HOLLISTER, Calif. - Thursday night in Hollister, nearly 300 angry recreationists voiced their concerns over a closed piece of land in San Benito County. Clear Creek is a recreational site located South of Hollister and East of King City. People all over the area go there to dirt bike, hunt, gem collect, etc. In 2008, the Bureau of Land Management closed the area because of high asbestos levels found in the dirt. The asbestos takes up more than half of the 70,000 acre site. Ken Deeg has been going to Clear Creek to ride motorcycles for over 40 years. He's concerned there's more to the closure than just a health concern.
"What we're figuring out is that the EPA'S test is tainted, it's basically heavily influenced by the B.L.M. to support the closure which is wrong," says Ken Deeg.
The B.L.M. opened a public hearing on analyzing the environmental impact on people who use the site. Leaders said in this case it was important to close it. However, recreationists disagree. Jackie Murdaugh has been riding at Clear Creek for the last 15 years and said this closure has a huge impact on people all over the central coast.
"My husband's been riding there for 30 years, he's fine. I don't think there is a problem I think it's ridiculous. And I think that as adults we should choose that if want to put ourselves in that situation, just like we have the right to choose if we can smoke a cigarette," says Jackie Murdaugh.
Environmental Protection Agency leaders said they understand frustrations, but people need to understand the asbestos levels are really high and can pose a huge health risk.
"It'd be nice if the geology was different, but it's not and we're concerned about the levels of asbestos that people are inhaling while they are participating in these activities," says Jere Johnson, with the E.P.A.
The B.L.M. said the area will remain closed until decisions are made next year. In the meantime, recreationists plan to be active in this issue in hopes to open the site back up.
