficial 

effects. This information will assist in evaluating the effectiveness of route & barren area closures, along 

with other watershed restoration projects. 
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By reducing unauthorized uses, eliminating vehicle access to abandoned mine lands and completing 

significant road improvements and restoration projects, the BLM would contribute to the potential for 

beneficial impacts to water quality. The extent of the contribution of heavy metals and asbestos into the 

Hernandez Reservoir remains an issue, and some continued natural contribution of mercury and asbestos 

may be unavoidable. Water sampling data through 2002 indicates a possible overall slight downward 

trend in mercury concentrations in Clear Creek. However data from 2004/2005 indicates exceedance of 

the numeric objective for mercury in Clear Creek. 

The available data indicate that the San Benito River is currently meeting water quality objectives for 

mercury. The data also indicate that Hernandez Reservoir is currently meeting water quality objectives for 

mercury (1998 data); however, mercury in fish tissues is at levels which do not meet stated objectives. 

The Central Coast Regional Board’s Technical Report7

 indicates that sediment loading into the creek is 

roughly at background levels throughout most of the Clear Creek watershed, which suggests that the 

OHV activities were not causing any significant mercury loading. 

Though some recent actions by BLM appear to have implemented the mercury-loading controls necessary 

to achieve the TMDL, Clear Creek is not yet fully attaining standards. BLM initially committed to the 

Regional Board a five year program of quarterly sampling and monitoring, and this time period has 

passed. The Regional Board has not requested any additional implementation efforts as the remedial 

actions of BLM appear to be causing a decrease in sediment concentrations of mercury in Clear Creek. 

Achieving the load allocations in Clear Creek is reasonably expected to achieve the load allocations in 

Hernandez Reservoir and restore beneficial uses of the reservoir. 

Under the Proposed Action, the sediment yield from the CCMA road and trail system would be reduced. 

This would have a major long-term positive impact on surface water quality and possibly prolong the 

longevity of the Hernandez Reservoir.

Fire Management 

Fire management actions under the Proposed Action are intended to improve range conditions and for 

fuels reduction. These prescribed burns are conducted on intervals of decades. With appropriate 

suppression controls and the BMPs that will be implemented to protect water quality during prescribed or 

wild fires, BLM’s fire management actions would have a negligible adverse impact on water resources 

because the goal to maintain/enhance water quality could be compromised on a localized basis during fire 

suppression efforts around aquatic systems. Additional fire management actions include coordination 

efforts with the CALFIRE to minimize environmental damage, including damage to water resources, 

from fire suppression efforts. Wildland fire suppression and the use of prescribed fire or mechanical 

treatments would be managed to prevent adverse impacts to vernal pools and other waterways. These 

actions would have a beneficial impact to water quality and watershed function by controlling the 

introduction of sediment-laden suppression waters and/or chemical retardants into water bodies. These 

actions would have a positive long-term effect on water resources described in Chapter 3. 

Livestock Grazing 

The Proposed Action includes management actions that would allow BLM to make lands unavailable for 

livestock grazing if water resources were being degraded by grazing practices. It also would allow for 

fencing of spring developments to prevent trampling by livestock. These actions would result in 

beneficial impacts to water resources because they meet the goal of maintaining and improving water 

 

7

 Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Staff Report; Total Maximum Daily Load, Technical Support 

Analysis for Mercury Impairment of Clear Creek and Hernandez Reservoir, March 10, 2004. 
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quality. These actions would have a positive long-term effect on water resources described in Chapter 3. 

Management actions include protecting springs from livestock trampling and establishing grazing seasons 

to protect other resources, including water resources. These are beneficial impacts to water resources 

because it meets the goal of enhancing water quality. Finally, Alternative A ensures that livestock 

watering developments will be managed to provide safe drinking water for wildlife. This action is a 

beneficial impact to water availability for wildlife needs because it meets the goal of increasing water 

availability to meet resource needs. 

Energy and Minerals 

The Proposed Action could have potential impacts to water resources from energy and mineral 

exploration outside of the ACEC. However, as the potential for such development is low, it is unlikely. 

Since oil and gas leases and mining plans of operation are also required to address protection of water 

resources, energy and minerals actions would meet the goal of maintaining water quality and would 

therefore have no adverse impact on water resources. 

Under the Proposed Action, energy and mineral exploration would only be permitted outside of the 

ACEC. As a result, impacts to water resources within the ACEC from energy and mineral exploration 

would cease and provide long term moderate beneficial impacts. Therefore, the overall effects of energy 

and minerals management actions would have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on water resources 

described in Chapter 3. 

4.9.6.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are built into the management actions in Chapter 2. Mitigation measures include 

management actions that incorporate the use of BMPs, restricting certain uses that degrade water quality, 

and periodic monitoring of water quality. These mitigation measures would have a positive long-term 

effect on water resources described in Chapter 3 

4.9.7 Cumulative Effects 

Cumulative impacts to water quality could occur in areas downstream of BLM managed lands as a result 

of the management actions specified in the document. For example, management actions that result in 

increased sedimentation and/or contamination of water bodies would likely create similar effects in 

downstream areas, subject to distance and other factors such as sediment/contaminant transport 

characteristics and the ability of aquatic systems to buffer pollutant loads. Alternative G, in general, is 

most protective of water resources and therefore this alternative has the lowest potential for off-site 

impacts to water quality. Alternative A, which affords the most intensive development and resource 

extraction activities, has the highest potential to adversely impact off-site water quality. 

Water quantity is perhaps the most important off-site water resource issue. By allowing increased use of 

water from BLM managed lands, downstream areas would have less water to maintain watershed health, 

or for diversion purposes such as irrigation. Management actions that include BLM establishing federal 

water reserves would potentially adversely affect water availability to off-site (downstream) users. 

Alternatives that include BLM establishing federal water reserves (Alternative B through G) would 

potentially adversely affect water availability to off-site (downstream) users. Cumulative impacts could 

result from withdrawals of water to maintain watershed function or for development projects (e.g. wildlife 

habitat), would result in less available water for other beneficial uses over time within the Planning Area. 

Cumulative impacts to water resources could result from long-term degradation of water quality through 

management actions that result in pollutant loading to water bodies. While the Proposed Action and all of 

the management alternatives include mitigation measures to prevent long-term degradation of water 
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bodies; non-point source pollution from un-monitored activities, like certain recreation activities and the 

natural erosion process, could create slow but gradual degradation of stream conditions and overall 

watershed function. 

4.9.6.1 Cumulative Effects for Alternative A, B, C, and D 

BLM actions that would increase groundwater use in the CCMA, such as installation of public wash racks 

would have an adverse cumulative impact on water availability. Additionally, heavy metals and asbestos 

are concerns in the CCMA; the BLM contracted a water quality study (Dynamac, 1998) to determine the 

magnitude of heavy metals being deposited into streams from 15 abandoned mines. The background 

concentration of metals detected in soils tended to be above stated federal standards, and is consistent 

with the natural geochemistry of the area. However, differences in the water samples taken from below 

and above abandoned mine sites indicated that disturbed areas are contributing to metal concentrations 

over and above the naturally high levels. Disturbance by vehicles has also been a factor in increasing 

concentrations of metals transported downstream in the water. 

Compared to existing conditions, under these alternatives, water quality should exhibit a gradually 

improving trend over many years. Impacts related to OHV use of the barrens would be limited to the 

Clear Creek watershed. By eliminating unregulated use, eliminating vehicle access to all remaining 

abandoned mines, continuing completion of abandoned mine remediation projects, and by completing 

significant road repairs and improvements, the BLM would minimize the potential for additional humancaused impacts to the subject waterways, and maintain or enhance current water quality conditions while 

minimizing effects to human health. Reducing the number of miles of unpaved roads by 45 percent, and 

reducing soil disturbing activities at remaining mine sites, would contribute to reducing off-site transport 

of metals and asbestos. The extent of the contribution of heavy metals and asbestos passing into the 

Hernandez Reservoir remains an issue, and some continued natural contribution of mercury and asbestos 

may be unavoidable. Recent water sampling data indicates a possible downward trend in mercury 

concentrations in Clear Creek. 

The Aurora Mine site area would be completely closed between the Aurora grade and SBMRNA reducing 

soil disturbance and the potential for off-site transport of contaminants. Alternatives C and D would 

reduce the miles of available routes in the Larious and San Carlos watershed where the highest levels of 

background concentrations of hazardous metals are present, thereby reducing the potential for human 

exposure and contaminated off-site sediment delivery. 

Any motorized OHV use on highly erosive areas such as barren slopes and on unpaved roads and trails, 

could disturb soils containing hazardous metals and asbestos, and increase erosion and transport of 

sediment above natural background levels. Closure of routes accessing these mines and a corresponding 

reduction in soil disturbance from OHV’s at these areas, would contribute to improvements in water 

quality by reducing the potential for contaminated sediment delivery. 

In general, streams associated with the CCMA would be enhanced through decreased miles of routes and 

acres of barrens available for OHV use, reductions in stream crossings, and implementation of Best 

Management Practices to minimize watershed impacts. Under Alternatives C and D, riparian areas would 

have at least 50 percent fewer miles of OHV routes, and the number of stream crossings would decline as 

well compared to the existing designated route network. Nearly half the sediment delivered to streams 

within the CCMA comes from stream and swale crossings. Therefore, a reduced number of crossings 

would reduce substantially sediment delivery offsite. BLM and the USGS will continue to monitor the 

volume of sediment measured in tons, for daily and monthly quantities. 
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4.9.6.2 Cumulative Effects for Alternatives E, F, G, and the Proposed Action 

Appropriation of water rights from private land owners could also contribute to decreasing amounts of 

water available for beneficial uses. If request for new rights-of-way for water pipelines or storage tanks 

are submitted, BLM would evaluate any such proposal for potential impacts to groundwater quantity or 

quantity and associated impacts to other CCMA resources. 

Actions within the CCMA watershed involving both groundwater and surface water could affect water 

quality outside of CCMA. For example, ephemeral drainages flowing during the wet season and flood 

events could potentially carry pollutants from the surface and impact water quality in the Hernandez 

Reservoir and other drainages. However, BLM would need to monitor water quality in CCMA 

waterways, as proposed in the range of alternatives, in order to assess these potential impacts. 

Overall, a substantial reduction of motorized use within the highly erosive ACEC under Alternatives E, F, 

G, and the Proposed Action would have beneficial cumulative effects by reducing sediment loads and 

transport of asbestos and heavy metals off-site to downstream areas compared to current management and 

other alternatives that would emphasize motorized recreation. 
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4.10 Special Designations 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goals for ACECs/RNAs are to identify and manage ACECs and RNAs to protect and 

prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife 

resources or other natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards. 

The goals and objectives for managing Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) are the same under 

all alternatives, including the Proposed Action. For designated wilderness areas, BLM is required 

to manage the areas consistent with the Act of designation and the Wilderness Act of 1964, as 

applicable. More specific management direction can be found in 3 CFR 6300. BLM is required 

to manage WSAs consistent with Section 603 of the FLPMA and the H-8550-1 Handbook 

(Interim Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review) until Congress designates the 

area(s) as wilderness or releases them from the Section 603 FLPMA provision. If the areas are 

released, they would be managed consistent with the provisions within the RMP. 

The goal for managing Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWCs) is to emphasize other 

multiple uses while applying management restrictions (conditions of use, mitigation measures) to 

reduce impacts to wilderness characteristics. Management of LWCs is part of BLM’s multiple 

use mandate. Lands within the CCMA were inventoried in 2011 in accordance with IM 2011-154, 

to identify public lands with wilderness characteristics such as naturalness, opportunities for 

solitude, primitive and unconfined recreation, and other associated qualities. 

4.10.1 Introduction 

This section focuses on the environmental impacts that management actions may have on the suitability 

of CCMA public lands for a special designation or protective management. Special designations are 

eligible based on the presence of particular values and qualities. These areas are designated through 

different processes and managed under special considerations. Special designations in the CCMA include 

the Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), the San Benito Mountain Research 

Natural Area (RNA), and the San Benito Mountain Wilderness Study Areas (WSA). There are 

approximately 5,030 acres of lands with wilderness characteristics (LWCs) located in the Cantua Zone. 

Each special designation area is managed according to the land use allocations described in Chapter 2. 

There are no Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs) designated in CCMA. 

There are no changes or modifications to the existing special designations in CCMA under the range of 

alternatives because the designation of the Serpentine ACEC in the 1984 Hollister RMP (as amended) is 

based on human health risks associated with exposure to asbestos within the serpentine soils. The 

boundaries of the ACEC were defined by mapping of asbestos soils derived from the New Idria 

serpentine formation. This ACEC is referred to frequently as the Hazardous Asbestos Area (HAA), and 

maintaining the current ACEC designation highlights the areas where special management attention is 

needed to protect human life and safety from natural hazards and prevent irreparable damage to important 

natural, cultural, and scenic resources. 

As outlined in Section 3.10, there are two types of wilderness-related management allocations discussed 

in this RMP. The first involves continued interim management of the 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain 

WSA. This area was analyzed in a previous EIS and must be managed under BLM’s Interim Management 

Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review (BLM 1995) under all RMP alternatives to protect its 

wilderness values until Congress determines whether it should be designated as part of the National 

Wilderness Preservation System. Under all of the plan alternatives, no or negligible impacts would occur 
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to the San Benito Mountain WSA based on the interim management policy requirements. The second 

component of the RMP involves the inventory of lands with wilderness characteristics, and the associated 

land use allocations to manage any or all of these inventoried lands to protect wilderness characteristics 

during the life of the RMP. These lands would be managed under the guidance in Chapter 2, Section 

2.5.10. Note that the CCMA inventory for wilderness characteristics was updated based on comments on 

the Draft CCMA RMP/EIS. As a result of this update, approximately 5,030 acres outside of the original 

inventory units were found to possess wilderness characteristics. 

During the planning process, the Hollister Field Office prepared a Wild and Scenic River Inventory to 

evaluate river segments within the resource management planning process to determine eligibility, 

tentative classification, protection requirements, and suitability under the Wild and Scenic River Act 

(WSRA). The Wild and Scenic River Inventory is located in Appendix VI (PRMP/FEIS Volume II). 

Following identification and evaluation of all rivers located on BLM-administered lands in the CCMA, 

the Hollister Field Office determined that none of them are appropriate for addition to the National Wild 

and Scenic River System (NWSRS). Therefore, BLM does not recommend legislative actions to 

accomplish such additions, and there is no further analysis of impacts from WSR designation in this 

PRMP/FEIS. 

4.10.2 Overview of Impacts Common to All Alternatives 

This section provides an overview of impacts that are common to all alternatives because the type of 

effects that special designations would have on the human environment are the same under all of the 

alternatives. The rationale for no changes or modifications to the existing special designations in CCMA 

under the range of alternatives is presented in Chapter 1 (Section 1.3.2.3), and the analysis of 

environmental consequences provided here is based on the severity of the impacts to the human 

environment from current special designations. 

4.10.2.1 Special Designations 

ACEC/RNA and WSA designations allow focused management to occur on these lands, which enhances 

the values for which they were set aside, and minimizes detrimental impacts. Management must be in 

strict compliance with the laws and regulations that govern their special designations. 

The range of alternatives does not include actions that would result in irreversible or irretrievable impacts 

to existing ACEC/RNAs, WSAs, or LWCs (i.e., an impact that would make a particular ACEC/RNA, 

WSA, or LWC unsuitable for continued protective management). 

Resources Protection and Mitigation Measures 

Designation of special management areas does not preclude land uses that are appropriate (i.e. not 

detrimental) to the unique features or values that receive special protection. Activity plans may be 

necessary to enhance the values for which these areas were established, to minimize detrimental impacts, 

and to facilitate mitigation. To ensure protection of unique features and values, appropriate protective 

measures for land use authorizations would be incorporated into management actions or land use 

authorizations that have the potential to disturb resources. 

Section 2.4.10 lists proposed ACEC/RNA, WSA, and LWC protective measures. Implementation of 

proposed management actions and mitigation measures to protect ACEC/RNA, WSA, or LWC values 

would depend on the type of disturbance, and its severity and duration. On-site inspections and project 

planning would be necessary to develop site-specific appropriate terms and conditions for approval. Predevelopment activities may include dust suppression, seasonal restrictions, and avoidance of sensitive 

habitats. Appropriate activities for the development phase may include topsoil protection, minimization 
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of surface disturbance, reseeding of disturbed sites, wastewater containment, and implementation of 

buffer zones around sensitive habitats. Post-development activity could include removal and disposal of 

construction material, recontouring surface land to pre-disturbance alignment, erosion control, and topsoiling and reseeding disturbed sites with native or non-native, non-invasive vegetation. 

4.10.2.2 Other Management Actions 

Within the range of alternatives, several other management actions could have impacts on the values for 

which the Serpentine ACEC was established, including impacts from energy and mineral development; 

impacts from livestock grazing and impacts of transportation and recreational activities on natural 

vegetation and soil erosion. These impacts of the activities on water quality, vegetation, and soils are not 

exclusive to the Serpentine ACEC, and they would be similar wherever such activities occur in CCMA. 

Energy and Mineral Development 

Energy and mineral development in the Serpentine ACEC could potentially cause increased airborne 

asbestos emissions, surface and groundwater contamination, increased soil erosion, native vegetation 

removal, recontouring of natural terrain, and the proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds. These 

effects would be long-term in nature depending on the severity, duration, and application of mitigation 

measures. Energy and mineral development of LWC in the Cantua Zone would also have potential 

adverse effects on solitude, naturalness, and opportutnities for primitive and unconfined recreation. 

If public lands are available for mineral entry in the Serpentine ACEC or the LWC in the Cantua Zone, 

surface-disturbing activities for energy and mineral development would be evaluated for potential adverse 

impacts on a case-by-case basis. On-site field surveys would occur on all applications. Consultations with 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concerning special status species and sensitive habitat would occur if 

appropriate. 

Transportation and Recreation 

Vehicular access and recreational activities in the ACEC would perpetuate human health risk from 

exposure to asbestos, and could potentially damage natural vegetation and increase soil erosion when 

travel occurs on non-established motorized vehicle routes or vehicle roadways. BLM would enforce 

allowable use restrictions to manage recreational activities and reduce human health risks in the 

Serpentine ACEC and San Benito Mountain RNA; and designated routes would be maintained to 

minimize detrimental long-term environmental effects. Travel management and recreation on LWC in 

the Cantua Zone would also have potential adverse effects on solitude, naturalness, and opportutnities for 

primitive and unconfined recreation. These effects would be long-term in nature depending on the 

severity, duration, and application of mitigation measures. 

Water and Biological Resources 

Wildlife habitat improvement and watershed restoration projects such as stabilizations of barrens, noxious 

and invasive weed abatement, or riparian area protection measures would have beneficial impacts on 

CCMA special designations. Such management practices would improve plant diversity, structure, and 

cover, decrease soil erosion, and improve soil water infiltration. Habitat and vegetation improvement 

projects may include topsoil protection, erosion control devices, re-seeding of disturbed areas, wastewater 

containment, noxious weed control, or implementation of buffer zones around sensitive habitats. 

Livestock Grazing 
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Under all alternatives, no grazing would occur in the San Benito Mountain RNA or WSA. Livestock may 

affect sensitive plant communities, wildlife habitat, or special status species habitat in the Serpentine 

ACEC through grazing and trampling under Alternatives A through E. Sensitive habitat management and 

protection within grazing allotments would be accommodated in Allotment Management Plans. The HFO 

would work with grazing lessees to minimize potential impacts in the ACEC by placing salt licks, 

watering facilities, and supplemental feeding sites away from sensitive habitats. Grazing throughout an 

allotment is not uniform due to terrain, forage quantity and quality, weather, and water availability 

differences. Appropriate levels of livestock grazing would be obtained through limitation of season of 

use, fencing, strategic placement of watering and salting sites, or limitation of animal numbers. 

Fire Management 

Historically, nearly all wildfires in the Planning Area have been human caused. Though wildfires in 

CCMA are rare, such a high level of human ignitions is a concern, and public outreach efforts would be 

emphasized to reduce potential occurrences. Wildfire has the potential to destroy unique vegetation 

communities, wildlife habitat, and special status species habitat in the Serpentine ACEC and San Benito 

Mountain RNA and WSA. On the other hand, well managed use of prescribed fire would enhance the 

diversity and complexity of vegetation communities and wildlife habitat, reduce hazardous fuels, and 

abate noxious and invasive weeds in accordance with the HFO Fire Management Plan. The goal of 

wildfire containment is to suppress 90 percent of all fires before 10 acres are burned. Non-fire fuels 

treatment includes mechanical and biological controls of fuels (vegetation) rather than burning. 

4.10.3 Impacts and Mitigation Common to All Alternatives 

4.10.3.1 Special Designation 

Under all alternatives, the existing Serpentine ACEC (30,000 acres), and the San Benito Mountain RNA 

(4,147 acres) and WSA (1,500 acres) would remain special designation areas. The WSA would be 

managed according to the Interim Management Policy (IMP) with added emphasis on management of 

natural resources to protect the values for which these special designations have been established. The 

effects of maintaining the Serpentine ACEC designation for the 30,000-acre area of serpentine soil with 

high concentrations of asbestos fibers associated with the New Idria serpentine mass would provide major 

long-term benefits to public health and safety because BLM’s proposed management restrictions would 

reduce asbestos exposure to EPA’s acceptable risk range for human health as described in Section 4.2. 

Special Designation Area Protection Measures 

Special designation would prevent land uses that are detrimental to the unique features or values by 

restricting allowable uses, or requiring special protection measures prior to BLM authorization. 

Appropriate management activities would be identified to enhance the natural and cultural resources 

values, and to minimize detrimental impacts and facilitate mitigation for activities that have the potential 

to disturb surface land to ensure protection of unique features and values. 

In the Serpentine ACEC, management activities such as road maintenance, construction, grading, and 

hard rock mining, or oil and gas development, would be evaluated for potential adverse impacts to the 

values for which the ACEC was established. 

Prior to surface-disturbing activities in a special designation area, the site would be evaluated for potential 

adverse environmental impacts to vegetation, wildlife, and special status species and measures to reduce 

or eliminate the impacts. Mitigation measures would be separated into pre-development, development, 

and post-development activities. Pre-development activities may include road location, fencing, and 

seasonal restrictions to protect sensitive resources. Appropriate activities during the development phase 
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may include topsoil protection, minimization of surface disturbance, re-seeding abandoned disturbed 

sites, wastewater containment, noxious weed control, and implementation of buffer zones around 

sensitive habitats. Post-development activity could include removal and disposal of construction material, 

recontouring surface land, topsoiling, and reseeding disturbed sites with native vegetation. Compensation 

may be required in the form off-site habitat enhancement such as guzzler development, seeding of native 

shrub or forage species, or providing funds for purchase of off-site lands. 

4.10.3.2 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are incorporated in the management actions in Chapter 2. Potential impacts to 

sensitive vegetation, wildlife, and special status species habitat from mineral and energy production, 

recreation, livestock grazing, or wildfire may be identified through rangeland health monitoring. 

Development protective measures include site planning and evaluation, fencing, seasonal restrictions, reseeding abandoned disturbed sites, wastewater containment, noxious weed control, recontouring surface 

land, and reseeding disturbed sites. These measures help avoid or minimize impacts to resources. 

4.10.4 Impacts and Mitigation under Alternatives A, B, C, and D 

4.10.4.1 Special Management Area Protection Measures 

The impacts of special management area designations would be the same under all alternatives. 

Management actions included under alternatives A, B, C, and D to protect public health, special status 

species, and other natural and cultural resources would have minor long-term benefits to special 

designations in CCMA. 

4.10.4.2 Other Management Actions 

Energy and Mineral Development 

The reasonably foreseeable energy and mineral development scenario is the same under all alternatives. 

Therefore impacts are expected to be similar under these alternatives because all CCMA public lands 

would be available for leasing, sales, and hard rock mining. However, the pre-development, development, 

and post development protective measure associated with Alternatives A, B, C, and D would provide 

minor long-term resources benefits compared to the no action alternative. Overall, the impacts of energy 

and mineral development would be negligible because there is no potential for oil and gas development in 

the ACEC, and stipulations for mining claims would require strict adherence to resource protection 

measures and establish reclamation bonds to rehabilitate public lands once mining activities have been 

terminated. 

Energy and mineral development of LWC in the Cantua Zone would also have potential adverse effects 

on solitude, naturalness, and opportutnities for primitive and unconfined recreation. However, the effects 

would be minor because there is moderate potential for oil and gas development in the Cantua Zone, and 

stipulations for mining claims would require strict adherence to resource protection measures and 

establish reclamation bonds to rehabilitate public lands once mining activities have been terminated. 

Recreation and Access 

Alternatives A, B, C, and D would promote varying degrees of high-impact recreation activity. The types 

of recreation activities and allowable uses under these alternatives would have moderate long-term 

adverse effects on the values for which the special designation areas are established due to impacts of 

authorized and unauthorized off-highway vehicle use and shooting on CCMA resources. 
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Under Alternative D, travel management and recreation on LWC in the Cantua Zone would also have 

major direct adverse effects on solitude, naturalness, and opportunities for primitive and unconfined 

recreation. These effects would be long-term in nature and.have greater impacts on LWC than any other 

alternative. 

Water and Biological Resources 

Impacts would be similar to current management, but the pre-development, development, and postdevelopment protective measure associated with Alternatives B, C, and D would provide additional 

benefits to protect these resources. On the other hand, BLM management actions for water and biological 

resources under these alternatives would have long-term beneficial impacts on the values for which the 

special designation areas are established. 

Livestock Grazing 

Alternatives A, B, C, and D would require that grazing lessees prohibit livestock turn-out and gathering 

activities within 200 feet of sensitive habitat areas; and require cattle grazing lessees to eliminate salting 

or supplemental feed or watering facilities within 200 feet of sensitive habitat areas. In addition, the BLM 

would coordinate with the grazing lessees in on-the-ground meetings at least annually at the beginning of 

each grazing season. These management actions would have minor long-term benefits on the values for 

which the ACEC was established. 

Fire Management 

The impacts of fire management would be the same under all alternatives. Management actions included 

under alternatives A, B, C, and D to reduce risk to lives, property, and resources from wildfire would 

have minor long-term benefits on special designation areas. 

4.10.4.3 Mitigation 

Potential impacts to sensitive vegetation, wildlife, and special status species habitat from mineral and 

energy production, recreation, livestock grazing, or wildfire would be identified through rangeland health 

monitoring. Specific mitigation measures would be implemented to reduce potential impacts. Predevelopment, development, and post-development protective measures would reduce or eliminate impacts 

to the values for which special designation areas are established. These mitigation measures would have 

minor long-term beneficial impacts on these values compared to the no action alternative. 

4.10.5 Impacts and Mitigation under Alternatives E, F, and G 

4.10.5.1 Special Management Area Protection Measures 

The impacts of special management area designations would be the same under all alternatives. 

Management actions included under alternatives E, F, and G to protect public health, special status 

species, and other natural and cultural resources would have major long-term benefits to special 

designations in CCMA.

4.10.5.2 Other Management Actions 

Energy and Mineral Development 

The reasonably foreseeable energy and mineral development scenario is the same under all alternatives. 

Therefore impacts are expected to be similar under these alternatives because none of the public lands in 
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the ACEC/RNA or WSA would be available for leasing, sales, or hard rock mining. Overall, the impacts 

of energy and mineral development would be negligible because there is no potential for oil and gas 

development in the ACEC, and BLM would recommend withdrawal of public lands in the ACEC from 

mineral entry. Only the United States Congress can formally withdraw public lands from mineral entry, 

which would result in major long-term benefits to public health and safety, special status species, and 

other values for which the special designation areas are established. 

Designating the ACEC (Alt. E & F) and/or the entire CCMA (Alt. G) as a renewable energy exclusion 

area would have minor negative effects on renewable energy development because up to 63,000 acres of 

public lands would not be available for development of wind or solar energy resources. 

The proposed withdrawal of LWC in the Cantua Zone from of energy and mineral development (and 

renewable energy exclusion) under Alternative G would have direct long-term beneficial impacts on 

solitude, naturalness, and opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. 

Recreation and Access 

Alternative E promotes low-impact activities in special designation areas and has much greater 

restrictions for vehicle use in the ACEC than Alternative A-D, but Alternative E would still allow 

motorized access for the public entirely. Alternative F and G minimize or avoid adverse effects to 

resources in existing special designation areas from high-impact recreational activity by limiting access to 

pedestrian use (i.e. foot traffic) only or prohibiting all forms of public entry into the ACEC, respectively. 

These alternatives would provide major long-term benefits to public health and safety, special status 

species, and other values for which the special designation areas are established. 

Under Alternative E, travel management and recreation on LWC in the Cantua Zone would have minor 

indirect adverse effects on solitude, naturalness, and opportunities for primitive and unconfined 

recreation. These effects would be long-term in nature, but the impacts on LWC would be less than all 

other alternatives except for F & G, which would both have major beneficial impacts on LWC in the 

Cantua Zone. 

Water and Biological Resources 

Impacts would be less than Alternatives A, B, C, and D but the pre-development, development, and postdevelopment protective measure associated with Alternatives E, F, and G would provide additional 

benefits to protect special designation area values. BLM management actions for water and biological 

resources under these alternatives would also have long-term beneficial impacts on the values for which 

the special designation areas are established. 

Livestock Grazing 

Alternatives E would require management actions similar to previous alternatives that would have minor 

long-term benefits on the values for which the ACEC was established. However, Alternatives F and G 

would exclude livestock grazing from the ACEC, which would also have minor long-term benefits on the 

health risk to grazing operators from exposure to asbestos, as well as special status species and other 

natural and cultural resources by reducing or eliminating the effects of trampling. 

Fire Management 

The impacts of fire management would be the same under all alternatives. Management actions included 

under Alternatives E, F, and G to reduce risk to lives, property, and resources from wildfire would have 

minor long-term benefits on special designation areas. 
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4.10.5.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are incorporated in the management actions in Chapter 2. Alternatives E, F, and G 

include measures to consolidate activities to reduce the net impact, and for recontouring and reseeding. 

Potential impacts to sensitive vegetation, wildlife, and special status species habitat from mineral and 

energy production, recreation, livestock grazing, or wildfire may be identified through Rangeland Health 

Monitoring. Specific mitigation measures would be developed to reduce potential impacts. The allowable 

use restrictions under Alternatives E, F, and G provide the most protection for special designation area 

values of all alternatives considered in this EIS. 

4.10.6 Impacts to Special Designations for the Proposed Action 

4.10.6.1 Special Designation Area Protection Measures 

Under the Proposed Action, the existing Serpentine ACEC and the San Benito Mountain RNA (4,147 

acres) and WSA (1,500 acres) would remain special designation areas. The WSA would be managed 

according to the Interim Management Policy (IMP) with added emphasis on management of natural 

resources to protect the values for which these special designations have been established. The effects of 

maintaining the Serpentine ACEC designation for the area of serpentine soil with high concentrations of 

asbestos fibers associated with the New Idria serpentine mass would provide major long-term benefits to 

public health and safety because BLM’s proposed management restrictions would reduce asbestos 

exposure to EPA’s acceptable risk range for human health as described in Section 4.2. 

Special designation would prevent land uses that are detrimental to the unique features or values by 

restricting allowable uses, or requiring special protection measures prior to BLM authorization. 

Appropriate management activities would be identified to enhance the natural and cultural resources 

values, and to minimize detrimental impacts and facilitate mitigation for activities that have the potential 

to disturb surface land to ensure protection of unique features and values. 

In the Serpentine ACEC, management activities such as road maintenance, construction, and grading 

activities would be evaluated for potential adverse impacts to the values for which the ACEC was 

established. 

Prior to surface-disturbing activities in a special designation area, the site would be evaluated for potential 

adverse environmental impacts to vegetation, wildlife, and special status species and measures to reduce 

or eliminate the impacts. Mitigation measures would be separated into pre-development, development, 

and post-development activities. Pre-development activities may include road location, fencing, and 

seasonal restrictions to protect sensitive resources. Appropriate activities during the development phase 

may include topsoil protection, minimization of surface disturbance, re-seeding abandoned disturbed 

sites, wastewater containment, noxious weed control, and implementation of buffer zones around 

sensitive habitats. Post-development activity could include removal and disposal of construction material, 

recontouring surface land, topsoiling, and reseeding disturbed sites with native vegetation. Compensation 

may be required in the form off-site habitat enhancement such as guzzler development, seeding of native 

shrub or forage species, or providing funds for purchase of off-site lands. 

Management actions included under the Proposed Action to protect public health, special status species, 

and other natural and cultural resources would have major long-term benefits to special designations in 

CCMA.
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4.10.6.2 Energy and Mineral Development 

Under the Proposed Action, BLM would propose that none of the public lands in the special designation 

areas would be available for leasing, sales, or hard rock mining. Although BLM would recommend 

withdrawal of public lands in the ACEC from mineral entry; only the United States Congress can 

formally withdraw public lands from mineral entry, which would result in major long-term benefits to 

public health and safety, special status species, and other values for which the special designation areas 

are established. 

Energy and mineral development on LWC in the Cantua Zone would have long-term indirect adverse 

effects on solitude, naturalness, and opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. However, the 

effects would be minor because there is only moderate potential for oil and gas development in the 

Cantua Zone, and stipulations for mining claims or renewable energy projects would require strict 

adherence to resource protection measures and establish reclamation bonds to rehabilitate public lands 

once activities have been terminated. 

Designating the ACEC as a renewable energy exclusion area would have minor negative effects on 

renewable energy development because 30,000 acres of public lands would not be available for 

development of wind or solar energy resources. 

4.10.6.3 Recreation and Access 

The Proposed Action promotes low-impact activities in special designation areas and has much greater 

restrictions for vehicle use in the ACEC than the No Action Alternative, but would still allow motorized 

access for the public to these areas. Motorized recreational touring would be substantially limited from 

historical OHV use levels, which would greatly reduce impacts from vehicles. Management actions to 

minimize or avoid adverse effects to resources in existing special designation areas from high-impact 

recreational activity would include limiting access to the Scenic Touring Route and promoting nonmotorized recreation activities in Special Designation areas. This would provide major long-term benefits 

to public health and safety, special status species, and other values for which the special designation areas 

are established. 

Travel management and recreation on LWC in the Cantua Zone would have minor long-term indirect 

adverse effects on solitude, naturalness, and opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation. 

4.10.6.4 Water and Biological Resources 

Pre-development, development, and post-development protective measure associated with the Proposed 

Action would provide additional benefits to protect special designation area values. BLM management 

actions for water and biological resources under these alternatives would also have long-term beneficial 

impacts on the values for which the special designation areas are established. 

4.10.6.5 Livestock Grazing 

The Proposed Action would require that grazing lessees prohibit livestock turn-out and gathering 

activities within 200 feet of sensitive habitat areas; and require cattle grazing lessees to eliminate salting 

or supplemental feed or watering facilities within 200 feet of sensitive habitat areas. In addition, the BLM 

would coordinate with the grazing lessees annually at the beginning of each grazing season to discuss 

management actions to minimize potential impacts in the ACEC by. These management actions would 

have minor long-term benefits on the values for which the ACEC was established. 
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4.10.6.6 Fire Management 

Management actions included under the Proposed Action to reduce risk to lives, property, and resources 

from wildfire would have minor long-term benefits on special designation areas. 

4.10.6.7 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are incorporated in the management actions in Chapter 2. Potential impacts to 

sensitive vegetation, wildlife, and special status species habitat from mineral and energy production, 

recreation, livestock grazing, or wildfire would be identified through rangeland health monitoring. 

Specific mitigation measures would be implemented to reduce potential impacts. Pre-development, 

development, and post-development protective measures would reduce or eliminate impacts to the values 

for which special designation areas are established. Management actions include measures to consolidate 

activities to reduce the net impact, and provide for recontouring and reseeding of disturbed areas. The 

allowable use restrictions under the Proposed Action provide a high degree of protection for special 

designation area values. These mitigation measures would have moderate long-term beneficial impacts 

on these values compared to the no action alternative. 

4.10.7 Cumulative Effects 

The cumulative effects of energy development, mining, grazing, and similar activities on BLMadministered lands in special designation areas could potentially contaminate surface and groundwater, 

increase soil erosion, reduce natural vegetation cover, and proliferate noxious and invasive weeds both 

within the Serpentine ACEC and the San Benito Mountain RNA and WSA. Most surface disturbance 

would be localized to the ACEC, but noxious and invasive species issues could be regional. The impacts 

would be either short- or long-term, depending on their severity, and could be reduced through adequate 

planning, mitigation, and monitoring. Adherence to appropriate pre-development, development, and postdevelopment protective measures would be critical to mitigate off-site and cumulative impacts. 

The Proposed Action does not include actions that would result in adverse cumulative effects on the San 

Benito Mountain WSA (i.e., an impact that would make these areas unsuitable for continued protective 

management). The cumulative effects of Alternatives B, C, and D are similar to Alternative A; whereas 

Alternatives E, F, G, and the Proposed Action are more consistent with resources management objective 

and protection of the values for which the Serpentine ACEC was established because they would provide 

major long-term benefits to public health and safety by reducing asbestos exposure from current levels.
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4.11 Livestock Grazing 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goals for livestock grazing management are to (1) provide for a sustainable level of livestock 

grazing consistent with other resource objectives, (2) identify lands and forage available for 

livestock grazing, and (3) achieve the standards and implement guidelines for rangeland health as 

outlined in the Central California Standards and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing (hereafter 

referred to as the Standards and Guidelines). 

4.11.1 Introduction 

Hollister Field Office land use decisions relating to the management of rangeland resources and livestock 

grazing are made in accordance with parameters defined by current BLM grazing regulations and the 

Central California Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines (hereinafter, the Standards and 

Guidelines). Upon BLM approval in 2000, the Standards and Guidelines were amended into the 1984 

Hollister RMP. An interdisciplinary team of BLM resources specialists monitors rangeland health to 

determine compliance with the Standards and Guidelines. 

4.11.2 Overview of Impacts 

This subsection provides an overview of impacts to rangeland resources that could occur under the 

various alternatives. The background and overall assessment is provided here and further analysis, such as 

the location or severity of the impact, is provided under each alternative. 

4.11.2.1 Livestock Grazing 

Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines 

Variance from one or more of the standards indicates that rangeland health may be compromised and 

corrective actions for livestock grazing may be required. Where livestock grazing would limit attainment 

of the standards for rangeland health, rangeland management guidelines would be implemented as 

necessary to attain the standards. Current grazing levels would be maintained until analysis of monitoring 

data and/or evaluation of rangeland health assessments identifies a need for adjustment to meet objective 

standards for rangeland health. The Hollister Field Office (HFO) lands that are found to be unsuitable for 

livestock grazing, or that contain resource values that cannot be adequately protected from livestock 

impacts through mitigating measures or implementation of rangeland guidelines, would not be allocated 

to livestock grazing. Finally, HFO lands determined by evaluation of inventory, monitoring, or rangeland 

health assessment to be without forage that is or would be available for livestock through implementation 

of rangeland guidelines would not be allocated to livestock grazing. In summary, management actions 

that comply with the standards and guidelines have beneficial impacts to natural resources. 

Livestock Management, Including Forage, Grazing Season, and Use Levels 

The HFO prepares Allotment Management Plans (AMPs) that specify livestock management, including 

type of livestock, season of use, level of use (specified as AUMs), and grazing intensity. The grazing 

season would be established based on impacts on other resources and resource use. Grazing in Areas of 

Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and/or areas where special status plant species occur will be 

carefully monitored to determine if adverse impacts to protected resources are occurring. If an allotment 

fails to comply with the Standards and Guidelines and monitoring determines that grazing is the cause, 

then provisions would be provided to make the necessary adjustments to bring about compliance. 

Livestock distributions across HFO allotments are not uniform due to terrain, soil, and forage variations. 
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Poor livestock distribution can lead to adverse impacts due to heavy grazing pressure on some sites (e.g., 

riparian habitats and adjacent terraces). 

4.11.2.2 Fire Management 

Prescribed fire may improve forage production, enhance wildlife habitat, reduce levels of hazardous fuels, 

and abate noxious and invasive weeds. Prescribed fire will often increase livestock forage within one to 

three years. Subsequent livestock use would depend upon residual mulch requirements and available 

forage each year after burning. 

Wildfire can have a pronounced impact on livestock grazing through its effect on forage production. The 

principal forage in the HFO grazing allotments consists of annual grasses and forbs. As annual grasses 

and forbs mature, they provide fine fuel that can be easily ignited by lightning strikes or human causes. 

Forage loss on burned allotments will reduce livestock AUMs until the forage can recover sufficiently to 

support livestock grazing. Establishment of invasive weeds after a fire may reduce forage productivity. 

Post-fire rehabilitation will hasten allotment recovery and will reduce the chances for noxious and 

invasive weed establishment. 

4.11.2.3 Habitat and Vegetation Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

Prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, herbicides, watering facilities, fencing, and livestock grazing are 

tools used to enhance wildlife habitats and vegetation communities in rangelands. The HFO uses 

prescribed fire and mechanical treatments to achieve diversity in habitat types and plant communities. 

Herbicide use is minimal and used to control unwanted vegetation that does not respond to other 

treatments. Fences and watering facilities improve livestock distribution throughout an allotment. In 

addition, noxious and invasive weed management is an important part of rangeland maintenance. 

4.11.2.4 Land Disposal, Acquisition, or Exchanges 

Suitability for livestock grazing would be considered in land use authorizations, and the acquisition of 

new lands would likely provide minor long-term benefits by increasing the land available for grazing. 

4.11.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A - E 

4.11.3.1 Livestock Grazing 

Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines 

Interdisciplinary rangeland health assessments on all grazing allotments would be carried out to evaluate 

conformance with the Standards and Guidelines. Alternatives would provide specific measures to 

maintain or improve rangeland health with regard to livestock grazing, a beneficial impact. 

Livestock Management, Including Forage, Grazing Season, and Use Levels 

Under Alterative A-E, grazing use is authorized on 14 allotments on 22,140 acres within the CCMA 

boundary. Grazing use allocations within the CCMA total 1,354 AUMs. Current grazing allotments are 

meeting the demand for livestock grazing in the Planning Area, so existing management actions provide a 

beneficial impact to rangeland resources for grazing access and use. When rangeland health evaluations 

determine that exclusion of livestock grazing may be necessary to meet resource objectives, these areas 

would not be available for livestock grazing, which represents a beneficial impact to other natural 

resources, but may also result in minor adverse impacts to grazing opportunity. Where livestock grazing 

may be found to limit achievement of multiple-use objectives, actions to control grazing intensity, 
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duration, timing, and deferment would be required to meet physiological requirements of key plant 

species or to meet other resource objectives, which represents a beneficial impact to other natural 

resources, but may also result in minor adverse impacts to grazing opportunity. Spring developments to 

provide water for livestock and wildlife would be fenced to prevent trampling, a beneficial impact to 

riparian areas. Conversion of existing allotments from sheep to cattle grazing would occur if determined 

to be compatible with rangeland health standards and in conformance with resource objectives. The 

conversion of allotments between livestock species is not anticipated to result in adverse impacts to 

natural resources or general rangeland health. Under Alternative A - E, approximately 1,986 acres of 

lands designated for grazing are located in the Clear Creek ACEC. Grazing in the ACEC has the potential 

for minor adverse impacts on cultural resources, paleontological resources, and sensitive species habitat 

from livestock trampling or disturbance, including potential habitat for the federally-listed San Benito 

evening primrose. 

4.11.3.2 Recreation and Access 

Under all alternatives vehicular activity could potentially damage vegetation and increase soil erosion 

when travel occurs on non-established motorized vehicle routes or vehicle roadways. This could 

adversely impact range condition and long term production for livestock. 

Under Alternatives A, B, and C there would not be a significant change to livestock grazing in CCMA. 

Motorized vehicle activity would remain focused in the ACEC. Minor impacts to livestock grazing would 

continue to occur. 

Under Alternative D, management actions specify increasing and/or improving motorized access to 

CCMA public lands outside of the ACEC for recreation opportunities. The increase in access to the 

Condon, Tucker and Cantua areas could result in increased vehicle activity in grazing areas not previously 

used for recreation. The potential for user conflicts and impacts to vegetation utilized by livestock would 

increase. These impacts would be moderately adverse. 

Under Alternative E, management actions would continue to encourage recreation activity and access in 

the Condon, Tucker and Cantua area which could result increased conflicts with livestock grazing and 

private land due to limited vehicle access in CCMA with emphasis on non-motorized use. The impacts of 

this alternative to livestock grazing would be slightly adverse. 

4.11.3.3 Fire Management 

The period of grazing deferment after wildland fire would be consistent with site characteristics, 

ecological site descriptions, land management objectives, short-term emergency stabilization and 

rehabilitation objectives (e.g., promotion of the desired plant community), and events occurring before, 

during, and after the fire, which represents beneficial impacts to rangeland resources. All alternatives 

recognize the threat of noxious and invasive weeds to livestock grazing and forage productivity. The HFO 

would provide management action to abate the proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds, resulting in 

beneficial impacts to rangeland resources. 

4.11.3.4 Habitat and Vegetation Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

Livestock grazing would be allowed to improve wildlife habitat and enhance vegetation resources. This 

would be considered a moderate, long-term benefit to livestock grazing and would be consistent with 

goals and objectives for biological resources management. 
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4.11.3.5 Land Disposal, Acquisition, or Exchanges 

Suitability for livestock grazing would be considered in land use authorizations, and the acquisition of 

new lands would likely provide minor long-term benefits by increasing the land available for grazing. 

Under Alternatives B and C, approximately 3,300 acres of land designated for grazing allotments are also 

designated for potential disposal. This represents a moderate to major adverse impact because the amount 

of land available for ruminants would not meet current demand levels in the Planning Area. 

4.11.3.6 Mitigation 

Rangeland health would be monitored to identify allotments not meeting the Standards and Guidelines, 

and corrective action would be taken through AMPs as appropriate. 

4.11.4 Impacts and Mitigation from Alternative F 

4.11.4.1 Livestock Grazing 

Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines 

Interdisciplinary rangeland health assessments on all grazing allotments would be carried out to evaluate 

conformance with the Standards and Guidelines. Alternatives would provide specific measures to 

maintain or improve rangeland health with regard to livestock grazing, a beneficial impact. 

Livestock Management, Including Forage, Grazing Season, and Use Levels 

Under Alterative F, grazing use would continue to be authorized on all 14 allotments, but approximately 

83 AUMs that were previously grazed would become unavailable, and 1,986 acres of lands located in the 

Serpentine ACEC would be excluded from the existing grazing allotments, providing a total of 20,154 

acres and 1,271 AUMs available for grazing on public lands in CCMA located outside of the ACEC. This 

would result in a minor, long-term adverse impact on four (4) grazing lessees in the CCMA and a 

moderate adverse impact to one lessee due to an eighty percent loss of public lands from their allotment. 

The modification of allotment boundaries may require construction of additional fence along the 

boundary of the ACEC. 

When rangeland health evaluations determine that exclusion of livestock grazing may be necessary to 

meet resource objectives outside the ACEC, these areas would become unavailable for livestock grazing, 

which represents a beneficial impact to other natural resources, but may also result in increased adverse 

impacts to grazing opportunity. Where livestock grazing may be found to limit achievement of multipleuse objectives, actions to control grazing intensity, duration, timing, and deferment would be required to 

meet physiological requirements of key plant species or to meet other resource objectives, which 

represents a beneficial impact to other natural resources, but may also result in minor adverse impacts to 

grazing opportunity. Spring developments to provide water for livestock and wildlife would be fenced to 

prevent trampling, a beneficial impact to riparian areas. 

4.11.4.2 Recreation and Access 

Under Alternative F, recreation and access would be significantly limited within the ACEC. This may 

increase use in grazing lands adjacent to the ACEC. The potential increase in recreation use would have a 

minor impact to grazing use. 
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4.11.4.3 Fire Management 

The period of grazing deferment after wildland fire would be consistent with site characteristics, 

ecological site descriptions, land management objectives, short-term emergency stabilization and 

rehabilitation objectives (e.g., promotion of the desired plant community), and events occurring before, 

during, and after the fire, which represents beneficial impacts to rangeland resources. Prescribed burning 

exclusively for rangeland type conversion would not occur, which would potentially limit the acreage of 

suitable land for grazing purposes, a minor adverse impact. Alternatives F would allow BLM to manage 

for the threat of noxious and invasive weeds to livestock grazing and forage productivity. The HFO would 

provide management action to abate the proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds, resulting in 

beneficial impacts to rangeland resources. 

4.11.4.4 Habitat and Vegetation Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

Livestock grazing would be allowed to improve wildlife habitat and enhance vegetation resources. This 

would be considered a moderate, long-term benefit to livestock grazing and would be consistent with 

goals and objectives for biological resources management. 

4.11.4.5 Land Disposal, Acquisition, or Exchanges 

Suitability for livestock grazing would be considered in land use authorizations, and the acquisition of 

new lands would likely provide minor long-term benefits by increasing the land available for grazing. 

4.11.4.6 Mitigation 

Rangeland health would be monitored to identify allotments not meeting the Standards and Guidelines, 

and corrective action would be taken through AMPs as appropriate. 

4.11.5 Impacts and Mitigation Under Alternative G 

4.11.5.1 Livestock Grazing 

Under this alternative, livestock grazing would be excluded from public lands within the CCMA 

boundary. The exclusion of grazing on 22,140 acres in CCMA would be a severe adverse impact to 7 

individual grazing operations on seven (7) BLM allotments. A total of six (6) grazing allotments would be 

eliminated by this action due to significant reductions in available public land within their allotment 

boundaries. The modification of allotment boundaries on the remaining eight (8) allotments may require 

construction of fence along the boundary of CCMA, which could have minor short-term adverse impacts 

on special status species from surface disturbance during construction activities. Removing livestock from 

the entire CCMA could have moderate long-term beneficial impacts on special status animals and their 

associated habitats because more forage would be available for cover and consumption for terrestrial 

species. Conversely, eliminating livestock grazing could have minor, long-term adverse effects on aquatic 

species because natural succession would reduce existing habitat quality in ponds and meadows. 

4.11.5.2 Recreation and Access 

Under Alternative G, recreation and access would be significantly limited. This would result in little or no 

impact to livestock grazing use. 

4.11.5.3 Fire Management 

Same as Alternatives F. 
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4.11.5.4 Habitat and Vegetation Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

Same as Alternatives F. 

4.11.5.5 Land Disposal, Acquisition, or Exchanges 

Approximately 3,300 acres of land designated for grazing allotments are also designated for potential 

disposal. This represents a moderate to major adverse impact because the amount of land available for 

ruminants would not meet current demand levels in the Planning Area. In addition, this alternative could 

result in major adverse impacts if lands designated for disposal support high-quality special status species 

habitat. 

4.11.5.6 Mitigation 

Rangeland health would be monitored to identify allotments not meeting the Standards and Guidelines. 

In addition, specific measures to prevent overgrazing and protect sensitive habitat from grazing on 

specific allotments are included in management actions for special designation areas. 

4.11.6 Impacts to Rangeland Resources for the Proposed Action 

4.11.6.1 Livestock Grazing 

Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines 

Interdisciplinary rangeland health assessments on all grazing allotments would be carried out to evaluate 

conformance with the Standards and Guidelines. The Proposed Action provides specific measures to 

maintain or improve rangeland health with regard to livestock grazing and provides long term beneficial 

impacts. 

Livestock Management, Including Forage, Grazing Season, and Use Levels 

Under the Proposed Action, grazing use is authorized on 14 allotments on 22,140 acres within the CCMA 

boundary. Grazing use allocations within the CCMA total 1,354 AUMs. Current grazing allotments are 

meeting the demand for livestock grazing in the Planning Area, so existing management actions provide a 

beneficial impact to rangeland resources for grazing access and use. When rangeland health evaluations 

determine that exclusion of livestock grazing may be necessary to meet resource objectives, these areas 

would not be available for livestock grazing, which represents a beneficial impact to other natural 

resources, but may also result in minor adverse impacts to grazing opportunity. Where livestock grazing 

may be found to limit achievement of multiple-use objectives, actions to control grazing intensity, 

duration, timing, and deferment would be required to meet physiological requirements of key plant 

species or to meet other resource objectives, which represents a beneficial impact to other natural 

resources, but may also result in minor adverse impacts to grazing opportunity. Spring developments to 

provide water for livestock and wildlife would be fenced to prevent trampling, a beneficial impact to 

riparian areas. Conversion of existing allotments from sheep to cattle grazing would occur if determined 

to be compatible with rangeland health standards and in conformance with resource objectives. The 

conversion of allotments between livestock species is not anticipated to result in adverse impacts to 

natural resources or general rangeland health. Approximately 1,986 acres of lands designated for grazing 

are located in the Clear Creek ACEC. Grazing in the ACEC has the potential for minor adverse impacts 

on cultural resources, paleontological resources, and sensitive species habitat from livestock trampling or 

disturbance, including potential habitat for the federally-listed San Benito evening primrose. 
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4.11.6.2 Recreation and Access 

Under the Proposed Action vehicular activity could potentially damage vegetation and increase soil 

erosion when travel occurs on non-established motorized vehicle routes or vehicle roadways. This could 

have minor adverse impacts to range condition and long term production for livestock. 

The Proposed Action would encourage recreation activity and access outside the ACEC in the Condon, 

Tucker and Cantua areas and could result in increased vehicle and recreation activities in grazing areas 

not previously used for recreation. The shift in focus to recreation opportunities outside the ACEC and 

resulting increase in access to the Condon, Tucker and Cantua areas has the potential for user conflicts 

and impacts to private lands and to vegetation utilized by livestock. The impacts to livestock grazing 

would be minor long term adverse impacts. 

4.11.6.3 Fire Management 

The period of grazing deferment after wildland fire would be consistent with site characteristics, 

ecological site descriptions, land management objectives, short-term emergency stabilization and 

rehabilitation objectives (e.g., promotion of the desired plant community), and events occurring before, 

during, and after the fire, which represents beneficial impacts to rangeland resources. The Proposed 

Action recognizes the threat of noxious and invasive weeds to livestock grazing and forage productivity. 

The HFO would implement management actions to abate the proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds, 

resulting in long term beneficial impacts to rangeland resources. 

4.11.6.4 Habitat and Vegetation Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

Livestock grazing would be allowed to improve wildlife habitat and enhance vegetation resources. This 

would be considered a moderate, long-term benefit to livestock grazing and would be consistent with 

goals and objectives for biological resources management. 

4.11.6.5 Land Disposal, Acquisition, or Exchanges 

Suitability for livestock grazing would be considered in land use authorizations, and the acquisition of 

new lands would likely provide minor long-term benefits by increasing the land available for grazing. 

Under the Proposed Action, approximately 368 acres of land allocated for livestock grazing would also be 

available for disposal. The reasonably foreseeable future use of the 280 acres in the Condon zone 

identified for disposal would be grazing associated with the existing grazing allotment. On the other hand, 

the reasonably foreseeable future use of the other 88 acres identified for disposal in the San Benito River 

Zone is unknown. However, the disposal of these lands would only have minor adverse impacts on the 

availability of forage and the amount of land available for ruminants because the area is very small 

compared to the vast amount of lands and the available forage in the Planning Area. 

4.11.6.6 Mitigation 

Rangeland health would be monitored to identify allotments not meeting the Standards and Guidelines, 

and corrective action would be taken through AMPs as appropriate. 
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4.11.7 Cumulative Effects 

Grazing has the potential to affect wildlife and sensitive species habitats, but appropriate management 

would alleviate negative impacts. Increased grazing would not occur in areas where wildlife habitat is the 

main management concern. Grazing may contribute to maintaining a diversity of vegetative stages and 

plant associations and may mitigate any lesser adverse impacts on special status species or wildlife 

habitats caused by grazing; therefore, grazing would be considered a beneficial impact. Livestock grazing 

would also be effective in reducing fine fuels that may carry wildland fire across the landscape. 

Potential negative cumulative impacts that may result from livestock grazing would include impairment 

of surface water resulting from the removal of vegetation cover in the watersheds, which could increase 

sediment load to streams. However, any allotments that are not in conformance with the range health 

standard for water quality would be made unavailable until the standards can be reached. Furthermore, 

impacts from reduced vegetation cover would most likely be short term because most grazing occurs on 

annual grasslands, which are reestablished with each new growing season. Livestock could also transport 

weed seeds to and from rangeland and private land, which could be a significant cause of weed expansion 

throughout the region. Long-term management efforts may be required for weed abatement once 

populations are established. 

Cumulative impacts related to grazing management would be localized to riparian, grassland, and shrub 

habitats that occur in specific allotments. The effects of grazing on native plant species structure, cover, 

and diversity would be variable because of non-uniform grazing that result from differences in terrain, 

forage abundance and preference, and soil attributes. The duration of the impact would depend on its 

magnitude and reoccurrence. 

Cumulative impacts would be similar under Alternatives A, B, C, D, E, and the Proposed Action; 

however, decreases in grazing acres and AUMs in allotments under Alternatives F and G would result in 

decreases in adverse cumulative impacts of livestock grazing on public lands in the Planning Area. 
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4.12 Energy and Minerals 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

Establish guidelines for managing resources to allow development of energy and minerals 

resources to meet the demand for energy and mineral production while protecting natural and 

cultural resources in the area. 

4.12.1 Introduction 

Management actions for energy and minerals include various requirements for the different types of 

possible exploration and development: oil and gas, mineral, wind, and geothermal. 

The BLM’s 2005 Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario for Oil and Gas (Appendix VIII) for 

the Hollister Field Office shows the CCMA is considered to have low to moderate potential for oil and 

gas production, so it is unlikely that any wells would be drilled on BLM-administered lands. Over the 

last 10 years, no oil and gas wells have been drilled on Federal lands within the CCMA, and no oil and 

gas exploration or production, currently takes place in the CCMA. No commercial-scale wind energy or 

geothermal power facilities exist within the Planning Area either, although there is and some limited 

mineral production on private lands and casual use mining claims on CCMA public lands. 

4.12.2 Overview of Impacts 

4.12.2.1 Energy and Minerals Management Actions 

The BLM has estimated that over the next 15 to 20 years there will be no more than 15 exploratory and 

development wells drilled on Federal lands in the entire Hollister Field Office. The BLM has assumed 

that there would be some pipelines and roads associated with the drilling as well as some seismic 

exploration. This is estimated to have a total disturbance of 74 acres, of which one third (26 acres) would 

be temporary and would be mostly or fully restored within a few months to a couple of years of 

construction, as noted in the BLM’s 2005 Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario for Oil and 

Gas (Appendix VIII). 

The majority of the BLM public lands that are considered as having high potential for oil and gas are 

outside of CCMA, and therefore would not be affected by the range of alternatives in Chapter 2. 

Potential impacts from BLM management actions associated with mineral exploration and development 

include (1) restriction of access to minerals, wind energy sites, and oil and gas, which may limit 

production and increase dependence on other domestic sources or foreign energy sources; (2) decreased 

income from the local production of these materials, and (3) the unavailability of local building stone or 

other raw mineral materials. 

