Eastern San Diego County proposed resource management plan and final environmental impact statement

2007·88.9 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management. El Centro Field Office

1
Fidd Office
88066821
Eastern San Diego County
Management
Proposed Resource Plan
and Final Environmental Impact Statement
Volume
1
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Table ofContents, Volumes I and II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Volume
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-1
CHAPTER Introduction 1-1
1,
1.1 Purpose and Need for Action 1-3
1.2 Planning Area 1-5
1.3 Planning Process 1-7
1.4 Decision Framework 1-9
1.4.1 Public Scoping 1-9
1.4.2 Planning Issues 1-10
1.4.3 Planning Criteria 1-11
1.5 Laws, Regulations, and Executive Orders 1-15
1.6 Related Plans and Programmatic Records of Decision 1-17
CHAPTER 2, Description ofAlternatives 2-1
2.1 Introduction 2-1
2.2 General Description of Each Alternative 2-3
2.3 Comparison of Alternatives 2-5
2.3.1 Rangeland Health Standards Management 2-5
2.3.2 Air Resources Management 2-8
2.3.3 Soil Resource Management 2-9
2.3.4 Water Resources Management 2-10
2.3.5 Vegetation Resource Management 2-12
2.3.6 Wildlife Resource Management 2-24
2.3.7 Special Status Species Management 2-32
2.3.8 Wildland Fire Management 2-45
2.3.9 Cultural Resource Management 2-49
2.3.10 Paleontological Resource Management 2-53
2.3.11 Visual Resource Management 2-56
2.3.12 Multiple-use Classes (Applies to Alternative A) 2-59
2.3.13 Special Designations 2-60
2.3.14 Livestock Grazing Management 2-67
2.3.15 Mineral Resource Management 2-76
2.3.16 Recreation Resource Management 2-84
2.3.17 Transportation and Public Access 2-102
2.3.18 Lands and Realty Management 2-107
2.3.19 Public Health and Safety 2-121
2.4 Comparison of Impacts by Alternative 2-125
2.5 implementation and Monitoring 2-137
2.5.1 Implementation 2-137
2.5.2 Requirements for Further Environmental Analysis 2-137
2.5.3 Adaptive Management 2-138
2.5.4 Monitoring and Evaluation 2-139
Eastern San Diego County Page TC-1
Proposed RMP/Final EIS
November 2007
Table ofContents, Volumes and
I II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONT.)
CHAPTER 3, Affected Environment 3-1
3.1 Introduction 3-1
3.2 Air Resources 3-3
3.2.1 Climate and Weather 3-3
3.2.2 Air Quality 3-7
3.3 Soil Resources 3-11
3.4 Water Resources 3-17
3.4.1 Surface Water 3-17
3.4.2 Groundwater 3-17
3.4.3 Watershed Basins and Hydrologic Units 3-18
3.4.4 Water Use 3-18
3.4.5 Regulatory Setting 3-18
3.4.6 Federal Reserved Water Rights for Designated Wilderness Areas 3-20
3.5 Vegetative Communities 3-21
3.5.1 Mixed Riparian Woodland Inventory 3-23
3.5.2 Invasive and Noxious Weed Species 3-26
3.5.3 Priority Plant Species 3-27
3.6 Wildlife 3-29
3.6.1 General Wildlife Habitat 3-29
3.6.2 Wildlife Habitat Improvements 3-29
3.6.3 Priority Wildlife Species Habitat 3-29
3.7 Special Status Species 3-31
3.7.1 Federally Listed Species 3-32
3.7.2 State Listed Species 3-49
3.7.3 BLM Sensitive Species 3-50
3.8 Wildland Fire Ecology and Management 3-55
3.9 Cultural Resources 3-57
3.9.1 Site Significance 3-65
3.9.2 Prehistoric Context 3-68
3.9.3 Ethnographic Context 3-70
3.9.4 Historic Context 3-75
3.9.5 Historically Significant Trails System 3-80
3.9.6 California Historic Landmarks 3-85
3.10 Paleontological Resources 3-89
3.11 Visual Resources 3-93
3.12 Special Designations 3-97
3.12.1 Wilderness Areas 3-97
3.12.2 Wilderness Study Areas 3-99
3.12.3 National Scenic Trails 3-103
3.12.4 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 3-104
Page TC-2 Eastern San Diego County
ProposedRMP/Final EIS
November 2007
Table ofContents, Volumes I and II
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.)
