Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Draft
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE
OF TACTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
U.S. Border Patrol El Centro Sector, California
FME002759
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FME002763
FME002764
COVER SHEET
Throughout the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, the public
may obtain information concerning the status and progress of the Proposed
Action and the EA via the project Web site at www.BorderFenceNEPA.com; by
emailing information@BorderFenceNEPA.com; or by written request to Mr.
(b) (6) Environmental Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort
FME002765
Worth District, Engineering and Construction Support Office, 814 Taylor Street,
Room 3B10, Fort Worth, TX 76102, Fax: (757) 229-5585.
Privacy Notice
Your comments on this document are due by January 24, 2008. Comments will
be addressed in the Final EA and made available to the public. Any personal
information included in comments will therefore be publicly available.
FME002766
DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FOR THE PROPOSED
CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE
OF TACTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
U.S. BORDER PATROL EL CENTRO SECTOR,
CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 2007
This document printed on paper that contains at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber.
FME002767
FME002768
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2 INTRODUCTION
3 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border
4 Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) proposes to construct, maintain,
5 and operate approximately 44.6 miles of tactical infrastructure along the
6 U.S./Mexico international border near Calexico, Imperial County, California.
7 The mission of CBP is to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering
8 the United States, while also facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. In
9 supporting CBP’s mission, USBP is charged with establishing and maintaining
10 effective control of the border of the United States. USBP’s mission strategy
11 consists of five main objectives:
10 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
11 CBP notified relevant Federal, state, and local agencies of the Proposed Action
12 and requested input regarding environmental concerns they might have. CBP
13 has coordinated with agencies such as the BLM; U.S. Environmental Protection
14 Agency (USEPA); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); California State
15 Historic Preservation Office (SHPO); and other Federal, state, and local
16 agencies. Input from agency responses has been incorporated into the analysis
17 of potential environmental impacts.
18 A Notice of Availability (NOA) for this EA and proposed FONSI will be published
19 in the Imperial Valley Press, to solicit comments on the Proposed Action and
20 involve the local community in the decisionmaking process. Comments from the
21 public and other Federal, state, and local agencies will be incorporated into the
22 Final EA.
1 ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
2 Alternative 1: No Action Alternative
3 Under the No Action Alternative, proposed tactical infrastructure would not be
4 built and there would be no change in fencing, access roads, or other facilities
5 along the U.S./Mexico international border in the proposed project locations
6 within USBP El Centro Sector. The USBP El Centro Sector would continue to
7 use agents and technology to identify illegal cross-border activity, and deploy
8 agents to make apprehensions. Although USBP agents would continue to patrol
9 the U.S./Mexico international border within the USBP El Centro Sector and make
10 apprehensions, their response time and success rate in apprehensions would
11 continue to be impeded. The No Action Alternative is no longer an efficient use
12 of USBP resources and would not meet future USBP mission or operational
13 needs. However, inclusion of the No Action Alternative is prescribed by the
14 Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations and will be carried forward
15 for analysis in the EA. The No Action Alternative also serves as a baseline
16 against which to evaluate the impacts of the Proposed Action.
33 This alternative would also include construction and maintenance of access and
34 patrol roads. The patrol roads would be constructed between the primary and
35 secondary pedestrian fences. The design of the tactical infrastructure for this
36 alternative would be similar to that of Alternative 2.
5 CBP would follow design criteria to reduce adverse environmental impacts and
6 would implement mitigation measures to further reduce or offset adverse
7 environmental impacts. Design criteria to reduce adverse environmental impacts
8 include consulting with Federal and state agencies and other stakeholders to
9 avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts and develop appropriate Best
10 Management Practices (BMPs), and avoiding physical disturbance and
11 construction of solid barriers in wetlands/riparian areas and streambeds. BMPs
12 would include implementation of a Construction Mitigation and Restoration
13 (CM&R) Plan; Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan; Dust
14 Control Plan; Fire Prevention and Suppression Plan; and Unanticipated
15 Discovery Plan for Cultural Resources to protect natural and cultural resources.
16
Alternative 3:
Alternative 1: No Alternative 2:
Resource Area Secure Fence Act
Action Alternative Proposed Action
Alignment
Land Use Long-term minor to Long-term minor Adverse impacts
major adverse adverse and would be similar to,
impacts would be beneficial impacts but slightly greater
expected. would be expected. than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Geology and Long-term minor Short- and long-term Adverse impacts
Soils adverse impacts minor adverse would be similar to,
would be expected. impacts would be but slightly greater
expected. than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Hydrology and Long-term minor Short-term minor Adverse impacts
Groundwater adverse impacts adverse impacts would be similar to,
would be expected. would be expected. but slightly greater
than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Surface Waters Long-term minor Short-term minor Adverse impacts
and Waters of the adverse impacts adverse impacts to would be similar to,
U.S. would be expected. wetlands would be but slightly greater
expected. than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Floodplains No impacts would Short-term minor Adverse impacts
be expected. adverse effects would be similar to,
would be expected. but slightly greater
than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Vegetation Long-term minor to Short- and long-term Adverse impacts
Resources major adverse minor adverse would be similar to,
impacts would be impacts would be but slightly greater
expected. expected. than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Wildlife and Long-term minor Short- and long-term Adverse impacts
Aquatic adverse impacts negligible to would be similar to,
Resources would be expected. moderate adverse but slightly greater
and minor beneficial than, the impacts
impacts would be described under
expected. Alternative 2.
Alternative 3:
Alternative 1: No Alternative 2:
Resource Area Secure Fence Act
Action Alternative Proposed Action
Alignment
Threatened and Long-term minor to Short- and long-term Adverse impacts
Endangered moderate adverse minor adverse and would be similar to,
Species impacts would be long-term minor but slightly greater
expected. beneficial impacts than, the impacts
would be expected. described under
Alternative 2.
Cultural, Historic, Long-term No impacts would No impacts would
and Negligible adverse be expected. be expected.
Archeological impacts would be
Resources expected.
Air Quality No new impacts Major short-term Major short-term
would be expected.. adverse impacts adverse impacts
would be expected. would be expected.
