PROPOSED 1988 ^LAN AMENDMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AREA PLAN OF 1980 /€'&* MAY 1989 Environmental Assessment California Desert District Bureau of Land Management U.S. Department of the Interior United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT CALIFORNIA DESERT DISTRICT 1695 Spruce Street Riverside, California 92507 IN REPLY REFER TO: 1600 (C-060.23) Dear Reader: Last December (1988), we invited you and other interested parties to review the California Desert Plan as amended and submit any comments and recommend- ations for proposed amendments of the plan. The response that we received from organizations and individuals as well as from our own staff resulted in the amendment proposals contained in this environmental assessment. My thanks to those of you who sent in comments and suggestions, you will continue to help us manage your public lands. I hope that The decision to accept or reject these proposed amendments will be based on a number of factors including effect on the natural environment, input from the public, and recommendations of the California Desert District Advisory Council, We are providing a two-month public review of the environmental assessment. Please send your comments to this office by July 28, 1989. The address is: California Desert District Bureau of Land Management ATTN: Plan Amendments 1695 Spruce Street Riverside, California 92507 Sincerely, Gerald E. Hillier District Manager ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROPOSED 1988 AMENDMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AREA PLAN PREPARED BY Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management California Desert District The Bureau of Land Management is conducting its 1988 review of the California Desert Plan. This Environmental Assessment considers the environmental conse- quences of accepting or rejecting each of nineteen proposed amendments. The amendments include Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (including creation of three new ACECs, deletion of three existing ACECs, and one boundary adjust- ments), five multiple use class changes, deletion of portions of three utility- corridors, three changes in motorized vehicle access, and two changes in the Livestock Grazing Element. Under the Bureau's preferred alternative, 17 amendments would be accepted, and 2 would be rejected. Co^^M ') Y/ ^Lc^- DISTRICT MANAGER CALIFORNIA DESERT For Further Information Contact: Gerald E. Hillier, District Manager California Desert District Bureau of Land Management 1695 Spruce Street Riverside, California 92507 *\WWI Br14a7 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY S-l CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 1-1 CHAPTER 2 - AMENDMENTS AND ALTERNATIVES General Description 2-1 Description of Amendments 2-2 Summary of Impacts 2-9 CHAPTER 3 - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 3-1 CHAPTER 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 4-1 CHAPTER 5 - CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION Notices and Meetings 5-1 Public Input 5-1 LIST OF PREPARERS 5-2 LIST OF ACCRONYMS 5-3 REFERENCES CITED 5-4 APPENDICES Appendix A - Amendment Maps A-l Appendix B - Amendments Deferred, Not Considered, or B-l Handled Through Administrative Action Appendix C - Source of Amendments Accepted for Consideration C-l SUMMARY PLAN AMENDMENTS In accordance with Chapter / of the California Desert Plan and with 43 CFR 1610.5-5 (BLM Planning Regulations), the Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District has initiated the eighth amendment review of the plan. Proposals were received during the 36-day period from February 11 to March 18, 1988. Thirty- two proposals were made by the public and by BLM staff. They were screened by BLM management and by the California Desert District Advisory Council to determine which should be considered at this time and which should be deferred, dropped, or handled by an administrative action. The following nineteen proposals were accepted for consideration. Category Number Description Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Designate an ACEC for Cultural Resources at Rodman Mountains Cultural Area. Designate an ACEC for wildlife, vegetation, and other resources adjacent to Red Rock Canyon State Park. Designate an ACEC at Dedeckera Canyon and the adjoining area for botanical and other signif- icant resources. Enlarge boundaries of Coyote Mountains ACEC (No. 62). Delete Camp Irwin Military Boundary ACEC (No. 28). Multiple Use Class Changes Delete Kramer Hills ACEC (No. 38). Delete Dale Lake ACEC (No. 51) Change Yuha Desert Management Area between Hwy. 80 and Hwy. 98 from "M" to "L". Change MUC designation of East Mesa Desert from "M" to "L" between Hwy. 78 and the Mexican border and between the East Highline and the Old Coachella Canals. 10 Change all Class M areas within East Mojave National Scenic Area to Class L. 11 Change MUC designation of land adjacent to Dumont Dunes from "M" to "I"; change motorized vehicle designation from "limited" to "open. S-1 Energy Production and Utility Corridors 12 13 14 Change the MUC designation of a portion of Ivanpah Dry Lake from "L" to "M". Eliminate a portion of Utility Corridor M Eliminate that portion of Utility Corridor E within the East Mojave National Scenic Area Motorized Vehicle Access 15 16 Eliminate Contingent Utility Corridor w. Change motorized vehicle access in the Chuck- walla Dune Thicket ACEC from "limited" to "closed." 17 Livestock Grazing 18 Change motorized vehicle access in the Palen Dry Lake ACEC from "limited" to "closed." Prohibit grazing south of Interstate-10 in Ford Dry Lake Allotment. 19 Establish an ephemeral grazing allotment near Daggett. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES The impacts of both accepting and rejecting each amendment are summarized in Table S-l. BLM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Based in part upon the amendment-specific impacts, a preferred alternative has been selected. This preferred alternative is not a final decision, but simply indicates a preliminary recommendation that has been included in this EA for public comment and review. A recommendation to accept, reject or accept a modified version of each amendment has been made: 17 amendments would be accepted, and 2 would be rejected. The cumulative impacts of this preferred alternative are presented in Table S-2 below: S-2 (f) 1 CO Amend. Number TABLE S-1 CANDIDATE AMENDMENTS - SUMMARY OF IMPACTS POSITIVE IMPACT — - NEGATIVE IMPACT Amendment Soil Air RODMAN MOUNTAINS ACEC A: Designate new ACEC B: Reject Amendment RED ROCK CANYON ACEC A: Designate new ACEC B: Reject Amendment DEDECKERA CANYON ACEC A: Designate new ACEC B: Reject Amendment COYOTE MOUNTAIN ACEC A: Expand ACEC B: Reject Amendment CAMP IRWIN BOUNDARY ACEC A: Delete ACEC B: Reject Amendment KRAMER HILL ACEC A: Delete ACEC B: Reject Amendment DALE LAKE ACEC A: Delete ACEC B: Reject Amendment YUHA DESERT MANAGEMENT AREA CLASS CHANGE A: Accept Amendment B: Reject Amendment RESOURCES Botany X Wildlife X Horws- Burrot Cultural Resources Native American] Wilderness Visual Raaaurcai Geology Energy- WJ morals USES Livestock Grazing Recreation Lands 0) I / TABLE S-1 CANDIDATE AMENDMENTS - SUMMARY OF IMPACTS X- POSITIVE IMPACT — - NEGATIVE IMPACT \ Amend. Number Amendment RESOURCES USES SoH Air Water Botany Wildlife Horses- Burros Cultural Resources Native Americans Wilderness Visual Resources Geotoffy- Enerey- Minereh Livestock Oruina Recreation Lands 9 EAST MESA CLASS CHANGE A: Accept Amendment B: Reject Amendment X X 10 EAST MOJAVE SCENIC AREA CLASS CHANGE A: Accept Amendment B: Modify Proposal C: Reject Amendment X X X X X 11 DUMONT DUNES CLASS CHANGE A: Add Area 2 B: Add Areas 2 and 3 C: Add Areas 2, 3 and 4 D: Reject Amendment - - X X 12 IVANPAH DRY LAKE CLASS CHANGE A: Accept Amendment B: Reject Amendment - - - 13 UTILITY CORRIDOR M A: Delete A Portion B: Reject Amendment X X 14 UTILITY CORRIDOR E A: Delete Portion B: Reject Amendment X 15 CONTINGENT UTILITY CORRIDOR V A: Delete from East Mojave Scenic Area B: Reject Amendment 1 X X CO I 01 TABLE S-1 CANDIDATE AMENDMENTS - SUMMARY OF IMPACTS X- POSITIVE IMPACT - - NEGATIVE IMPACT Amend. Number 16 17 18 19 Amendment Soil Air- Water CHUCKWALLA DUNE THICKET ACEC A: Change Vehicle Access B: Reject Amendment PALEN DRY LAKE ACEC A: Change Vehicle Access B: Reject Amendment FORD DRY LAKE ALLOTMENT A: Prohibit Grazing South of Interstate 10 B: Reject Amendment DAGGETT ALLOTMENT A: Establish Ephemeral Allotment B: Modify Proposed Boundary C: Reject RESOURCES Botany Wildlife X Hortaj Btmoi Cultural Rctsureos Native A mar kern Wilderness Visual Resources Geology E nervy- Miner elf USES Lteestoefc Grazing Recreation Lands TABLE S-2 SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Unit of Preferred Percent New Percent Resource Measure No Action Alternative Change of Desert Multiple Use Class C Acres 1 ,900,000 1,900,000 0 15.9 L Acres 5 ,902,000 6,151,440 4.2 51.4 M Acres 3 ,400,000 3,142,410 -7.6 26.3 I Acres 520,000 528,150 1.6 4.4 Unclassified Acres 249,000 249,000 0 2.1 Vehicle Access Open Acres 505,000 513,150 1.6 4.3 Limited Acres 9 ,251,000 9,237,464 0.15 77.2 Closed Acres 1 ,963,000 1,968,386 0.27 16.4 Undesignated Acres 251,000 251,000 0 2.1 ACECs Added Number Acres 0 0 3 14,797 Deleted Number Acres 0 0 3 5,360 Net Change Number Acres 0 0 0 +9,437 Livestock Grazing Ephemeral Allotments Number 19 19 Acres 1,351,118 1,315,818 Ephemeral/Perennial Number 25 25 Allotments Acres 3,036,267 3,036,267 Perennial Allotments Number 14 14 Acres 720,522 720,522 S-6 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION In accordance with the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan (1980) and with 43 CFR 1610.5-5. the Bureau of Land Management is conducting the eighth amendment review of the Plan. Proposals for amendments were accepted during a 47-day period from January 28 to March 18, 1988. Thirty-three amendments were proposed by the public and by BLM staff for consideration during the review. The proposals were then screened by BLM management and by the California Desert District Advisory Council to determine which ones met the following criteria: (1) Is the proposed amendment based on new data not considered when the plan was developed? (2) Does the information represent a change in legal or regulatory mandate? (3) Is the supporting detail sufficient and the problem clearly stated so that the request can be considered? (4) Does the information represent a formal change in State or local govern- ment or agency plans? Nineteen proposals met the criteria and are analyzed by this environmental assessment. Seven proposals were rejected from consideration or will be handled by methods more appropriate than the amendment procedure, as described in Appendix B (Tables B-l and B-2). Consideration of six proposals has been deferred to a later date. The final decision concerning whether or not to approve each amendment will be made following a 60-day public review of the EA. The decision will be based upon several factors, including the findings of this EA and the public response received during the review period and the Desert Advisory Committee recommendations . Most of the amendments address site-specific issues. Map 1-1 indicates their regional location; site-specific maps can be found in Appendix A. 1-1 .... . CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AREA 7988 PLAN AMENDMENT INDEX MAP Map 1-1 Amendment Number MEXICO 1-2 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES CHAPTER 2 AMENDMENTS AND ALTERNATIVES GENERAL DESCRIPTION Nineteen proposed amendments to the Desert Plan have been accepted for consideration. Each amendment has been considered individually for either acceptance or rejection. The rejection of an amendment represents the "no-action" alternative. Additional alternatives have been proposed for several of the amendments which present modified versions of the proposal. The amendments have been grouped into the following categories: 1. Areas of Critical Environmental concern. 2. Multiple Use Class Changes 3. Utility Corridors 4. Motorized Vehicle Access 5. Livestock Grazing Table 2-1 describes each of the proposed amendments and the reasons given by the proponent for the change. A summary of the impacts of the preferred alternative is presented in Table 2-2. Maps of each amendment are located in Appendix A. The proponents of the amendments are listed in Appendix B. 2-1 Amendment Numbe r Amendment ACECs AND SPECIAL AREAS Designate an ACEC foti_cultural resources at the Rodman Mountain Cultural Area Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . I i\3 Designate an ACEC for wildlife and botani- cal resources adjacent to Red Rock Canyon State_Park in the land co-managed by the BLM and the California State Dept, of Parks and Recreation. Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . Designate an ACEC at Dedeckera Canyon and the_ adjoining area for botanical and °iI>gEL_signif icant resources . Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . TABLE 2-1 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENTS Proponent's Reason for Submission Rock art sites within this area have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These sites are significant because: there is a diver- sity of artistic styles and association with habit- ation sites, trails, and resource exploitation sites; they are located close to contemporary habi- tation areas and are amenable to public interpre- tation; and they are significant to the religious and spiritual concerns of Native Americans. The ACEC designation provides the mechanism to give this unique area the special management it needs over and above that provided by wilderness designation, if and when that would occur. The ACEC would provide additional protection to wildlife, vegetation, and other resources currently subject to human disturbance. These include: (a) golden eagles, prairie falcons, great horned owls, and kestrels; (b) BLH sensitive plants: Hemizonia arida, and Phacelia nashiana: (c) desert tortoise and Mojave ground squirrel; (d) Native American values - intaglio art; and (e) vertebrate fossil formation - a rich and fragile Miocene fossil bed. This canyon is an area of unusual values. Its dolomite cliffs provide habitats for unique plant assemblages, including Dedeckera eurekensis and many species endemic to the Death Valley region. Its archaeological sites have yet to receive ade quate study, but there is evidence that they should be protected from degradation. Raptors are present and, possibly bighorn sheep. Preferred Alternative Adopt Amendment Adopt Amendment Rationale Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Adopt Amendment Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment Number i CO Amendment Expand boundaries of ACEC #62 - Coyote Mountain. Alternative A: Alternative B: (no action). Adopt amendment. Reject amendment Delete ACEC #28. Camp Trwin Boundary. Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . Delete ACEC #38. Kramer Hills. Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . Delete ACEC #57. Dale Lake Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . TABLE 2-1 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENTS Proponent's Reason for Submission A 4WD route runs through the canyon on its way between Eureka and Saline Valleys. Camping in the canyon could be hazardous to both the natural resources and to the campers, as flash floods may sweep down the canyon with great force. ACEC management could protect the botanical and archae ological resources and control human use of the canyon. The original boundaries included few paleonto logical areas in the Coyote Mountains. New research by the San Diego Natural History Museum, under cooperative agreement with the Bureau, has better defined the distribution of paleontological values . Approximately 80% of the ACEC and 100% of the cul- tural resources are located within the Fort Irwin National Training Center which is under the Department of Army administration. The resources present in this area on public lands under BLM administration do not warrant special management implied by an ACEC designation. A 100% pedestrian survey of the ACEC in 1984 and again in 1986 failed to locate any cultural resources within the ACEC. The resources present in this area do no warrant implied by an ACEC designation. Preferred Alternative special management A 100% pedestrian survey of the ACEC in January 1987 failed to locate significant cultural re sources within the ACEC; previously recorded sites could not be relocated. The resources present in this area do not warrant special management implied by an ACEC designation. Adopt Amendment Adopt Amendment Rationale Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Adopt Amendment Adopt Amendment Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment Number I Amendment MULTIPLE-USE CLASS CHANGES Change the Multiple Use Class from "M" to "L" in the portion of the Yuha Desert Management Area between Highways 80 and 98 (excluding the Dunaway Staging Area) . Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: (no action). Reject amendment ChanRe the Multiple Use Class from "M" to "L" in the East Mesa Desert between High- way 78 and the Mexican border, the East Highline and the Old Coachella Canals (excluding Long Term Visitor Areas and the Gordon's Well Camp Site). Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: (no action) . Reject amendment TABLE 2-1 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENTS Proponent's Reason for Submission Preferred Alternative Wildlife and cultural resource values in the Yuha Desert have deteriorated steadily since the late 19 70s, in spite of many attempts to achieve man- agement control. These included the formulation and implementation of the Yuha Desert Management Framework Plan (1975), the Yuha Basin ACEC activ- ity plan (1981), the Yuha Desert Wildlife Habitat Management Plan (1983), and the Yuha Desert Man- agement Plan (1985). A change to Class L would provide more protective management guidelines and improve the Bureau's potential for halting the decline of resources in this sensitive area. Since adoption of the Desert Plan in 1980, the population of the flat-tailed horned lizard (FTHL) has declined significantly in some parts of its range in southeast California, southern Arizona, and portions of Baja California. This decline led to the lizard's being designated as a "sensitive species" by the BLM and a candidate for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Endangered Species and California Department of Fish and Game. The East Mesa is one of four crucial habitat areas in California, and the East Mesa ACEC was designated for protection of the species in 1980. Studies have shown that the crucial habitat extends west and north of the original ACEC boundaries. Cultural resources along the Lake Cahuilla shore- line extend further to the east than originally indicated. These resources, as well as wildlife, would benefit from the added protection provided by the multiple use guidelines of Class L. Rationale Adopt Amendment Adopt Amendment Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment Number Amendment 10 11 I Ol 12 Change all Class "H" areas within the East Mojave National Scenic Area to Class "L". Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Alternative C: (no action) . Modify Proposal: Exclude the Mescal Range Reject amendment Change the Multiple Use Class from "H" to "I" in the area adjacent to the Dumont Dunes "open area"; change motorized vehicle access from "limited" to "open. " Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D Add Area 2 . Add Areas 2 and 3 . Add Areas 2 , 3 and 4 . Reject amendment (no action) . Change the Multiple Use Class of an area on the north end of Ivanpah Dry Lake, adjacent to Interstate 15 and the Nevada border, from "L" to "M" for construction of an airport. Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . TABLE 2-1 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENTS Proponent's Reason for Submission Preferred Alternative Rationale This action would meet resource protection objec- tives of the East Mojave National Scenic Area Management Plan and would assure effective reclam- ation of impacts from mining and recreation use. The change would affect three areas (approxi- mately 120,000 acres) which make up about 10% of the Scenic Area. Expansion of the Class I area would encompass areas historically used for camping and would provide safe areas for novice 0HV users to learn to ride. It would also provide more Identifiable boundaries to the open area. These boundaries will assist management of the area and reduce cross-country use in the limited area surrounding the open area. The airport is to accommodate air services for a Nevada casino clientele and to provide a fa- cility for air ambulance service. Owing to the desired runway length (7,000 ft) and to prevailing winds from the south, an airport is not feasible on the Whiskey Pete's Casino property. The Ivanpah Dry Lake location places the airport near the existing Nevada casino/hotel which also contains the operation's administrative offices. Adopt Alt A Adopt Alt B Reject Amendment Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Areas 2 and 3 would include the maj- ority of the historic OHV use area, provide for family and individual OHV activity, and would improve the boundary manageability. Airport access to a Nevada casino would potentially increase aircraft traffic, necessitating restricted use of two interstate utility corri- dors for future transmission lines. The change would also result in "spot zoning" for a single, non-resident user which is not in accord with the Desert Plan. There would be impacts on soil and wildlife. Amendment Number Amendment 1.3 14 IY> I CD 15 UTILITY CORRIDORS Delete a portion of Utility Corridor M. Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action). Delete a Segment of Utility Corridor E (1 mile by 9 miles) within the East Mo- jave National Scenic Area. Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . Delete Contingent Utility Corridor W. Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action). TABLE 2-1 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENTS Proponent's Reason for Submission Preferred Alternative Rationale Since the Desert Plan was adopted in 1980, new data has been obtained about significant wildlife and cultural resources that occur along the ancient shoreline of Lake Cahuilla and adjacent areas. The County of Imperial has activated a utility corridor along the west side of the East Highline Canal for use by the Imperial Irrigation District as a route for a 230kv transmission project (Coachella Valley- Niland-El Centro). The cost and timeframe of miti- gating the anticipated impacts of placing a trans- mission project within Corridor M would contraindi- cate use of the corridor as long as an alternative is available. Utility Corridor E currently extends one mile into the Scenic Area along part of the eastern boundary. This amendment would delete that portion of the corridor, leaving a 2-3 mile-wide developable cor- ridor. The proposal would conform to Scenic Area objectives for visual resource management and would eliminate constraints imposed by a wilderness study area in this portion of the East Mojave. The Desert Plan listed this corridor as having potential for future development, but required a Plan Amendment to designate it formally as a utility corridor. The East Mojave Plan determined that such development would not conform to resource management objectives and recommended that the corridor be eliminated from future consideration. Adopt Amendment Adopt Amendment Adopt Amendment Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment Number Amendment 16 17 IN3 I 18 MOTORIZED VEHICLE ACCESS Change motorized vehicle access in the ChuckwaLLa Dune Thicket ACEC_ f rom "limited" to "closed . " Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . Change motorized vehicle access in the Palen Dry Lake ACEC from "limited" to "closed . " Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . LIVESTOCK GRAZING Prohibit livestock grazing south of Inter- state-10 in the Ford Dry Lake Al lotment . Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Reject amendment (no action) . TABLE 2-1 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENTS Proponent's Reason for Submission Preferred Alternative Rationale The ACEC Management Plan for this ACEC recommended closure of this area of approximately 2000 acres for protection of significant and sensitive wild- life values from inadvertent damage by vehicles. The ACEC management plan for this ACEC recommended cLosure of the area for protection of cultural resources from motorized vehicle use. "Recent loss of the entire population of 50 mountain sheep in the Warner Mountains to pneumonia as a result of Pasturella hemolytics infection in conjunction with known recent con- tact with domestic sheep indicates a fatal infection introduced by domestic sheep to the mountain sheep population. Domestic sheep have also been documented as a source of infection by William J. Foreyt (ref.). Our plans to augment the bighorn sheep population in the Chuckwalla Mountains will be threatened if the Ford Dry Lake Allotment, listed as ephemeral range and grazed intermittently, remains open to domestic sheep grazing. " Adopt Amendment Adopt Amendment Adopt Amendment Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment adopted for reasons given in proponent's submission. Amendment Number Amendment 19 ro i oo Establish a new ephemeral grazing allot- ment near Daggett . Alternative A: Adopt amendment. Alternative B: Modify proposal: Camp Rock Road as eastern boundary. Alternative C: Reject amendment (no action). TABLE 2-1 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENTS Proponent's Reason for Submission Preferred Alternative Rationale "I have agricultural lands in the Newberry Springs area that I winter the sheep on; I also have grazing area in the Stoddard Valley sheep lease. In the past when I trail the sheep from Newberry springs fields to the Stoddard Valley lease, I have acquired a trailing permit from the BLM to pass through these lands I am now asking to be amended to ephemeral grazing use." Reject Amendment Changing a trailing use to emphemeral grazing still results in obtaining an authorization for putting sheep out; am4 a trailing permit may be required under some circumstances. The two uses are different authorizations and do not automatically allow both to occur simultaneously. Also, the '1-40 compromise policy' is not to increase grazing south of 1-40. In addition, there is a potential impact to bighorn sheep. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Amendment Nineteen: New Ephemeral Grazing Allotment near DaRRett Grazing Management The proposed Daggett Allotment would be classified as ephemeral range. Annual forbs and grasses are the major forage component. Ephemeral forage production can vary extremely from year to year, requiring management flexibility in prescribing stocking rates and season of use. If approved, the BLM would issue a grazing lease to a qualified applicant under 43 CFR 4110. Allotments classified as ephemeral would be managed under ephemeral author- izations. Grazing use authorization would be issued after an interdisciplin- ary team, along with the grazing operator, made a field examination of the allotment and determined whether production of 200 pounds per acre of dry weight would be available for turnout. The 200 pounds per acre determina- tion is based upon the judgment of experienced range conservationists. Photographs would be taken of the production at turnout to insure standard- ization. Production clip plots would be used to verify estimates. The allowable grazing use would not exceed a level that would leave an average of 200 pounds residual forage. The proposed allotment does not have structural range improvements (fences, water developments, etc). If sheep were authorized, the allotment would not require fencing; however some type of water system would have to be devel- oped. Due to the lack of perennial water, the most practical water system would be to haul water. Portable troughs would be laid out adjacent to roads and a water truck would be used to fill the troughs. This is a common practice on ephemeral sheep allotments. The size of the allotment and the estimated ephemeral forage production would limit the number of sheep to one band. 2-9 TABLE 2- -2 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS Unit of Preferred Percent New Percent Resource Measure No Action Alternative Change of Desert Multiple Use Class c Acres 1 ,900,000 1,900,000 0 15.9 L Acres 5 ,902,000 6,151,440 4.2 51.4 M Acres 3 ,400,000 3,142,410 -7.6 26.3 I Acres 520,000 528,150 1.6 4.4 Unclassified Acres 249,000 249,000 0 2.1 Vehicle Access Acres 505,000 513,150 1.6 Open 4.3 Limited Acres 9 ,251,000 9,237,464 0.15 77.2 Closed Acres 1 ,963,000 1,968,386 0.27 16.4 Undesignated Acres 251,000 251,000 0 2.1 ACECs Added Number Acres 0 0 3 14,797 Deleted Number Acres 0 0 3 5,360 Net Change Number Acres 0 0 0 -t-9,437 Livestock Grazing Ephemeral Allotment s Number Acres 19 1,351,118 19 1,315,818 Ephemeral /Perennial Number 25 25 Allotments Acres 3,036,267 3,036,267 Perennial Allotment s Number Acres 14 720,522 14 720,522 2-10 CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER THREE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCTION The affected environment refers to the area which may be impacted by a proposed amendment. For some amendments, this may be an extremely Limited area; for others, it may apply to the entire California Desert Conservation Area. This chapter describes the affected environment for each amendment. Additionally, information on the amendment areas can be found in several other publications. These include the following: - The California Desert Conservation Plan (including overlays), 1980. The Appendices for the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Plan, CDCA, September, 1980. AMENDMENT ONE: NEW ACEC AT RODMAN MOUNTAINS CULTURAL AREA Cultural Resources The Rodman Mountains Cultural. Area contains more than two dozen petroglyph sites associated with aboriginal trails, lithic tool scatters, rock rings, bedrock metates , and other features indicative of prehistoric use of the area. These sites are located on the extensive lava flow that descends southeast- to- northwest from Pipkin Cinder Cone, situated in the center of the Rodman Mountains. The Cultural Area is significant because it provides an opportunity for a systematic study of rock art which may yield information on the stylistic changes and development of rock art motifs within the California Desert and the Great Basin of the Western United States. The petroglyph sites could also provide data on the association of rock art with the settlement/subsistence activities of aboriginal populations. Few petroglyph localities within the California Desert offer such possibilities for education, interpretation, scientific research, and aesthetic enjoyment. Wildlife There are no known State or Federally- listed wildlife species within the proposed Rodman Mountains ACEC. Species of special management concern that occur in the area are the Golden Eagle and the Desert Bighorn Sheep. The Golden Eagle is frequently observed here and is known to nest throughout the 3-1 adjoining mountains. There is a permanent bighorn herd in the Newberry Mountains just to the northwest of the ACEC. It is thought that this herd may use the ACEC area seasonally as they move between the Rodman and Newberry Mountains . Vegetation There are no known State or Federally-listed plants within the proposed ACEC. Vegetation is typical of the Mojave Desert and consists predominantly of creosote bush scrub of moderate density and diversity. Recreation Recreational use in the area consists primarily of sightseeing and vehicular touring. Visitor use is generally moderate and mostly single-day use with little associated camping. Wilderness The proposed ACEC falls within the Rodman Mountains WSA which was recommended as suitable for wilderness designation by the Desert Plan, 1980. AMENDMENT TWO: NEW ACEC ADJACENT TO RED ROCK CANYON Wildlife The desert tortoise (Gopherus asassizi) has been found in the proposed ACEC area. The tortoise is a BLM sensitive species and is under consideration for Federal listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened or en- dangered. The California Fish and Game Commission is also considering listing the tortoise as threatened. The Mojave ground squirrel (Spermophilus mojavensis) may occur in portions of the affected area. It is listed as threatened by the California Fish and Game Commission and is a Category 2 candidate for Federal listing. The area is also a known raptor nesting and foraging area. Species known to nest and roost here include the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) , prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) , great-horned owl (Bubo virsinianus) , barn owl (Tyto alba) and the kestrel (Falco sparverius) . A seasonal closure for all human uses, enforced by the State Parks Department, is in effect during the raptor nesting period. