BLM Advisory Committee Reports

[KTMrad 508]

December 2009

El Centro Field Office - District Advisory Council Report

GEOTHERMAL:

Wister Record of Decision (ROD): 2 pending geothermal lease applications in the El Centro Field Office (ECFO) Wister management area (Ormat and Western Geothermal Partners) were analyzed within the nationwide Geothermal Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (December 17 2008). The Wister ROD was signed December 2, 2009 and allows for the leasing of these two applications.

West Chocolate Mountains EIS: The BLM has begun to analyze a larger area that we refer to as the West Chocolate Mountains for geothermal, wind, and solar resources. A programmatic EIS will be developed to determine the potential for these lands to be developed along with best management practices.

SOLAR ENERGY: We have received a total of 8 applications for solar energy development throughout our field office area. We are currently reviewing each Plan of Development (POD) submitted by the various companies to determine if they contain enough information to move forward.

Tessera (formerly Stirling Energy Systems) Solar Two Project: A joint Staff Assessment/Draft EIS for the project is expected in December 2009. The BLM is consulting the USFWS for any listed Threatened or Endangered Species in the project area. The BLM is working with CEC, SHPO and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, as well as other consulting parties, on the development of a Section 106 Programmatic Agreement. The National Park Service has been invited into consultation as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail runs through the project area. The BLM has consulted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with regards to federal waters jurisdiction issues. They have determined that a 404 permit will be required.

TRANSMISSION LINES:

Sunrise Powerlink: A notice of availability of the ROD was published in the Federal Register on February 20, 2009, beginning a 30-day appeal period. Three appeals were filed with the IBLA: one was withdrawn, one was dismissed, and the third is still pending. The BLM is currently working with SDG&E and the CPUC to ensure that all the mitigation requirements are met prior to the start of construction.

ECO Project: SDG&E has also submitted an application for a right-of-way (ROW) that is approximately 1.5 miles in length on public lands within an energy corridor in Eastern San Diego County. This proposed new 138 kV transmission line would connect a new ECO substation with the existing Boulevard substation. In consultation with the CPUC, the County of San Diego and other agencies, the BLM has determined that this project and Iberdrola’s Tule Wind Farm project (see below) will both be analyzed together in the same EIR/EIS. An NOI initiating scoping is expected soon.

North Gila-Imperial Valley #2 Transmission Project: The BLM has received an application from Southwest Transmission Partners, LLC (STP) to construct the North Gila – Imperial Valley #2 Project. This is a proposed double-circuit 500 kV transmission line between the North Gila Substation in Yuma County, Arizona and the Imperial Valley Substation in Imperial County, California. STP is also proposing to have one of the circuits loop in and out of the existing Highline substation also located in Imperial County, California. The portions of the line on BLM land are located completely within a designated utility corridor. STP is currently preparing their POD.

WIND ENERGY: There are a total of 11 applications for wind energy testing facilities/project development in the El Centro Field Office. Three testing ROWs have been issued to the following companies: Iberdrola, RENEWergy and Windhunter (which was assigned to Pattern Energy aka Ocotillo Express).

Tule Wind: Iberdrola Renewables has requested installation of 3 additional wind monitoring devices and work on an Environmental Assessment is underway. A POD for the proposed 200MW Tule Wind Project in McCain Valley has been submitted and reviewed by the BLM. An NOI initiating scoping for this project and SDG&E’s proposed ECO project is expected soon. These projects will be analyzed in one joint EIR/EIS because they are connected actions.

OTHER REALTY ACTIONS:

Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range Withdrawal Renewal (CMAGR): The CMAGR is a restricted area located in the mountains to the east of the Salton Sea in Imperial and Riverside Counties, California, with restricted airspace in both California and Arizona. In 1994, Congress passed Public Law 103-433, California Military Lands Withdrawal and Overflights Act of 1994, which withdrew from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws (including mining laws, mineral leasing laws, and geothermal leasing laws) specified lands in California known as the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, Chocolate Mountain, and the El Centro Naval Air Facility. These lands were reserved for use by the Secretary of the Navy for defense-related purposes. Under the Act, approximately 226,711 acres of public land in the CMAGR was withdrawn and reserved for use by the Navy. The withdrawals and reservations established by the Act terminate in October 2014. Withdrawals may only be extended by an Act or joint resolution of Congress. Due to the continued military need for the withdrawn lands at the CMAGR, the Department of the Navy will request that the Department of the Interior (DOI) and Congress renew the land withdrawal to allow for continued defense-related training. A renewal application will be prepared and submitted in accordance with DOI regulations and procedures. The Act requires the Secretary of the Navy publish a Draft EIS for continued or renewed withdrawal of these lands by October 2012.