Noise No new impacts Short-term Adverse impacts
would be expected. moderate adverse would be similar to,
impacts would be but slightly greater
expected. than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Visual Resources No new impacts Short- and long-term Adverse impacts
would be expected. minor to major would be similar to,
adverse impacts but slightly greater
would be expected. than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Solid and No new impacts Short-term Adverse impacts
Hazardous Waste would be expected. negligible adverse would be similar to,
and Hazardous impacts would be but slightly greater
Materials expected. than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
Socioeconomics, Long-term minor to Short-term minor Adverse and
Environmental major adverse beneficial impacts beneficial impacts
Justice, and impacts would be would be expected. would be similar to,
Protection of expected. but slightly greater
Children than, the impacts
described under
Alternative 2.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FME002775
FME002776
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPENDICES
A. Standard Design for Tactical Infrastructure
B. Applicable Laws and Executive Orders
C. Public Involvement and Agency Coordination
D. Biological Survey Report
E. Cultural Resources Survey
F. Air Quality Emissions Calculations
FIGURES
1-1. Locations of the Proposed Tactical Infrastructure.................................................................. 1-2
2-1. Schematic of Proposed Impact Areas – Alternative 2 ............................................................ 2-5
2-2. Schematic of Proposed Impact Areas – Alternative 3 ............................................................ 2-7
3.11-1. Common Sound Levels .................................................................................................. 3-57
TABLES
SECTION 1
Introduction
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FME002782
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
1 1. INTRODUCTION
2 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border
3 Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) proposes to construct, maintain,
4 and operate approximately 44.6 miles of tactical infrastructure along the
5 U.S./Mexico international border near Calexico, Imperial County, California.
6 Proposed tactical infrastructure would consist of five discrete sections of primary
7 pedestrian and vehicle fence, lighting, and patrol roads; one section of lighting;
8 and access roads within USBP’s El Centro Sector. Individual sections would
9 range from approximately 2.4 to 19.3 miles in length (see Figure 1-1). The
10 locations of the individual tactical infrastructure sections were proposed based on
11 the situational and operational requirements of USBP El Centro Sector. Each
12 tactical infrastructure section represents an individual infrastructure project and
13 could proceed independent of the other sections. The proposed fence and
14 tactical infrastructure would cross multiple privately owned land parcels and
15 public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
16 This Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) is divided into seven sections plus
17 appendices. Section 1 provides background information on USBP missions,
18 identifies the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action, describes the area in
19 which the Proposed Action would occur, and explains the public involvement
20 process. Section 2 provides a detailed description of the Proposed Action,
21 alternatives considered, and the No Action Alternative. Section 3 describes, in
22 detail, the existing environmental conditions and potential environmental impacts
23 that could occur from each alternative. Section 4 discusses potential cumulative
24 and other impacts that might result from implementation of the Proposed Action,
25 combined with foreseeable future actions. Section 5 discusses potential
26 mitigation measures to reduce adverse effects. Sections 6 and 7 provide a list
27 of references and preparers for the EA, respectively.
Draft EA
Angeles California
FME002783
r
U.S./Mexico
ve
i
International Border 30
do R
115 Salton
ra
Sea
Arizona
Ports of Entry San
Co lo
Phoenix
Diego
B-1 Fence Section Label 111
Tijuana
Miles
26
0 2.5 5 10 El Centro
Scale U n i t e d S t a t e s Sector
Projection: Albers
USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic Pacific
North American Datum of 1983 Ocean Mex ico
Gulf
ver
Brawley of
r
California
e
iv
R
w
27
Ne
Alamo Ri
86
California
28
Rd
1-2
Imperial
H u ff
Ocotillo
80
El Centro
31 32
111 115
Hotville
30
8
Jacumba Mcc a
be Rd 33
Wilderness
Rd
H unt
Heber Rd
Hebe
r
r Rd
98
er R d
29 d
Bow ke
rR
s Co rn
K effe
Calexico 98
Bon d
B-5A
B-1 B-5B
B-2 B-3 8
Calexico West
Calexico East
(Service Port) B-4
M e x i c o
Source: ESRI StreetMap USA 2005
January 2008
FME002784
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
5 USBP has nine administrative sectors along the U.S./Mexico international border.
6 Each sector is responsible for implementing an optimal combination of personnel,
7 technology, and infrastructure appropriate to its operational requirements. The
8 El Centro Sector is responsible for Imperial and Riverside counties in California.
9 The areas affected by the Proposed Action include the southernmost portion of
10 Imperial County. Within the USBP El Centro Sector, areas for tactical
11 infrastructure improvements have been identified that would help the Sector gain
12 more effective control of the border and significantly contribute to USBP’s priority
13 mission of homeland security.
27 To comply with NEPA, the planning and decisionmaking process for actions
28 proposed by Federal agencies involves a study of other relevant environmental
29 statutes and regulations. The NEPA process, however, does not replace
30 procedural or substantive requirements of other environmental statutes and
31 regulations. It addresses them collectively in the form of an EA or EIS, which
32 enables the decisionmaker to have a comprehensive view of major
33 environmental issues and requirements associated with the Proposed Action.
34 According to CEQ regulations, the requirements of NEPA must be integrated
35 “with other planning and environmental review procedures required by law or by
36 agency so that all such procedures run concurrently rather than consecutively.”
1 the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, Noise Control Act, Endangered Species Act
2 (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), National Historic Preservation Act
3 (NHPA), Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), Resource
4 Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA),
5 and various Executive Orders (EOs). A summary of laws, regulations, and EOs
6 that might be applicable to the Proposed Action are shown in Appendix B.
7 Table 1-1 lists major Federal and state permits, approvals, and interagency
8 coordination required to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed tactical
9 infrastructure.
Agency Permit/Approval/Coordination
- Section 7 ESA consultation
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. - MBTA coordination
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) - Special Use Permits for access to National
Wildlife Refuge areas
U.S. Environmental Protection
- CWA NPDES permit
Agency (USEPA)
- CWA Section 404 permit Rivers and Harbors
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Act of 1899, Section 10
San Diego Regional Water Quality - CWA Section 401 State Water Quality
Control Board Certification
San Diego Air Pollution Control
- CAA permit consultation
District
California Department of Fish and - California Endangered Species Act (CESA)
Game (CDFG) coordination
California State Historic Preservation
- NHPA Section 106 consultation
Office (SHPO)
Federally recognized American Indian - Consultation regarding potential effects on
Tribes cultural resources
Advisory Council on Historic
- NHPA Section 106 consultation
Preservation (ACHP)
17 NEPA and implementing regulations from the President’s CEQ and DHS direct
18 agencies to make their EAs and EISs available to the public during the
Draft EA January 2008
1-5
FME002787
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
1 decisionmaking process and prior to actions being taken. The premise of NEPA
2 is that the quality of Federal decisions will be enhanced if proponents provide
3 information to the public and involve the public in the planning process.
4 Through the public involvement process, CBP notified relevant Federal, state,
5 and local agencies of the Proposed Action and requested input regarding
6 environmental concerns they might have regarding the Proposed Action. The
7 public involvement process provides CBP with the opportunity to cooperate with
8 and consider state and local views in its decision regarding implementing this
9 Federal proposal. As part of the EA process, CBP has coordinated with
10 agencies such as the BLM; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA);
11 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); California State Historic Preservation
12 Office (SHPO); and other Federal, state, and local agencies (see Appendix C).
13 Input from agency responses has been incorporated into the analysis of potential
14 environmental impacts.