3.13 Public Health and Safety 3-109
3.13.1 Abandoned Mines 3-109
3.13.2 Hazardous Materials Management 3-109
3.13.3 Border Issues 3-110
3.13.4 Unexploded Ordnance 3-111
3.14 Livestock Grazing 3-113
3.14.1 Background 3-115
3.14.2 Grazing Allotments 3-115
3.15 Lands and Realty 3-125
3.15.1 Utility Corridors and Communications 3-126
3.15.2 Land Tenure 3-127
3.15.3 Land Use Authorizations 3-130
3.15.4 Withdrawals 3-133
3.15.5 Renewable Energy 3-134
3.16 Mineral Resources 3-137
3.16.1 Mineral Resource Potential 3-138
3.16.2 Locatable (Metallic and Non-metallic) Mineral Potential 3-138
3.16.3 Leasable (Fluid and Solid Energy, and Solid) Minerals 3-148
3.16.4 Salable (Construction Material) Mineral Potential 3-153
3.17 Recreation Management 3-157
3.17.1 Fee Program 3-157
3.17.2 Recreational Facilities 3-158
3.17.3 Special Recreation Permits 3-159
3.17.4 Volunteer Events 3-159
3.17.5 Other Non-permitted Events (Events Not Requiring a Permit) 3-159
3.17.6 California State-permitted Activities 3-159
3.18 Transportation and Public Access 3-161
3.18.1 Motorized Vehicle Access 3-161
3.19 Social and Economic Setting 3-163
3.19.1 Social/Cultural/Economic History 3-163
3.19.2 Livestock Grazing: Baseline Economic Conditions 3-178
3.19.3 Lands and Realty 3-179
3.19.4 Mineral Resources 3-184
3.19.5 Recreation Management 3-185
3.20 Environmental Justice 3-191
3.20.1 Minority and Low-income Communities 3-192
Eastern San Diego County Page TC-3
Proposed RMP/Final EIS
November 2007
1
Table ofContents, Volumes and
I II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONT.)
CHAPTER 4, Environmental Consequences 4-1
4.1 Introduction 4-1
4.1.1 Analytical Assumptions 4-1
4.1.2 Types of Effects 4-1
4.1.3 Summary of Critical Elements Addressed, Not Addressed,
Not Affected, or Not Present 4-2
4.2 Impacts on Air Resources 4-3
4.2.1 Air Quality 4-3
4.2.2 Emissions from Wildfire and Prescribed Burn 4-5
4.2.3 Odors 4-6
4.2.4 Greenhouse Gas 4-6
4.2.5 Differences between Alternatives 4-7
4.2.6 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-7
4.2.7 Cumulative Impacts 4-8
4.3 Impacts on Soil Resources 4-9
4.3.1 Impacts Resulting in Compactions, Erosions, and Mass Movement 4-9
4.3.2 Differences between Alternatives 4-10
4.3.3 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-10
4.3.4 Short-term Use and/or Long-term Productivity 4-1
4.3.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-11
4.4 Impacts on Water Resources 4-13
4.4.1 Surface Water 4-13
4.4.2 Groundwater 4-13
4.4.3 Differences between Alternatives 4-14
4.4.4 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-14
4.4.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-15
4.5 Impacts on Vegetative Resources 4-17
4.5.1 Terrestrial and Riparian Vegetation 4-17
4.5.2 Non-native Invasive Plant Species 4-18
4.5.3 Desired Plant Communities 4-19
4.5.4 Differences between Alternatives 4-19
4.5.5 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-21
4.5.6 Irreversible/Irretrievable Commitment of Resources 4-21
4.5.7 Short-term Use and/or Long-term Productivity 4-21
4.5.8 Cumulative Impacts 4-21
Page TC-4 Eastern San Diego County
Proposed RMP/Final EIS
November 2007
Table ofContents, Volumes and
I II
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.)