Additionally, potential impacts associated with wind energy and geothermal exploration and development 

would be restriction of access to areas where wind or geothermal production potential exists, which may 

result in decreased local production of electricity and decreased local income from local construction and 

operation employment opportunities associated with these energy developments. This is also addressed 

in Section 4.15, “Social and Economic Conditions.” 

Potential direct and indirect impacts from energy and minerals exploration and development to natural 

resources could include disturbed land, increased vehicular traffic, decreased scenic opportunities and 

visual quality, impacts on habitat, noise, air emissions (dust and pollutant air quality), and increased 
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erosion resulting in additional sediment loading to area watersheds. These impacts are analyzed in the 

respective resource sections of Chapter 4. 

Finally, abandoned mine lands (AML) are not addressed in this section because the management actions 

for all of the alternatives sufficiently address activity-level plans or project-specific mitigation/ 

reclamation planning such that AML would not result from future mineral extraction on public lands in 

the Planning Area. AML from historic mining activities are addressed in the Section 4.2. 

4.12.2.2 Other Management Actions 

Management actions under other resource programs that could impact energy and mineral development 

include the following. 

Social and Economic Conditions 

Management actions specified for social and economic conditions address varying degrees of promoting 

commodity development in the Planning Area, which can affect the degree to which energy and minerals 

development can be implemented economically. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Several management actions for transportation and access under each alternative impose limitations on 

vehicle use, development of new roads, and closure of existing road networks in the CCMA. Since 

energy and minerals development requires the use of vehicles and potentially new road construction, this 

resource program has the potential to significantly affect the ability to develop these resources. 

Land Tenure Adjustments 

Disposal of BLM managed lands with moderate potential for energy or mineral production would have a 

minor adverse impact on the development of these resources if the disposed lands were restricted for such 

use, either by private owners or other public entities. 

4.12.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A 

4.12.3.1 Energy and Minerals Management Actions 

Current management actions outlined in the 1984 Hollister RMP and the 1993 Oil and Gas Amendment 

would continue to provide opportunities to develop energy and mineral resources on a case-by-case basis 

in areas deemed appropriate for development by BLM. However, BLM would pursue withdrawal of 

certain public lands in Clear Creek Canyon and the San Benito RNA. These impacts would be negligible 

based on existing conditions and reasonably foreseeable development of energy and minerals in CCMA 

The absence of a management framework for acquired lands and wind energy under Alternative A would 

represent a minor to moderate adverse impact to energy and minerals because the goal of meeting the 

demand for increased energy production would not be fully met. 
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4.12.3.2 Other Management Actions 

Social and Economic Conditions 

There are no management actions for social and economic conditions specified for Alternative A; 

therefore, no impacts to energy and minerals would occur from this resource program under the no action 

alternative. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Under Alternative A, management actions limit vehicle use to designated routes and barrens. These 

actions would have a negligible impact on energy and mineral exploration and development because of 

the extensive route network in CCMA. The highest impacts would occur in the Tucker and Cantua Zones, 

as there are no designated routes in these management zones, but they are within or immediately adjacent 

to areas with moderate to high potential for energy development as specified in the Reasonably 

Foreseeable Development (RFD) scenario contained in Appendix VIII. 

Land Tenure Adjustments 

None of the management actions under Alternative A identify specific public lands for disposal; 

therefore, no impacts to energy and minerals would occur from this resource program under the no action 

alternative. 

4.12.3.3 Mitigation 

Under Alternative A, mitigation measures would include use of appropriate “no surface occupancy” 

stipulation controls and other mitigation/monitoring management guidelines listed in Chapter 2. These 

measures would have negligible impacts on energy and mineral development and moderate beneficial 

impacts on BLM resource management goals and objectives. 

4.12.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternative B and C 

4.12.4.1 Energy and Minerals Management Actions 

Under all alternatives, BLM would maintain and protect natural and cultural resources and the existing 

conditions in the San Benito Mountain WSA and the Serpentine ACEC. However, Alternatives B and C 

would have fewer impacts on energy and minerals development compared to Alternative A over the long 

term because BLM would not pursue withdrawal of any public lands from mineral entry. Development in 

the Serpentine ACEC would have beneficial impacts to energy and minerals, although they would be 

minor because the area only has moderate potential for energy development, including wind energy (refer 

to Map 10 in Appendix I). 

The introduction of a management framework for renewable energy development under these alternatives 

would represent a minor to moderate beneficial impact on energy development and BLM’s goal of 

meeting the demand for increased energy production. 

4.12.4.2 Other Management Actions 

Social and Economic Conditions 
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Management actions for social and economic conditions are common to Alternatives B, C, and D. The 

impacts of social and economic management action would be negligible based on existing conditions and 

reasonably foreseeable development of energy and minerals in CCMA. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Similar to Alternative A, management actions common to Alternatives B, C, and D limit vehicle use to 

designated routes throughout the CCMA, including specific areas such as portions of the Serpentine 

ACEC, and the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua zones. These actions could adversely impact the ability to 

explore and develop energy and mineral resources in currently roadless areas; however, these impacts 

would be minor to moderate because most roadless areas are outside of high potential areas for energy 

development as specified in the RFD (Appendix VIII). 

Land Tenure Adjustments 

Common management actions to Alternatives B, C, and D include efforts to acquire lands in specific 

areas to reduce user conflicts and increase logic in public land use patterns, and to dispose of lands that 

meet certain screening criteria. Acquisition of lands with high potential for energy development, 

including wind energy, would represent a beneficial impact to energy and minerals development, while 

disposal of such land could result in adverse impacts. Approximately 3,300 acres of public lands are 

identified for disposal under Alternatives B and C; which would have minor adverse effects on energy 

and mineral development if the disposed lands were restricted for such use, either by private owners or 

other public entities.

4.12.4.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation under Alternative B and C includes use of appropriate surface disturbance controls and other 

mitigation/monitoring management guidelines outlined in Chapter 2. These effects of these measures on 

energy and mineral development would be negligible. 

4.12.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative D, E, and F 

4.12.5.1 Energy and Minerals Management Actions 

Under Alternatives D, E, and F, all BLM-administered lands in the Serpentine ACEC would be 

withdrawn from energy and mineral development, including wind energy. Restriction of energy 

development in these areas would have a minor adverse impact on energy and minerals development 

because while other areas in the Planning Area with higher potential for energy development would be 

available for development, the goal of meeting the demand for energy and mineral production may not be 

fully met when the ACEC is closed to development. However, this alternative would meet the goal of 

allowing for some energy and mineral production while ensuring adequate protection of human health and 

the environment. 

4.12.5.2 Other Management Actions 

Social and Economic Conditions 

Under Alternatives D, E, and F, management actions for social and economic conditions would focus on 

allowing commodity production, including energy and minerals development, while emphasizing 

protection of human health and the environment. These actions would likely result in more stringent 
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restrictions and/or mitigation requirements on where and how energy and mineral extraction could occur. 

While this would not create an adverse affect on the opportunity for rockhounding (i.e. hobby gem and 

mineral collection), it could slightly adversely affect the economic viability of energy and mineral 

development in certain areas; although the impacts would be minor because the area only has low or 

moderate potential for energy development, including wind energy. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Under Alternatives E and F, management actions for transportation and access substantially limit the use 

of roads in the Serpentine ACEC year-round, and elsewhere in CCMA during periods of inclement 

weather. Also, all vehicle access in the San Benito Mountain RNA would be authorized by permit only. 

These actions would have minor adverse impacts on energy and minerals development by limiting the 

areas and times when exploration and development could occur. The CCMA contains relatively few 

areas of high and moderate potential for energy development, including wind energy, so exclusion of 

vehicles use in this area for energy development would have a long-term moderate adverse impact. 

Land Tenure Adjustments 

Approximately 3,300 acres of public lands are identified for disposal under Alternative E; which would 

have minor adverse effects on energy and mineral development if the disposed lands were restricted for 

such use, either by private owners or other public entities.

Under Alternative F, no BLM-managed lands are identified for disposal. Rather, BLM would consider 

acquisition of lands from willing sellers with moderate to high energy potential, which would result in a 

minor beneficial impact to energy and minerals because they would potentially be available for 

development. 

4.12.5.3 Mitigation 

Under Alternatives D, E, and F, oil and gas leases would be limited to “no surface occupancy” 

stipulations in special status species habitat as a mitigation measure and the endangered species 

stipulations guidelines listed in Chapter 2. 

4.12.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative G 

4.12.6.1 Energy and Minerals Management Actions 

Under Alternative G, all 63,000 acres of BLM-administered lands in CCMA would be withdrawn from 

mineral entry. Withdrawal of public lands from mineral entry in the CCMA would only have a minor 

adverse impact on energy and minerals because other public lands in the Hollister Field Office with 

higher potential for energy development would be available, although the goal of meeting the demand for 

energy and mineral production may not be fully met, including encouraging the development of 

renewable energy resources. 

4.12.7 Impacts to Energy and Minerals for the Proposed Action 

4.12.7.1 Energy and Minerals Management Actions 

Under the Proposed Action all BLM-administered lands in the Serpentine ACEC would be unavailable 

for mineral leasing or sales and BLM would recommend the entire 30,000-acre area for withdrawal from 

mineral entry. The ACEC would also be excluded for renewable energy development due to the high 
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concentrations of asbestos fibers in the serpentine soils and the potential for increased hazardous materials 

emissions form energy development proposals and the associated public health and safety concerns. 

Based on existing conditions and the low potential for reasonably foreseeable development of energy and 

minerals in the ACEC, restriction of mineral development in this area, would have a minor adverse 

impact on energy and minerals development as a whole because other areas in the HFO management 

boundary with higher potential for energy development would continue to be available for development. 

However, the Proposed Action would still allow for energy and mineral production outside the ACEC 

within the CCMA. BLM would maintain and protect natural and cultural resources and the existing 

conditions in the San Benito Mountain WSA and the Serpentine ACEC. 

4.12.7.2 Other Management Actions 

Social and Economic Conditions 

Under the Proposed Action, management actions for social and economic conditions would focus on 

allowing commodity production outside the ACEC, including energy and minerals development, while 

emphasizing protection of human health and the environment. These actions would likely result in more 

stringent restrictions and/or mitigation requirements on where and how energy and mineral extraction 

could occur. While this would not create an adverse effect on the opportunity for rockhounding (i.e. 

hobby gem and mineral collection), it could slightly adversely affect the economic viability of energy and 

mineral development in certain areas; although the impacts would be minor because the area only has low 

or moderate potential for energy development, including wind energy. 

Travel and Transportation Management 

Under the Proposed Action, management actions for transportation and access substantially limit the use 

of roads in the Serpentine ACEC year-round, and elsewhere in CCMA during periods of inclement 

weather. Also, all vehicle access in the ACEC would be authorized by permit only. These actions would 

have minor adverse impacts on energy and minerals development by limiting the areas and times when 

exploration and development could occur. The CCMA contains relatively few areas of high and moderate 

potential for energy development, including wind energy, so exclusion of vehicles use in this area for 

energy development would have minor long-term adverse impacts. The highest impacts would occur in 

the Tucker and Cantua Zones, as there are currently no designated routes in these management zones, but 

they are within or immediately adjacent to areas with moderate to high potential for energy development 

as specified in the Reasonably Foreseeable Development (RFD) scenario contained in Appendix VIII. 

Land Tenure Adjustments 

Approximately 368 acres of public lands are identified for disposal under the Proposed Action; which 

would have negligible adverse effects on energy and mineral development.

4.12.7.3 Mitigation 

Under the Proposed Action, oil and gas leases would include potential “no surface occupancy” 

stipulations in special status species habitat as a mitigation measure and include mitigation/monitoring 

management guidelines and stipulations listed in Chapter 2. These measures would have negligible 

impacts on energy and mineral development because the reasonably foreseeable development is limited to 

areas outside of the CCMA. 
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4.12.8 Cumulative Effects 

The CCMA Planning Area includes public and private lands in western Fresno and southern San Benito 

counties. Overall, there have been hundreds of wells drilled in the entire HFO management boundary in 

the past few decades, along with construction of more than a hundred miles of roads. All of the dry holes 

have been plugged and reclaimed, and most are no longer visible. Many of the roads have also been 

reclaimed and are no longer visible. The remaining oilfields and associated roads are in various states of 

maintenance. The level of reasonably foreseeable development within the CCMA is a negligible portion 

of the overall development in the assessment area. To the south of the HFO management boundary lie the 

largest oilfields in the lower 48 states, which are administered by the Bakersfield Field Office of BLM in 

Kings’ and Kern Counties. They contain tens of thousands of producing wells, with 2,000 or more wells 

being drilled each year. It is unknown whether the level of drilling will increase or decrease in these 

regions over the life of the RMP. In any event, the level of activity outside the CCMA will be several 

orders of magnitude greater than within the CCMA because production of energy and minerals within the 

CCMA would add negligible levels to overall production within the region, even if new reserves are 

developed in areas with low to moderate potential based on the value of oil. 

Beneficial cumulative impacts associated with under Alternatives A, B, and C including increased jobs 

and income from energy and minerals would be negligible based on current conditions and trends for 

development and exploration in the CCMA. Potential negative cumulative impacts of energy and minerals 

development under Alternatives A, B, and C include reduced habitat quality from erosion and sediment 

transport to off-site streams, increased vehicular traffic (including commercial vehicles), increased noise 

and dust generation, decreased visual quality, and decreased scenic recreational opportunities. 

Beneficial cumulative impacts associated with limits on energy and minerals development under 

Alternatives D – G, and the Proposed Action, would include reduced erosion and sediment transport to 

off-site streams, increased visual quality, and enhanced recreational opportunities for hobby gem and 

mineral collection (i.e. rockhounding). 
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4.13 Cultural Resources 

4.13.1 Introduction 

Cultural resources include prehistoric and historic archeological sites, artifacts and rock art, sacred sites 

and other traditional cultural properties, buildings and structures, landscaping, and historic districts and 

rural landscapes. Consideration and treatment of cultural resources by Federal agencies is mandated by a 

number of Federal statutes (Chapter 3.13.2). 

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires Federal agencies to “take into 

account the effects of Federal actions on historic properties” and outlines Federal agency responsibilities 

for identification, management, protection, preservation, and use of historic properties. The principal 

Federal regulations that guide implementation of the NHPA are found at 36 CFR 800 (Protection of 

Historic Properties) and 36 CFR 60 (National Register of Historic Places). 

The BLM National Programmatic Agreement (PA) between BLM, the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation, and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO) provides 

alternative procedures for implementing 36 CFR 800, along with BLM Manual 8100 Series, and the 

California Protocol implementing the National PA. 

The objective of the protection component for BLM’s cultural resource management program is aimed 

toward protecting the significance of cultural resources by ensuring that they are managed in a manner 

suited to the characteristics, attributes, and uses that contribute to their public importance; toward giving 

adequate consideration to the effects of land use decisions on cultural properties; toward meeting legal 

and regulatory obligations through a system of compliance fitted to BLM's management systems; and 

toward ensuring that cultural resources on public land are safeguarded from improper use and responsibly 

maintained in the public interest. 

Not all cultural resources are significant and qualified for consideration under the NHPA and other 

regulations. Significant resources are designated as “historic properties” and are defined in 36 CFR 

800.16(1) as “any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure or object included in, or eligible 

for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).”

Historic properties on Federal lands are identified through survey, research, and often test excavations to 

determine their NRHP eligibility. Identification of historic properties is assumed under Federal 

management of cultural resources and can require a tremendous level of specialist effort when large 

public land holdings are involved; treatments and procedures developed to protect and preserve such 

historic properties can also be extremely diverse and complex. 

For these reasons, management strategies for cultural resources are often addressed in specific plans that 

focus on certain resource types or particular areas of cultural sensitivity within the larger Planning Area. 

Preparation of a Cultural Resources Project Plan (CRPP) for BLM managed lands in different 

management areas of the Hollister Field Office would support the accomplishment of other cultural 

resource management actions. 

4.13.2 Overview of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 

4.13.2.1 Impacts to Cultural Resources 

Virtually all impacts under the NEPA are defined as adverse effects for purposes of compliance with 

Section 106 of the NHPA. According to 36 CFR 800.9(a), “an undertaking has an effect on a historic 

property when the undertaking may alter characteristics of the property that may qualify the property for 
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inclusion in the National Register.” An effect is considered adverse when the effect on a National 

Register-eligible property may diminish the integrity of the property’s location, design, setting, materials, 

workmanship, feeling or association. These effects are caused primarily by direct impacts of soildisturbing activities and indirect impacts by authorized management actions from other resource activities 

such as road, grazing, and fire management. Adverse effects include the physical destruction of all or part 

of the property. Adverse effects on historic properties include, but are not limited to, 

Physical destruction or alteration of all or part of the property; 

Isolation of the property from or alteration of the property’s setting when that character 

contributes to the property’s qualifications for listing in the National Register;

Introduction of visual, audible, or atmospheric elements that are out of character with the property 

or that alter its setting; 

Neglect of a property resulting in its deterioration or destruction; 

Transfer, lease, or sale of the property. 

These adverse effects would be permanent and direct impacts on the resource because the sites are nonrenewable that can be irretrievably lost if subject to certain management actions. The effects can be 

mitigated by a variety of methods based on the type of site and proposed action. The chosen method(s) is 

determined by consultations between the Federal agency, SHPO, and the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation with applicable Native American tribes and the public as necessary. 

Impacts to Cultural Resources from OHV Activity 

Although impacts to cultural resources come from a variety of different vectors (Chapter 3.13.1), one 

form of human-caused activity from has the potential to impact cultural resources in profound ways: 

OHV recreation. If this activity is mismanaged or poorly monitored on public lands, the potential for 

short-term and long-term adverse effects to all kinds of cultural resources becomes realized. Damage 

from OHV use can be direct, indirect, or both. For example, an archeological site’s physical components 

can be directly impacted by irresponsible OHV use: vehicle “free-play” can accelerate the erosion of 

prehistoric soils or create artifact damage from vehicle crushing. Of course, it is the responsibility of the 

OHV user to follow designated trails and only use “open areas” for vehicle free-play. However it is also 

the responsibility of the Agency providing OHV use to clearly identify those designated trails and open 

areas. As a multiple-use Agency, it is one of the BLM’s missions to provide safe OHV recreation where 

feasible and manageable. 

The presence of OHV recreation is well established in California and the Clear Creek Management Area 

since the 1960s. During the early 1980s, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation 

completed a study near the CCMA to augment the OHV recreation already occurring in the region. The 

report known as the Martin Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) Feasibility Study (1984) 

reviewed the known cultural resources information west of the CCMA. The study included some limited 

reconnaissance of the region in addition to the background data. The final report included 

recommendations and suggested mitigation strategies for cultural resources should the SVRA go forward. 

Their comments were brief but revealing in “Mitigation Measures 1:”

All property north of the Cantua Creek watershed, including Peppergrass Flat, will be closed to 

OHV use or traded to BLM...In addition, the Joaquin Rocks area and the Arroyo Cantua battle 

site, including other recorded archeological sites along Cantua Creek, will be closed to OHV use 

or traded to BLM (DPR 1984:35). 
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Two years later the BLM approved the Ciervo Hills - Joaquin Rocks Cultural Resource Management 

Plan, which cited a California Department of Parks and Recreation archeological inventory conducted for 

the proposed Martin Ranch SVRA study in 1985 by State Parks Archaeologist Herb Dallas. The State 

Parks inventory identified twenty-four new archeological sites in the Cantua Creek area. The recognition 

that these sites represented one of the state’s least understood groups was regarded as “significant when 

considering protection and conservation of these resources” (USDI 1986b:3). The proposed Martin 

Ranch SVRA was never approved for implementation due to costs associated with the management and 

protection for threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, and air quality. 

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the BLM continued to plan for OHV recreation in the Hollister Field 

Office Area, with the CCMA the focus of the planning and studies to understand OHV-related impacts 

and management costs. A three-part Clear Creek OHV Feasibility Study was conducted by the Hollister 

Field Office, the results of which were somewhat incorporated into the 1995 CCMA RMP planning 

process. The study represented the “examination of the feasibility of developing OHV recreation outside 

the hazardous asbestos area in the Clear Creek Management Area” (USDI 1991:1).

The study considered twelve different factors: (1) soil erosion, (2) cultural resources, (3) threatened and 

endangered plants, (4) paleontological resources, (5) riparian areas, (6) water quality, (7) dust emission 

regulations, (8) non-OHV forms of recreation, (9) visual resources, (10) livestock operations, (11) active 

mines and claims, and (12) adjacent land uses (USDI 1991:1-3). For the purposes of the study, a 102,000 

acre area was divided into seven subareas for analysis: Byles Canyon, Larious Canyon, San Carlos Bolsa, 

Cantua Creek, Joaquin Ridge, White Creek, and Condon Peak (USDI 1991:4). 

In the cultural resources segment of the study, the general recommendation was that even though each 

subarea was “certain to contain some cultural resources, they are certainly many alternatives to avoid 

impacting archaeological sites” (USDI 19991:16). It was further recommended that site-specific 

inventories be completed before any kind proposed surface disturbances, and if “any significant sites 

result from those surveys, avoidance of those sites is to take precedent over mitigation” (USDI 1991:17). 

More specific recommendations from the study pertaining to cultural resources and proposed OHV 

recreation outside of the HAA and ACEC were: 

Byles Canyon Study Area - “In the event that increased OHV use is planned for the Clear Creek 

Canyon mouth, the remaining sites located nearby should first be evaluated. Access to the 

immediate area surrounding these sites should be restricted until they are evaluated” (USDI 

1991:18). 

White Creek - “In fact, these sites have already suffered extensively from looting; increased 

access would aggravate the situation. In the event that OHV use will be allowed in the area, 

measures should be taken (fencing) to prohibit any access” (USDI 1991:19).

Condon Peak - “The south-southwest portion of the study area along Los Gatos Creek contains 

the highest potential for habitation sites. Many habitation sites known to contain burials are 

situated on private land along Los Gatos Creek. In fact, that potential exists along all of the 

bigger watercourses in the OHV study area (see White Creek)” (USDI 1991:19).

These conclusions are still valid and would be applicable to any Alternative that proposes OHV recreation 

beyond the Current Management situation. 

Probably one of the better studies related to the characterization of potential negative effects and impacts 

from OHV-based recreation on cultural resources is “The Effects of Off-Highway Vehicles on 

Archaeological Sites and Selected Natural Resources of Red Rock Canyon State Park” (2007) by 
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Associate State Archaeologist Mike Sampson for California State Parks. This study was initiated to 

investigate OHV use and its effects upon cultural and natural resources within Red Rock Canyon State 

Park in Kern County and to identify “some practical measures to address problems associated with offhighway vehicle use” that may apply to the management of vehicular recreation in State Parks or other 

OHV use areas (Sampson 2007:1). 

Some of the earliest OHV effect studies on cultural resources were performed by the BLM in California 

in the 1960s and 1970s. OHV-related damage was identified as the since “significant source of damage to 

archaeological sites and other historic properties, second only to development” (Sampson 2007:3). It 

became understood that OHV recreational use had the unintended consequence of enabling artifact 

collectors and looters to access vast areas of public land. As OHV technology improved, some lands 

which were formerly difficult to access became within reach. Irresponsible OHV use was documented as 

the primary cause for the “inadvertent or purposeful destruction of significant cultural features,” occurring

most frequently in areas closed to roads or campgrounds (Sampson 2007:4). 

The Red Rock Canyon study identified thirty-six archeological sites within the State Park that were 

traversed by Park roads or “informal” OHV trails. Thirteen of the sites were prehistoric habitation 

locations with another eleven sites identified as prehistoric lithic scatters; the remaining twelve sites were 

historic camps or other resource. In fact, a historic stage station site is “regularly crossed by OHV traffic” 

(Sampson 2007:5). 

Sampson’s description of visitor use and recreation at Red Rock Canyon State Park mirrors the 

recreational activity that occurs at some of the historic sites in the CCMA, on both private and public 

land: 

The site of Cudahy Camp has been impacted by modern-day camping and vehicle activity. 

Illegal target shooting would occur at this location and considerable trash has been left on-site by 

campers. The campers damage the remains of the historic buildings and displace surface 

artifacts. The site has now been closed to camping. OHV users perform unauthorized hill climbs 

on the edge of the residential area that leave the bare slopes scarred and highly susceptible to 

erosion (Sampson 2007:8). 

Although there was physical damage at each cultural resource, 17 of the 36 archeological sites in the 

study (46%) exhibited “pronounced damage resulting from regular OHV use and erosion that follows 

from vehicular activity.” This more intensive damage included “measurable deflation of the sites within 

road beds or the trail treads, degradation of cultural deposits, vehicle scars resulting from off-trail riding, 

road damage requiring extensive and costly restoration efforts, loss of soils in measurable volumes, loss 

of vegetation, creation of deep gullies, displacement and damage to artifacts and cultural features, 

modern-day trash left on-site, [and] alteration of natural hydrologic patterns” (Sampson 2007:9).

4.13.2.2 Mitigation Measures for Cultural Resources 

If a proposed action or an existing land use has the potential for adversely or otherwise negatively 

affecting the characteristics which contribute to the Use Allocation determined for a cultural resource (or 

the qualities which qualify a property for the National Register of Historic Places), the BLM shall ensure 

that appropriate conservation treatment or mitigation measures are carried out. The preferred strategy for 

treating potential adverse effects on listed or eligible properties is avoidance. If avoidance is imprudent 

or infeasible, a range of alternative physical and administrative conservation measures are be considered. 

The BLM employs these conservation measures as management tools to protect and mitigate impacts to 

cultural resources. 
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Physical Conservation 

Physical conservation measures can be applied directly to the cultural property or indirectly to the general 

site area, such as signing, fencing, or patrolling. The following methods describe the direct physical 

conservation measures used by the BLM: 

Stabilization - Structural and material stabilization techniques introduce chemical, mechanical, or 

structural elements to retard the deterioration of a variety of cultural resources. 

Erosion Control (on-site) - Examples of on-site erosion control measures include recontouring a 

site’s surface to promote better drainage, and backfilling illegally excavated areas.

 Fire Control (on-site) - Effective on-site fire control is limited primarily to preventive measures. 

Detailed Recording - This non-destructive technique may include the use of detailed mapping 

using surveying equipment, photogrammetry, aerial and standard photography, use of electronic 

equipment such as magnetometers, and narrative descriptions. 

Relocation - This alternative is largely limited to structures and to some forms of rock art, such as 

boulders containing petroglyphs. Relocation of structures usually is expensive and requires 

special skills and equipment. 

Adaptive Reuse of Structures - The adaptive reuse of historic structures should be considered 

before selecting some more potentially destructive methods (such as relocation). After 

rehabilitating a structure consistent with its historic character it may be usable in its original 

location. 

Archeological Data Recovery - Archeological data recovery includes those techniques that 

maximize controlled collection and/or excavation of cultural materials and data analysis. 

Excavation should be attempted only when other protection alternatives are not adequate or 

feasible to protect the scientific information contained in the property.

Indirect conservation measures refer to the second type physical conservation techniques that do not 

directly modify the cultural resource. For this reason they are often preferable to direct physical 

conservation methods. The following strategies are indirect methods used by the BLM: 

Signs - Under conditions of active or potential vandalism, cultural properties should be 

adequately signed, identifying the protection afforded by law. Signs should be placed so as not to 

intrude upon the property or to draw unwanted attention to it. Interpretive signs may also be 

appropriate for some properties and may protect them by promoting conservation ethics. 

Fences and Gates - Fences, barriers, and gates of various materials can be used alone or in 

combination with other methods to restrict access. The selection of designs and materials must 

avoid unwarranted intrusion on the property. Maintenance costs and safety requirements must 

also be considered in the design. 

Patrols and Surveillance - Patrols and surveillance are determined by and scheduled according to 

the nature of the resource, degree of threat present, and the uses appropriate for the cultural 

resources involved. Irregularly scheduled patrols are among the best means of deterring looting, 

vandalism and other unauthorized uses. Surveillance can be accomplished through “stake-outs” 

or remote detection systems; however, installation of surveillance equipment should not impair or 

compromise the integrity of the cultural resources. 
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Erosion Control (off-site) - Flooding, seepage, major runoff, movement of soils by wind action, 

and other potential erosion problems can be monitored and controlled. Erosion control performed 

off-site can generally be accomplished at lower cost and with fewer disturbances to the resource 

than on-site erosion control. 

Fire Control (off-site) - An active fire protection program should include cultural resource values 

in pre-suppression, suppression, and post-suppression activities. Periodic inspections at historic 

sites may be undertaken to determine potential fire hazards. Pre-suppression measures include 

fire retardant treatments, reduction of fuel, construction of fuel breaks, and site-specific fire 

action plans. Post-suppression analysis should consider physical conservation measures needed 

to restore the setting and/or rehabilitate the resource damaged by fire and suppression activities. 

If physical conservation measures are applied to a cultural resource, then it is important that consider that 

maintaining cultural resource integrity is usually preferable to resource relocation or the use of data 

recovery techniques as these methods will permanently alter the nature of the resource, perhaps adversely. 

Physical conservation measures and methods should be carefully selected to fit the nature of the property 

and the data being protected, to be reasonably reversible, and disturb the least practical amount of the 

property. 

Long-term costs and feasibility of site maintenance must be considered in project design and the 

effectiveness of implemented conservation measures should be routinely monitored. If a cultural property 

that is scientifically significant cannot be preserved in place, the loss of research potential can sometimes 

be reduced through various data recovery techniques with well-defined study topics and data collection 

priorities related to the resource. 

Administrative Conservation 

Administrative conservation measures can also mitigate impacts to cultural resources. These measures do 

not involve physically altering the resource and generally cost less to implement and manage than 

physical protection/mitigation measures. Administrative conservation strategies used by the BLM for 

cultural resources include: 

Withdrawals - Protective withdrawal of lands (43 CFR 2300-2370) means withholding an area 

from settlement, sale, location or entry under the general land laws and mining laws. 

Closures to Public Access and/or Off-Highway Vehicle Use - Areas may be temporarily closed to 

public use and travel (43 CFR 8364 and 8340) to facilitate special cultural uses or to protect 

scientific values. Public lands may also be designated as indefinitely limited or closed to the use 

of OHVs.

Special Designations - Individual cultural properties or districts may be nominated to and listed 

on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) to recognize and reinforce their special 

management status (36 CFR 60 and 65). Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) may 

also be designated to address special management needs for cultural resources. 

Land Acquisitions - State or privately owned portions of Federal cultural properties or adjacent 

State or private lands may be acquired through exchange, purchase, or deed to maintain site 

integrity or to provide buffer areas (43 CFR 2200). 

Recreation and Public Purposes Act - This Act allows transfer of land to State or local 

government agencies or other entities (such as historical societies, conservation groups) under a 
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conditional lease or patent (43 CFR 2740) and can be used to allow other entities to protect and 

develop cultural properties for public use when it is impractical or infeasible for the BLM. 

Easements - BLM may acquire an easement to ensure administrative access to a cultural property 

or to install physical conservation measures on non-Federal lands to protect BLM-administered 

cultural properties. 

Public Information and Education - Efforts to inform and educate the public about local cultural 

resource significance and conservation ethics may help decrease vandalism and ensure 

compliance with use restrictions. 

There are several considerations when applying administrative conservation measures as a means of 

cultural resource management. Implementation of these measures often requires considerable lead-time 

and support from other resource specialists, professionals, and adjoining land owners or lease holders. 

The physical environment should also be protected from incompatible visual and structural intrusions by 

consideration of an appropriate buffer area if necessary. It is important that the immediate setting of the 

property should be managed in a manner consistent with established resource protection objectives. 

Lastly, a periodic review of implemented conservation measures is needed to evaluate their long-term 

effectiveness. 

Mitigating Impacts to Cultural Resources from OHV Activity 

The General Recommendations from the State Parks study in Red Rock Canyon provided for the 

protection of cultural resources with achievable goals and mitigation management strategies while 

affording continued OHV recreation and access (Sampson 2007:10): 

Provide a map of Red Rock Canyon State Park to the public that clearly illustrates roads and trails 

and lists park rules and regulations; 

Implement an active program of archeological, biological, and geologic monitoring in the Park 

and include a provision to study vehicle effects; 

Separate OHV use from other recreational pursuits such as, camping, bird watching, observing 

wildlife, studying plants, seeking solitude, taking photographs, etc., where feasible; 

OHV use is incompatible with Indian people conducting ceremonies; 

Large boulders or other natural materials, fencing, and road obliteration are the most effective 

barriers for closing roads and informal or unauthorized OHV trails to protect archeological sites; 

Regularly patrol the backcountry. 

All of the above management recommendations would be effective for cultural resource protection in the 

CCMA. Each of these strategies relies on Agency support, user compliance, and regular review of the 

implemented measures to evaluate their level of success. In fact, several of these methods are already 

utilized in the CCMA to achieve desired cultural resources conditions. 

4.13.3 Impacts and Mitigation Common to All Alternatives 

The CCMA was previously inventoried for cultural resources in order to generate baseline data to be used 

in CCMA planning efforts. Based upon that report and other data accumulated over the years, a 

comprehensive cultural resources management strategy for the region has been developed with protection 
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efforts for cultural resources that include site avoidance, physical barriers, site monitoring, and review of 

proposed undertakings to address potential effects to cultural resources. 

Subsequent inventory efforts have been and are currently being performed on a project-specific basis as 

needed, specifically when a proposed project or event moves beyond those projects/activities not included 

in the “Exempt Undertakings” section, outlined in Appendix C of the Programmatic Agreement (PA) 

between the California Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the California State Historic 

Preservation Officer (SHPO). The PA is designed for the BLM to “integrate its historic preservation 

planning and management decisions with other policy and program requirements to the maximum 

feasible extent in the public interest.” The PA meets the Section 106 requirements of the NHPA to “take 

into account the effects of the agency’s undertaking on properties included in or eligible for the National 

Register of Historic Places” (NRHP) as cited in 36CFR800.1(a).

There are at least four dozen prehistoric and historic archeological sites and localities within the CCMA 

and nearly as many sites on the lands adjacent to the CCMA Planning Area. Many of these sites and 

localities have been affected over the past years by mining use and reuse, OHV-related vandalism and 

erosion, and begin neglect. The most visible archeological resources are the mining landscape and related 

features related to mercury extraction and processing. Some of these historic mining resources have been 

evaluated for their cultural values as part of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) projects concurrent with the 

PA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

Although the creation of campsites in the CCMA has affected several prehistoric archeological sites 

(lithic scatters), the most significant impacts have been from illegal and uncontrolled artifact collection. 

Collectors have probably removed most of the outstanding examples of Native Californian workmanship 

from the CCMA, but perhaps there are more examples of their crafts in situ. Likewise, historic mine sites 

have been collected from or used as firewood and/or target practice by the camping public. A program of 

archeological site monitoring for parts of the CCMA was implemented by the BLM in 1989 to observe 

changes to archeological sites from either human or natural causes. Based upon a successful program 

after four years, the monitoring program was extended and similar efforts were concentrated at other sites. 

Overall, the sites appear to be in a relatively static condition. No new observable impacts or changes to 

the sites have occurred since monitoring has been implemented. For example, CA-SBn-167 has been 

fenced out from the public on either side of Clear Creek road. CA-SBn-170 was fenced out from the 

public to protect the archeological values and botanical habitat from unauthorized OHV use. No new 

impacts to either site have been observed since the fence construction. 

Demonstrated use conflicts with desired cultural resource management conditions at a particular 

archeological site or Native American traditional use area can resolved through the use of the Route 

Designation Criteria (Appendix A), the Barren Designation Criteria (Appendix B) and Best Management 

Practices (Appendix D) established in the 2006 Clear Creek Management Area Resource Management 

Plan Amendment and Route Designation Record of Decision (2006). For example, a single “open 

barren” originally designated for OHV-use on route R2 within the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC is near a 

known contemporary Native American traditional use area (continued use of this barren is also likely to 

negatively affect soils erosion and endangered species). Unintended OHV use off of the designated 

barren has impacted traditional use activities at this location, but through rider education and better 

signage for temporary route closures this multiple-user conflict has been resolved. If user conflicts persist 

at the site (including continued and persistent off-trail OHV usage) then re-designation of routes and/or 

barrens is permitted and authorized. In conjunction with site monitoring, re-direction of recreation user 

activities is one of the Best Management Practices available to protect cultural resources. 

All of the Alternatives provide for consideration of historic properties consistent with authorities and 

responsibilities under applicable Federal statutes and their implementing regulations. This includes the 

analysis of authorized land uses, as necessary and on a project-by-project basis, in terms of their potential 
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to impact historic properties either directly (construction and other ground-disturbing activities) or 

indirectly (grazing, recreation, increased use of public land). All Alternatives also recognize the 

increasing importance of government-to-government consultation with Native American tribes and other 

concerned parties on specific undertakings involving various authorized land uses. Authorized uses with 

high potential to directly impact historic properties include tree harvesting, mineral extraction, road and 

pipeline construction, and facilities construction. Undertakings with moderate potential to directly or 

indirectly impact historic properties include controlled burns and other vegetation management practices, 

grazing, and increased traffic on public lands as a result of improved recreational opportunities or other 

land use programs. Compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA is intended to promote the protection and 

preservation of historic properties so that authorized use of public lands would not result in adverse 

impacts to National Register-eligible archeological sites, traditional cultural properties, or built 

environment resources. However, when avoidance of adverse impacts is not feasible due to overriding 

project or land use considerations, mitigation measures may be implemented. 

4.13.4 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A (No Action Alternative) 

4.13.4.1 Cultural Resources Management Actions 

Archeological and Historic Sites 

The guidance for successful route designation within the CCMA was established in the 2006 ROD for the 

CCMA RMP Amendment. By adhering to the “guiding criteria” affecting access to routes, utilizing 

applicable management guidance established by the, and relying on a solid route/barren designation 

methodology that balances science and user need (Cultural and Paleontological Resources review as a 

potential resource concern, TIER 1), route and barren designation for the CCMA would not adversely 

affect any cultural resources. Of course as new information is gathered from archeological inventory and 

excavation, and new ethnographic data is revealed from Native American concerns, future undertakings 

and projects within the CCMA would address this new data and management strategies would adapt if 

warranted. 

Direct impacts to archeological or historic properties as a result of implementing the Best Management 

Practices (BMPs) - including enclosing or restricting public access to them - are likely to be negligible. 

Indirect impacts may occur as a result of drawing unwanted attention (i.e., vandals or collectors) to site 

locations through placement of fences or barriers intended to protect the resources. These impacts may be 

avoided by consultation with the Native American community, monitoring fenced areas, or by using 

natural barriers rather than fences to enclose sensitive areas if feasible. Taking administrative and/or onthe-ground measures to protect historic properties would not result in any cumulative impacts. 

In general, Alternative A (No Action) would result in a moderate amount of disturbance to cultural 

resources. 

Native American Values 

In close coordination with federally recognized or non-federally recognized tribal groups, work to provide 

access to public lands managed by the BLM for the purposes of traditional cultural practices involving the 

maintenance of California Indian sociocultural systems. In some cases, the BLM will attempt to promote 

access on private lands adjacent to BLM in consultation with neighboring land owners. 

4.13.4.2 Mitigation 

Redesigning or relocating project components that have the potential to adversely affect historic 

properties contributes to their protection and would not result in direct, indirect or cumulative impacts. 
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However, enclosing archeological sites with fencing may result in indirect impacts by drawing unwanted 

attention (i.e., vandals or collectors) to site locations; Native Americans may also object to the presence 

of fencing around traditional cultural properties or other traditional use areas. These impacts may be 

avoided by monitoring fenced areas or by using natural barriers rather than fencing to enclose sensitive 

areas. No direct or cumulative impacts would occur as a result of enclosing or restricting public access to 

historic properties. 

Mitigation for this Alternative includes measures to protect sites by restricting access or installing fences; 

monitoring all known archeological sites “at-risk” on public lands for use impacts; and on-site resource 

interpretation installations. 

4.13.4.3 Other Management Actions 

Closure of the CCMA since May 1, 2008, has had the unintended consequences of redirecting OHV 

recreation use to other areas in the Hollister Field Office that had been historically closed to OHV use or 

not been used for that form of recreation. The Panoche Hills were closed to OHV use in 1970, in 

particular two-wheeled vehicles, “due to resource deterioration” and the inability to “confine such use to 

designated areas” (USDI 1978:5). The Tumey and Ciervo Hills to the south were also closed to OHV use. 

The Kettleman Hills in Fresno County had to be officially closed to OHV use on March 26, 2007, in order 

to protect existing endangered species habitat on public land and an adjacent sheep grazing lease on 

public and private land. Since 2008, the Williams Hill area in southern Monterey County has new levels 

of OHV recreational use never before observed by the BLM. The desire for dedicated OHV recreation 

areas is understood; however the BLM is a multiple-use agency that must balance several interests - some 

with a potential to conflict with each other - in one area. The simple prohibition of one land-use activity 

for a given area does not entirely discourage that use, and in some instances can create new impacts to 

other areas that had not historically seen such use activities (Figure 4.13-1). It is the responsibility of the 

BLM to manage public lands “on the basis of multiple use and sustained yield” (FLPMA Sec.102 (7)). 

Figure 4.13-1: Example of Self-Documented OHV Trespass in the Panoche 

Hills October 2008 (“Renegade,” South Bay Riders Forum).
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One observation to consider under this Alternative relates to the effects of OHV recreation. In the 

General Comments section from the 2008 Public Scoping Report Clear Creek Management Area 

Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, this comment was submitted by a 

member of the California Native Plant Society: 

OHV is a large and growing sport. While it is destructive [sic], some public lands should be set 

aside for that activity. It may be better to keep OHV activity at Clear Creek then to consider 

another site where the downside of OHV use is not known (USDI 2008). 

4.13.5 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B, C and D 

4.13.5.1 Cultural Resources Management Actions 

Archeological and Historic Sites 

Nominating eligible sites to the National Register for any areas of high cultural, historical, or 

archeological significance, along with the research and documentation necessary to justify it, contributes 

to the protection of historic properties and would not result in any direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts 

to the resources themselves, if properly implemented. If and when a National Register-eligible 

archeological site cannot be adequately protected from vandalism or its scientific data value is at risk, 

BLM may choose to realize significant direct impacts to the site and implement mitigation measures. 

Management actions would account for adverse impacts from unauthorized excavation and vandalism. 

In general, Alternatives B, C, and D would promote the most amount of high-impact activity or 

development that could result in direct impacts to cultural resources. 

Native American Values 

Continue to coordinate and consult with federally recognized tribal groups to create better government to 

government relations for improved access to public lands. Moreover, consultation will continue with 

non-federally recognized tribes and groups to identify needs and develop better access policies to public 

lands. 

4.13.5.2 Mitigation 

Mitigation for these Alternatives includes measures to protect sites by restricting access or installing 

fences; monitoring all known archeological sites “at-risk” on public lands for use impacts; and on-site 

resource interpretation installations. Fences or barriers would be used where necessary to protect sites 

from human caused or other disturbances. Data recovery would be initiated at archeological sites that are 

unable to be protected with administrative mitigation measures. 

4.13.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives E, F, and G 

4.13.6.1 Cultural Resources Management Actions 

Archeological and Historic Sites 

The management actions would provide beneficial impacts for the protection of cultural resources by 

reducing adverse impacts from unauthorized excavation and vandalism. This suite of Alternatives would 

promote and enhance the goals for other use allocations by cooperating with research institutions and 

avocational societies to the extent possible in development areas. 
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Cultural resources outreach including on-site resource interpretation installations in the CCMA would 

increase public awareness of historic properties and of BLM efforts to protect known resources. This 

management action would not result in any direct adverse impacts to these resources. Indirect or 

cumulative impacts to the resources themselves may have some minor effects. 

An example of the “vehicle tours” component discussed in Alternatives E has already been attempted 

with some success (Figure 4.13-2). In May 1989 the BLM Hollister Field Office led a tour of “historic, 

geologic, and archaeological sites” with participants in the Molina Ghost Run, a four-wheel OHV 

recreation club. The tour included visiting Clear Creek Canyon, Alpine Mine, Picacho Mine, New Idria, 

a “Prehistoric Indian Site,” the San Benito Mountain Natural Area, KCAC Asbestos Mine, and the Gem 

Mine. 

Figure 4.13-2: BLM Jeep Tour for the public in the 

CCMA (Unknown, USDI BLM). 

The concept of creating a visitor-use “park” in the CCMA would also be feasible for cultural resources. 

A good analogy for this interpretive approach would be the Almaden Quicksilver County Park near San 

Jose, California (Figure 4.13-3). This 4,152 acre park is operated and maintained by the Santa Clara 

County Parks Department. The park contains numerous historic features related to mercury mining 

during the mid to late 19th century, very similar in historic theme to the CCMA and nearby New Idria. 
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Figure 4.13-3: Santa Clara County Parks Interpreter John Slenter with 

the visiting public at Mine Hill in Almaden Quicksilver County Park 

(R. Morris, Santa Cruz Archaeological Society). 

In general, Alternatives E, F, and G would promote the least amount of high-impact activities or 

development and would result in the fewest potential impacts to cultural resources. 

Native American Values 

Continue to coordinate and consult with federally recognized tribal groups to create better government to 

government relations for improved access to public lands. Moreover, consultation will continue with 

non-federally recognized tribes and groups to identify needs and develop better access policies to public 

lands. 

4.13.6.2 Mitigation 

Focusing research opportunities into areas favored/planned for future development contributes to the 

long-term protection of historic properties. By providing increased protection measures and limiting 

public access to historic properties, these Alternatives would probably result in a minimum level of 

cumulative impacts on historic properties and nonrenewable cultural resources. 
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4.13.7 Impacts to Cultural Resources for the Proposed Action 

4.13.7.1 Cultural Resources Management Actions 

Archeological and Historic Sites 

The CCMA was previously inventoried for cultural resources in order to generate baseline data to be used 

in CCMA planning efforts. Based upon that report and other data accumulated over the years, a 

comprehensive cultural resources management strategy for the region has been developed with protection 

efforts for cultural resources that include site avoidance, physical barriers, site monitoring, and review of 

proposed undertakings to address potential effects to cultural resources. 

Subsequent inventory efforts have been and are currently being performed on a project-specific basis as 

needed, specifically when a proposed project or event moves beyond those projects/activities not included 

in the “Exempt Undertakings” section, outlined in Appendix C of the Programmatic Agreement (PA) 

between the California Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the California State Historic 

Preservation Officer (SHPO). The PA is designed for the BLM to “integrate its historic preservation 

planning and management decisions with other policy and program requirements to the maximum 

feasible extent in the public interest.” The PA meets the Section 106 requirements of the NHPA to “take 

into account the effects of the agency’s undertaking on properties included in or eligible for the National 

Register of Historic Places” (NRHP) as cited in 36CFR800.1(a).

There are at least four dozen prehistoric and historic archeological sites and localities within the CCMA 

and nearly as many sites on the lands adjacent to the CCMA Planning Area. Many of these sites and 

localities have been affected over the past years by mining use and reuse, OHV-related vandalism and 

erosion, and begin neglect. The most visible archeological resources are the mining landscape and related 

features related to mercury extraction and processing. Some of these historic mining resources have been 

evaluated for their cultural values as part of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) projects concurrent with the 

PA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

Nominating eligible sites to the National Register for any areas of high cultural, historical, or 

archeological significance, along with the research and documentation necessary to justify it, contributes 

to the protection of historic properties and would not result in any direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts 

to the resources themselves, if properly implemented. If and when a National Register-eligible 

archeological site cannot be adequately protected from vandalism or its scientific data value is at risk, 

BLM may choose to realize significant direct impacts to the site and implement mitigation measures. 

Management actions would account for adverse impacts from unauthorized excavation and vandalism. 

Direct impacts to archeological or historic properties as a result of implementing the Best Management 

Practices (BMPs) - including enclosing or restricting public access to them - are likely to be negligible. 

Indirect impacts may occur as a result of drawing unwanted attention (i.e., vandals or collectors) to site 

locations through placement of fences or barriers intended to protect the resources. These impacts may be 

avoided by consultation with the Native American community, monitoring fenced areas, or by using 

natural barriers rather than fences to enclose sensitive areas if feasible. Taking administrative and/or onthe-ground measures to protect historic properties would not result in any cumulative impacts. 

Although the creation of campsites in the CCMA has affected several prehistoric archeological sites 

(lithic scatters), the most significant impacts have been from illegal and uncontrolled artifact collection. 

Collectors have probably removed most of the outstanding examples of Native Californian workmanship 

from the CCMA, but perhaps there are more examples of their crafts in situ. Likewise, historic mine sites 

have been collected from or used as firewood and/or target practice by the camping public. A program of 

archeological site monitoring for parts of the CCMA was implemented by the BLM in 1989 to observe 
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changes to archeological sites from either human or natural causes. Based upon a successful program 

after four years, the monitoring program was extended and similar efforts were concentrated at other sites. 

Overall, the sites appear to be in a relatively static condition. No new observable impacts or changes to 

the sites have occurred since monitoring has been implemented. For example, CA-SBn-167 has been 

fenced out from the public on either side of Clear Creek road. CA-SBn-170 was fenced out from the 

public to protect the archeological values and botanical habitat from unauthorized OHV use. No new 

impacts to either site have been observed since the fence construction. 

The Proposed Action provides for consideration of historic properties consistent with authorities and 

responsibilities under applicable Federal statutes and their implementing regulations. This includes the 

analysis of authorized land uses, as necessary and on a project-by-project basis, in terms of their potential 

to impact historic properties either directly (construction and other ground-disturbing activities) or 

indirectly (grazing, recreation, increased use of public land). There is also recognition of the increasing 

importance of government-to-government consultation with Native American tribes and other concerned 

parties on specific undertakings involving various authorized land uses. Authorized uses with high 

potential to directly impact historic properties include tree harvesting, mineral extraction, road and 

pipeline construction, and facilities construction. Undertakings with moderate potential to directly or 

indirectly impact historic properties include controlled burns and other vegetation management practices, 

grazing, and increased traffic on public lands as a result of improved recreational opportunities or other 

land use programs. Compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA is intended to promote the protection and 

preservation of historic properties so that authorized use of public lands would not result in adverse 

impacts to National Register-eligible archeological sites, traditional cultural properties, or built 

environment resources. However, when avoidance of adverse impacts is not feasible due to overriding 

project or land use considerations, mitigation measures may be implemented. 

The management actions would provide beneficial impacts for the protection of cultural resources by 

reducing adverse impacts from unauthorized excavation and vandalism. This suite of Alternatives would 

promote and enhance the goals for other use allocations by cooperating with research institutions and 

avocational societies to the extent possible in development areas. 

Cultural resources outreach including on-site resource interpretation installations in the CCMA would 

increase public awareness of historic properties and of BLM efforts to protect known resources. This 

management action would not result in any direct adverse impacts to these resources. Indirect or 

cumulative impacts to the resources themselves may have some minor effects. 

Native American Values 

BLM would coordinate and consult with federally recognized tribal groups to create better government to 

government relations for improved access to public lands. In close coordination with federally recognized 

or non-federally recognized tribal groups, BLM would continue to work to provide access to public lands 

managed by the BLM for the purposes of traditional cultural practices involving the maintenance of 

California Indian sociocultural systems. In some cases, the BLM will attempt to promote access on 

private lands adjacent to BLM in consultation with neighboring land owners.

4.13.7.1 Other Management Actions 

Closure of the CCMA since May 1, 2008, has had the unintended consequences of redirecting OHV 

recreation use to other areas in the Hollister Field Office that had been historically closed to OHV use or 

not been used for that form of recreation. The Panoche Hills were closed to OHV use in 1970, in 

particular two-wheeled vehicles, “due to resource deterioration” and the inability to “confine such use to 

designated areas” (USDI 1978:5). The Tumey and Ciervo Hills to the south were also closed to OHV use. 

The Kettleman Hills in Fresno County had to be officially closed to OHV use on March 26, 2007, in order 
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to protect existing endangered species habitat on public land and an adjacent sheep grazing lease on 

public and private land. Since 2008, the Williams Hill area in southern Monterey County has new levels 

of OHV recreational use never before observed by the BLM. The desire for dedicated OHV recreation 

areas is understood; however the BLM is a multiple-use agency that must balance several interests - some 

with a potential to conflict with each other - in one area. The simple prohibition of one land-use activity 

for a given area does not entirely discourage that use, and in some instances can create new impacts to 

other areas that had not historically seen such use activities (Figure 4.13-1). 

4.13.7.2 Mitigation 

Focusing research opportunities into areas favored/planned for future development would contribute to 

the long-term protection of historic properties. By providing increased protection measures and limiting 

public access to historic properties, there would probably be a minimum level of cumulative impacts on 

historic properties and nonrenewable cultural resources. Redesigning or relocating project components 

that have the potential to adversely affect historic properties contributes to their protection and would not 

result in direct, indirect or cumulative impacts. 

Mitigation for the Proposed Action includes measures to protect sites by restricting access or installing 

fences; monitoring all known archeological sites “at-risk” on public lands for use impacts; and on-site 

resource interpretation installations. However, enclosing archeological sites with fencing may result in 

indirect impacts by drawing unwanted attention (i.e., vandals or collectors) to site locations; Native 

Americans may also object to the presence of fencing around traditional cultural properties or other 

traditional use areas. These impacts may be avoided by monitoring fenced areas or by using natural 

barriers rather than fencing to enclose sensitive areas. No direct or cumulative impacts would occur as a 

result of enclosing or restricting public access to historic properties. Data recovery would be initiated at 

archeological sites that are unable to be protected with administrative mitigation measures. 

4.13.8 Cumulative Effects 

Cumulative effects on archaeological sites, traditional cultural properties, and historic resources are 

caused by impacts (both mitigated and non-mitigated) that can occur over a long period of time, resulting 

in the gradual but permanent loss of archaeological data as well as the diverse culture history represented 

by those properties. In this sense, cumulative losses of cultural resources in the project area also have the 

potential to indirectly affect Native American groups and various other populations with a history of 

settlement and land use in the region. Specific site types that embody this culture history are prehistoric 

habitation and resource procurement sites, rock art, sacred sites, mission-related sites, and historic 

ranching, mining, and agricultural sites. While impacts to historic properties may be considered 

“mitigated” by the retrieval of scientific data from archaeological sites, or by the recovery of historical 

data present in built resources (e.g., buildings, structures, landscapes), the cultural heritage represented by 

these sites is a nonrenewable resource whose loss cannot be mitigated and thus constitutes a major and 

unavoidable negative cumulative impact. 

All of the management alternatives, including the Proposed Action, include policies and actions to protect 

historic properties and promote/enhance their preservation management in conjunction with Sections 106 

and 110 of the NHPA and other applicable Federal statutes and regulations, including the Federal Land 

Policy and Management Act of 1976 requirement to manage public lands in a manner that would “protect 

the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, 

and archaeological values.” There are provisions for the identification of historic properties in the 

Planning Area, for the protection (through monitoring and/or enclosure) of all historic properties 

determined to be at risk from both authorized and unauthorized uses, and for data retrieval (excavation) of 

sites that can no longer be adequately protected. Although there is some potential for certain protective 
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measures (e.g., fencing) to draw unwanted attention to sites or to restrict access to traditional use areas, if 

properly implemented, site monitoring and other security strategies are generally beneficial and do not 

result in direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to the resources. 

While cumulative effects on cultural resources are difficult to predict, increased or strengthened 

management programs for the protection and long-term preservation of historic properties will ultimately 

prevent major cumulative effects from occurring. Under the range of alternatives, and the Proposed 

Action, there are possible cumulative effects to resource types in areas that receive increased use from 

potential ground disturbing activities. Under Alternatives A – D, these resource types and areas would 

require more intensive management and mitigation measures by BLM as demands rise. These demands 

could be potential uses for energy and mineral, grazing, transportation, recreation, and other approved 

land use authorizations. Additionally, there are potential cumulative effects from increased public 

awareness of cultural resources – the risk of vandalism or theft rises. These cumulative impacts cannot be 

directly measured. Over time, these activities could impact resources permanently and result in an 

irretrievable loss to non-renewable resources. 

Similar protection measures may be necessary under Alternatives E, F, G, and the Proposed Action. 

However, resource management and use for energy and minerals, grazing, transportation, recreation, and 

other approved land use authorizations would be less intensive and result in less adverse cumulative 

effects under these management alternatives and the Proposed Action. The protection or enhancement of 

historic properties over a long period of time would result in beneficial cumulative impacts to cultural and 

heritage resources in the Planning Area. 
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4.14 Paleontological Resources 

4.14.1 Introduction 

4.14.1.1 Management Responsibilities 

Planning and management actions for paleontological resources on BLM lands are implemented in 

accordance with BLM Manual 8270 and Handbook H-8270-1, General Procedural Guidance for 

Paleontological Resource Management; Management of Museum Collections (DM 411); the Federal 

Land Policy Act of 1976; the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and other specific Federal 

regulations (outlined in DM8270). BLM policy laid forth in these guidelines is to promote the scientific, 

educational, and recreational uses of fossils on public lands; mitigate resource conflicts; and develop 

strategies to regularly monitor public lands where important paleontological localities have been 

identified. 

Land use planning for paleontological resources includes the identification of areas and geologic units 

containing paleontological resources and an evaluation of the potential of areas to contain vertebrate 

fossils or noteworthy occurrences of invertebrates or plant fossils. Knowledge of geologic units and the 

kinds and quality of the fossils produced by such units is critical for proper management. 

4.14.2 Overview of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 

4.14.2.1 Impacts to Paleontological Resources 

All BLM programs that may have an adverse impact on paleontological resources through their actions or 

authorizations are responsible as benefiting activities for funding any necessary resource inventories, 

evaluations or other work needed to avoid or mitigate adverse impacts on paleontological resources. In 

rare instances, paleontological resources may be found in association with cultural resources. Such 

occurrences fall under the provisions of the Archeological Resources Protection Act. In the event of such 

an occurrence the BLM will evaluate the discovery and determine an appropriate course of action that 

will safeguard both the paleontological and archeological materials. 

Authorized Land Use Actions and Permitted Fossil Collection 

Impacts from authorized land use management actions would be negligible because this activity is 

regulated through a permitting process. Potential impacts are addressed in mitigation measures required 

by the specific land use authorization or use permit. 

Paleontological resources have high public education and recreation values. Such values can be enhanced 

by publishing guides to selected collecting areas and developing interpretive trails. Working 

collaboratively, BLM Paleontologists and Recreation Specialists can develop responsible and outstanding 

recreational and educational opportunities involving paleontological resources that will enhance public 

understanding of fossils and the science of paleontology, and showcase BLM's stewardship role. 

Minerals management can have both positive and negative effects on paleontological resources. Mineral 

development and related activities, such as road building, can expose new fossil localities. Onshore Oil 

and Gas Order No. 1 provides the means, where necessary, to protect paleontological resources which 

may be adversely impacted by mineral development. Fossils are not locatable under the mining laws. 