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Red Rock Canyon State Park currently affords protection for wildlife by controlling OHV use. Vegetation Four significant protected native plants occur in the proposed ACEC area. The Red Rock tarweed (Hemizonia arida) is a BLM sensitive species and a Category 1 candidate for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS) . The plant is listed as rare by the State of California and lb by the California Native Plant Society (This listing means the plant is rare throughout its range and 3-2 judged by GNPS to be vulnerable under present circumstances.) Charlotte's phacelia (Phacelia nashiana) is a BLM sensitive species which the CNPS considers vulnerable under present circumstances. The MOU with Red Rock Canyon State Park affords the plants some protection by controlling OHV use. There may be long-range threats from mining. Recreation There are four designated OHV routes of travel in this area. Vehicle use is restricted or prohibited on the Nightmare Canyon route during part of the year. There is frequent day use of the area for hiking by people enjoying the area's scenic qualities and interesting native flora and fauna. Cultural and Paleontolofiical Resources Four cultural resource sites have been recorded within the proposed ACEC, three prehistoric and one historic. Two of the prehistoric sites, a quarry and a special task area, are common in the region, but the other site, a geoglyph, is rare and unique. The historic site is associated with late 19th or early 20th century mining and is a common type in the region. The proposed ACEC is within the Ricardo Formation, which is a rich source of 8-10 million-year-old vertebrate fossils. These have been a standard of comparison for similarly-aged fauna in western North American for over 75 years. There are many known fossil localities within the proposed ACEC. AMENDMENT THREE: NEW ACEC AT DEDECKERA CANYON Wildlife The dolomite cliffs of the Last Chance Range provide nesting and roosting habitat for raptors as well as habitat for bighorn sheep. A water source for bighorn was constructed in an unnamed canyon within the proposed ACEC in 1975. Vegetation The proposed ACEC contains the July gold (Dedeckera eurekensis) which is a Category 2 candidate for listing by the USFWS. The cliffs of the Last Chance Range also provide habitat for many plant species endemic to the Death Valley Region. Cultural Resources The BLM has no record of a cultural resource inventory having been undertaken or of cultural resources having been identified within this area. The data is insufficient to evaluate the cultural resource sensitivity of this area. Recreation There is only one designated route (F1794) that runs through the proposed 3-3 ACEC. This route is referred to as the Eureka/Saline Corridor and is main- tained under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau and the Gear Grinders Four Wheel Drive Club of Ridgecrest (a member club of the California Associ- ation of Four Wheel Drive Clubs). Route F1794 is a popular vehicle corridor among 4WD vehicle enthusiasts. It receives an estimated 4000 visitor use hours per year in the vicinity of the proposed ACEC. The route generally follows a dry wash that is bordered by steep canyon walls. Very little, if any, trail proliferation has occurred. Some visitors to the area hike up side canyons to examine the proposed ACEC's unique flora and fauna. Wilderness The area of the proposed ACEC falls within the portion of the Saline Valley Wilderness Study Area which the Bureau has recommended as suitable for wilderness designation. The Desert Plan recommended that the Eureka-Saline Corridor be maintained open to 4WD vehicles. This area is currently managed as Class L under the Interim Management Policy and Guidelines for Lands Under Wilderness Review, 1987 (IMP). AMENDMENT FOUR: ENLARGE COYOTE MOUNTAINS ACEC (No. 62) Paleontology The existing Coyote Mountains Fossil Site ACEC and some of the surrounding terrain are part of the famous Imperial Formation, a fossil-bearing strata. This formation contains extensive accumulations of marine invertebrate fossils which reveal valuable information about the diversity and evolution of marine life which once flourished in the ancient seas of the present California Desert. The overall invertebrate fauna includes foraminifers , bryozoans, corals, oysters, scallops, clams, snails, crustaceans, sea urchins, and sand dollars. Rock types or geologic structures include Miocene volcanics, Pleist- ocene nonmarine deposits, and pre-Cenozoic granitic and metamorphic rocks. More recently, marine vertebrate fossils have been found, including remains of sharks, rays, bony fishes, sea turtles, sea cows, and baleen whales. Cultural Resources Little formal archaeolgical inventory was conducted within the Coyote Mount- ains during the preparation of the Desert Plan. From several transects, only a single chipping station was found. More recent studies by Cerutti (1985) located a spectacular and unusual complex of pit and groove petroglyphs etched into a vertical sandstone face. This rock art may be duplicated else where in the area, since such sandstone surfaces are abundant. Wildlife The species of particular concern in this area is the magic gecko (Anarbylus switakl) . It is a State- listed threatened species and is a candidate for 3-4 Federal listing. The species is associated with both extrusive and intrusive granitis exposures, as well as intrusive volcanic formations. It has not yet been collected at elevations greater than 600 meters but may be present at higher elevations. It is apparently restricted to rock habitats in a narrow zone of the desert foothills of the Peninsular Range. Recreation This is an attractive recreation area because of its resource values and spectacular scenery. The unusual dome- like white sandstone formations receive the greatest use. Popular recreation activities include hiking, rock hounding, backpacking, nature study, sightseeing, fossil collection, and desert exploration. The ACEC area receives approximately 1000 visitor use days annually, mostly in non-motorized use. The area is closed to off-highway (OHV) use. Wilderness The existing ACEC and the proposed expansion lie within the Coyote Mountain WSA (#CDCA 373). This WSA has been recommended as nonsuitable for wilderness designation and is currently managed as Class L under the Interim Management Policy. AMENDMENT FIVE: DELETE CAMP IRWIN BOUNDARY ACEC (NO. 28) The majority of the area designated as ACEC #28 in the 1980 Plan is managed by the military, leaving approximately 300 acres under BLM administration. Re cent surveys by the Barstow Resource Area showed that none of the cultural sites for which this ACEC was designated occur on public lands. There are no other resources of special management concern in the area. AMENDMENT SIX: DELETE KRAMER HILLS ACEC (NO. 38) A 100 percent pedestrian survey of the ACEC in 1984 and again in 1986 by BLM archeologists failed to locate any unique or significant cultural resources within the ACEC. The resources encountered were scatterings of flakes and relatively common tools. No values were discovered warranting special management. There are no other resources of special management concern in the area. AMENDMENT SEVEN: DELETE DALE LAKE ACEC (NO. 51) A 100 percent pedestrian survey by two BLM archeologists in 1987 failed to locate significant cultural resources within the ACEC. Previously recorded sites could not be relocated, suggesting mapping errors. Three newly found sites were not considered to be unique or significant. No other resources of special management concern are within the area. 3-5 AMENDMENT EIGHT: CHANGE CLASS "M" TO CLASS "L" IN YUHA DESERT MANAGEMENT AREA Historical Background The Yuha Desert has long been a source of management concern for the BLM. The first formal attempt to balance resource values with other public land uses was the 1975 Yuha Desert Management Plan. A year later, the Bureau set up a competitive vehicle course designed so that archaeological sites would be protected. The CDCA Plan of 1980 designated 40,000 acres as the Yuha Basin ACEC, in acknowledgment of the sensitivity of wildlife and cultural resources to recreational activities and other uses. Management of the area was defined by the ACEC Management Plan (1981) which allowed continued use but added stipulations to protect sensitive resources. In 1982, the first route appro- val process for this area was completed, and in 1983 the Yuha Desert Wildlife Habitat Management Plan was published. Resource values continued to deteriorate despite the above actions. in response, the Bureau prepared yet another plan, the Yuha Desert Management Plan (1985). This plan was designed to halt resource decline through a series of management actions to control vehicle use. Concerns surfaced by the plan led to a 55 percent expansion of the Yuha Basin ACEC to about 65,000 acres (1986). The proposed change in the multiple use classification of the Yuha Desert from Class M to Class L would provide further protection for the important resources found there. Wildlife The southeastern Yuha Basin is one of four optimal habitat areas for the flat-tailed horned lizard (FTHL) , a Category 2 candidate for Federal listing and a BLM sensitive species. The FTHL was once widespread in desert portions of southeastern California, southern Arizona and adjoining portions of Sonora and Baja California, Mexico. However populations have been declining signifi- cantly in some parts of its range (Turner et al, 1978, 1980; Turner and Medica, 1982). Three other optimal habitat areas within the California Desert are: the area north of Ocotillo Wells and Benson Dry Lake, southern East Mesa, and the area south of Superstition Mountain. Since the initial Desert Plan decisions were made in 1980, BLM biologists have found significant decreases in FTHL relative abundance in portions of all of the four optimal habitat areas except the Superstition Mountain area (Olech, 1987). The USFWS Field Office at Laguna Niguel has recommended that the status of the FTHL be elevated to Category 1. The species has become a candidate for listing by the California Department of Fish and Game. Pursuant to BLM policy (Manual 6840) it is incumbent upon the Bureau to manage crucial FTHL habitat to preclude the need to list the species. The Bureau is implementing this policy by preparing a species management plan, with input from the California Department of Fish and Game, the USFWS, and the Interagency Technical Advisory Committee for the FTHL. 3-6 Despite the observed decreases in population, the Yuha retains a number of sections containing good quality FTHL habitat. The proposed amendment contains approximately 16 sections which are classed as Category 1 habitat. The objectives for Category 1 are to minimize habitat deterioration and loss. Vegetation Thurber's pilostyles (Pilostyles Thurberi) occur in unusually high numbers in the Yuha Desert area. P. thurberi has no special State or Federal designa- tion. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) considers the species to be limited in distribution, but not endangered. Cultural Resources The significance of cultural resources in the West Mesa area has long been recognized. Management plans, National Register quality sites and districts as well as research projects all attest to the variety and complexity of archaeological values in the area. New aggressive management is required to protect these resources. There has been considerable archaeological work in the Yuha area since adoption of the Desert Plan. This began with finalization of a Class II statistical inventory of the Lake Cahuilla shoreline region. Westec Services (Gallegos 1980) reported that the density of sites along the relict beach line was substantially greater than that in surrounding areas. Many archaeological sites are listed on the National Register. Nearly 100 are included in the Yuha Basin Discontiguous District. This zone of prehistoric sites is unusual, since it represents a rare concentration of paleo-Indian artifacts (von Werlhof 1977). The study area is also noteworthy because of the presence of at least six geoglyphs. These ground figures are currently considered eligible for the National Register and are considered to possess high Native American sensitivity. In addition to these significant features, several cremations occur within the area which also contain critical Native American sensitivities. The archaeological resources which helped stimulate preparation of the manage- ment plans were identified by a large number of inventory efforts. Principle among these was the work by Imperial Valley College, led by von Werlhof. Hun- dreds of sites were recorded by field classes. According to current records, over 24 sections now contain 10 or more recorded archaeological sites. This is an unusual concentration of resources. This data served not only as a stimulus for altering BLM's management but also as the basis for the National Register nomination. Additional inventory in the area is summarized in Gallegos (1980) and in the Yuha Desert Management Plan (1985). Several sites have been subject to scientific data recovery and excavation (Gallegos 1984, Shackley 1984, and Schaefer 1986). Each of these projects dealt with sites located along the relict shoreline of Lake Cahuilla. Results revealed that subsurface archaeological material is present in the study area and consists of valuable environmental, ecological, and artif actual data. 3-7 Recreation Three to five competitive OHV events occur within the Yuha Desert area south of Interstate 8 each year. An additional four or five events occur in the South Plaster City area. These races are confined to a designated race course system for which all resource studies have been completed. Pit, start, finish, and spectator areas are not allowed in Multiple Use Class L. Therefore, the Dunaway Staging Area is excluded from the proposed class change. Approximately 30,000 visitor use days (VUD) of general recreation use occur in the Yuha Desert each year. Lands Over the past two years the Yuha Desert area has been identified by Imperial County, the State of California and private industry as potentially suitable for development of a prison site, a sanitary landfill, or a hazardous waste facility. Interest has been on the rise in recent months. AMENDMENT NINE: CHANGE CLASS "M" TO CLASS "L" IN EAST MESA AREA Historical Background In 1980, the Desert Plan designated the East Mesa area as Class M. It further designated several ACECs for cultural resources and a wildlife Habitat Management Area. Management plans were completed in the early 1980s. Since that time, a large amount of original inventory on cultural resources and wildlife has provided data indicating that a Class L designation would be more suitable to the East Mesa than the current Class M. Wildlife There are four species of special management concern known to occur in the proposed amendment area: the flat- tailed horned lizard, the Colorado Desert fringe toed lizard, the Yuma clapper rail, and the California black rail. Fla^taUjsd_JiOCTiel_J^ (See data on FTHL under Amendment 8.) Although significant decreases in BTHL relative abundance have occurred in portions of East Mesa (especially in southeastern East Mesa), blocks of good habitat remain. The amendment area contains 55 sections of Category 1 habitat. Management objectives for Category 1 are to minimize habitat deter- ioration and loss. Specifically, the proposed amendment area contains 19 sections of high, 15 sections of medium, and 36 sections of low (FTHL) relative abundance, as indicated by the most recent field data available. Additional areas with a very high potential for being high value habitat are currently unsurveyed. Colorado JDesert, Iringe-toed lizard . The Colorado Desert fringe toed lizard is a Category 2 candidate for Federal listing. The species has been observed within the proposed amendment area, although specific intensive inventories have not yet been conducted. 