IMPERIAL SAND DUNES RECREATION AREA (ISDRA)

RAMP: The BLM is currently in the process of preparing the Draft Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) and EIS as an amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan. United States Border Patrol and the Imperial County Planning Department have signed on to become cooperating agencies. The Draft RAMP is scheduled for release in early 2010.

Trash Service: The BLM has received $176,000 from the California Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHV grant) to partially support trash service for the FY09/10 season. The new trash service contract to provide trash service for the next five years was awarded at a significant reduction in cost. The new contract will cost $200,500 per year-about one half of the previous contract.

Fees: ECFO has renewed the fee collection contract with the current vendor. This year the vendor will provide increased fee collection staffing for the Cahuilla and Buttercup Ranger Stations. The BLM exceeded our goal of increasing off-site sales during the 2008-2009 season. Off-site sales increased from 14% to 50% since the implementation of a differential fee. July through October 2009 saw 91% of all sales completed off –site. This has reduced the workload in the field, reduced traffic in the Dunes, and stimulated the local and regional economy. The ECFO looks forward to working closely with the new DAC Subgroup for the ISDRA to explore the possibility of improving the current fee program, which would be submitted to the RRAC.

Wash Road: The new Wash Road was completed in October 2009 and the BLM has received a lot of positive feedback. So far the new road has allowed access for over 85,000 visitors.

Personnel: Kenneth Bausch, Outdoor Recreation Planner in charge of vender permits, reported for duty on 31 August 2009. Five seasonal hires are also on board now with one new permanent park ranger position filled as well.

Partnerships: The BLM continues to increase the level and quality of service to the visitors in the ISDRA through partnership activities.

• American Desert Foundation and CASP OHMVRD grant – Providing five new AEDs, Interpretive displays, and on site ATV safety classes. The AEDs have already been in use over the Thanksgiving weekend and the ATV safety classes have been over booked. We have doubled the amount of classes being offered.

• United Desert Gateway – Continued cooperation and education projects such as the educational “OHV Recreation Guide”, planning the 13th annual Martin Luther King Weekend Dunes Clean Up, and the construction of two new buildings to house emergency vehicles at the Buttercup Ranger Station.

• Kris “Chili Dog” Frick Foundation- Through KCDF, the BLM continues to increase the quality and quantity of emergency medical services to the ISDRA visitors. Partners who are proving service now include, Gold Cross Ambulance, El Centro Regional Medical Center, Pioneer Memorial Hospital, GlamisWeather.com, Reach Air Medical, American Desert Foundation, United Desert Gateway, Rural Metro Ambulance, Border Patrol, and BLM volunteers. Services now include paramedic level care, helicopters on standby in the dunes, two rescue buggies, two patrol buggies, and several 4x4 rescue trucks. All these services are provided to the visitor at no additional cost beyond their camping permit.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

ISDRA: The Halloween and Thanksgiving events have concluded successfully. BLM Rangers have commenced an education campaign focused on the 10 foot parking/camping rule for Gecko Road and the CA ATV Safety Education Certificate requirements for youth riding all-terrain vehicles. One minor unlawful assembly was declared by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office during the Halloween event while no unlawful assemblies were declared for the Thanksgiving event. The overall reduction in unlawful assemblies at areas of high congregation of visitors may be attributed to the proactive management of the sand highway entrances to these areas by establishing information stations staffed by BLM Rangers and the closing of the entrance to Oldsmobile Hill when lawless behavior begins to occur. The two existing planned events include New Year’s 2010 and President’s Day Weekend.

West Side: The winter racing season is in full swing with a number of BLM permitted competitive racing events occurring on weekends. BLM Rangers are on patrol at these events to ensure visitor safety, permit compliance, and resource protection.

East Side: Increased Border Patrol presence and the new border fence have caused a reduction in cross-border smuggling in these areas. Route proliferation continues to be a concern for Law Enforcement. We are increasing signing to make it easier to educate and take appropriate enforcement actions with individuals who are off approved routes of travel. Signing is complete from Indian Pass Road south to the border and from Ogilby road east to the river. The Student Conservation Association signing crew is working northward.

Personnel: The current table of organization for law enforcement includes one chief, one supervisor, and thirteen full-time Rangers charged with patrolling 1.4 million acres of public lands in Imperial and San Diego Counties. Two Ranger positions are currently being recruited.

ADMINISTRATION:

The ECFO currently has several vacant positions: 2 Engineering Equipment Operators, a SR. L.E. Ranger, the Supervisory Outdoor Recreation Planner, a Wildlife Biologist, an Environmental Protection Specialist, a Realty Specialist, and the Contact Representative.