Finally, the management of paleontological resources shall be considered in Land Use Planning and 

Environmental Review by the BLM in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations. 
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Unauthorized Land Use Actions and Non-Permitted Fossil Collection 

Impacts to fossil resources from unauthorized land use actions should be negligible given the 

paleontological sensitivity of geological units within the CCMA Planning Area. This is also applicable to 

possible non-permitted collection of vertebrate or otherwise scientifically significant fossils. However, 

important paleontological values outside the Planning Area could be impacted from unauthorized uses. 

4.14.2.2 Mitigation Measures for Paleontological Resources 

Any field surveys and/or inventories intended to protect paleontological resources will be targeted to 

specific areas or be issue driven as needed. Adverse impacts to paleontological resources shall be 

mitigated as necessary on a case-by-case basis. Mitigation requirements apply primarily to vertebrate 

fossils, however where noteworthy occurrences of invertebrate or plant fossils are known or expected, the 

same planning and mitigation procedures will be followed. Factors such as locality or specimen 

significance, economics, safety, and project urgency will be considered when developing mitigation 

measures. Additional mitigation measures (if necessary) would be developed and implemented as timely 

as possible so as not to delay project actions. 

The preferred mitigation technique is to change the project location based on the results of field survey. 

If relocation will eliminate impacts and is acceptable to all parties, then approval for the project to 

proceed may then be granted. When avoidance is not possible, appropriate mitigation may include 

excavation or collection (data recovery), stabilization, monitoring, protective barriers and signs, a 

combination of the above, or other physical and administrative protection measures. 

Physical Conservation 

Physical conservation measures can be applied directly to the paleontological resource or indirectly to the 

general site area, such as signing, fencing, or patrolling. The following methods describe the direct 

physical conservation measures used by the BLM: 

Erosion Control (on-site) - Examples of on-site erosion control measures include re-contouring a 

site’s surface to promote better drainage.

Detailed Recording - This non-destructive technique may include the use of detailed mapping 

using surveying equipment, photogrammetry, aerial and standard photography, use of electronic 

equipment such as magnetometers, and narrative descriptions. 

Data Recovery - Includes those techniques that maximize controlled collection and/or excavation 

of paleontological materials and data analysis.

Indirect conservation measures refer to the second type physical conservation techniques that do not 

directly modify a paleontological resource. For this reason they are often preferable to direct physical 

conservation methods. The following strategies are indirect methods used by the BLM: 

Signs - Under conditions of active or potential vandalism, areas should be adequately signed, 

identifying the protection afforded by law. Signs should be placed so as not to intrude upon the 

property or to draw unwanted attention to it. Interpretive signs may also be appropriate for some 

properties and may protect them by promoting conservation ethics. 

Fences and Gates - Fences, barriers, and gates of various materials can be used alone or in 

combination with other methods to restrict access. The selection of designs and materials must 
599

avoid unwarranted intrusion. Maintenance costs and safety requirements must also be considered 

in the design. 

Patrols and Surveillance - Patrols and surveillance are determined by and scheduled according to 

the nature of the resource, degree of threat present, and the uses appropriate for the resources 

involved. Irregularly scheduled patrols are among the best means of deterring vandalism and 

other unauthorized uses. Surveillance can be accomplished through “stake-outs” or remote 

detection systems; however, installation of surveillance equipment should not impair or 

compromise the integrity of the cultural resources. 

Erosion Control (off-site) - Flooding, seepage, major runoff, movement of soils by wind action, 

and other potential erosion problems can be monitored and controlled. Erosion control performed 

off-site can generally be accomplished at lower cost and with fewer disturbances to the resource 

than on-site erosion control. 

Fire Control (off-site) - An active fire protection program should include paleontological resource 

values in pre-suppression, suppression, and post-suppression activities. Periodic inspections may 

be undertaken to determine potential fire hazards. Pre-suppression measures include fire 

retardant treatments, reduction of fuel, construction of fuel breaks, and site-specific fire action 

plans. Post-suppression analysis should consider physical conservation measures needed to 

restore the setting and/or rehabilitate the resource damaged by fire and suppression activities. 

Administrative Conservation 

Administrative conservation measures can also mitigate impacts to paleontological resources. These 

measures do not involve physically altering the resource and generally cost less to implement and manage 

than physical protection or mitigation measures. Administrative conservation strategies used by the BLM 

for fossil resources include: 

Withdrawals - Protective withdrawal of lands (43 CFR 2300-2370) means withholding an area 

from settlement, sale, location or entry under the general land laws and mining laws. 

Closures to Public Access and/or Off-Highway Vehicle Use - Areas may be temporarily closed to 

public use and travel (43 CFR 8364 and 8340) to protect scientific values. Public lands may also 

be designated as indefinitely limited or closed to the use of OHVs. 

Special Designations - Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) can be designated to 

address special management needs for paleontological resources. 

Easements - BLM may acquire an easement to ensure administrative access to a paleontological 

locality or to install physical conservation measures on non-Federal lands to protect BLMadministered paleontological resources. 

Public Information and Education - Efforts to inform and educate the public about local 

paleontological resource significance and conservation ethics may help decrease vandalism and 

ensure compliance with use restrictions. 
600

4.14.3 Impacts and Mitigation Common to All Alternatives 

If significant fossil resources were present in the CCMA, recreational activities such as motorized or nonmotorized exploring off of designated roads and trails would create a need for protective measures to 

preserve fossil resources and mitigate adverse impacts. Unauthorized collection of paleontological 

resources would be a direct and permanent impact because such resources are non-renewable and 

irretrievable. 

Paleontological resources can be directly impacted by construction and development activities; collection 

of fossils for scientific, educational, or recreational use; by trampling of animals and humans; and by 

natural erosion processes. Impacts from construction and development activities could be mitigated with 

appropriate measures specified in the required permitting documents, typically associated with energy and 

minerals or other land use authorizations. Soil erosion and floods could impact paleontological resources 

by exposing surfaces, particularly on steep slopes. Once exposed, these fossils would gradually degrade 

and/or be permanently impacted from unauthorized collection. The installation of temporary fences along 

margins of camp sites or other developments to eliminate project-related impacts to undisturbed areas 

would be required. If necessary, site-specific mitigation would be initiated, and fencing might be made 

permanent. Contract studies could be required if impacts to significant sites could not be avoided. 

Relocation of proposed developments would be preferred to avoid impacting significant paleontological 

sites and localities. 

4.14.4 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A (No Action Alternative) 

4.14.4.1 Paleontological Management Actions 

Impacts from authorized paleontological management actions would be negligible because these activities 

are regulated through a permitting process. Potential impacts are addressed in mitigation measures 

required by the specific use authorization or use permit. 

Impacts to vertebrate fossil resources from unauthorized use or collection should be negligible given the 

paleontological sensitivity of geological units within the CCMA Planning Area. This is also applicable to 

the possible non-permitted collection of otherwise scientifically significant fossils, including invertebrate 

or botanical specimens. 

4.14.4.2 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures would be incorporated into management actions, such as installing temporary fences, 

maintaining buffer zones, relocating development, data recovery, or even stabilizing and rehabilitating 

soils. Additional mitigation measures are outlined in other Chapters of the Environmental Consequences 

sections of this RMP. 

4.14.4.3 Other Management Actions 

Impacts would include the authorized and unauthorized uses from construction and development activities 

(energy and minerals and other land use authorizations), soils erosion, grazing, recreation, transportation - 

wherever soil disturbances occur. Unless mitigated, these activities would cause permanent long-term 

impacts on non-renewable and irretrievable paleontological resources. 

Paleontological resources would benefit from soil resource management actions that control erosion and 

avoid surface disturbance on steep slopes or during wet periods. Due to high erosion rates on steep slopes 

in the Planning Area, soil resource management actions would reduce potential impacts to significant 

paleontological resources from moderate and minor to negligible and would cause a beneficial impact by 
601

mitigating the constant exposure of subsurface materials, including new fossils. If exposed for long 

periods of time, these fossils would erode from the confining sediments and gradually deteriorate. 

4.14.5 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B, C and D 

4.14.5.1 Paleontological Management Actions 

Impacts would be similar to those in Alternative A. 

4.14.5.2 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures would be similar to those in Alternative A. Require the installation of temporary 

fences along margins on developments to eliminate off-site project-related vehicle impacts to undisturbed 

areas. Site-specific mitigation would be initiated, if necessary, through contract studies if impacts to 

significant sites could not be avoided. Impacts from this management action would depend upon the 

significance of the resource being impacted in areas where construction would continue. 

4.14.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives E, F, and G

4.14.6.1 Paleontological Management Actions 

Impacts would be similar to those in Alternative A. These Alternatives promote less high-impact activity 

and more protection of ecological resources; this may reduce the potential for major impacts to 

paleontological resources (if present). 

4.14.6.2 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures would be similar to those in Alternative A. Should natural erosion threaten the 

integrity of significant fossil resources in the Planning Area, efforts would be made to stabilize and 

rehabilitate these resources on a case-by-case basis. Impacts from this alternative would depend upon the 

scientific significance of the resources stabilized. Ideally work would be accomplished with preservation 

groups or societies to conserve the resource in situ. 

4.14.7 Impacts to Paleontological Resources for the Proposed Action 

If significant fossil resources were present in the CCMA, recreational activities such as motorized or nonmotorized exploring off of designated roads and trails would create a need for protective measures to 

preserve fossil resources and mitigate adverse impacts. Unauthorized collection of paleontological 

resources would be a direct and permanent impact because such resources are non-renewable and 

irretrievable. 

Paleontological resources can be directly impacted by construction and development activities; collection 

of fossils for scientific, educational, or recreational use; by trampling of animals and humans; and by 

natural erosion processes. Impacts from construction and development activities could be mitigated with 

appropriate measures specified in the required permitting documents, typically associated with energy and 

minerals or other land use authorizations. Soil erosion and floods could impact paleontological resources 

by exposing surfaces, particularly on steep slopes. Once exposed, these fossils would gradually degrade 

and/or be permanently impacted from unauthorized collection. The installation of temporary fences along 

margins of camp sites or other developments to eliminate project-related impacts to undisturbed areas 

would be required. If necessary, site-specific mitigation would be initiated, and fencing might be made 

permanent. Contract studies could be required if impacts to significant sites could not be avoided. 
602

Relocation of proposed developments would be preferred to avoid impacting significant paleontological 

sites and localities. 

4.14.7.1 Paleontological Management Actions 

Impacts from authorized paleontological management actions would be negligible because these activities 

are regulated through a permitting process. Potential impacts are addressed in mitigation measures 

required by the specific use authorization or use permit. 

Impacts to vertebrate fossil resources from unauthorized use or collection should be negligible given the 

paleontological sensitivity of geological units within the CCMA Planning Area. This is also applicable to 

the possible non-permitted collection of otherwise scientifically significant fossils, including invertebrate 

or botanical specimens. 

Overall, the Proposed Action promotes less high-impact activity and more protection of ecological 

resources than the No Action Alternative; thereby reducing the potential for major impacts to 

paleontological resources (if present). 

4.14.7.2 Other Management Actions 

Impacts would include the authorized and unauthorized uses from construction and development activities 

(energy and minerals and other land use authorizations), soils erosion, grazing, recreation, transportation - 

wherever soil disturbances occur. Unless mitigated, these activities would cause permanent long-term 

impacts on non-renewable and irretrievable paleontological resources. 

Paleontological resources would benefit from soil resource management actions that control erosion and 

avoid surface disturbance on steep slopes or during wet periods. Due to high erosion rates on steep slopes 

in the Planning Area, soil resource management actions would reduce potential impacts to significant 

paleontological resources from moderate and minor to negligible and would cause a beneficial impact by 

mitigating the constant exposure of subsurface materials, including new fossils. If exposed for long 

periods of time, these fossils would erode from the confining sediments and gradually deteriorate. 

4.14.7.3 Mitigation Measures for Paleontological Resources 

Any field surveys and/or inventories intended to protect paleontological resources wouldl be targeted to 

specific areas or be issue driven as needed. Adverse impacts to paleontological resources shall be 

mitigated as necessary on a case-by-case basis. Mitigation requirements apply primarily to vertebrate 

fossils, however where noteworthy occurrences of invertebrate or plant fossils are known or expected, the 

same planning and mitigation procedures will be followed. Factors such as locality or specimen 

significance, economics, safety, and project urgency will be considered when developing mitigation 

measures. Additional mitigation measures (if necessary) would be developed and implemented as timely 

as possible so as not to delay project actions. 

The preferred mitigation technique is to change the project location based on the results of field survey. 

If relocation will eliminate impacts and is acceptable to all parties, then approval for the project to 

proceed may then be granted. When avoidance is not possible, appropriate mitigation may include 

excavation or collection (data recovery), stabilization, monitoring, protective barriers and signs, a 

combination of the above, or other physical and administrative protection measures. 

Mitigation measures would be incorporated into management actions, such as maintaining buffer zones, 

relocating development, data recovery, or even stabilizing and rehabilitating soils. Require the 

installation of temporary fences along margins on developments to eliminate off-site project-related 
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vehicle impacts to undisturbed areas. Site-specific mitigation would be initiated, if necessary, through 

contract studies if impacts to significant sites could not be avoided. Impacts from this management action 

would depend upon the significance of the resource being impacted in areas where construction would 

continue. Should natural erosion threaten the integrity of significant fossil resources in the Planning Area, 

efforts would be made to stabilize these resources on a case-by-case basis. Ideally work would be 

accomplished with preservation groups or societies to conserve the resource in situ. 

Physical Conservation 

Physical conservation measures can be applied directly to the paleontological resource or indirectly to the 

general site area, such as signing, fencing, or patrolling. The following methods describe the direct 

physical conservation measures used by the BLM: 

Erosion Control (on-site) - Examples of on-site erosion control measures include re-contouring a 

site’s surface to promote better drainage.

Detailed Recording - This non-destructive technique may include the use of detailed mapping 

using surveying equipment, photogrammetry, aerial and standard photography, use of electronic 

equipment such as magnetometers, and narrative descriptions. 

Data Recovery - Includes those techniques that maximize controlled collection and/or excavation 

of paleontological materials and data analysis.

Indirect conservation measures refer to the second type physical conservation techniques that do not 

directly modify a paleontological resource. For this reason they are often preferable to direct physical 

conservation methods. The following strategies are indirect methods used by the BLM: 

Signs - Under conditions of active or potential vandalism, areas should be adequately signed, 

identifying the protection afforded by law. Signs should be placed so as not to intrude upon the 

property or to draw unwanted attention to it. Interpretive signs may also be appropriate for some 

properties and may protect them by promoting conservation ethics. 

Fences and Gates - Fences, barriers, and gates of various materials can be used alone or in 

combination with other methods to restrict access. The selection of designs and materials must 

avoid unwarranted intrusion. Maintenance costs and safety requirements must also be considered 

in the design. 

Patrols and Surveillance - Patrols and surveillance are determined by and scheduled according to 

the nature of the resource, degree of threat present, and the uses appropriate for the resources 

involved. Irregularly scheduled patrols are among the best means of deterring vandalism and 

other unauthorized uses. Surveillance can be accomplished through “stake-outs” or remote 

detection systems; however, installation of surveillance equipment should not impair or 

compromise the integrity of the cultural resources. 

Erosion Control (off-site) - Flooding, seepage, major runoff, movement of soils by wind action, 

and other potential erosion problems can be monitored and controlled. Erosion control performed 

off-site can generally be accomplished at lower cost and with fewer disturbances to the resource 

than on-site erosion control. 

Fire Control (off-site) - An active fire protection program should include paleontological resource 

values in pre-suppression, suppression, and post-suppression activities. Periodic inspections may 

be undertaken to determine potential fire hazards. Pre-suppression measures include fire 
604

retardant treatments, reduction of fuel, construction of fuel breaks, and site-specific fire action 

plans. Post-suppression analysis should consider physical conservation measures needed to 

restore the setting and/or rehabilitate the resource damaged by fire and suppression activities. 

Administrative Conservation 

Administrative conservation measures can also mitigate impacts to paleontological resources. These 

measures do not involve physically altering the resource and generally cost less to implement and manage 

than physical protection or mitigation measures. Administrative conservation strategies used by the BLM 

for fossil resources include: 

Withdrawals - Protective withdrawal of lands (43 CFR 2300-2370) means withholding an area 

from settlement, sale, location or entry under the general land laws and mining laws. 

Closures to Public Access and/or Off-Highway Vehicle Use - Areas may be temporarily closed to 

public use and travel (43 CFR 8364 and 8340) to protect scientific values. Public lands may also 

be designated as indefinitely limited or closed to the use of OHVs. 

Special Designations - Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) can be designated to 

address special management needs for paleontological resources. 

Easements - BLM may acquire an easement to ensure administrative access to a paleontological 

locality or to install physical conservation measures on non-Federal lands to protect BLMadministered paleontological resources. 

Public Information and Education - Efforts to inform and educate the public about local 

paleontological resource significance and conservation ethics may help decrease vandalism and 

ensure compliance with use restrictions. 

4.14.8 Cumulative Effects 

The long-term desired outcome of managing paleontological resources is to ensure their availability for 

future scientific, educational and/or recreational uses. Such uses include collection, site interpretation, in 

site preservation, study and exhibition. 

Cumulative impacts related to all management alternatives, including the Proposed Action, that could 

potentially affect paleontological resources within the CCMA include potential unauthorized fossil 

collection or the mechanical breakage and disarticulation of surface fossils due to trampling by animals or 

human activities. Cumulative impacts from paleontological management would be negligible. 
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4.15 Social and Economic Conditions 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goal for social and economic conditions is to manage public lands to provide social and 

economic benefits to local residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations. 

4.15.1 Introduction 

As described in Section 3.15.2, the population of the Planning Area is large by any standard, but 

especially so relative to the small public land base administered by the HFO. The population within the 

HFO boundaries is important because it represents the potential user and customer base that could make 

demands on BLM resources based on the land use allocations identified under the Proposed Action. 

Nevertheless, the size of the economy associated with the population within the Planning Area would 

dwarf any of the social and economic contributions made by public land resources. 

To better focus on local population pressures and local socioeconomic impacts, two analysis areas were 

defined within the larger population and economy of the HFO – the Central Coast and the Diablo Range. 

The Central Coast focuses on Santa Clara, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. The Diablo Range analysis 

area focuses on San Benito, Fresno, and Merced Counties and is where CCMA is located. 

Table 4.15-1 describes projected population growth in individual counties, the Central Coast analysis 

area, the Diablo Range analysis area, and California, between 2000 and 2030, representing the period 

during which the CCMA RMP would be implemented. 

Table 4.15-1 Projected Population Growth, 2000–2030, HFO and Local Analysis Areas 

County 2000 2010 2020 2030 % Increase 

2000-30

Fresno 803,401 949,961 1,114,654 1,297,476 61.5

Merced 210,876 277,715 360,831 437,880 107.6

San Benito 53,770 62,530 73,547 84,727 57.6

 Diablo Range 1,068,047 1,290,206 1,549,032 1,820,083 70.4

Santa Clara 1,691,183 1,844,146 2,006,992 2,152,963 27.3

Monterey 403,636 453,292 505,359 556,962 38.0

Santa Cruz 256,874 271,222 286,044 294,711 14.7

 Central Coast 2,351,693 2,568,660 2,798,395 3,004,636 27.8

CA State Total (mil.) 34.0 39.2 43.9 48.1 41.5

Growth in the entire 12 county Hollister Field Office boundary is projected to be about 44 percent over 

this period. The fastest rates of growth would be in those counties that make up the Diablo Range analysis 

area, which is projected to grow over 200 percent during the period, compared to the 80 percent growth 

expected in the Central Coast analysis area. These estimates speak to the anticipated continuation of high 

annual growth rates in the areas of the San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley, where the cost of living, 

especially the cost of housing, is generally lower. Growth in Santa Cruz County would be very low, 

whereas Monterey County’s growth would be about the same as that of the state. Most of Monterey 

County’s growth would occur in the Salinas Valley, in the communities of Salinas, Gonzales, and 

Soledad; which are all in close proximity to the CCMA. In addition, population growth in Marina is 

expected to exceed 100 percent, as development increases on the former Fort Ord lands. (AMBAG 2004). 
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While annual rates of growth are not very high, less than 1 percent in the Central Coast and less than 2 

percent in the Diablo Range, the absolute increase in each area is substantial. Population in the Central 

Coast analysis area is projected to increase by almost 350,000 and in the Diablo Range by over 500,000. 

The implication of these numbers is that demand for multiple public land uses, particularly recreation, 

will also continue to grow. 

4.15.2 Overview of Impacts 

4.15.2.1 Social and Economic Conditions 

Management actions under Alternatives A-F would provide the BLM the ability to provide social and 

economic benefits from recreation and other multiple uses to local residents, business, visitors, and future 

generations. 

By allowing various levels of opportunity for tourism, production, industry, and/or commodity use of 

natural resources, social and economic conditions are highly influenced by the range of alternatives and 

management actions under each resources program, such as recreation, energy and minerals, livestock 

grazing, and other natural resources with values requiring maintenance and protection by law. The effects 

of the range of alternatives and management actions on social and economic conditions are described 

below. 

4.15.2.2 Natural Resources Management Actions 

Under all alternatives, proposed actions for some resources would have no measurable direct impact on 

social or economic conditions. These resources are air quality, soil resources, water resources, biological 

resources, special designations, and paleontological resources. This is not to say that management of these 

resources is not important to the quality of social and economic life in the HFO; management of natural 

and public use resources in accordance with established laws and regulations is critical to the long-term 

social and economic health of local and regional economies and social systems. That level of management 

is assured though by all alternatives. The management changes proposed for these resources in the 

alternatives may have some marginal social and economic impacts, but those impacts would not be 

substantially adverse or beneficial. For that reason, discussion of the socioeconomic effects of changes in 

CCMA management will be limited to those resources described in Section 3.15 as having some 

measurable socioeconomic impact – recreation, energy and minerals, livestock grazing, and lands and 

realty. 

4.15.2.3 Cultural and Heritage Resources Management Actions 

The BLM has a continuing responsibility under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 

and the BLM Nationwide Programmatic Agreement with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 

and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (updated, 2009) to participate in 

government-to-government consultation with federally recognized tribes regarding cultural resource 

values on public land. The Programmatic Agreement also provides for consultation with non-federally 

recognized Native American groups that express interest in using ceremonial sites or traditional resource 

gathering areas that are now located on public lands. Until recently, the only specific locations in the 

CCMA identified as having possible cultural/heritage value to area Native American groups are portions 

of the Condon and San Benito River management zones. Historic mining operations are also dispersed 

throughout the CCMA, though most of the remnants of these activities have deteriorated through natural 

processes or been degraded by vandalism and unauthorized collection. Through public outreach and 

involvement, Native American interests have also identified concerns regarding access to ancestral sites 

in the Larious Creek watershed of the CCMA. It can also be assumed that Native American groups would 

place heritage values on any prehistoric or ethnographic period archaeological site containing cultural 
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artifacts, including human burials. It is also likely that many sites and areas of potential cultural/heritage 

concern to Native Americans exist on public lands and simply have not been identified to date by either 

the BLM or the Native American individuals or groups. 

Section 2.4.13 addresses specific cultural resources goals, objectives, and management actions for the 

CCMA under the range of alternatives to encourage and promote Native American access to sites of 

cultural value on public land. The management changes proposed for these resources in the alternatives 

may have some marginal social and economic impacts, but the only impacts to Native American interests 

and other CCMA visitors that would be substantially adverse would be under Alternative G, as a result of 

the complete loss of access to areas with cultural and heritage resource values. 

4.15.2.4 Recreation (and Transportation) Management Actions 

Recreation use of public lands is expected to increase as population grows not only in the Central Coast 

and Diablo Range areas that support local use but also throughout the HFO and California. If recreation 

use were to grow at a rate proportional to population growth in the Central Coast and Diablo Range areas, 

over 50,000 annual visits would be expected, compared to the estimated fiscal year 2006 use of 43,000 

visits. However, a more likely scenario is that the increase in recreation visits would far exceed 

population growth as competition for recreation space accelerates and as word of the recreation 

opportunities on BLM lands in CCMA spreads. If use were to triple during the life of this RMP/EIS, over 

90,000 visits annually would be expected. At this level of use, annual expenditures in support of 

recreation on public lands in the CCMA might reach as much as $4 million in current dollars. Although 

still an inconsequential level compared to Central Coast and Diablo Range economies, it is likely that 

some individual businesses, like motorcycle shops in Salinas and Hollister, would continue to rely greatly 

on OHV recreation activity in CCMA, which currently represents about 80 percent of total use in the 

CCMA. 

Aside from the local motorcycle shops, recreation opportunities in the CCMA would also contribute 

revenue to other local and regional businesses including restaurants, hotels, sporting goods stores, gas 

stations, and grocery stores in these communities. Likewise, income from ongoing projects at the CCMA, 

and the job directly and indirectly associated with them provide benefits to social and economic 

conditions in the Planning Area. 

Although demand for access to hunting would increase as population increases, the level of hunting 

activity in the Diablo Range area is unlikely to grow even at the rate of population since the activity is 

tied more to the number of animals rather than the demand for hunting. Hunting clubs and individuals that 

benefit financially from providing access to hunting on public lands would continue to benefit and may 

see access fees increase as demand grows. Businesses that would benefit from this activity are likely to be 

dispersed outside the Diablo Range analysis area. 

Beyond any economic benefits of public land recreation, population growth in the face of a static number 

of opportunities for dispersed, outdoor recreation would cause the value of this type of recreation to be 

magnified. As indicated in Section 3.15.4, public lands are already among a limited number of venues in 

the Central Coast and Diablo Range areas that allow residents to escape the press of population and find a 

sense of isolation. That experience would become even more valued as population grows. 

4.15.2.5 Environmental Justice 

The requirements for environmental justice review during the environmental analysis process were 

established by Executive Order 12898 (February 11, 1994). That order declares that each Federal agency 

is to identify “disproportionately high and adverse human health or environment effects of its programs, 

policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations.” 
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Tables 4.15-3(a-d) describe estimated ethnicity in 2000 and projected future ethnicity in 2010, 2020, and 

2030 in the Central Coast and Diablo Range analysis areas. The growth in the percentage of the 

population described as Hispanic is projected to be very rapid in both the Central Coast and the Diablo 

Range analysis areas, exceeding even the rapid growth of the Hispanic population for California as a 

whole. The population described as American Indian would also increase in both areas although the total 

percentage would remain small. The African American and Asian-Pacific percentages remain smaller 

than comparable State figures over the period. 

Table 4.15-3a Percent Ethnicity in Central Coast and Diablo Range Populations, 2000 

Area Hispanic African 

American

American 

Indian

AsianPacific

Central Coast 38.4 2.7 0.5 5.2

Diablo Range 44.8 4.6 0.8 7.8

 California 32.6 6.5 0.6 11.3

* Figures differ from those in Table 3.15-5, which are April 2000 Census counts. These are July 1 estimates (California 

Department of Finance). 

Table 4.15-3b Percent Ethnicity in Central Coast and Diablo Range Populations, 2010 

Area Hispanic African 

American

American 

Indian

AsianPacific

Central Coast 45.6 2.9 0.6 5.6

Diablo Range 53.5 4.9 1.4 7.2

 California 38.7 6.7 1.0 12.4

Table 4.15-3c Percent Ethnicity in Central Coast and Diablo Range Populations, 2020 

Area Hispanic African 

American

American 

Indian

AsianPacific

Central Coast 50.5 2.8 0.6 5.9

Diablo Range 57.5 5.1 1.9 6.9

 California 43.0 6.7 1.4 13.1

Table 4.15-3d Percent Ethnicity in Central Coast and Diablo Range Populations, 2030 

Area Hispanic African 

American

American 

Indian

AsianPacific

Central Coast 55.3 2.7 0.6 6.0

Diablo Range 60.8 5.3 2.4 6.4

 California 46.8 6.6 1.7 13.2

Although not projected, the percent of the population with personal income below the poverty level is 

anticipated to remain extremely high in the Diablo Range area, as shown in Table 3.15-5, and somewhat 

below the State average in the Central Coast. There are no trends or expected changes in economic 

patterns that would indicate a change for relative poverty levels in either area. 
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As indicated in the discussion of socioeconomic impacts, the general effect of BLM management 

programs and actions under all alternatives is limited. Specific individuals or niche groups that would be 

affected can be readily identified. None of the anticipated socioeconomic impacts to be experienced by 

these individuals and groups appear to be negative, nor can the affected parties be categorized by 

ethnicity. No minority or low-income populations appear to be disproportionately at risk of being affected 

by public land management. 

4.15.3 Social and Economic Impacts under Alternatives A, B, C, and D 

4.15.3.1 Recreation 

Beyond any economic benefits of public land recreation, population growth in the face of a static number 

of opportunities for dispersed, outdoor recreation would cause the benefits of these alternatives to be 

magnified. As indicated in Section 3.15.4, public lands are already among a limited number of venues in 

the Central Coast and Diablo Range areas that allow residents to escape the press of population and find a 

sense of isolation. That experience would become even more valued as population grows. 

4.15.3.2 Energy and Minerals 

Future production of minerals in the CCMA under these alternatives depends more on the demand for the 

minerals and the extent of recoverable reserves available than on any BLM management strategy. 

Important at one time, production of asbestos, bentonite, and mercury from public lands has ceased and is 

unlikely to start up again. Although demand for oil and natural gas is currently high, production from the 

Federal mineral estate in the throughout the HFO has been declining, and this would appear to be the 

trend into the future. Furthermore, the potential for oil and gas development and exploration on BLMmanaged lands in CCMA is extremely low and not reasonably foreseeable into the future. 

Renewable energy sources will be placing a burden on public lands for solar and wind energy 

development in areas with high potential. Alternatives A, B, C, and D would allow BLM to consider 

proposals for mineral entry, oil and gas development; however, the feasibility of these opportunities 

would depend on sustainability of energy sources in CCMA. Wind energy would be excluded from the 

ACEC under all alternatives. Therefore, the impacts of energy and mineral management actions on 

socioeconomic conditions under Alternatives A, B, C, and D would be negligible. 

4.15.3.3 Livestock Grazing 

Under these alternatives, the same 7,547 animal unit months (AUMs) that are currently available for 

grazing would remain available and the number of leases would remain unchanged at 14 (see Section 

3.15.4). The economic value of the forage grazed would remain at about $109,000 annually in current 

dollars, an insignificant contribution to the local economy of the Diablo Range area where the CCMA 

public land grazing occurs. The CCMA portion of the grazing allotments and the associated AUMs 

would, however, continue to be important to the success of the grazing operations as forage from public 

lands would continue to provide supplemental income to leaseholders. Therefore, the impacts of livestock 

grazing management actions on socioeconomic conditions under these alternatives would be negligible. 

4.15.3.4 Lands and Realty 

Under all alternatives, BLM would continue to authorize rights-of-ways, communications sites, and other 

land uses consistent with CCMA resource goals and objectives. Also, consolidation of lands into 

manageable blocks through acquisition, exchange, or disposal would increase the inherent economic 

efficiency of public land management in that administrative costs per acre should be reduced, and the 
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potential economic return per acre would be greater for larger holdings than for small. To the extent that 

larger blocks of public land make them more viable habitat for threatened, endangered, or sensitive 

species, they become more valuable as lands that can be used as offsetting mitigation. This would make 

the projected residential and commercial development in both the Central Coast and Diablo Range areas 

more manageable and less costly because habitat on private lands lost to development could be offset by 

habitat on public lands. Therefore, lands and realty management actions under Alternatives A, B, C, and 

D would have long-term beneficial impacts of on socioeconomic conditions. 

4.15.4 Social and Economic Impacts under Alternatives E, F, and G 

There are several impacts and mitigations related to the range of alternatives due to the similarities in 

actions that would affect resources or social and economic conditions, including public health and safety. 

The respective social and economic condition impacted by natural and cultural resources, energy and 

minerals, livestock grazing, and lands and realty management actions are the same as those described 

under Alternatives A, B, C, and D. However, the severity of the impacts to social and economic decisions 

associated with recreation management actions does vary with regard to the particular actions outlined in 

Alternatives E, F, and G. 

4.15.4.1 Recreation Management Actions 

Within the visitor shed, motorcycle retail outlets concentrate close to their customers. Table 4.15-4 below 

reports date from the US Census Bureau Zip Code Business Patterns 2001, The Business Patterns Report 

does not specify the actual numbers of employees in each business but sorts businesses by classes based 

on ranges of numbers of employees. At a minimum, the visitor shed for the Management Area in 2001 

had 1031 jobs in retail motorcycle businesses. 

Communities with comparatively high employment in retail motorcycle sales are most likely to 

experience long-term adverse effects under these alternatives as motorized recreation on public lands in 

CCMA decreases significantly. The geographic areas most likely to have economic impacts are those 

currently with high numbers of employees in retail motorcycle sales. Table 4.15-4 lists the top ten zip 

code areas provide the largest number of jobs related to retail sales of motorcycles. 

Table 4.15-4 – Top ranked communities within the visitor use region by zip code, with the greatest 

employment in retail sales of new and used motorcycles (NAICS 441221) in 2001. Source: US Census 

Bureau Zip Code Business Patterns 2001 

City Zip Code Area Minimum Estimate of Number of 

Employees

Santa Cruz 95062 62

Modesto 95351 45

Visalia 93292 42

San Francisco 94103 42

Bakersfield 93301 32

Redwood City 94063 30

Livermore 94550 26
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California Department of Motor Vehicles tracks information on motor vehicles with green-sticker 

registrations by zip code by month. This information helps the BLM to know where significant 

populations of OHV recreational users live and, in the absence of visitor profile data specifically collected 

from visitors while they are visiting the CCMA, what the demographic profile of visitors is and how it 

differs or is similar to the population as a whole. 

Tables 4.15-5(a-d) show the top-ten ranked zip code areas within the visitor shed region, with: (a) the 

highest total green-sticker registrations, (b) the highest frequency of registrations among rural 

communities (populations between 1,000 and 5,000), (c) among suburban communities (populations less 

than 25,000), and (d) among urban communities (populations greater than 25,000). These areas represent 

significant populations with vehicles used in OHV and other motorized recreation. 

Table 4.15-5 a – Communities with the Highest Number of Registered Green Sticker Vehicles 

City Zip Code Number of Registered Vehicles

1. Bakersfield 93312 2457

2. Hollister 95023 2318

3. Livermore 94550 1822

4. Tulare 93274 1712

5. Clovis 93611 1705

6. Paso Robles 93446 1542

7. Wasco 93230 1540

8. Gilroy 95020 1415

9. Bakersfield 93308 1371

10. Porterville 93257 1350

Table 4.15-5 b – Rural Communities with the Highest Frequency of Green Sticker Registrations in the 

Population 

City Zip Code Area Minimum Estimate of Number of 

Employees

Hayward 94544 24

San Jose 95112 24

San Francisco 94109 22

Concord 94520 22

Fremont 94538 22

Walnut Creek 94596 22

San Jose 95124 22
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City Zip Code Per Capita Frequency of OHV 

vehicles in the population

1. Friant 93626 14.8%

2. Creston 93432 11.1%

3. Hickman 95323 10.6%

4. Prather 93651 10.5%

5. Lebec 93243 10.3%

6. Frazier Park 93225 9.5%

7. La Grange 95329 8.9%

8. Herald 95638 8.6%

9. Linden 95236 8.6%

10.Santa Margarita 93453 8.0%

Table 4.15-5 c – Suburban Communities with the Highest Frequency of Green Sticker Registrations in 

the Population 

City Zip Code Per Capita Frequency of OHV 

vehicles in the population

1. Wilton 95693 7.8%

2. San Martin 95046 7.6%

3. Templeton 93465 6.9%

4. Denair 95316 6.5%

5. Santa Ynez 93460 6.5%

6. Acampo 95220 6.3%

7. Pioneer 95666 6.3%

8. Escalon 95320 6.2%

9. Byron 94514 6.0%

10. Hughson 95326 5.7%
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Table 4.15-5 d – Urban Communities with the Highest Frequency of Green Sticker Registrations in the 

Population 

City Zip Code Per Capita Frequency of OHV 

vehicles in the population

1. Bakersfield 93312 6.1%

2. Hollister 95023 4.8%

3. Paso Robles 93446 4.3%

4. Oakley 94561 3.9%

5. Brentwood 94513 3.9%

6. Atascadero 93422 3.8%

7. Clovis 93611 3.6%

8. Visalia 93292 3.6%

9. Sonora 95370 3.2%

10. Bakersfield 93313 3.1%

From comparisons of the communities with high frequency of green-sticker vehicles with the entire 

population of the visitor shed, the BLM can develop an initial profile of the economic and social 

characteristics of OHV recreation users and of similarities and differences with the entire population of 

the visitor shed. Table 4.15-6 displays selected characteristics of communities where OHV ownership and 

registration are high as contrasted with the entire population of the Management Area visitor shed. 

Table 4.15-6 – Comparison of selected demographic characteristics of communities identified in Table 

4.15-4, with high frequencies of registered green-sticker vehicles. Source: US Census Bureau, Census 

2000 data 

Community 

Groups as 

Defined in 

Table 2

Population 

percentage 

selfidentified as 

white race

Median 

Age in 

Years 

(both 

sexes)

Average 

Number of 

People in 

Households

Average 

Number 

of People 

in 

Families

Population 

Percent of 

People > 16 

years old 

and 

employed

Median 

Number 

of 

Rooms 

in 

Houses

Per 

Capita 

Income 

1999

Top 10 Rural 

Communities 86.9 39.4 2.7 3.6 41.3 5.2 $20,131

Top 10 

Suburban 

Communities

86.1 38.4 2.3 2.8 43.6 5.7 $25.334

Top 10 Urban 

Communities 83.8 34.4 3.0 3.8 44.0 5.6 $21,294
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Community 

Groups as 

Defined in 

Table 2

Population 

percentage 

selfidentified as 

white race

Median 

Age in 

Years 

(both 

sexes)

Average 

Number of 

People in 

Households

Average 

Number 

of People 

in 

Families

Population 

Percent of 

People > 16 

years old 

and 

employed

Median 

Number 

of 

Rooms 

in 

Houses

Per 

Capita 

Income 

1999

All 

Communities 

in the Visitor 

Shed

58.5 33.8 2.9 4.3 44.2 4.9 $25,012

All California 59.5 33.3 2.9 3.4 43.0 4.8 $22,711

Significant clusters of communities with high percentages of green-sticker vehicle registration occur in 

the Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo – Atascadero – Paso Robles, eastern Contra Costa County, and 

Stanislaus County. In communities with relatively high proportions of green-sticker registrations for offhighway vehicles, the populations appear to differ from the total population of California. The proportion 

of people who identify themselves as white racially is higher than in the population at large. Also, the 

populations of the rural and suburban communities where OHVs are most common tend to be somewhat 

older and have smaller families in comparison the total population of the visitor shed. 

Although these alternatives would emphasize low-impact non-motorized recreation, they would not likely 

have much effect on the demand or the amount of non-motorized recreation use in CCMA. As with 

Alternatives A, B, C, and D, demand for public land recreation would largely be driven by external 

factors related to population and the competition for recreation space. The speed at which recreation use 

grows could be affected by the extent to which BLM management produces favorable recreation 

experiences and promotes the use of public lands for recreation. 

In conclusion, Alternatives E, F, and G would have major long-term adverse impacts on the social and 

economic conditions of businesses and employees within the communities that specialize in off-highway 

vehicle sales due to the loss of OHV recreation opportunities on CCMA public lands. However, the 

overall impact to the social and economic conditions within the Planning Area would be negligible due to 

the immense size of the populations in the Central Coast and Diablo Range analysis areas. 

4.15.5 Impacts to Social and Economic Conditions for the Proposed Action 

The impacts of the Proposed Action on social and economic conditions would be the same as those 

described in Section 4.15.4. Under the Proposed Action, there would be a shift from motorized recreation 

to non-motorized recreation opportunities. Over the long term, the adverse social and economic impacts 

associated with the loss of motorized recreation could be offset to some degree by the increase in nonmotorized recreation opportunities provided for in the Proposed Action. 

Communities with comparatively high employment in retail motorcycle sales are most likely to 

experience long-term adverse effects under these alternatives as motorized recreation on public lands in 

CCMA decreases significantly. The geographic areas most likely to have economic impacts are those 

currently with high numbers of employees in retail motorcycle sales. Table 4.15-3 lists the top ten zip 

code areas provide the largest number of jobs related to retail sales of motorcycles. These areas represent 

significant populations with vehicles used in OHV and other motorized recreation. 
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Table 4.15-5 displays selected characteristics of communities where OHV ownership and registration are 

high as contrasted with the entire population of the Management Area visitor shed. Significant clusters of 

communities with high percentages of green-sticker vehicle registration occur in the Bakersfield, San Luis 

Obispo – Atascadero – Paso Robles, eastern Contra Costa County, and Stanislaus County. 

The Proposed Action would emphasize low-impact non-motorized recreation, and this would likely have 

a positive effect on the meeting the demand for this type of recreation use in CCMA, and adjacent areas, 

as well as the in region as a whole. Demand for public land recreation would largely be driven by external 

factors related to population and the competition for recreation space. The speed at which recreation use 

grows could be affected by the extent to which BLM management produces favorable recreation 

experiences and promotes the use of public lands for recreation. However, the Proposed Action would 

have major long-term adverse impacts on the social and economic conditions of businesses and 

employees within the communities that specialize in off-highway vehicle sales due to the loss of OHV 

recreation opportunities on CCMA public lands. 

4.15.5.2 Energy and Minerals 

Future production of minerals in the CCMA depends more on the demand for the minerals and the extent 

of recoverable reserves available than on any BLM management strategy. 

Important at one time, production of asbestos, benitoite, and mercury from public lands has ceased and is 

unlikely to start up again. Although demand for oil and natural gas is currently high, production from the 

Federal mineral estate throughout the HFO has been declining, and this would appear to be the trend into 

the future. Furthermore, the potential for oil and gas development and exploration on BLM-managed 

lands in CCMA is extremely low and not reasonably foreseeable into the future. 

Renewable energy sources will be placing a burden on public lands for solar and wind energy 

development in areas with moderate to high potential. The Proposed Action would allow BLM to 

consider proposals for mineral entry, oil and gas development, and renewable energy outside the ACEC; 

however, the feasibility of these opportunities would depend on sustainability of energy sources in 

CCMA. Wind energy, geothermal, and solar energy would be excluded from the ACEC under the 

Proposed Action. Therefore, potential impacts associated with renewable energy exploration and 

development would be restriction of access to areas where wind or geothermal production potential 

exists, which may result in minor long term impacts in decreased local production of electricity and 

decreased local income from local construction and operation employment opportunities associated with 

these energy developments. 

4.15.5.3 Livestock Grazing 

Under the Proposed Action, the same 7,547 animal unit months (AUMs) that are currently available for 

grazing would remain available and the number of leases would remain unchanged at 14 (see Section 

3.15.4.4). The economic value of the forage grazed would remain at about $109,000 annually in current 

dollars, and an insignificant contribution to the local economy of the Diablo Range area where the CCMA 

public land grazing occurs. The CCMA portion of the grazing allotments and the associated AUMs 

would, however, continue to be important to the success of the grazing operations as forage from public 

lands would continue to provide supplemental income to leaseholders. Therefore, the impacts of livestock 

grazing management actions on socioeconomic conditions under the Proposed Action would be 

negligible. 
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4.15.5.4 Lands and Realty 

Under the Proposed Action, BLM would continue to authorize rights-of-ways, communications sites, and 

other land uses consistent with CCMA resource goals and objectives. Also, consolidation of lands into 

manageable blocks through acquisition, exchange, or disposal would increase the inherent economic 

efficiency of public land management in that administrative costs per acre should be reduced, and the 

potential economic return per acre would be greater for larger holdings than for small. To the extent that 

larger blocks of public land make them more viable habitat for threatened, endangered, or sensitive 

species, they become more valuable as lands that can be used as offsetting mitigation. This would make 

the projected residential and commercial development in both the Central Coast and Diablo Range areas 

more manageable and less costly because habitat on private lands lost to development could be offset by 

habitat on public lands. Therefore, lands and realty management actions under the Proposed Action would 

have long-term beneficial impacts of on socioeconomic conditions. 

4.15.6 Cumulative Effects 

The social and economic changes underway in the Planning Area are expected to continue, regardless of 

the alternative selected in this EIS, because, as stated earlier, the size of the economy associated with the 

population within the Planning Area would dwarf any of the social and economic contributions made by 

public land resources. 

However, the role that public lands play in defining quality of life for area residents may especially be 

affected by demographic changes in the future. Public lands will become increasingly important as 

remaining reservoirs of open space and as providers of increasingly highly valued visual quality. To the 

extent that perceptions of quality of life are tied to public health and safety, visual quality, and the 

maintenance of open space, BLM decisions that affect those elements become more important. 

The cumulative impacts for social and economic conditions as they relate to public health and safety, 

visual quality, recreation opportunity, livestock grazing, and natural and cultural resources, are described 

in those sections. 
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4.16 Visual Resources Management 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goal for visual resource management is to manage public land actions and activities in a 

manner consistent with visual resource management (VRM) class objectives.

4.16.1 Introduction 

As outlined in Section 3.16.2, visual resource management (VRM) classes are assigned to the various 

parts of the landscape based on visual characteristics and/or to meet management objectives. These range 

from preserving a natural landscape and existing characteristics (Class I) to providing for management 

activities that allow major modification of the landscape (Class IV). While numerous management 

activities can impact visual values, the most significant impacts are large-scale or cumulative grounddisturbing activities that alter the existing form, line, color, and texture of the existing landscape. 

Impacts to visual resources are considered major if they substantially change or degrade the character of 

the landscape as seen from sensitive viewsheds, or if the allowable modifications exceed VRM 

classifications. While topography can allow for some landscape modifications, many types of disturbance, 

such as roads and artificial structures, can dominate the landscape depending on their size, distance, 

topographic position, presence or absence of screening, and contrast with surrounding conditions. 

Viewsheds deemed to be of high value are those that have high scenic quality, such as the Joaquin 

Ridge/Rocks area west of U.S. Interstate 5, or other areas in CCMA with high visual sensitivity due to a 

large amount of public interest and viewing, such as San Benito Mountain and Hernandez Valley. 

Since all BLM-administered lands in the Planning Area have been previously evaluated and been 

assigned VRM Classes III or IV, with the exception of San Benito Mountain WSA (VRM Class 1), this 

RMP/EIS will not elaborate on the methodology employed to assign the classifications. 

4.16.2 Overview of Impacts 

4.16.2.1 Visual Resource Management Actions 

Designation of VRM classes for certain geographic areas within the Planning Area is the main variable in 

determining the level of impacts to visual resources.

4.16.2.2 Other Management Actions 

Impacts to visual resources can result from a variety of other management actions, including fire 

management, recreation, and energy and mineral development. 

Wildfire and Prescribed Burns 

For all alternatives, management actions would limit bulldozer use on wildfires and prescribed burns in 

the ACEC due to human health risks, and outside the ACEC, where possible, for other resources 

concerns. All other actions relating to wildfires and prescribed burns would be designed to maintain a 

particular area’s VRM classification.

The most important effect to visual resources from wildfire and prescribed burns is the modified nature of 

the landscape following a fire. Charred vegetation, downed timber, and discolored soils and rock can 

affect the quality of the visual landscape. These effects can be widespread and long-term. 
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Recreation and Access 

Recreation-related activities that can affect visual resources are mainly related to motorized recreational 

vehicle use. Motorized vehicle routes, existing and new, can adversely affect the visual quality of the 

landscape. In addition, the development of new trails and visitor facilities can have an effect on the visual 

quality of an area, although these developments are generally more localized. 

Energy and Mineral Development 

Potential activities in the CCMA related to energy and mineral development include production of oil and 

gas, as well as limited saleable and locatable mineral production. However, the potential for development 

in CCMA in low-to-moderate; and no new oil and gas wells have been drilled in the past 30 years. 

Furthermore, BLM estimates that no more than 15 exploration and production wells would be drilled 

within the next 15 to 20 years throughout the Hollister Field Office. The drilling of new wells is most 

likely in currently producing oil fields outside of the CCMA, including the Coalinga, Jacalitos, 

Kreyenhagen, Kettleman Middle Dome, and Pyramid Hills in Fresno County; and the Vallecitos, 

Bitterwater, and Hollister oil fields in San Benito County, where energy and mineral development would 

coincide with the construction of new pipelines, roads, and processing facilities, which would not conflict 

with current VRM class designations in CCMA. 

While there are only a few areas within the Planning Area that could be considered for potential wind 

resource development, the most likely area for wind farm siting is on Joaquin Ridge. BLM lands in this 

region follow the ridgeline of the mountains east of the Clear Creek Management Area. Wind farms can 

significantly affect the visual character of the landscape due to turbine heights, the “shadow-flicker” 

phenomenon from rotating blades, and newly built access roads for turbine maintenance. A large portion 

of Joaquin Ridge was designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in the Hollister 

RMP (2007), and wind farms would have a major and long-term impact on visual resources in the 

Joaquin Rocks ACEC, if developed. 

4.16.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A 

4.16.3.1 Visual Resource Management Actions 

Under Alternative A, VRM classifications would not change since the 1984 Hollister RMP was 

published. Alternative A would have minor to moderate impacts on visual resources because current 

management practices do not afford visual protection standards for acquired lands, which would leave 

these areas in danger of potential deterioration of visual quality. 

Additionally, development of new communications sites would be addressed on a case-by-case basis 

under this alternative. The presence of communication towers could have a moderate to major impact 

depending on their location and configuration. 

4.16.3.2 Other Management Actions 

Wildfire and Prescribed Burns 

Under Alternative A, approximately 1,250 acres in the Planning Area would be targeted for annual 

prescribed burns, and 15,500 acres for decadal prescribed burns. This would have a negligible adverse 

impact on visual resources because it represents current management practices. Other actions under this 

alternative include limitations on the use of bulldozers on both wildfires and prescribed burns when and 

where possible, which would result in beneficial impacts to visual quality. 
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Recreation and Access 

New access roads and/or trails are not proposed in the Planning Area under Alternative A, with the 

exception of limited access improvements in the Condon and Cantua zones. Therefore, recreation-related 

improvements under Alternative A would have no adverse impact on visual resources 

Energy and Mineral Development 

Under Alternative A, oil and gas and mineral extraction activities would be considered on a case-by-case 

basis, and all such developments would be allowed only in areas where appropriate mitigation would 

protect sensitive areas such as ACECs and known rare, threatened, and endangered habitat. These 

management actions would have a minor affect on visual resources, which would be localized to the 

immediate area surrounding the development. 

4.16.3.3 Mitigation 

Alternative A includes management actions that would serve to mitigate impacts to visual resources, 

including limiting the use of bulldozers on wildfires and prescribed fires; regulating communication 

towers to appropriate areas; and restricting motorized vehicles to existing designated routes. 

4.16.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B through G 

4.16.4.1 Visual Resource Management Actions 

For Alternatives B through G, VRM Class IV standards apply except as otherwise noted. 

The San Benito Mountain WSA would be managed as VRM Class I. This designation would preclude the 

siting of communication towers and other major land-disturbing actions that could affect visual quality. 

Alternative E would provide the most protection and enhancement of visual resources because the scenic 

route corridor would be managed as a Class II area, and therefore, this alternative would have the most 

beneficial long-term impact compared to the other alternatives. 

4.16.4.2 Other Management Actions 

Impacts from other management actions are described under subsection 4.16.2, “Overview of Impacts.” 

These include impacts as a result of wildfire and prescribed burns, recreation and access, and energy and 

mineral development. Issues specific to Alternative B, or C, or D, are described below. 

Wildfire and Prescribed Burns 

Under Alternatives B through G, approximately 1,450 acres in the Planning Area would be targeted for 

annual prescribed burns, and 14,000 acres for decadal prescribed burns. This would have a similar level 

of adverse impact on visual resources as Alternative A due to the higher acreage targeted for annual 

burns, but lower acreage for decadal burns. 

Recreation and Access 

Alternatives B through G would allow new motorized access routes to be established in the Planning 

Area. This would result in minor adverse impacts to visual resources from road cuts. These alternatives 

also emphasize expansion of existing facilities for communications and for recreation opportunities. 

These actions would have a negligible impact on visual resources because they would be limited to 

exiting locations. 
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Energy and Mineral Development 

Under Alternatives B through G, surface disturbance for energy and mineral development would not be 

allowed in threatened and endangered species habitat, resulting in a beneficial impact to visual resources. 

In addition, under alternative D, E, F, and G, the Serpentine ACEC would not be available for energy or 

mineral development, resulting in beneficial impacts to visual resources in these areas. 

4.16.4.3 Mitigation 

Alternatives B through G have mitigation measures that are included in the management actions identified 

in Chapter 2. Alternatives B through G include several management actions that would serve to mitigate 

potential impacts to visual resources. These include implementation of best management practices for 

road maintenance, watershed restoration, rights-of-ways, and energy and mineral development; and 

limiting the use of fire retardant drops on exposed rock outcrops and other sensitive visual resource areas 

that could result in adverse impacts to visual quality of the landscape. 

4.16.5 Impacts to Visual Resources for the Proposed Action 

4.16.5.1 Visual Resource Management Actions 

The San Benito Mountain WSA would be managed as VRM Class I. This designation would preclude the 

siting of communication towers and other major land-disturbing actions that could affect visual quality. 

The Proposed Action would provide for protection and enhancement of visual resources because the 

scenic route corridor would be managed as a Class II area, and therefore, would have moderate beneficial 

long-term impact. 

Additionally, development of new communications sites would be addressed on a case-by-case basis. The 

presence of communication towers could have a moderate to major impact depending on their location 

and configuration, however location of new facilities would be restricted to existing sites. 

4.16.5.2 Other Management Actions 

Impacts from other management actions are described under subsection 4.16.2, “Overview of Impacts.” 

These include impacts as a result of wildfire and prescribed burns, recreation and access, and energy and 

mineral development. 

Wildfire and Prescribed Burns 

Under the Proposed Action, approximately 1,450 acres in the Planning Area would be targeted for annual 

prescribed burns, and 14,000 acres for decadal prescribed burns. This would have a similar level of 

adverse impact on visual resources as the No Action Alternative, due to the higher acreage targeted for 

annual burns, but lower acreage for decadal burns. Other actions would include limitations on the use of 

bulldozers on both wildfires and prescribed burns when and where possible, which would result in 

beneficial impacts to visual quality. 

Recreation and Access 

The Proposed Action would allow new motorized access routes to be established in the Planning Area. 

This would result in minor adverse impacts to visual resources from road cuts. There would also be an 

emphasis on expansion of facilities for recreation opportunities. These actions would have a negligible 

impact on visual resources because they would not be a substantially noticeable segment of the overall 

landscape. 
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Energy and Mineral Development 

Under the Proposed Action, surface disturbance for energy and mineral development would not be 

allowed in threatened and endangered species habitat, resulting in a beneficial impact to visual resources. 

In addition, the Serpentine ACEC would not be available for energy or mineral development, resulting in 

long term beneficial impacts to visual resources in these areas. Outside the ACEC, oil and gas and 

mineral extraction activities would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and all such developments 

would be allowed only in areas where appropriate mitigation would protect sensitive areas such as rare, 

threatened, and endangered habitat. These management actions would have a minor affect on visual 

resources, which would be localized to the immediate area surrounding the development. 

4.16.5.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures that are included in the management actions identified in Chapter 2. They include 

several management actions that would serve to mitigate potential impacts to visual resources. These 

include implementation of best management practices for road maintenance, watershed restoration, rightsof-ways, and energy and mineral development; and limiting the use of fire retardant drops on exposed 

rock outcrops and other sensitive visual resource areas that could result in adverse impacts to visual 

quality of the landscape. 

4.16.6 Cumulative Effects 

Generally, Federal and State lands that abut or are near BLM lands utilize the BLM VRM system for 

classifying their holdings, and therefore are not in conflict with VRM designations on BLM lands. 

Private lands that are next to or near BLM holdings are not subject to VRM and thus are not required to 

follow VRM guidelines when being developed or utilized for agricultural, industrial, or commercial uses. 

VRM classifications established for BLM lands have no standing on adjacent private lands and, therefore, 

would have no off-site impacts on those private lands. 

Cumulative impacts to visual resources could occur as development pressure increases on the CCMA 

public lands. Because Alternatives A, B, C, and D would allow the most high-impact use of all 

alternatives considered, they also have greater potential for cumulative impacts to visual resources 

compared to Alternatives E, F, G, and the Proposed Action. These impacts can be minimized by 

following BMPs and mitigation measures during site selection and construction. 

Cumulative impacts could occur from the need for expansion or maintenance of nearby local road 

systems outside of the Serpentine ACEC, and increased use of roads on private lands due to closure of 

routes on adjacent BLM-administered lands. Private, County and State road construction and maintenance 

would have negligible impacts on visual resources from CCMA public lands. 

These impacts are mainly limited to highly traveled areas in the CCMA such as the Tucker, Condon, 

Cantua, and San Benito River Zones. In most areas of the CCMA, it is unlikely that the County road 

systems within the CCMA would grow significantly, because the dispersed private lands within the 

Planning Area are already served by County and State roads, and also because of the limited access on 

public lands available under the range of alternatives, including the Proposed Action. As use of the 

public lands decreases, these impacts would become negligible. 
622

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4.17 Fire Management 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goals for fire management are to (1) establish a fire management program that is costefficient and commensurate with threats to life, property, public safety, and resources, (2) use fire 

to restore and/or sustain ecosystem health, (3) cooperate with communities at risk within the 

wildland-urban interface to develop plans for risk reduction, (4) cooperate with regional partners 

in fire and resource management across agency boundaries, and (5) reduce man-made fires, with 

a special emphasis on reductions in developed areas such as communities, campgrounds, and 

transportation corridors. 

4.17.1 Introduction 

Wildland fire management includes using prescribed fire and non-fire fuel treatments to modify 

vegetation communities to achieve beneficial uses of wildland resources. Federal fire policy requires that 

appropriate management responses to wildland fire be defined for all Hollister Field Office (HFO) lands 

in a Fire Management Plan (FMP) that is tiered to the Hollister Resource Management Plan (RMP). The 

purpose of fire and fuels management is to identify and integrate HFO fire management with participating 

Federal and State agency fire and fuels management. Under all of the alternatives being considered in 

this RMP/EIS, management direction would allow fire to continue to be used to achieve desired resources 

goals and objectives, provided the BLM’s fire management program is cost-efficient and commensurate 

with objectives involving the threat of fire to life, property, public safety, and resources. 

4.17.2 Overview of Impacts 

This subsection provides background information and an overview of impacts that would be common to 

all alternatives. 

