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Discussion: BLM Closes Clear Creek Management Area/ Benitoite Mine still openReported This is a featured thread

Category: Discussion Forum / 5--Rock Hounding
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mudd1973
BLM Closes Clear Creek Management Area/ Benitoite Mine still open
May 2 2008, 1:02 PM EDT | Post edited: May 2 2008, 1:02 PM EDT
The BLM has closed the Clear Creek Managment Area in California due to the potential asbestos exposure hazard. There was a short story today in the LA Times. The story was posted yesterday on the Yahoo rock hound group, LA-ROCKS. On LA-ROCKS, the thread is continuing today, with a post that the benitoite mine will still be open, but you will need to have a pass to cross the BLM land. The benitoite mine owners will email you the pass when you contact them for the reservations and map. There is a potential fine of $1000 for unathorized activities on the CCMA property, since it is totally closed to the public now.

Also posted on LA-ROCKS, was this info on how to let the government hear that we do not like this action:

You can comment on the future of Clear Creek by writing or emailing the
Blm at the addresses below. There is a wealth of information and maps
on the Hollister field office's website at
www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister.html

To email your comments on Clear Creek write to cahormp@ca.blm.gov

To write a letter (often letters are paid more attention to):
Sky Murphy
Bureau of Land Management
Hollister Field Office
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, California 95023

If we do not make a concerted effort to log our concerns, this area may be closed permanently.

The stories seem to say that exposures 4 to 6 times a year to the dust raised while driving on roads may exceed safe governmental asbestos levels, especially for children. Don't you love the government protecting all of us adult rock hounds who might choose to go rock hounding in the area once in our lifetime by permanently closing the entire area to everyone, forever.

I suspect I face more danger every single day at home from the jet exhaust from LAX and the auto and diesel exhaust from the LA freeways. Not to mention the traffic on the freeways and the gangs. Maybe the BLM should close Los Angeles to the public. Ellen

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washatonian
washatonian
1. RE: BLM Closes Clear Creek Management Area/ Benitoite Mine still open
May 2 2008, 1:43 PM EDT | Post edited: May 2 2008, 1:43 PM EDT
I would certainly have to agree with your assessment of danger. Big Brother is becoming a BIG Problem it appears through out this nation. No substance to the reason for exclusion. All actions require accountable. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Happy Trails ..Andy Do you find this valuable?    

mudd1973
2. RE: BLM Closes Clear Creek Management Area/ Benitoite Mine NOW CLOSED
May 25 2008, 6:28 PM EDT | Post edited: May 25 2008, 6:28 PM EDT
The BLM has totally closed the area around the Benitoite Mine at ALL activity.

There seems to be little logic to this closure, since the most scholarly analysis I have read about the studies of the alledged asbestos danger claim that the study which closed the area was based on 1 (one) data reading and that the type of asbestos in this area is not the same form that is known to cause the most health problems to humans.

California now may the only state where the stae gem can no longer be mined.

Ellen Do you find this valuable?