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Ocotillo Wells in Danger

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Posted by: Rubey

From Cycle News:

The following is an article written by San Diego Off-Road Magazine's Sherri Kukla, who lives in Ocotillo Wells, California, regarding a serious threat to one of California's most popular OHV parks:

Are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the California Department of Parks & Recreation (CDPR) about to give away 14,000 acres of the most unique and accessible family recreation in California?

To put it simply, both the BLM and CDPR are considering leasing large amounts of land within the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (OWSVRA) for geothermal exploration. Both the BLM and CDPR own land within the OWSVRA. Since the Bush administration has made finding renewable energy resources a priority, multiple companies have applied for geothermal leases within the OWSVRA.

The CDPR has already given one company a "Right of Entry" permit that includes permission to drill a test well. CDPR has done this without taking ANY public comment. Apparently CDPR is not concerned that if the test well finds a profitable geothermal resource, the BLM will have a harder time denying the lease applications that are already pending on property the BLM owns inside the OWSVRA. It is within the power of CDPR to deny the leasing permits since energy exploration and development is not part of the mission of California State Parks.

In contrast to CDPR's using the lowest level of environmental review allowed under California law, with absolutely no public participation, the BLM has chosen to do the highest level environmental review under federal law, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), to analyze the affects of approving the pending leases. The BLM must allow extensive public participation in the EIS process, but they are still headed towards approving the leases. The Preferred Alternative in the Draft EIS would approve all leases on all 22 parcels they own inside OWSVRA. Even worse, the BLM has not proposed mitigating the loss of recreation opportunity through replacement or opening new areas to compensate for lands that will be used for the wells, their extensive above ground pipeline systems, and other infrastructure. The BLM seems to think we will still be able to recreate around pipes and power plants. Not only do we leave the cities we live in to ride our bikes, we also love being in a primitive natural environment. Off roaders do not drive drive 2-3 hours from their homes to see and ride around industrial building, pipelines, power lines, etc.

This would never happen in a non-OHV state park.

Well, guess what, families that recreate on OHV's also love the environment and we don't want to see this blight in our park. Ruth Coleman, Director of CDPR, has gone on record stating that energy exploration is not consistent with the mission of state parks. Director Coleman said this while trying to stop a power line from crossing Anza Borrego. We don't understand why it is okay with Director Coleman that Ocotillo Wells not only gets power lines, we get the industrial complex that produces the power spread all across OWSVRA. Why are OHV'ers treated like second class citizens made to share our precious few acres still open for OHV recreation with industrial complexes?

OWSVRA received 1.9 million visitors last year. The BLM has not taken into consideration the safety hazard they are creating by forcing ever growing numbers of OHV recreating families onto smaller areas.

At the end of the day, it is only fair that the OHV community interests be protected just as fervently as non-OHV park visitors. If the geothermal energy is so important that it must be developed, it must be developed on Anza Borrego too. If the value of goethermal energy is so great that OWSVRA must be developed, it should only be after any losses of land or other resources, including visual resources, have been compensated with new opportunities of equal size and quality.

If you would like to tell the California Department of Parks and Recreation how you feel about their policy regarding geothermal drilling in the OWSVRA call Roy Stearns at (916) 654-7538 or e-mail him at rstea@parks.ca.gov.

If you would like to comment on the BLM's Draft Environmental Impact Statement go to sandiegooffroad.com and click on the link that talks about geothermal. There you will find instructions explaining how to submit comments including guidelines for reviewing and commenting on the DEIS.

Sherri Kukla

San Diego Off-Road Magazine


Posted by: 76GMC1500

I see no reason geothermal powerplants and OHV'ers can't live together in the same area. I just got back from a tour of a geothermal powerplant. They are fenced off and manned 24/7 so security shouldn't be an issue. The only problem I saw is that the reinjection pipes run far from the actual powerplants and are painted green to reduce their visible impact on the environment. They could be a supprise to riders. This issue could be easily resovled. Geothermal powerplants have a fairly small footprint as well, a standard site may only take 2-3 acres.

They are probably trying to shut down OW for their own agenda and it has nothing to do with exploration for renewable energy.


Posted by: RedBull

Quote:
Originally Posted by 76GMC1500
I see no reason geothermal powerplants and OHV'ers can't live together in the same area. I just got back from a tour of a geothermal powerplant. They are fenced off and manned 24/7 so security shouldn't be an issue. The only problem I saw is that the reinjection pipes run far from the actual powerplants and are painted green to reduce their visible impact on the environment. They could be a supprise to riders. This issue could be easily resovled. Geothermal powerplants have a fairly small footprint as well, a standard site may only take 2-3 acres.

They are probably trying to shut down OW for their own agenda and it has nothing to do with exploration for renewable energy.



Did you read any of that or the information provided at sandiegooffroad.com? Even if you think that they would take up 2-3 acres what about all the land closed by above ground pipes, wells and fences around the wells. Any foothold greater than the one already in our areas is to great to allow.



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