15 A Notice of Availability (NOA) for this EA and proposed FONSI will be published
16 in the Imperial Valley Press. This is done to solicit comments on the Proposed
17 Action and involve the local community in the decisionmaking process.
18 Comments from the public and other Federal, state, and local agencies will be
19 incorporated into the Final EA and included in Appendix C.
27 1. Determine whether the action will occur in, or stimulate development in, a
28 floodplain.
29 2. Receive public review/input of the Proposed Action.
30 3. Identify and evaluate practicable alternatives to locating in the floodplain.
31 4. Identify the impacts of the Proposed Action (when it occurs in a
32 floodplain).
33 5. Minimize threats to life, property, and natural and beneficial floodplain
34 values, and restore and preserve natural and beneficial floodplain values.
35 6. Reevaluate alternatives in light of any new information that might have
36 become available.
37 7. Issue findings and a public explanation.
38 8. Implement the action.
1 Steps 1, 3, and 4 have been undertaken as part of this Draft EA and are further
2 discussed in Section 3.5. Steps 2 and 6 through 8 are being conducted
3 simultaneously with the EA development process, including public review of the
4 Draft EA. Step 5 relates to mitigation and is currently undergoing development.
5 Throughout the NEPA process, the public may obtain information concerning the
6 status and progress of the EA via the project Web site at
7 www.BorderFenceNEPA.com; by emailing information@BorderFenceNEPA.com;
8 or by written request to Mr. Charles McGregor, Environmental Manager, U.S.
9 Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District, Engineering and
10 Construction Support Office, 814 Taylor Street, Room 3B10, Fort Worth, TX
11 76102, and Fax: (757) 299-5585.
20 The USACE-Los Angeles District Engineer has the authority to authorize actions
21 under Section 404 of the CWA. Applications for work involving the discharge of
22 fill material into waters of the United States will be submitted to the USACE-Los
23 Angeles District Regulatory Program Branch for review and a decision on
24 issuance of a permit will be reached.
25 Section 7 of the ESA (P.L. 93-205, December 28, 1973) states that any project
26 authorized, funded, or conducted by any Federal agency should not
27 “…jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened
28 species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of habitat of such
29 species which is determined … to be critical.” The USFWS is a cooperating
30 agency regarding this Proposed Action to determine whether any federally listed
31 or proposed endangered or threatened species or their designated critical
32 habitats would be adversely impacted by the Proposed Action, to streamline the
33 Section 7 consultation process, to identify the nature and extent of potential
34 effects, and to jointly develop measures that would avoid or reduce potential
35 effects on any species of concern. The USFWS will issue their Biological
36 Opinion of the potential for jeopardy. If their opinion is that the project is not
37 likely to jeopardize any listed species, they can also issue an incidental take
38 statement as an exception to the prohibitions in Section 9 of the ESA.
39 Along some of the proposed fence sections the tactical infrastructure would
40 follow rights-of-ways (ROWs) administered by the USIBWC. The IBWC is an
41 international body composed of a U.S. Section and a Mexican Section, each
SECTION 2
Proposed Action and Alternatives
FME002791
FME002792
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
1
In January 2004, USBP approved construction of approximately 5 miles of pedestrian fence along the
U.S./Mexico international border starting approximately 2 miles west of the Calexico POE. In August 2007
USBP approved the installation of an additional 2.62 miles of pedestrian fence. This fence is designated
as Section B-3 in this EA.
1 the other sections. USBP has identified these areas where a fence would
2 contribute significantly to its priority homeland security mission.
Border Length of
Section General Land Type of Tactical
Patrol New Fence
Number Location Ownership Infrastructure
Station Section
Primary vehicle fence,
El West of Public: BLM-
B-1 lighting, patrol road, 11.3 miles
Centro Pinto managed
access roads
Monument
Primary pedestrian
El 224 to Public: BLM-
B-2 fence, lighting, patrol 2.4 miles
Centro West of managed
road, access roads
Calexico
West of Public: BLM-
B-3 Calexico Lighting (7.4 miles) NA
Calexico managed
Public: BLM-
and Bureau Primary pedestrian
Calexico
B-4 Calexico of fence, lighting, patrol 8.6 miles
East
Reclamation- road, access roads
managed
Public: BLM-
and Bureau Primary pedestrian
Calexico
B-5A Calexico of fence, lighting, patrol 19.3 miles
East
Reclamation- road, access roads
managed
East of
Primary pedestrian
Calexico to Public: BLM-
B-5B Calexico fence, lighting, patrol 3.0 miles
Monument managed
road, access roads
210
Total 44.6 miles
Note: Lighting would be spaced approximately 50 yards apart.
4 Design criteria that have been established based on USBP operational needs
5 require that, at a minimum, any fencing must meet the following requirements:
3 Typical primary pedestrian fence designs that could be used are included in
4 Appendix A. The combined preliminary estimate to construct the proposed
5 individual tactical infrastructure sections is approximately $135 million.
18 Wherever possible, existing roads and previously disturbed areas would be used
19 for construction access and staging areas. If fill material was needed, the
20 construction contractor would use clean material from commercially available
21 sources that do not pose an adverse impact on biological or cultural resources.
22 Figure 2-1 shows a typical schematic of temporary and permanent impact areas
23 for tactical infrastructure.
34
2
In 1907, President Roosevelt reserved from entry and set apart as a public reservation all public lands
within 60 feet of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico within the State of
California and the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico. Known as the “Roosevelt Reservation,” this
land withdrawal was found “necessary for the public welfare ... as a protection against the smuggling of
goods.” The proclamation excepted from the reservation all lands, which, as of its date, were (1)
embraced in any legal entry; (2) covered by any lawful filing, selection, or rights of way duly recorded in
the proper U.S. Land Office; (3) validly settled pursuant to law; or (4) within any withdrawal or reservation
for any use or purpose inconsistent with its purposes (CRS 2006).
NOT TO SCALE
57
NCE
S RIAN
P
OA
PA RO
3'
60 P RMAN NT I PAC A A
t e
Unite
14 Figure 2-2 shows a schematic of typical project corridor areas for this alternative.
15 The design of the tactical infrastructure for this alternative would be similar to that
16 of Alternative 2.