3-8 Yuma clapper rail. The Yuma clapper rail is State- listed as threatened and Federally-listed as endangered. The species is migratory and breeds in freshwater marshes from Needles south along the Colorado River, in marshes near the Salton Sea, and along irrigation canals in the Imperial Valley, including the East Highline Canal. Dense cattails are required for nesting,' and crayfish form a major portion of this bird's known diet. USFWS biologists observed 17 Yuma clapper rails in the seep wetland south of the All American canal between Drops 3 and 4 on April 30-May 1, 1981. On May 16, 1984, three clapper rails responded to taped vocalizations. The high numbers of this species found here in the past and the uncertainty connected with breeding habitats on the Colorado River and the Salton Sea underscore the importance of the wetland between Drops 3 and 4 as rail breeding habitat (USDI, FWS, 1988). Calif omia black rail. The California black rail is a State-listed threatened species and a Category 2 candidate for Federal listing. Inland marsh habitat for this sparrow-sized rail is usually characterized by sedges, saltgrass, and bulrush. In the seep wetlands between Drops 3 and 4 of the All American Canal, black rails were heard calling primarily from cattails, but also from areas containing willows, tamarisk, arrowweed , and pampas grass. On April 10, 1984, 33 black rails responded on the south side of the canal, and five additional birds were heard on the north side. Thus, 38 birds represent the minimum number of black rails using these wetlands. This census indicated that the seep wetlands between Drops 3 and 4 contain a significant breeding population of California black rails. Pursuant to BLM policy, it is incumbent upon the Bureau to (l)manage wildlife populations and habitat to preclude the need to list candidate species and to (2) improve Federally-listed species populations and their habitat in order to enable delisting. The Bureau has similar policies regarding State-listed species . Cultural Resources The archaeological resources of the East Mesa are found in the western portion and are concentrated along a broad band associated with the irregular shore- line of relict Lake Cahuilla. This shoreline has long been recognized as a zone of intense prehistoric use (Gallegos 1980). Lake Cahuilla was a large fresh water lake, which stretched from below the Mexican border to north of Indio, California. It drew prehistoric populations to its shores for food gathering. The archaeological site densities now found there- up to 25 sites per square mile— are nearly unparalleled in the Cali- fornia Desert. These sites contain temporary camps with evidence of food preparation, ceramic scatters, occasional lithic reduction stations, and rarely, cremations. Recorded sites were documented as long ago as the 1920s by Malcolm Rogers, and many others followed. Imperial Valley College contributed the bulk of data (see for example von Werlhof 1977, 1978a, 1978b, 1979). since adoption of the Desert Plan in 1980, there have been reports of sites containing significant buried deposits (Gallegos, 1986 and Schaefer, 1987). One site, for example, contained only a few pottery sherds on the surface, but excavation revealed the presence of an artifact-rich hearth feature. Closer surface scrutiny 3-9 indicated that as many as eight additional hearth features are present. This newly recognized possibility for buried deposits extends north for a consid- erable distance and probably applies to the entire East Mesa shoreline. The Bureau has initiated management actions to protect archaeological values in the western portion of East Mesa. A sand and gravel management plan (1983) was developed to allow extraction while protecting cultural resources. The plan prohibited material removal from several areas. Four ACECs were estab- lished on the last remnants of intact shoreline in the southern part of the East Mesa. Their plans call for prohibition of new sand and gravel extraction, in order to preserve remaining shoreline features and associated archaeology. Nomination of portions of the East Mesa shoreline to the National Register of Historic Places has been initiated. Located within Utility Corridor "M" , this discontiguous district extends for nearly 27-miles from the International Border. Recreation Visitor use in the East Mesa is low, and consists primarily of OHV play and associated camping. This use is concentrated around the Gordon's Well area (which is excluded from the proposed class change) . Competitive events have not been permitted within East Mesa since 1974. Two Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVA) , Hot Springs and Tamarisk, are located within the East Mesa. These two sites are also excluded from the proposed class change, since LTVA use cannot be characterized as "low to moderate" intensity, as required by Class L. Geology-EnerRy-Minerals (GEM) A large portion of the East Mesa is covered by geothermal leases or lease applications. Class L lands are available for geothermal, solar, and wind-powered generation facilities. Environmental assessments are required before any new surface disturbing activities are allowed. Land Tenure Adjustment Various locations within the East Mesa Desert have been identified by the County, State, and private industry as potentially suitable for development as a prison site and/or as a sanitary landfill. The area is desireable for such development because of its accessibility to water and power and its proximity to town. There has also been interest in leasing the lands for agricultural purposes. Under the Class M designation, lands are subject to disposal and use for agri- cultural development. Class L precludes both, subject to a plan amendment. AMENDMENT TEN: CHANGE CLASS "M" AREAS TO CLASS "L" IN EAST MOJAVE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA Three distinct regions within the East Mojave National Scenic Area were classified as Class M, or moderate use, by the 1980 Desert Plan: (1) the 3-10 Clark Mountains /Ivanpah Mountains /Mescal Range region; (2) a small area in the vicinity of the Aiken and Cima cinder mines; and (3) a fairly large region between Soda Lake and Halloran Springs. These areas cover roughly 120, ono acres, or about 10 percent of the public lands of the Scenic Area. Wildlife Desert bighorn sheep, a BLM sensitive species, range throughout the first region listed above. A resident herd estimated at 150 sheep inhabits the Clark Mountain area. At least seven white bighorn sheep (non-albino) were sighted during a 1984 aerial census. These white bighorns are apparently unique to the Clark Mountain Range. The Mescal Range and Ivanpah Mountains are classified as transient ranges. The Mescal Range is being considered as a potential area for future bighorn sheep transplants. Mule deer are also present in the affected area with greatest concentrations occurring on Clark Mountain. Clark Mountain's slopes, bajadas, and surrounding valleys comprise good nesting and foraging habitat for raptors, such as golden eagles, prairie falcons, American kestrels, Cooper's hawks, red-tailed hawks, and ravens. The area also contains a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including thirteen species of snakes and fourteen species of lizards (Mitchell, 1978). The first recorded specimen of the banded gila monster in California was taken on the east slope of Clark Mountain (Bradley and Dean, 1966). Species diversity is not as great in the Mescal Range and Ivanpah Mountains as at Clark Mountain. However, these areas do provide excellent hunting and nesting habitat for a variety of raptors and ravens. The desert tortoise occurs on the eastern bajadas of the Ivanpah Mountains and the western bajadas of the Mescal Range. The tortoise is proposed for State listing as a threatened species and for Federal listing as a threatened or endangered species. Tortoise habitat falling within the affected area is classified as Category I habitat . No other State or Federal threatened /en- dangered species or BLM sensitive species are known to occur in the affected area. Region 2 and 3 are characterized by a lower density of wildlife than region 1. The area provides habitat for small mammals, reptiles and foraging golden eagles and other raptors and avians. Veftetation The affected areas generally lie within the Creosote Bush Scrub Community. Portions of the Cima Dome Joshua Tree Woodland UPA (Unusual Plant Assemblage) and the Clark Mountain Rupicole UPA are included within the amendment area. No Federal- or State-listed threatened, endangered, or rare plant species are known from this area. Four BLM sensitive species are present, all of which are candidates for listing as threatened or endangered by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. They include Forsellesia pungens var. Rlabra, Erigeron parishii, Coryphantha vivipara var. alversonii, and Ferocactus acanthodes var. acanthodes . 3-1 1 Grazing Management The amendment area includes portions of four Livestock grazing allotments. Over 75 percent of the affected acreage lies in the Valley View allotment, with the remainder divided between the Kessler Springs, Valley Wells, and Clark Mountain allotments. Over 1900 cattle are authorized to graze yearlong on the 890,000 acres within these leases. Wild Horses and Burros There are two wild horse and burro herd management areas (HMAs) within the proposed amendment area. Burros are targeted for removal from the affected portion of the Clark Mountain HMA. A population of 75 burros will be main- tained in the Lava Beds HMA. Recreation All vehicle use is restricted to existing routes of travel which provide back country access for sightseeing, rockhounding, day hiking, photography, etc. Segments of the Mojave Road and East Mojave Heritage Trail are included in the amendment area. Cultural Resources The limited extent of inventory undertaken within the three Class M areas precludes valid determination of overall sensitivity. However, a number of significant resources have been documented including a post glacial Lake Mojave site, a National Register Rock Art District, an historic townsite dating from the 1860s and locations of Native American religious value. Visual Resources One of the present Class M areas covers much of the Cinder Cones, one of the most visually distinctive regions of the East Mojave and a destination point for many Scenic Area visitors. The Ivanpah/Mescal Range area contains several miles of the East Mojave Heritage Trail, where visual quality is an important component of the user's enjoyment. The recently approved Scenic Area Management Plan (USDI 1988) requires that most discretionary actions meet Visual Resource Management Class II guide lines; these require that an action may be seen, but should not attract the attention of the casual observer and should blend into the existing landscape. Nondiscretionary actions such as mining should attempt to meet these criteria, but are not required to do so. Geology-Energy-Minerals (GEM) Three active mines are located in the amendment areas. These include Aiken's cinder mine and two small gold mining operations. The rare earths mining at Mountain Pass and the bulk of the claims around that mining operation are outside the Scenic Area and would remain in Multiple Use Classes I (intensive use) or M. In the Scenic Area, Plans of Operation generally will require the filing of some financial guarantee for reclamation costs as a condition of approval. 3-12 AMENDMENT ELEVEN: CHANGE CLASS "M" TO CLASS "I" AND VEHICLE ACCESS FROM "LIMITED" TO "OPEN" IN AREA ADJACENT TO DUMONT DUNES OHV AREA Wildlife There are no known Federal or State-listed threatened or endangered wildlife species within the planning area. However, two BLM sensitive fish species, the Amargosa pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae) and the Amargosa speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus nevadensis) , are documented in the Amargosa River within the Amargosa Canyon Natural Area ACEC. The Amargosa speckled dace is also a Category 2 candidate for Federal listing. There is no data indicating whether the distribution of either fish includes the Amargosa River between the Concrete Crossing and Highway 127. Wildlife in the area surrounding the current open area are typical of much of the Mojave Desert. They include the zebra-tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) , desert iguana (Dipsosaurus d. dorsalis ) , sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) , red racer (Masticophis f lagellum piceus) , kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami and p_;_ deserti) , coyote (Canis latrans ) , jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) , golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) , common raven (Corvus corax) , and horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) . Within the dunes area, wildlife is essentially non-existent, due to a natural lack of habitat. A.R. Hardy and F.G. Andrews (1976) found two species of beetles which were new and unclassified and thought to be endemic to these dunes (Eucilinus n. sp. and Trigonoscuta n. sp.). Vegetation The dominant plant community surrounding the proposed amendment area is creosote /bursage (Larrae tridentata/Ambrosia dumosa) ■ The area is generally lacking in vegetation because of the predominance of unstable sand. There are no known Federal or State-listed plant species and no BLM sensitive species or plant assemblages. Recreation The Dumont Dunes open area (OHV Area) (Area 1, Map 11, Appendix A) was designated an open area, Multiple Use Class I, by the Desert Plan in 1980. The primary recreational use in the area is dune riding in the main dune system. The Little Dumont Dunes to the west (Area 3, Map 11) attract young and novice riders. While four wheel drives and dune buggies are used, more than 70 percent of the dune vehicles are 3- or 4-wheeled all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The OHV Area attracts approximately 60,000 Visitor Use Days (VUDs) each year, 33 percent from southern Nevada and the remainder from the Los Angeles Basin. A Visitor Use Day at Dumont Dunes is defined as one visitor camping and OHV- riding for 13.7 hours. The prime season of use is from October through May, with the greatest visitation occurring on holiday weekends. Easter week and the Thanksgiving and President's Day weekends receive an estimated 18,000 VUDs each. Only 16 percent of the use is day use (1 day stay, but not overnight camping), probably because of the distance most visitors must travel to reach the 3-13 dunes. Day users are usually groups of 2 to 4 people, while longer term visitors tend to be groups of 5 to 50 or more people. Since there are no facilities, camping is informal. Camping on most weekends occurs along the two sand spits north of the main dune system (Area 2). In windy or hot weather, the camping pattern moves to the entrance road near the river and to the side wash. The large crowds on holiday weekends tend to fill the area between the main dune and the two sand spits and then spread out to the northeast along the face of the dune (see Area 2, Map 11, Appendix A). On these weekends, many visitors camp on the west side of the Little Dumont Dunes to escape the crowds and use these small dunes to train new or young riders . Cultural Resources Approximately 8 percent of the proposed amendment area has a high probability of containing significant cultural resources, as indicated by the environment- al features, such as washes and desert pavement, which are probable sources of lithic raw materials. The high probability area is a triangular area between the north edge of the sand hills and northern boundary of the Area 2 portion of the proposed amendment. The remainder of the area has no cultural resources. Wilderness There are four Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) surrounding the amendment area: Saddle Peak Mountains (WSA 219), South Saddle Peak Mountains (WSA 220), Avawatz Mountains (WSA 221), and Kingston Range (WSA 222). The Desert Plan recommended WSAs 219, 220, and 221 as nonsuitable for wilderness designation. Approximately 15 percent of WSA 222 in the area of the Kingston Range was recommended as suitable, while the remainder was recommended as non-suitable. All WSAs are being managed under the Interim Management Policy and Guidelines for Lands Under Wilderness Review (IMP) in order to to retain their wilderness values. Visual Resources The light-colored Dumont Dunes present a striking contrast to the dark craggy mountains nearby. This area has been rated as a Class II Visual Resource Management (VRM) area. This VRM classification means that "changes in any of the basic elements (form, line, color, texture) caused by a management activity should not be evident in the characteristic landscape. Contrasts are seen, but must not attract attention." Geolofty-EnerKy-Minerals (GEM) There are approximately 80 unpatented mining claims within the amendment area; 28 are within the existing OHV area, many being held by the same individuals. A plan of operations has been filed in the area of the Little Dumont Dunes. The subject area contains about 12-square miles of the Amargosa Canyon- Dumont Dunes mineral withdrawal (PLO 5537). More than half of this withdrawal was recommended for revocation in 1982, but no action has yet been taken. 3-14 AMENDMENT TWELVE: CHANGE A PORTION OF IVANPAH LAKE FROM CLASS "L" TO CLASS "M" Land/Soeio-Economic Approximately 200 acres would be affected by this proposal, all on the surface of Ivanpah Lake immediately west of the Nevada stateline. The purpose is to permit construction of an airport with its runway in California and facilities in Nevada. The proposed airport would be operated by Whiskey Pete's, a Nevada casino. The facilities, located on the Nevada side of the state line, would be adjacent and convenient to the casino. Presently, the casino has no air facilities and all casino visitors arrive by car from the interstate highway. Utility Corridors The proposed area is within the confluence of two utility corridors designated in the Desert Plan, D (Boulder corridor) and BB (1-15 corridor). These two corridors cross the desert, providing a link between out-of-state power sources and the coastal urban area. A number of transmission lines are near or adjacent to the amendment area, including the authorized, though not built, Mead-Adelanto 500 kV transmission line. Wildlife With the exception of insects, occasional transient birds, and possibly some species of fairy shrimp, Ivanpah Lake is devoid of wildlife. However, the dry lake is surrounded by Category 1 desert tortoise habitat. This was one of the primary reasons for the original Class L designation and this reason is still valid. No other State or Federally-listed threatened/ endangered species or BLM sensitive species are known to occur in the affected area. Vegetation There is no vegetation present in the playa. Scattered creosote (Larrea tridentata) and saltbush (Atrip lex polycarpa) can be found as each end of the subject area. No threatened, endangered, or rare species, nor BLM sensitive species occur here. Grazing Management The land affected by this proposal lies within the Clark Mountain grazing allotment. This lease authorizes the yearly use of 127,000 acres by 156 cattle. Water holes lie one-half mile to the north and one and a half-miles to the south of the affected area. Wild Horses and Burros This site falls within the Clark Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) , which presently contains about 70 burros. They depend in part on two livestock water sources located on the lake bed. All burros will eventually be removed from this portion of the HMA to protect other resources. 