4.17.2.1 Fire Management Actions 

Wildland Fire 

Wildland fire, defined as any non-structure fire occurring in the wildland, includes prescribed fire and 

wildfire. Prescribed fire is used to accomplish resource management objectives. Prescribed fires are 

planned fires ignited by resource managers. Fires that occur from natural causes such as lightning that are 

then used to achieve management purposes under carefully controlled conditions with minimal 

suppression costs are known as wildfirse. Wildfires are unwanted and unplanned fires that result from 

natural ignition, unauthorized human-caused fire, or escaped prescribed fire. Managing wildfires for 

multiple resource objectives is currently not identified in the Hollister FMP, 2011) 

Prescribed Fire 

Prescribed fire would be used for specific management goals in the Planning Area. Prescribed fire could 

be used to accomplish a number of resource management purposes, such as reducing the amount of 

hazardous fuels, improving plant species diversity, increasing livestock forage production, abating 

noxious and invasive weeds, and improving wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire would be used particularly in 

chaparral vegetation to reduce hazardous fuel, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance watersheds. Multiple 

resource management objectives would often be achieved concurrently. Prescribed fire would not occur 

in habitat, cultural, and paleontological resource-sensitive areas. 
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Prescribed fire could occur either in a defined ‘area’ or in localized ‘burn piles’. ‘Area’ prescribed fires 

are used to burn vegetation in place and can vary in the number of acres burned. ‘Burn piles’ are heaps of 

woody fuel that are accumulated after a mechanical treatment. Consistency with State fire and air 

pollution laws and BLM policy would be maintained during prescribed fires. Appropriate smoke 

management plans would be developed and approved by the local air quality monitoring district for each 

prescribed fire. Acceptable burn days would be determined in coordination with State and local agencies 

and minimized during April through September. 

Wildfire 

Wildfire starts in the Planning Area are caused by either lightning or humans. Approximately 85 percent 

of wildfire starts are caused by humans. Escaped prescribed fire would be managed as a wildfire. 

Firefighter and public safety is the first rule in wildfire management. The Hollister FMP goal for all 

FMUs is to suppress all wildfires 90 percent of the time on initial attack with less than 10 acres burned. 

An appropriate management response for each wildfire would occur in accordance with management 

objectives based on current conditions, fire location, and values to be protected. A response could vary 

from an aggressive initial action to monitoring when all other actions have been carefully examined and 

control lines have been determined to hold. Appropriate management response strategies would be 

tailored to address areas of significant constraints, including WUI areas, Areas of Critical Environmental 

Concern, Wilderness Study Areas, critical habitats, areas of soil instability, and areas of other critical 

resource constraints. Fire that escapes initial attack (i.e., more than 10 acres at 90 percent of the time past 

the first 24 hours) would undergo a would undergo a risk analysis to determine the complexity level and 

suppression alternatives to minimize its severity. Minimum impact suppression tactics would always 

apply to fire suppression. Sensitive habitat and cultural and paleontological resources would be protected 

from fire and fire suppression activity. 

Non-fire Fuels Management 

Fuels management is critical to (1) reducing the risk to life and property from catastrophic fire in the 

WUI, (2) creating plant community diversity, and (3) reducing fire intensity to protect natural and cultural 

resources. Prescribed fire is the main tool used by the HFO to manage fuels; however, non-fire fuels 

management tools are useful in areas where prescribed fire is not appropriate (e.g., the WUI and critical 

habitats). Non-fire fuels management tools include mechanical and biological controls and herbicides, 

which are beneficial in fire-sensitive areas. Mechanical fuels treatment is the most common and includes 

using chain saws, chippers, weed eaters, mowers, and a masticator mounted on an all-terrain vehicle. 

Woody plant material may be piled and burned as a follow-up treatment. Biological controls such as 

cattle grazing manage the amount and distribution of fine fuels. Herbicides are used on a limited basis to 

control unwanted vegetation that eludes prescribed fire or mechanical treatments. Plant debris is left onsite to provide soil organic matter and reduce soil erosion. Non-fire fuels management would be 

conducted in compliance with State and Federal regulations. 

Post-fire and Non-fuel Treatment Rehabilitation and Monitoring 

Rehabilitation often is needed after a wildland fire to restore vegetation cover and reduce soil erosion. 

The need for rehabilitation after non-fire treatment is usually minimal because the treatments are designed 

to retain protective plant cover to prevent soil erosion. An interdisciplinary resource team would define 

the specifics for rehabilitation and monitoring after a wildland fire. 

The FMP calls for ecosystem rehabilitation after wildland fire. Monitoring by HFO staff would 

determine the need and action required to restore plant cover and minimize soil erosion. Emergency 

Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) has occurred on approximately 500 acres per year, with the 
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majority of acres being maritime chaparral and annual grassland fuel types. Once chaparral and annual 

grass vegetation has burned, exposed soils would be subject to erosion from the lack of vegetation cover. 

Short- and long-term goals are to mitigate fire-related degradation of natural and cultural resources and to 

minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of fire. Short-term ESR actions focus 

primarily on damage caused by the fire-suppression effort and include constructing protective fences and 

erosion-abatement structures, seeding, and straw mulching. Native grasses and shrubs are seeded to 

promote soil stability and reduce weed establishment. Long-term restoration actions include the 

establishment of native shrub and grasses on site to reestablish pre-fire oak savannah/shrub/chaparral/ 

annual grass cover. Livestock grazing would not be allowed until the newly established vegetation is of 

sufficient size to withstand tissue removal and trampling. 

Resource specialists would conduct short- and long-term monitoring. Short-term monitoring 

requirements would include evaluating the implementation of treatment and its initial effectiveness. 

Long-term monitoring could include vegetative transects or the establishment of permanent photo points, 

depending on specific project objectives. 

4.17.2.2 Other Management Actions 

Air Quality 

Fire can have a minor to moderate adverse impact on air quality, depending on the size, location, and type 

of fire. However, prescribed fires are used to manage fuel stock (vegetation); small acreages would be 

burned on a rotating basis over the course of several years to reduce the available fuel and thus manage 

fires. Prescribed fire activities would be coordinated with the appropriate APCD, depending on the 

location of the prescribed fire and applicable smoke management plan, or permit approvals would be 

obtained before implementing prescribed fires. Prescribed fires offer a long term benefit of reducing the 

available fuel and thus reducing the potential for future wildland fires. 

Water and Biological Resources 

Prescribed fires and associated activities would result in a reduction of woody vegetation and herbaceous 

understory. These activities could temporarily increase soil erosion, which could result in impacts to 

water quality. However, fuels reduction projects would likely be targeted on woody vegetation outside of 

riparian areas, so streams would generally be protected from disturbance. 

Recreation 

Fire prevention strategies can reduce the potential for man-made fires, such as fires started at 

campgrounds, or at transportation corridors. Prescribed fires could result in area closures during and after 

fires, depending on location and timing of projects. The closures would likely be temporary and would 

not have a noticeable impact on recreation opportunity. The burned areas could have a diminished visual 

quality which could also affect user experience. 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

Investigations and/or clearances would be required prior to conducting fuels reduction activities, such as 

prescribed fires, in areas where there are known cultural or paleontological resources. Therefore, impacts 

are expected to be avoided. 
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Grazing 

Livestock grazing can reduce the accumulation of fine fuels and break up their continuity in grazing 

allotments. This is a beneficial impact to fire management. 

4.17.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A 

4.17.3.1 Fire Management Actions 

Wildland Fire 

Under Alternative A, current wildland fire management direction, suppression guidelines, and general 

guidance for prescribed vegetation treatments would continue as described in the 1984 Hollister RMP. 

Alternative A would allow for prescribed fire to provide mosaic patterns of vegetation to protect soil, 

watersheds, and wildlife, especially mature chaparral dwellers. Prescribed fire would be used to reduce 

the risk of wildland fire or catastrophic fire through fuels management. Range improvement burning 

would be conducted on a 10- to 20-year rotation, and fuels reduction burns would be conducted on a 20- 

to 30-year rotation. Prescribed fire for wildlife habitat improvement would annually burn 5 to 7 percent 

of a management unit over a 10-year rotation period. Under Alternative A, the HFO may annually burn 

up to 100 acres using prescribed fire. The decadal goal for the HFO management lands is to burn less 

than 1000 acres, including both prescribed fire and wildfire. Prescribed fire and smoke management 

would be conducted in compliance with State fire and air pollution laws and BLM policy. Acceptable 

burn days would be determined in coordination with State and local agencies and minimized April 

through September. 

Wildfire 

Approximately 85 percent of all wildfires in the Planning Area have been human-caused. Under 

Alternative A, the annual goal for wildland fire management in all FMUs is to suppress all fire starts 90 

percent of the time before 10 acres are burned, regardless of the cause of ignition. The Hollister FMP 

does not allow fire to be managed for multiple resource objectives in the Planning Area to achieve 

management goals. The decadal goal for wildland fire is 1000 acres and is a combination or prescribed 

fire and wildfire. 

San Joaquin Management Area 

Human-caused fire starts have been 90 and 84 percent in the San Joaquin Valley South Continued and 

San Joaquin Valley South FMUs, respectively. 

San Benito Management Area 

Eighty-three percent of the fires have been human caused in the Hernandez Valley FMU. 

Non-fire Fuels Management 

The decadal goal for HFO management lands is to mechanically treat up to 1000 acres equally spread 

over 10 years. 

San Joaquin Management Area 
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The annual and decadal goals for mechanical treatment in the San Joaquin Valley South Continued and 

the San Joaquin Valley South FMUs are 15 and 35 acres and 150 and 350 acres, respectively, in the San 

Joaquin Management Area. 

San Benito Management Area 

The annual and decadal goals for mechanical treatment in the Hernandez Valley FMU are 12 and 125 

acres, respectively. 

Post-fire and Non-fire Fuel Treatment Rehabilitation and Monitoring 

Alternative A does not specify post-fire and non-fire fuel treatment rehabilitation and monitoring. 

4.17.3.2 Impacts from Other Resource Programs 

Fire management could result in impacts to other resources, including air quality, water and biological 

resources, recreation opportunity, and cultural and paleontological resources. These are described in 

subsection 4.7.2.2. 

Alternative A would promote a moderate amount of annual prescribed fire target acres. While the 

potential impacts from prescribed fire activities are lessened as compared to other alternatives, the threat 

of wildfire and associated impacts on these resources is then greater. 

Livestock grazing can reduce the accumulation of fine fuels and break up their continuity in grazing 

allotments. Under Alternative A, 57,633 public acres would be grazed in 14 allotments at intensity of 

7,547 animal unit months (AUMs). 

4.17.3.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are contained in the management actions in Chapter 2. Under Alternative A, these 

include protection of vegetative resources, and prescribed burns. 

All Alternatives would require that the HFO comply with new fire management guidance provided by 

recent Federal wildfire management policy. This guidance includes newly developed fire and fuels 

management strategies and tactics to comply with the Federal Wildland Fire Management Plan Policy and 

Program Review (1995 and 2001) and the National Fire Plan: A Collaborative Approach for Reducing 

Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment: 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy and 

Implementation Plan (2002). Current Federal policy requires that fire management plans developed for 

all acres of burnable vegetation on HFO management land comply with these documents and be linked 

closely with approved resource management plans. This recent policy provides for improved correlation 

and communication among local, State, and Federal agencies with fire and fuels management 

responsibilities, which ultimately would reduce the risk of wildfire to life and property and reintroduce 

fire as a natural component of ecosystems, as appropriate. 

4.17.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B through G 

4.17.4.1 Fire Management Actions 

Wildland Fire 

Under Alternatives B through G, CCMA fire management would be consistent with the Hollister FMP 

and comply with current Federal wildland fire policy. The FMP would guide the use of prescribed fire in 
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the Planning Area. The HFO would collaborate with Federal and State land managers, Fire Safe Councils, 

and private landowners to develop cross-boundary fire management strategies, including the design and 

implementation of prescribed fire and fuels management projects, and to identify high priority wildfire 

risk areas. The HFO also would work with WUI communities to reduce wildfire risk and implement a 

public outreach program to reduce the frequency of human-caused fires. Prescribed fire would be used to 

mimic the natural role of fire in ecosystems to enhance resource values and to reduce wildfire risks in 

sensitive areas such as the WUI, critical habitats, and cultural sites. Coordination with Federal, State, and 

local agencies would minimize smoke in the WUI. 

Fire suppression and fuels management activities would minimize impacts on the environment, especially 

surface water, cultural and paleontological resources, and sensitive habitats. Prescribed fire and smoke 

management would be consistent with State fire and air pollution laws and BLM policy. Acceptable burn 

days would be determined in coordination with State and local agencies and would be minimal from April 

through June. 

Wildfire 

Alternatives B through G would require developing appropriate management responses to wildland fire, 

reducing human-caused fires, collaborating with communities to reduce fire risk, and prohibiting the use 

of heavy equipment and fire retardants in natural and culturally sensitive areas. Similar to Alternative A, 

Alternatives B through G would require that wildland fire management suppress all fire starts 90 percent 

of the time before 10 acres are burned, regardless of ignition source.

Non-Fire Fuels Management 

Alternatives B through G would require the HFO to collaborate with Federal and State agencies with 

wildland fire management responsibilities, Fire Safe Councils, communities, and private landowners, 

where such interaction would be beneficial, to develop cross-boundary fuels management strategies to 

reduce the risk of fire. 

Post-fire and Non-fire Fuel Treatment and Monitoring 

Alternatives B through G would require post-fire and non-fire fuels treatment rehabilitation and 

monitoring. This means establishing a monitoring system that inventories pre-burn species composition 

and resulting post-fire response; monitoring the effects of fire/fuels treatment; and adjusting the Hollister 

FMP as needed. 

Monitoring after a wildfire, prescribed fire, or non-fire fuels management treatment would identify the 

need for rehabilitation action. The need for post-fire or fuels treatment rehabilitation would be considered 

on a case-by-case basis, depending on location and resources to be protected. 

4.17.4.2 Other Management Actions 

Fire management could result in impacts to other resources, including air quality, water and biological 

resources, recreation opportunity, and cultural and paleontological resources. These are described in 

subsection 4.7.2.2, and in more detail below. 

Under Alternatives B through G appropriate rehabilitation and monitoring action would be defined in 

prescribed fire and fuels treatment plans; however, emergency rehabilitation such as slope stabilization, 

reestablishment of appropriate native plant species, invasive weed abatement, and/or protection of 

vegetation and natural and cultural resources may be needed following a wildfire. 
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Livestock grazing under Alternatives B, C, D, and E would reduce the accumulation of fine fuels and 

break up their continuity in grazing allotments. However, excluding grazing from the Serpentine ACEC 

under Alternative F and the entire CCMA under Alternative G would have the opposite effect of 

increasing density of vegetation and fine fuels in allotments, which would have a major long-term 

negative impact on fire management in CCMA. 

4.17.4.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are contained in the management actions in Chapter 2. For Alternatives B through G, 

measures include prevention strategies, coordination with public agencies, and monitoring. Additionally, 

all alternatives would require that the HFO comply with new fire management guidance provided by 

recent Federal wildfire management policy. This guidance includes newly developed fire and fuels 

management strategies and tactics to comply with the Federal Wildland Fire Management Plan Policy and 

Program Review (1995 and 2001) and the National Fire Plan: A Collaborative Approach for Reducing 

Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment: 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy and 

Implementation Plan (2002). Current Federal policy requires that fire management plans developed for 

all acres of burnable vegetation on HFO management land comply with these documents and be linked 

closely with approved resource management plans. This recent policy provides for improved correlation 

and communication among local, State, and Federal agencies with fire and fuels management 

responsibilities, which ultimately would reduce the risk of wildfire to life and property and reintroduce 

fire as a natural component of ecosystems, as appropriate. 

4.17.5 Impacts for Fire Management for the Proposed Action 

Overall, fire management actions for the Proposed Action would provide moderate long term beneficial 

impacts for land management, by reducing fuels, improving wildlife habitat, and restoring the natural role 

of fire in ecosystems to enhance resource values and to reduce wildfire risks in sensitive areas such as the 

WUI, critical habitats, and cultural sites. 

Wildland Fire 

Under the Proposed Action, fire and fuels management included in the Hollister FMP would be consistent 

with the CCMA RMP. The FMP would guide the use of prescribed fire in the Planning Area. The HFO 

would collaborate with Federal and State land managers, Fire Safe Councils, and private landowners to 

develop cross-boundary fire management strategies, including the design and implementation of 

prescribed fire and fuels management projects, and to identify high priority wildfire risk areas. The HFO 

also would work with WUI communities to reduce wildfire risk and implement a public outreach program 

to reduce the frequency of human-caused fires. Prescribed fire would be used to mimic the natural role of 

fire in ecosystems to enhance resource values and to reduce wildfire risks in sensitive areas such as the 

WUI, critical habitats, and cultural sites. Coordination with Federal, State, and local agencies would 

minimize smoke in the WUI. 

Fire suppression and fuels management activities would minimize impacts on the environment, especially 

surface water, cultural and paleontological resources, and sensitive habitats. Prescribed fire and smoke 

management would be consistent with State fire and air pollution laws and BLM policy. Acceptable burn 

days would be determined in coordination with State and local agencies and would be minimal from April 

through June. 

The Proposed Action would require developing appropriate management responses to wildland fire, 

reducing human-caused fires, collaborating with communities to reduce fire risk, and prohibiting the use 

of heavy equipment and fire retardants in natural and culturally sensitive areas. Wildland fire 
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management goal would be to suppress all fire starts 90 percent of the time before 10 acres are burned, 

regardless of ignition source.

Non-fire Fuels Management 

The Proposed Action would require the HFO to collaborate with Federal and State agencies with wildland 

fire management responsibilities, Fire Safe Councils, communities, and private landowners, where such 

interaction would be beneficial, to develop cross-boundary fuels management strategies to reduce the risk 

of fire. 

Post-fire and Non-fire Fuel Treatment Rehabilitation and Monitoring 

The Proposed Action would require post-fire and non-fire fuels treatment rehabilitation and monitoring. 

This means establishing a monitoring system that inventories pre-burn species composition and resulting 

post-fire response; monitoring the effects of fire/fuels treatment; and adjusting the Hollister FMP as 

needed. 

Monitoring after a wildfire, prescribed fire, or non-fire fuels management treatment would identify the 

need for rehabilitation action. The need for post-fire or fuels treatment rehabilitation would be considered 

on a case-by-case basis, depending on location and resources to be protected. 

4.17.5.1 Impacts for other Resource Programs 

Fire management could result in impacts to other resources, including air quality, water and biological 

resources, recreation opportunity, and cultural and paleontological resources. These are described in 

previous Chapter 4 subsections for these resource program areas. 

Appropriate rehabilitation and monitoring action would be defined in prescribed fire and fuels treatment 

plans; however, emergency rehabilitation such as slope stabilization, reestablishment of appropriate 

native plant species, invasive weed abatement, and/or protection of vegetation and natural and cultural 

resources may be needed following a wildfire. 

Livestock grazing would reduce the accumulation of fine fuels and break up their continuity in grazing 

allotments, which would have a moderate long-term beneficial impact on fire management in CCMA. 

4.17.5.2 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures are contained in the management actions in Chapter 2. Measures include prevention 

strategies, coordination with public agencies, and monitoring. The Proposed Action would require that 

the HFO comply with new fire management guidance provided by recent Federal wildfire management 

policy. This guidance includes newly developed fire and fuels management strategies and tactics to 

comply with the Federal Wildland Fire Management Plan Policy and Program Review (1995 and 2001) 

and the National Fire Plan: A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities 

and the Environment: 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy and Implementation Plan (2002). Current 

Federal policy requires that fire management plans developed for all acres of burnable vegetation on HFO 

management land comply with these documents and be linked closely with approved resource 

management plans. This recent policy provides for improved correlation and communication among 

local, State, and Federal agencies with fire and fuels management responsibilities, which ultimately would 

reduce the risk of wildfire to life and property and reintroduce fire as a natural component of ecosystems, 

as appropriate. 
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4.17.6 Cumulative Effects 

The assessment area for cumulative effects for fire and fuels management includes the CCMA itself, and 

adjacent areas under direct protection of CALFIRE and/or BLM. Prescribed fire and non-fire treatments 

would provide mosaic patterns of vegetation to protect soil, watershed, and wildlife, and to reduce the risk 

of wildland fire in the WUI or catastrophic fire. They can also improve rangeland health. These 

improvements could have beneficial off-site impacts to downstream water quality, vegetation, and 

wildlife habitat. 

Past actions that have affected fire and fuels management include historic farming and grazing practices 

that have led to the replacement of a majority of native vegetation with non-native species. Past and 

present management practices have created a road network that is useful for fire suppression activities in 

the area. Present actions in the CCMA include management activities on BLM lands near Laguna 

Mountain and on Condon Peak that are similar to the remainder of the BLM lands within the CCMA, 

including construction of fuelbreaks, prescribed burning, and mechanical treatments including vegetation 

clearance around structures. Future actions include non-native species abatement and wildlife habitat 

management efforts that should improve resources conditions throughout CCMA over time. Future 

development of private land parcels within the CCMA could increase the amount of wildland urban 

interface in the area, although the human health risks and the difficulty of securing potable water in the 

area will likely limit the amount of private development. 

Plans are currently being finalized to abandon the Beaver Dam Fire Station from the Hwy. 25 location in 

south San Benito County. This would move two fire engines and a water tender further away from the 

CCMA and increase response times to the CCMA by over an hour. Based on the long history of mutual 

aid within California, cooperation with adjoining fire suppression agencies will continue in the future. 

Long-term off-site benefits of prescribed fire include reducing the occurrence or severity of wildfire. 

Appropriate wildland fire and fuels management would reduce the chance of wildfire igniting on HFO 

land and moving onto private or other public lands. Smoke that occurs with prescribed fire would be 

managed to meet local air quality standards to minimize impacts on sensitive off-site areas. Hazardous 

fuels management may reduce particulate matter production, thus minimizing air quality impacts 

Adverse off-site impacts could occur if prescribed fire turns to wildfire that may damage cultural and 

sensitive habitat or result in loss of grazing forage or damage to the WUI. The degree of impact would 

depend on the type and severity of loss. Forage damage would be a short-term loss, but WUI loss could 

be long-term in nature and economically costly. Fuels management risks are usually minimal in 

comparison with prescribed fire because the threat of escape is less. One caveat is that using herbicides 

can damage non-target vegetation and contaminate surface water. 

The interaction of management actions proposed under all the management alternatives, including the 

Proposed Action, together with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions were 

considered in analyzing cumulative impacts. Past conversion of native species to primarily non-native 

species has affected the overall fire regime, increasing the interval of fire return over natural conditions. 

Current fire suppression resources, including BLM and CALFIRE, have provided adequate fire 

suppression protection, which is anticipated to continue in the future. The closure of the Beaver Fire 

Station would lengthen suppression response times to the CCMA, which may adversely affect fire 

suppression success. However, this would also facilitate having BLM personnel who are more familiar 

with the resource management concerns on scene earlier in the fire when planning suppression tactics. 

Overall, RMP actions, when considered with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future 

actions, are not anticipated to have a significant effect in terms of fire and fuels management. 
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4.18 Lands and Realty 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goal for lands and realty management is to provide lands, interests in land, and authorizations 

for public and private uses while maintaining and improving resource values and public land 

administration. 

4.18.1 Introduction 

Land tenure adjustments and land use authorizations are BLM activities that would occur under the 

Proposed Action. Alternative A represents the “No Action” alternative required by NEPA, and would 

reaffirm current management under the existing 1984 RMP (BLM 1984) and its associated amendments 

(1986, 1999, 2006). All alternatives would maintain existing land use authorizations and rights of ways in 

CCMA for private land owners, communication sites, and mining claims. The Proposed Action would 

emphasize protection of human health and safety by incorporating mitigation measures into land use 

authorizations for rights-of-ways and communication sites in CCMA to reduce exposure to airborne 

asbestos fibers. 

The Proposed Action emphasizes acquisition of lands to support new recreation opportunities in the 

Tucker, Condon, and Cantua Zones. The Proposed Action would restrict public access and development 

in the ACEC and only authorize new recreation facilities outside the ACEC. Management actions within 

the lands and realty program are administrative in nature and require subsequent analysis at the project 

level to determine site-specific resources issues and alternatives for implementation. Therefore, there 

would be no direct environmental impacts to the human environment under the Proposed Action or any of 

the alternatives. Other programs and resources would be affected by failure to complete the required 

resources screening and analysis prior to any land use authorization, acquisition, exchange, or disposal. 

4.18.2 Overview of Impacts from Lands and Realty 

4.18.2.1 Lands and Realty Management Actions 

Land Disposal, Acquisition, and Exchanges 

For all alternatives, direct impacts upon lands and realty program would be administrative in nature. The 

management actions would assure more efficient management of public lands and greater preservation 

and enhancement of biological resources in important areas. 

Land Use Authorizations 

For all alternatives, direct impacts upon lands and realty program would be administrative in nature. The 

management actions would assure some level of land use authorizations including development 

opportunities for energy and minerals, utility corridor, wind energy, and telecommunications. The 

varying degrees of access allowed in the ACEC and elimination of a county road network would directly 

impact landowners within the ACEC. The BLM would provide reasonable access and the landowners 

would be required to pay annual rent for their access.
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4.18.2.2 Other Management Actions 

Overall, impacts from other management actions would primarily be related to land use authorizations. 

Special areas like WSA’s, ACEC/RNA’s, or the existence of special status plants or animals, wetlands, 

and cultural resources, among other things, can limit the availability of those areas for certain land use 

authorizations like rights-of-ways or energy and mineral development. The potential increase of land use 

permits for renewable energy development would also increase the administrative burden on the BLM. 

4.18.2.3 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures for land acquisitions and disposal would be specified in BLM guidance and in 

compliance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and other Federal laws 

and regulations that address the screening criteria and transfer of contaminated properties. Authorizations 

and permits would specify site specific mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate potential impacts to air 

quality, soil, water, biological, recreation, visual, rangeland, energy and minerals, cultural, 

paleontological, social/economic, transportation/access, hazardous materials, and public safety resources. 

4.18.3 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative A 

4.18.3.1 Lands and Realty Management Actions 

Land Disposal, Acquisition, and Exchanges 

Under the no action alternative, existing management actions would have a minor adverse impact on 

administration of lands and realty because they would only allow acquisition of lands for efficient 

management of public lands and to reduce conflicts with other public and private landowners within the 

CCMA. Land tenure adjustments would be implemented if the FLPMA and other applicable Federal laws 

and regulations are met, and if the BLM management objectives for the management areas, such as 

impacts or loss to species/habitats or other resource impacts, are not compromised. 

Land Use Authorizations 

Management of resources would be maintained at current levels. This alternative would not modify 

allowable uses to address emerging issues on public lands; however, this alternative would incorporate 

new human health risk information into BLM’s public outreach and education asbestos hazard 

information program and guidance for management of natural and heritage resource, livestock grazing, 

energy and minerals, or lands and realty established after the 1984 Hollister RMP, as amended. 

Impacts from new activities, expanded rights-of-way (ROWs), or construction of utility sites and related 

facilities outside of designated or established corridors would vary depending on the approval of 

applications with appropriate mitigation measures. Similarly, allowable impacts from permit applications 

for apiary, commercial filming, or other uses would be considered on a case-by-case basis with 

appropriate mitigation measures. Closing and rehabilitation of roads not required for administrative 

purposes and resolution of unauthorized uses of public lands would have an indirect impact on other 

resources; however, such actions would benefit the administrative efficiency of BLM activities. Private 

landowners would continue to use the BLM and County transportation network to access their private 

lands. 
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4.18.3.2 Other Management Actions 

As described above, impacts from other management actions would primarily be related to land use 

authorizations. Under Alternative A, there would be no new areas of special designation (ACEC, 

Wilderness, etc.) and the existing ACEC and WSAs would remain. This impact on availability of land use 

authorizations would be negligible, however, because over the next 15 to 20 years, no more than 15 wells 

are planned to be drilled and a combined total of 74 acres of Federal lands disturbed (includes permanent 

and temporary disturbance). This estimate is based on oil and gas potential outlined in the Hollister Field 

Office Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario (Appendix VIII). 

4.18.3.3 Mitigation 

Use permits and requests for ROWs and other uses would be considered on a case-by-case basis, 

including the level and type of impacts that would require appropriate and applicable mitigation 

measures. 

4.18.4 Impacts and Mitigation Common to Alternatives B and C 

4.18.4.1 Lands and Realty Management Actions 

Land Disposal, Acquisition, and Exchanges 

Under these alternatives, approximately 3,300 acres of land would be available for disposal in the Tucker, 

San Benito River, and Condon Zones. These lands are currently difficult to manage because they are 

disjunct from other public lands and have little or no existing public access. Therefore, making these 

lands available for disposal would have negligible adverse impacts on lands and realty, and moderate 

long-term benefits for management efficiency because BLM would be able to consider exchange or 

purchase of lands to acquire inholdings with high biologic, geologic or cultural resource values. In 

general the public land pattern would be consolidated and access to public lands would be improved. 

Land Use Authorizations 

Impacts from new activities, expanded rights-of-way (ROWs), or construction of utility sites and related 

facilities outside of designated or established corridors would vary depending on the approval of 

applications with appropriate mitigation measures. Similarly, allowable impacts from permit applications 

for apiary, commercial filming, or other uses would be considered on a case-by-case basis with 

appropriate mitigation measures. Closing and rehabilitation of roads not required for administrative 

purposes and resolution of unauthorized uses of public lands would have an indirect impact on other 

resources; however, such actions would benefit the administrative efficiency of BLM activities Private 

inholders would continue to utilize the BLM and County transportation network as principle means of 

access to their private lands. BLM would consider ROW applications on a case by case basis. 

4.18.5 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternatives D & E 

4.18.5.1 Impacts from Lands and Realty Management Actions 

Land Disposal, Acquisition, and Exchanges 

Under Alternative D, none of the 3,300 acres in the Tucker, Condon, and San Benito River zones would 

be available for disposal. Retention of these lands would have minor adverse impacts on management 
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efficiency and public access because all of these parcels have no existing (or reasonably foreseeable) 

public access. Otherwise, Alternatives E and F would have the same effects as Alternatives B and C. 

Land Use Authorizations 

Allowable uses would be somewhat restricted with access limited to the county road system under 

alternative D. CCMA private landowners would be able to utilize the county roads to drive all or most of 

the distance to their property The landowners who are not able to drive the entire distance to their private 

property on county roads would be required to obtain a ROW from BLM for driving on non-county roads 

across BLM land. Driving on non-county roads would be limited to ingress and egress of private 

property owned by the ROW holder. Use of the county roads under alternative E would be limited to 

R11. R11 is that portion of the county road from New Idria straight through to the locked gate accessing 

Joaquin Rocks. Landowners accessing their property through Clear Creek would require a ROW for all 

or most of the distance to their private property. 

Obtaining a ROW would require submitting a Standard Form 299 “Application for Transportation and 

Utility Systems and Facilities on Federal Lands” to the Hollister Field Office with a map displaying the 

location of the private property (including APN) and the proposed route of travel. There are three fees 

involved for processing ROWs. The processing fee is required to reimburse the United States in advance 

for the cost of processing the application. The monitoring fee reimburses the BLM for monitoring the 

construction, operation, maintenance, and termination of the project, including protection and 

rehabilitation of the public lands involved. The third fee is the annual rent. The Hollister FO would GPS 

the routes of travel and determine the distance across BLM land. Annual rent is determined by 

multiplying the number of acres (rounded up to next tenth of an acre) included in the ROW by the rental 

rate for the appropriate county zone. Approximately 18 private landowners would need to obtain ROW 

from BLM to access their private lands under Alternative D. Approximately 22 private landowners 

would need to obtain ROW from BLM to access their private lands under Alternative E. 

Example: A ROW 20 feet wide and 5 miles long would be 20 X 5(5280) = 528,000 sq ft/43560(sq 

ft/acre) = 12.12 acres (rounded up to the next tenth ) = 12.20 acres X $46.21(2009 San Benito County 

Zone 5 rate) = $563.762 (rounded to the nearest cent) = $563.76. 

Impacts from new activities, expanded rights-of-way (ROWs), or construction of utility sites and related 

facilities outside of designated or established corridors would vary depending on the approval of 

applications with appropriate mitigation measures. Similarly, allowable impacts from permit applications 

for apiary, commercial filming, or other uses would be considered on a case-by-case basis with 

appropriate mitigation measures. Closing and rehabilitation of roads not required for administrative 

purposes and resolution of unauthorized uses of public lands would have an indirect impact on other 

resources; however, such actions would benefit the administrative efficiency of BLM activities 

4.18.6 Impacts and Mitigation for Alternative F & G 

4.18.6.1 Lands and Realty Management Actions 

Land Disposal, Acquisition, and Exchanges 

See subsection 4.18.4.1 above. 

Land Use Authorizations 
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Emphasis would be on authorization of multiple uses outside the ACEC, where appropriate. Allowable 

use restrictions would minimize exposure to airborne asbestos emissions, reduce risk to public health and 

safety, and land use authorizations would provide limited resource use or commodity production, as 

appropriate. 

Under these alternatives, private inholders would use the BLM’s administrative route network as principle 

means of access to their private lands. Approximately 24 private landowners would need to obtain ROW 

from BLM to access their private lands under Alternatives F & G. Obtaining a ROW would require 

submitting a Standard Form 299 “Application for Transportation and Utility Systems and Facilities on 

Federal Lands” to the Hollister Field Office with a map displaying the location of the private property 

(including APN) and the proposed route of travel. There are three fees involved for processing ROWs. 

The processing fee is required to reimburse the United States in advance for the cost of processing the 

application. The monitoring fee reimburses the BLM for monitoring the construction, operation, 

maintenance, and termination of the project, including protection and rehabilitation of the public lands 

involved. The third fee is the annual rent. The Hollister FO would GPS the routes of travel and determine 

the distance across BLM land. Annual rent is determined by multiplying the number of acres (rounded up 

to next tenth of an acre) included in the ROW by the rental rate for the appropriate county zone. 

Example: A ROW 20 feet wide and 5 miles long would be 20 X 5(5280) = 528,000 sq ft/43560(sq 

ft/acre) = 12.12 acres (rounded up to the next tenth ) = 12.20 acres X $46.21(2009 San Benito County 

Zone 5 rate) = $563.762 (rounded to the nearest cent) = $563.76. 

Compared to existing conditions, impacts of new utility sites and corridors within existing designated or 

established corridors would be localized and temporary during construction, but also could be long term 

and permanent to the natural resources in and near the corridor. These impacts would be mitigated with 

appropriate measures. Permits for apiary, commercial filming, wind energy development, or other uses 

would be considered on a case-by-case basis with appropriate mitigation measures. Closing and 

rehabilitation of roads not required for administrative purposes and resolution of unauthorized uses of 

public lands would have an indirect effect on other resources; however, they would benefit the 

administrative efficiency of BLM activities. 

4.18.7 Impacts of Lands and Realty for the Proposed Action 

4.18.7.1 Lands and Realty Management Actions 

Land Disposal, Acquisition, and Exchanges 

Under the Proposed Action, 368 acres in the Condon and San Benito River zones would be available for 

disposal. Retention of these lands would have minor adverse impacts on management efficiency and 

public access because all of these parcels have no existing (or reasonably foreseeable) public access. 

Making these lands available for disposal would have no adverse impacts on lands and realty, and 

moderate long-term benefits for management efficiency because BLM would be able to consider 

exchange or purchase of lands to acquire inholdings with high biologic, geologic or cultural resource 

values. In general the public land pattern would be consolidated and access to public lands would be 

improved. 

Management actions would allow acquisition of lands for efficient management of public lands and to 

reduce conflicts with other public and private landowners within the CCMA. Land tenure adjustments 
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638 

would be implemented if BLM management objectives for the management areas, such as impacts or loss 

to species/habitats or other resource impacts, are not compromised. 

Land Use Authorizations 

Allowable uses would be somewhat restricted with access limited to the Scenic Touring Route under the 

Proposed Action. CCMA private landowners would be able to utilize the touring route to drive all or most 

of the distance to their property The landowners who are not able to drive the entire distance to their 

private property on county roads would be required to obtain a ROW from BLM for driving on noncounty roads across BLM land. Driving on non-county roads would be limited to ingress and egress of 

private property owned by the ROW holder. 

Obtaining a ROW would require submitting a Standard Form 299 “Application for Transportation and 

Utility Systems and Facilities on Federal Lands” to the Hollister Field Office with a map displaying the 

location of the private property (including APN) and the proposed route of travel. In most cases there 

would be no fees charged for these rights-of-way for private landowners. Approximately 22 private 

landowners would need to obtain ROW from BLM to access their private lands. 

Impacts from new activities, expanded rights-of-way (ROWs), or construction of utility sites and related 

facilities outside of designated or established corridors would vary depending on the approval of 

applications with appropriate mitigation measures. Similarly, allowable impacts from permit applications 

for apiary, commercial filming, or other uses would be considered on a case-by-case basis with 

appropriate mitigation measures. Closing and rehabilitation of roads not required for administrative 

purposes and resolution of unauthorized uses of public lands would have an indirect impact on other 

resources; however, such actions would benefit the administrative efficiency of BLM activities 

4.18.7.2 Mitigation 

Mitigation measures for land acquisitions and disposal would be specified in BLM guidance and in 

compliance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and other Federal laws 

and regulations that address the screening criteria and transfer of contaminated properties. Authorizations 

and permits would specify site specific mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate potential impacts to air 

quality, soil, water, biological, recreation, visual, rangeland, energy and minerals, cultural, 

paleontological, social/economic, transportation/access, hazardous materials, and public safety resources. 

4.18.8 Cumulative Effects 

Potential cumulative impacts, are expected to be minor, and would largely depend on the sales, 

exchanges, and acquisitions carried out under this RMP/EIS. For example, acquisitions of areas with high 

recreation potential could result in moderate beneficial cumulative impacts to recreation and travel 

management. Additionally, land use authorizations including communications, utility corridors, and 

energy development, could also result in minor long-term beneficial cumulative impacts to local social 

and economic conditions. 

Cumulative impacts from management of lands and realty under the range of alternatives, and Proposed 

Action, would benefit other resources, such as aesthetics, water quality, and biological resources as a 

result of land tenure adjustments and restrictions on land use authorizations. These impacts combined 

with impacts from previous land acquisitions and improvements, as well as the existing land uses and 

impacts, would cause localized and permanent cumulative impacts on those resources. These impacts are 

described in the respective resource section in Chapter 4.
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5.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 

5.1 Introduction 

This document has been prepared with input from interested agencies, organizations, and individuals. 

Public involvement is a vital component of the resource management planning process and environmental 

impact statement preparation for vesting the public in the effort and allowing for full environmental 

disclosure. Guidance for implementing public involvement is codified in 40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 

1610, thereby ensuring that BLM makes a diligent effort to involve the public in the preparation of RMPs 

EISs. Public involvement for the CCMA RMP was primarily conducted in two phases, as follows: 

Public scoping prior to NEPA analysis to obtain public input on issues, the scope of the analysis, 

and to develop the proposed alternatives, and 

Public review and comment on the Draft RMP/EIS, which provides disclosure of potential 

environmental impacts and opportunity to revise the Proposed RMP and Final EIS based on 

substantive issues and concerns. 

A summary of the earlier public scoping process is available in Chapter 5 of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS 

(2009) and is not reproduced here. A summary of the results of public involvement during the CCMA 

Draft RMP/EIS review and comment period is presented below. This chapter also summarizes and 

responds to public comments submitted on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS. 

5.2 Outreach & Public Involvement 

5.2.1 Notice of Availability of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS 

The public comment period for the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS opened with publication of the Notice of 

Availability for the Draft Resource Management Plan for the Clear Creek Management Area, California, 

and Draft Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register (Volume 74, Number 232) on 

December 4, 2009. The NOA states, “In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 

prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for 

the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), and by this notice, announces the opening of the public 

comment period.”

5.2.2 Advertisements and Announcements 

The NOA states, “To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments 

on the Draft RMP/EIS within 90 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes 

its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings 

and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media 

news releases, and/or mailings.”

Accordingly, BLM issued a news release on December 17, 2009 announcing three public comment 

meetings for the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS, which were held in Coalinga, Hollister, and Santa Clara, 

California. The press release was sent to local and major central California news media and posted on 

BLM’s California and HFO websites and California Newsbytes. Articles were published announcing the 

meetings in newspapers in the region including the Hollister Freelance, Pinnacle, Monterey County 

Herald, Salinas Californian, Fresno Bee, and the San Jose Mercury News. 
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5.2.3 Project Website 

A website, http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/clear_creek_management_area/CCMA_RMP.html, 

was established to provide public information on the CCMA RMP/EIS. It provides background 

information on the BLM’s land use planning process, a downloadable version of the CCMA RMP/EIS 

Scoping Report, the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS, and links to BLM Federal Register notices and BLM news 

releases. 

5.2.4 Public Meetings 

5.2.4.1 Public Meetings 

Three public meetings were held in January 2010 to promote public involvement in the BLM’s CCMA 

RMP/EIS land use planning process. The purpose of these meetings was to provide information about the 

range of alternatives considered in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS and their anticipated environmental 

effects, and to gather public comments on the BLM’s preferred alternative, analysis of environmental 

impacts, and other feedback on the BLM’s land use planning decisions for CCMA.

Each public meeting began with an open house, where the public was offered the opportunity to gather 

information, talk with BLM specialists, and provide written comments on the Draft RMP/EIS. Following 

the open house, the BLM provided a brief overview of the RMP alternatives and opened the verbal 

comment sessions. Public commenters were allowed approximately three minutes each to provide their 

comments to BLM decision-makers and the general audience regarding CCMA public lands and the 

information provided in the Draft RMP/EIS. Verbal comments were noted on a flipchart to capture public 

concerns and help identifying common themes. 

Attendance during these three meetings was high with over 1000 members of the public, mainly offhighway vehicle users, discussing the future management of the CCMA at the public meetings held in 

Coalinga, Hollister, and Santa Clara. The public meetings were also attended by representatives from 

local, state, and federal government agencies, elected officials, numerous clubs and organizations, and 

other constituents. A total of approximately 1,000 people participated in these meetings according to the 

sign-in sheets gathered by the Hollister Field Office staff, although the number of people actually in 

attendance was much greater. 

BLM hired facilitators from Tetra Tech, Inc. to help conduct the public comment meetings on the CCMA 

Draft RMP/EIS. Following these meetings, consultants from Tetra Tech, Inc. prepared a Summary 

Report. This report is included in Appendix XI and summarizes the results of the public meetings hosted 

by the BLM’s Hollister Field Office and the lists the names of the public commenters that provided verbal 

comments during these public meetings. 

A public meeting in Coalinga took place on January 13, 2010. Over 125 members of the public attended 

the meeting. There were a total of 18 public speakers, including individual citizens and representatives 

from the following organizations: Tule Gem and Mineral Society, Blue Ribbon Coalition, Junnila Mines, 

Coalinga Rockhound Society, Fresno Gem and Mineral Society, Lemoore Gem and Mineral Club, Avenal 

Chimes News, Three Rocks Research, AMA District 36, and California Association of Four-Wheel Drive 

Clubs. 

Another public meeting in Hollister was held on January 14, 2010. Over 290 members of the public 

attended. The number of public speakers was 21, including individual citizens and representatives from 

the following organizations: Timekeepers Motorcycle Club, Friends of Clear Creek Management Area, 

Three Rocks Research, Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club, California Association of Four-Wheel Drive 

Clubs, Salinas Valley Rock and Gem Club, and Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club. 
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The third public meeting, held on January 20, 2010 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, was the 

meeting with the highest turnout with attendance by over 400 people. There were 26 public speakers, 

including citizens and representatives from the following organizations: BlueRibbon Coalition, American 

Land Access Association, California Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Carnegie Off-Road 

Enthusiasts, Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club, Timekeepers Motorcycle Club, Friends of Clear Creek 

Management Area, Bay Area Riders Forum, Los Altos Dirt Bike Riders, and California Association of 

Four Wheel Drive Clubs. 

5.2.4.2 Socioeconomic Workshop 

A social and economic workshop was held on February 22, 2010 to discuss social and economic issues 

and concerns associated with the range of alternatives in the Draft CCMA RMP/EIS and to increase 

public involvement in the land use planning process. The purpose of the workshops was to assist in 

characterizing existing conditions and trends in local communities and the wider region that may affect 

and be affected by land use planning decisions. 

The workshops also provide an opportunity for local government officials, community leaders, and other 

citizens to discuss regional economic conditions and trends with BLM managers and staff. The 

workshops assisted in identifying the ways public land resources are integrated into the local economy 

and way of life, and identifying opportunities for collaborative, stewardship-based management 

proposals. The workshops would also devote some time to introducing participants to economic 

concepts, the sources of economic data, the data itself, and the processes of economic analysis. 

Participation at the socioeconomic workshops included local businesses, ranchers/landowners, clubs and 

organizations, elected public officials, Native Americans, and area residents. Information obtained at the 

workshop has been incorporated into the Social and Economic analysis for the CCMA Proposed RMP 

and Final EIS. A summary report of the information presented by BLM and the public comments 

gathered during the workshop is included in Appendix XI. 

5.3 Public Comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS 

BLM’s official public comment period began December 4, 2009, with the publication of the NOA in the 

Federal Register (Volume 74, Number 232). The comment period was extended to April 19, 2010 to 

allow further public input following requests from planning numerous participants and elected officials. 

While comments are accepted throughout the CCMA land use planning process, BLM only accepted 

written comments during the public coment period to ensure that issues presented in the CCMA Proposed 

RMP and Final EIS reflect the genuine concerns of the public. A majority of the public comments were 

submitted by email; although BLM received many written letters that reflect the interest of numerous 

agencies and constituents, including those who attended the public comment meetings. The total number 

of comments received by the HFO, as follows: 

Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies: 14 

United States Environmental Protection Agency, 

Region 9

United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura 

Field Office and Sacramento Office 

United States Geologic Survey

California State Department of Forestry and Fire 

Protection

Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control 

District 

County of San Benito Board of Supervisors (and 

Planning Department)
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California State Department of Parks & Recreation, 

Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division

California Governor’s Office of Planning and 

Research, State Clearinghouse

California State Department of Water Resources

California State Department of Toxic Substances 

Control 

California State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle 

Recreation Commission

California Native American Heritage Commission

San Joaquin Valley Resource Conservation and 

Development Council

Westside Resource Conservation District

Clubs & Organizations: 30 

American Motorcycle Association, District 36

American Land Access Association

Bay Area Mineralogists

BlueRibbon Coalition

California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs 

California Enduro Riders Association

California Federation of Mineralogical Society

California Motor Dealers Association

California Off-Road Vehicle Association

Center for Biological Diversity

Coalinga Rockhound Society

Friends of Clear Creek Management Area 

Fresno Gems and Mineral Society

Ghost Riders Motorcycle Club

Hernandez Valley Property Owners

Lemoore Gems and Mineral Club

Los Altos Dirt Bike Riders 

Los Gatos Motorcycle Club

Racers Under The Sun

Ridge Runners Motorcycle Club

Salinas Valley Rock and Gem Club

San Francisco Gem and Mineral Society

Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Society

Santa Cruz Gem and Mineral Society

Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club

Timekeepers Motorcycle Club

Three Rocks Research

Tule Gems and Mineral Club

Ventana Wilderness Alliance

Wisconsin Off-Highway Vehicle Associaition

Written Comments (Letters, Fax, Email, & Form Letters/Email): 5,614 

Hand Delivered: 32

Individual Letters (inc. Fax): 122

Individual Emails: 168

Form Letter 1 (BRC): 79

Form Letter 2 (OHV): 28

Form Letter 3 (Comment Period Ext.): 25

Form Letter 4 (Tucker INC): 132

Form Letter 5 (Substantive Comments): 16

Form Letter 6 (Minerals): 12

Form Email 1 (OHV-INC): 1,729

Form Email 2 (ENV-INC): 2, 885

Form Email 3 (OHV Commission): 325

Form Email 4 (Comment Period Ext.): 61 
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A complete listing of all the specific agencies, organizations, clubs, and individuals, plus a summary of 

their comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS is included in Appendix X (PRMP/FEIS, Volume II). 

Appendix X also includes BLM’s responses to the public comments, which describe how the issues were 

addressed in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS and/or how they have been incorporated into the CCMA 

Proposed RMP and Final EIS. 

5.4 Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities 

A number of potential partnerships exist that could help BLM broaden involvement of interested parties 

in the future management of public lands. Agreements with local counties and communities will continue 

to be utilized and explored for activities and needs such as planning, transportation, emergency services, 

law enforcement, infrastructure, and tourism. BLM will seek to incorporate management actions in the 

CCMA RMP/EIS that would compliment adjacent communities. 

The BLM Hollister Field Office has existing agreements with several Federal, State, and local agencies to 

assist in the management of public land resources in the planning area. These agencies include: 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

California Department of Toxic Substances Control 

California State Office of Historic Preservation 

California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CALFIRE) 

California Department of Fish and Game 

California Regional Water Quality Control Board 

Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control Districts 

The Tachi Yokut Tribe of the Santa Rosa Rancheria is the only federally recognized Native American 

group in the planning area. Representatives of the tribe are aware of BLM’s CCMA RMP/EIS land use 

planning process. In general, they support BLM’s conservation goals in the planning area provided that 

they are informed of any potential impacts to cultural resources or other traditionally used natural 

resources. Non-federally recognized California Indian tribes that were notified and/or consulted include 

members of several Ohlone/Costanoan tribal groups. Members of these tribes also utilize the planning 

area for cultural and Native American traditional uses. Consultation between BLM officials in the 

Hollister Field Office and tribal representatives were conducted for this EIS and many other activities or 

Proposed Actions within the planning area. The BLM will continue to provide an opportunity for the 

Tachi Yokut Tribe and Ohlone/Costanoan tribal members to provide input on future management of 

public lands. 

5.5 List of Preparers 

A number of individuals formed the Management Team, Core Team, and Interdisciplinary Team for 

development and/or review of the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS. Other BLM staff acted on an adhoc basis to support development and review efforts. 

Management Team 

The management team was responsible for overall direction and completion of the RMP. This includes 

assuring availability of the Core and ID Team members for completion of the RMP; reviewing and 

approving progress in completing the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS; fully participating in all 

public involvement and collaborative activities; and ensuring the integrity of the process and subsequent 

management direction is maintained. 
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Hollister Field Office Manager Rick Cooper 

Hollister Associate Field Manager George Hill 

State Office Representative(s) Kathy Hardy and Sandra McGinnis 

Project Manager and Core Team 

The Project Manager is responsible to the Field Office Manager that comprises the BLM’s administrative 

coverage for the analysis area. The Project manager is responsible for day-to-day guidance for 

development of the RMP, coordinating schedules of staff in all phases of the planning effort, working 

with Core Team Leads and public to facilitate public involvement, and ensuring the RMP and associated 

EIS are prepared within the technical and procedural quality standards provided by the BLM’s planning 

policy and applicable laws and regulations. 

The Core Team is responsible for coordinating with the Project Manager in preparation for all phases of 

the process and all sections of the analytical and guiding documents, assuring consistency throughout the 

RMP development, and fully participating in all public involvement and collaborative efforts. Project 

Manager and Core Team members include: 

Project Manager George Hill 

GIS and Database Manager Eric Wergeland & David Moore 

Planning and Environmental Coordinator Sky Murphy 

Outdoor Recreation Planner David Moore 

Interdisciplinary Team 

The Interdisciplinary Team is responsible for assisting the Core Team in preparing the necessary sections 

of the RMP including: preparing specific sections of the EIS/RMP; and coordinating data deliverables for 

GIS analysis and reviewing for technical adequacy. Interdisciplinary Team members include: 

Recreation and Travel Management David Moore 

HAZMAT/Public Health & Safety Timothy Moore & Sky Murphy 

Vegetation Ryan O’Dell

Fish and Wildlife Michael Westphal 

Special Status Species Ryan O’Dell & Michael Westphal

Air Quality Sky Murphy 

Water Resources Michael Westphal 

Soils Ryan O’Dell

Special Designations ACEC/RNA, WSA, WSR) & Visual Resources Management -- Sky Murphy 

Livestock Grazing Stacey Schmidt 

Energy & Minerals Timothy Moore 

Cultural & Paleontological Resources Erik Zaborsky 

Fire Management Mario Marquez 

Social/Economic Conditions & Environmental Justice -- Sky Murphy

Lands and Realty Christine Sloand 

Cooperating Agency (EPA Region 9) Staff: 

Jere Johnson 

Arnold Denn 

Daniel Stralka 

Jeanne Geselbracht 
Clear Creek Management Area 6.0 References

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ACRONYMS 

659 

Acronyms

AEHHRA asbestos exposure and human health risk assessment 

ACEC area of critical environmental concern 

AML abandoned mine lands 

AMP allotment management plan 

AMR appropriate management response 

APCD air pollution control district 

APE area of potential effect 

ARPA Archaeological Resources Protection Act 

ATCM airborne toxic control measures 

ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

ATV all-terrain vehicle 

AUM animal unit month 

BLM Bureau of Land Management 

BMP best management practice 

CAA Clean Air Act (as amended) 

CABE (Camissonia benitensis) San Benito evening primrose 

CALFIRE California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 

CASHE Compliance Assessment Safety Health Environment 

CCMA Clear Creek Management Area 

CDC Center for Disease Control 

CDFG California Department of Fish and Game 

CDPR California Department of Parks and Recreation 

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response and Liability Act

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

CNPS California Native Plant Society 

CWA Clean Water Act 

DOT Department of Transportation 

DTSC California Department of Toxic Substances Control 

EIS environmental impact statement 

ELCR excess lifetime cancer risk 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

ESA Endangered Species Act 

FAR functioning at risk 

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act 

FMP fire management plan 

FMU fire management unit 

GIS geographic information system 

HAZMAT hazardous materials 

HFO Hollister Field Office 

IMP Interim Management Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review 

IPM integrated pest management 

mph miles per hour 

IRIS Integrated Risk Information System

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act 
ACRONYMS 

660 

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

NPL National Priorities List 

NOA naturally occurring asbestos 

NOI notice of intent 

NOx nitrogen oxides 

NRHP National Register of Historic Places 

NWSRS National Wild and Scenic Rivers System 

OEHHA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

OHV off-highway vehicle 

OHVTF Off-highway Vehicle Trust Fund 

ORV off-road vehicle (synonymous with OHV) 

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

PA Programmatic Agreement 

PCM phase contrst microscopy 

PCME phase contrast microscopy equivalent 

PFC proper functioning condition 

PILT payments in lieu of taxes 

PM2.5 particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter 

PM10 particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter 

PPE personal protective equipment 

RAWS remote automated weather station

RFD reasonably foreseeable development 

RMIS Recreation Management Information System 

RMO route management objective 

RMP resource management plan 

RNA research natural area 

ROD record of decision 

SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act 

SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer 

SRMA special recreation management area 

SUV sport utility vehicle 

SVRA state vehicle recreation area 

T&E threatened and endangered 

TEM transmission electron microscopy 

TMDL total maximum daily load 

UCL upper confidence limit 

US United States 

USDI U.S. Department of the Interior 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

UTV universal terrain vehicle 

VOC volatile organic compound 

VRM visual resources management 

WFU wildland fire use 

WHO World Health Organization 

WSA wilderness study area 
GLOSSARY 

661 

Glossary 

Acceptable Risk Range – The Environmental Protection Agency Superfund program defines the 

acceptable risk range for exposure to a carcinogen, like asbestos, as 10-4 (1 in 10,000) to 10-6 (1 in 

1,000,000) excess lifetime cancer risk. Exposures which are calculated to cause more than 1 in 10,000 

excess cancers are considered to be of concern and may require action to reduce the exposure and 

resulting risk. 

Asbestos – The name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their 

useful properties such a thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength (see 

also Naturally Occurring Asbestos). 

Adaptive Management – An iterative process, designed to experimentally compare selected 

management actions by evaluating alternative hypotheses about the ecosystem being managed. Adaptive 

management consists of three parts: management actions, monitoring, and adaptation. Management 

actions are treated as experiments subject to modification. Monitoring is conducted to detect the effects of 

the management actions. Finally, management actions are refined in response to the enhanced 

understanding of how the ecosystem responds. 

Aggregate – Any combination of sand, gravel, and crushed stone in its natural or processed state. 

Allowable uses – analyzed under the range of alternatives for recreation in the Draft CCMA RMP/EIS 

are defined as follows: 

Non-motorized – Non-motorized recreation includes hiking, backpacking, bird and wildlife 

viewing, equestrian use, environmental education, sightseeing, picnicking and photography. 

Non-motorized recreation does not include activities listed as motorized or mechanized 

recreation. 

Mechanized – Mechanized recreation includes cycling, mountain biking, hang gliding, and rock 

climbing using assistive devices. 

Motorized – Motorized recreation includes the use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs), as described 

in the Transportation and Access section (2.16), and vehicle touring. 

Shooting – Shooting, for purposes of this document, includes all non-hunting discharge of 

firearms, but excludes use of paintball devices. 

Alluvium – Unconsolidated rock or sediment deposited by flowing water including gravel, sand, silt, 

clay, and various mixtures thereof. 

Alternative – One of at least two proposed means of meeting planning objectives. 

Animal Unit – One mature (1,000-pound) cow or the equivalent, based on an average forage 

consumption of 26 pounds of dry matter per day. For authorization calculation purposes, an animal unit is 

one cow and her calf, one horse, or five sheep or goats. Depending on the composition and weight of 

animals in the herd, actual forage use may vary. 

Animal Unit Month (AUM) – The amount of forage needed to sustain one cow, five sheep, or five goats 

for 1 month. 

Annual Plant – A plant that completes its life cycle within a single growing season. Also see 

PERENNIAL PLANT. 

Appropriate Management Response (AMR) – The response to a wildland fire based on an evaluation 

of risks to firefighters and public safety; the circumstances under which the fire occurs, including weather 

and fuel conditions; natural and cultural resource management objectives; protection priorities; and values 

to be protected. The evaluation must also include an analysis of the context of the specific fire within the 

overall local geographic area or national wildland fire situation. 

Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA) – A federal law that prohibits the removal, 

disturbance, sale, receipt and interstate transportation of archaeological resources obtained illegally 

(without permits), from federal or Indian lands and authorizes agency permit procedures for investigations 

of archaeological resources on lands under the agency’s control. 
GLOSSARY 

662 

Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) – An area of BLM-administered land where special 

management attention is needed to do the following: to protect and prevent irreparable damage to 

important historic, cultural, or scenic values and to fish and wildlife or other natural systems or processes; 

or to protect life and provide safety from natural hazards. 

Archaeological Site – Any place where human-made or modified artifacts, features, or ecofacts are 

found. 

Arid region - A region where precipitation is insufficient to support any but drought-adapted vegetation. 

Asbestos -- Asbestos is the name given to a group of six different fibrous minerals that occur naturally in 

the environment These fibrous silicate minerals are mined for their useful properties such a thermal 

insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. They do not dissolve in water or 

evaporate, and they are resistant to heat, fire, and chemical or biological degradation. The two general 

types of asbestos are amphibole and chrysotile (fibrous serpentine). 