NOT TO SCALE
FENCE
R MAR FENCE
SE ONDA
OA
PA RO
1 0 P RMAN N IMPAC AR A
t te
Un te
Me
3
Draft EA January 2008
2-7
FME002799
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
3 This alternative was determined not to meet the screening criteria of USBP
4 operational requirements. The physical presence of an increased number of
5 agents could provide an enhanced level of deterrence against illegal entry into
6 the United States, but the use of additional agents alone, in lieu of the proposed
7 tactical infrastructure, would not provide a practical solution to achieving effective
8 control of the border in the El Centro Sector. The use of physical barriers has
9 been demonstrated to slow cross-border violators and provide USBP agents with
10 additional time to make apprehensions (USACE 2000). Additionally, as tactical
11 infrastructure is built, agents could be more effectively redeployed to secure
12 other areas. A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report (CRS 2006)
13 concluded that USBP border security initiatives within the USBP San Diego
14 Sector such as the 1994 “Operation Gatekeeper” required a 150 percent
15 increase in USBP manpower, lighting, and other equipment. The report states
16 that “It soon became apparent to immigration officials and lawmakers that the
17 USBP needed, among other things, a ‘rigid’ enforcement system that could
18 integrate infrastructure (i.e., multi-tiered fence and roads), manpower, and new
19 technologies to further control the border region” (CRS 2006).
Alternative 2 Alternative 3
Description Five individual tactical Five individual tactical
infrastructure sections infrastructure sections composed
composed of primary of primary and secondary
pedestrian, vehicle fence, pedestrian fence constructed 130
lighting, and patrol roads; feet apart, vehicle fence, lighting,
one section of lighting; and and patrol roads between fences;
access roads one section of lighting; and
access roads
Proposed Total
44.6 miles 44.6 miles
Route Length
Proposed Project
60 feet 150 feet
Corridor
Acreage of Proposed
324 acres 810 acres
Project Corridor
5
14 Implementation of the Proposed Action would meet USBP’s purpose and need
15 described in Section 1.2. The No Action Alternative would not meet USBP’s
16 purpose and need. Alternative 3 would meet USBP’s purpose and need
17 described in Section 1.2 but would have greater environmental impacts (e.g.,
18 higher air emissions) compared to the Preferred Alternative. USBP might need
19 to implement this alternative at some point in the future depending on future
20 USBP operational requirements. While USBP believes that this level of tactical
21 infrastructure is not required at this time, it is a viable alternative and will be
22 carried forward for detailed analysis.
23
SECTION 3
Affected Environment and Environmental
Consequences
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El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
3 All potentially relevant resource areas were initially considered in this EA. Some
4 were eliminated from detailed examination because of their inapplicability to this
5 proposal. General descriptions of the eliminated resources and the basis for
6 elimination are described below.
7 In compliance with NEPA, the CEQ guidelines, and DHS MD 5100.1, the
8 following evaluation of environmental impacts focuses on those resources and
9 conditions potentially subject to impacts, on potentially significant environmental
10 issues deserving of study, and deemphasizes insignificant issues. Some
11 environmental resources and conditions that are often analyzed in an EA have
12 been omitted from detailed analysis. The following provides the basis for such
13 exclusions:
14 Climate. The Proposed Action would neither affect nor be affected by the
15 climate. Emissions and their impact on air quality are discussed in Section 3.10.
16 Utilities and infrastructure. The Proposed Action would not be located in any
17 utility corridors, and would not impact utilities or similar infrastructure. Operation
18 and maintenance of the proposed tactical infrastructure would not be connected
19 to any utilities.
3 Construction workers are exposed to safety risks from the inherent dangers at
4 any construction site. Contractors would be required to establish and maintain
5 safety programs at the construction site. The proposed construction would not
6 expose members of the general public to increased safety risks. Therefore,
7 because the proposed construction would not introduce new or unusual safety
8 risks, and assuming carefully followed construction protocols, detailed
9 examination of safety is not included in this EA.
12 The term “land use” refers to real property classifications that indicate either
13 natural conditions or the types of human activity occurring on a parcel. In many
14 cases, land use descriptions are codified in local zoning laws. There is, however,
15 no nationally recognized convention or uniform terminology for describing land
16 use categories. As a result, the meanings of various land use descriptions,
17 “labels,” and definitions vary among jurisdictions.
18 Two main objectives of land use planning are to ensure orderly growth and
19 compatible uses among adjacent property parcels or areas. Tools supporting
20 land use planning include master plans/management plans and zoning
21 regulations. Land use constraints due to sound are described in Section 3.11.
36 Government Special Public Use Zones are areas for the construction,
37 development, and operation of governmental facilities and special public
38 facilities, such as security facilities, jails, solid and hazardous wastes facilities,
39 and other similar special public benefit uses (ICDP 1998).
1 The remainder of the land is managed by the BLM El Centro Field Office under
2 the California Desert Conservation Act (BLM Undated). The eastern end of the
3 proposed construction corridor ends at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation
4 Area, which is also managed by the BLM.
7 The No Action Alternative would result in continuation of the existing land uses
8 and their associated impacts, as discussed in Section 3.1.1. No additional
9 effects on land use would be expected as a result of the Proposed Action not
10 being implemented.
12 Long-term, minor, adverse and beneficial direct and indirect effects on land use
13 would occur as a result of the Proposed Action. Direct effects would occur in
14 areas characterized as General Agriculture and Heavy Agriculture Zones
15 because small areas would be permanently converted to Government Special
16 Use Zones. These areas are currently near the U.S./Mexico international border
17 and it is likely that the proposed land use change would not result in the loss of
18 agricultural lands. The proposed land use change is permitted within these two
19 land use zones and would be compatible with the adjacent land use (ICPD
20 1998). However, a Conditional Use Permit from Imperial County might be
21 required prior to implementation of the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action
22 would have no direct effect on the Government Special Use land use category.
23 Long-term, minor, adverse direct effects on land use would occur on BLM-
24 managed lands in the area of the Proposed Action. It is the mission of the BLM
25 to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use
26 and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Proposed Action would
27 occur in a rural area that is managed by BLM, including an area near the Imperial
28 Sand Dunes Recreation Area at the eastern end of the proposed construction
29 corridor. However, these areas are remote areas along the U.S./Mexico
30 international border. The Proposed Action would not result in a loss of BLM-
31 managed lands. Therefore, the effects would be minor.
32 Indirect beneficial effects could occur as a result of decreased illegal traffic within
33 the areas adjacent to the Proposed Action.
19 Soils are the unconsolidated materials overlying bedrock or other parent material.
20 They develop from weathering processes on mineral and organic materials and
21 are typically described in terms of their landscape position, slope, and physical
22 and chemical characteristics. Soil types differ in structure, elasticity, strength,
23 shrink-swell potential, drainage characteristics, and erosion potential, which can
24 affect their ability to support certain applications or uses. In appropriate cases,
25 soil properties must be examined for compatibility with particular construction
26 activities or types of land use.