3-15 Cultural Resources There are no cultural resources on the lake bed. Recreation The entire lake bed is closed to vehicle travel to allow for non-motorized recreation such as land-sailing. However, the portion of the lake bed northwest of 1-15 is not used for such events. A gas pit area for the Barstow to Vegas race is adjacent to the proposed airport site. Visual Resources The proposed Class M area is in the foreground view of travellers along 1-15. The lake bed itself is one of the most distinctive features of the region. Several man-made features are located in the vicinity of the lakebed, including 1-15, dirt roads, powerlines or pipelines, a small power plant, and the casinos of Stateline, Nevada. Geoloi>y-Energ,v-Minerals (GEM) No interest has been shown by the mining industry in extracting salts from this basin. However, a few companies have expressed interest in placer gold mining on the lake bed south of 1-15. AMENDMENT THIRTEEN: DELETE PORTION OF UTILITY CORRIDOR M Wildlife Two species of special management concern may occur along the Corridor M route. The Yuma clapper rail is a State threatened and federally- listed endangered species. It is migratory and breeds in fresh water marshes from Needles south along the Colorado River, in marshes near the Salton Sea, and along irrigation canals in the Imperial Valley. The Calilfornia black rail is a State threatened species and a Category 2 candidate for Federal listing. Inland marsh habitat for this sparrow- sized rail is usually characterized by sedges, saltgrass, and bulrush. Utility Corridor In 1987 Corridor M was included in a preliminary study by the Imperial Irri- gation District(IID) as a potential route for their Coachella Valley-Niland- El Centro 230 kV Transmission Project. The study was conducted in cooperation with the El Centro Resource Area office. During this process, the proponent was made aware of the significant cultural resources that occur along the ancient shoreline of Lake Cahuilla and adjacent areas. The EA concluded that impacts to cultural resource values would be extremely high. The cost and timeframe of mitigating the anticipated impacts (if they could be mitigated) was the deciding factor against utilizing the southern portion of Corridor M. 3-16 In addition, the County has now activated a utility corridor along the west side of the East Highline Canal. This corridor is being used by IID for the transmission project mentioned above; it will also be available for future projects . Cultural Resources Corridor M coincides with the relict shoreline of Lake Cahuilla for most of corridor's length. This conflict jeopardizes the protection and preservation of significant archaeological values. (See the discussion of Cultural Resources for Amendment 9). Elimination of the majority of Corridor M would further the goals of the Desert Plan to maintain our cultural heritage as a legacy for future Americans. AMENDMENT FOURTEEN: DELETE ONE-MILE WIDE AND NINE-MILE LONG SEGMENT OF UTILITY CORRIDOR E Utility Corridor Corridor E is located along the eastern edge of the East Mojave National Scenic Area. North of Homer Mountain the corridor is two-miles wide; south of the mountain it widens to three-miles. It contains two highpower transmission lines and a maintenance road. No additional developments are proposed at this time. A segment, nine-miles long by one-mile wide and extending from Homer Mountain south to the railroad line, overlaps with the East Mojave National Scenic Area. The Scenic Area Management Plan recommended deleting the portion of the corridor within the Scenic Ares in order to eliminate potential visual conflicts within the Scenic Area. No further development is planned at this time. Wildlife The affected area is in the western half of Piute Valley. It is inhabited by a variety of small mammals, reptiles, game birds (Gambel's quail, mourning dove), and raptors typical of creosote bush scrub habitat. The area is classified as Category I desert tortoise habitat. The tortoise is proposed for State and Federal listing as a threatened or endangered species. The tortoise population located just across the state border in Nevada has been experi- encing a die-off since about 1983 for unknown reasons. The current status of the population in the affected area is unknown at this time. No other state or Federally-listed species or BLM sensitive species is known to occur in the affected area. VeRetation There are no threatened or endangered plant species. Cultural Resources No cultural resources are known for the segment, although significant prehistoric and historic resources are found at the adjacent Piute Spring ACEC. 3-17 Recreation The Mojave Road (a four-wheel drive road) passes through the corridor. Four wheel drive activity on other secondary roads in the area is limited. Visual Resources This corridor segment is located along the eastern edge of the National Scenic Area, and is easily seen hy travelers on the Mojave Road and by visitors to the Fort Piute area. The corridor's existing powerlines are seven-miles west of US 95 and are hardly visible from that highway. AMENDMENT FIFTEEN: ELIMINATE "CONTINGENT" CORRIDOR W Utility Corridors Contingent corridor W was identified by the Desert Plan as a potential loca- tion for a utility corridor. A Plan Amendment would be required for desig- nation of the corridor. Only after such a designation could additional transmission lines or pipelines be considered. The corridor presently contains three highpower transmission lines and maintenance roads which were built prior to the Desert Plan. Wildlife The affected area contains a variety of habitats and wildlife species, the most notable of which is the desert tortoise in Ivanpah and Kelso Valleys. The desert tortoise is proposed for both State and Federal listing as a threatened or endangered species. The gilded flicker, a State-listed species, has also been reported in the Joshua tree woodland habitat occurring on Cima Dome. No other State or Federally-listed species or BLM sensitive species is known to occur in the affected area. Vegetation Creosote bush scrub and Joshua tree woodland communities make up the bulk of this contingent corridor. No State or Federally-listed species occur in the affected area. Weeds and pioneer species are more plentiful in the powerline rights-of-way than in the surrounding lands due to construction-related surface disturbance. Recreation A maintained road within Corridor W currently receives light to moderate use for recreation access. Portions of this road have been proposed as a segment of the East Mojave Heritage Trail. Cultural Resources There is no record of a cultural resource inventory conducted for this contingent utility corridor. However, the corridor does pass through areas representing a wide array of East Mojave cultural resources. 3-18 Visual Resources This contingent corridor crosses the northern half of the East Mojave National Scenic Area and is visible from most viewpoints within this portion of the East Mojave. The corridor crosses two particularly noteworthy regions — the Cinder Cones and Cima Dome--which are among the key visual attractions of the Scenic Area. AMENDMENT SIXTEEN: CHANGE VEHICLE ACCESS FROM "LIMITED" TO "CLOSED" IN CHUCKWALLA DUNE THICKET ACEC (NO. 57). The 2000 acre Chuckwalla Valley Dune Thicket ACEC is located just south of Interstate-10, eighteen-miles west of Blythe and two miles southeast of Ford Dry Lake. The ACEC was established to protect small pockets of dense palo verde woodland associated with a two-mile long dune system. Wildlife The ACEC provides a variety of habitats for reptiles and mammals. Some very specialized species found here are the Mojave fringe-toed lizard (Uma scop- aria) , the desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti) , and the kit fox (Vulpes macrotes arsipus) . Vegetation The dominant plants of the thicket are large palo verde trees (Cericidium f loridium) with a few scattered ironwood trees (Olneya tesota) . Mesquite is present but not as a dominant component of the thicket. Creosote bushes near the thicket are very large, with heights up to ten feet. No rare or endan- gered plants were found during a survey conducted in May, 1982. The dense vegetation is attractive to both migrant and breeding birds and to large numbers of birds that forage in the area during the winter. During the Desert Plan inventory, a density of 3425 birds/ 100 acres was recorded, by far the highest density in any of the census plots in the California Desert. Recreation Along with other wildlife protection measures, the 1982 ACEC Plan closed the area to dune buggies and other motorized vehicles. AMENDMENT SEVENTEEN: CHANGE VEHICLE ACCESS FROM "LIMITED" TO "CLOSED" IN PALEN DRY LAKE ACEC(# 55) Cultural Resources Palen Dry Lake ACEC is located in an area of sand dunes along the southeast shoreline of Palen Dry Lake, between the lake and the southwest tip of the Palen Mountains. The 3,386 acre ACEC was designed to facilitate protection of a series of archaeological sites related to the lacustrine environment of pleistocene Palen Lake. Some of the earliest human remains in California are 3-19 found around the dry lake shores of the California Desert. Such clusters of sites contain great potential for yielding important information on the early history of human habitation in California, as well as on human adaption to a particular environment and reaction to changes taking place in that environ- ment. Recreation During preparation of the ACEC activity plan, BLM staff noted the presence of vehicle tracks throughout the area, indicating the occurrence of some off- road vehicle activity. For protection of the resources, the ACEC was closed to off-road vehicle use by the 1981 ACEC plan. Grazing Management Approximately three sections in the southern portion of the ACEC are within the Ford Dry Lake Grazing Allotment, an ephemeral allotment. Limited sheep grazing has occurred in the past ten years. AMENDMENT EIGHTEEN: PROHIBIT GRAZING SOUTH OF INTERSTATE- 10 IN THE FORD DRY LAKE ALLOTMENT Grazing Management The Ford Dry Lake Allotment is located in the Chuckwalla Valley, 20 miles east of Desert Center in Riverside County. The allotment is centered around Ford Dry Lake and encompasses 63,520 acres of public land north and south of I- 10. The grazing lease is an ephemeral sheep allotment; however, sheep grazing has not been authorized since 1980. The allotment management plan restricts grazing south of I- 10 to day-use. Specifically, no sheep bedding or watering is authorized south of the Chuckwalla Road. Wildlife The present Ford Dry Lake Allotment boundary overlaps potential desert bighorn habitat south of 1-10. This area of overlap is within the Chuckwalla Moun- tains Native Ungulate HMP area. The portion of the allotment south of 1-10 is also within Category I desert tortoise habitat. Vegetation The allotment is covered by moderate to low density creosote bush scrub, bi- sected by ironwood/palo verde washes. 3-20 AMENDMENT NINETEEN: NEW EPHEMERAL GRAZING ALLOTMENT NEAR DAGGETT Wildlife The proposed allotment would be within the range of the Newberry Mountain bighorn sheep herd. Bighorn have been seen from Daggett Wash to Kane Springs. The herd consists of approximately 15 animals, four of which have been collared for studies. A big game guzzler has been installed east of the allotment to enhance bighorn habitat. The desert tortoise is found in this area; tortoise densities range from 0-20 per square mile. No threatened or endangered wildlife species are known to occur in the subject area. Vegetation There are no threatened or endangered plant species. However there are two plant species of concern which occur on the proposed allotment. Sand linanthus (Linanthus arenicola) is an annual, one to ten centimeters in height. It flowers from March to April. Sand linanthus is listed in Category 3C by USF&WS (3C plants are not candidates), and is listed by the California Native Plant Society(CNPS) . The second species, monkey flower (Mimulus mohavensis) , is an annual herb which is 4-7 cm tall and flowers from April to June. It is a IB candidate for State listing and is listed by the CNPS. Although Mimulus species, in general, are not very palatable, sheep may nibble the flowers and some of the leaves. Any disturbance of the soil expedites the spread of Monkey Flowers. This frequently occurs along gullies, washes, and slides where moisture supply is adequate. Cultural Resources The portion of the Boulder Utility Corridor within the proposed allotment was surveyed in 1978. Two cultural sites were located within the rights-of-way. There are no known historic or Native American religious sites present. Wilderness A portion of the proposed allotment east of Camp Rock Road would be within the Newberry Mountains WSA (No. 206). The Desert Plan recommended most of this WSA as suitable for wilderness designation. 3-21 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES CHAPTER FOUR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES INTRODUCTION This chapter provides the scientific and analytic basis for the selection of the preferred alternative. It describes the effects that would result should each amendment be accepted, rejected or accepted in modified form. Both beneficial and adverse effects are presented. Knowledge of the area and best professional judgement (derived from observation and analysis of similar conditions and responses in similiar areas) have been used to estimate effects where the data is limited. The analysis is based on the following assumptions: - Funds and personnel will be available for implementation. - Impacts will be monitored and adjusted as necessary. - Minor adjustments in management may occur. - Baseline data are accurate. The discussion of each amendment is organized by resource. Only those resources that would be affected are discussed. A resource that is not expected to be affected is not addressed. AMENDMENT ONE: NEW ACEC AT RODMAN MOUNTAINS CULTURAL AREA ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Cultural Resources Designation of the Rodman Mountain Cultural Area as an ACEC would assure that these cultural resources would receive the highest BLM priority for monitoring and funding. Necessary management would be developed, including, for example, signing, surveying, monitoring, enforcement, patrol, and data recovery, if necessary. These management actions would reduce the chances of loss of any of the unique and valuable resources present in the proposed ACEC. Wildlife and Vegetation More intensive management of the area could result in positive benefits to wildlife and vegetation thru monitoring, mitigation of disturbance, and increased ranger presence. Recreation Designation of the ACEC would result in long term enhancement of recreation opportunities thru the utilization of interpretive signing and through preservation of these unique resources for future viewers. 4-1 ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (Ho Action) The unique and significant resources present here would not receive the priority and intensive management they require. Long term loss through vandalism would continue. Although every effort would be made to mitigate these impacts it is possible that the necessary funding would not be available. AMENDMENT TWO: NEW ACEC ADJACENT TO RED ROCK CANYON ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Wildlife Raptors are currently protected from human activity by the seasonal closure. An ACEC could allow greater restrictions on activities, such as grazing and mineral exploration and development, which could have negative effects on the habitat of raptors, the desert tortoise, and the Mohave ground squirrel. Vegetation Under an ACEC designation, additional restriction could be placed on possible mining operations, thus giving increased protection to the flora. The necessary protective actions would be developed and implemented through an ACEC management plan. Such plans and actions for ACEC's are given high priority by the Bureau. Recreation The impacts to recreational opportunities in this area would depend upon what restrictions were imposed upon ACEC plan completion. It is anticipated that the four designated routes of travel would remain open with only seasonal restriction on use Cultural Resources and Paleontological Resources Designation of this area as an ACEC would have little affect on cultural or paleontological resources. Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the BLM and Red Rock State Park, the area is currently managed as if it were within the State Park, except that mining and livestock grazing may occur. Current management of these activities under the guidelines of Multiple Use Class L, however, provides some protection. In summary, the area is already receiving special management attention, but an ACEC designation could permit additional restrictions on activities such as mineral exploration and grazing. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No Action) Wildlife Habitat for raptors, the desert tortoise, and the Mohave ground squirrel, could be negatively affected by grazing and mineral exploration and development. Mitigation of these impacts to acceptable levels might not be feasible. 