POCATELLO, ID (May 13) -- Local, state, and national trail access groups filed a 60 day Notice of Intent (NOI) to Sue for violations of the Endangered Species Act at the 50,000 acre Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA). They charge the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with failure to actively and adequately manage off-highway vehicle use at this popular site located about 3 hours south of San Jose, California.

Groups filing the charge include; Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club, American Motorcyclist Association District 36, California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, California Off-Road Vehicle Association, and the BlueRibbon Coalition.

Bill Dart, executive director for the BlueRibbon Coalition, said, "The notifying organizations support responsible recreational use of public lands, and believe that ongoing vehicle access and sensitive species protection need not be mutually exclusive management goals at the CCMA."

"Unfortunately, BLM has failed to actively or adequately implement its own management goals at the Area, unlawfully subjecting vehicle-based recreationists to further and unwarranted restrictions," Dart concludes.

Paul Turcke, counsel for the BlueRibbon Legal Defense Fund, states, "I believe these groups have historically demonstrated they want to work with the BLM to better manage the site. This NOI hopefully will inspire the agency to immediate management activity that will fully implement the governing plans already in place."

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