27 Prime farmland is protected under the Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981.
28 Prime farmland is defined as land that has the best combination of physical and
29 chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed
30 crops, and is also available for these uses. The land could be cropland, pasture,
31 rangeland, or other land, but not urban. The act also ensures that Federal
32 programs are administered in a manner that, to the extent practicable, will be
33 compatible with private, state, and local government programs and policies to
34 protect farmland.
1 profile of the USBP El Centro Sector is characterized by gently rolling lands with
2 a few steep slopes. Elevations in the USBP El Centro Sector range from about
3 15 to 65 feet above mean sea level (MSL) along the western section of the
4 proposed fence and about 145 to 200 feet above MSL along the eastern section
5 of the proposed fence (TopoZone.com 2007).
6 Geology. The USBP El Centro Sector is within the Salton Trough, a structural
7 and topographic depression that lies within the Basin and Range physiographic
8 province. The Salton Trough which is an extension of the East Pacific Rise,
9 emerges from a 1,000-mile-long trough occupied by the Gulf of California and
10 continues northward to Palm Springs. Underlying the Salton Trough are
11 thousands of feet of marine and nonmarine sediments (Morton 1977, Hunt 1974).
12 The depth to basement rock ranges from 11,000 to 15,400 feet, though
13 metamorphism of sedimentary deposits is known to occur at depths as shallow
14 as 4,000 feet as a result of high heat flows associated with crustal spreading.
15 High heat flows also give rise to geothermal steam; several “known geothermal
16 resources areas” have been delineated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in
17 the Imperial Valley (Morton 1977).
18 Soils. The soils of the USBP El Centro Sector are all well-drained to some
19 extent, have varying permeability, and occur on 0–2 percent slopes with the
20 exception of the Badland soil map unit (30–75 percent slopes). Twelve soil map
21 units were identified in the USBP El Centro Sector. The soil map units at the site
22 are all classified as nonhydric soils (USDA-NRCS 2007a). Hydric soils are soils
23 that are saturated, flooded, or ponded for long enough during the growing season
24 to develop anaerobic (oxygen-deficient) conditions in their upper part. The
25 presence of hydric soil is one of the three criteria (hydric soils, hydrophytic
26 vegetation, and wetland hydrology) used to determine that an area is a wetland
27 based on the USACE Wetlands Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y-87-1
28 (USACE 1987). The soils in the area of the American canal extension have been
29 previously disturbed with canal development and associated activities.
30 The properties of soils identified in the USBP El Centro Sector are described in
31 Table 3.2-1.
39
Farmland
Name Type Slope Drainage Hydric* Properties
Importance
Alluvium
30–75 derived from
Badland NA NA NA NA
percent mixed
sources.
Found on
Silty Moderately
0–2 basin floors.
Holtville clay, Well- No Prime
percent Permeability is
wet Drained
slow.
Found on
Silty Moderately
0–2 basin floors.
Imperial clay, Well- No Statewide
percent Permeability is
wet Drained
very slow.
Found on
Silty
Moderately basin floors.
Imperial- clay 0–2
Well- No Statewide Permeability is
Glenbar loam, percent
Drained moderately to
wet
very slow.
Found on
basin floors.
Indio-Vint 0–2 Well- Permeability is
NA No Prime
Complex percent Drained moderate to
moderately
rapid.
Very
Found on
fine Moderately
0–2 basin floors.
Meloland sandy Well- No Prime
percent Permeability is
loam, Drained
slow.
wet
Found on
Moderately
Meloland 0–2 basin floors.
Loam Well- No Prime
and Holtville percent Permeability is
Drained
slow.
Found on
Somewhat
Fine 0–2 basin floors.
Rositas Excessively No Statewide
sand percent Permeability is
Drained
rapid.
Found on
Loamy Somewhat
0–2 basin floors.
Rositas fine Excessively No Statewide
percent Permeability is
sand Drained
rapid.
Farmland
Name Type Slope Drainage Hydric* Properties
Importance
Found on
Loamy Somewhat
0–2 basin floors.
Superstition fine Excessively No Prime
percent Permeability is
sand Drained
rapid.
Loamy Found on
very Moderately basin floors.
0–2
Vint fine Well- No Prime Permeability is
percent
sand, Drained moderately
wet rapid.
Found on
Very
basin floors.
fine Moderately
Vint and 0–2 Permeability is
sandy Well- No Prime
Indio percent moderate to
loams, Drained
moderately
wet
rapid.
Source: USDA-NRCS 2007a
Notes*: No = Not listed as a hydric soil for Imperial County, CA
Yes = Listed as a hydric soil for Imperial County, CA
NA = not applicable.
16 Soils. Short-term, minor, direct, adverse impacts on soils in the USBP El Centro
17 Sector would be expected as a result of implementing the Proposed Action. Soil
18 disturbance and compaction due to grading, contouring, and trenching
19 associated with the installation of the fence, patrol roads, access roads, and
20 utilities for lights and other tactical infrastructure would impact approximately 324
21 acres. However, much of the soils in the area of the All-American Canal
22 extension have been disturbed, therefore reducing the amount of potential impact
23 to undisturbed soils.
Draft EA January 2008
3-7
FME002811
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
41 The Holtsville silty clay (0–2 percent slopes), Indio-Vint complex (0–2 percent
42 slopes), Meloland very fine sandy loam (0–2 percent slopes), Meloland very fine
43 sandy loam (0–2 percent slopes), Meloland and Holtville loams (0–2 percent
44 slopes), Superstition loamy fine sand (0–2 percent slopes), Vint loamy very fine
Draft EA January 2008
3-8
FME002812
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
1 sand (0–2 percent slopes), and Vint and Indio very fine sandy loams (0–2
2 percent slopes) are designated as prime farmland soils. None of the areas in the
3 fence corridor on the U.S. side of the border is being used for agricultural
4 purposes. The corridor necessary for border fence and patrol road development
5 would be linear and limited in extent, therefore any impacts as a result of the
6 Proposed Action to these areas would be considered negligible to minor.
7 Imperial silty clay (0–2 percent slopes), Imperial-Glenbar silty clay loam (0–2
8 percent slopes), Rositas fine sand (0–2 percent slopes), and Rositas loamy fine
9 sand (0–2 percent slopes) are designated as farmland soils of statewide
10 importance. None of the areas in the fence corridor on the U.S. side of the
11 border is being used for agricultural purposes. The corridor necessary for border
12 fence and patrol road development would be linear and limited in extent,
13 therefore any impacts as a result of the Proposed Action to these areas would be
14 considered negligible to minor.