4-2 Vegetation Future exploration and/or development of mineral, geothermal, or oil and gas resources could negatively impact the sensitive plant species found here, resulting in the need for listing. Mitigation to reduce these impacts to acceptable levels might or might not be feasible. AMENDMENT THREE: NEW ACEC AT DEDECKERA CANYON ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Wildlife and Vegetation An ACEC could give added protection to the sensitive plant species July gold by controlling the activities of users of the Eureka-Saline Corridor, which passes directly through the plant's habitat. Even if Congress designates this area as wilderness, the open route could be a potential threat to adjacent resources. There would be little impact on bighorn sheep or raptors. Cultural Resources Designation of the area as an ACEC could be beneficial if the ACEC management plan required an inventory for cultural resources. The information provided by an inventory would be useful in planning and managing resources in the Last Chance Range and Eureka Valley, as well as in the ACEC, itself. However, the level of protection for cultural resources now known to exist would not be expected to increase, since the area is already managed under the Interim Management Policy and may, after congressional action, be managed as Class C. Recreation Since the only route within the proposed ACEC would remain open, there should be no effect on any recreation activities which are in conformance with the Interim Management Policy. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No Action) Wildlife and Vegetation Any proliferation of the Eureka-Saline Corridor or irresponsible activities by users of the route could have detrimental effects on sensitive plant species in the amendment area. Otherwise, there should be little or no impact, par- ticularly if this area is designated as wilderness by Congress. AMENDMENT FOUR: ENLARGE COYOTE MOUNTAINS ACEC (NO. 62) ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Paleontological Resources Paleontological resources discovered since establishment of the original ACEC 4-3 would be incorporated into the enlarged ACEC. Under ACEC management, these important fossil remains would receive increased management priority. Cultural Resources Cultural resources would benefit from increased management priority resulting from ACEC designation. Recreation There would be minimal effect on recreational use in the amendment vicinity. Although the value of the area for recreational fossil collecting would be reduced, its value for nature study would be enhanced, since fossils would remain in place for public education and enjoyment. There could be an adverse effect on hobby fossil collection. In April, 1988, the District Manager signed a temporary order prohibiting the collection of invertebrate fossils in the proposed ACEC expansion area. (Collection of vertebrate fossils is already prohibited on all public lands except by permit.) Approval of ACEC expansion would make this prohibition permanent, since this is a prescription of the ACEC management plan completed in 1987. Other areas in the Coyote Mountain vicinity and outside of the proposed ACEC could fill the need for recreational fossil collection. Fossil Canyon, for example, is a well-known site where fossils are easily accessible. It offers an alternative to the arduous trek into the Coyote Mountains. Wilderness Changing the prohibition on collection of invertebrate fossils from temporary to permanent would help protect the suitability of the Coyote Mountains WSA for designation as wilderness by assuring that a special feature of the WSA remains intact. Although this WSA is recommended as non-suitable by the Desert Plan, protection of wilderness values is required by the BLM's Interim Management Policy. ALTERNATIVE B: Re.ject Amendment (No Action) The fossil record of the Coyote Mountains could be placed in jeopardy unless the ban on collection of invertebrate fossils were made permanent. This would also adversely affect the potential wilderness character of the WSA. AMENDMENT FIVE: DELETE CAMP IRWIN BOUNDARY ACEC (NO. 28) ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Cultural Resources There would be no effect, since no unique or sensitive resources are present that warrant intensive management or the expenditures normally provided 4-4 ACECs. Deletion of the ACEC designation would not reduce the Bureau's obligation to comply with legislation designed to protect cultural resources on public lands. GeoloRy-EnerRy-Minerals (GEM) There would be less restriction on mineral development on the BLM-managed public lands in the ACEC area. Although the subject land is designated Class M, the ACEC designation requires that mining in the area be preceded by submission of a Plan of Operations. Deletion of the ACEC designation would remove this requirement so that only a Notice would have to be submitted for an annual disturbance on less than five acres. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No. Action) Rejection of the amendment would result in unnecessary expenditures for the development of an activity management plan for resources not warranting such special treatment. The Desert Plan would continue to portray this area as needing special management attention when no sensitive resources are present. In addition, there would be an unreasonable requirement for plans of operation on mining operations of five acres, because of the area having an ACEC designation. AMENDMENT SIX: DELETE KRAMER HILLS ACEC (NO. 38) ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Cultural Resources There would be no effect, since no unique or sensitive resources are present that warrant intensive management or the expenditures normally provided ACECs. Deletion of the ACEC designation would not reduce the Bureau's obligation to comply with legislation designed to protect cultural resources on public lands. GeoloRy-EnerRy-Minerals (GEM) There would be less restriction on mineral development in the ACEC area. Al- though the subject land is designated Class M, the ACEC designation requires that mining in the area be preceded by submission of a Plan of Operations. Deletion of the ACEC designation would remove this requirement so that only a Notice would have to be submitted for an annual disturbance on less than five acres. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No. aucion) Rejection of the amendment would result in unnecessary expenditures for the development of an activity management plan for resources not warranting such special treatment. The Desert Plan wpuld continue to portray this area as needing special management attention when no sensitive resources are present. In addition, there would be an unreasonable requirement for plans of operation on mining operations of five acres, because of the area having an ACEC, designation. 4-5 AMENDMENT SEVEN: DELETE DALE LAKE ACEC (NO. 51) ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Cultural Resources There would be no effect, since no unique or sensitive resources are present thttt warrant intensive management or the expenditures normally provided ACECB. Deletion of the ACEC designation would not reduce the Bureau's obligation to comply with legislation designed to protect cultural resources on public lands. Geology-Energy-Minerals (GEM) There would be less restriction on mineral development in the ACEC area. Al- though the subject land is designated Class M, the ACEC designation requires that mining in the area be preceded by submission of a Plan of Operations. Deletion of the ACEC designation would remove this requirement so that only a Notice would have to be submitted for an annual disturbance on less than five acres. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No. Action) Rejection of the amendment would result in unnecessary expenditures for the development of an activity management plan for resources not warranting such special treatment. The Desert Plan would continue to portray this area as needing special management attention when no sensitive resources are present. In addition, there would be an unreasonable requirement for plans of operation on mining operations of five acres, because of the area having an ACEC designation. AMENDMENT EIGHT: CHANGE CLASS "M" TO CLASS "L" IN YUHA DESERT MANAGEMENT AREA ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment General The overall philosophy for managing Class L as compared to Class M lands is manifest in greater attention to mining, vehicle use, and other intrusive activities and in higher priority for funding and staffing. In addition, public lands cannot be sold or disposed of within Class L but must undergo a change to Class M or "unclassified" status through a plan amendment, with scrutiny through an environmental assessment and public participation. Wildlife Class L management would benefit wildlife, particularly the flat-tailed horned lizard (FTHL) , and would advance the Bureau's commitment to prevent listing of this candidate species. 4-6 Vegetation Botanical resources, including Thurber's pilostyles, would benefit under Class L management. Cultural Resources Cultural resources would receive additional protection under Class L management . Recreation This proposed change in multiple-use class would not affect general recrea- tion, since recreation management practices of the 1985 Yuha Management Plan would remain unchanged. The change would also have no effect on the racing program. Competitive events would continue to be managed according to provisions of the Yuha Desert ACEC Plan and the Yuha Desert Special Management Plan. Races are currently restricted to an established course system, and all events are limited to the months between October 15 and February 15, to avoid active periods of the FTHL. The Yuha Desert OHV Staging Area at Dunaway Road would remain Class M and would be available for race starts, finishes and pits. Current restrictions against additional staging areas in the Yuha Desert would continue. This alternative does not propose any additional route closures. Any future decisions on route closures will be based strictly on new data (either distri- butional or monitoring) on sensitive resources with full public involvement. Geo Iorv- Energy-Minerals (GEM) For locatable minerals, a plan of operations would be required for non-casual use of five acres or less, instead of a Notice, as required in Class M. There would be no effect on leasable of salable mineral operations, since both programs are allowed in Class L areas. Lands In order to sell or otherwise dispose of land, a Plan Amendment would be required under the Class L designation. Under the current Class M, lands are presumed to be available. Additionally, the Class L designation would preclude any agricultural entries. ALTERNATIVE B; Re.ject Amendment (No Act ion) General This alternative would place the management goals and philosophy of a large portion of the Yuha Desert in conflict with the goals and philosophy expressed in the 1985 Plan Amendment process. In 1985, many acres of public lands in the vicinity of Superstition Mountain were designated Class L, due to the presence of the same sensitive wildlife values found in the Yuha area. Denial 4-7 of the present amendment would cause management inconsistency in the western half of BLM"s El Centro Resource Area. Wildlife Several sections of FTHL habitat with high relative abundance would continue to be subject to conditions which are leading to significant decreases in the population of this species. The objective of retaining large, contiguous blocks of federally managed land of FTHL category 1 and 2 habitat would be especially vulnerable to failure. This lack of action might accelerate the "listing" process for this species. Vegetation Thurber's pilostyles, a CNPS-listed plant species, would remain under the potentially detrimental effects of Class M management. Cultural Resources Current management is not sufficient to protect the valuable cultural resources in this area. These would continue to be degraded under this alternative. AMENDMENT NINE: CHANGE CLASS "M" TO CLASS "L" IN EAST MESA AREA ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment General The overall philosophy for managing Class L as compared to Class M lands is manifest in greater attention to mining, vehicle use, and other intrusive activities and in higher priority for funding and staffing. In addition, public lands cannot be sold or disposed of within Class L but must undergo a change to Class M or "unclassified" status through a plan amendment, with scrutiny through an environmental assessment and public participation. The Class L designation would also be more compatible with the intent and goals of the 1985 BLM/Navy Cooperative Agreement amendment and with resources identified in that process. Currently, the multiple use classification of the proposed amendment area is not consistent with that of the area reclassified in the 1985 amendment. Wildlife The Class L designation would benefit all species of concern — the FTHL, the Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard, the Yuma clapper rail, and the California black rail — for the reasons listed in Chapter 3 . Cultural Resources Class L management would supplement current policies for handling sand and gravel extraction while protecting the valuable cultural resources found along the shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla. 4-8 Recreation The proposed change in multiple-use class would have little effect on recreation on the East Mesa. Under existing management plans, the area is managed as a "limited area" for OHV use, with vehicles limited to approved routes. Competitive OHV events are currently prohibited in order to protect FTHL habitat. However, events could potentially be re-established if lizard monitoring should indicate that the area could support some events without significant impacts. This amendment does not propose any additional route closures. Any future decisions on route closures would be based on new data (either distributional or monitoring) on sensitive resources with full public involvement. Geo loRy- Energy-Minerals (GEM) For locatable minerals, a plan of operations would be required for non-casual use of five acres or less, instead of a Notice, as required in Class M. There would be no effect on leasable or salable mineral operations, since both programs are allowed in Class L areas. Lands The subject lands would not be available for uses such as landfills or prisons without undergoing a plan amendment to change the land use designation to Class M or "unclassified" status. An environmental assessment and public participation would be required. Additionally, the Class L designation would preclude any agricultural entries. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No Action) General This alternative would place the management goals and philosophy of a large portion of the East Mesa in conflict with the goals and philosophy expressed in the 1985 BLM/Navy Cooperative Agreement. In 1986, many acres of public lands in the East Mesa were designated Class L, due to the presence of the same sensitive wildlife values found in the area now under consideration. Denial of the present amendment would cause management inconsistency in the eastern half of BLM"s El Centro Resource Area. Wildlife Several sections of flat-tailed horned lizard habitat with high relative abundance would continue to be subject to conditions which are leading to significant decreases in the population of this species. The objective of retaining large, contiguous blocks of federally managed land of FTHL category 1 and 2 habitat would be especially vulnerable to failure. This lack of action might accelerate the "listing" process for this species. 4-9 Cultural Resources Current management may not be sufficient to protect the valuable cultural resources in this area. These could continue to be degraded under this alternative. AMENDMENT TEN: CHANGE CLASS "M" TO CLASS "L" IN EAST MOJAVE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Wildlife Wildlife could benefit from greater control over road proliferation and surface disturbances associated with mining and other activities. In addition, Class L status would increase monitoring and analysis of cumulative impacts as promised in the Scenic Area Plan. Desert tortoise and desert bighorn sheep would benefit. Vegetation Sensitive plant species and Unusual Plant Assemblages would benefit from restricted use and the closer scrutiny given to mining operations disturbing less than five acres in Class L. Cultural Resources Cultural resources would receive additional protection under Class L designation. Recreation Recreation opportunities would be enhanced to a limited extent by stricter controls on surface disturbing activity. Vehicular access to recreation sites should not be affected by the class change, although a few additional road closures may be proposed due to increased monitoring efforts. Visual Resources Visual resources would benefit from stricter controls on surface disturbing activities in Class L areas and from requirements for reclamation bonds on smaller mining operations that would otherwise go unbonded in Class M areas. Adoption of this alternative would conform to the Scenic Area Plan's objectives for scenic quality and land use. Geology-Energy-Minerals (GEM) The impact of these multiple use class changes on mining would be negligible. Most proposals for mining in these areas already meet the requirements for a Plan of Operation. 