Artifact – A discrete or portable object manufactured or modified by humans. Some common artifact 

categories include lithic, ceramic, organic, and metal objects. 

Authorized Officer – Any Bureau of Land Management employee who has been delegated the authority 

to perform defined duties. 

Available Forage (or available forage species) – Forage that can be grazed and still allow sustained 

forage production on rangeland. Available forage may or may not be authorized for grazing. 

Best Management Practice (BMP) – Practices based on current scientific information and technology 

that, when applied during the implementation of management actions, ensure that adverse impacts are 

minimized. BMPs are generally tailored to site-specific conditions, in order to represent the most effective 

and practical means to achieve management goals for a given site. 

Biological Diversity (Biodiversity) – The full range of variability within and among living organisms 

and the ecological complexes in which they occur. Biological diversity encompasses ecosystem or 

community diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity. In this document, biodiversity refers to 

species richness defined as a number of species in a given habitat or location across habitats. 

Biological Opinion – A document that includes the following: the opinion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service as to whether a federal action is likely to jeopardize the 

existence of a species listed as threatened or endangered, or destroy or adversely modify designated 

critical habitat, a summary of the information on which the opinion is based, and a detailed discussion of 

the effects of the action on listed species or designated critical habitat. 

Biomass – The total amount of living plants and animals above and/or below ground in an area at a given 

time; plant material that can be burned as fuel. 

Biota – The animal and plant life of a given region. 

BLM Sensitive Species – Species designated by a state director, usually in cooperation with the state 

agency responsible for managing the species and state natural heritage programs, as sensitive. They are 

those species that: (1) could become endangered in or extirpated from a state. Or within a significant 

portion of or distribution; (2) are under status review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or 

National Marine Fisheries Service; (3) are undergoing significant current or predicted downward trends in 

habitat capability that would reduce a species’ existing distribution; (4) are undergoing significant current 

or predicted downward trends in population or density such that federal listed, proposed, candidate, or 

State listed status may become necessary; (5) typically have small and widely dispersed populations; (6) 

inhabit ecological refugia or other specialized or unique habitats; or (7) are State listed but which may be 

better conserved through application of BLM sensitive species status. 

Browse – The part of leaf and twig growth of shrubs, woody vines, and trees available for animal 

consumption; the act of consuming browse. 

California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) – The California state agency whose mission is to 

manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, 

for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. CDFG maintains native fish, 

wildlife, plant species, and natural communities for their intrinsic and ecological value and their benefits 

to people. This includes habitat protection and maintenance in a sufficient amount and quality to ensure 

the survival of all species and natural communities. CDFG is also responsible for the diversified use of 

fish and wildlife, including recreational, commercial, scientific, and educational uses. 
GLOSSARY 

663 

Canopy – The vertical projection downward of the aerial portion of shrubs and trees, usually expressed as 

a percent of the ground so occupied. 

Catastrophic Wildfire – Fire that burns more intensely than the natural or historical range of variability, 

thereby causing unacceptable erosion, fundamentally changing the ecosystem, or destroying communities 

of rare or threatened species or habitat. 

Chaparral – A vegetation community consisting of dense and often thorny shrubs and small trees. 

Code of Federal Regulations – The official legal compilation of regulations directing Federal 

Government agencies. 

Collaboration – A cooperative process in which interested parties, often with widely varied interests, 

work together to seek solutions with broad support for managing public and other lands. Collaboration 

may or may not involve an agency as a cooperating agency. 

Communication Site – A hilltop or favorable signal receiving and transmitting location where a 

collection of facilities are located. A facility consisting of a small building and tower, used for 

transmitting or receiving radio, television, telephone, or other electronic signals. 

Component (Cultural Resources) – An association of all the artifacts from one occupation level and one 

time period at a site. 

Composition (Species Composition) – The proportions of plant species in relation to the total in a given 

area. Composition may be expressed as cover, density, and weight. 

Containment – The status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has been 

completed around the fire and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the 

fire’s spread. 

Connectivity – The degree to which habitats for a species are continuous or interrupted across a spatial 

extent, where habitats defined as continuous are within a prescribed distance over which a species can 

successfully conduct key activities, and habitats defined as interrupted are outside the prescribed distance. 

Cooperating Agency – An agency that helps the lead federal agency develop the environmental analysis 

for a proposed major action. U.S. Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing the 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) define a cooperating agency as any agency that has 

jurisdiction by law or special expertise for proposals covered by NEPA. Any North American Indian tribe 

or federal, state, or local government jurisdiction with such qualifications may become a cooperating 

agency by agreement with the lead agency. Cooperating agency status is generally formalized through a 

memorandum of understanding between BLM and the cooperating agency. 

Critical Habitat – (1) The specific areas within the geographical area currently occupied by a species, at 

the time it is listed in accord with the Endangered Species Act, on which are found physical or biological 

features (i) essential to the conservation of the species and (ii) that may require special management 

considerations or protection, and (2) specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by a species at 

the time it is listed upon determination by the Secretary of the Interior that such areas are essential for the 

conservation of the species. 

Cultural Resource – Any definite location of past human activity that is identifiable through field 

survey, historical documentation, or oral evidence. This includes archaeological or architectural sites, 

structures, or places; and places of traditional cultural or religious importance to specified groups, 

whether or not represented by physical remains. 

Cultural Site – A physical location of past human activities or events, more commonly referred to as an 

archaeological site or a historic site. Such sites vary greatly in size and range from the location of a single 

cultural resource object to a cluster of cultural resource structures with associated objects and features. 

Cumulative Impacts – The effect on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the 

action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what 

agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative effects can result 

from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. 

Dispersed Recreation – Recreation activities that do not require developed sites or facilities. 

Disposal Areas – Broad areas of public lands where BLM generally intends to dispose of existing public 

lands, either by land exchange or sale. 

Easement – The right to use land in a certain way granted by a landowner to a second party. 
GLOSSARY 

664 

Ecofact – Bones, vegetal matter, pollen, shells, modified soils, or other archaeological finds that though 

not human manufactured, give important clues as to human behavior or the environmental context of such 

behavior. 

Ecological Processes – Processes that include the water cycle (the capture, storage, and redistribution of 

precipitation) energy flow (conversion of sunlight to plant and animal matter) and the nutrient cycle (the 

cycle of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus through the physical and biotic components of the 

environment). Ecological processes functioning within a normal range of variation at an ecological site 

will support specific plant and animal communities. 

Ecosystem – A dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal, and microorganism communities and their 

associated nonliving environment interacting as an ecological unit. 

Effects – Effects and impacts in the regulations are synonymous. Effects includes ecological (such as the 

effects on natural resources and on the components, structures, and functioning of affected ecosystems), 

aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic, social, or health, whether direct, indirect, or cumulative. Effects 

may also include those resulting from actions that may have both beneficial and detrimental effects, even 

if on balance the agency believes that the effect will be beneficial. Effects include 

Direct effects, which are caused by the action and occur at the same time and place and 

Indirect effects, which are caused by the action and are later in time or farther removed in 

distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Indirect effects may include growth-inducing effects 

and other effects related to induced changes in the pattern of land use, population density, or 

growth rate and are related effects on air and water and other natural systems, including 

ecosystems. 

Endangered Species – Any species defined through the Endangered Species Act as being in danger of 

extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Also see THREATENED SPECIES. 

Entry – An application to acquire title to public lands. 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – A detailed written statement required by the National 

Environmental Policy Act for major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human 

environment. An EIS addresses: (i) The environmental impact of the Proposed Action, (ii) Any adverse 

environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented, (iii) Alternatives to 

the Proposed Action, (iv) The relationship between local short-term uses of man’s environment and the 

maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and (v) Any irreversible and irretrievable 

commitments of resources which would be involved in the Proposed Action should it be implemented. 

Environmental Justice – The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of 

race, color, national origin, or income in developing, implementing, and enforcing environmental laws, 

regulations, and policies. 

Ephemeral Stream – A stream that flows only in direct response to precipitation, and whose channel is 

at all times above the water table. 

Erosion – The wearing away of the land surface or soil by running water, waves, or moving ice and wind, 

or by such processes as mass wasting and corrosion (solution and other chemical processes). “Accelerated

erosion” generally refers to erosion in excess of what is presumed or estimated to be naturally occurring 

levels, and which is a direct result of human activities. 

Ethnographic - Related to the branch of cultural anthropology that deals with the scientific investigation 

of living cultures. The main ethnographic data collection technique is participant observation–living with 

the people being investigated with the intention of full immersion in their culture. Such research is called 

ethnography. 

Exotic – All species of plants and animals not naturally occurring, either presently or historically, in any 

ecosystem of the United States. 

Federal Land Policy And Management Act (FLPMA) – Public Law 94-579, the act that (1) 

established, for the BLM, standards for managing the public lands including land use planning, sales, 

withdrawals, acquisitions, and exchanges; (2) authorized the setting up of local advisory councils 

representing major citizens groups interested in land use planning and management, (3) established 

criteria for reviewing proposed wilderness areas, and (4) provided guidelines for other aspects of public 

land management such as grazing. 
GLOSSARY 

665 

Federal Register – The Federal Government’s official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and 

notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential 

documents. 

Fireline (Control Line) – An inclusive term for all constructed or natural barriers, and treated fire edges 

used to control a fire. Also called a fire trail. 

Fire Management Plan – A strategic plan that defines a program to manage wildland and prescribed 

fires and documents the fire management program in the approved land use plan. The fire management 

plan is supplemented by operational procedures such as preparedness plans, preplanned dispatch plans, 

prescribed fire plans, and prevention plans. 

Fire Management Unit – A fire planning unit in which preparedness strategies are designed to meet 

watershed or resource management objectives, designated by logical fire control or containment criteria 

such as watershed basins, sub-basins, ridgetops, topographic features, roads, or vegetation changes. 

Fire Regime – A combination of components that characterize fire in a potential natural vegetation 

group, including frequency, intensity, seasonality, and extent. 

Fire Retardant – Any substance except plain water that by chemical or physical action reduces 

flammability of fuels or slows their rate of combustion. 

Forage – All browse and herbage that is available and acceptable to grazing animals or that may be 

harvested for feed; the act of consuming forage. 

Forb – Any broad-leafed herbaceous plant that is not a grass, sedge, or rush. 

Fuel Load (in fire ecology) – The oven-dry weight of fuel per unit area, usually expressed in tons/acre. 

Fuel Model – A standardized description of fuels available to a fire based on the amount, distribution, 

and continuity of vegetation and wood. This information is used for rating fire danger and predicting fire 

behavior. 

Geographic Information System (GIS) – A computer application used to store, view, and analyze 

geographical information, especially maps. 

Grazing Permit or Lease – A contractual agreement between BLM and another party that permits 

grazing of a specific number and class of livestock for a specified period on a defined rangeland. The 

permit allows grazing use of public land, subject to permit stipulations and annual adjustment based on 

current rangeland condition. 

Ground Cover– Plants or plant parts, living or dead, on the surface of the ground. 

Groundwater – Subsurface water that is in the zone of saturation. The top surface of the ground water is 

the water table. Groundwater is the source of water for wells, seepage, and springs. 

Guzzler – A device for collecting and storing precipitation for use by wildlife or livestock. A guzzler 

consists of an impenetrable water collecting area, a storage facility, and a trough from which animals can 

drink. 

Habitat – A specific set of physical conditions that surround a species, group of species, or a large 

community. Wildlife management considers the major constituents of habitat to be food, water, cover, 

and living space. 

Herbaceous – Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a vascular plant that does not develop 

woody tissue; nonwoody vegetation such as grasses and forbs. 

Highway-licensed vehicle – As used in this document, a "highway-licensed vehicle" includes any motor 

vehicle subject to the provisions of subdivision (a) of Section 38010 of the California Vehicle Code. 

Synonym = street-legal vehicle. 

Historic District – An area that generally includes within its boundaries a significant concentration of 

properties linked by architectural style, historical development, archaeologically associated sites or a past 

event. 

Initial Attack – The actions taken by the first resources to arrive at a wildfire to protect lives and 

property, and prevent further extension of the fire. 

Infiltration – The downward entry of water into the soil or other material. 

Inholdings – Parcels of land owned or managed by someone other than BLM but surrounded in part or 

entirely by BLM-administered land. 
GLOSSARY 

666 

Interim Management Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review (IMP) (BLM 1995) – BLM’s 

strategy for managing wilderness study areas following their recommendation for designation but before 

Congress designates them as wilderness or releases them to multiple use management. 

Intermittent Stream – A stream or reach of a stream that does not flow year round and that flows only 

when it receives baseflow solely during wet periods or it receives groundwater discharge or protracted 

contributions from melting now or other erratic surface and shallow subsurface sources. See 

EPHEMERAL STREAM. 

Invasive Species – An alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or 

environmental harm or harm to human health. 

Land Use Allocations – The identification in a land use plan of the activities and foreseeable 

development that are allowed, restricted, or excluded for all or part of the planning area, based on desired 

future conditions. 

Land Use Plan – A set of decisions that establish management direction for land within an administrative 

area, as prescribed under the planning provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act; an 

assimilation of land-use-plan-level decisions developed through the planning process outlined in 43 CRF 

1600, regardless of the scale at which the decisions were developed. Also see RESOURCE 

MANAGEMENT PLAN. 

Leasable Minerals – Minerals whose extraction from federally managed land requires a lease and the 

payment of royalties. Leasable minerals include coal, oil and gas, oil shale and tar sands, potash, 

phosphate, sodium, and geothermal steam. 

Lithic Scatter– Pertaining to or composed of stone flakes created by human flint knapping that are 

dispersed on the ground; a type of archaeological resource. 

Litter – The uppermost layer of organic debris on the soil surface, essentially the freshly fallen or slightly 

decomposed vegetal material. 

Locatable Minerals – Minerals subject to exploration, development, and disposal by staking mining 

claims as authorized by the Mining Law of l872 (as amended). Locatable minerals include valuable 

deposits of gold, silver, and other uncommon minerals not subject to lease or sale. 

Location – The act of taking or appropriating a parcel of mineral land, including the posting of notices, 

the recording thereof when required, and marking the boundaries so they can be readily traced. 

Mineral Entry – The filing of a claim on public land to obtain the right to any minerals it may contain. 

Mineral Estate – The ownership of the minerals at or beneath the land’s surface. 

Mineral Materials – Materials such as common varieties of sand, stone, gravel, pumice, pumicite, and 

clay that are not obtainable under the mining or leasing laws but that can be acquired under the Mineral 

Materials Act of 1947, as amended. 

Mining Claims – Portions of public lands claimed for possession of locatable mineral deposits by 

locating and recording under established rules and pursuant to the Mining Law of 1872. 

Mining Law of 1872 (General Mining Law) – The federal act that, with its amendments, formed the 

framework for the mining of locatable minerals on the public lands. This law declared that “valuable” 

mineral deposits rather than simply "mineral deposits" were to be free and open to exploration and 

purchase, limited individual claims to 20 acres, required $100 worth of assessment work yearly, and 

allowed milling or processing claims of 5 acres or less to be entered on nonmineral lands. 

Multiple Use – The management of the public lands and their resources so that they are used in the 

combination that will best meet the present and future needs of the American people; making the most 

judicious use of the land for some or all of these resources or related services over areas large enough to 

provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to conform to changing needs and conditions; 

the use of some land for less than all of the resources; a combination of balanced and diverse resource 

uses that takes into account the long-term needs of future generations for renewable and non-renewable 

resources, including, but not limited to, recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, wildlife and fish, 

and natural scenic, scientific and historical values; and harmonious and coordinated management of 

various resources without permanent impairment of the productivity of the land and the quality of the 

environment with consideration being given to the relative values of the resources and not necessarily to 

the combination of uses that will give the greatest economic return or the greatest unit output”.
GLOSSARY 

667 

National Ambient Air Quality Standards– The allowable concentrations of air pollutants in the ambient 

(public outdoor) air specified in 40 CFR 50. National ambient air quality standards are based on the air 

quality criteria and divided into primary standards (allowing an adequate margin of safety to protect the 

public health including the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly) 

and secondary standards (allowing an adequate margin of safety to protect the public welfare). Welfare is 

defined as including effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, human-made materials, animals, wildlife, 

weather, visibility, climate, and hazards to transportation, as well as effects on economic values and on 

personal comfort and well-being. 

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) – The federal law, effective January 1, 1970, that 

established a national policy for the environment and requires federal agencies: (1) to become aware of 

the environmental ramifications of their Proposed Actions, (2) to fully disclose to the public proposed 

federal actions and provide a mechanism for public input to federal decision making, and (3) to prepare 

environmental impact statements for every major action that would significantly affect the quality of the 

human environment. 

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended – A federal statute that established a 

federal program to further the efforts of agencies and individuals in preserving the Nation’s historic and 

cultural foundations. The National Historic Preservation Act: (1) authorized the National Register of 

Historic Places, (2) established the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and a National Trust Fund 

to administer grants for historic preservation, and (3) authorized the development of regulations to require 

federal agencies to consider the effects of federally assisted activities on properties included in or eligible 

for the National Register of Historic Places. Also see NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES 

and SECTIONS 106 and 110 OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT. 

National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) – The official list, established by the National Historic 

Preservation Act, of the Nation’s cultural resources worthy of preservation. The National Register lists 

archaeological, historic, and architectural properties (i.e., districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects) 

nominated for their local, state, or national significance by state and federal agencies and approved by the 

National Register Staff. The National Park Service maintains the National Register. National Register 

eligible property is referred to as an historical, cultural, archaeological, or listed property. Also see 

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT. 

National Wild And Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS) – A system of nationally designated rivers and 

their immediate environments that have outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, 

historical, cultural, and other similar values and are preserved in a free-flowing condition. The system 

consists of three types of streams: (1) recreation—rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by 

road or railroad and that may have some development along their shorelines and may have undergone 

some impoundments or diversion in the past, (2) scenic—rivers or sections of rivers free of 

impoundments with shorelines or watersheds still largely undeveloped but accessible in places by roads, 

and (3) wild—rivers or sections of rivers free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trails 

with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted. 

Native Species – A plant or animal species that naturally occurs in an area and was not introduced by 

humans. 

Naturally Occurring Asbestos - Naturally occurring asbestos refers to asbestos minerals that are found 

in the rocks or soil in an area and released into the air by routine human activities or weathering 

processes. Asbestos minerals belong to either the serpentine mineral group or the amphibole mineral 

group. The most common type of asbestos found in California is chrysotile, a serpentine mineral. 

Niche – The place of an organism in its biotic environment; the position or function of an organism in a 

community of plants or animals; a microhabitat. 

Non-Impairment of Wilderness Values Criteria – A set of criteria regulating land use to protect the 

wilderness values and characteristics of an area until Congress determines whether to preserve it as a 

wilderness. The nonimpairment criteria are as follows. 

The use, facility, or activity must be temporary. (This means a temporary use that does not create 

surface disturbance or involve permanent placement of facilities may be allowed if such use can 

easily and immediately be terminated upon wilderness designation. 
GLOSSARY 

668 

When the use, activity, or facility is terminated, the wilderness values must not have been 

degraded so far as to significantly constrain the area’s suitability for preservation as wilderness. 

The only permitted exceptions to the nonimpairment criteria are the following: 

1. wildfire or search and rescue emergencies, 

reclamation to minimize impacts of violations and emergencies, 

uses and facilities that are considered grandfathered or valid existing rights under the Interim 

Management Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review, 

uses and facilities that clearly protect or enhance the land’s wilderness values or are the least 

needed for public health and safety, and 

reclamation of pre-Federal Land Policy and Management Act impacts. 

Notice of Intent (NOI) - a notice that an environmental impact statement will be prepared and 

considered. The notice shall briefly: (a) Describe the Proposed Action and possible alternatives. (b) 

Describe the agency's proposed scoping process including whether, when, and where any scoping meeting 

will be held. (c) State the name and address of a person within the agency who can answer questions 

about the Proposed Action and the environmental impact statement. 

Noxious Plant (Weed) – An unwanted plant specified by federal or state laws as being undesirable and 

requiring control. Noxious weed refers to any plant that, when established, is highly destructive, 

competitive, or difficult to control by cultural or chemical practices. Noxious weeds are usually nonnatives and highly invasive. 

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) – Many different types of OHV are operated on federal lands. In general, 

this includes any motorized track or wheeled vehicle designed for cross-country travel over natural 

terrain. For the purposes of this report, an OHV is any motorized vehicle capable of, or designed for, 

cross-country travel immediately on or over land, not including personal watercraft, snowmobiles, or 

aircraft. OHVs used on federal lands include off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility terrain 

vehicles, dune buggies, swamp buggies, jeeps, and rock crawlers. These vehicles may be used for various 

purposes, ranging from trail and open-area riding to hunting and accessing mining claims, hobby gem and 

mineral collection, or in-holdings (private or state-owned lands inside the boundaries of federal lands). 

OHVs exclude (1) any non-amphibious registered motorboat; (2) any fire, emergency, or law enforcement 

vehicle while being used for official or emergency purposes; and (3) any vehicle whose use is expressly 

authorized by a permit, lease, license, agreement, or contract issued by an authorized officer or otherwise 

approved. 

Paleontological Resources – The remains of plants and animals preserved in soils and sedimentary rock. 

Paleontological resources are important for understanding past environments, environmental change, and 

the evolution of life. 

Particulate Matter – Fine liquid (other than water) or solid particles suspended in the air, consisting of 

dust, smoke, fumes, and compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, and metals. 

Pasture – A subunit of a grazing allotment established and managed generally by building fences or, less 

commonly, by actively herding livestock. 

Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) – Federal payments to local governments to offset their inability to 

collect taxes for federally owned land. 

Perennial Plant – A plant species with a life-cycle that characteristically lasts more than two growing 

seasons and persists for several years. Also see ANNUAL PLANT. 

Planning Criteria – The constraints or ground rules that guide the developing of a resource management 

plan. The criteria determine how the planning team develops alternatives and ultimately selects a 

Preferred Alternative. 

Plio-Pleistocene – An epoch in Earth history from about 2-5 million years to 10,000 years ago, when the 

Earth experienced a series of glacial and interglacial periods. 
GLOSSARY 

669 

Population – A group of interbreeding individuals of the same species often occupying the same 

geographical area 

Preferred Alternative – The alternative in this EIS that BLM has initially selected because it best fulfills 

BLM’s mission and responsibilities and offers the most acceptable resolution of the planning issues and 

management concerns. 

Prescribed Fire (Burning) – The planned application of fire to rangeland vegetation and fuels under 

specified conditions of fuels, weather, and other variables to allow the fire to remain in a predetermined 

area to achieve such site-specific objectives as controlling certain plant species; enhancing growth, 

reproduction, or vigor of plant species; managing fuel loads; and managing vegetation community types. 

Prey Base – Populations and types of prey species available to predators, for example fish species and 

populations available to river otters. 

Primitive Recreation – Recreation that occurs in a natural-appearing environment and that allows 

visitors to achieve solitude and isolation from human civilization. Primitive recreation may include 

hunting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, nature study, photography, hiking, and backpacking. 

Public Lands – Any land administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the U.S. Bureau of Land 

Management or by the Secretary of Agriculture through the U.S. Forest Service. 

Rangeland – A type of land on which the native vegetation, climax, or natural potential consists 

predominately of grasses, grasslike plants, forbs, or shrubs. Rangeland includes lands revegetated 

naturally or artificially to provide a plant cover that is managed like native vegetation. Rangelands may 

consist of natural grasslands, savannas, shrublands, moist deserts, tundra, alpine communities, coastal 

marshes, and wet meadows. 

Rangeland Health – The degree to which the integrity of the soil, vegetation, water, and air, as well as 

the ecological processes of the rangeland (land) ecosystem, are balanced and sustained. Integrity is 

defined as maintenance of the structure and functional attributes characteristic of a locale, including 

normal variability. 

Rangeland Health Assessment – An estimate or judgment of the status of ecosystem structures, 

functions, or processes, within a specified geographic area (preferably a watershed or a group of 

contiguous watersheds) at a specific time. Rangeland health is assessed by gathering, synthesizing, and 

interpreting information, from observations or data from inventories and monitoring. An assessment 

characterizes the status of resource conditions so that the status can be evaluated relative to land health 

standards. An assessment sets the stage for an evaluation. An assessment is not a decision. 

Raptors – Birds of prey, such as eagles, owls, and hawks. 

Record of Decision – A document signed by a responsible official recording a decision that was preceded 

by the preparing of an environmental impact statement. 

Recreation Management Zone – In recreation management, an area with four defining characteristics: 

(1) it serves a different recreation niche within the primary recreation market, (2) it produces a different 

set of recreation opportunities and facilitates attaining different experiences and benefit outcomes, (3) it 

has a distinctive recreation setting character, and (4) it requires a different set of recreation provider 

actions to meet primary recreation market demand. 

Resource Advisory Council (RAC) – Advisory councils appointed by the Secretary of the Interior and 

consisting of representatives of major public land interest groups (e.g. commodity industries and 

recreation, environmental, and local area interests) in a state or smaller area. RACs advise BLM, focusing 

on a full array of multiple use public land issues. RACs also help develop fundamentals for rangeland 

health and guidelines for livestock grazing. 

Resource Management Plan (RMP) – A land use plan as described by the Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act. The RMP generally establishes in a written document: (1) land areas for limited, 

restricted or exclusive use; designations, including ACEC designations; and transfer from BLM 

administration; (2) allowable resource uses (either singly or in combination) and related levels of 

production or use to be maintained; (3) resource condition goals and objectives to be attained; (4) 

program constraints and general management practices needed to achieve the above items; (5) need for an 

area to be covered by more detailed and specific plans; (6) support actions, including such measures as 

resource protection, access development, realty action, and cadastral survey., as needed to achieve the 

above; (7) general implementation sequences, where carrying out a planned action depends on prior 
GLOSSARY 

670 

accomplishment of another planned action; and (8) intervals and standards for monitoring and evaluating 

the plan to determine its effectiveness and the need for amendment or revision. It is not a final 

implementation decision on actions that require further specific plans, process steps, or decisions under 

specific provisions of law and regulations. 

Restoration – The act of restoring healthy but lacking key attributes and at-risk states of vegetation 

alliances, vegetation associations, and ecological sites to a healthy state with its original community 

structure, natural complement of species, and natural functions. 

Right-of-Way (ROW) – A permit or an easement that authorizes the use of public lands for specified 

purposes, such as pipelines, roads, telephone lines, electric lines, communication sites, reservoirs, and the 

lands covered by such an easement or permit. 

Riparian – Area, zone, and/or habitat adjacent to streams, lakes, or other natural free water, which have a 

predominant influence on associated vegetation or biotic community; pertaining to or situated on or along 

the bank of a stream or other water body. 

Riparian Area/Riparian Zone – Terrestrial areas where the vegetation complex and microclimate 

conditions are products of the combined presence and influence of perennial or intermittent water, high 

water tables, and soils that exhibit some wetness characteristics. These terms are normally used to refer to 

the zone within which plants grow rooted in the water table of these rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, 

reservoirs, springs, marshes, seeps, bogs, and wet meadows. 

Riparian Species – Plant species occurring within the riparian zone. Obligate species require the 

environmental conditions within the riparian zone; facultative species tolerate the environmental 

conditions and therefore may also occur away from the riparian zone. 

Riparian Vegetation – Plant communities in the riparian zone consisting of riparian species. 

Runoff – The portion of precipitation or irrigation on an area that does not infiltrate (enter the soil) but is 

discharged by the area. 

Saleable Minerals – High volume, low-value mineral resources, including common varieties of rock, 

clay, decorative stone, sand, and gravel. 

San Andreas Fault – The geologic transform fault that runs a length of roughly 800 miles through 

California. 

Scoping – An early and open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed in an 

environmental impact statement and the significant issues related to a Proposed Action. 

Season of use (livestock grazing) – The primary season of the year (winter, spring, summer, or fall) that 

livestock grazing occurs within a given area or allotment. 

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act – The section of the National Historic 

Preservation Act that requires that federal agencies having direct or indirect jurisdiction over a proposed 

federal, federally assisted, or federally licensed undertaking, before approving the spending of funds or 

issuing a license, consider the effect of the undertaking on any district, site, building, structure, or object 

included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, and give the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment on the undertaking. Also see 

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT and NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC 

PLACES, and SECTION 110 OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT. 

Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act – The section of the National Historic 

Preservation Act that concerns the managing of federally owned historic properties. Among other 

provisions, Section 110 requires each federal agency to establish a program to locate, inventory, protect, 

restore and nominate to the Secretary of the Interior Standards all properties under its control that appear 

to qualify for the National Register of Historic Places. Also see NATIONAL HISTORIC 

PRESERVATION ACT, NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, and SECTION 106 OF 

THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT. 

Sedimentation – The act or process of depositing sediment from suspension in water; all the processes by 

which particles of rock material are accumulated to form sedimentary deposits. 

Sediment Load– The amount of sediment, measured in dry weight or by volume, that is transported 

through a stream cross-section in a given time. Sediment load consists of sediment suspended in water 

and sediment that moves by sliding, rolling, or bounding on or near the streambed. 
GLOSSARY 

671 

Seeding – The planting of seeds to revegetate the land after a disturbance; an area that has been 

revegetated by seeding. 

Seral Stages – The development stages of ecological succession. 

Soil Compaction – Compression of the soil, resulting in reduced soil pore space (the spaces between soil 

particles), decreased movement of water and air into and within the soil, decreased soil water storage, and 

increased surface runoff and erosion. 

Soil Fertility – The ability of a soil to support plant growth by providing water, nutrients, and a growth 

medium. 

Soil Profile – A vertical section of the soil from the surface through all of its horizons. 

Species – From Section 3(15) of the Federal Endangered Species Act: “The term 'species' includes any 

subspecies of fish or wildlife or plants, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate 

fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature.” A population of individuals that are more or less alike 

and that can breed and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions. 

Species Composition – The proportions of plant species in relation to the total on a given area. It may be 

expressed in terms of cover, density, or weight. 

Stabilization (Cultural Resource) – Protective techniques usually applied to structures and ruins to keep 

them in their existing condition, prevent further deterioration, and provide structural safety without 

significant rebuilding. Capping mud-mortared masonry walls with concrete mortar is an example of a 

stabilization technique. 

Standards for Rangeland Health – A description of conditions needed to sustain public land health; 

relates to all uses of the public land. These standards address soils, streams, water quality, riparianwetlands, and biodiversity. 

State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) – The state official authorized to act as a liaison to the 

Secretary of the Interior for implementing the National Historic Preservation Act of l966. 

Substrate – Mineral and organic material forming the bottom of a waterway or water body; the base or 

substance upon which an organism is growing. Used in: Pads and roads, especially if they do not have a 

lot of use, would also provide bare substrate, possibly suitable as nesting habitat for ground-nesting 

solitary bees (pollinators of native plants). 

Succession – The progressive replacement of plant communities on an ecological site that leads to the 

climax community. Early seral stages are normally dominated by perennial grasses and annual as well as 

perennial forbs with few shrubs. During mid seral the woody species that the site supports such as shrubs 

and trees begin to make an obvious appearance, and annual forbs are dominated by perennial forbs. 

During late seral the shrubs normally dominate the cover on the site, but the perennial grasses still provide 

the most annual production on into the potential natural community. 

Taylor Grazing Act – An act passed in 1934 that provides for the regulation of grazing on the public 

lands (excluding Alaska) to improve rangeland conditions and stabilize the western livestock industry. 

Threatened Species – Any species defined through the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as likely to 

become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Also 

see ENDANGERED SPECIES. 

Traditional Cultural Property– A property that is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places 

because of its association with a living community’s cultural practices or beliefs that are important in 

maintaining the continuing community’s cultural identity. 

Trailhead – The terminus of a (motorized or non-motorized) trail accessible by motor vehicle from 

public roadways. 

Trespass – Any occupancy, use, or development of the public lands or their resources of the United 

States without authority. 

Understory – Plants growing under the canopy of other plants. Understory usually refers to grasses, 

forbs, and low shrubs under a tree or brush canopy. 

Upland Game – A term used in wildlife management to refer to hunted animals that are neither big game 

nor waterfowl. Upland game includes such birds as grouse, turkey, pheasant, quail, and dove, and such 

mammals as rabbit and squirrel. 

Uplands – Lands at higher elevations than alluvial plains or low stream terraces; all lands outside the 

riparian wetland and aquatic zones. 
GLOSSARY 

672 

Utility Corridor – A parcel of land, without fixed limits or boundaries, which is being used as the 

location for one or more utility rights-of-way. 

Valid Existing Rights (mining) – Locatable mineral development rights that existed when the Federal 

Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) was enacted on October 21, 1976. Some areas are 

segregated from entry and location under the Mining Law to protect certain values or allow certain uses. 

Mining claims that existed as of the effective date of the segregation may still be valid if they can meet 

the test of discovery of a valuable mineral required under the Mining Law. Determining the validity of 

mining claims located in segregated lands requires BLM to conduct a validity examination and is called a 

“valid existing rights” determination. 

Vascular Plants – Any of various plants, such as the ferns and seed-bearing plants, in which the phloem 

transports sugar and the xylem transports water and salts. 

Vernal Pools- perched wetlands which are seasonally to semi-permanently flooded depressions typically 

occurring on sites with poor drainage. 

Viable Population – A wildlife or plant population that contains an adequate number of reproductive 

individuals to appropriately ensure the long-term existence of the species. 

Viewshed – The entire area visible from a viewpoint. 

Vigor – The capacity for natural growth and survival of plants and animals. 

Visual Resource Management (VRM) – The inventory and planning actions to identify visual values 

and establish objectives for managing those values and the management actions to achieve visual 

management objectives. 

Visual Resource Management (VRM) Classes – Categories assigned to public by scenic quality, 

sensitivity level, and distance zones. Each class has an objective that prescribes the amount of 

modification allowed in the landscape. 

Water Right – A right to use, in accord with its priority, a certain portion of the waters of the state for 

irrigation, power, domestic use or another similar use. 

Watershed – An area of land from which water drains toward a single stream. The watershed is a 

hydrologic unit often used as a physical-biological unit and a socioeconomic-political unit for planning 

and managing natural resources. 

Wetlands – Areas characterized by soils that are usually saturated or ponded; i.e., hydric soils, and that 

support mostly water-loving plants; i.e. hydrophytic plants. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, 

bogs, and similar areas. 

Wilderness – An area of undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without 

permanent improvement or human habitation, that is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural 

conditions and that (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the 

imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a 

primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least 5,000 acres of land or is of sufficient size as 

to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may also contain 

ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value. 

Wilderness Study Area (WSA) – A roadless area that has been inventoried and found to be wilderness 

in character, has few human developments, and provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and 

primitive recreation, as described in Section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 

and in Section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act of l964. 

Wilderness Values – Values established in the Wilderness Act, such as solitude and naturalness. 

Wildland Fire – Any non-structure fire that occurs in the wild. Three distinct types of wildland fire have 

been defined and include wildfire, wildland fire use, and prescribed fire. 

Wildland Fire Use – The application of the appropriate management response to naturally ignited 

wildland fires to meet specific resource management objectives in predefined designated areas outlined in 

fire management plans. 

Withdrawal – An action that restricts the use of public lands by removing them from the operation of 

some or all of the public land or mining laws. 

Woodland – A forest community occupied mainly by noncommercial species. 

Xeric - Characterized by, or adapted to an extremely dry habitat. 
Clear Creek Management Area 

Proposed RMP and Final EIS

Appendix I - Maps 

Map 1 Planning Area Locator Map 

Map 2 Air Management Districts 

Map 3 Vegetation Communities 

Map 4 Special Status Species 

Map 5 Soils Map 

Map 6 Fire Management Units

Map 7 Special Designations 

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 

Research Natural Area 

Wilderness Study Area 

Wild & Scenic Rivers

Map 8 Visual Resource Management Classifications 

Map 9 Livestock Grazing Allotments 

Map 10 Reasonable Foreseeable Oil and Gas Development Potential 

Map 11 Wind Energy Potential

Map A - Alternative A 

Map B - Alternative B 

Map C - Alternative C 

Map D - Alternative D 

Map E - Alternative E 

Map F - Alternative F 

Map G - Alternative G 

Proposed Action Map 
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!9

!9

!9

!9

!9

!9

Oak Flat CG

Jade Mill CG

Condon Peak CG

R1

R11B

R15

T153

R11A

R13

R10

T151

R14

T158

R15

Superfund

Atlas Operable Unit

Superfund

Coalinga Operable Unit Coalinga Road

Los Gatos Road

New Idria Road

Clear Creek Road

Proposed Action Legend

Area of Environmental Concern (Asbestos)

Hazardous Asbestos Area (HAA)

San Benito Mtn Research Natural Area

San Benito River Zone

Condon Zone

Cantua Zone

Tucker Mountain Zone

Other BLM Lands

County Roads

Highway Licensed and ATV's Only

Scenic Touring Route

!9 Campgrounds

Potential Public Route

Route Construction Proposal

Possible Disposal

CCMA boundary

Route Designation

Highway Licensed - Access By Permit Only

Non Motorized Access

Highway Licensed & ATV's Only

Highway Licensed & ATV's Only

Non Motorized Access

Other BLM Lands

Bureau of Land Management

State

US Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Hollister Field Office

Hollister, CA 95023

(831)630-5000

www.ca.blm.gov/hollister

Date Prepared: 12/08/2011

M:\gis\master\basic\planning\CCMA\RMP\FEIS

0 1 2 3 4 0.5

Miles

3
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2

that are emerging on public lands were not addressed in those amendments. The following list of specific 

factors illustrates the need for preparation of an updated management plan: 

The EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008) provides 

significant new information that must be incorporated into a land use plan to evaluate the public 

health risk associated with BLM land use authorizations. 

The current management plan does not specifically address listing and/or additional habitat needs 

for species protected under the federal 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA), including the 

California condor and San Benito evening primrose. 

Changes in social and economic conditions in San Benito County, the San Joaquin Valley, and the 

entire State of California have led to increased demand for use of public lands for recreation and 

energy production as well as an increased awareness and social value placed on the cultural and 

natural resources in the Planning Area. 

The purpose of the CCMA RMP is to establish goals, objectives, and management actions for BLMadministered lands in CCMA that address current issues, knowledge, and conditions. The CCMA RMP 

shall guide the management of the lands and resources administered by the Hollister Field Office in 

CCMA to achieve the following: 1) minimize asbestos exposure 2) reduce asbestos emissions 3) 

designate areas in CCMA for motorized, mechanized, and non-motorized/non-mechanized recreation 

opportunities; 4) protect sensitive natural and cultural resources from impacts due to recreation and other 

land uses; 5) provide guidance for mineral and energy development; and 6) make other land use 

authorizations and tenure adjustments. This planning effort is intended to be comprehensive, evaluating 

existing management plans and identifying regional issues, and resolving those issues through public, 

interagency, and intra-agency scoping efforts. This effort also identifies the area’s “vision”, long-range 

management goals, intermediate objectives, and actions and options for meeting those objectives. 

ES.3 Range of Alternatives 

The CCMA Draft RMP/EIS identified alternatives to help BLM and interested parties understand the 

various ways of addressing issues in the region, and evaluated the environmental consequences of 

revising the 1984 Hollister RMP, as amended. Following public review and comment on the BLM’s 

“preferred alternative” analyzed in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009), the Hollister Field Office 

developed this Proposed RMP and Final EIS to incorporate public comments and other agency input. The 

Proposed RMP (i.e. “Proposed Action”) identified in this PRMP/FEIS (Section 2.5) is the BLM’s

“preferred alternative” and includes elements incorporated from public involvement during the land use 

planning process. 

Based on the purpose and need identified in Chapter 1, the range of alternatives in this PRMP/FEIS 

includes multiple public use scenarios in the Serpentine ACEC: five of which entail Motorized access

(Alternatives A, B, C, D, and E), one Non-motorized access alternative (Alt. F), and one alternative that 

considers closure of the Serpentine ACEC to all forms of public entry (Alt. G). The anticipated effects 

and the need to implement proposed management actions or mitigation measures would vary depending 

on the public use scenarios associated with each alternative. 

The range of alternatives and the “Proposed Action” analyzed in this PRMP/FEIS were designed address 

emerging issues in the region and evaluate the environmental consequences of the proposed resource 

management actions to compare them with current management actions and their potential effects on the 
Clear Creek Management Area Executive Summary

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

3

human environment. A summary of public comments on the Draft RMP/EIS and the BLM’s response is 

included in Section 1.9.1 and Appendix X of this PRMP/FEIS. Major changes to the Draft RMP/EIS 

“preferred alternative” that are included in the Proposed Action are also identified in Section 2.3.1 of this 

PRMP/FEIS. 

Upon evaluation of the range of management alternatives and their associated impacts described in the 

CCMA PRMP/FEIS, BLM identified a “preferred alternative” based on a combination of management 

actions and objectives from among the range of alternatives. The preferred alternative places an emphasis 

on public health and safety measures to minimize asbestos exposure, reduce airborne asbestos emissions, 

and promote outreach and education to inform public land users of the human health risks associated with 

exposure to asbestos in CCMA. 

ES.4 Public Involvement in the Planning Process 

Public involvement is a vital component of the resource management planning process and environmental 

impact statement preparation for vesting the public in the effort and allowing for full environmental 

disclosure. Guidance for implementing public involvement is codified in 40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 

1610, thereby ensuring that BLM makes a diligent effort to involve the public in the preparation of RMPs 

EISs. Public involvement for the CCMA RMP was primarily conducted in two phases, as follows: 

Public scoping prior to NEPA analysis to obtain public input on issues, the scope of the analysis, 

and to develop the proposed alternatives, and 

Public review and comment on the Draft RMP/EIS, which provides disclosure of potential 

environmental impacts and opportunity to revise the Proposed RMP and Final EIS based on 

substantive issues and concerns. 

A summary of the earlier public scoping process is available in Chapter 5 of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS 

(2009) and is not reproduced in this document. A summary of the results of public involvement during the 

CCMA Draft RMP/EIS review and comment period is presented below. Appendix X provides a summary 

of comment letters received by the Hollister Field Office from agencies, organizations, and individuals on 

the Clear Creek Management Area Draft RMP/EIS, and includes responses to these comments prepared 

by BLM in accordance with 40 CFR 1504.3. 

BLM’s official public comment period began December 4, 2009, with the publication of the Notice of 

Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register (Volume 74, Number 232). The comment period was 

extended to April 19, 2010 to allow further public input following requests from planning numerous 

participants and elected officials. 

Three public meetings were held in January 2010 to promote public involvement in the BLM’s CCMA 

RMP/EIS land use planning process. The purpose of these meetings was to provide information about the 

range of alternatives considered in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS and their anticipated environmental effects, 

and to gather public comments on the BLM’s preferred alternative, analysis of environmental impacts, 

and other feedback on the BLM’s land use planning decisions for CCMA.

A social and economic workshop was also held on February 22, 2010 to discuss social and economic 

issues and concerns associated with the range of alternatives in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS and to 

increase public involvement in the land use planning process. The purpose of the workshops was to assist 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

13

(8) Intervals and standards for monitoring and evaluating the plan to determine the effectiveness of the 

plan and the need for amendment or revision. 

1.1 Purpose and Need for the CCMA Resource Management Plan 

The need to develop the CCMA RMP arose from numerous changes in circumstances since the current 

land use plan decisions were adopted. The existing Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the area was 

adopted in 1984. There have been several amendments to the 1984 RMP to address public health and 

safety and resources protection issues in CCMA. However, many other issues that are emerging on public 

lands were not addressed in those amendments. The following list of specific factors illustrates the need 

for preparation of an updated management plan: 

The EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008) provides 

significant new information that must be incorporated into a land use plan to evaluate the public 

health risk associated with BLM land use authorizations. 

The current management plan does not consider new information and/or additional habitat needs 

for species protected under the federal 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA), including the 

California condor and San Benito evening primrose. 

Changes in social and economic conditions in San Benito County, the San Joaquin Valley, and the 

entire State of California have led to increased demand for use of public lands for recreation and 

energy production as well as an increased awareness and social value placed on the cultural and 

natural resources in the Planning Area. 

The purpose of the CCMA RMP is to establish goals, objectives, and management actions for BLMadministered lands in CCMA that address current issues, knowledge, and conditions. The CCMA RMP 

shall guide the management of the lands and resources administered by the Hollister Field Office in 

CCMA to achieve the following: 1) minimize asbestos exposure 2) reduce asbestos emissions 3) 

designate areas in CCMA for motorized, mechanized, and non-motorized/non-mechanized recreation 

opportunities; 4) protect sensitive natural and cultural resources from impacts due to recreation and other 

land uses; 5) provide guidance for mineral and energy development; and 6) make other land use 

authorizations and tenure adjustments. This planning effort is intended to be comprehensive, evaluating 

existing management plans and identifying regional issues, and resolving those issues through public, 

interagency, and intra-agency scoping efforts. This effort also identifies the area’s “vision”, long-range 

management goals, intermediate objectives, and actions and options for meeting those objectives. 

1.2 Planning Area Description 

The Planning Area includes a portion of southern San Benito County and a portion of western Fresno 

County. BLM public lands account for more than 63,000 of the 75,000 acre management area. BLM also 

administers subsurface minerals on approximately 3,500 acres of “split estate” (areas where BLM 

administers Federal subsurface minerals but the surface is owned by a non-Federal entity). 

The lands managed by the HFO include a variety of settings and landforms, including the southern Diablo 

Mountain Range, Hernandez Valley, and three major watersheds. The Pajaro watershed drains into the 

Pacific Ocean: the Arroyo Pasajero and Silver Creek watersheds drain into the San Joaquin Valley. 

BLM’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these public lands for the use and 

enjoyment of present and future generations. 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

15

1.2.1 Management Zones 

This RMP incorporates existing BLM-administered land and recently acquired public lands into five 

‘Management Zones’. The five management zones (identified below) were defined by BLM 

interdisciplinary staff based on similar resources conditions, resource uses, and management issues or 

trends. 

This RMP/EIS identifies desired future conditions for these management zones, depending on the 

resources and conditions that currently exist and the range of alternatives for multiple uses in CCMA. 

Accordingly, the range of alternatives in the RMP/EIS is designed to provide an analysis of the 

reasonable management actions. The five CCMA management zones include: 

The Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). 

The Condon Zone, which includes the White Creek drainage area. 

The Cantua Zone, which includes CCMA public lands in the Cantua drainage, the San Carlos 

Bolsa, and a disjunct parcel near Idria. 

The Tucker Zone, which includes public lands surrounding Tucker Mountain, Baker, Byles, and 

Cane Canyons, and the main entrance to Clear Creek; and 

The San Benito River Zone, which comprises scattered parcels that border the Serpentine ACEC 

and other BLM-administered lands in the San Benito River watershed. 

Table 1-2 identifies the total acres of BLM-administered lands for each of the five management zones. 

Table 1-2. CCMA Management Zones Ownership (acres rounded to nearest hundred) 

Ownership

Serpentine 

ACEC Tucker Condon Cantua San Benito River

BLM 30,000 5,900 9,700 14,900 3,600

Private 3,400* 3,300* 2,600* 1,300* --

State 1,500 * -- 500* -- --

Total 34,900 9,200 12,800 16,200 3,600

(*) State and private lands are “in-holdings”. CCMA RMP decisions do not apply to non-BLM lands. 

1.2.2 Planning Approach 

While it is important to recognize issues and consider the impacts BLM decisions may have on the 

surrounding communities and landscapes, the decisions in this land use plan only apply to BLM public 

lands. Accordingly, the range of alternatives identified in Chapter 2 was developed by the Hollister Field 

Office based on a variety of resource issues and management concerns identified during the public 

scoping period. Based on public comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009)., Section 2.5 of this 

PRMP/FEIS identifies a combination of management actions, resource allocations, and allowable uses

from among the range of alternatives as the “Preferred Alternative” for lands administered by the HFO in 

the CCMA. Under the “Preferred Alternative”, BLM would improve public health and safety by reducing 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

16

the miles of designated routes available for OHV use, and by limiting annual visitor use days within the 

Serpentine ACEC. The “Preferred Alternative” would limit motorized access in the ACEC to highwaylicensed vehicles and emphasize non-motorized recreation opportunities on BLM-administered lands in 

CCMA. 

Chapter 3 describes the existing environment that would be affected by the proposed resource 

management plan, and Chapter 4 describes the environmental consequences of implementing the 

“Proposed Action”. Finally, Chapter 5 includes information provided during public involvement and 

interagency collaboration and consultation on the CCMA land use plan, and Chapter 6 lists references 

identified in the PRMP/FEIS. 

1.3 Planning Themes and Issues 

1.3.1 Summary of Major Planning Issues 

As a result of BLM current land use planning guidance and knowledge of management issues and 

concerns in the Planning Area, 18 resource program areas will be addressed in the CCMA RMP/EIS. 

Based upon the results of public scoping and issues identified in public comments on the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS (2009), the following issues and concerns represent the key themes and prioirities that emerged 

during the planning process. These key themes and priorities are analyed in the CCMA PRMP/FEIS, in 

addition to issues identified by BLM personnel, cooperating agencies, state and local governments, and 

other publics. 

Human health risks associated with CCMA chrysotile form of asbestos; 

Scientific accuracy and integrity of available information; 

Measures to reduce and minimize risk to public health and safety; 

Suitable areas for motorized and non-mototrized recreation uses; 

Desired outcome for areas with high scenic and/or cultural values; 

Protection of special status species; 

Potential land tenure adjustments (acquisition & disposal); 

Wildfire management strategy to protect private and public lands and resources; 

Fluid and solid mineral development; 

Impacts on watershed resources and water quality; 

Impacts on air quality in non-attainment areas. 

1.3.2 Issues Considered but Not Further Analyzed 

A number of issues raised during public involvement in the land use planning process were determined to 

be beyond the scope of the CCMA RMP/EIS. These issues are identified below and will not be addressed 

in this land use plan because they are not directly related to the purpose and need for the CCMA 

RMP/EIS or are outside the authority of the BLM. A summary of these issues are described below and 

will not be further analyzed in this report. 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

19

However, issues related to R.S. 2477 are outside the scope of BLM’s land use decisions for transportation 

and travel management on CCMA public lands because the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 

that the validity of R.S 2477 claims can only be determined through the courts (ref. Southern Utah 

Wilderness Alliance v. BLM (Nos. 04-4071 & 04-4073). Therefore, the Proposed RMP does not address 

the extent of these rights on public lands in the CCMA. 

1.4 Planning Criteria 

Planning criteria help to: (1) streamline the RMP’s preparation and focus; (2) establish standards, 

analytical techniques, and measures to be used in the process; (3) guide development of the RMP; (4) 

guide and direct issue resolution; and (5) identify factors and data to consider in making decisions. 

Principles of ecosystem management as well as a continuing commitment to multiple use and sustained 

yield will also guide land use decisions in the Planning Area. The commitment to multiple uses would not 

mean that all land would be open for all uses. Some uses may be excluded on certain lands to protect 

specific resource values or uses. Any exclusions, however, would be based on laws or regulations or be 

determined through the planning process and subject to public involvement. 

Planning criteria developed during public scoping will help guide the planning effort. The preliminary 

planning criteria identified in the Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register are identified below: 

The RMP will be developed in compliance with FLPMA, all other applicable laws, regulations, 

executive orders, and BLM supplemental program guidance. 

The planning process will include an EIS that will comply with NEPA standards. 

Economic and social baselines and consequences will be developed in coordination with local and 

county governments. 

Initiate government to government consultation, including Tribal interests. 

Consider the extent to which the revised plan reduces airborne asbestos emissions, minimizes 

asbestos exposure, and addresses public health impact of the Hazardous Asbestos Area. 

Consider the extent to which the revised plan reduces accelerated erosion and offsite transport of 

asbestos fibers on vehicles and clothes due to off-highway vehicle use. 

All new data collected will have information about the data (metadata) stored in a data base. All 

metadata will meet the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards. 

The RMP/EIS will incorporate by reference the Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines 

for Livestock Grazing Management (2000). 

The RMP will result in determinations as required by special program and resource specific 

guidance detailed in Appendix C of the BLM’s Planning Handbook (H-1601-1). 

Decisions in the RMP will strive to be compatible with the existing plans and policies of adjacent 

local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies as long as the decisions are in conformance with legal 

mandates on management of public lands. 

Resource allocations must be reasonable and achievable within available technological and 

budgetary constraints. 
Clear Creek Management Area 1.0 Introduction

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

20

The following ‘planning criteria’ were presented in the CCMA Draft RMP Amendment (2004). These 

criteria were based on input from BLM specialists, other agencies, and the public and will also be 

considered during this planning process: 

The CCMA RMP must provide for the needs of the public land user, while protecting sensitive 

species and habitat, protecting natural and cultural resources, and protecting the unique ecosystem 

within the SBMRNA.

BLM shall comply with the 2007 State Protocol Agreement between the California BLM and the 

California State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). 

Best Management Practices (BMP) related to watershed improvement projects would continue to 

be implemented to reduce erosion and off-site sedimentation transport. 

BLM would obtain California Department of Fish and Game permits and Clean Water Act Section 

404 permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for stream alteration and BMP watershed 

management practices as necessary and appropriate. 

All land use decisions for lands acquired within the CCMA boundaries by BLM would be 

incorporated into this RMP/EIS. 

The CCMA is presently managed under the 1984 Hollister RMP (as amended). Information and 

decisions from the existing Hollister RMP, and associated amendment, will be reviewed and incorporated 

in this RMP/EIS where appropriate. Management will continue under the CCMA Temporary Closure 

Order, issued May 1, 2008, until the CCMA RMP/EIS is approved. 

1.5 Planning Process 

In general, the BLM follows an eight-step planning process as outlined below: 

Step 1 – Planning Issues Identified. Issues and concerns are identified through a scoping process that 

includes the public, Indian tribes, other Federal agencies, and state and local governments. 

Step 2 – Planning Criteria Development. Planning criteria are created to ensure decisions are made to 

address the issues pertinent to the planning effort. Planning criteria are derived from a variety of sources, 

including applicable laws and regulations, existing management plans, coordination with other agencies’ 

programs, and the results of public and agency scoping. The planning criteria may be updated or changed 

as planning proceeds. 

Step 3 – Data and Information Collection. Data and information for the resources in the planning area 

are collected based on the planning criteria. 

Step 4 – Alternatives Formulation. A range of reasonable management alternatives that address issues 

identified during scoping is developed. 

Step 5 – Alternatives Assessment. The estimated environmental effects of each alternative are estimated 

and analyzed. 

Step 6 – Preferred Alternative Selection. The alternative that best resolves planning issues is identified 

as the preferred alternative. 
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

42

This data included existing as well as potential environmental concerns that might constrain a route 

network, including: 

T&E and sensitive species and habitats, 

Cultural and Paleontological resources, 

Riparian areas, 

Soil loss assessment. 

Access requirements and other land use data were also mapped, including: 

Route type, condition and use, 

Topographical and hydrological information, 

Private land ownership, 

Abandoned mines, 

Recreation point data. 

The BLM planning staff screened all routes within the existing inventory through the criteria tables 

(Appendix II), made recommendations on the designation, and prepared a written rationale. A Data 

Element Dictionary was developed for each of the resource screening criteria, representing the data on 

which decisions about authorized recreation vehicle use of routes is based. The data element dictionary 

describes the allowed responses for each criterion. As routes are screened through the criteria tables, data 

element codes are assigned based on staff evaluation. The last digit of the element code also represents a 

scoring feature based on the degree of mitigation required, with totals greater than nine for all criteria 

deemed least suitable for open designation. Individual designation records and evaluation forms may be 

viewed at the Hollister Field Office. The designation record and evaluation form will document final 

designation of routes and include necessary mitigation measures or restoration as needed. 

2.2.3 Management Actions Common to All Alternatives 

Many of the management actions considered in this PRMP/FEIS are common to all alternatives. Resource 

management actions are considered common to all alternatives if they meet resource management goals 

and objectives and they do not conflict with other allowable uses, and resource allocations or protection 

measures, including mitigation measures for public health and safety. A summary of these actions is

provided below. Additional management actions or mitigation measures that would be necessary to 

manage multiple-uses or protect resources under the range of alternatives are described in Sections 2.4.1 

through 2.4.18. 

Recreation 

Manage CCMA as a Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) to provide specific, 

structured recreation opportunities (i.e., activity, experience, and benefit opportunities). 

Public Health and Safety

Use a combination of best management practices (BMPs) and administrative actions (i.e. 

supplementary rules) to minimize human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos 

fibers and reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants from BLM land use authorizations 

and management activities. 
Clear Creek Management Area 2.0 Management Alternatives

Proposed RMP & Final EIS

43

Augment the existing public asbestos hazard information program through improved 

signing, hand-outs, advisories, monitoring, public contact, and education programs. Any 

new information on risks to human health will be incorporated into the educational 

materials. 

Water, Resources

Close roads and trails to public use during periods of extreme wet weather in areas where 

sustained public use may compromise the integrity of the road or trail surface. 

Manage CWA 303(d)-listed impaired water bodies to meet properly functioning condition 

(PFC) objectives relative to beneficial uses and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). 

Maintain stable watershed conditions and implement passive and active restoration projects 

to protect beneficial uses of water and meet TMDLs. 

Natural and Heritage Resources

Manage the Serpentine ACEC and San Benito Mountain RNA to protect significant resource 

values. 

Protect and monitor all known populations of Camissonia benitensis (CABE). 

Monitor cultural resources - especially those “at-risk” - including archeological sites, 

historic structures or landscapes, and Native American traditional use areas or sacred sites. 

Offset on-going or identified potential impacts to cultural resources through protective 

measures, data retrieval, or a combination of these methods. 

Land Use Authorizations

Maintain rights-of-ways for existing communication sites. Restrict new land use 

authorizations to existing communication sites on BLM-administered lands in the ACEC. 

Authorize rights-of-way to provide reasonable access for private landowners and existing 

rights-holders. 

2.3 Summary of Proposed RMP (Preferred Alternative) 

This chapter also describes the BLM’s Proposed Resource Management Plan (i.e. “Proposed Action”) in 

Section 2.5. The Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) described in Section 2.5 is the BLM’s Preferred 

Alternative. The Proposed Action primarily reflects the “Preferred Alternative” analyzed in the CCMA 

Draft RMP/EIS (2009), and incorporates aspects of the other management alternatives based on public 

review and comments on the range of alternatives. These alternatives were developed with public 

involvement and their associated environmental consequences were described in the CCMA Draft 

RMP/EIS (2009). In determining the appropriate land use for CCMA, BLM considered the planning 

criteria identified in Section 1.4 with an emphasis on managing risk to employees and the public. The 

Proposed Action would limit use that 1) creates high levels of asbestos emissions, 2) creates increased 

opportunity for human exposure to asbestos, and 3) creates a need to conduct intensive management in 

areas with high concentrations of asbestos. 