4.6 Impacts on Wildlife Resources 4-23
4.6.1 General Wildlife 4-23
4.6.2 Raptors 4-24
4.6.3 Non-game Migratory Birds 4-25
4.6.4 Bats 4-26
4.6.5 Game Animals (Birds and Mammals) 4-27
4.6.6 Differences between Alternatives 4-28
4.6.7 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-29
4.6.8 Irreversible/Irretrievable Commitment of Resources 4-30
4.6.9 Short-term Use and/or Long-term Productivity 4-30
4.6.10 Cumulative Impacts 4-30
4.7 Impacts on Special Status Species 4-31
4.7.1 Impacts on Federally Listed Species 4-31
4.7.2 Impacts on State Listed Species 4-36
4.7.3 Impacts on BLM Sensitive Species 4-37
4.7.4 Differences between Alternatives 4-39
4.7.5 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-40
4.7.6 Irreversible/Irretrievable Commitment of Resources 4-45
4.7.7 Short-term Use and/or Long-term Productivity 4-45
4.7.8 Cumulative Impacts 4-45
4.8 Impacts on Wildland Fire Ecology 4-51
4.8.1 Increased Fire Risk 4-51
4.8.2 Limitations to Fire Suppression Tactics 4-52
4.8.3 Beneficial/Enhancement 4-53
4.8.4 Differences between Alternatives 4-54
4.8.5 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-54
4.8.6 Cumulative Impacts 4-54
4.9 Impacts on Cultural Resources 4-55
4.9.1 Loss or Degradation of Cultural Resources 4-55
4.9.2 Differences between Alternatives 4-57
4.9.3 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-60
4.9.4 Irreversible/Irretrievable Commitment of Resources 4-61
4.9.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-61
4.10 Impacts on Paleontological Resources 4-63
4.10.1 Loss or Degradation of Paleontological Resources 4-63
4.10.2 Differences between Alternatives 4-64
4.10.3 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-64
4.10.4 Irreversible/Irretrievable Commitment of Resources 4-64
4.10.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-64
Eastern San Diego County Page TC-5
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November 2007
Table ofContents, Volumes and
I II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONT.)
4.11 Impacts on Visual Resources 4-67
4.11.1 Temporary and Permanent Loss of Visual Resources 4-68
4.11.2 Degradation/Alteration 4-69
4.11.3 Enhancement/Beneficial 4-69
4.11.4 Differences between Alternatives 4-70
4.11.5 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-73
4.11.6 Irreversible/Irretrievable Commitment of Resources 4-73
4.11.7 Cumulative Impacts 4-74
4.12 Impacts on Special Designations 4-75
4.12.1 Impacts on Designated Wilderness Areas 4-75
4.12.2 Impacts on Wilderness Study Areas 4-76
4.12.3 Impacts on National Scenic Trails 4-77
4.12.4 Impacts on Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 4-79
4.13 Impacts on Public Health and Safety 4-85
4.13.1 Differences between Alternatives 4-85
4.13.2 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-85
4.14 Impacts on Livestock Grazing 4-87
4.14.1 Grazing Criteria by Alternative 4-87
4.14.2 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-87
4.14.3 Cumulative Impacts 4-90
4.15 Impacts on Lands and Realty Program (including Renewable Energy) 4-91
4.15.1 Land Tenure (Disposals, Acquisitions, and R&PPs) 4-92
4.15.2 Utility Corridors and Communications 4-92
4.15.3 Renewable Energy 4-93
4.15.4 Cumulative Impacts 4-94
4.16 Impacts on Minerals Program 4-95
4.16.1 Impacts on Locatable (Metallic and Non-metallic/lndustrial) Minerals 4-95
4.16.2 Impacts on Leasable Resources 4-95
4.16.3 Impacts on Salable (Construction) Materials 4-96
4.16.4 Cumulative Impacts 4-96
4.17 Impacts on Recreation Program 4-97
4.17.1 Recreation Management Areas 4-97
4.17.2 Transportation and Public Access 4-97
4.17.3 Cumulative Impacts 4-100
4.18 Social and Economic Impacts 4-101
4.18.1 Impacts on Livestock Grazing Program 4-101
4.18.2 Impacts on Lands and Realty Program (including Renewable Energy) 4-106
4.18.3 Impacts on Minerals Program 4-113
4.18.4 Impacts on Recreation Program 4-115
4.19 Impacts on Environmental Justice 4-127
4.19.1 Environmental Justice Determination 4-127
Page TC-6 Eastern San Diego County
ProposedRMP/Final EIS
November 2007
Table ofContents, Volumes I and II
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.)