4-10 Little Dumont Dunes, historically used by young and novice dune riders, would not be included within this alternative. Additional law enforcement would be required to restrict use in this area. Cultural Resources About 350 acres of Area 2 is considered to have a high probability of contain- ing cultural resources. Impacts on these resources could be mitigated through inventory and data recovery. Prior to opening the area, a cultural resource survey would be conducted. Significant sites would be avoided, protected or subjected to data recovery. ALTERNATIVE B: Add Areas 2 and 3 to Existing OHV area. Change Class "M" to Class "I" in Areas 2 and 3. This alternative is the same as Alternative A but it also adds to the OHV Area the Little Dumont Dunes and a corridor around the north end of Salt Spring Hills south of the Amargosa River. Recreation Recreation at the dunes would benefit, since the expanded OHV Area would include all of the historical recreation use areas. There would be a significant reduction in law enforcement problems caused by straying outside of the OHV Area, since the new boundaries would follow roads and land forms and would be identifiable by recreationists. Impacts on wilderness, wildlife, and vegetation in surrounding areas would be significantly reduced by mitigation measures. Although the open area would have a common boundary with the Salt Creek Hills ACEC, potential conflicts between incompatible uses would be minimal, because the ACEC Management Plan requires the construction of a fence on this portion of its boundary. Cultural Resources Same as Alternative A. ALTERNATIVE C: Add Areas 2, 3, and 4 to Existing; OHV Area. Change Class "M" to Class "I"in Areas 2, 3, and 4 (Map 11, Appendix A). This alternative is the same as Alternative B, but also adds Area 4, the land north of the Amargosa River between Highway 12 7 and the river-crossing and the land south of Dumont Road. Recreation This alternative has the same beneficial effects as Alternative B. The northern boundary would be more manageable, since it would be entirely along 4-13 existing roads. Free play along these roads would increase maintenance of the access road and increase safety hazards by encouraging OHV use on this County road. Increased dust would further intensify the problem. This alternative would also encourage OHV trespass of private property. OHV activity would be permitted in the Amargosa River which would have negative impact on wildlife and water quality. Wildlife The OHV Area would include a portion of the Amargosa River. Recreational activities which might occur in the river could negatively affect two BLM sensitive fish, the Amargosa Pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae) and the Amargosa Dace (Rhinichthys os cuius nevadensis) . Cultural Resources Same as Alternatives A and B. ALTERNATIVE D: Re.ject Amendment (No Action) Recreation This alternative would continue present use of the Dumont Dunes OHV Area and would continue the present restrictions on historic recreational use patterns adjacent to the existing open area. This historic use includes most of the camping areas on the mesa north of the Dumont Dunes and in the side wash which contains the access road. It also includes the Little Dumont Dunes in which young and novice dune riders can learn, safely separated from more advanced riders and dune buggies. Attempting to restrict recreation use to the current OHV area which was set by the Desert Plan would result in continual law enforcement problems. The present boundary is unmanageable because the area of the dunes, themselves, changes constantly due to the shifting of the sands. More importantly, the original boundary did not include areas historically used for camping and novice riding. OHV's from the open area would continue to encroach upon surrounding sensitive areas, causing the following impacts: proliferation of trails in Wilderness Study Areas; cross-country OHV use in the Salt Creek Hills ACEC; destruction of vegetation, wildlife and cultural resources. AMENDMENT TWELVE: CHANGE A PORTION OF IVANPAH DR\ LAKE FROM CLASS "L" TO CLASS "M" ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Land/Socio-economic The change to Class "M" would allow uses such as a permanent airport at the 4-14 IJ'^iP.HJ, 2TS. W:>w»OJE site. While an airport would provide access to the nearby Nevada casino and probably increase the number of clientele, it could also conflict with the Utility Corridors D and BB, including existing and authorized transmission lines. The presence of increased numbers of aircraft at the juncture of two utility corridors could potentially restrict the use and future development of these interstate utility corridors. This could have a high impact on energy transmission facilities and on delivery of energy to Southern California. Wildlife The dry lake is surrounded by Category 1 desert tortoise habitat. The change to Class M would allow land uses which could result in negative secondary impacts to this species. Examples of secondary impacts which could occur over the long term are illegal collection of tortoises, road kills, and loss of habitat Grazing Management and Wild Horses and Burros The proposed class change would have no direct impact on livestock grazing, wild burros, or vegetation. However, livestock and burro movement between the two waterholes in the area would be disrupted if development of the area should occur. Geo lop;y-Enerfty-Minera Is (GEM) No additional impacts resulting from mineral entry would be anticipated as the entire area would be subject to the terms of the lease and would not be open to mineral entry. Recreation The change in multiple use classification would have no effect on recreation use. However, development of the land as an airport would foreclose non- motorized recreation activities such as land-sailing or model airplane flying in the vicinity nearby. Cultural Resources There would be no impact to cultural resources. Visual Resources Construction of an airport would greatly alter the appearance of the northern portion of Ivanpah Lake. Flood control dikes, borrow pits needed to supply fill for the runway, and maintenance structures would create major changes in the existing landscape. These facilities would be highly visible to all users of 1-15 over a distance of 20 to 30-miles. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No Action) There would be no effect on visual resources, recreation, wildlife, vegeta- tion, livestock grazing, or wild burros. 4-15 Socio-economic The area would continue to be utilized as a utility corridor and future placement and development of transmission lines would not be affected. Pro- ponents of the amendment would have to consider alternate sites for an airport. Alternative sites would have to be located further from the casino and would be less convenient. The potential effect on casino business is unknown . Wildlife There would be no positive benefits. However, prevention of development in this area would allow continuation of monitoring and control of cumulative impacts to the desert tortoise and this critical portion of its habitat. AMENDMENT THIRTEEN: DELETE A PORTION OF UTILITY CORRIDOR M ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Cultural Resources Removal of this portion of Corridor M would ensure protection of valuable archaeological sites along the Lake Cahuilla shoreline against potential surface disturbances due to utility construction. Utility Corridors Removal of this portion of Corridor M would not affect energy distribution, since a viable alternative is already in existence. This is a corridor on private land on the west side of the East Highline Canal which was established by the Imperial County General Plan. This corridor parallels Corridor M and presently contains a newly-constructed 230 kV line. Wildlife This action would be expected to have minor impact on clapper rails which may occasionally be present but are not likely to breed in this location. ALTERNATIVE B: Re.ject Amendment Cultural Resources Continuing the present location of Corridor M might jeopardize important archaeological sites through surface disturbances that accompany utility construction. Utility Corridor Maintaining the entire length of Corridor M would commit many acres of public land to a use which is already provided nearby on private lands, where the County of Imperial has activated its own corridor. 4-16 AMENDMENT FOURTEEN: DELETE ONE-MILE WIDE AND NINE-MILE LONG SEGMENT OF UTILITY CORRIDOR E ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Utility Corridor Reducing the width of this segment of Utility Corridor E to two miles would decrease the area available for development by only a slight extent, since the area north of the segment is already only two-miles wide. Wildlife Deletion of the nine square mile segment would remove approximately 5760 acres of Category 1 tortoise habitat from potential disturbance by development within the utility corridor. Visual Resources E'uture construction would occur outside the Scenic Area boundary. Visual resources along Highway 95 and the corridor itself would be unchanged. The action would comply with the directive of the Scenic Area Plan to maintain the objectives of VRM Class II. ALTERNATIVE B: Re.ject Amendment (No Action) Wildlife Approximately 5 760 acres of Category 1 tortoise habitat would remain in jeopardy from potential utility development. Visual Resources Retaining the corridor partially within the East Mojave National Scenic Area could lead to conflicts with the Scenic Area Management Plan objectives for visual resource management. Utility Corridor The corridor would remain three- miles wide, it can be anticipated that future utility development within the Scenic Area would be difficult. AMENDMENT FIFTEEN: ELIMINATE "CONTINGENT" CORRIDOR W ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Elimination of this contingent corridor would not affect land uses or re- sources, since this is presently not an approved corridor where additional utility lines could be constructed. Acceptance of this amendment would benefit the East Mojave National Scenic Area by reducing the chance that new 4-17 utility Lines wouLd pass through the Scenic Area; it would direct any future utility developments into areas adjacent to or outside of the National Scenic Area, thus conforming to long-term visual resource management objectives for the region. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (Mo Action) Rejection of the amendment would leave unresolved BLM's position on the future development potential of this contingent corridor. AMENDMENT SIXTEEN: CHANGE MOTORIZED VEHICLE ACCESS FROM "LIMITED" TO "CLOSED" IN CHUCKWALLA DUNE THICKET ACEC (No. 57) . Although the proposed change in vehicle access was recommended by the ACEC Management Plan and approved and implemented in 1981, the Desert Plan and its Motorized Vehicle Element can only be changed through the amendment process. The following analysis will discuss possible impacts caused by this action. ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Wildlife Prohibition of motorized vehicle access would protect this valuable habitat for the large numbers of birds that migrate, breed and forage here, espec- ially during the winter. Recreation This change would not affect recreation, with the possible exception of vehicle use. However any such effect would be minimal, since this area has not been popular with vehicle recreationists. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No Action) Wildlife Allowing limited vehicle access in this ACEC could eventually endanger this important habitat, especially if this area should become more popular with recreationists in the future. Recreation See Wildlife. AMENDMENT SEVENTEEN: CHANGE VEHICLE ACCESS FROM LIMITED TO CLOSED IN THE PALEN DRY; LAKE ACEC (#55) Although the proposed change in vehicle access was recommended by the ACEC Management Plan and approved and implemented in September, 1981, the Desert 4-18 Plan and its Motorized Vehicle Element can only be changed through the amendment process. The following analysis will discuss possible impacts caused by this action. ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Recreation Restriction of motorized vehicle access would have only a mininmal effect on OHV recreation, since this activity is only low to moderate in this area. Cultural Resources Restriction of off-road vehicle use would help reduce inadvertent damage to the sensitive cultural resources found on the shoreline of Palen Dry Lake. ALTERNATIVE B: Re.ject Amendment (No Action) Cultural Resources Archaeological sites within the ACEC could be threatened by damage from potential OHV use. -Expanding urban populations and the accessibility of this area make it likely that OHV recreationists could find it attractive in the future. Recreation Any effect on OHV recreation should be minimal, since this has not been a popular location for this activity. AMENDMENT EIGHTEEN: PROHIBIT GRAZING SOUTH OF INTERSTATE-10 IN THE FORD DRY LAKE ALLOTMENT ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Wildlife Recent reports (Bunch et al. 1988, DeForge et al. 1988, Jessup et al. 1988) have indicated an extremely high susceptibility of mountain sheep to patho- genic organisms carried by domestic livestock. Elimination of domestic sheep grazing south of 1-10 would avoid the possibility of disease exposure of bighorn sheep in that area. It would also avoid potential competition for forage between domestic sheep and the desert tortoise. Grazing Management There would be a loss of grazing use on 41,000 acres of ephemeral rangeland. However, there would be little or no effect in the amendment area, since the allotment menagement plan restrict grazing there to day-use. It's possible that this acreage loss could be mitigated by extending the allotment boundary 4-19 to the north. Before consideration of such an extension however, potential conflicts with bighorn sheep in the adjacent Palen Mountains would have to be evaluated. ALTERNATIVE B: Reject Amendment (No Action) Wildlife Grazing of the Ford Dry Lake Allotment south of 1-10 could increase the possibility of losing the entire Chuckwalla Mountains bighorn sheep herd to diseases carried by domestic sheep. Such a loss recently occurred in the Warner Mountains in Northern California. The California Department of Fish and Game would be reluctant to augment the existing small herd of mountain sheep in the Chuckwalla Mountains if domestic sheep were allowed to graze nearby. Without such an augmentation, it might not be possible to obtain a viable self-sustaining population of bighorn sheep in the Chuckwalla Mountains. Domestic sheep grazing would be allowed in Category 1 desert tortoise habi- tat. This would be a potential conflict with the management of this species. AMENDMENT NINETEEN: NEW GRAZING ALLOTMENT NEAR DAGGETT ALTERNATIVE A: Adopt Amendment Grazing Management The allotment boundary follows section lines which are not marked. The herder would have a difficult time locating the boundary, and supervision by the BLM would be difficult. Wilderness The proposed allotment does not meet the non- impairment criteria of the Interim Management Policy. A permanent allotment could not be terminated owing to the contractual agreements of a Section 15 grazing lease. Therefore, non- impairment criterion 2(a) could not be met. Criterion 2(c) may be also affected by the proposal. Bighorn sheep are a supplemental wilderness value for this WSA (Newberry Mountain No. 206). If bighorn sheep are affected in terms of reduction of herd size owing to disease from domestic sheep, then the wilderness value has been degraded. Vegetation Sheep grazing could have a negative effect on the Sand Linanthus and the Monkey Flower plants. Since both species flower during the spring, it can be expected that sheep would utilize them. Allowing potential damage to these species would be in conflict with the State Department of Fish and Game which is studying whether these plants should be considered threatened. Wildlife Recent reports (Bunch et al. 1988, DeForge et al. 1988, Jessup et al. 1988) have indicated an extremely high susceptibility of mountain sheep to patho- 4-20 Lands The proposed change to multiple-use class 'L' would require that utility dis- tribution lines in these areas be buried, unless the burial would be more detrimental to the environment. This would benefit visual resources but could result in higher installation costs to inholders and possible destruction of tortoise burrows and/or cultural resources. New, permanent airstrips would also be prohibited under Class "L", with potential adverse impact on land- owners. Access to private land would not be affected. ALTERNATIVE B: Modify Proposal to Exclude Mescal Range Area Wildlife Continued unchecked development could result in reduced populations of some wildlife species