1 the Salton Sea. The rivers were formed in the mid to late 1800s when the
2 Colorado River occasionally escaped the normal channel and flowed northward
3 towards the present day Salton Sea. The All-American Canal (three branches)
4 and the Coachella Canal also cross over the basin (CADWR 2003).
15 The San Andreas, Algodones, and Imperial faults are present within the basin,
16 but data on whether these faults control groundwater movement are lacking. The
17 only known barriers to groundwater flow are the lake deposits of clay that
18 obstruct downward seepage of surface waters in the central and western part of
19 the basin. Recharge is primarily from irrigation return. Other recharge sources
20 are deep percolation of rainfall and surface runoff, underflow into the basin, and
21 seepage from unlined canals which traverse the valley. The basin might have
22 saturated sedimentary deposits as thick as 20,000 feet. The total storage
23 capacity for this basin is estimated to be 14,000,000 acre-feet. In general,
24 groundwater beneath the basin is unusable for domestic and irrigation purposes
25 without treatment because of high total dissolved solids concentrations.
26 Groundwater in areas of the basin has higher than recommended levels of
27 fluoride and boron (CADWR 2003).
30 Under the No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action would not be implemented
31 and there would be no change from baseline conditions. Impacts on water
32 resources could continue to occur, such as the impacts of regional drought or
33 other natural events affecting precipitation patterns. In addition, adverse impacts
34 associated with water contamination due to cross-border violators would
35 continue.
1 surfaces for dust suppression during construction. Water use for construction
2 would be temporary (approximately 9 months). Additionally, this amount is
3 minimal in comparison to the volume used annually in the area for municipal,
4 agricultural, and industrial purposes. Water not lost to evaporation from watering
5 of surfaces during construction would potentially contribute to aquifer recharge
6 through downward seepage.
22 Waters of the United States are defined within the CWA, as amended, and
23 jurisdiction is addressed by the USEPA and the USACE. These agencies assert
24 jurisdiction over (1) traditional navigable waters, (2) wetlands adjacent to
25 navigable waters, (3) non-navigable tributaries of traditional navigable waters that
26 are relatively permanent where the tributaries typically flow year-around or have
27 continuous flow at least seasonally (e.g., typically 3 months), and (4) wetlands
28 that directly abut such tributaries (USDOJ 2007).
29 The CWA (as amended in 1977) established the basic structure for regulating
30 discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States (USEPA 2007a).
31 The CWA objective is restoration and maintenance of chemical, physical, and
32 biological integrity of the Nation’s waters (USDOJ 2007). To achieve this
33 objective several goals were enacted, including (1) discharge of pollutants into
34 navigable waters be eliminated by 1985; (2) water quality which provides for the
35 protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for
36 recreation in and on the water be achieved by 1983; (3) the discharge of toxic
37 pollutants in toxic amounts be prohibited; (4) Federal financial assistance be
38 provided to construct publicly owned waste treatment works; (5) the national
39 policy that areawide waste treatment management planning processes be
13 Wetlands and riparian habitats represent some of the most ecologically important
14 and rare vegetation communities on desert landscapes. They provide keystone
15 habitat for a wide array of plant and animal species including resident and
16 migrating birds, amphibian and fish species, mammals, and insects. Vegetation
17 production and diversity are usually very high in and around these mesic to
18 aquatic sites, with many plant species adapted only to these unique
19 environments. In addition, wetlands and riparian zones provide a variety of
20 hydrologic functions vital to ecosystem integrity. These include water filtration of
21 sediment, groundwater recharge, and nutrient/chemical capture (USFS 1995).
22 Development and conversion of wetlands and riparian zones affects wildlife
23 diversity, carrying capacity, and hydrologic regime. Changes to and removal of
24 wetlands can cause effects that are proportionally greater than elsewhere in an
25 ecosystem (Graber 1996).
26 Wetlands are a protected resource under EO 11990, issued in 1977 “to avoid to
27 the extent possible the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the
28 destruction or modification of wetlands and to avoid direct or indirect support of
29 new construction in wetlands wherever there is a practicable alternative.”
30 Wetlands have been defined by agencies responsible for their management. The
31 term “wetland” used herein, is defined using USACE conventions. The USACE
32 has jurisdiction to protect wetlands under Section 404 of the CWA using the
33 following definition:
1 Wetlands are protected as a subset of “the waters of the United States” under
2 Section 404 of the CWA. The term “waters of the United States” has a broad
3 meaning under the CWA and incorporates deepwater aquatic habitats and
4 special aquatic habitats (including wetlands).
5 Section 404 of the CWA authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the
6 Chief of Engineers, to issue permits for the discharge of dredged or fill materials
7 into the waters of the United States, including wetlands. In addition, Section 404
8 of the CWA also grants states with sufficient resources the right to assume these
9 responsibilities.
10 Section 401 of the CWA gives the state board and regional boards the authority
11 to regulate through water quality certification any proposed federally permitted
12 activity that could result in a discharge to water bodies, including wetlands. The
13 state may issue certification, with or without conditions, or deny certification for
14 activities that might result in a discharge to water bodies.
17 The Alamo River, All-American Canal, and Pinto Wash occur in the Salton Sea
18 watershed, which is bordered on the northwest by the San Gorgonio Mountains,
19 on the west by the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains and the Peninsular
20 Range, and on the east by the Little San Bernardino and Chocolate Mountains.
21 On the south the watershed includes the Imperial and Mexicali Valleys through
22 which the Alamo and New Rivers flow from Mexico (USBR 2001).
23 Alamo River. The Alamo River begins as a small stream near the U.S./Mexico
24 international border near and perpendicular to the All-American Canal and flows
25 northward approximately 60 miles to its discharge point into the Salton Sea.
26 Flows consist of a high percentage of irrigation runoff or wastewater. Daily mean
27 flows over a 40-year period ranged from 45 to 1,140 cubic feet per second (ft3/s)
28 (LeBlanc et al. 2004). The flow is initially formed and sustained by return
29 irrigation water from the Mexicali Valley where approximately 700,000 acre-feet
30 of pumped ground water and 1.5 million acre-feet of New Alamo Canal water
31 diverted from the Colorado River at Morales Dam is used to irrigate crops
32 annually (USBR 2005). Pumping of groundwater for irrigation from thick sand
33 and gravel aquifers of the eastern portion of the Mexicali Valley began during the
34 1950s. Presently, approximately 300,000 acres of irrigated farmland occur in this
35 region of Mexico.
36 Wetlands are present on the banks of the Alamo River in the proposed project
37 corridor, supported by surface flows and seepage into the groundwater table.