BLM finds that the Proposed Action, as described in this chapter, best meets the purpose and need for this 

project. The Proposed Action details allowable uses, resources protection measures, and management 

tools that the HFO would implement in order to protect human health and safety, natural and cultural 

resources, and the CCMA’s unique recreation opportunities, which were overwhelmingly identified as a 

priority in the public scoping process. The proposed management approach to recreation and travel 
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management in CCMA would allow limited opportunities for visitor use within the Serpentine ACEC. It 

proposes to provide alternate routes for access to public lands surrounding the ACEC that would not 

require the public to drive through the ACEC and would create additional recreation opportunities in the 

surrounding management zones. Limits on annual visitor use days would allow the public to experience 

the scenic, biological, cultural and geologic features of the Serpentine ACEC within EPA’s acceptable 

risk range for exposure to asbestos, and with less BLM infrastructure and support needs. The Proposed 

Action would also provide for improving habitat for endangered species, improved riparian habitat, and 

an opportunity to reduce soil loss and erosion in areas that are contributing to water quality issues in Clear 

Creek and the San Benito River. 

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Proposed Action meets the purpose and 

need, as identified in Chapter 1; is viable and reasonable; and provides a mix of resource protection, 

management use, and development that is responsive to issues identified in scoping and meets the 

established planning criteria (also identified in Chapter 1), federal laws and regulations, and BLM’s land 

use planning policies. 

2.3.1 Major Changes to the BLM’s “Preferred Alternative”

Adaptive Management Criteria have been inserted under the Transportation and Travel 

Management resource condition objectives to allow for adjustments to land use in light of new 

information regarding asbestos exposures. Through adaptive management BLM is committed to 

evaluating all new and credible information on strategies for continued public use in the area. 

Approximately 21 additional miles of vehicle routes in the Serpentine ACEC have been added to 

the area designations for limited vehicle use under the Proposed Action that include major routes 

R1, R10, R13, R14, R15, and other minor routes including T103, T104, T151, T153, and T158. 

Similarly, an additional 2.75 miles of existing routes are proposed to be designated open in the 

Condon Zone and an additional 2.75 miles of existing routes are proposed to be designated open 

near Wright Mountain in the Cantua Zone. 

The public lands that BLM proposed to make available for disposal in the Tucker management 

zone were identified as valuable wildlife habitat and an important component of a successful 

partnership that’s being developed between private landowners and the California Department of 

Fish and Game (CDFG) in the Hernandez Valley. Due to the issues and concerns associated with 

disposal of these lands, they would be retained in public ownership under the Proposed Action 

and BLM would pursue partnerships with local private landowners, non-profit organizations, and 

CDFG to develop public easements to BLM public lands in the Tucker management zone. 

2.3.2 Summary of Proposed RMP (i.e. Proposed Action) 

BLM has identified a combination of management actions, resource allocations, and allowable uses from 

among the range of alternatives analyzed in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009) as the Proposed Action for 

lands administered by the HFO in the CCMA. Resource management goals, objectives, and actions were 

developed to address the issues and concerns identified in the purpose and need for the CCMA RMP/EIS, 

including mitigation measures for public health and safety. A summary of these actions is provided 

below.

Recreation 

Land Use Plan Decision: Prohibit camping and staging for recreation in the Serpentine ACEC, 

except at Jade Mill Campground. Allow camping and staging for recreation on public lands outside 

the ACEC. 
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2.4.1 Recreation 

2.4.1.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for recreation management are to (1) provide a variety of experiences and settings for a 

diversity of users and to meet potential changes in demand while minimizing conflicts with adjacent 

property owners and among user groups; (2) provide a range of recreational use opportunities while 

protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources from human intrusion; (3) promote sharing of ideas, 

resources, and expertise to increase the public’s appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural 

resources on BLM public lands; and (4) disseminate information that will foster responsible behavior in 

order to achieve the highest possible environmental quality on BLM public lands. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain a range of facilities to support recreational uses. 

Design maps and brochures and educational opportunities to improve visitors’ appreciation and 

understanding of natural and cultural resources on BLM public lands. 

Create experiences and settings appropriate for the desired outcome within developed and 

undeveloped recreation areas. 

Establish and manage intensive-use areas, where the presence of high quality natural resources 

and the current or potential demand warrants intensive management practices to protect areas for 

their scientific, educational, and/or recreational values while accommodating anticipated 

increases in recreational activities in specific areas. 

Manage recreational facilities to protect natural resources and to meet user needs. 

Manage commercial, competitive, educational, and organized group recreational activities. 

2.4.1.2 Allowable Uses for No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

REC-USE-A1. Boundary posting and visitor use patrols will be initiated in recreation areas concurrent 

with access development or enhancement. BLM will cooperate with adjacent private landowners to the 

extent possible.

REC-USE-A2. Enhance access to public lands for hunting and OHV opportunities in the area north of 

Clear Creek. Consolidate public lands and manage in conjunction with the Clear Creek SRMA. 

REC-USE-A3. Develop recreation activity plans for accessible lands. 

REC-USE-A4. Prohibit camping within the San Benito Mountain Research Natural Area. 

REC-USE-A5. Clear Creek Canyon is designated as a "no shooting" area. 

REC-USE-A6. Enforce Dry Season Use Restrictions from June 1st through October 15th, annually.

REC-USE-A7. Manage CCMA public lands as a Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA).
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2.4.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Safety 

2.4.2.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for hazardous materials and public safety are to (1) protect public health and safety and 

environmental resources by minimizing environmental contamination from past and present land uses 

(i.e., abandoned mine lands) on public lands and BLM-owned and operated facilities; (2) comply with 

Federal, State, and local hazardous materials management laws and regulations; (3) maintain the health of 

ecosystems through assessment, cleanup, and restoration of contaminated lands; (4) manage the costs, 

risks, and liabilities associated with hazardous materials so that the responsible parties and not the 

government bear the brunt of financial liabilities; (5) integrate environmental protection and compliance 

with all environmental statutes into BLM activities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Identify and control imminent hazards or threats to human health and/or the environment from 

hazardous substances releases on public lands (including Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) sites). 

Reduce hazardous waste produced by BLM activities and from authorized uses of public lands 

through waste minimization programs that include recycling, reuse, substitution, and other 

innovative, safe, cost-effective methods of pollution prevention. 

Ensure that authorized activities on public lands comply with applicable Federal, State, and local 

laws, policies, guidance, and procedures. 

Promote working partnerships with states, counties, communities, other Federal agencies, and the 

private sector to prevent pollution and minimize hazardous waste on public lands. 

Protect visitors from safety hazards and/or environmental releases of chemicals of concern 

associated with abandoned mine lands (AMLs) and mining activity. 

2.4.2.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

HAZ-A1. Install a public vehicle wash facility. 

HAZ-A2. Monitor for illegal dumping of chemicals on federal lands. 

HAZ-A3. Identify mining-related and other public land hazards and eliminate or mitigate as soon as

possible. 

HAZ-A4. Identify and resolve mining related trespasses with priority given to those cases where 

conflicts are occurring with visitor use and safety. 

HAZ-A5. Apply dust-suppressant on major routes in CCMA. The initial application will be evaluated for 

continued use on an annual or semi-annual basis. 

HAZ-A6. Comply with all provisions of the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District’s 

remote location exemption (for CCMA) from the ATCM regulation for control of airborne asbestos 

emissions relating to construction, road maintenance, and grading activities. 
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2.4.2.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

HAZ-BG1. Restrict the type of activity and the number visits for that activity as the primary means to 

control risk to public from asbestos exposure.

HAZ-BG2. Use best available technologies (BATs) identified in Appendix V for dust abatement on 

roads and during project implementation. 

HAZ-BG3. Reduce emissions at staging areas, other recreation facilities, and on major routes with dust 

suppression and surface hardening techniques as needed. The techniques include, but are not limited to, 

paving, base rock, chip seal, or applications of surfactants (i.e. biodegradable liquid copolymers) to 

stabilize and solidify soils or aggregates and control erosion. 

HAZ-BG4. Issue supplementary rules to minimize exposure to hazardous materials and airborne 

asbestos fibers, considering technical and budgetary constraints and overall effectiveness of the human 

health and safety mitigation measures identified below. 

Require signed waivers of liability to indemnify BLM against risk of tort claims associated with 

CCMA visitor use and exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. 

Enforce speed limits (20 mph) on designated routes. 

HAZ-BG5. Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) 

and mining activities outlined in Appendix V. 

HAZ-BG6. Reduce the use of Federal funds for clean-up of contaminated lands by seeking cost 

avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally responsible parties. 

2.4.3 Travel and Transportation Management 

2.4.3.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for transportation and access are to (1) continue to maintain roads for resource management 

purposes; (2) continue to support local counties and the State of California in providing a network of 

roads for movement of people, goods, and services across public lands; (3) manage motorized access use 

to protect resource values, promote public safety, provide responsible motorized access use opportunities 

where appropriate and minimize conflicts among various user groups. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Provide travel routes to and through BLM-managed lands as appropriate to meet resource 

objectives while providing for private and public access needs. 

Manage motorized access and mechanized vehicle use in conformance with OHV designations. 

2.4.3.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

TRANS-A1. Designate the entire 75,000-acre CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the 

Planning Area is limited to designated routes identified on Map A in Appendix I, and designated ‘open 

play areas’ (i.e. barrens) identified in the 2006 Record of Decision for the CCMA RMP Amendment and

Route Designation. 
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TRANS-A7. Modify the designated route network to resolve visitor use conflicts and promote safe public 

access through minor route realignments designed to: 

o Avoid sensitive natural or cultural resources, 

o Reduce impact on sensitive species and habitats, 

o Substantially increase the quality of the recreational experience, but that will not affect 

sensitive species or habitat, or other sensitive resource values, 

o Avoid mines and private lands.

“Minor realignment” is defined as a change of no more than 1⁄4 linear mile of an individual designated 

route. This could include the opening of an existing previously closed route that serves the same access 

need as the route that is to be realigned. It could also involve re-routes of a segment of a route, to avoid 

the above mentioned resource conflicts. All new construction will undergo environmental review and 

NEPA compliance. All realignments and re-routes will be documented in the official record and kept on 

file at the BLM Field Office. 

TRANS-A8. Enforce seasonal access closures and restrictions to limit vehicle use during periods of 

extreme wet and muddy conditions and during periods of extreme dusty conditions. Wet season closure 

criteria are outlined under SOILS-A3. Dry season use restrictions would be implemented from June 1st

through October 15th annually. 

TRANS-A9. Construct fences and barriers to preclude access to riparian areas and closed areas to 

prevent vehicle disturbance and off-site transport of sediments. Specifically fence along R002 to control 

OHV access into the Larious watershed, and fence along T113 to control access to closed barrens in a 

high erosion watershed on the south side of Clear Creek. 

TRANS-A10. Construct fence and barriers to protect boundaries and preclude unauthorized motorized 

access and trespass into the RNA. Complete corridor fencing of Spanish Lake Road (R11) through the 

RNA.

TRANS-A11. A difficulty rating system will be implemented for all designated open and limited routes. 

Ratings will be identified on route markers within the Clear Creek Watershed. 

TRANS-A12. Implement California State Soils Loss Standards and Monitoring on all designated open 

routes and surveys completed on an annual basis. Routes may be temporarily closed until corrective 

maintenance repairs can be completed if necessary. 

TRANS-A13. BLM will implement the following mitigation measures to reduce environmental impacts. 

Best Management Practices: BLM will monitor water quality, soil erosion, and sediment 

conditions within the watersheds of the CCMA. The BLM will implement Best Management 

Practices (BMPs) to reduce impacts to watershed resources, and will continue to evaluate and 

update these measures as needed to minimize impacts to water quality, control erosion and 

sediment production, and protect sensitive resources. The BMPs will incorporate the soil loss 

standards for OHV areas, developed jointly by BLM and California Department of Parks and 

Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. BMPs related to watershed 

improvement and road maintenance projects will be implemented to reduce erosion and off-site 

sedimentation transport (see Appendix V). 
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Address all route maintenance activities in an annual corrective route maintenance plan. 

Implement route maintenance and improvement projects consistent with the following guidance: 

o BLM manuals 9113, H-9113-2, 9114, 

o Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Standard Specifications for Construction of 

Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects Standards, US Forest Service Trails 

Handbook 2309.18, sections 2.32 a, b, and c, and 

o 1995 Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) report will be used for standards, guidelines, 

and recommendations. 

o Resource awareness training will be completed by all operators to ensure compliance 

with adopted route maintenance guidelines, with relevant inventory data incorporated 

into the training as appropriate. The BLM will continue to implement BMPs to reduce 

impacts to watershed resources and control non-point source pollution. California OHV 

State soil loss standards will be used in monitoring and assessment of routes and areas, 

and will serve as the basis in developing corrective route management plans. 

Notify the public with media releases and postings to clubs, landowners, claimants and other 

permittees regarding scheduled route work and any temporary route closures or route diversions. 

Include public health and safety information in notifications. 

Implement route maintenance activities at stream crossings during low-flow periods, or if, 

possible when the channel does not contain flowing water to minimize sediment transport. 

Work on open routes will be done when soil moisture is sufficient to adequately compact the 

tread and prevent visible airborne asbestos emissions. If work is to be done under dry season 

conditions, then water will be added in sufficient quantities to maintain adequate soil moisture. 

Upon mechanical disturbance by the treads of track driven equipment, the soil will be recompacted in six-inch or less lifts. 

Monitor water quality, soil erosion, and sediment conditions within the watersheds of the CCMA. 

Continue to evaluate and update BMPs as needed to minimize impacts to water quality, control 

erosion and sediment production. These measures include drainage improvements, construction 

of rolling dips, water bars, rock armored/hardened stream crossings, hardened sills, and half-pipe 

bridges, and are contained in Appendix V. 

Implement measures to minimize off-site sediment transport from barren areas through repair of 

erosion scars, construction of drainage improvements, sediment control and trapping treatments, 

and re-vegetation of vegetative buffers. Designated ‘closed’ barrens will be selected and 

prioritized for restoration and reclamation employing these same techniques. 

2.4.3.3 Management Actions for Alternatives B 

TRANS-B1. Designate the entire 75,000-acre CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the 

Planning Area would be limited to designated routes identified on Map B in Appendix I. 
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TRANS-B2. Reduce emissions at staging areas, other recreation facilities, and on major routes with dust 

suppression and surface hardening techniques including, but are not limited to, paving, base rock, chip 

seal, or applications of surfactants (i.e. biodegradable liquid copolymers) to stabilize and solidify soils or 

aggregates and control erosion. 

TRANS-B3. Use best management practives (BMPs) for dust abatement on roads and during project 

implementation. 

TRANS-B4. Enforce seasonal access closures and restrictions to limit vehicle use during periods of 

extreme wet and muddy conditions and during periods of extreme dusty conditions. 

TRANS-B5. Implement BMPs related to transportations and roads outlined in Appendix V: 

Address all route maintenance activities in an annual corrective route maintenance plan. 

Implement route maintenance and improvement projects consistent with the following guidance: 

o BLM manuals 9113, H-9113-2, 9114, 

o Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Standard Specifications for Construction of 

Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects Standards, US Forest Service Trails 

Handbook 2309.18, sections 2.32 a, b, and c; and 

o 1995 Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) report will be used for standards, guidelines, 

and recommendations. 

Resource awareness training will be completed by all operators to ensure compliance with adopted route 

maintenance guidelines, with relevant inventory data incorporated into the training as appropriate. The 

BLM will continue to implement BMPs to reduce impacts to watershed resources and control non-point 

source pollution. Soil loss standards will be used in monitoring and assessment of routes and areas, and 

will serve as the basis in developing corrective route management plans. 

2.4.3.3 Management Actions for Alternatives C 

TRANS-C1. Designate the entire 75,000-acre CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the 

ACEC would be limited to highway-licensed vehicles and motorcycle use only on designated routes 

identified on Map C in Appendix I. Vehicle use in the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua zones would be 

limited to highway-licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV use only on designated (and proposed) routes 

identified on Map C in Appendix I. 

TRANS-C2. Develop and maintain approximately 150 miles of routes and single track trails in the 

Serpentine ACEC for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation following inventory, soil loss assessment, 

and resources screening using route designation criteria described in Appendix II. 

2.4.3.4 Management Actions for Alternatives D 

TRANS-D1. Designate the entire 75,000-acre CCMA as a “Limited” vehicle use area. Vehicle use in the 

ACEC would be limited to full-size vehicles on designated routes identified on Map D in Appendix I. 

Vehicle use in the Tucker, Condon, and Cantua zones would be limited to designated (and proposed) 

routes identified on Map D in Appendix I. 
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2.4.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation Resources 

2.4.4.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for vegetation resources are to (1) restore, maintain, or improve ecological conditions, natural 

diversity, and associated watersheds of high value, high-risk, native plant communities and unique plant 

assemblages and (2) to restore degraded landscapes and plant communities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain or improve current ecological values and processes, productivity, and biological 

diversity; 

Rehabilitate areas affected by wildland fire and other surface-disturbing activities to stabilize soils 

and promote growth of desired plant communities; 

Prevent the introduction and proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds. 

2.4.4.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

VEG-A1. Consider woodcutting permits on a case-by-case basis. Commercial woodcutting may be 

considered to meet special management needs. 

VEG-A2. Manage the native perennial grassland communities to maintain or increase the population (i.e. 

the desert needlegrass community in the Condon Peak area). 

VEG-A3. Give special consideration to the unique stands of big sagebrush and protect these to the extent 

practicable, especially in the San Carlos Bolsa. 

VEG-A4. Manage conifer forests for their scenic values and unique vegetation characteristics. 

VEG-A5. Prohibit commercial harvesting of conifer forests in sensitive areas (i.e. San Benito Mountain 

Research Natural Area). 

VEG-A6. Protect known and newly discovered occurrences of sensitive vegetation resources, including 

vernal pools and riparian zones, from vehicle and camping disturbances through fencing and other 

physical barriers. 

VEG-A7. Implement brush clearing, prescribed burning, and seed or seedling introductions as 

appropriate for selected species. 

VEG-A8. Use prescribed fire and other management techniques to provide a mosaic of vegetative 

communities to protect soil, watershed, and wildlife. 

VEG-A9. Maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. 

VEG-A10. Cooperate with the University of California to continue the barrens restoration pilot program 

and to establish small scale soil/plant study plots to investigate plant adaptability and nutritional 

requirements for rehabilitation purposes. 
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2.4.5.4 Management Actions for Alternative G 

HAB-G1. Remove non-functioning water improvements (e.g., guzzlers) and evaluate the use of 

functioning man-made water sources in the Serpentine ACEC. 

HAB-G2. Cooperate with the CDFG to reintroduce, release, and/or restore populations of native fish and 

wildlife species into historic and occupied ranges with suitable habitat outside the Serpentine ACEC. 

2.4.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species 

2.4.6.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for management of special status species is to (1) maintain populations of special status species; 

and (2) actively contribute to recovery so as to promote downlisting and delisting of special status 

species. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage listed, proposed, or candidate threatened or endangered species to comply with the 

provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

Manage special status plant and BLM-recognized significant plant communities consistent with 

BLM policy on Special Status Species Management (BLM Manual 6840). 

Preclude the need for listing proposed, candidate, and sensitive species under the ESA. 

Improve the condition of special status species and their habitats to the point where their special 

status recognition is no longer warranted. 

2.4.6.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

SSS-A1. Establish appropriate levels of surface disturbance to protect special status species and their 

associated habitats. 

SSS-A2. Monitor the effects of management activities on significant habitat areas. 

SSS-A3. Plan development of access roads to follow existing roads and trails and route new roads to 

avoid sensitive habitat features. 

SSS-A4. Provide on- and off-site compensation in the form of rehabilitation, reseeding, and other actions 

during new construction. 

SSS-A5. Enforce seasonal restrictions for certain activities during sensitive periods such as denning and 

nesting. 

SSS-A6. Maintain buffer zones around sensitive habitat features. 

SSS-A7. Manage public lands to protect and enhance sensitive, rare, threatened, or endangered species. 

Evaluate all known or potential habitat before implementing actions that may affect the habitat. Conduct 

consultations in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, if appropriate. 

SSS-A8. Manage portions of Clear Creek, Sawmill Creek, San Benito River, and San Carlos Creek for 

introducing the San Benito evening-primrose into suitable habitat. 
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SSS-A19. Revise Compliance Monitoring Plan to improve the BLM’s ability to: 1) coordinate with FWS 

on implementation of adaptive management actions; 2) conduct annual area-wide monitoring of 

Camissonia benitensis habitat and population estimates; 3) analyze correlations between OHV use 

patterns and population levels; 4) establish thresholds that will trigger adaptive management, 5) establish 

thresholds that will trigger downlisting and delisting. 

Specifically, working guidance would include the following measures addressing conservation of 

Camissonia benitensis: 

1. Population and habitat monitoring protocols: Annual estimates of the distribution and 

abundance of CABE and the spatial distribution of documented and potential habitat within the 

CCMA. Methods to provide these estimates are likely to be refined in the future. 

2. OHV and other recreational use compliance monitoring: Efforts to monitor compliance with 

rules and regulations governing use of the CCMA. The intensity and frequency of this effort will 

be commensurate with historical compliance data and other factors that affect risk to CABE and its 

habitats. Methods used to determine compliance levels are likely to continue to be refined in the 

future. 

3. Interagency coordination: The BLM and the FWS will continue to meet annually, or more often 

as needed to: 

Review all plant and habitat abundance and distribution data and any relevant 

circumstances; 

Review all OHV and other recreational use compliance monitoring data; 

Evaluate this information and determine whether current accepted risk thresholds 

have been exceeded; 

Develop any needed recommendations for managers; 

Generally evaluate CCMA Plan implementation, management strategy 

effectiveness, monitoring programs, and listed species risk thresholds; 

Determine whether either the BLM and/or the FWS believe there is any reason to 

reinitiate consultation under section 7 of the ESA. 

Determine whether downlisting or delisting is appropriate. 

4. Erosion process studies and control strategies: Develop additional strategies to study, more fully 

understand, and manage soil erosion as it affects CABE habitats. 

2.4.6.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B and C 

SSS-BC1. Maintain all known special status species habitat. Implement revised Compliance and 

Monitoring Plan identified above under SSS-A18 and SSS-A19. 

SSS-BC2. Prohibit collection of special status species, except for scientific research or Native American 

traditional use. 

SSS-BC3. Protect ponds, wetlands, or riparian areas known to support or that could potentially support 

California tiger salamander or yellow-legged frog to maintain natural corridors between pools/wetlands 

and upland habitat so that continuous native plant coverage allows adequate movement of these species. 
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SSS-BC4. Avoid disturbance, including road construction and recreation activities, within a one-mile 

radius of nesting sites (and a 0.5 mile radius of roosting sites) of the California condor, eagles, and prairie 

falcons. 

2.4.6.4 Management Actions Common to Alternatives D, E, and F 

SSS-DEF1. Adopt the BLM’s Compliance Monitoring Plan outlined in Appendix IV for existing CABE 

habitat and populations. 

SSS-DEF2. Mitigate or relocate surface-disturbing activities proposed within occupied or potential 

habitat for special status species. 

2.4.6.5 Management Actions for Alternative G 

SSS-G1. Adopt the BLM’s Compliance Monitoring Plan outlined in Appendix IV for existing CABE

habitat and populations. 

SSS-G2. Limit proposed new surface-disturbing activities within occupied or potential habitat for special 

status species. Limit long-term disturbances in potential habitat. 

SSS-G3. Conduct restoration projects in closed areas that disturb or interrupt hydrologic and/or 

ecological processes to support special status species and significant plant communities. 

2.4.7 Air Quality 

2.4.7.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for air quality management is to ensure that BLM authorizations and management activities 

comply with local, State, and Federal air quality regulations, requirements, State Implementation Plans, 

and Regional Air Board standards and goals. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage prescribed fires to comply with established air quality standards; 

Manage energy and mineral development to avoid degradation of established air quality 

standards; and 

Coordinate with Regional Air Quality Control Districts on resource management activities to 

ensure consistency with State air basin plans. 

2.4.7.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

AIR-A1. The current management strategy for the CCMA is to comply with State and Federal air quality 

regulations. Specifically, management actions maintain compliance with: 

(1) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) primary standards for sulfur dioxide, 

nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead (40 CFR 50); 

(2) NAAQS secondary standards (40 CFR 50); and 

(3) The California State Implementation Plan and the California Air Pollution Control Laws 

(California Health and Safety Code §39606). 
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Control erosion and sediment transport; 

Implement soil loss assessment procedures for road and trail maintenance; 

Implement BMPs for non-point source pollution control; 

Maintain vegetation cover at or above the level necessary to stabilize soils; and 

Protect and restore biological soil crusts on watersheds. 

2.4.8.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

SOIL-A1. Use check dams or other erosion control structures, where practical, to decrease soil erosion 

resulting from management actions. 

SOIL-A2. Do not allow surface disturbance, e.g., no road or fire line construction, on slopes in excess of 

50 percent. 

SOIL-A3. Close roads to vehicle use during periods of extreme wet weather in areas where sustained 

vehicle use may compromise the integrity of the road surface, to reduce rutting of roads and trails and 

sediment transfer, and to improve visitor safety. 

Wet season closure procedures would be implemented after the annual total precipitation exceeds 8 

inches. Once 8 inches of precipitation has been exceeded, the following will apply: Additional rainfall 

exceeding 1⁄2 inch within a 24 hour period or 1 inch within a 72 hour period will result in a three day 

closure. Once the area has been closed a field inspection will be completed prior to reopening, and daily 

thereafter to determine suitability of road conditions. 

SOIL-A4. Control, plan, and design all surface-disturbing activities to minimize erosion. 

SOIL-A5. Perform brush crushing, “high-blading,” and/or fireline construction (mechanical pre-burn site 

preparation) when soil and fuel moisture levels are low enough to prevent undue surface (soil) 

disturbance and to maximize pretreatment objectives. 

SOIL-A6. Recurring corrective maintenance on county and/or administrative routes will be implemented 

annually as appropriate. Corrective maintenance will also be completed on technical 4WD and 2-track 

routes as needed with a goal of defining a 3-5 year maintenance cycle for the whole route network. 

SOIL-A7. Install erosion control structures over the main route network within 3-5 years, and complete 

an evaluation and project plan for implementing appropriate drainage structures on the remainder of the 

routes in the CCMA. 

SOIL-A8. Open or limited routes may be closed temporarily if necessary according to soil loss 

assessment, resource impacts, or required maintenance. Emergency limitations or closures are not OHV 

designations, but remain in effect until the adverse effects are eliminated, measures are in place to prevent 

their recurrence, or revised OHV designations are adopted (43 CFR 8341.2). 

SOIL-A9. Maintain and update the Access database structure for route inventory, soil loss and erosion, 

maintenance, and monitoring to evaluate conformity with California State soil loss standards. Annual 

updates would be incorporated as route work and monitoring are completed. 

SOIL-A10. Prioritize designated ‘closed’ routes for restoration and reclamation to allow them return to a 

natural state. 
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SOIL-A11. Prioritize designated ‘closed’ barrens for restoration and reclamation to minimize off-site 

sediment transport from barren areas through repair of erosion scars, construction of drainage 

improvements, sediment control and trapping treatments, and re-vegetation of vegetative buffers. 

2.4.8.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

SOIL-BG1. Establish remote automated weather stations (RAWS) or apply the use of other available

technologies in order to monitor precipitation and soil moisture content in CCMA. 

SOIL-BG2. Require an approved erosion control strategy and topsoil segregation/restoration plan for 

proposals involving surface disturbance on slopes of 20 to 40 percent. No surface disturbance on slopes 

greater than 40 percent would be allowed unless it is determined that it would cause a greater impact to 

pursue other alternatives. 

SOIL-BG3. Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to barrens restoration/ management 

outlined in Appendix V. 

2.4.9 Water Resources 

2.4.9.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for water resources management are to (1) maintain, restore, or improve water quality and 

quantity to sustain the designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and (2) ensure that surface and 

groundwater quality comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and with California State standards. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain the existing quality and beneficial uses of water, protect waters where they are 

threatened, and restore currently degraded waters. This objective is of even higher priority in the 

following situations: 

o Where the beneficial uses of water bodies have been listed as threatened or impaired 

pursuant to Section 303(d) of the CWA; 

o Where aquatic habitat is present or has been present for Federal threatened or 

endangered species, candidate species, and other special status species dependent on 

water resources; and 

o In water resource-sensitive areas such as riparian or wetland areas. 

Protect all designated beneficial uses by preventing or limiting non-point source pollution. 

2.4.9.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

WAT-A1. Implement BMPs outlined in Appendix V for watershed management and restoration, 

including but not limited to the following: 

 Install erosion control structures to decrease erosion resulting from public recreation activities. 

 Install additional vehicle barriers to control access to riparian corridors and sensitive watershed 

areas. 

 Stabilize/rehabilitate severely eroding trails, hill climbs and naturally barren areas in CCMA with 

rock walls, rock armoring of stream crossings, contour trenching, gully plugs, and water 

diversions. 
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WAT-BG7. Work with Coordinated Resource Management Planning groups and other private 

landowners or non-profit organizations to prevent water bodies from reaching impairment levels that 

would result in listing under CWA 303(d). 

WAT-BG8. Periodically monitor water quality in seasonal pools and perennial ponds containing known 

or suspected threatened and endangered (T & E) species. Identify water quality issues and initiate repairs, 

within environmental constraints. 

WAT-BG9. Manage all fluvial systems functioning at risk to achieve proper functioning condition. 

2.4.10 Special Designations 

2.4.10.1 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) /Research Natural Areas 

(RNAs) 

The goals for ACECs and RNAs are to identify and manage ACECs and RNAs to protect and prevent 

irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other 

natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage the Serpentine ACEC to reduce human health risks in areas with high concentrations of 

asbestos fibers by limiting use that 

o creates high levels of asbestos emissions, 

o creates increased opportunity for human exposure to asbestos, and 

o creates need for intense management presence and infrastructure in the ACEC. 

Manage the Serpentine ACEC to protect special status species associated with the serpentine soils 

of the New Idria Formation 

Manage the San Benito Mountain RNA for the unique forest assemblage and scientific research 

and educational opportunities. 

2.4.10.1.1 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

ACEC-A1. Designate the area of serpentine soils high in asbestos fiber and the Clear Creek watershed as 

the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC (30,000 acres). Maintain 4,147-acre designation of the San Benito 

Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA). 

ACEC-A2. Manage the Serpentine ACEC for public health and safety and the RNA for its unique forest 

assemblage and associated values. 

ACEC-A3. Intensify the current asbestos awareness program through signing, pamphlets, and individual 

user contacts. 

ACEC-A4. Continue monitoring programs assessing sedimentation in the Clear Creek drainage from 

OHVs, mining, and other activities. Identify and prioritize areas requiring further protection and/or 

stabilization. 

ACEC-A5. Asbestos Hazard 

Provide a vehicle washing facility (wash rack) at the main entrance to Clear Creek. 
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Provide asbestos hazard pamphlet/brochure to Central California motorcycle shops, 

sporting goods stores, etc. Issue news releases highlighting the area’s asbestos hazard at 

least twice annually. Provide asbestos warning signs at all roads and trails entering the 

serpentine area. 

Prohibit organized events June 1st through October 15th. 

Designate asbestos mine areas as closed to motorized vehicle use. Access for mining 

operations would be granted under 43 CFR 3809 Plans of Operation (see Energy and 

Minerals).

Post boundaries of asbestos mining areas as closed to OHV.

Continue providing information on the asbestos hazard by distributing the CCMA map 

and other hand-out materials. 

Dust suppressant – Application will be evaluated for continued use on an annual or semiannual basis using treatments described in Appendix V. 

ACEC-A6. Restrict seasonal activities to minimize vehicle traffic, noise, etc. during sensitive periods 

such as denning, nesting, etc. 

ACEC-A7. Provide formal programs to increase employee, including contactor, awareness of cultural 

resources and local wildlife concerns, emphasizing unique habitat features and values. 

ACEC-A8. No surface occupancy (NSO) in occupied or critical habitat for special status species. 

ACEC-A9. Adopt the Interim RNA Management Plan, as described in 2006 Record of Decision for the 

CCMA RMP Amendment and Route Designation (ROD). 

This plan outlines the prescriptions that will permit natural processes to continue without 

interference. It will also determine what characteristics of the habitat are important and what 

management response will be to changes in these characteristics, along with monitoring 

requirements, and specifying resource use limitations. It is important to avoid impacting these 

areas in ways which could adversely affect the natural, scenic, or ecological values for which the 

RNA was established. 

2.4.10.1.2 ACEC/RNA Management Actions Common to Alternatives B through G 

ACEC-BG1. Maintain the area of serpentine soils high in asbestos fiber and the Clear Creek watershed 

as the Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC (30,000 acres). Maintain 4,147-acre designation of the San Benito 

Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA). 

ACEC-BG2. Manage the Serpentine ACEC for public health and safety, special status species, and 

cultural, historic, and scenic values. Manage the San Benito Mountain RNA for its unique forest 

assemblage and the associated scientific research and educational values. 

ACEC-BG3. Adopt the San Benito Mountain RNA Management Plan described in Appendix III. 

ACEC-BG4. Develop stipulations for scientific research and collection in concert with individuals and 

institutions involved. 

ACEC-BG5. Establish appropriate guidelines that protect special status species habitat from surface 

disturbing activities. 
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2.4.10.2 Wilderness Study Areas 

The goal for managing Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) is to manage these areas consistent with the 

Wilderness Act of 1964, as applicable. More specific management direction can be found in 3 CFR 6300. 

BLM is required to manage WSAs consistent with Section 603 of the FLPMA and the Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (H-8550-1) until Congress designates the areas 

as wilderness or releases them from the Section 603 FLPMA provision. If the areas are released, they 

would be managed consistent with the provisions within the RMP. 

The goal for managing Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWCs) is to emphasize other multiple 

uses while applying management restrictions (conditions of use, mitigation measures) to reduce impacts 

to wilderness characteristics. Management of LWCs is part of BLM’s multiple use mandate. Lands 

within the CCMA were inventoried in 2011 in accordance with IM 2011-154 to identify public lands 

with wilderness characteristics such as naturalness, opportunities for solitude, primitive and unconfined 

recreation, and other associated qualities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage existing WSAs in conformance with the Interim Management Policy for Lands Under 

Wilderness Review. 

2.4.10.2.1 Management Actions Common to All Alternatives (A-G)

WILD-AG1. Manage WSAs under the Interim Management Policy (H-8550-1) until Congress 

designates wilderness areas or until non-suitable WSAs are released.

WILD-AG2. Manage the 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain WSA consistent with the goals and objectives 

and the resource management actions for the Serpentine ACEC and the San Benito Mountain RNA 

described in this RMP/EIS, if the area is released from WSA status by Congress. 

WILD-AG3. Conduct necessary maintenance of routes through the area to enhance overall wilderness 

quality by minimizing route-related impacts to the sensitive resources inside the SBMRNA/WSA. Areas 

along the roadways near the WSA will be rehabilitated using the best management practices outlined in 

Appendix V. 

2.4.10.3 Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Pursuant to BLM Manual 8351 – Wild and Scenic Rivers – Policy and Program Direction for 

Identification, Evaluation and Management, the BLM evaluates identified river segments for their 

eligibility and suitability for Wild and Scenic River designation through its RMP process. The criteria 

and information upon which WSR river eligibility and suitability determinations are based are included in 

Appendix VI. Only Congress can designate Wild and Scenic Rivers to be included in the National Wild 

and Scenic River System (NWSRS). 

2.4.10.3.1 Management Actions Common to All Alternatives (A-G)

WSR-AG1. None of the river and stream segments on BLM public lands in CCMA were determined to 

be eligible and suitable for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River System. Therefore, BLM recommends 

that none of the rivers and streams identified in Appendix VI be included in the NWSRS. 
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2.4.12 Energy and Minerals 

2.4.12.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for energy and mineral resource management is to allow development of energy and mineral 

resources to meet the demand for energy and mineral production while protecting natural and cultural 

resources in the area. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Balance responsible mineral resource development with the protection of other resource values. 

Provide opportunities for mineral exploration and development under the mining and mineral 

leasing laws. 

Provide mineral materials needed for community and economic purposes. 

2.4.12.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

ENERG-A1. Consider minerals exploration, development, and production within environmental and 

multiple-use management constraints. Withdrawals would be initiated to affect locatable mineral 

segregations on specified lands. 

ENERG-A2. Seek a protective withdrawal for Clear Creek Canyon (1,031 acres) and the San Benito 

Mountain RNA (4,147 acres) from locatable mineral entry. 

ENERG-A3. Consider mineral and geothermal exploration and development in other CCMA locations 

on a case-by-case basis. 

ENERG-A4. Allow oil and gas exploration and development within environmental constraints to protect 

special status species and paleontological resources. 

ENERG-A5. Make public lands available for orderly and efficient development of mineral and energy 

resources under principles of balanced multiple-use management. 

2.4.12.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B and C 

ENERG-BC1. Close WSAs to mineral leasing and sales and to locatable mineral activities that require 

reclamation or degrade wilderness values 

ENERG-BC2. Make WSAs exclusion areas for wind energy development. Make all other areas available 

for wind energy development consideration, subject to the BMPs outlined in Appendix VII. 

ENERG-BC3. Require No Surface Occupancy stipulations on all recreation and public purposes (R&PP) 

lease areas. 

ENERG-BC4. Make available all remaining BLM public lands for energy and mineral development, 

unless withdrawn or otherwise noted. 

ENERG-BC5. Consider energy and minerals exploration, development, and production within 

environmental and multiple-use management constraints. 
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2.4.13 Cultural Resources 

2.4.13.1 Goals and Objectives 

According to BLM policy (DM 8130.23), all RMPs will include the following two primary goals for 

cultural resources management: 

Preserve and protect significant cultural resources and ensure that they are available for 

appropriate uses by present and future generations (per FLPMA Sec. 103(c), 201(a), 202(c); 

NHPA Sec. 110(a); ARPA Sec. 14(a)).

Seek to reduce imminent threats and resolve potential conflicts on cultural resources, from natural 

or human-caused deterioration, or from other resource uses (per FLPMA Sec 103(c), NHPA Sec. 

106; 110(a)(2)). 

Cultural resources management by the BLM is viewed as an integrated system of identifying and 

evaluating cultural resources, deciding on their appropriate use(s), and administering them according to 

cultural resource law and policy. The primary objectives for this integrated management system are: 

Respond in a legally sufficient and professional manner concerning historic preservation and 

cultural resource protection; 

Recognize the potential public and scientific uses of cultural resources on the public lands, and 

manage the lands and cultural resources so that these uses and values are not diminished but 

rather are maintained and enhanced. 

Ensure that proposed land uses, initiated or authorized by BLM, avoid inadvertent damage to 

Federal and non-Federal cultural resources. 

To achieve the primary goals and objectives for cultural resources management by the BLM, the 

following methods are applicable: 

Protect “at-risk” archeological or other cultural resources, including prehistoric and historic sites, 

using the BMPs available with physical (“on-the-ground”) and/or administrative methods to 

achieve improved site stabilization, protection, or health; 

Utilize a variety of heritage education programs that promote the public stewardship of cultural 

resources, including but not limited to conventional outreach efforts, and participate in the 

following programs: 

 California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program (CASSP) and the California 

Indian Site Stewardship program, which provide training for volunteer site stewards for 

site monitoring, protection, and enhancement); 

 Cooperative Stewardship, which involves the BLM and the California Office of 

Historic Preservation (OHP) in interpretive outreach efforts with involvement from 

tribes and educational institutions; 

 Professional and Avocational Societies, in which the BLM attends meetings and 

conferences to enhance public outreach, education goals, and increase awareness of 
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BLM’s cultural resource management programs and to support avocational societies 

to advance cooperative efforts in public outreach and education; and 

 Archeological and Cultural Awareness Program (ACAP), wherein BLM partners with 

tribes and other Federal and State agencies to conduct evaluations and enhancement 

projects using volunteers. 

Evaluate and manage all cultural resource properties appropriately using the Use Allocation and 

Desired Outcome management criteria for cultural resources in Table 2.4-11: 

Table 2.4-11 Cultural Resource Use Allocations and Desired Outcomes 

Use Allocation Desired Outcome

Scientific use Preserved until research potential is realized

Conservation for future use Preserved until conditions for use are met

Traditional use Long-term preservation

Public use Long-term preservation, on-site interpretation 

Experimental use Protected until used 

Discharged from management No use after recordation; not preserved 

2.4.13.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

CULT-A1. Protect cultural resources (ex. archeological sites) as needed through the use of road closures, 

fences, barriers, or other management strategies. 

CULT-A2. Conduct data retrieval (excavations) at specific archeological sites as needed to mitigate 

unauthorized excavation/vandalism. 

CULT-A3. Work with research institutions to the extent possible for improved cultural resources 

management, including data retrieval. 

CULT-A4. Before implementation of surface-disturbing projects, including range developments and 

vegetation manipulations, evaluate cultural resource potential and avoid adverse impacts to National 

Register-eligible sites when feasible. 

CULT-A5. Protect archeological sites in the White Creek Archeological District by maintaining the 

closed route designation for White Creek Road. 

CULT-A6. Initiate data retrieval at archeological site CA-Fre-1340 per the 1986 Clear Creek 

Management Plan and Decision Record; working with research institutions to the extent possible. 

CULT-A7. Ensure access for Native American traditional uses. 

CULT-A8. Maintain the archeological site monitoring program for cultural resources “at-risk.”
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2.4.13.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B, C, and D 

CULT-BCD1. Increase physical protection for archeological sites and other cultural resources with the 

BMPs available. 

CULT-BCD2. Increase scope of archeological site monitoring program with volunteers and Law 

Enforcement Officers and Park Ranger patrols at archeological sites or other cultural resources as needed; 

monitor all known prehistoric archeological sites, historic site areas, and potential Native American 

traditional use areas for impacts. 

2.4.13.4 Management Actions Common to Alternatives E, F, and G 

CULT-EFG1. Promote research opportunities with academic, professional, and avocational institutions 

for anthropological, archeological, ethnographic, or historic use studies to improve local and regional 

cultural resources management. 

CULT-EFG2. Maintain access and promote traditional uses of the CCMA by the Native American and 

California Indian community; work in coordination with tribal communities, groups, and individuals to 

address issues. 

2.4.14 Paleontological Resources 

2.4.14.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for paleontological resources are to (1) preserve, protect and manage vertebrate, noteworthy 

invertebrate, and plant paleontological resources in accordance with existing laws and regulations for 

current and future generations; (2) facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational, and recreational uses 

of paleontological resources such as research and interpretation; (3) accommodate permit requests for 

scientific research by qualified individuals or institutions; (4) ensure proposed land uses do not destroy or 

damage paleontological resources. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Locate, evaluate, manage and protect, where appropriate, paleontological resources on the public 

lands; 

Facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational, and recreational uses of paleontological resources, 

such as research and interpretation; 

Using predictive modeling, identify significant localities that may be in conflict with other resource 

uses; 

Ensure that proposed land uses, initiated or authorized by BLM, do not inadvertently damage or 

destroy important paleontological resources on public lands; 

Foster public awareness and appreciation of paleontological resources through educational 

outreach programs. 
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2.4.14.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

PALE-A1. Evaluate surface-disturbing activities such as road construction, ground leveling, mining, or 

oil and gas exploration and development for potential adverse impacts to fossil resources; evaluate each 

surface-disturbing action on a case-by-case basis for applicability of protective measures. 

PALE-A2. Maintain a 100-foot buffer around significant paleontological localities for project related 

activities. 

PALE-A3. Install temporary fences along margins of developments to eliminate off-site vehicle impacts 

to undisturbed areas. 

PALE-A4. Relocate proposed development to avoid impacts on significant paleontological localities. 

PALE-A5. Require contract studies if significant paleontological localities cannot be avoided. 

PALE-A6. If natural erosion threatens the integrity of significant fossil resources, stabilize and 

rehabilitate these resources if feasible. 

2.4.14.3 Management Actions Common to Alternatives B, C, and D 

PALE-BCD1. Establish a 200-foot buffer for project actions around all paleontological sites and 

localities. 

2.4.14.4 Management Actions Common to Alternatives E, F, and G 

PALE-EFG1. Establish a 300-foot buffer for project actions around all paleontological sites and 

localities.

2.4.15 Social and Economic Conditions 

2.4.15.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for social and economic conditions is to manage public lands to provide social and economic 

benefits to local residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Work cooperatively with private and community groups and local tribal governments to provide 

for customary uses consistent with other resource objectives and to sustain or improve local 

economies. 

Maintain and promote the cultural, economic, ecological, and social health of communities 

associated with BLM public lands. 

2.4.15.2 No Action Alternative (Current Management Actions) 

SOCEC-A1. Protect and conserve natural values while allowing for tourism and commodity use of 

natural resources. 

SOCEC-A2. Enhance commodity production consistent with resource management goals and objectives. 
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Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Alternative A – F Alternative G

San Benito Natural Area 0 0

Clear Creek Serpentine 

ACEC

1000 0

Hernandez Valley 1,250 1,250

San Joaquin Valley South 1,000 1,000

San Joaquin South Continued 10,000 10,000

Table 2.4.17-3 Decadal Mechanical Treatment Target Acres 

Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Alternative A – F Alternative G

San Benito Natural Area 0 0

Clear Creek Serpentine 

ACEC

1000 0

Hernandez Valley 125 125

San Joaquin Valley South 1,000 1,000

San Joaquin South 

Continued

10,000 10,000

2.4.18 Land and Realty 

2.4.18.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for lands and realty management is to provide lands, interests in land, and authorizations for 

public and private uses while maintaining and improving resource values and public land administration. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Retain, consolidate, and/or acquire land or interest in land with high public resource values for 

effective administration and improvement of resource management; 

Make public land available for disposal that meets the disposal criteria contained in Section 203(a) 

of the FLPMA; 

Meet public, private, and Federal agency needs for realty-related land use authorizations and land 

withdrawals, including those authorizations necessary for wind, solar, biomass, and other forms 

of renewable energy development; 

Acquire legal public or administrative access to public land; and 

Eliminate unauthorized use of public lands. 
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2.5.1 Recreation 

2.5.1.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for recreation management are to (1) provide a variety of experiences and settings for a 

diversity of users and to meet potential changes in demand while minimizing conflicts with adjacent 

property owners and among user groups; (2) provide a range of recreational use opportunities while 

protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources from human intrusion; (3) promote sharing of ideas, 

resources, and expertise to increase the public’s appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural 

resources on BLM public lands; and (4) disseminate information that will foster responsible behavior in 

order to achieve the highest possible environmental quality on BLM public lands, and (5) reduce public 

asbestos exposure and asbestos emissions while still providing opportunities for access within the ACEC. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain a range of facilities to support recreational uses. 

Manage recreation use within the ACEC to reduce airborne asbestos emissions and minimize 

asbestos exposure for recreation users, to address associated public health impacts. 

Design maps and brochures and educational opportunities to improve visitors’ appreciation and 

understanding of natural and cultural resources on BLM public lands. 

Create experiences and settings appropriate for the desired outcome within developed and 

undeveloped recreation areas. 

Establish and manage intensive-use areas, where the presence of high quality natural resources and 

the current or potential demand warrants intensive management practices to protect areas for their 

scientific, educational, and/or recreational values while accommodating anticipated increases in 

recreational activities in specific areas. 

Manage recreational facilities to protect natural resources and to meet user needs. 

Manage commercial, competitive, educational, and organized group recreational activities. 

2.5.1.2 Management Actions 

 Table 2.5-1 Overview of Allowable Uses

Mgt. Zones Allowable Use (Proposed Action)

Serpentine ACEC Motorized (Highway-Licensed Vehicles)

Non-motorized

Shooting

Condon Motorized (Highway-Licensed Vehicles & ATV/UTV Only)

Mechanized/Non-motorized

Shooting
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2.5.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Safety 

2.5.2.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for hazardous materials and public safety are to (1) protect public health and safety from 

exposure to hazardous materials; (2) protect natural resources by minimizing environmental 

contamination from past and present land uses (i.e., abandoned mine lands) on public lands and BLMowned and operated facilities; (3) improve Public Safety by mitigating physical and chemical hazards; 

(4) comply with Federal, State, and local hazardous materials management laws and regulations; (5) 

maintain the health of ecosystems through assessment, cleanup, and restoration of contaminated lands; (6) 

manage the costs, risks, and liabilities associated with hazardous materials management to reduce the 

governments financial liabilities; (7) integrate environmental protection and compliance with all 

environmental statutes into BLM activities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Identify best management practices (BMPs) and administrative actions (i.e. supplementary rules) to 

minimize human health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos. This includes limiting time and 

duration of exposure to naturally occurring asbestos within the Serpentine ACEC. 

Identify and control imminent hazards or threats to human health and/or the environment from 

hazardous substances releases on public lands (including Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) sites). 

Reduce hazardous waste produced by BLM activities and from authorized uses of public lands 

through waste minimization programs that include recycling, reuse, substitution, and other 

innovative, safe, cost-effective methods of pollution prevention. 

Ensure that authorized activities on public lands comply with applicable Federal, State, and local 

laws, policies, guidance, and procedures. 

Promote working partnerships with states, counties, communities, other Federal agencies, and the 

private sector to prevent pollution and minimize hazardous waste on public lands. Continue to 

support research related to NOA and amphibole asbestos related to impacts to the environment, 

mineralogy, toxicology, and assessment of exposure risks to public health. At a minimum, the 

BLM will re-examine the body of peer-reviewed data available on this subject within three years 

following issuance of a record of decision for the CCMA RMP. 

Protect visitors from safety hazards and/or environmental releases of chemicals of concern 

associated with abandoned mine lands (AMLs) and mining activity. 

2.5.2.2 Management Actions 

 HAZ-BG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Restrict the type of activity and the number visits for that 

activity as the primary means to control risk to public from asbestos exposure.

 HAZ-A2. Implementation Decision: Monitor for illegal dumping of chemicals on federal lands.

 HAZ-A3. Implementation Decision: Identify mining-related and other public land hazards and 

eliminate or mitigate as soon as possible.
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 HAZ-A4. Implementation Decision: Identify and resolve mining related trespasses with 

priority given to those cases where conflicts are occurring with visitor use and safety. 

 HAZ-A6. Implementation Decision: Comply with all provisions of the Monterey Bay Unified 

Air Pollution Control District’s remote location exemption (for CCMA) from the ATCM 

regulation for control of airborne asbestos emissions relating to construction, road maintenance, 

and grading activities.

 HAZ-BG2. Implementation Decision: Use best management practices (BMPs) identified in 

Appendix V for dust abatement on roads and during project implementation.

 HAZ-BG3. Implementation Decision: Reduce emissions within the ACEC on major routes 

with dust suppression and surface hardening techniques as needed. The techniques include, but 

are not limited to, paving, base rock, chip seal, or applications of surfactants (i.e. biodegradable 

liquid copolymers) to stabilize and solidify soils or aggregates and control erosion.

 HAZ-BG4. Implementation Decision: Issue supplementary rules to minimize exposure to 

hazardous materials and airborne asbestos fibers, considering technical and budgetary constraints 

and overall effectiveness of the human health and safety mitigation measures identified below.

o Enforce speed limits (20 mph) on designated routes. 

 HAZ-BG5. Implementation Decision: Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related 

to Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) and mining activities outlined in Appendix V.

 HAZ-BG6. Implementation Decision: Reduce the use of Federal funds for clean-up of 

contaminated lands by seeking cost avoidance and/or cost recovery from the legally responsible 

parties.

2.5.3 Travel and Transportation Management 

2.5.3.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for travel and transportation management are to (1) continue to maintain roads for resource 

management purposes; (2) continue to support local counties and the State of California in providing a 

network of roads for movement of people, goods, and services across public lands; (3) provide motorized 

access to areas of interest within the ACEC, (4) manage motorized access use to protect resource values, 

promote public safety, provide responsible motorized access use opportunities where appropriate and 

minimize conflicts among various user groups. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Reduce asbestos exposure, as well as limit the miles of routes available for motorized use to 

reduce asbestos emissions; while still providing opportunities for motorized recreation use. 

Minimize dust emissions from main roads. 

Maintain or enhance water quality in all watersheds. Manage the route network to ensure that 

sensitive species and communities maintain or enhance their condition. Reduce erosion and 

sediment transport in all CCMA watersheds by reducing the number of miles available for vehicle 

use, and by implementing Best Management Practices for all road work. 
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Establish a Scenic Touring Route within the ACEC. Limit travel to route maintenance objective 

level 4 and level 3 roads, to provide safe travel and accommodate a wide range of vehicle types. 

Provide travel routes to and through BLM-managed lands as appropriate to meet resource 

objectives while providing for private and public access needs. 

Manage motorized access and mechanized vehicle use in conformance with Area and Route 

designations. 

Adopt the following “adaptive management criteria” to reassess CCMA land use decisions 

and implementation decisions associated with human health risks from exposure to 

airborne asbestos fibers, should circumstances change or new information becomes 

available that warrants increases in allowable uses and reducing the limits on trails 

available for motorized and non-motorized recreational use in the Serpentine ACEC. 

If any of the following “adaptive management criteria” are met, BLM would reinitiate 

travel management planning in the Serpentine ACEC to modify transportation and travel 

management decisions adopted in this PRMP/FEIS: 

o Activity based studies that establish effective strategies for reduction in personal 

exposure to asbestos from off-highway vehicle recreation. 

o Research results in a significant reduction in the toxicity values for asbestos 

resulting in a reduced excess lifetime cancer risk. 

o Chrysotile asbestos is removed from the list of Toxic and Hazardous regulated 

substances. 

Pursuant to IM 2008-14 and BLM Manual 1626, these adaptive management criteria provide 

BLM flexibility to change route designations in the future and address how those routes would be 

managed within the modified transportation network. At a minimum, the BLM will re-examine 

the body of peer-reviewed data available on this subject within three years following issuance of 

a record of decision for this CCMA RMP to determine if there’s a need to reconsider the 

decisions in the CCMA RMP. 

Under such a scenario, BLM would collaborate with interested parties to evaluate potential 

changes to the designated route network. The network would be evaluated for suitability for 

active OHV management and for envisioning potential changes in the existing system or addition 

of new trails that would help meet land use plan objectives. 

Any adaptive management decisions related to recreation access or motorized vehicle use would 

need to conform with Executive Order 11644 (Use of Off-Road Vehicles on the Public Lands) 

and 43 CFR 8342.1 minimization criteria. 

2.5.3.2 Management Actions 

Vehicle Use Area Designation Summary 

Outside the Serpentine ACEC, the Limited vehicle use area designation shall be defined as 

restricting motorized use to designated routes, utilizing the designation methodology described in 

Appendix II, to satisfy minimization criteria outlined in 43 CFR 8342.1 Motorized use is restricted 

to highway licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV use. 
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Within the Serpentine ACEC, the Limited vehicle use area designation shall be defined as 

restricting motorized use to a concise network (30 – 40 miles) of designated routes providing 

access to key points within the area as a scenic touring route. 

The Limited vehicle use area restrictions in the ACEC also include type of vehicle (highway 

licensed), and access by permit only (limiting annual visitor use days within the Serpentine 

ACEC). 

 TRANS-E1. Land Use Plan Decision: Designate the Serpentine ACEC as a “Limited” vehicle use 

area. The Limited Use area designation shall be defined as restricting motorized use to a concise 

network (30 – 40 miles) of designated routes providing access to key points within the area as a 

scenic touring route. 

 TRANS-E1.25. Implementation Decision: Vehicle use in the Serpentine ACEC would be 

limited to highway-licensed vehicles for day use only with a permit. 

 TRANS-E1.50. Implementation Decision: Designate the following routes ‘open’ for vehicle 

use in the Serpentine ACEC: R1, R10, R11, R13, R14, R15, T103, T104, T151, and T153. The 

designated routes identified above would be developed and maintained to BLM standards. 

 TRANS-E1.75. Implementation Decision: All other routes and areas in the Serpentine ACEC 

would be designated closed including barrens. 

 TRANS-E2. Implementation Decision: Develop and maintain transportation facilities (i.e. pullouts and parking areas) in the ACEC on portions of the vehicle touring route with high scenic 

values, and other destinations with unique biological, natural and geologic features within

CCMA.

 TRANS-E3. Land Use Plan Decision: Designate the Tucker, Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River 

Zones as “Limited” vehicle use areas and prepare Travel Management Plans to designate routes of 

travel. Vehicle use in the Tucker, Condon, Cantua, and San Benito River Zones would be limited to 

highway licensed vehicles and ATV/UTV use only on designated routes (including potential routes 

and route construction proposals) identified on the Proposed Action Map in Appendix I. 

 TRANS-E4. Land Use Plan Decision: Develop and maintain approximately 30 miles of routes and 

trails in the Tucker and Cantua Zones for non-motorized recreation following inventory, soil loss 

assessment, and resources screening using the route designation methodology described in Appendix 

II and 43 CFR 8342.1 minimization criteria.

 TRANS-E5. Land Use Plan Decision: Enforce temporary closures year-round to protect persons, 

property, and public lands and resources, especially during periods of extreme wet conditions and 

during periods of extreme dry conditions. 

 TRANS-E6. Implementation Decision: Maintain approximately 24.5 miles of designated open 

routes and trails in the Condon Zone. 

 TRANS-A2. A Land Use Plan Decision: All routes not designated ‘open or limited’, are designated 

as ‘closed’. OHV use is authorized only on designated ‘open or limited’ routes which are signed for 

use. 
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Management Zone (acres) Proposed Area Designation

Serpentine ACEC (30,000) Limited

Condon (9,700) Limited

San Benito River (3,600) Limited

Cantua (14,900) Limited

Tucker (5,900) Limited

Table 2.5-2(b) Proposed Route Designation(s)

Management Zone Proposed Route Designation (Miles)

Serpentine ACEC Open = 32; Closed = 195

Condon & San Benito River 

Zone(s) Open = 24.5; Closed = 0

Tucker & Cantua Zone Open = 30*; Closed = 0

TOTAL: Open = 86.5*; Closed = 195

(*) Based on approval of Travel Management Plans outlined in TRANS-E3.

2.5.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation Resources 

2.5.4.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for vegetation resources are to (1) restore, maintain, or improve ecological conditions, natural 

diversity, and associated watersheds of high value, high-risk, native plant communities and unique plant 

assemblages and (2) to restore degraded landscapes and plant communities. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain or improve current ecological values and processes, productivity, and biological 

diversity; 

Rehabilitate areas affected by wildland fire and other surface-disturbing activities to stabilize soils 

and promote growth of desired plant communities; 

Prevent the introduction and proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds. 
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 VEG-BG6. Implementation Decision: Mitigate or relocate existing or proposed activities 

within 100 feet of riparian vegetation that could cause a downward trend in condition of riparian 

resources.

 VEG-BG7. Implementation Decision: Maintain mixed-aged classes for all riparian 

communities. 