such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, and raptors as thresholds of habitat loss and disturbance are reached. Cumulative impacts from small scale mining operations and other development activity could reach levels which would be inconsistent with bighorn management thus precluding the Mescal Range as a potential transplant area. Vegetation Similar impacts to vegetation would occur as described under Alternative A. The Clark Mountain Rupicole Unusual Plant Assemblage would be unaffected by this alternative. Grazing Management and Wild Horse and Burros Impacts would be the same as under Alternative A except that a slightly smaller area would benefit from the added restrictions that go with a Class L designation. Cultural Resources Cultural resources in the Mescal/Ivanpah Range area would continue to receive insufficient protection. The two areas that would be changed to Class L would receive additional protection. Recreation Recreational activities depending on a natural-appearing environment would be impacted to a limited extent, owing to fewer controls on surface disturbing activities. Vehicular access might be slightly improved by increased road development. Visual Resources In the Mescal/Ivanpah area, visual resources could be adversely affected by mining activities on areas of less than five acres, since reclamation bonding would not be required. The cumulative effect of such small scale operations could create a major visual intrusion in this region of the Scenic Area. Excluding this area from the proposal would not conform to the Scenic Area Plan's objectives for scenic quality and land use. 4-1 1 Geology-Energy-Minerals (GEM) There would be little effect on mining operations since most operations in the area disturb five or more acres and, therefore, require a Plan of Operations. Operations on smaller areas would require only a Notice. ALTERNATIVE C: Reject Amendment (No Action) Wildlife Continued unchecked development could result in reduced populations of some wildlife species (eg. bighorn sheep, mule deer, raptors, etc.). Rejection of the amendment could allow mining and other developments to reach levels which would be inconsistent with bighorn management. The Mescal Range area could be precluded as a potential transplant site for the bighorn. Cultural Resources Current management under Class M is not sufficient to protect valuable cultural resources. Potential degradation could occur under this alternative. Visual Resources A decline in scenic quality would be more likely under this alternative. Geology-Energy-Minerals (GEM) Rehabilitation of small scale mining operations (less than five acres) would be difficult due to the lack of bonding requirements and any resource analysis in advance of operations. AMENDMENT ELEVEN: CHANGE CLASS "M" to CLASS "I" AND VEHICLE ACCESS B'ROM ••LIMITED" TO "OPEN" IN AREA ADJACENT TO DUMONT DUNES OPEN AREA ALTERNATIVE A: Add Area 2 to the Existing Open Area (OHV Area) , Change Class "M" to Class "I" in Area 2 (Map 11, Appendix A). This alternative would expand the OHV Area north to an existing road and the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad grade and south to the WSA 222 boundary. It would acknowledge historic use patterns and would provide manageable boun- daries for the open area. While this change would not be expected to increase overall visitation to the Dumont Dunes area, OHV use would be expected to expand to the adjusted boundaries of the OHV Area. Recreation Recreational opportunities would be improved by adding to the open area many of the traditional camping areas near the main dune system. However, the 4-12 genie organisms carried by domestic livestock. The bighorn sheep herd could be adversely affected. Although the science of animal husbandry has greatly improved in recent years, and epizootic diseases are not common in domestic sheep, the possibility of transmitting disease is still present. Therefore, grazing domestic sheep in bighorn habitat is generally undesirable due to the chance of increased bighorn mortality. Use of the area could result in long term impacts on tortoise from trampling and from forage competition. Cultural Resources Sheep grazing has the potential to negatively affect cultural resources through trampling, which causes artifact breakage and displacement. Indirect impacts might also occur wherever grazing results in soil erosion, causing a disturbance in the association of site materials. All these impacts would be most pronounced wherever sheep would bed and water. Since the area has not been thoroughly inventoried for cultural resources, it is not possible to predict the impact of the proposed allotment. ALTERNATIVE B: Modified Allotment Boundary Grazing Management Using Camp Rock rock as the eastern boundary of the proposed allotment would greatly assist the herder in determining boundary location. Wilderness The modified boundary has eliminated the WSA from the proposed allotment; therefore, no direct impacts are anticipated. However, the domestic sheep may affect the bighorn sheep herd outside the WSA which would indirectly affect the Wilderness Study Area's wilderness values. Wildlife, Vegetation, and Cultural Resources The impacts would be the same as in Alternative A. ALTERNATIVE C: Reject Amendment (No Action) Grazing Management The proposed Daggett Allotment would not be created. The ephemeral forage which is a renewable resource would not be utilized by domestic sheep. Wildlife There would be no impact to bighorn sheep and desert tortoise. Vegetation There would be no impact to Sand linanthus and Monkey flower plants. 4-21 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS The cumulative impacts of this preferred alternative are presented in Table 4-1 below: TABLE 4-1 SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Unit of Preferred Percent New Percent Resource Measure No Action Alternative Change of Desert Multiple Use Class C Acres 1 ,900,000 1,900,000 0 15.9 L Acres 5 ,902,000 6,151,440 4.2 51.4 M Acres 3 ,400,000 3,142,410 -7.6 26.3 I Acres 520,000 528,150 1.6 4.4 Unclassified Acres 249,000 249,000 0 2.1 Vehicle Access Open Acres 505,000 513,150 1.6 4.3 Limited Acres 9 ,251,000 9,237,464 0.15 77.2 Closed Acres 1 ,963,000 1,968,386 0.27 16.4 Undesignated Acres 251,000 251,000 0 2.1 ACECs Added Number Acres 0 0 3 14,797 Deleted Number Acres 0 0 3 5,360 Net Change Number Acres 0 0 0 +9,437 Livestock GrazinR Ephemeral Allotment s Number Acres 19 1,351,118 19 1,315,818 Ephemeral/Perennial Number 25 25 Allotments Acres 3,036,267 3,036,267 Perennial Allotments Number 14 14 Acres 720,522 720,522 4-22 CHAPTER 5 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION CHAPTER V CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION Notices and Meetirtfis The 1988 Amendment Process was announced by a Letter sent to the Desert Plan mailing list on January 28, 1988. The list consists of approximately 5,300 individuals, organizations, businesses, and government agencies. The letter outlined the criteria for evaluating amendment proposals and gave the final date for submitting proposals as March 18, 1988. Federal Register notices were published on January 29, 1988 (Vol. 53, No. 19) and February 11, 1988 (Vol. 53, No. 28). A news release was issued on February 24, 1988. Proposed amendments were reviewed by the District Advisory Council at its public meeting in El Centro on April 9, 1988. This meeting also served as a scoping meeting for the environmental assessment. Public Input Nineteen letters were received in response to the invitation for amendment proposals. Eleven were from individuals, five from organizations, one from a business, one from a utility, and one from a California State agency. All except one came from California (nine from the Desert District area); the ex- ception was from Nevada. Thirteen respondents offered 15 proposals. Five of these were recommended by the District Advisory Council and approved by BLM management for consideration in the 1988 amendment process. The remainder will be handled by other administrative procedures, deferred for later consideration, or dropped as inappropriate. Each amendment proposal and its fate are listed in Appendix B. One organization proposed 20 amendments which would have reversed actions based on amendments approved since 1980. No new information was provided; the proposals were not considered and are not listed herein. On November 2nd and 3rd, the proposed amendments were reviewed by the District Advisory Committee in a public meeting at Lake Havasu City. At this meeting the various alternatives were discussed and examined; several modifications were recommended. 5-1 LIST OF PREPARERS NAME POSITION ASSIGNMENT ( Amendment No . ) DISTRICT OFFICE Irene Rice Doug Romoli Clara Strapp Dora Faircloth Planning Coordinator Environmental Coordinator Illustrator Library Tech Team Leader Assistant Graphics Administrative Support BARSTOW RA Pat Barker Dean Huibregtse Harold Johnson Paul McClain Archaeologist Range Conservationist Recreation Planner Wildlife Biologist Cultural Res. (1,5,6,7,11) Grazing (19) Recreation (11) Wildlife (11, 19) EL CENTRO RA Pat Welch Lillian Andris- Olech Lynn Anderson Cynthia Grover Lynda Kastoll Archaeologist Wildlife Biologist Recreation Planner Range Conservationist Realty Specialist Cultural Res. (4,8,9,13) Wildlife (4,8,9,13) Recreation (4,8,9) Wilderness (4,9) Vegetation (8) Lands (8,9,13) INDIO RA Mike Mitchell Archaeologist Michael Blymer Wildlife Biologist Cultural Res. (17) Wildlife (16, 18) Vegetation (16,18) Recreation (16,17) Grazing (17,18) RIDGECREST RA Jeff Aardahl Eric Watkins Mark Struble Joan Oxendine Wildlife Biologist Natural Resource Recreation Planner Archaeologist Wildlife (2,3) Vegetation (2,3) Recreation (2,3) Cultural Res. (2,3) NEEDLES RA James Farrell Steve Larson Wildlife Biologist Range Conservationist John Bailey Recreation Planner George Meckfessel Archaeologist Arthur Smith Geologist Wildlife (10,12,14,15) Grazing (10,12,15) Vegetation (10,12,15) Recreation (10,12,15) Visual (10,12,14,15) Cultural Res. (10,12,14,15) GEM (10, 12) 5-2 ACRONYMS ACEC AMP AUM BLM CDCA CDFG CFR EA FTHL GEM IID IMP LTVA MOU MUC OHV RA UPA USDI USFWS VRM VUD WSA Area of Critical Environmental Concern Allotment Management Plan Animal Unit Month Bureau of Land Management California Desert Conservation Area California Department of Fish and Game Code of Federal Regulations Environmental Assessment Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Geology-Energy-Minerals Imperial Irrigation District Interim Management Policy and Guidelines for Land under Wilderness Review Long Term Visitor Area Memorandum of Understanding Multiple Use Class Off-Highway Vehicle Resource Area Unusual Plant Assemblage United States Department of Interior United States Fish and Wildlife Service Visual Resource Management Visitor Use Day Wilderness Study Area 5-3 REFERENCES CITED Bunch, T.D., G.W. Workman, and R. Mock. 1988. Factors associated with Pneumonia in Desert Bighorn Sheep. Paper presented at 32nd Annual Meeting Desert Bighorn Council. Needles, CA. CNPS. 1988. California Native Plant Society's Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California. Special Publication No. 1 Fourth Edition. Spillman Printing Company, Sacramento, CA. De Forge, J., D.A. Jessup, and S. Paul. 1988. Remote Vaccination of Bighorn Sheep with a MLV PI-3 Vaccine. Paper presented at 32nd Annual Meeting Desert Bighorn Council. Needles, CA. Gallegos, Dennis, ed. 1984. West Mesa Cultural Resource Survey and Site Evaluation. Westec Services, San Diego. Hardy, A.R. and Andrews, F.G. 1976. A Final Report to the Office of Endan- gered Species on Contract 14-16-0008-966. Insect Taxonomy Laboratory, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, Calif orni. Jessup, D. A., K. R. Jones, D. J. Thayer, and S. Jang. 1988. South Warner Mountains California Bighorn Sheep Pneumonia Dieoff. Paper presented at 32nd Annual Meeting Desert Bighorn Council. Needles, CA. Mitchell, J.B. 1978. Composition and Abundance of Reptiles and Amphibians of the Clark Mountain Area, San Bernardino County of California. Unpublished report to BLM, Riverside, CA. Lillian. 1987. Personal Olech, L.A. 1986. Status of the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) on Bureau of Land Management Administered Land in California. Unpublished report in files, USDI, BLM, El Centro, California. Schaefer, Jerome. 1986. Late Prehistoric Adaptations during the Final Recessions of Lake Cahuilla: Fish Camps and Quarries on West Mesa, Imperial County, CA. Prepared by Brian F. Mooney Associates. Shockley, Steve. 1984. Archaeological Investigations in the Western Colorado Desert: A Socioecological Approach. Prepared by Wirth Environmental Services. Turner, F.B., and P. A. Medica. 1982. "The Distribution and Abundance of the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii,): Copeia: 815-823. Turner, F.B., P. A. Medica and H.O. Hill. 1978. "The Status of the Flat- tailed Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) in Nine sites in Imperial and Riverside Counties, California." Unpublished report - Contract YA-512- CT8-58, BLM, El Centro, CA. Turner, F.B., J.C. Rorabaugh, E.C. Nelson, and M.C. Jorgensen. 1980. "A Survey of the Occurrence and Abundance of the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) in California." Unpublished report - contract YA-512-CT8-58, BLM, El Centro, CA. 5-4 U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 1980. California Desert Conservation Area Plan. 1983. Yuha Desert Wildlife Habitat Management Plan. 1985. Yuha Basin ACEC Plan. 1988. East Mojave National Scenic Area Management Plan. U. S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Federal Register Vol. 50, No. 181, pp 37958-37957. Washington, DC. 1988. Final Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report All American Canal Feasibility Study (Supplement) Imperial County, CA. Ecological Services Field Office, Laguna Niguel, CA. Von Werlhof , Jay ed. 197 7. Archaeological Survey of the Yuha Basin Imperial County . Prepared by Imperial Valley College. 5-5 APPENDICES APPENDIX A MAPS OF AMENDMENTS PROPOSED ACEC | | RODMAN MOUNTAIN CULTURAL AREA AMENDMENT 1 New ACEC RODMAN MOUNTAINS \ ■2S55 ' .— ' .-- \ > J ? i r~-J ' — T y > ,■' -9#- S 3SL 36" ■V l/" -31 'v is/«C f\ i t\ V ^ \ tH -V — . ^^ V l \ " H ? ,^- \. L \ y '- /\iX rfij. - ">-/ T8N 7^r ^\J AMENDMENT 2 PROPOSED ACEC BOUNDARY New ACEC Red Rock Canyon i'\ , •■•v. • ' ;. \ AMENDMENT 3 New ACEC DEDECKERA CANYON \ AMENDMENT 4 • • » ♦ • ORIGINAL BOUNDARY NEW ACEC BOUNDARY ACEC 62 COYOTE MOUNTAI FOSSIL SITE \ AMENDMENT 5 Delete ACEC 28 CAMP IRWIN MILITARY BOUNDAR ACEC 28 10 J ~ I-.. ■ ■ P 1". r • ■***- J2!\ :. ,FORT IRWINi MILITARY RESjERVATJDN .RESERVATION ' BOUNDARY ' (APPROXIMATE) ' .. S 16 ' '{ „JSV)0^ ./ ,03 3189 SS. '■. ' w «rfff*5sj r—J % - T ' 5777 JU. >,y 1 DC LU AMENDMENT 6 Delete ACEC 38 IxKAMcn HILLS \ AMENDMENT 7 Delete ACEC 51 DALE LAKE YUHA BASIN •■■>»" i t ■„: .... "*, Change Class M to L AMENDMENT 9 W\ AMENDMENT BOUNDARY CHANGE CLASS M to L EAST MESA ACEC CAHUILLA ACECs PRIVATE OR STATE LAND CLASS M TO L EAST MESA AMENDMENT 10 EMNSA Boundary CHANGE FROM M TO L Alternative A Alternative B EAST MOJAVE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA Change Class M to Class L \ A X T18N ^ DUMONT DUNES OHV AREA CHANGE MV ACCESS OF ADJACENT LAND FROM "LIMITED" TO "OPEN" CHANGE FROM CLASS M TO I T19N AMENDMENT 12 ■■:•:• -v>. '.■■■; I s ivanpah Dry Lake Change From L to M Utility Corridor (D and BB) IVANPAH DRY LA "N AMENDMENT 13 AMENDMENT 14 AMENDMENT 15 ~ DELETE CONTINGENT CORRIDOR W -— EXISTING UTILITY LANE CM AMENDMENT 16 Change Motorized Vehicle Access from Limited to Closed ACEC CHUCKWALLA VALLEY DUNE THICKET ACEC AMENDMENT 17 PALEN DRY LAKE ACEC ACEC CHANGE MV ACCESS FROM LIMITED TO CLOSED oc zzz Prohibit Grazing South of Interstate 10 Ford Dry Lake Allotment Prohibit Livestock Grazing FORD DRY LAKE GRAZING ALLOTMEN APPENDIX C SOURCE OF AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED FOR CONSIDERATION SOURCE OF AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED FOR CONSIDERATION Final Pre] Liminary Amend. Amendment No. No. 1 88- -P-l New 2 88 -P-2 New 88-P-4 4 88-P-9 5 88-P-6 6 88-P-7 7 88-P-5 8 88-P-22 9 88-P-23 10 88-P-24 11 88-P-25 12 88-P-26 13 88-P-ll 14 88-P-12 15 88-P-13 16 88-P-29 17 88-P-30 18 88-P-14 19 88-P-16 Title New ACEC - Rodman Mountains New ACEC - Red Rock Canyon New ACEC - Dedeckera Canyon Enlarge Coyote Mountain ACEC Delete Camp Irwin Boundary ACEC Delete Kramer Hills ACEC Delete Dale Lake ACEC Yuha Desert Management Area East Mesa Desert Area East Mojave Scenic Area Dumont Dunes area Ivanpah Dry Lake Utility Corridor M Utility Corridor E Contingent Corridor W Vehicle Access - Chuckwalla Dune Thicket ACEC Vehicle Access - Palen Dry Lake ACEC Ford Dry Lake Grazing Allotment New grazing allotment, Daggett Proponent BLM, Barstow RA Audubon Society, Kerncrest Chapter Calif. Native Plant Society, Ridgecrest BLM, El Centro RA BLM, Barstow RA BLM, Barstow RA BLM, Barstow RA BLM, El Centro RA BLM, El Centro RA BLM, Needles RA BLM, Barstow RA Whiskey Pete's Casino BLM, El Centro RA BLM, Needles RA BLM, Needles RA BLM, Indio RA BLM, Indio RA Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game Pedro Erneta C-1