38 Described in more detail below, the wetlands consist predominantly of stands of
39 arrow weed short shrubs and common reed, a tall grass. Tamarisk or salt-cedar,
3 Alamo River water was sampled at the international boundary and analyzed for
4 various parameters in the early 2000s (LeBlanc et al. 2004). Suspended
5 sediment concentration was determined from a point sample and bottom
6 sediment sampling was conducted by compositing five grab samples. At Harris
7 Road, downstream from the international border, the Alamo River discharge was
8 440 ft3/s. The water temperature at this site was 19.1 degrees Celsius (oC),
9 specific conductivity measured 2,660 microsiemens per centimeter (cm), and the
10 dissolved oxygen was 9.8 parts per million (ppm). The composition of
11 suspended solids of Alamo River water at the international border measured 53
12 percent fines and 47 percent sand and the concentration of suspended solids
13 measured 27 ppm.
1 District system by directing canal flows through electric utility plant turbines
2 located at (1) Brawley, (2) Coachella, (3) Double Weir, (4) Drop 1, (5) Drop 2,
3 (6) Drop 3, (7) Drop 4, (8) Drop 5, (9) East Highline, (10) El Centro, (11) Pilot
4 Knob, (12) Rockwood, and (13) Turnip (EIA 2000).
5 In the Imperial Valley, only surface water from the All-American Canal is applied
6 to agricultural fields. Water is distributed via a network of canals and ditches to
7 irrigate fields where a portion is consumed by plants, while the remainder
8 percolates through the soil and is captured by tile drains at about 6 to 10 feet
9 deep. This unused water contains dissolved salts and agricultural chemicals and
10 is discharged directly to the Alamo and New rivers which flow to the Salton Sea
11 or further north it is discharged directly from field drains into the Salton Sea
12 (USBR 2001).
24 In 2003, the Imperial Irrigation District entered into a package of decisions and
25 agreements known collectively as the Quantification Settlement Agreement and
26 Related Agreements, which include long-term transfer of water to the San Diego
27 County Water Authority and the Coachella Valley Water District (IID 2007). By
28 2026, the Imperial Irrigation District must conserve and transfer 303,000 acre-
29 feet of Colorado River water annually, approximately 10 percent of the total
30 annual diversion. Transferred water is to be generated through efficiency
31 conservation, which includes both improvements in the Imperial Irrigation
32 District’s delivery system and improvements in on-farm irrigation practices.
33 Within the proposed El Centro Section B-2, an irrigation ditch carries water from
34 the All-American Canal westward for about ½ mile and in Section B-4, surface
35 water flows northward in the Alamo River (originating from Mexico) and westward
36 in the All-American Canal. Wetlands are associated with the surface flows and
37 underground seepage from the river, the riprap-lined earthen canal, and the
38 irrigation ditch. Flows in the Alamo River are conveyed under the All-American
39 Canal via a concrete box culvert constructed in the United States to the
40 international boundary. Within proposed Section B-1, Pinto Wash has an
41 identified 100-year floodplain but carries only ephemeral flows.
1 The All-American Canal surface flows can be a dangerous barrier for cross-
2 border violators and they represent somewhat of an “attractive nuisance” in that
3 flowing water within this desert environment is unusual. The canal system is
4 posted on both sides of the border with danger signs warning of the deep, fast-
5 flowing water and with “No Trespassing” signs.
6 Wetlands have become established on the banks of the All-American Canal and
7 between the canal and the international border in the proposed project corridor,
8 supported by surface flows and underground seepage. Described in more detail
9 below, they consist predominantly of stands of arrow weed, common reed,
10 Bermuda grass, and tamarisk.
11 Salton Sea. The Salton Sea is California’s largest lake with a surface area of
12 243,718 acres (381 square miles) and a surface elevation of 229 feet below sea
13 level (SSA 1997, IID 2005). Its average depth is 31 feet and its maximum depth
14 is 51 feet. It is a federally designated repository to receive and store agricultural,
15 surface, and subsurface drainage waters from the Imperial and Coachella
16 Valleys (IID 2005). The annual inflow is estimated at approximately 1,300,000
17 acre-feet of water carrying approximately 4,000,000 tons of dissolved salt.
18 Salinity within the Salton Sea is approximately 46,000 ppm, compared to ocean
19 waters, which average approximately 35,000 ppm (USBR 2001, IID 2005). High
20 salinity levels, when combined with nutrients from agricultural return flows that
21 cause eutrophic conditions, have reduced the wildlife habitat and recreational
22 values of the Salton Sea.
23 Pinto Wash. Pinto Wash is approximately 2,500 feet wide where the proposed
24 Section B-1 crossing occurs. The wash drains into the United States. towards
25 the northeast and is mapped as a 100-year floodplain by the Federal Emergency
26 Management Agency (FEMA) on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Pinto
27 Wash is normally dry and is subject to flash flooding when torrential rainstorms
28 occur in the drainage area. There are no wetlands associated with Pinto Wash;
29 rather it supports sparse tall shrubs of creosotebush, honey mesquite, and
30 ironwood.
32 Wetland and riparian habitats occur within the eastern one-fourth of Section B-2
33 and the western two-thirds of Section B-4 as proposed and are supported by
34 surface flows and underground seepage from the Alamo River, the All-American
35 Canal, and an irrigation ditch. Surface water occurs only in the river channel,
36 canal, and ditch because Pinto Wash only intermittently carries surface flows.
37 Underground seepage occurs at depth, however the depth to saturated soil or
38 the groundwater aquifer in the vicinity of the proposed border fence project is
39 unknown. All wetland and riparian vegetation in the Sections B-2 and B-4 have
40 been disturbed historically by construction and maintenance of the All-American
41 Canal and the irrigation ditch including vegetation removal from the banks,
42 access road construction and use, berm construction, international boundary
1 monument placement, bridge and structure development, and access for security
2 purposes. Presently, these wetland and riparian communities are subject to
3 nearly daily human foot traffic from cross-border violators attempting to find work,
4 smuggling of contraband, swimming or wading in the canal/ditch, and fishing in
5 the canal, resulting in a labyrinth of paths. Trash has accumulated in most
6 vegetated stands and the stands are used regularly as human latrines.
7 Wetland soils that support the wetland and riparian vegetation alliances and plant
8 associations described below are discussed more fully under Section 3.2
9 Geology and Soils. Within the project corridor as proposed, soils include
10 (1) Badland; (2) Holtville Silty Clay, wet; (3) Imperial – Glenbar Silty Clay Loams,
11 wet; (4) Indio Loam, wet; (5) Meloland Very Fine Sandy Loam, wet; (6) Meloland
12 and Holtville Loams, wet; (7) Rositas Sand; (8) Vint Loamy Very Fine Sand, wet;
13 and (9) Vint and Indio Very Fine Sandy Loams, wet.