 VEG-BG8. Implementation Decision: Develop an Integrated Pest Management approach that 

prioritizes invasive and noxious weed eradication based on the BLM and California State lists.

 VEG-BG9. Implementation Decision: Issue non-commercial permits for collecting vegetative 

products for Native American practices. 

 VEG-BG10. Implementation Decision: Initiate riparian restoration/improvement projects 

within systems that have been identified as not functioning or functioning at risk with a 

downward or static trend.

 VEG-BG11. Land Use Plan Decision: Provide a mosaic of vegetation communities to protect soil, 

watershed, and wildlife; maintain sustained yield of vegetation for consumptive and non-consumptive 

uses. 

2.5.5 Biological Resources – Fish and Wildlife 

2.5.5.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for fish and wildlife is to provide diverse, structured, dynamic, and connected habitat on a 

landscape level to support viable and sustainable populations of wildlife, fish, and other aquatic 

organisms. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Conserve habitat consistent with the Recovery Plan for Camissonia Benitensis (FWS 2007). 

Conserve habitat for migratory birds and species listed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS) list of Birds of Conservation Concern. 

Maintain or enhance viable, healthy, and diverse populations of native and desired species, 

including special status species, where appropriate. 

2.5.5.2 Management Actions 

 HAB-BF1. Land Use Plan Decision: Coordinate with the California Department of Fish and Game 

(CDFG), and the USFWS to control non-native wildlife species. 

 HAB-BF2. Land Use Plan Decision: Preserve fallen trees and snags in occupied and potential 

habitat for raptors. Prohibit collecting wood in areas known to provide breeding habitat. 

 HAB-BF3. Implementation Decision: Mitigate or relocate man-made barriers that substantially 

impede migration within wildlife travel corridors, as appropriate.
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 HAB-BF4. Implementation Decision: Maintain existing water improvements (e.g., guzzlers).

 HAB-BF5. Land Use Plan Decision: Avoid disturbance, including road construction and 

recreational activities, within a 0.5-mile radius of roosting sites of owls, ospreys, eagles, buteos, 

accipiters, and falcons. 

 HAB-BF6. Land Use Plan Decision: Avoid disturbance, including road construction and recreation 

activities, within a one-mile radius around nesting sites of of owls, ospreys, eagles, buteos, accipiters, 

and falcons. 

 HAB-BF7. Land Use Plan Decision: Cooperate with the CDFG to reintroduce, release, and/or 

restore populations of native fish and wildlife species into historic and occupied ranges with suitable 

habitat. 

2.5.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species 

2.5.6.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for management of special status species is to (1) maintain populations of special status species; 

and (2) actively contribute to recovery so as to promote downlisting and delisting of special status 

species. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage listed, proposed, or candidate threatened or endangered species to comply with the 

provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

Manage special status plant and BLM-recognized significant plant communities consistent with 

BLM policy on Special Status Species Management (BLM Manual 6840). 

Preclude the need for listing proposed, candidate, and sensitive species under the ESA. 

Improve the condition of special status species and their habitats to the point where their special 

status recognition is no longer warranted. 

2.5.6.2 Management Actions 

 SSS-A7. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage public lands to protect and enhance sensitive, rare, 

threatened, or endangered species. Evaluate all known or potential habitat before implementing 

actions that may affect the habitat. Conduct consultations in accordance with Section 7 of the 

Endangered Species Act, if appropriate. 

 SSS-A8. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage portions of Clear Creek, Sawmill Creek, San Benito 

River, and San Carlos Creek for introducing the San Benito evening-primrose into suitable habitat. 

 SSS-A9. Implementation Decision: Monitor all populations of the San Benito evening-primrose 

and their protective measures for compliance relating to OHV trespass. 
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Manage prescribed fires to comply with established air quality standards and smoke management 

rules and guidelines; 

Manage energy and mineral development to avoid degradation of established air quality 

standards; and 

Coordinate with Regional Air Quality Control Districts on resource management activities to 

ensure consistency with State Implementation Plans for air basins affected by activities in the 

CCMA. 

2.5.7.2 Management Actions 

 AIR-A1. Land Use Plan Decision: Comply with State and Federal air quality regulations, including 

but not limited to: 

o National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) primary standards for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen 

oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead (40 CFR 50); 

o NAAQS secondary standards (40 CFR 50); and 

o The California State Implementation Plan and the California Air Pollution Control Laws 

(California Health and Safety Code §39606). 

 AIR-A5. Land Use Plan Decision: Comply with all provisions of the California Air Resources 

Board (CARB) Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCM) regulation for control of airborne asbestos 

emissions relating to construction, road maintenance, and grading activities. 

 AIR-BG1. Implementation Decision: Incorporate mitigation measures in Appendix V for 

activities and projects on BLM lands in order to reduce airborne asbestos emissions and comply 

with applicable Federal, State, and local air quality regulations.

 AIR-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage motorized vehicle travel on dirt roads to minimize air 

pollution from dust and exhaust by restricting vehicle types and seasons when vehicles could be used. 

 AIR-BG3. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage prescribed fire to minimize smoke and coordinate 

with Federal, State, and local governments in smoke-sensitive areas such as wildland-urban interface 

areas. 

2.5.8 Soil Resources 

2.5.8.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for soil resources management is to manage soil on BLM lands such that functional biological 

and physical characteristics that are appropriate to soil type, climate, and land form are exhibited 

(Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines, 2000). 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Control erosion and sediment transport; 

Implement soil loss assessment procedures for road and trail maintenance; 
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Implement BMPs for non-point source pollution control; 

Maintain vegetation cover at or above the level necessary to stabilize soils; and 

Protect and restore biological soil crusts on watersheds. 

2.5.8.2 Management Actions 

 SOIL-A3. Land Use Plan Decision: Close roads to vehicle use during periods of extreme wet 

weather in areas where sustained vehicle use may compromise the integrity of the road surface, to 

reduce rutting of roads and trails and sediment transfer, and to improve visitor safety. 

 SOIL-A10. Land Use Plan Decision: Prioritize designated ‘closed’ routes for restoration and 

reclamation to allow them return to a natural state. 

 SOIL-BG1. Implementation Decision: Establish remote automated weather stations (RAWS) 

or apply the use of other available technologies in order to monitor precipitation and soil moisture 

content in CCMA.

 SOIL-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Require an approved erosion control strategy and topsoil 

segregation/restoration plan for proposals involving surface disturbance on slopes of 20 to 40 percent. 

No surface disturbance on slopes greater than 40 percent would be allowed unless it is determined 

that it would cause a greater impact to pursue other alternatives. 

 SOIL-BG3. Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to barrens restoration/ 

management outlined in Appendix V. 

2.5.9 Water Resources 

2.5.9.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for water resources management are to (1) maintain, restore, or improve water quality and 

quantity to sustain the designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and (2) ensure that surface and 

groundwater quality comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and with California State standards. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Maintain the existing quality and beneficial uses of water, protect waters where they are 

threatened, and restore currently degraded waters. This objective is of even higher priority in the 

following situations: 

Where the beneficial uses of water bodies have been listed as threatened or impaired pursuant to 

Section 303(d) of the CWA; 

Where aquatic habitat is present or has been present for Federal threatened or endangered species, 

candidate species, and other special status species dependent on water resources; and 

In water resource-sensitive areas such as riparian or wetland areas. 

Protect all designated beneficial uses by preventing or limiting non-point source pollution. 
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2.5.9.2 Management Actions 

 WAT-BG1. Implementation Decision: Implement BMPs related to watershed restoration/ 

management outlined in Appendix V to prevent degradation of water quality.

 WAT-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain existing developed water sources (i.e., spring 

developments and reservoirs). Develop new sources on a case-by-case basis through project-level 

planning. 

 WAT-BG3. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain adjudicated water rights; inventory water sources 

not adjudicated or water rights sought, where applicable. 

 WAT-BG4. Land Use Plan Decision: Submit request to the California State Department of Water 

Resources to establish Federal reserved water rights on acquired lands to ensure water availability for 

multiple use management and for functioning, healthy, riparian and upland systems. 

 WAT-BG5. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage CWA 303(d)-listed impaired water bodies to meet 

properly functioning condition (PFC) objectives relative to beneficial uses and total maximum daily 

loads (TMDLs) for mercury and sediment. 

 WAT-BG6. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain stable watershed conditions and implement passive 

and active restoration projects to protect beneficial uses of water and meet TMDLs for mercury and 

sediment. 

 WAT-BG7. Land Use Plan Decision: Work with Coordinated Resource Management Planning 

groups and other private landowners or non-profit organizations to prevent water bodies from 

reaching impairment levels that would result in listing under CWA 303(d). 

 WAT-BG8. Implementation Decision: Periodically monitor water quality in seasonal pools and 

perennial ponds containing known or suspected threatened and endangered (T & E) species. 

Identify water quality issues and initiate repairs, within environmental constraints.

 WAT-BG9. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage all fluvial systems functioning at risk to achieve

proper functioning condition. 

2.5.10 Special Designations 

2.5.10.1 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) /Research Natural Areas 

(RNAs) 

The goals for ACECs and RNAs are to identify and manage ACECs and RNAs to protect and prevent 

irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other 

natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage the Serpentine ACEC to reduce human health risks in areas with high concentrations of 

asbestos fibers by limiting use that 

o creates high levels of asbestos emissions, 

o creates increased opportunity for human exposure to asbestos, and 
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o creates need for intense management presence and infrastructure in the ACEC. 

Manage the Serpentine ACEC to protect special status species associated with the serpentine soils 

of the New Idria Formation 

Manage the San Benito Mountain RNA for the unique forest assemblage and scientific research 

and educational opportunities. 

2.5.10.1.1 Management Actions 

 ACEC-BG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain the designation of the 30,000-acre serpentine 

geologic formation and area of serpentine soils high in asbestos fiber as the Serpentine Area of 

Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Maintain the 4,147-acre designation of the San Benito 

Mountain Research Natural Area (RNA). 

 ACEC-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage the Serpentine ACEC for public health and safety, 

special status species, and cultural, historic, and scenic values. Manage the San Benito Mountain 

RNA for its unique forest assemblage and the associated scientific research and educational values. 

 ACEC-BG3. Implementation Decision: Adopt the San Benito Mountain RNA Management 

Plan described in Appendix III. 

 ACEC-BG4. Implementation Decision: Develop stipulations for scientific research and 

collection in concert with individuals and institutions involved.

 ACEC-BG5. Implementation Decision: Establish appropriate guidelines that protect special 

status species habitat from surface disturbing activities.

2.5.10.2 Wilderness Study Areas 

The goal for managing Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) is to manage these areas consistent with the 

Wilderness Act of 1964, as applicable. More specific management direction can be found in 3 CFR 6300. 

BLM is required to manage WSAs consistent with Section 603 of the FLPMA and the Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (H-8550-1) until Congress designates the areas 

as wilderness or releases them from the Section 603 FLPMA provision. If the areas are released, they 

would be managed consistent with the provisions within the RMP. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Manage existing WSAs in conformance with the Interim Management Policy for Lands Under 

Wilderness Review. 

2.5.10.2.1 Management Actions 

 WILD-AG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage all designated wilderness consistent with the 

Wilderness Act of 1964 and Public Law 107-370-(2)(2). Manage WSAs under the Interim 

Management Policy (H-8550-1) until Congress designates wilderness areas or until non-suitable 

WSAs are released. 

 WILD-AG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Manage the 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain WSA 

consistent with the goals and objectives and the resource management actions for the Serpentine 
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2.5.12 Energy and Minerals 

2.5.12.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for energy and mineral resource management is to allow development of energy and mineral 

resources to meet the demand for energy and mineral production while protecting natural and cultural 

resources in the area. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Balance responsible mineral resource development with the protection of other resource values. 

Provide opportunities for mineral exploration and development under the mining and mineral 

leasing laws. 

Provide mineral materials needed for community and economic purposes. 

2.5.12.2 Management Actions 

 ENERG-A1. Land Use Plan Decision: Consider minerals exploration, development, and production 

within environmental and multiple-use management constraints. Withdrawals would be initiated to 

affect locatable mineral segregations on specified lands. 

 ENERG-A3. Land Use Plan Decision: Consider mineral and geothermal exploration and 

development in other CCMA locations on a case-by-case basis. 

 ENERG-A4. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow oil and gas exploration and development within 

environmental constraints to protect special status species and paleontological resources. 

 ENERG-A5. Land Use Plan Decision: Make public lands available for orderly and efficient 

development of mineral and energy resources under principles of balanced multiple-use management. 

 ENERG-BC3. Land Use Plan Decision: Require No Surface Occupancy stipulations on all 

recreation and public purposes (R&PP) lease areas. 

 ENERG-DEF1. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow no mineral leasing or sales on public lands in the 

Serpentine ACEC. Recommend withdrawal of the entire 30,000-acre ACEC from locatable mineral 

entry. 

 ENERG-DEF2. Land Use Plan Decision: Allow mineral leasing or sales on public lands outside 

the ACEC, and stipulate that “No Surface Occupancy” is allowed on oil and gas leases on all BLM 

lands with occupied special status species habitat. 

 ENERG-DEF3. Land Use Plan Decision: Make the Serpentine ACEC an exclusion area for 

renewable energy development. Make all other Zones available for wind energy development 

consideration, subject to the BMPs outlined in Appendix VII. 

Table 2.5-4 summarizes the acres of land available/unavailable for leasable mineral entry and open/closed 

for salable mineral entry for each alternative. It also identifies acres of land open or closed to locatable 

mineral entry (i.e. 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain WSA). 
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Table 2.5-4 Summary of Energy and Mineral Development (Acres)

Type of Entry Status Alternative A Proposed Action

Leasable Available 61,400 36,500

Leasable Unavailable 5,100 30,000

Salable Available 65,000 36,500

Salable Unavailable 1,500 30,000

Locatable Open 36,500 36,500

Locatable Closed 5,100 30,000

Renewable Available 65,000 36,500

Renewable Unavailable 1,500 30,000

Note: Calculations based on 63,000 acres of BLM-managed lands, plus 3,500 acres of “split-estate”.

2.5.13 Cultural Resources 

2.5.13.1 Goals and Objectives 

In accordance with BLM policy (DM 8130.23), the two primary goals for cultural resources management 

on CCMA public lands are to 1) Preserve and protect significant cultural resources and ensure that they 

are available for appropriate uses by present and future generations (per FLPMA Sec. 103(c), 201(a), 

202(c); NHPA Sec. 110(a); ARPA Sec. 14(a)), and 2) Seek to reduce imminent threats and resolve 

potential conflicts on cultural resources, from natural or human-caused deterioration, or from other 

resource uses (per FLPMA Sec 103(c), NHPA Sec. 106; 110(a)(2)). 

The BLM’s cultural resources management program relies on an integrated system of identifying and 

evaluating cultural resources, deciding on their appropriate use(s), and administering them according to 

cultural resource law and policy. 

The primary objectives for this integrated management system are to: 

Respond in a legally sufficient and professional manner concerning historic preservation and 

cultural resource protection; 

Recognize the potential public and scientific uses of cultural resources on the public lands, and 

manage the lands and cultural resources so that these uses and values are not diminished but 

rather are maintained and enhanced. 

Ensure that proposed land uses, initiated or authorized by BLM, avoid inadvertent damage to 

Federal and non-Federal cultural resources. 
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 CULT-A5. Land Use Plan Decision: Protect archeological sites in the White Creek Archeological 

District by maintaining the closed route designation for White Creek Road. 

 CULT-EFG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Promote research opportunities with academic, 

professional, and avocational institutions for anthropological, archeological, ethnographic, or historic 

use studies to improve local and regional cultural resources management. 

 CULT-EFG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Maintain access and promote traditional uses of the CCMA 

by the Native American and California Indian community; work in coordination with tribal 

communities, groups, and individuals to address issues. 

2.5.14 Paleontological Resources 

2.5.14.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for paleontological resources are to (1) preserve, protect and manage vertebrate, noteworthy 

invertebrate, and plant paleontological resources in accordance with existing laws and regulations for 

current and future generations; (2) facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational, and recreational uses 

of paleontological resources such as research and interpretation; (3) accommodate permit requests for 

scientific research by qualified individuals or institutions; (4) ensure proposed land uses do not destroy or 

damage paleontological resources. 

To achieve these goals, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Locate, evaluate, manage and protect, where appropriate, paleontological resources on the public 

lands; 

Facilitate the appropriate scientific, educational, and recreational uses of paleontological resources, 

such as research and interpretation; 

Using predictive modeling, identify significant localities that may be in conflict with other 

resource uses; 

Ensure that proposed land uses, initiated or authorized by BLM, do not inadvertently damage or 

destroy important paleontological resources on public lands; 

Foster public awareness and appreciation of paleontological resources through educational 

outreach programs. 
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2.5.14.2 Management Actions 

 PALE-A6. Land Use Plan Decision: If natural erosion threatens the integrity of significant fossil 

resources, stabilize and rehabilitate these resources if feasible. 

 PALE-EFG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Establish a 300-foot buffer for project actions around all 

paleontological sites and localities.

2.5.15 Social and Economic Conditions 

2.5.15.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for social and economic conditions is to manage public lands to provide social and economic 

benefits to local residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Work cooperatively with private and community groups and local tribal governments to provide 

for customary uses consistent with other resource objectives and to sustain or improve local 

economies. 

Maintain and promote the cultural, economic, ecological, and social health of communities 

associated with BLM public lands. 

2.5.15.2 Management Actions 

 SOCEC-DG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Work collaboratively with local populations to emphasize 

a high level of natural resource protection, which contributes to tourism and attracts sustainable 

commodities industries. 

 SOCEC-DG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Enhance public land resources to provide for sustainable 

tourism, production, and industry. 

 SOCEC-DG3. Land Use Plan Decision: Emphasize sustainable economic operations while 

protecting the ecological, social, and cultural integrity of BLM public lands. 

2.5.16 Visual Resources Management 

2.5.16.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for visual resource management is to manage public land actions and activities in a manner 

consistent with visual resource management (VRM) class objectives. 

To achieve this goal, the following objective is established: 

Protect, maintain, improve, or restore visual resource values by managing all public lands in 

accordance with the VRM system. 
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2.5.16.2 Management Actions 

 VIS-A1. Land Use Plan Decision: VRM Class IV standards apply to the entire CCMA unless 

otherwise stated. 

 VIS-A2. Land Use Plan Decision: Actions in the San Benito Mountain WSA and RNA must meet 

VRM Class I standards. 

 VIS-A3. Land Use Plan Decision: Actions in the Condon Zone must meet VRM Class III standards. 

 VIS-EFG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Actions in the Serpentine ACEC must meet VRM Class II 

standards.

2.5.17 Fire Management 

2.5.17.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goals for fire management are to (1) establish a fire management program that is cost-efficient and 

commensurate with threats to life, property, public safety, and resources, (2) use fire to restore and/or 

sustain ecosystem health, (3) cooperate with communities at risk within the wildland-urban interface to 

develop plans for risk reduction, (4) cooperate with regional partners in fire and resource management 

across agency boundaries, and (5) reduce man-made fires, with a special emphasis on reductions in 

developed areas such as communities, campgrounds, and transportation corridors. 

To achieve the goals for fire management, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Wildfire Suppression 

Provide for firefighter and public safety in all fire-management activities. 

Provide an appropriate management response for all wildland fires, emphasizing firefighter and 

public safety. Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Research Natural Areas (RNAs), 

Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), and certain other public lands in the CCMA Special Recreation 

Management Area (SRMA) will require modified suppression techniques to protect the known 

values. Modified suppression techniques are identified in the Hollister Fire Management Plan 

(BLM 2011).

Limit the intensity of fire suppression efforts to the most economical response consistent with the 

human and resource values that are at risk. 

Protect sensitive cultural and paleontological resource sites from damage by fire and/or fire 

suppression actions. 

Fuels Management 

Reduce the risk of fire in wildland-urban interface communities. 

Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire through fuels management. 

Promote greater diversity within plant communities of the HFO with the use of fire. 
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Use fire as natural land management tool for the control and eradication of noxious weeds. 

Use fire as a management tool to improve the ecological condition of the area within HFO 

jurisdiction. 

Use prescribed burning to reduce the fuel hazard in the chaparral community and for wildlife 

habitat improvement and increased local water yield and watershed enhancement. 

Fire Rehabilitation, Stabilization, and Restoration 

Rehabilitate burned areas to mitigate adverse effects of fire on soils, water, and cultural resources 

and vegetation. 

Prevention, Risk Mitigation, and Education 

Increase the public’s knowledge of fire’s natural role in the ecosystem and the hazards and risks 

associated with living in the wildland-urban interface. 

Educate the public on fire safety and prevention measures. 

Work with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) to suppress all 

wildfires involving less than 10 acres 90 percent of the time. 

2.5.17.2 Management Actions 

 FIRE-BG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Develop and maintain the Hollister Fire Management Plan. 

 FIRE-BG2. Land Use Plan Decision: Identify appropriate management response goals, objectives, 

and constraints by specific Fire Management Units (FMUs) in the Hollister Fire Management Plan 

(Ref. Map 6, Appendix I). 

 FIRE-BG3. Implementation Decision: Employ fire prevention strategies that reduce man-made 

fires, with special emphasis on developed areas such as communities, campgrounds, and 

transportation corridors.

 FIRE-BG4. Implementation Decision: Develop fuels projects to mimic fire’s natural role to 

enhance resource values.

 FIRE-BG5. Land Use Plan Decision: Coordinate with the California Department of Forestry and 

Fire Protection (CALFIRE) or cooperator fire protection entities to develop appropriate management 

response actions, as documented in the annual operating plan, for wildland fires on or threatening 

BLM lands. Primary consideration and operational emphasis are placed on firefighter and public 

safety, minimizing the loss of life and damage to private property, minimizing environmental damage 

due to suppression efforts, and considering resource values and high value habitat at risk from 

unwanted wildfire. 

 FIRE-BG6. Land Use Plan Decision: Identify high priority wildfire risk areas (e.g., wildland-urban

interface, critical habitats and cultural areas). The Hollister Fire Management Plan (FMP) displays the 

list of values at risk and the communities at risk within each FMU. (These lists may change as 

communities are removed or added each year). 
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Table 2.5-8 Decadal Mechanical Treatment Target Acres

Geographic Area/ 

Fire Management Unit 

(FMU) Proposed Action

San Benito Natural Area 0

Clear Creek Serpentine ACEC 1000

Hernandez Valley 125

San Joaquin Valley South 1,000

San Joaquin South Continued 10,000

2.5.18 Land and Realty 

2.5.18.1 Goals and Objectives 

The goal for lands and realty management is to provide lands, interests in land, and authorizations for 

public and private uses while maintaining and improving resource values and public land administration. 

To achieve this goal, the following resource condition objectives are established: 

Retain, consolidate, and/or acquire land or interest in land with high public resource values for 

effective administration and improvement of resource management; 

Make public land available for disposal that meets the disposal criteria contained in Section 203(a) 

of the FLPMA; 

Meet public, private, and Federal agency needs for realty-related land use authorizations and land 

withdrawals, including those authorizations necessary for wind, solar, biomass, and other forms 

of renewable energy development; 

Acquire legal public or administrative access to public land; and 

Eliminate unauthorized use of public lands. 

2.5.18.2 Land Tenure Adjustments 

2.5.18.2.1 Management Actions 

 LTEN-A7. Land Use Plan Decision: Acquire or exchange lands in accordance with the FLPMA 

and other applicable Federal laws and regulations to ensure more efficient management of the public 

lands, to reduce conflicts with other public and private landowners, and to provide more consistency 

and logic in land use patterns within the Hollister Field Office. 

 LTEN-EFG1. Land Use Plan Decision: Public lands in the Condon and San Benito River Zones 

identified on the Proposed Action Map in Appendix I would be available for disposal. 
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3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 

This chapter describes the current condition, location, and use of the resources on public lands in the 

Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

Hollister Field Office (HFO) that could be affected by the range of alternatives described in Chapter 2 of 

this RMP/EIS. The affected environment descriptions focus on those aspects of the physical, biological, 

cultural, social, and economic conditions that could be affected by the management actions prescribed in 

the range of alternatives. 

Chapter 3 provides a general discussion of the Planning Area and then focuses in on those specific lands 

within the CCMA that are administered by the BLM (refer to Map 1 in Appendix I). For clarification: 

The Planning Area includes all lands within the boundaries of the within the Clear Creek 

Management Area (CCMA), including privately owned lands and State and Federal lands, 

including those administered by the BLM HFO. 

The Planning Area is divided into five management zones with various combinations of 

management actions and different land use allocations under the range of alternatives. However, 

this chapter describes the current resource uses and conditions in CCMA in general. Where 

possible, resources issues and concerns specific to any of the five management zones are also 

discussed. 

“BLM-administered lands,” or “BLM public lands” are those specific areas within the Planning 

Area for which BLM has jurisdiction to make land use decisions. The term “Decision Area” may 

be used to describe these lands throughout this RMP/EIS. 
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3.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Health & Safety 

3.2.1 Introduction 

As managers of the nation’s public lands, the BLM is responsible for the health and safety of visitors to 

public lands. The HFO engages in hazardous material emergency response actions, hazardous waste site 

evaluations, and prioritization of site remediation activities in accordance with Federal, State, and local 

laws and regulations. Remediation is typically done in coordination with the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, California environmental regulatory agencies such as the Department of Toxic 

Substances Control and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, counties, and potentially responsible 

parties (both public and private). This section addresses hazardous materials management on BLM public 

lands in CCMA, as well as associated risks to the public health and safety. 

Historically, public lands located within the CCMA were used for mining of mercury and asbestos, 

locating communication sites on mountain tops, and other resource uses like timber harvesting. More 

recently, CCMA public lands have been subject to numerous unauthorized and illegal activities, such as 

dumping of household and toxic wastes and marijuana cultivation. 

Due to environmental and human health risks concerns associated with the presence of asbestos in the 

bedrock and soils of the New Idria Formation, approximately 30,000 acres of BLM-managed lands were 

designated as the Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) under the 

Record of Decision for the original Hollister RMP (1984). Refer to Section 3.10, for more information on 

the Serpentine ACEC designation. Use of these lands, both legally and illegally, has resulted in the 

release of hazardous substances and the creation of hazardous waste sites. 

Located within the Serpentine ACEC, is the Atlas Asbestos Mine Superfund Site, which added to the 

National Priorities List in 1983. As EPA was finalizing its approach to the cleanup of the Atlas site in 

1991, they identified the need to evaluate BLM’s management of CCMA and evaluate the overall 

protection of human health and the environment. As a result, BLM developed a health risk assessment in 

1992 to further determine what management actions were necessary to limit public risk to asbestos and 

incorporated the results into the 1995 CCMA RMP Amendment, and it’s associated Record of Decision 

(1999). 

3.2.2 Regulatory Framework 

The principal Federal regulatory agency for setting laws and guidelines for hazardous materials is the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Key Federal laws and regulations pertaining to hazardous 

materials associated with the Planning Area include the: 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): 

Establishes prohibitions and requirements concerning closed and abandoned hazardous 

waste sites; provides for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous waste at 

these sites; establishes a trust fund to provide for cleanup when no responsible party can 

be identified; and 

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA): Amendment to CERCLA 

(above) that establishes a nationwide emergency planning and response program and 

reporting requirements for facilities that store, handle, or produce significant quantities of 

hazardous materials; identified requirements for planning, reporting, and notification 

concerning hazardous materials. 
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Using the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) toxicity 

value for asbestos, even one visit per year for recreational scenarios of Weekend Riding, Day Use Riding, 

Weekend Hunting, or Combined Riding/Fence Building put users above EPA’s acceptable risk range. The 

higher risks reflect the fact that the OEHHA asbestos toxicity value is 8 times larger than the value in 

IRIS. At the high end of the risk range, excess lifetime cancer risk estimations using the OEHHA toxicity 

value and the 95% upper confidence limit concentration indicate that recreational users riding 

motorcycles 12 weekends per year could have as much as a 1 in 100 (1 x 10-2) lifetime chance of 

developing asbestos related cancer. 

As with any assessment of risk, there are assumptions and variables that can cause the calculations to 

either overestimate or underestimate the actual risk. The CCMA risk assessment report contains a more 

detailed discussion of the exposure and toxicity parameters which affect the calculations of estimated risk. 

The CCMA assessment may overestimate or underestimate risk if EPA’s measurements of exposure and 

the assumptions of exposure frequency are either greater or less than actual conditions. 

Additional uncertainty is introduced because both the IRIS and the OEHHA toxicity values for asbestos 

are based on epidemiological studies of work place exposures to intermittent high asbestos concentrations 

over extended periods. While the concentrations measured for activities at CCMA are significantly 

elevated, the exposure is infrequent and episodic. Because there is no clear mode of action for asbestosinduced disease and no threshold for cancer health effects, using a direct time-weighted extrapolation 

from the longer, chronic occupational exposures to shorter-term, episodic exposures may underestimate or 

overestimate the risk. The risks could be much lower because the exposures may be too infrequent or the 

total retained fiber burden too few to initiate the asbestos disease process. 

On the other hand, the EPA risk calculations may underestimate the risk because take-home exposures 

and non-cancer health effects were not considered. Asbestos can adhere to equipment, clothes, and the 

interior and exterior of vehicles, and can be tracked out of CCMA resulting in future exposures to CCMA 

users, families, and communities. The offsite exposure could increase the risk, proportional to the time of 

exposure and the concentration of asbestos tracked offsite. Perhaps most important, there is currently no 

reference value for calculating non-cancer risks from asbestos exposures and non-cancer risks were 

therefore not addressed in the EPA assessment. However, epidemiological studies indicate that noncancer respiratory health effects from exposure to asbestos can be significant and in some studies exceed 

the cancer cases. Therefore, the general probability of developing disease from exposure related to 

activities at Clear Creek may be underestimated in the EPA risk estimations. 

Asbestos is a known human carcinogen. Despite the uncertainties inherent in risk assessment, the 

evaluation of asbestos exposures and risks at the Clear Creek Management Area led EPA to conclude: 

The Activity Causes the Exposure – The concentration of asbestos in the breathing zone 

is directly related to the degree that an activity disturbs the soil and creates dust. 

Children Are of Special Concern – In a majority of the samples, the concentration of 

asbestos measured in the child’s breathing zone exceeded the asbestos concentration in 

the companion adult sample. Further, a child’s life expectancy exceeds the latency period 

for asbestos-related disease. 

The Higher the Exposure, the Higher the Risk – The activities with the highest exposure - 

motorcycling, ATV riding, and SUV driving/riding - had the highest corresponding 

excess lifetime cancer risk. 
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Reducing the Exposure Will Reduce the Risk – The risk of developing asbestos-related 

disease is dependent on the level of exposure, the duration of exposure, and the time 

since first exposure. 

Reducing exposure will reduce the risk of developing asbestos related cancers and 

debilitating and potentially fatal non-cancer disease. 

In response to the CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008), BLM issued a 

temporary closure order simultaneously on May 1, 2008 that closed 30,000-acres within the CCMA’s 

Serpentine ACEC to all public use and entry. The closure order was published in the Federal Register 

(Volume 73, Number 85), pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1, to protect public land users from human health 

risks associated with exposure to airborne asbestos in the CCMA while the BLM completes this Resource 

Management Plan. 

3.2.4.2 Illegal Dumping and Illicit Drug Operations 

Over the years, substantial marijuana garden encampments have been discovered by law enforcement 

authorities in CCMA. Law enforcement confiscate the illegal product, but large amounts of solid waste, 

garbage, food, clothing, fertilizers, pesticides, and batteries remain on public lands. Many of these types 

of waste also contain hazardous materials that are a potential source of contamination of the air, water, 

and soil resources in CCMA. Similar waste piles are dispersed throughout CCMA due to illegal dumping 

of household chemicals and solid waste. 

3.2.4.3 Abandoned Mine Lands 

Some acid mine drainage has been characterized with respect to the mines located in this management 

area. Hazards associated with these mines include open shafts and adits, tailings piles, and abandoned 

equipment. Other hazardous materials of concern that may be found in the CCMA abandoned mine lands 

include cinnabar (mercury ore) deposits and piles of asbestos tailings that have been dispersed throughout 

the region by wind, water, and anthropogenic sources of disturbances. Current conditions and BLM goals 

for reclamation of some abandoned mine lands in CCMA are identified below. 

Aurora Abandoned Mine Lands Project 

The Aurora mine was active from 1853 up to the 1950’s. Historic photographs of the mine showed that 

several structures and an improved water source for the mine along with two large metal water tanks. 

These structures and the furnace used to retort the ore were previously removed, so no above ground 

structures were left when restoration activities began in the summer of 2000. 

Remediation of the site included the removal of 8,000 cubic yards of mercury retort waste rock (calcines) 

and placement into a repository located nearby. All unearthed mining debris was also placed into the 

repository. The disturbed areas were recontoured and capped with two to three feet of non-mercury native 

soil. Native plant seeds from the adjacent vegetated areas were spread out under several inches of weedfree rice straw. Rice straw hay bales were staked in the ground to control erosion and allow for the 

germination of the native plants. However, severe winter storms have caused the ephemeral drainage that 

was recontoured through the site to overflow and cut into the cap material causing additional erosion 

concerns. 
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215

3.6.5.1 Plants and Habitats 

Special status plants occurring within the Planning Area are shown in in Table 3.6-2. The New Idria mass 

(Serpentine ACEC) within the CCMA harbors a large number of rare serpentine endemic plant species. 

Special Status Plant Species 

San Benito Evening primrose (Camissonia benitensis)

Family Onagraceae. Federally-listed Threatened. The US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the 

San Benito evening-primrose as an endangered species on October 31, 1983 (48 FR 50126) based on 

impacts to the species and its habitat from OHV activity. The USFWS designated the species as a 

threatened, rather than endangered, species on February 12, 1985 (50 FR 5758). San Benito evening 

primrose is a diminuitive annual with wiry, greenish-purple stems, clusters of linear, pubescent leaves, 

and yellow four-petaled flowers (Figure 1). The species is a narrow (localized distribution), strict 

serpentine endemic (Safford et al. 2005). Most populations are located upon or with close proximity to 

the New Idria serpentine mass and associated serpentine landslides. Populations of the species are also 

known to occur on serpentine masses and outcrops within 11 airline miles east, southeast, and south of the 

edge of the New Idria serpentine mass. The furthest most known population of the species is located 

approximately 11 airline miles southeast of the New Idria serpentine mass on serpentine near HWY 198 

between Mustang Ridge and Priest Valley. It is believed that the species may occur at an even greater 

radius (up to 20 miles) with a likely maximum range limit as far south as Priest Valley (Monterey county) 

and as far north as Panoche Valley (San Benito county), encompassing southern San Benito, western 

Fresno, and eastern Monterey counties. An estimated 70% of the total serpentine area within that range 

has been surveyed for the species to date. 

A detailed description of the species and its ecology may be found in a report by Taylor (1990). Until 

spring 2010, it was believed that most San Benito evening primrose occupied and potential habitat 

consisted of relatively level serpentine alluvial fans and terraces (Figure 2) often adjacent to perennial 

streams within the Serpentine ACEC. It is now known that the species also grow in uplands on serpentine 

soil at geologic boundaries between serpentine and nonserpentine rock types where vegetation type 

transitions from serpentine chaparral to blue oak (Quercus douglasii) and California juniper (Juniperus 

californica) woodland (Figure 3). The species frequently occurs on the margins of the serpentine 

chaparral, where invasive annual grassland density is low and native herbaceous plant diversity is high. 

Although slope angle does not appear to be a major factor in where the species occurs, soil physcial 

properties are important. The species most commonly occus in the upland geologic transition zone 

habitat where the serpentine soil is friable (soft) when dry (loam – sandy loam texture). Virtually no 

populations of the the species have been found where soils are hard or develop large, deep cracks when 

dry (indicative of clayey soil texture). The geologic transition zone habitat type may in fact represent the 

majority of the habitat for the species with serpentine stream terraces being a rarer habitat type. Other 

minor habitat types found for the species include hard, fractured, serpentine rock outcrop (two known 

suboccurrences) near the geologic transition zone and hard, fractured nutrient-poor shale outcrops (four 

known suboccurrences) or shale barrens (one known suboccurrence) near the geologic transition zone. 

Overall, the habitat types found for the species suggest that the most important habitat characteristics for 

the species are: 

Serpentine substrate. 

Friable loam – sandy loam soil texture. 

Sparse woody overstory cover (abundant gaps). Sparse herbaceous understory cover. 

Stable habitat. Relatively low levels of erosion. 
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Specific habitat types include the following: 

Major: Serpentine-nonserpentine geologic transition zones (serpentine riparian and upland) 

Major: Serpentine alluvial stream terraces (serpentine riparian; nonserpentine riparian –

serpentine alluvium outside of the Serpentine ACEC) 

Minor/anomalous: Serpentine rock outcrop (serpentine upland) 

Minor/anomalous: Shale outcrop/shale barrens (nonserpentine upland) 

Prior to spring 2010, there were 63 known populations (suboccurrences) of San Benito evening primrose. 

Following the discovery of the geologic transition zone habitat and subsequent intensive survey of that 

habitat type, there are now approximately 231 know populations of the species. Table 3.6-1 shows the 

distribution of the populations found with respect to the CCMA and habitat type. 

Table 3.6-1. Distribution of San Benito evening primrose populations inside and outside 

of the Serpentine ACEC and the CCMA

Location ↓ Land ownership → BLM (Public) Private TOTAL

CCMA; Inside Serpentine ACEC 87 15 102

CCMA; Outside Serpentine ACEC 53 4 57

Outside CCMA 10 62 72

Habitat type ↓ Land ownership → BLM (Public) Private TOTAL

Geologic transition zone 81 73 154

Serpentine stream terrace 63 7 70

Serpentine rock outcrop 2 02

Shale outcrop/barren 4 15

Most of the geologic transition zone occupied and potential habitat, being either outside of the core OHV 

use area or being located entirely outside of the CCMA, has experienced little to no impacts from OHV or 

other human-related activities such as livestock grazing. In comparison, most of the occupied and 

potential habitat of San Benito evening primrose on stream terraces has a long history of impacts from 

human activities, including road construction, logging, mining, and OHV use. Many routes, such as R1, 

R11, R15, and T158 were established on San Benito evening primrose habitat. The relatively level 

terraces have also been favored as staging areas for logging, mining, and more recently, for OHV use 

activities. Habitat disturbance has promoted the invasion of noxious species such as yellow starthistle 

(Centaurea solstitialis) into San Benito evening primrose habitat just outside of the Serpentine ACEC. 

Red brome (Bromus madritensis) has invaded some San Benito evening primrose habitat within the 

ACEC, but it is sparse and does not appear to be adversely impacting San Benito evening primrose. 

Invasive species are controlled through Integrated Pest Management. Most of the occupied and potential 

San Benito evening primrose habiat within the core OHV use area is now closed to OHV use and 

protected by fences and barricades. 
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Table 3.6-2 Special Status Plants and Habitats Occurring within the Planning Area. 

Species with affinity for serpentine soils (Serpentine ACEC). Species with affinity for nonserpentine soils 

(outside of ACEC). CNPS 1B = Rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. 1

Serpentine endemic status according to Safford et al. 2005. 
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3.7 Air Quality 

3.7.1 Introduction 

As identified in the purpose and need (Section 1.1) for this RMP/EIS, the major air quality concern in the 

CCMA is the release of airborne asbestos emissions that pose a risk to human health and the environment 

when CCMA soils are disturbed from visitor use activities in the Serpentine ACEC. Six types of 

‘asbestos’ are classified as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, 

Section 112(b), including chrysotile, which is the type of asbestos most commonly found in CCMA soils. 

In order to evaluate overall protection of human health and the environment in this RMP/EIS, hazardous 

air pollutants and the human health risk from exposure to airborne asbestos emissions are addressed under 

“Hazardous Materials and Public Health and Safety” in Sections 2.4.2, 3.2, and 4.2. The remainder of the 

affected environment discussion for air quality is based on the total Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by 

approximately 35,000 visitors/year in the 75,000-acre CCMA and is not directly related to the selection of 

a particular route network. 

For the purpose of monitoring and regulating air quality, the state of California has been divided into 15 

air basins based on meteorological and geographic similarities. Whenever practical, political boundary 

lines also affect the location of air basin boundaries. The two air basins encompassing CCMA are the 

North Central Coast and the San Joaquin Valley. There are two regional air quality boards that oversee 

these air basins: Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control Board (MBUAPCD) and the San Joaquin 

Valley Unified Air Pollution Control Board (SJVUAPCD). The North Central Coast Air Basin (NCCAB) 

includes Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. A portion of western Fresno County is located 

in the CCMA is located in the SJVAB. 

In addition to federal designations based on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the California 

Air Resources Board (CARB) has further designations based criteria established for nine pollutants: 

ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, suspended particulate matter, sulfates, lead, 

hydrogen sulfide and visibility reducing particles. 

Other air quality concerns in the air basins within the CCMA are ground-level ozone and particulate 

matter (PM10, PM2.5). The air pollutant concentrations of ozone and particulate matter recorded by 

monitoring stations in these air basins do not meet State of California ozone air quality standards. Ozone 

is not a directly emitted pollutant; it forms in the presence of sunlight from oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 

reactive organic gases (ROGs). Ambient air concentrations of particulate matter, measured as respirable 

particulate matter (PM10) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), also are found above Federal and State 

standards. Particulate matter is directly emitted to the atmosphere by travel on paved and unpaved roads 

and surfaces, from combustion of fuels, waste burning, and agricultural practices; it is also indirectly 

emitted from the reaction of gases that result in the formation of smog. 

3.7.2 Regulatory Framework 

Federal and State regulations protect ambient air quality include: 

The Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970, 42 United States Code (USC) 7401 et seq., as amended in 

1977 and 1990. 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, Parts 50-99. 

The Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility and Clean-Up Liability Act (CERCLA)

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
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3.8 Soil Resources 

3.8.1 Introduction 

This section describes soil resources in the Planning Area, including faults and slopes. 

3.8.2 Regulatory Framework 

Regulations for geologic and soils resources include: 

Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act of 1972 (Public Resources Code, Section 

2621 et seq.). The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act of 1972 applies to 

development projects, and is designed to protect the health and safety of people from 

geologic hazards. 

General Plans and/or SOAR Initiatives. The General Plan from local cities and 

counties may provide regulations or guidelines relating to seismic hazards and soil 

resources as it applies to agriculture. 

Additional regulations such as those related to rangeland, paleontological resources, and water/wetlands 

are addressed in those sections of this report. 

3.8.3 Regional Setting 

The Planning Area is within the California Coast Ranges of the Pacific Border Physiographic Province. 

CCMA is located in the southernmost extension of the Diablo Range between the San Andreas Fault zone 

to the west and the San Joaquin valley to the east. Topography is rugged with an elevation range of 1,830 

at Pine Canyon to 5,241 feet on San Benito Mountain. 

3.8.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

3.8.4.1 Geology 

The CCMA is composed of two primary geologic units including 1) the New Idria serpentine mass at the 

core of the management area (32,000 acres total), and 2) nonserpentine sedimentary rock complex which 

surrounds the serpentine mass (42,000 acres total) (ref. Map 5, Appendix I). The Serpentine ACEC 

entirely contains and is delineated by the New Idria serpentine mass. The Tucker, San Benito River, 

Condon, and Cantua Zones are composed almost entirely of a nonserpentine sedimentary rock complex. 

The 15 mile long by 5 mile wide New Idria serpentine mass forms the center of an asymmetric anticlinal 

dome which is flanked by Jurassic and Cretaceous-aged sedimentary rocks (Coleman, 1986). The dome 

demarcates the northernmost extension of the Coalinga anticline. High angle faults and shear zones 

surrounding the dome serve as a record of the tectonic movement of the New Idria serpentine mass up 

through the adjacent sedimentary rock complex. 

The New Idria serpentine mass was formed from peridotite (harzburgite or dunite) which has been 

completely mineralogically-altered, sheared, and crushed to yield a nearly incoherent mass of serpentinite 

(Coleman, 1986; Coleman, 1996). The serpentinization and shearing process also produced abundant 

chrysotile asbestos widely disseminated throughout the serpentine mass. As such, the New Idria 

serpentine mass contains one of the largest reserves of chrysotile asbestos in North America (Merritt, 

1962). 
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3.9 Water Resources 

3.9.1 Introduction 

Water resources refer to all surface water runoff into rivers and creeks within the CCMA and the values 

that this water provides to people, wildlife, and vegetation. The San Benito River is impounded by a 

dam, forming the Hernandez Reservoir, approximately six miles north of the mouth of Clear Creek. The 

Hernandez Reservoir provides for groundwater recharge for northern San Benito County. The State of 

California Regional Water Control Boards (CRWCB) with jurisdiction over water resources in the 

CCMA, as authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act are: the 

Central Valley Regional Water Control Board and the Central Coast Regional Water Control Board. The 

former agency oversees all waters flowing into the Central Valley, known collectively as the “West Side 

Streams”, and the latter agency oversees those waters within the CCMA that flow into the San Benito 

River. 

The Central Valley Regional Water Control Board has designated nine beneficial uses for this the “West 

Side Streams” (SWRCB 1975): Agricultural Supply (i.e. vegetation for livestock grazing), Industrial 

Process Supply (i.e. fire protection), Water Contact Recreation (i.e. swimming and wading), Non-Contact 

Water Recreation (i.e. camping, hunting and hiking), Warm Fresh Water Habitat (i.e. to sustain warm 

water aquatic species), Wildlife Habitat (i.e. for food, water, and shelter for wildlife), Preservation of 

Rare and Endangered Species, and Groundwater Recharge. 

The Planning Area is encompassed by two hydrologic regions: Central Coast and San Joaquin River. 

Approximately 11 waters and 43 National Wetlands Inventory mapped wetlands exist within the Planning 

Area. These aquatic areas function to recharge aquifers, slow flood waters, and assimilate and neutralize 

some pollutants before they enter rivers and lakes. 

Water demand exceeds water supply in many areas throughout the Planning Area, though more 

commonly east of the coast range. Watershed function and improved water quality is key to increasing 

water supply to support various resource needs within the Planning Area.

3.9.2 Regulatory Framework 

Water resources and quality are managed and protected under multiple regulations and policies, 

including: 

U.S. Clean Water Act (33 USC 1251) – aims to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and 

biological integrity of the Waters of the United States. Section 303(d) of the 1972 Clean Water 

Act requires states to identify waterbodies that do not meet water quality objectives and are not 

supporting their beneficial uses. Each state must submit an updated list, called the 303(d) list, to 

the U.S. EPA every two years. In addition to identifying the waterbodies that are not supporting 

beneficial uses, the list also identifies the pollutant or stressor causing impairment, and 

establishes a priority for developing a control plan to address the impairment. The list also 

identifies waterbodies where 1) a TMDL has been approved by U.S. EPA and an implementation 

is available, but water quality standards are not yet met, and 2) waterbodies where the water 

quality problem is being addressed by an action other than a TMDL and water quality standards 

are not yet met. 

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 USC 1001-1009). 

Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, 33 USC 1531 et seq. 
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Executive Order 11990: Protection of wetlands – establishes the protection of wetlands and 

riparian systems as the official policy of the federal government. It requires all federal agencies 

to consider wetland protection as an important part of their policies; take action to minimize 

destruction, loss, or degradation of wetlands; and preserve and enhance the natural and beneficial 

values of wetlands. 

Porter Cologne Water Quality Act of 1969: Contains a complete framework for the State Water 

Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to regulate waste discharges to both surface waters and 

groundwater of the state. 

3.9.3 Regional Setting 

The Planning Area encompasses eleven watersheds located within the CCMA: Clear Creek, Larious 

Creek, Upper San Benito River, San Carlos Creek, East Fork San Carlos Creek, Cantua Creek, Sawmill 

Creek, Picacho Creek, Diaz Creek, Arroyo Leona Creek, and White Creek. These areas represent distinct 

watersheds, often with extreme geographic, topographic, and mineralogical variability. The watersheds 

are drained by higher order perennial streams that, with the exception of White Creek and Diaz Creek, 

descend from San Benito Mountain. White Creek descends from Wright Mountain and flows to the 

southeast, converging with Diaz Creek and then with Los Gatos Creek, which flows into Arroyo Pasajero 

near Coalinga and thence drains into a landlocked basin in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Clear Creek 

and Picacho Creek converge with the San Benito River, which discharges into the Pajaro River 

watershed, which drains into Monterey Bay. Larious Creek and both forks of San Carlos Creek flow to 

the north where they discharge to Silver Creek and thence into the Panoche Creek watershed, which 

drains into the San Joaquin River, which empties into San Francisco Bay. 

The topography of the CCMA is dominated by convex gently sloping ridges, with slopes becoming quite 

steep as they approach the stream channels and inner gorges. Elevations within the CCMA range from 

approximately 2,500 feet at the mouth of the drainage to 5,000 feet along the crest of the Diablo Range. 

The ridges and slopes are dominated by naturally occurring areas of serpentinite soils forming complexes 

of barren areas interspersed with chaparral and conifers. Climate within the Planning Area is 

Mediterranean with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers; there is commonly a water supply surplus in 

the winter and deficit during the summer (Cal Alive 2005). Annual precipitation varies across the 

Planning Area from 8 inches on the drier eastern side of the Diablo Mountains to 40 inches in Hernandez 

Valley.; the predominant form of precipitation is rainfall (CARA 2005). Water demand exceeds water 

supply in many areas throughout the Planning Area. 

The serpentine watershed and riparian areas in the CCMA have been subject to widespread surface 

disturbances over the last century. In general, the watershed conditions observed in the CCMA reflect 

naturally high rates of erosion that have been accelerated by human impacts. These watershed conditions 

result from a long history of surface disturbance, beginning in the mid-1850, from road construction, 

logging, and mineral exploration and extraction, and in more recent times by off-road vehicle travel and 

recreation. These watersheds have high erosion rates due to the steep, unstable slopes which are 

composed of soft sheared serpentine bedrock. Since the mid-1970's motorized vehicle recreation has 

been the dominant public use within the area. Road maintenance operations and techniques also influence

erosion and sedimentation rates. Maintenance of the route network is based on the BLM’s Protocol for 

Monitoring Soils, Vegetation, and Species of Concern On and Near Designated OHV Trails in California 

Lands Managed by the BLM (15 October 2002), to prioritize the work and determine the appropriate 

measures to reduce erosion and off-site sedimentation impacts, and to provide for safe motorized access. 

The riparian zones around the perennial streams and some intermittent streams, and the barren or sparsely 

vegetated serpentine slopes, exhibit a fragile ecology, diversity and assemblage of rare and unique plants. 

In addition, several special status plant and animal species occur in the CCMA and are dependent in some 
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available and safe for wildlife use. Prescribed fire to improve forage production is considered on a caseby-case basis. Livestock use of burned areas is determined by monitoring. 

3.11.3 Regional Setting 

The 1984 Hollister RMP stated “resource production on public lands is not significant in relation to the 

overall economy” (BLM 1984). However, a few industries and individuals are economically dependent 

on public lands. For example, 11 livestock operations, or 91 percent of the lessees in the Planning Area, 

are dependent on public lands for more than 10 percent of their forage needs. 

The overall pattern of livestock production in California is similar to the pattern on HFO public lands. In 

1992 California supported 22,700 livestock operations, which had a total inventory of over 5.5 million 

cattle and sheep. During the preceding years from 1987–1992, the number of beef cattle and sheep 

operations decreased 14 percent and 20 percent, respectively. While the numbers of sheep have 

decreased on sheep operations, the opposite is true for numbers of cattle, which have increased on cattle 

operations. The decrease in the number of cattle ranches coupled with an increase in the number of cattle 

has been a consistent trend for the past 30 years. 

3.11.4 Current Conditions and Trends 

Livestock grazing occurs on 14 grazing allotments with boundaries in and around CCMA, comprising a

total of 57,633 acres of BLM-administered lands located in southern San Benito and western Fresno 

counties. These allotments are identified in Table 3.11-1 and on Map 9 in Appendix I. 

Currently, 7,547 AUMs are leased on these fourteen grazing allotments, which include portions of CCMA 

and the Serpentine ACEC. Table 2.4-7 in Chapter 2 identifies the number of acres and AUMs for each 

grazing allotment. Based on management status, most of the grazing allotments need improvement and 

the balance require custodial or maintenance. These grazing allotments have been assessed for 

compliance with the Central California for Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines for Livestock 

Grazing Management (see Table 3.11-1). The standards for rangeland health and guidelines for livestock

management on BLM lands are written to accomplish the four fundamentals of rangeland health, insofar 

as the standards are affected by livestock grazing practices. The fundamentals are: 

Watersheds are properly functioning; 

Ecological processes are in order; 

Water Quality complies with State standards; and, 

Habitats of protected species are in order. 

A "standard" is the criterion to determine whether management actions are resulting in the maintenance or 

attainment of rangeland health. The standards are expressions of physical and biological conditions or 

degree of function required for healthy, sustainable rangelands. The allotments are classified into one of 

four categories depending on the results of the rangeland health surveys: Category 1 allotments are those 

that do not meet one or more of the standards and livestock grazing is the cause; Category 2 allotments 

are those that do meet all of the standards; Category 3 allotments do not meet one or more of the 

standards and the cause is unknown; and Category 4 allotments do not meet one or more of the standards 

and livestock is not the cause. 

Twenty-nine percent of the grazing allotments (or 4 allotments) meet all four rangeland health standards 

(see Table 3.11-1). Seventy-one percent (or 10 allotments) are not in compliance with one or more of the 
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3.18 Lands and Realty 

3.18.1 Introduction 

The lands and realty program can be divided between land tenure adjustments and land use 

authorizations. Land tenure adjustments focus primarily on land acquisition and disposal, while land use 

authorizations consist of BLM approvals of rights-of-ways (ROWs), utility corridors and communication 

sites, and other leases or permits. Scattered tracts of public lands are present throughout the Planning 

Area, complicating BLM’s ability to manage or control access or provide opportunity for enjoyment by 

the public. Opportunities exist to increase public benefits by disposing of some public lands through sale 

or exchange, or to acquire offered lands in areas that would enhance public enjoyment and facilitate 

resource management more efficiently. Acquired lands through previous land tenure adjustments are 

incorporated into this plan. 

3.18.2 Regulatory Framework 

3.18.2.1 Federal Regulations and Policies 

In addition to being consistent with the goals and objectives for natural resources within the Planning 

Area, land tenure decisions must conform to the following regulations and policies: 

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA)– Lands are to be retained 

in Federal ownership, unless it is determined that disposal of a particular parcel will serve the 

national interest. Land use plans should avoid prescribing the method of disposal, acquisition, or 

property interest to be acquired. 

FLPMA (Sales – Section 203, 43 USC 1713(a); Exchanges – Section 206, 43 USC 1716(a); 

and Reservation and Conveyance of Minerals – Section 209, 43 USC 1719(a)) or other 

statutes and regulations – Lands or interest in lands that are available for disposal must be 

identified by parcel or by specific areas (on a map or by legal description). 

Federal Land Transfer Facilitation Act (FLTFA) of 2000 – The FLTFA amended FLPMA to 

allow disposal in land use plans prior to July 25, 2000. The FLTFA currently does not apply to 

lands identified for disposal after July 25, 2000. 

Recreation and Public Purposes Act (RPPA) of 1954, 43 U.S.C. § 869, et seq.1 – The RPPA, 

as amended, authorizes sale or lease of public lands for recreational or public purposes to State 

and local governments, and to qualified nonprofit organizations. RPPA leases must be for 

definitively proposed project with reasonable timetable and satisfactory plans for development, 

they must meet FLPMA disposal criteria, and no lands having “national significance” can be 

conveyed. Amount leased must be “reasonable” – no set amount total, but limits the amount per 

year by entity and should be no more than is “reasonably necessary” for the proposed use. 

43 CFR 2740, 43 CFR 2912, 43 CFR 2911, and 43 CFR 2920 Land Use Authorizations –

Describes where and under what circumstances authorizations for use, occupancy, and 

development (such as major leases and land use permits) may be granted. 

43 CFR 2806 – Corridor Designation. Existing and potential ROW corridors (potential 

corridors include existing ROW routes with the potential for at least one additional facility and 

thus can be considered a corridor if not already designated) to minimize adverse environmental 

impacts and the proliferation of separate ROW. 
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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 

This chapter analyzes the environmental consequences, or impacts, that are expected to occur as a result 

of implementing the management actions for the range of alternatives and the Proposed Action described 

in Chapter 2. The depth and breadth of the impact analyses presented in this chapter is commensurate 

with the level of detail of the management actions presented in Chapter 2, and the availability and/or 

quality of data necessary to assess impacts. The baseline used for reasonably foreseeable effects is the 

current conditions in the Planning Area, as described in Chapter 3. These are the conditions that would be 

expected under the current management alternative (Alternative A: No Action Alternative). 

The BLM’s Proposed Action is derived from the “preferred alternative” identified in Chapter 2, Section 

2.5 of the Draft RMP & Draft EIS; and comprises a combination of land use authorizations and 

management actions proposed within the range of alternatives. Major changes to the Preferred Alternative 

are identfied in Section 2.1.1 of the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS and are incorporated into the 

Proposed Action. Therefore, the the “preferred alternative” considered in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS is 

not further evaluated in the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS. 

For the purpose of analysis, the impacts that are common among alternatives are grouped similar to 

Chapter 2. However, the intensity of impacts for each alternative are still based on the different 

combinations of management actions and varying levels of motorized or non-motorized access inside the 

Serpentine ACEC, and other allowable uses, land use authorizations, and the associated mitigation 

measures for public health and safety. 

Generally, the impact analysis for each resource program is organized into the following subsections: 

Introduction 

Overview of Impacts to Resources; 

Impacts and Mitigation Measures under Alternatives A, B, C, D, and E; 

Impacts and Mitigation Measures under Alternatives F and G; 

Impacts and Mitigation Measures under the Proposed Action. 

Cumulative effects under Alternatives A, B, C, D, and E; 

Cumulative effects under Alternatives F and G; 

Cumulative effects under the Proposed Action. 

4.0.1 Impact Analysis Methodology 

In general, impacts to resources in the Planning Area are analyzed by determining the effects on a given 

resource from its resource-specific management actions (e.g., the Recreation section addresses impacts to 

recreation from recreation management actions), and then by determining the effects on that resource 

from the management actions listed under other resources (e.g., the Recreation section addresses impacts 

to recreation from biological resources management actions). In some cases, the impacts to other 

resources from the management actions listed for that resource are also analyzed (e.g., the Livestock 

Grazing section also addresses impacts on biological resources from rangeland management actions). 

Impacts are related to desired future conditions by comparing the impacts from implementation of 

management actions to achieving the goals and objectives specified for each resource/resource program 

under the Proposed Action, and to the existing environmental conditions (under the No Action). For 

management actions that do not achieve the stated goals and objectives of the Proposed Action, or that 

generally do not meet BLM’s multiple use mandate, or that result in significant negative changes to 
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physical or social conditions, the impact is characterized as adverse. For management actions that do 

achieve goals and objectives, the impact is characterized as beneficial. If a management action does not 

specifically affect a desired future condition, there is no impact. Finally, if there is not enough specificity 

to determine whether a management action would achieve the goals and objectives, the impact can only 

be described in general terms. 