Volume
II
CHAPTER 5, Consultation and Coordination 5-1
5.1 Interrelationships 5-1
5.1.1 Other Federal Agencies 5-1
5.1.2 State, County, and Local Governmental Agencies 5-3
5.1.3 Consultation with Native Americans 5-5
5.1.4 Consultation with the California State Office of Historic Preservation 5-6
5.2 Public Comment Process 5-9
5.2.1 DRMP/DEIS Public Meetings 5-9
5.2.2 Comment Analysis Process 5-9
5.2.3 Coding and Summary of Comments 5-10
5.2.4 Response to Public Comments 5-12
5.3 List of Preparers 5-155
ACRONYMS
GLOSSARY
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
A: Results of Scoping
B: Laws, Regulations, and Executive Orders
C: Federal and State Noxious Weed Lists
D: Typical Management Actions and Best Management Practices
E: Grazing Criteria by Alternative
F: Proposed Lands for Disposal by Alternative
G: Heritage Resources on BLM-Administered Lands within the Planning Area
H: Legal Descriptions of Wilderness Areas
I: Explanation ofthe BLM Manual 3030 Classification for Mineral Potential
J: Record of Non-Applicability
FIGURES
3-1: Temperature and Rainfall Data in the Planning Area 3-5
3-2: Global Temperature Change (1880-2000) 3-6
3-3: Eastern San Diego County Economy (Employment Ranked by Sector) 3-177
Eastern San Diego County Page TC-7
Proposed RMP/Final EIS
November 2007
Table ofContents, Volumes and
I II
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONT.)
1-
2M-APS
ES-1: Planning Area ES-2
The following maps are located after the appendices:
1: Planning Area
—
1: Visual Resource Management—Alternative A
2-2: Visual Resource Management Alternative B
—
2-3: Visual Resource Management Alternative C
—
2-4: Visual Resource Management Alternative D
—
2-5: Visual Resource Management Alternative E
—
2-6: Special Designations Alternative A
—
2-7: Special Designations Alternatives B and E
—
2-8: Special Designations Alternative C
—
2-9: Special Designations Alternative D
—
2-10: Grazing Management Areas Alternatives A and D
—
2-1 1 : Grazing Management Areas—Alternative B
2-12: Grazing Management Areas Alternatives C and E
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2-13: Special Recreation Management Areas Alternatives B, D, and E
—
2-14: Special Recreation Management Areas Alternative C
—
2-15: Recreation Management Zones Alternatives B, D, and E
—
22--16: Recreation Management Zones Alternative C
—
23--17: OHV Area Designations Alternatives A, B, D, and E
—
2-18: OHV Area Designations Alternative C
—
2-19: Routes of Travel Alternative A
—
2-20: Routes of Travel Alternatives B and E
—
2-21 Routes of Travel Alternative C
: —
2-22: Routes of Travel Alternative D
—
2-23: Lands Available for Disposal Alternative A
—
2-24: Lands Available for Disposal Alternatives B and D
—
2-25: Lands Available for Disposal Alternative E
2-26: Lands Available for Wind Energy Development and Geothermal Leasing- Alternative A
2-27: Lands Available for Wind Energy Development and Geothermal Leasing -Alternative B
2-28: Lands Available for Wind Energy Development and Geothermal Leasing -Alternative D
2-29: Lands Available for Wind Energy Development and Geothermal Leasing -Alternative E
—
2-30: Existing and Proposed Withdrawals Alternative A
—
2-31 Existing and Proposed Withdrawals Alternative C
: —
32: Existing and Proposed Withdrawals Alternative E
1: Soil Types
3-2: Springs
3-3: Groundwater Basins
3-4: Watershed Basins and Hydrologic Units
3-5: Vegetation Communities
3-6: Critical Habitat
3-7: Fire Burn History
3-8: Areas Surveyed for Cultural Resources
3-9: Paleontological Resources
3-10: Visual Resources
3-11: Special Designations
3-12: Grazing Allotments
Page TC-8 Eastern San Diego County
ProposedRMP/Final EIS
November 2007