4.0.2 Types of Impacts to be Addressed 

4.0.2.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts 

Terms referring to the intensity, context (geographic extent), and duration of impacts are used in this 

chapter. Impacts are not necessarily only negative; many are positive benefits and are specified as such. 

The standard definitions for terms used in the impacts analysis include the following: 

Adverse – the effect is negative. 

Beneficial – the effect is positive. 

Negligible – the effect is at the lower level of detection; change would be hard to measure. 

Minor – the effect is slight but detectable; there would be a small change. 

Moderate – the effect is readily apparent; there would be a measurable change that could result in 

small but permanent change. 

Major – the effect is large; there would be a highly noticeable, long-term, or permanent 

measurable change. 

Localized – the effect occurs in a specific site or area. 

Temporary – the effect occurs only during implementation of a management action. 

Short-term – the effect occurs only for a short time after implementation of a management action. 

Long-term – the effect occurs for an extended period after implementation of a management 

action. 

Permanent – the effect is irreversible; the resource would never revert to current conditions. 

Direct – effect that occurs as a result of actions on the resource being addressed. 

Indirect – effect that occurs as a result from actions on other resources, or which are caused by 

the action and are later in time or farther removed in distance. 

4.0.2.2 Cumulative Effects 

40 CFR 1508.25 and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations require evaluation of an 

action’s potential to contribute to “cumulative” environmental impacts during the land use planning 

process. A cumulative impact is defined as: “The impact on the environment which results from the 

incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future 

actions, regardless of what agency or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result 

from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. 

Cumulative impacts can result from similar projects or actions, as well as from projects or actions that 

have similar impacts” (40 CFR 1508.7). Cumulative impacts are also addressed in this chapter. 

The objective of cumulative impact analysis is to evaluate the significance of the management alternatives 

and the Proposed Action’s contribution to cumulative environmental impacts. The past and present 
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actions are discussed in Chapter 3, Affected Environment, while the future actions are discussed in this 

chapter. 

4.0.3 Incomplete or Unavailable Information 

Impacts are quantified where possible. Impacts are sometimes described using ranges of potential impacts 

or in qualitative terms. In the absence of quantitative data, impacts are described based on the professional 

judgment of the interdisciplinary team of technical specialists using the best available information. 

Impacts analysis based on incomplete or unavailable information is identified where applicable in this 

chapter. In particular, uncertainties with regards to human health risks associated with asbestos 

and the impacts of public health and safety management actions are addressed in Section 4.2, 

Hazardous Materials and Public Health and Safety.

4.0.4 Mitigation Measures 

Mitigation measures designed to avoid or reduce impacts are incorporated into the management actions of 

each alternative and the Proposed Action, as defined in Chapter 2. Therefore, impacts identified in this 

chapter are unavoidable and would result from implementing the management actions and related 

mitigation measures. 

4.0.5 Assumptions 

The detailed impact analyses and conclusions are based on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) 

knowledge of resources and the project area, reviews of existing literature, and information provided by 

experts in BLM, other agencies, interest groups, and concerned citizens. Data from field investigations 

were used to quantify effects where possible. However, in the absence of quantitative data, qualitative 

information and best professional judgment was used. Acreage calculations, projected use levels, and 

other numbers used in this analysis are approximate and provided for comparison and analytic purposes; 

they do not reflect exact measures of on-the-ground situations. If an activity or action is not addressed in a 

given section, no impacts are expected or the impact is expected to be negligible, based on existing 

knowledge. 

Several general assumptions were made to facilitate the analysis of potential impacts. The assumptions 

listed below are common to all resources. Other assumptions specific to a particular resource are listed 

under that resource. 

EPA’s Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (2008) provides the best available 

information on the risk associated with exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in CCMA. 

Changes in BLM policies have been made since the 1984 RMP was approved. 

Funding and personnel would be sufficient to implement any alternative described. 

The Proposed Action would be implemented in accordance with all laws, regulations, and standard 

management guidelines/best management practices. 

The level of motorized recreation activity on BLM-administered land is expected to decline, while 

levels of non-motorized recreation activities would increase based on historical trends, population 

increases, and statements of interest in land use by individuals and industry organizations. This 

includes ongoing reasonable access to private land or interests. 

Climate change will affect the planning area and likely result in warmer and drier conditions. 
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4.1 Recreation 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goals for recreation management are to (1) provide a variety of experiences and settings for a 

diversity of users and to meet potential changes in demand while minimizing conflicts with 

adjacent property owners and among user groups; (2) provide a range of recreational use 

opportunities while protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources from human intrusion; (3) 

promote sharing of ideas, resources, and expertise to increase the public’s appreciation and 

understanding of natural and cultural resources on BLM public lands; and (4) disseminate 

information that will foster responsible behavior in order to achieve the highest possible 

environmental quality on BLM public lands. 

4.1.1 Introduction 

This section focuses on recreational opportunities and allowable uses, and impacts to users and resources. 

Section 4.15, “Social and Economic Conditions” addresses the social and economic value of recreation in 

the Planning Area. Motorized vehicle use for recreational purpose is described here; a discussion of 

vehicle use and route designations is included in Section 4.3, “Travel Management and Transportation.” 

The range of alternatives and the Proposed Action analyzed in this PRMP/FEIS were developed based on 

public comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS (2009), and in response to the purpose and need 

identified in Chapter 1, in order to evaluate overall protection of human health and the environment. The 

management alternatives provide a reasonable range of recreational opportunities to consider, as 

allowable uses and other restrictions are stratified among Motorized (A, B, C, D, E) and Non-motorized 

Alternatives (F and G). The Proposed Action would also provide limited vehicular access with an 

emphasis on non-motorized recreation opportunities across the management zones within the CCMA. 

The range of alternatives and the Proposed Action consider a variety of management actions to address 

human health risks from exposure to asbestos to CCMA recreational visitors. Under Alternative A (No 

Action), there would be no change to the type of allowable uses and recreation opportunities on BLMmanaged lands in CCMA. Whereas, under Alternatives B – G and the Proposed Action, BLM would use 

a combination of best management practices (BMPs) and administrative actions (i.e. require permits and 

enforce supplementary rules) to reduce human health risks from exposure to asbestos in CCMA. Under all 

the alternatives, BLM would augment the existing public asbestos hazard information program through 

improved signing, hand-outs, advisories, monitoring, public contact, and education programs with new 

information from the EPA’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment incorporated 

into these materials. 

Overnight camping and staging would be prohibited in the ACEC. Although certain other allowable uses,

competitive events, and commercial activities would also be prohibited within the Serpentine ACEC, the 

Proposed Action would allow vehicle access and scenic touring through the ACEC. Additionally, 

management of CCMA public lands would be focused on establishing and managing appropriate 

recreation opportunities on BLM-administered lands outside of the ACEC. 

4.1.2 Overview of Impacts 

This sub-section provides an overview of impacts that occur under all alternatives. The background and 

overall impact assessment is provided here and, as needed, further analysis, such as the location or 

severity of the impact, is provided under each alternative. 
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4.2 Hazardous Materials and Public Health & Safety 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goals for hazardous materials and public safety management are to (1) protect public health 

and safety and environmental resources by minimizing environmental contamination from past 

and present land uses (i.e., abandoned mine lands) on public lands and on BLM-owned and 

operated facilities; (2) comply with Federal, State, and local hazardous materials management 

laws and regulations; (3) maintain the health of ecosystems through assessment, cleanup, and 

restoration of contaminated lands; (4) manage the costs, risks, and liabilities associated with 

hazardous materials so that the responsible parties and not the government bear the brunt of 

financial liabilities; and (5) integrate environmental protection and compliance with all 

environmental statutes into BLM activities. 

4.2.1 Introduction 

BLM’s mission to sustain the health diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and 

enjoyment of present and future generations includes efforts to minimize and reduce threats from releases 

of hazardous substances that could have an impact on the health, diversity, and productivity of the public 

lands as well as on the health and safety of the individuals who utilize and work on these lands. The 

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 requires that BLM actions comply with approved 

standards for public health and safety. Of particular concern to BLM are the safety impacts related to 

abandoned mines, debris flows, and hazardous materials. 

Under all the management alternatives and the Proposed Action, BLM would continue to ensure proper 

handling of hazardous materials and wastes; identify mine-related, illegal dumps and other public land 

hazards, eliminating or mitigating them as soon as possible; and identify and resolve mining-related 

trespasses, especially public safety conflicts occurring with visitor use. 

4.2.1.1 Assumptions 

Asbestos Exposure Scenarios for Recreation Activities 

The CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment (EPA 2008) analyzed excess 

lifetime cancer risk under the current management situation (No Action Alternative) based on the average 

number of hours visitors spend in the ACEC conducting different types of recreation activities. The same 

recreation scenarios are presented in this PRMP/FEIS to estimate human health risk from exposure to 

asbestos while conducting different types of recreation activities in the Serpentine ACEC. BLM modified 

the number of hours visitors spent in the ACEC for each recreation scenario based on public comments on 

the Draft RMP/EIS, as illustrated in Table 4.2-1 below. The scenarios were then analyzed by EPA 

toxicologists to determine the human health risk associated with each activity. The results of the EPA 

analysis are presented in Tables 4.2-2 to 4.2-9 below. 

The following general principles were used to calculate the human health risk from exposure to asbestos 

presented in Tables 4.2-2 to 4.2-9. 

1. Risk calculations will be performed for the 30-year adult, 30-year combined (12-year child + 18 

year adult), and 12-year child exposures. 

2. Risk calculations for each scenario will be performed for mean air concentrations and the 95% 

upper confidence limit (UCL). 
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4.3 Travel and Transportation Management 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goals for travel management are to (1) continue to maintain roads for resource management 

purposes; (2) continue to support local counties and the State of California in providing a network 

of roads for movement of people, goods, and services across public lands; (3) manage motorized 

access use to protect resource values, promote public safety, provide responsible motorized 

access use opportunities where appropriate and minimize conflicts among various user groups.

4.3.1 Introduction 

Travel management is the process of planning for and managing access and transportation systems on the 

public lands. Travel management planning should address all resource values and uses and accompanying 

modes and conditions of travel on public lands, and impacts to resources associated with the travel 

network. These include travel and transportation access needs for all the BLM-administered programs and 

resource management activities, including activities and access associated with mineral and energy 

development, rights-of-way and utility corridors, livestock management, wildlife and vegetation 

management, fire, lands and realty, and recreation. 

All routes in the Planning Area are assigned one of four travel management designations: (1) open to 

motorized or mechanized cross-country travel, (2) limited to designated routes, (3) closed to motorized 

and mechanized travel, or (4) closed to all public use. 

In 1999, CCMA was designated a “Limited” OHV use area available for motorized recreation on 

designated routes and trails. In 2006, BLM approved the CCMA RMP Amendment for Route 

Designation, which identified “open” routes and trails on CCMA public lands. Therefore, the baseline for 

the analysis of impacts from BLM transportation management actions is limited to routes on public lands 

designated ‘open’ in the 2006 ROD.

4.3.2 Overview of Impacts 

4.3.2.1 Impacts from Travel Management Actions 

This subsection provides an overview of impacts on this resource. The background and overall impact 

assessment is provided here and, as needed, further analysis, such as the location or severity of the 

impact, is provided under each alternative. 

Vehicle Use Area and Route Designations 

All of the designated routes under each alternative were selected from routes previously designated as 

open in the 2006 CCMA RMP amendment. The BLM planning team developed extensive criteria for 

evaluating routes and areas in the 2006 route designation process. These designation criteria address a 

variety of management issues and concerns, including compliance with statutory guidelines. Designation 

decisions are be based on a variety of data, including previous studies, field inventory data, biological, 

environmental, cultural, natural and recreation resources, land use, and land ownership. This process is 

standardized, repeatable, and can be logically followed; it assesses each route and area, and documents 

that assessment; and establishes a clear link between the designation decision and the rational for that 
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4.4 Biological Resources – Vegetation 

For ease of use, the management goals from Chapter 2.4 are reiterated here: 

The goals for vegetation resources are to (1) restore, maintain, or improve ecological conditions, 

natural diversity, and associated watersheds of high value, high-risk, native plant communities 

and unique plant assemblages and (2) restore degraded landscapes and plant communities. 

4.4.1 Introduction 

Within the CCMA, many vegetation types are correlated with soil type. Likewise impacts to vegetation 

are closely related to impacts to soils. The Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) consists of 

the serpentine soil group and the San Benito River, Condon Peak/White Creek, Cantua, and Tucker 

Mountain Zones consist of the nonserpentine soil group. Vegetation types may be grouped into upland or 

riparian. Riparian vegetation is generally more sensitive to impacts than upland vegetation. 

For the purpose of analysis: Vegetation types are grouped and analyzed as “serpentine riparian,” 

“serpentine upland,” “nonserpentine riparian,” and “nonserpentine upland.” Analysis of impacts to 

vegetation resources is focused upon the location and intensity of the activity with respect to the general 

soil type, serpentine or nonserpentine, which supports the corresponding vegetation type, riparian or 

upland. 

Decisions relating to vegetation management will be within the context of the Standards and Guidelines 

for Rangeland Health in Central California (hereinafter referred to as the Standards and Guidelines). 

Vegetation structure and composition are key components of rangeland health. The management goals 

are achieved by 1) maintaining or improving current ecological values and processes, productivity, and 

biological diversity, 2) rehabilitating areas affected by wildland fire and other surface-disturbing activities 

to stabilize soils and promote growth of desired plant communities, and 3) preventing the introduction 

and proliferation of noxious weeds. Table 4.4-1 through Table 4.4-12 provides an overview of the 

management actions that would affect vegetation and how disturbance as dictated by the Proposed Action 

would impact vegetation. 
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4.5 Biological Resources – Fish & Wildlife 

For ease of plan reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goal for management of fish and wildlife is to provide diverse, structured, resilient, and 

connected habitat on a landscape level to support viable and sustainable populations of wildlife, fish, 

and other aquatic organisms. 

4.5.1 Introduction 

This section describes the effects and potential impacts of implementing the Proposed Action presented in 

Chapter 2 on those resources identified in Chapter 3. With respect to wildlife habitat, Alternative A 

would continue the management direction outlined in the 1984 Hollister Resource Management Plan 

(RMP) as amended. The 1984 Hollister RMP does not address the potential changes and impacts on 

natural resources within the Planning Area, such as significant population growth, increased recreation 

uses, and acquisition of additional Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-managed lands. The Proposed 

Action would also continue management of wildlife habitat, but would also provide for conservation of 

natural resources, emphasizing habitat enhancement to increase commodity production (i.e., game 

species), and public access to BLM lands. 

4.5.2 Overview of Impacts 

This subsection provides an overview of impacts that occur under all alternatives, divided into those 

management actions that occur within this resource program and those management actions that fall under 

other resource programs. The background and overall impact assessment is provided here, and further 

analysis, as needed, such as the location of severity of the impact, is provided for each alternative. 

4.5.2.1 Wildlife Habitat Management Actions 

Habitat Maintenance, Protection, or Improvement 

The overarching goal of managing for wildlife is to maintain and improve habitat. Strategies for habitat 

improvement and maintenance include simple protection (administrative closure, exclusion fencing), 

stabilization (streambank armoring), and restoration (revegetation and reintroduction). 

Goals that promote water quality and vegetative resources would tend to also promote wildlife habitat. 

Impacts from management actions on water resources, vegetation, or special-status species can also have 

direct effects on wildlife habitat. These actions include watershed, riparian, or vegetation restoration 

efforts; plant collection; and commercial woodcutting. In general, watershed improvement, riparian 

revegetation, and other restoration and stabilization efforts would benefit wildlife because healthy water 

and plant communities are essential to wildlife habitat. Narrow conflicts do occasionally arise. An 

example of such a conflict is the discovery that giant kangaroo rats, an endangered species, promote the 

spread of nonnative grassland species, causing a potential conflict between kangaroo rat management and 

native plant restoration. Such instances are generally uncommon. 

Collection of wildflowers, seeds, seedlings, rhizomes, stolons, roots, and whole plants for commercial and 

non-commercial purposes could have detrimental effects on native plant populations, especially on 

special status species. The impacts of collecting whole plants or plant parts would have short- or longterm implications, depending on plant species, reproductive strategies, type of tissues removed, and vigor. 

Commercial woodcutting could degrade plant communities and watersheds by compacting soils, 

decreasing soil-water infiltration, increasing soil erosion, encouraging weed proliferation, and decreasing 
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469

4.6 Biological Resources – Special Status Species 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goals for management of special status species are to (1) protect and/or improve habitat 

necessary to recover populations of sensitive or special status species, and (2) manage Bureau of 

Land Management (BLM) land to maintain, restore, or enhance populations and habitat of special 

status fish, wildlife, and plant species. 

4.6.1 Introduction 

This section describes the effects and potential impacts of implementing the Proposed Action presented in 

Chapter 2 on those resources identified in Chapter 3.6. Impacts to vegetation (Chapter 4.4; Biological 

Resources - Vegetation), wildlife habitat (Chapter 4.5; Biological Resources – Wildlife Habitat), and soils 

(Chapter 4.8; Soil Resources) are similar to impacts to both plant and animal special status species. 

The term ‘special status species’ is used in this section to refer to all species listed with U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, and 

the State of California, and to special status species listed with BLM. 

The No Action alternative would continue the management direction outlined in the 1984 Hollister 

Resource Management Plan (RMP) as amended. The 1984 Hollister RMP does not address those species 

that have been listed as threatened, endangered, species of concern, or rare with the USFWS, NOAA 

Fisheries, or the State of California, or those that have been listed as species of concern with BLM. 

Alternatives B through G and the Proposed Action would all provide added focus for improvement and 

protection of special status species habitat, and also provide specific management direction for the Clear 

Creek Management Area. 

Impacts to special status plant species are strongly associated with impacts to vegetation (Chapter 4.4; 

Biological Resources – Vegetation; Tables 4.4-1 through 4.4-12) and soils (Chapter 4.8; Soil Resources; 

Tables 4.8-1 through 4.8-10). Like vegetation, special status plant species often have a high affinity for 

particular soil types, such as serpentine. 

San Benito evening primrose, a federally-listed Threatened plant species which is a local serpentine 

endemic within the CCMA, is singled out and analyzed separately from all other special status plant 

species due to its high list status and the large number of management actions which are specific to it. 

The majority of San Benito evening primrose populations and potential habitat occur on two habitat 

types: 1) serpentine stream terraces, and 2) serpentine-nonserpentine geologic transition zones. Riparian 

serpentine stream terrace habitat is the primary type of habitat within the interior of the Serpentine ACEC 

(“serpentine riparian”). Streams that flow from inside the Serpentine ACEC to outside of the Serpentine 

ACEC, deposit serpentine alluvium in that zone (“nonserpentine riparian”). San Benito evening primrose 

populations and potential habitat have been documented to occur there. San Benito evening primrose 

also occurs on serpentine soils in upland geologic transition zones between serpentine and nonserpentine 

rock types at the Serpentine ACEC boundary (“serpentine upland”). Additionally, the species has been 

documented on serpentine landslides and a few shale outcrops outside of the Serpentine ACEC 

(“nonserpentine upland”). As a result, impacts to all four habitat groups are analyzed.

For the purpose of analysis: San Benito evening primrose is analyzed separately from all of the other 

special status plant species. Analysis of impacts to special status plant species is focused upon the 

location and intensity of the activity with respect to the general soil (serpentine or nonserpentine) and 

vegetation (riparian or upland) type, which provides habitat for the special status species group. 
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4.7 Air Quality 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goal for air quality management is to ensure that BLM authorizations and management 

activities comply with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and local, State, 

and Federal air quality regulations, requirements, State Implementation Plans, and Regional Air 

Board standards and goals.

4.7.1 Introduction 

This section addresses impacts to air quality from activities allowed under other resource programs. The 

primary air quality impacts that can be reasonably expected to occur are vehicle and dust emissions 

associated with off-highway vehicle recreation and motorized access on BLM lands. As described under 

the purpose and need in Chapter 1, this RMP/EIS also incorporates new information about CCMA visitor 

health risk from the Environmental Protection Agency’s CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health 

Risk Assessment to address public health and safety and resources protection issues in CCMA. The 

analysis of management alternatives, including the Proposed Action, and their associated human health 

risk from exposure to airborne asbestos emissions is addressed under “Hazardous Materials and Public 

Health and Safety” in Sections 4.2.

Other air quality impacts evaluated in this PRMP/FEIS include hazardous air pollutant (HAP) and 

particulate matter emissions from fire management activities, energy and minerals development, route 

maintenance, and other BLM management activities and land use authorizations. 

4.7.1.2 Assumptions and Incomplete or Unavailable Information 

4.7.1.2.1 Air Conformity Analysis 

In lieu of preparing another air conformity analysis for the Proposed CCMA RMP and Final EIS, the 

Hollister Field Office considers the 2005 analysis to be adequate to determine conformity because all the 

management alternatives and the Proposed Action would substantially reduce emissions associated with 

BLM’s land use decisions and public vehicle use in the CCMA from the current management (No Action 

Alternative). Based on this assumption, Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, G, and the Proposed Action each 

conform with all applicable local, state, and federal air quality laws, regulations, and statutes, as defined 

in the San Joaquin Valley, CA (Fresno County) Planning Area State Implementation Plan (SIP) because 

the potential total emissions are well below de minimis levels: 

Per 40 CFR 93.153(b)(1) 

<50 T/Y NOx ; 

<50 T/Y VOC (Serious Ozone NAA); 

<70 T/Y PM-10 (Serious PM-10 NAA); and 

<70 T/Y PM-2.5 (PM-2.5 NAA) 

4.7.1.2.2 Climate Change 

Secretarial Order No. 3289, Amendment No. 1, dated February 22, 2010, reinstated the provisions of 

Secretarial Order No. 3226, signed on January 19, 2001, requiring all Department of the Interior agencies 

to evaluate climate change impacts in management planning. The most recent order states: “Each bureau 

and office of the Department must consider and analyze potential climate change impacts when 

undertaking long-range planning exercises, setting priorities for scientific research and investigations, 
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4.9 Water Resources 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goals for water resources management are to (1) maintain, restore, or improve water quality 

and quantity to sustain the designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and (2) ensure that surface 

and groundwater quality comply with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and with California State 

standards.

4.9.1 Introduction 

Management decisions can impact water quality, water quantity, and availability of water for multiple 

uses, as well as the watershed Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) for both surface water and 

groundwater. Water resource management must take into account both intra- and inter-resource 

relationships. Impacts to water quality analyzed in this section are based on management actions 

described in the range of alternatives and the Proposed Action for recreation, transportation, fire 

management, livestock grazing, energy and minerals development, and resource protection measures 

identified for soil resources. 

4.9.2 Overview of Impacts 

Water resource management decisions generally focus on actions that maintain, restore, or improve water 

quality and quantity to sustain the designated beneficial uses on BLM lands and ensure that surface and 

groundwater comply with the U.S. Clean Water Act and California State standards. Other management 

actions have the potential to impact water resources through the implementation of various resource 

programs, as described below. 

4.9.2.1 Water Resources Management Actions 

The management actions specified for water resources focus on protecting water quality, maintaining or 

enhancing overall watershed function, and managing water availability on BLM lands for an array of 

users. 

4.9.2.2 Other Management Actions 

The following resource programs have the potential to impact water resources: 

Recreation & Travel and Transportation Management 

Development and use of recreational roads and trails can affect water quality through sediment-laden 

runoff and the introduction of contaminants to surface waters. 

Fire Management 

The frequency and location of prescribed fires and methods in which prescribed fires and wildfires are 

suppressed can impact water quality through increased overland flow and resulting sedimentation and 

introduction of chemical contaminants to water bodies. Fire suppression activities can affect watershed 

function by destruction of riparian vegetation. Introduction of noxious weeds following wildfires can also 

adversely affect watershed function. 

Livestock Grazing 
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4.10 Special Designations 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goals for ACECs/RNAs are to identify and manage ACECs and RNAs to protect and 

prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife 

resources or other natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards. 

The goals and objectives for managing Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) are the same under 

all alternatives, including the Proposed Action. For designated wilderness areas, BLM is required 

to manage the areas consistent with the Act of designation and the Wilderness Act of 1964, as

applicable. More specific management direction can be found in 3 CFR 6300. BLM is required 

to manage WSAs consistent with Section 603 of the FLPMA and the H-8550-1 Handbook 

(Interim Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review) until Congress designates the 

area(s) as wilderness or releases them from the Section 603 FLPMA provision. If the areas are 

released, they would be managed consistent with the provisions within the RMP. 

The goal for managing Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWCs) is to emphasize other 

multiple uses while applying management restrictions (conditions of use, mitigation measures) to 

reduce impacts to wilderness characteristics. Management of LWCs is part of BLM’s multiple 

use mandate. Lands within the CCMA were inventoried in 2011 in accordance with IM 2011-154,

to identify public lands with wilderness characteristics such as naturalness, opportunities for 

solitude, primitive and unconfined recreation, and other associated qualities. 

4.10.1 Introduction 

This section focuses on the environmental impacts that management actions may have on the suitability 

of CCMA public lands for a special designation or protective management. Special designations are 

eligible based on the presence of particular values and qualities. These areas are designated through 

different processes and managed under special considerations. Special designations in the CCMA include 

the Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), the San Benito Mountain Research 

Natural Area (RNA), and the San Benito Mountain Wilderness Study Areas (WSA). There are 

approximately 5,030 acres of lands with wilderness characteristics (LWCs) located in the Cantua Zone. 

Each special designation area is managed according to the land use allocations described in Chapter 2. 

There are no Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs) designated in CCMA. 

There are no changes or modifications to the existing special designations in CCMA under the range of 

alternatives because the designation of the Serpentine ACEC in the 1984 Hollister RMP (as amended) is 

based on human health risks associated with exposure to asbestos within the serpentine soils. The 

boundaries of the ACEC were defined by mapping of asbestos soils derived from the New Idria 

serpentine formation. This ACEC is referred to frequently as the Hazardous Asbestos Area (HAA), and 

maintaining the current ACEC designation highlights the areas where special management attention is 

needed to protect human life and safety from natural hazards and prevent irreparable damage to important 

natural, cultural, and scenic resources. 

As outlined in Section 3.10, there are two types of wilderness-related management allocations discussed 

in this RMP. The first involves continued interim management of the 1,500-acre San Benito Mountain 

WSA. This area was analyzed in a previous EIS and must be managed under BLM’s Interim Management 

Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review (BLM 1995) under all RMP alternatives to protect its 

wilderness values until Congress determines whether it should be designated as part of the National 

Wilderness Preservation System. Under all of the plan alternatives, no or negligible impacts would occur 
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4.11 Livestock Grazing 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goals for livestock grazing management are to (1) provide for a sustainable level of livestock 

grazing consistent with other resource objectives, (2) identify lands and forage available for 

livestock grazing, and (3) achieve the standards and implement guidelines for rangeland health as 

outlined in the Central California Standards and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing (hereafter 

referred to as the Standards and Guidelines). 

4.11.1 Introduction 

Hollister Field Office land use decisions relating to the management of rangeland resources and livestock 

grazing are made in accordance with parameters defined by current BLM grazing regulations and the 

Central California Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines (hereinafter, the Standards and 

Guidelines). Upon BLM approval in 2000, the Standards and Guidelines were amended into the 1984 

Hollister RMP. An interdisciplinary team of BLM resources specialists monitors rangeland health to 

determine compliance with the Standards and Guidelines. 

4.11.2 Overview of Impacts 

This subsection provides an overview of impacts to rangeland resources that could occur under the 

various alternatives. The background and overall assessment is provided here and further analysis, such as 

the location or severity of the impact, is provided under each alternative. 

4.11.2.1 Livestock Grazing 

Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines 

Variance from one or more of the standards indicates that rangeland health may be compromised and 

corrective actions for livestock grazing may be required. Where livestock grazing would limit attainment 

of the standards for rangeland health, rangeland management guidelines would be implemented as 

necessary to attain the standards. Current grazing levels would be maintained until analysis of monitoring 

data and/or evaluation of rangeland health assessments identifies a need for adjustment to meet objective 

standards for rangeland health. The Hollister Field Office (HFO) lands that are found to be unsuitable for 

livestock grazing, or that contain resource values that cannot be adequately protected from livestock 

impacts through mitigating measures or implementation of rangeland guidelines, would not be allocated 

to livestock grazing. Finally, HFO lands determined by evaluation of inventory, monitoring, or rangeland 

health assessment to be without forage that is or would be available for livestock through implementation 

of rangeland guidelines would not be allocated to livestock grazing. In summary, management actions 

that comply with the standards and guidelines have beneficial impacts to natural resources. 

Livestock Management, Including Forage, Grazing Season, and Use Levels 

The HFO prepares Allotment Management Plans (AMPs) that specify livestock management, including 

type of livestock, season of use, level of use (specified as AUMs), and grazing intensity. The grazing 

season would be established based on impacts on other resources and resource use. Grazing in Areas of 

Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and/or areas where special status plant species occur will be 

carefully monitored to determine if adverse impacts to protected resources are occurring. If an allotment 

fails to comply with the Standards and Guidelines and monitoring determines that grazing is the cause, 

then provisions would be provided to make the necessary adjustments to bring about compliance. 

Livestock distributions across HFO allotments are not uniform due to terrain, soil, and forage variations. 
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4.12 Energy and Minerals 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

Establish guidelines for managing resources to allow development of energy and minerals 

resources to meet the demand for energy and mineral production while protecting natural and 

cultural resources in the area. 

4.12.1 Introduction 

Management actions for energy and minerals include various requirements for the different types of 

possible exploration and development: oil and gas, mineral, wind, and geothermal. 

The BLM’s 2005 Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario for Oil and Gas (Appendix VIII) for 

the Hollister Field Office shows the CCMA is considered to have low to moderate potential for oil and 

gas production, so it is unlikely that any wells would be drilled on BLM-administered lands. Over the 

last 10 years, no oil and gas wells have been drilled on Federal lands within the CCMA, and no oil and 

gas exploration or production, currently takes place in the CCMA. No commercial-scale wind energy or 

geothermal power facilities exist within the Planning Area either, although there is and some limited 

mineral production on private lands and casual use mining claims on CCMA public lands. 

4.12.2 Overview of Impacts 

4.12.2.1 Energy and Minerals Management Actions 

The BLM has estimated that over the next 15 to 20 years there will be no more than 15 exploratory and 

development wells drilled on Federal lands in the entire Hollister Field Office. The BLM has assumed 

that there would be some pipelines and roads associated with the drilling as well as some seismic 

exploration. This is estimated to have a total disturbance of 74 acres, of which one third (26 acres) would 

be temporary and would be mostly or fully restored within a few months to a couple of years of 

construction, as noted in the BLM’s 2005 Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario for Oil and 

Gas (Appendix VIII). 

The majority of the BLM public lands that are considered as having high potential for oil and gas are 

outside of CCMA, and therefore would not be affected by the range of alternatives in Chapter 2. 

Potential impacts from BLM management actions associated with mineral exploration and development 

include (1) restriction of access to minerals, wind energy sites, and oil and gas, which may limit 

production and increase dependence on other domestic sources or foreign energy sources; (2) decreased 

income from the local production of these materials, and (3) the unavailability of local building stone or 

other raw mineral materials. 

Additionally, potential impacts associated with wind energy and geothermal exploration and development 

would be restriction of access to areas where wind or geothermal production potential exists, which may 

result in decreased local production of electricity and decreased local income from local construction and 

operation employment opportunities associated with these energy developments. This is also addressed 

in Section 4.15, “Social and Economic Conditions.” 

Potential direct and indirect impacts from energy and minerals exploration and development to natural 

resources could include disturbed land, increased vehicular traffic, decreased scenic opportunities and 

visual quality, impacts on habitat, noise, air emissions (dust and pollutant air quality), and increased 
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605

4.15 Social and Economic Conditions 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goal for social and economic conditions is to manage public lands to provide social and 

economic benefits to local residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations. 

4.15.1 Introduction 

As described in Section 3.15.2, the population of the Planning Area is large by any standard, but 

especially so relative to the small public land base administered by the HFO. The population within the 

HFO boundaries is important because it represents the potential user and customer base that could make 

demands on BLM resources based on the land use allocations identified under the Proposed Action. 

Nevertheless, the size of the economy associated with the population within the Planning Area would 

dwarf any of the social and economic contributions made by public land resources. 

To better focus on local population pressures and local socioeconomic impacts, two analysis areas were 

defined within the larger population and economy of the HFO – the Central Coast and the Diablo Range. 

The Central Coast focuses on Santa Clara, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. The Diablo Range analysis 

area focuses on San Benito, Fresno, and Merced Counties and is where CCMA is located. 

Table 4.15-1 describes projected population growth in individual counties, the Central Coast analysis 

area, the Diablo Range analysis area, and California, between 2000 and 2030, representing the period 

during which the CCMA RMP would be implemented. 

Table 4.15-1 Projected Population Growth, 2000–2030, HFO and Local Analysis Areas 

County 2000 2010 2020 2030 % Increase 

2000-30

Fresno 803,401 949,961 1,114,654 1,297,476 61.5

Merced 210,876 277,715 360,831 437,880 107.6

San Benito 53,770 62,530 73,547 84,727 57.6

 Diablo Range 1,068,047 1,290,206 1,549,032 1,820,083 70.4

Santa Clara 1,691,183 1,844,146 2,006,992 2,152,963 27.3

Monterey 403,636 453,292 505,359 556,962 38.0

Santa Cruz 256,874 271,222 286,044 294,711 14.7

 Central Coast 2,351,693 2,568,660 2,798,395 3,004,636 27.8

CA State Total (mil.) 34.0 39.2 43.9 48.1 41.5

Growth in the entire 12 county Hollister Field Office boundary is projected to be about 44 percent over 

this period. The fastest rates of growth would be in those counties that make up the Diablo Range analysis 

area, which is projected to grow over 200 percent during the period, compared to the 80 percent growth 

expected in the Central Coast analysis area. These estimates speak to the anticipated continuation of high 

annual growth rates in the areas of the San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley, where the cost of living, 

especially the cost of housing, is generally lower. Growth in Santa Cruz County would be very low, 

whereas Monterey County’s growth would be about the same as that of the state. Most of Monterey 

County’s growth would occur in the Salinas Valley, in the communities of Salinas, Gonzales, and 

Soledad; which are all in close proximity to the CCMA. In addition, population growth in Marina is 

expected to exceed 100 percent, as development increases on the former Fort Ord lands. (AMBAG 2004). 
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4.16 Visual Resources Management 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goal for visual resource management is to manage public land actions and activities in a 

manner consistent with visual resource management (VRM) class objectives.

4.16.1 Introduction 

As outlined in Section 3.16.2, visual resource management (VRM) classes are assigned to the various 

parts of the landscape based on visual characteristics and/or to meet management objectives. These range 

from preserving a natural landscape and existing characteristics (Class I) to providing for management 

activities that allow major modification of the landscape (Class IV). While numerous management 

activities can impact visual values, the most significant impacts are large-scale or cumulative grounddisturbing activities that alter the existing form, line, color, and texture of the existing landscape. 

Impacts to visual resources are considered major if they substantially change or degrade the character of 

the landscape as seen from sensitive viewsheds, or if the allowable modifications exceed VRM 

classifications. While topography can allow for some landscape modifications, many types of disturbance, 

such as roads and artificial structures, can dominate the landscape depending on their size, distance, 

topographic position, presence or absence of screening, and contrast with surrounding conditions. 

Viewsheds deemed to be of high value are those that have high scenic quality, such as the Joaquin 

Ridge/Rocks area west of U.S. Interstate 5, or other areas in CCMA with high visual sensitivity due to a 

large amount of public interest and viewing, such as San Benito Mountain and Hernandez Valley. 

Since all BLM-administered lands in the Planning Area have been previously evaluated and been 

assigned VRM Classes III or IV, with the exception of San Benito Mountain WSA (VRM Class 1), this 

RMP/EIS will not elaborate on the methodology employed to assign the classifications. 

4.16.2 Overview of Impacts 

4.16.2.1 Visual Resource Management Actions 

Designation of VRM classes for certain geographic areas within the Planning Area is the main variable in 

determining the level of impacts to visual resources.

4.16.2.2 Other Management Actions 

Impacts to visual resources can result from a variety of other management actions, including fire 

management, recreation, and energy and mineral development. 

Wildfire and Prescribed Burns 

For all alternatives, management actions would limit bulldozer use on wildfires and prescribed burns in 

the ACEC due to human health risks, and outside the ACEC, where possible, for other resources 

concerns. All other actions relating to wildfires and prescribed burns would be designed to maintain a 

particular area’s VRM classification.

The most important effect to visual resources from wildfire and prescribed burns is the modified nature of 

the landscape following a fire. Charred vegetation, downed timber, and discolored soils and rock can 

affect the quality of the visual landscape. These effects can be widespread and long-term. 
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4.17 Fire Management 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are restated here: 

The goals for fire management are to (1) establish a fire management program that is costefficient and commensurate with threats to life, property, public safety, and resources, (2) use fire 

to restore and/or sustain ecosystem health, (3) cooperate with communities at risk within the 

wildland-urban interface to develop plans for risk reduction, (4) cooperate with regional partners 

in fire and resource management across agency boundaries, and (5) reduce man-made fires, with 

a special emphasis on reductions in developed areas such as communities, campgrounds, and 

transportation corridors. 

4.17.1 Introduction 

Wildland fire management includes using prescribed fire and non-fire fuel treatments to modify 

vegetation communities to achieve beneficial uses of wildland resources. Federal fire policy requires that 

appropriate management responses to wildland fire be defined for all Hollister Field Office (HFO) lands 

in a Fire Management Plan (FMP) that is tiered to the Hollister Resource Management Plan (RMP). The 

purpose of fire and fuels management is to identify and integrate HFO fire management with participating 

Federal and State agency fire and fuels management. Under all of the alternatives being considered in 

this RMP/EIS, management direction would allow fire to continue to be used to achieve desired resources 

goals and objectives, provided the BLM’s fire management program is cost-efficient and commensurate 

with objectives involving the threat of fire to life, property, public safety, and resources. 

4.17.2 Overview of Impacts 

This subsection provides background information and an overview of impacts that would be common to 

all alternatives. 

4.17.2.1 Fire Management Actions 

Wildland Fire 

Wildland fire, defined as any non-structure fire occurring in the wildland, includes prescribed fire and 

wildfire. Prescribed fire is used to accomplish resource management objectives. Prescribed fires are 

planned fires ignited by resource managers. Fires that occur from natural causes such as lightning that are 

then used to achieve management purposes under carefully controlled conditions with minimal 

suppression costs are known as wildfirse. Wildfires are unwanted and unplanned fires that result from 

natural ignition, unauthorized human-caused fire, or escaped prescribed fire. Managing wildfires for 

multiple resource objectives is currently not identified in the Hollister FMP, 2011) 

Prescribed Fire 

Prescribed fire would be used for specific management goals in the Planning Area. Prescribed fire could 

be used to accomplish a number of resource management purposes, such as reducing the amount of 

hazardous fuels, improving plant species diversity, increasing livestock forage production, abating 

noxious and invasive weeds, and improving wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire would be used particularly in 

chaparral vegetation to reduce hazardous fuel, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance watersheds. Multiple 

resource management objectives would often be achieved concurrently. Prescribed fire would not occur 

in habitat, cultural, and paleontological resource-sensitive areas. 
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4.18 Lands and Realty 

For ease of reference, the management goals from Chapter 2 are reiterated here: 

The goal for lands and realty management is to provide lands, interests in land, and authorizations 

for public and private uses while maintaining and improving resource values and public land 

administration. 

4.18.1 Introduction 

Land tenure adjustments and land use authorizations are BLM activities that would occur under the 

Proposed Action. Alternative A represents the “No Action” alternative required by NEPA, and would 

reaffirm current management under the existing 1984 RMP (BLM 1984) and its associated amendments 

(1986, 1999, 2006). All alternatives would maintain existing land use authorizations and rights of ways in 

CCMA for private land owners, communication sites, and mining claims. The Proposed Action would 

emphasize protection of human health and safety by incorporating mitigation measures into land use 

authorizations for rights-of-ways and communication sites in CCMA to reduce exposure to airborne 

asbestos fibers. 

The Proposed Action emphasizes acquisition of lands to support new recreation opportunities in the 

Tucker, Condon, and Cantua Zones. The Proposed Action would restrict public access and development 

in the ACEC and only authorize new recreation facilities outside the ACEC. Management actions within 

the lands and realty program are administrative in nature and require subsequent analysis at the project 

level to determine site-specific resources issues and alternatives for implementation. Therefore, there 

would be no direct environmental impacts to the human environment under the Proposed Action or any of 

the alternatives. Other programs and resources would be affected by failure to complete the required 

resources screening and analysis prior to any land use authorization, acquisition, exchange, or disposal. 

4.18.2 Overview of Impacts from Lands and Realty 

4.18.2.1 Lands and Realty Management Actions 

Land Disposal, Acquisition, and Exchanges 

For all alternatives, direct impacts upon lands and realty program would be administrative in nature. The 

management actions would assure more efficient management of public lands and greater preservation 

and enhancement of biological resources in important areas. 

Land Use Authorizations 

For all alternatives, direct impacts upon lands and realty program would be administrative in nature. The 

management actions would assure some level of land use authorizations including development 

opportunities for energy and minerals, utility corridor, wind energy, and telecommunications. The 

varying degrees of access allowed in the ACEC and elimination of a county road network would directly 

impact landowners within the ACEC. The BLM would provide reasonable access and the landowners 

would be required to pay annual rent for their access.
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5.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 

5.1 Introduction 

This document has been prepared with input from interested agencies, organizations, and individuals. 

Public involvement is a vital component of the resource management planning process and environmental 

impact statement preparation for vesting the public in the effort and allowing for full environmental 

disclosure. Guidance for implementing public involvement is codified in 40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 

1610, thereby ensuring that BLM makes a diligent effort to involve the public in the preparation of RMPs 

EISs. Public involvement for the CCMA RMP was primarily conducted in two phases, as follows: 

Public scoping prior to NEPA analysis to obtain public input on issues, the scope of the analysis, 

and to develop the proposed alternatives, and 

Public review and comment on the Draft RMP/EIS, which provides disclosure of potential 

environmental impacts and opportunity to revise the Proposed RMP and Final EIS based on 

substantive issues and concerns. 

A summary of the earlier public scoping process is available in Chapter 5 of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS 

(2009) and is not reproduced here. A summary of the results of public involvement during the CCMA 

Draft RMP/EIS review and comment period is presented below. This chapter also summarizes and 

responds to public comments submitted on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS. 

5.2 Outreach & Public Involvement 

5.2.1 Notice of Availability of the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS 

The public comment period for the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS opened with publication of the Notice of 

Availability for the Draft Resource Management Plan for the Clear Creek Management Area, California, 

and Draft Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register (Volume 74, Number 232) on 

December 4, 2009. The NOA states, “In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 

prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for 

the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), and by this notice, announces the opening of the public 

comment period.”

5.2.2 Advertisements and Announcements 

The NOA states, “To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments 

on the Draft RMP/EIS within 90 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes 

its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings 

and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media 

news releases, and/or mailings.”

Accordingly, BLM issued a news release on December 17, 2009 announcing three public comment 

meetings for the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS, which were held in Coalinga, Hollister, and Santa Clara,

California. The press release was sent to local and major central California news media and posted on 

BLM’s California and HFO websites and California Newsbytes. Articles were published announcing the 

meetings in newspapers in the region including the Hollister Freelance, Pinnacle, Monterey County 

Herald, Salinas Californian, Fresno Bee, and the San Jose Mercury News. 
Clear Creek Management Area 5.0 Consultation and Coordination

Draft RMP/EIS

643

A complete listing of all the specific agencies, organizations, clubs, and individuals, plus a summary of 

their comments on the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS is included in Appendix X (PRMP/FEIS, Volume II).

Appendix X also includes BLM’s responses to the public comments, which describe how the issues were 

addressed in the CCMA Draft RMP/EIS and/or how they have been incorporated into the CCMA 

Proposed RMP and Final EIS. 

5.4 Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities 

A number of potential partnerships exist that could help BLM broaden involvement of interested parties 

in the future management of public lands. Agreements with local counties and communities will continue 

to be utilized and explored for activities and needs such as planning, transportation, emergency services, 

law enforcement, infrastructure, and tourism. BLM will seek to incorporate management actions in the 

CCMA RMP/EIS that would compliment adjacent communities. 

The BLM Hollister Field Office has existing agreements with several Federal, State, and local agencies to 

assist in the management of public land resources in the planning area. These agencies include: 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

California Department of Toxic Substances Control 

California State Office of Historic Preservation 

California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CALFIRE) 

California Department of Fish and Game 

California Regional Water Quality Control Board 

Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control Districts 

The Tachi Yokut Tribe of the Santa Rosa Rancheria is the only federally recognized Native American 

group in the planning area. Representatives of the tribe are aware of BLM’s CCMA RMP/EIS land use 

planning process. In general, they support BLM’s conservation goals in the planning area provided that 

they are informed of any potential impacts to cultural resources or other traditionally used natural 

resources. Non-federally recognized California Indian tribes that were notified and/or consulted include 

members of several Ohlone/Costanoan tribal groups. Members of these tribes also utilize the planning 

area for cultural and Native American traditional uses. Consultation between BLM officials in the

Hollister Field Office and tribal representatives were conducted for this EIS and many other activities or 

Proposed Actions within the planning area. The BLM will continue to provide an opportunity for the 

Tachi Yokut Tribe and Ohlone/Costanoan tribal members to provide input on future management of 

public lands. 

5.5 List of Preparers 

A number of individuals formed the Management Team, Core Team, and Interdisciplinary Team for 

development and/or review of the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS. Other BLM staff acted on an adhoc basis to support development and review efforts. 

Management Team 

The management team was responsible for overall direction and completion of the RMP. This includes 

assuring availability of the Core and ID Team members for completion of the RMP; reviewing and 

approving progress in completing the CCMA Proposed RMP and Final EIS; fully participating in all 

public involvement and collaborative activities; and ensuring the integrity of the process and subsequent 

management direction is maintained. 
GLOSSARY 

661

Glossary 

Acceptable Risk Range – The Environmental Protection Agency Superfund program defines the 

acceptable risk range for exposure to a carcinogen, like asbestos, as 10-4 (1 in 10,000) to 10-6 (1 in 

1,000,000) excess lifetime cancer risk. Exposures which are calculated to cause more than 1 in 10,000 

excess cancers are considered to be of concern and may require action to reduce the exposure and 

resulting risk. 

Asbestos – The name given to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their 

useful properties such a thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength (see 

also Naturally Occurring Asbestos). 

Adaptive Management – An iterative process, designed to experimentally compare selected 

management actions by evaluating alternative hypotheses about the ecosystem being managed. Adaptive 

management consists of three parts: management actions, monitoring, and adaptation. Management 

actions are treated as experiments subject to modification. Monitoring is conducted to detect the effects of 

the management actions. Finally, management actions are refined in response to the enhanced 

understanding of how the ecosystem responds. 

Aggregate – Any combination of sand, gravel, and crushed stone in its natural or processed state. 

Allowable uses – analyzed under the range of alternatives for recreation in the Draft CCMA RMP/EIS 

are defined as follows: 

Non-motorized – Non-motorized recreation includes hiking, backpacking, bird and wildlife 

viewing, equestrian use, environmental education, sightseeing, picnicking and photography. 

Non-motorized recreation does not include activities listed as motorized or mechanized 

recreation. 

Mechanized – Mechanized recreation includes cycling, mountain biking, hang gliding, and rock 

climbing using assistive devices. 

Motorized – Motorized recreation includes the use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs), as described 

in the Transportation and Access section (2.16), and vehicle touring. 

Shooting – Shooting, for purposes of this document, includes all non-hunting discharge of 

firearms, but excludes use of paintball devices. 

Alluvium – Unconsolidated rock or sediment deposited by flowing water including gravel, sand, silt, 

clay, and various mixtures thereof. 

Alternative – One of at least two proposed means of meeting planning objectives. 

Animal Unit – One mature (1,000-pound) cow or the equivalent, based on an average forage 

consumption of 26 pounds of dry matter per day. For authorization calculation purposes, an animal unit is 

one cow and her calf, one horse, or five sheep or goats. Depending on the composition and weight of 

animals in the herd, actual forage use may vary. 

Animal Unit Month (AUM) – The amount of forage needed to sustain one cow, five sheep, or five goats 

for 1 month. 

Annual Plant – A plant that completes its life cycle within a single growing season. Also see 

PERENNIAL PLANT. 

Appropriate Management Response (AMR) – The response to a wildland fire based on an evaluation 

of risks to firefighters and public safety; the circumstances under which the fire occurs, including weather 

and fuel conditions; natural and cultural resource management objectives; protection priorities; and values 

to be protected. The evaluation must also include an analysis of the context of the specific fire within the 

overall local geographic area or national wildland fire situation. 

Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA) – A federal law that prohibits the removal, 

disturbance, sale, receipt and interstate transportation of archaeological resources obtained illegally 

(without permits), from federal or Indian lands and authorizes agency permit procedures for investigations 

of archaeological resources on lands under the agency’s control. 
GLOSSARY 

664

Ecofact – Bones, vegetal matter, pollen, shells, modified soils, or other archaeological finds that though 

not human manufactured, give important clues as to human behavior or the environmental context of such 

behavior. 

Ecological Processes – Processes that include the water cycle (the capture, storage, and redistribution of 

precipitation) energy flow (conversion of sunlight to plant and animal matter) and the nutrient cycle (the 

cycle of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus through the physical and biotic components of the 

environment). Ecological processes functioning within a normal range of variation at an ecological site 

will support specific plant and animal communities. 

Ecosystem – A dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal, and microorganism communities and their 

associated nonliving environment interacting as an ecological unit. 

Effects – Effects and impacts in the regulations are synonymous. Effects includes ecological (such as the 

effects on natural resources and on the components, structures, and functioning of affected ecosystems), 

aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic, social, or health, whether direct, indirect, or cumulative. Effects 

may also include those resulting from actions that may have both beneficial and detrimental effects, even 

if on balance the agency believes that the effect will be beneficial. Effects include 

Direct effects, which are caused by the action and occur at the same time and place and 

Indirect effects, which are caused by the action and are later in time or farther removed in 

distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Indirect effects may include growth-inducing effects 

and other effects related to induced changes in the pattern of land use, population density, or 

growth rate and are related effects on air and water and other natural systems, including 

ecosystems. 

Endangered Species – Any species defined through the Endangered Species Act as being in danger of 

extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Also see THREATENED SPECIES. 

Entry – An application to acquire title to public lands. 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – A detailed written statement required by the National 

Environmental Policy Act for major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human 

environment. An EIS addresses: (i) The environmental impact of the Proposed Action, (ii) Any adverse 

environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented, (iii) Alternatives to 

the Proposed Action, (iv) The relationship between local short-term uses of man’s environment and the 

maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and (v) Any irreversible and irretrievable 

commitments of resources which would be involved in the Proposed Action should it be implemented. 

Environmental Justice – The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of 

race, color, national origin, or income in developing, implementing, and enforcing environmental laws, 

regulations, and policies. 

Ephemeral Stream – A stream that flows only in direct response to precipitation, and whose channel is 

at all times above the water table. 

Erosion – The wearing away of the land surface or soil by running water, waves, or moving ice and wind, 

or by such processes as mass wasting and corrosion (solution and other chemical processes). “Accelerated

erosion” generally refers to erosion in excess of what is presumed or estimated to be naturally occurring 

levels, and which is a direct result of human activities. 

Ethnographic - Related to the branch of cultural anthropology that deals with the scientific investigation 

of living cultures. The main ethnographic data collection technique is participant observation–living with 

the people being investigated with the intention of full immersion in their culture. Such research is called 

ethnography. 

Exotic – All species of plants and animals not naturally occurring, either presently or historically, in any 

ecosystem of the United States. 

Federal Land Policy And Management Act (FLPMA) – Public Law 94-579, the act that (1)

established, for the BLM, standards for managing the public lands including land use planning, sales, 

withdrawals, acquisitions, and exchanges; (2) authorized the setting up of local advisory councils 

representing major citizens groups interested in land use planning and management, (3) established 

criteria for reviewing proposed wilderness areas, and (4) provided guidelines for other aspects of public 

land management such as grazing. 
GLOSSARY 

667

National Ambient Air Quality Standards– The allowable concentrations of air pollutants in the ambient 

(public outdoor) air specified in 40 CFR 50. National ambient air quality standards are based on the air 

quality criteria and divided into primary standards (allowing an adequate margin of safety to protect the 

public health including the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly) 

and secondary standards (allowing an adequate margin of safety to protect the public welfare). Welfare is 

defined as including effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, human-made materials, animals, wildlife, 

weather, visibility, climate, and hazards to transportation, as well as effects on economic values and on 

personal comfort and well-being. 

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) – The federal law, effective January 1, 1970, that 

established a national policy for the environment and requires federal agencies: (1) to become aware of 

the environmental ramifications of their Proposed Actions, (2) to fully disclose to the public proposed 

federal actions and provide a mechanism for public input to federal decision making, and (3) to prepare 

environmental impact statements for every major action that would significantly affect the quality of the 

human environment. 

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended – A federal statute that established a 

federal program to further the efforts of agencies and individuals in preserving the Nation’s historic and 

cultural foundations. The National Historic Preservation Act: (1) authorized the National Register of 

Historic Places, (2) established the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and a National Trust Fund 

to administer grants for historic preservation, and (3) authorized the development of regulations to require 

federal agencies to consider the effects of federally assisted activities on properties included in or eligible 

for the National Register of Historic Places. Also see NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES 

and SECTIONS 106 and 110 OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT. 

National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) – The official list, established by the National Historic 

Preservation Act, of the Nation’s cultural resources worthy of preservation. The National Register lists 

archaeological, historic, and architectural properties (i.e., districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects) 

nominated for their local, state, or national significance by state and federal agencies and approved by the 

National Register Staff. The National Park Service maintains the National Register. National Register 

eligible property is referred to as an historical, cultural, archaeological, or listed property. Also see 

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT. 

National Wild And Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS) – A system of nationally designated rivers and 

their immediate environments that have outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, 

historical, cultural, and other similar values and are preserved in a free-flowing condition. The system 

consists of three types of streams: (1) recreation—rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by 

road or railroad and that may have some development along their shorelines and may have undergone 

some impoundments or diversion in the past, (2) scenic—rivers or sections of rivers free of 

impoundments with shorelines or watersheds still largely undeveloped but accessible in places by roads, 

and (3) wild—rivers or sections of rivers free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trails 

with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted. 

Native Species – A plant or animal species that naturally occurs in an area and was not introduced by 

humans.

Naturally Occurring Asbestos - Naturally occurring asbestos refers to asbestos minerals that are found 

in the rocks or soil in an area and released into the air by routine human activities or weathering 

processes. Asbestos minerals belong to either the serpentine mineral group or the amphibole mineral 

group. The most common type of asbestos found in California is chrysotile, a serpentine mineral. 

Niche – The place of an organism in its biotic environment; the position or function of an organism in a 

community of plants or animals; a microhabitat. 

Non-Impairment of Wilderness Values Criteria – A set of criteria regulating land use to protect the 

wilderness values and characteristics of an area until Congress determines whether to preserve it as a 

wilderness. The nonimpairment criteria are as follows. 

The use, facility, or activity must be temporary. (This means a temporary use that does not create 

surface disturbance or involve permanent placement of facilities may be allowed if such use can 

easily and immediately be terminated upon wilderness designation. 
GLOSSARY 

668

When the use, activity, or facility is terminated, the wilderness values must not have been 

degraded so far as to significantly constrain the area’s suitability for preservation as wilderness. 

The only permitted exceptions to the nonimpairment criteria are the following: 

1. wildfire or search and rescue emergencies, 

reclamation to minimize impacts of violations and emergencies, 

uses and facilities that are considered grandfathered or valid existing rights under the Interim 

Management Policy for Lands under Wilderness Review, 

uses and facilities that clearly protect or enhance the land’s wilderness values or are the least 

needed for public health and safety, and 

reclamation of pre-Federal Land Policy and Management Act impacts. 

Notice of Intent (NOI) - a notice that an environmental impact statement will be prepared and 

considered. The notice shall briefly: (a) Describe the Proposed Action and possible alternatives. (b) 

Describe the agency's proposed scoping process including whether, when, and where any scoping meeting 

will be held. (c) State the name and address of a person within the agency who can answer questions 

about the Proposed Action and the environmental impact statement. 

Noxious Plant (Weed) – An unwanted plant specified by federal or state laws as being undesirable and 

requiring control. Noxious weed refers to any plant that, when established, is highly destructive, 

competitive, or difficult to control by cultural or chemical practices. Noxious weeds are usually nonnatives and highly invasive. 

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) – Many different types of OHV are operated on federal lands. In general, 

this includes any motorized track or wheeled vehicle designed for cross-country travel over natural 

terrain. For the purposes of this report, an OHV is any motorized vehicle capable of, or designed for, 

cross-country travel immediately on or over land, not including personal watercraft, snowmobiles, or 

aircraft. OHVs used on federal lands include off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility terrain 

vehicles, dune buggies, swamp buggies, jeeps, and rock crawlers. These vehicles may be used for various 

purposes, ranging from trail and open-area riding to hunting and accessing mining claims, hobby gem and 

mineral collection, or in-holdings (private or state-owned lands inside the boundaries of federal lands). 

OHVs exclude (1) any non-amphibious registered motorboat; (2) any fire, emergency, or law enforcement 

vehicle while being used for official or emergency purposes; and (3) any vehicle whose use is expressly 

authorized by a permit, lease, license, agreement, or contract issued by an authorized officer or otherwise 

approved. 

Paleontological Resources – The remains of plants and animals preserved in soils and sedimentary rock. 

Paleontological resources are important for understanding past environments, environmental change, and 

the evolution of life. 

Particulate Matter – Fine liquid (other than water) or solid particles suspended in the air, consisting of 

dust, smoke, fumes, and compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen, and metals. 

Pasture – A subunit of a grazing allotment established and managed generally by building fences or, less 

commonly, by actively herding livestock. 

Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) – Federal payments to local governments to offset their inability to 

collect taxes for federally owned land. 

Perennial Plant – A plant species with a life-cycle that characteristically lasts more than two growing 

seasons and persists for several years. Also see ANNUAL PLANT. 

Planning Criteria – The constraints or ground rules that guide the developing of a resource management 

plan. The criteria determine how the planning team develops alternatives and ultimately selects a 

Preferred Alternative. 

Plio-Pleistocene – An epoch in Earth history from about 2-5 million years to 10,000 years ago, when the 

Earth experienced a series of glacial and interglacial periods.