14 Wetland and riparian habitats and vegetation stands sampled in the field are
15 discussed in this section and they are also presented as plant associations under
16 the Section 3.6. Only a few trees of Fremont cottonwood (FACW), Goodding
17 willow (OBL), Athel tamarisk (FACW-), and date palms were observed within and
18 near the proposed project corridor in Sections B-2 and B-4 and these were
19 mostly in Mexico. Individual wetland plant species named in this report were
20 provided a wetland indicator code appropriate for California (USDA-NRCS
21 2007b), as described in Table 3.4-1.
22 Vegetation alliances and plant associations (NatureServe 2007) that have been
23 identified within the proposed project vicinity include aquatic bed, herbaceous
24 graminoids, and shrublands, as follows:
32 One stand of unclassified alkali mallow also occurs within the wetland/riparian
33 habitats of the proposed Section B-4. It is described under the Herbaceous
34 Wetlands and Riparian Types.
3 Regionally, this wetland type occurs in systems with saline soils and in areas of
4 low precipitation; it has very specific water chemistry requirements (NatureServe
5 2007).
6 Herbaceous Wetlands and Riparian Types. The tall grass, common reed
7 (FACW) and the short grass, Bermuda grass (FAC) have become established on
8 the banks of the All-American Canal, in the ditch between the canal bank and the
9 berm that demarcates the international border, and in the irrigation ditch in
10 Section B-2. Common reed also occurs along both banks of the Alamo River
1 south of the international border in Mexico. The forb alkali mallow (FAC*) occurs
2 as one small stand between the canal bank and the international border berm of
3 Section B-4.
4 Common reed is a tallgrass that has colonized reaches of the canal and ditch
5 banks where it is sometimes codominant with the short shrub arrow weed
6 (FACW). At a few canal-bank sites, common reed stands also support small
7 patches of the graminoid, broad-leafed cattail (OBL). Within Section B-4,
8 common reed stands are the second most common wetland and riparian
9 vegetation type in terms of area occupied, next to more extensive stands of
10 arrow weed. The stands are usually monotypic, however patches of Bermuda
11 grass or heliotrope could occasionally occur along the margins of the tall grass.
12 Stands are dense (up to 80 percent cover on the more mesic canal bank) to
13 moderate in terms of cover (up to 45 percent) in the drier landscape of the
14 adjacent ditch. It is likely that common reed became established on the
15 permanently saturated canal banks (above ordinary high water) historically, then
16 spread vegetatively under the canal bank road into the adjacent ditch via deep,
17 stout rhizomes. It is unclear whether the principal water source currently is the
18 permanently saturated canal bank or if the common reed plants within the ditch
19 have independently established groundwater contact.
38 Shrub-Scrub Wetland and Riparian Types. The native short (1–3 meters tall)
39 shrub arrow weed (FACW) and the nonnative, invasive tall (2–6 meters tall)
40 shrub tamarisk or salt-cedar (FAC) represent the most common woody species
41 within Section B-4, as proposed. They occur on the banks of the All-American
42 Canal and Alamo River and they occupy the ditch and berms between the canal
43 and the international border. Together, they provide the most common wetland
1 and riparian cover in the proposed project area. West of the Alamo River,
2 wetland shrub stands are almost entirely composed of arrow weed. East of the
3 Alamo River, stands of tamarisk become more common, but they typically
4 support an understory of arrow weed.
5 Arrow weed short shrubs from 1–3 meters tall line the entire north bank of the All-
6 American Canal and most of the south bank, providing up to 80 percent cover
7 and sometimes more in this mesic habitat. On the south canal bank, arrow weed
8 shrubs are occasionally replaced by narrow linear stands of common reed and
9 the two species occasionally intermingle in variably sized ecotones. Arrow weed
10 commonly occurs in the broad ditch between the canal bank and the berm on the
11 international border where the shrubs are of shorter stature (1–1.5 meters tall)
12 and cover values range from 10–45 percent and up to 75 percent.
13 Wherever arrow weed stands occur they are monotypic probably because of the
14 amount of shade cast on the ground surface which precludes establishment of
15 other plant species. When other species occur (common reed, tamarisk, alkali
16 mallow) they provide less than 1 percent cover. On the eastern portion of
17 proposed Section B-4 within this shrubs’ distribution, it becomes understory to
18 codominant with tamarisk shrubs and forms a narrow ecotone with creosotebush
19 and fourwing saltbush where the desert uplands and riparian lowlands meet.
20 This ecotone and transition to creosotebush–dominated desert uplands occurs
21 where the All-American Canal diverges to the north and underground seepage
22 no longer influences vegetation distribution.
23 It is likely that arrow weed became established on the saturated canal banks
24 from seed then spread to the drier habitats south of the canal via underground
25 rhizomes. It is unknown if the majority of water supporting arrow weed stands is
26 provided directly from plants along the canal bank or if individual shrubs within
27 the drier ditch have tapped the groundwater table resulting from seepage through
28 the riprap-lined earth canal.
40 Near the terminus of the wetland and riparian vegetation distribution in proposed
41 Section B-4, a moderately large playa has formed on the international boundary.
42 Although mostly devoid of vegetation across the playa bottom, tamarisk,
1 including a stand of Athel tamarisk, has become established around the playa
2 margin. Some of these tall shrubs have attained heights up to 6–7 meters tall.
9 There would be no effect to the Section B-1 Pinto Wash under the No Action
10 Alternative; it would remain dry until torrential rains occur in its watershed. There
11 would be no effect to the Section B-4 playa under the No Action Alternative. It
12 would fill rarely when natural precipitation events produced enough moisture for
13 run-in to occur then dry through evaporation.
14 Waters of the United States. Under the No Action Alternative there would be
15 no effect on submerged aquatic wetlands within the All-American Canal.
16 Herbaceous and shrub-scrub wetlands on the canal and ditch banks of Sections
17 B-1 and B-4 would continue to receive insignificant to low adverse effects from
18 humans accessing the canal bank and trampling plants; however, this effect
19 could be raised to moderate or high and adverse if the Imperial Irrigation District
20 maintains the canal bank wetland vegetation by mowing or dredging to reduce
21 water loss through evapotranspiration.
29 There would be no effect on shrub-scrub wetlands that occur on the banks of the
30 Alamo River under the No Action Alternative. These wetlands would continue to
31 be subject to low to moderate, short-term, adverse effects when maintenance
32 activities are required to clean debris from the mouth of the culvert, clear the
33 channel at the culvert mouth to improve flow, or otherwise repair the culvert.
35 Surface Waters. Under the Proposed Action, primary pedestrian and vehicle
36 fence construction would occur on the international border up to 200 feet or more
37 south of the All-American Canal, resulting in insignificant short- and long-term
38 adverse effects on surface water of the canal in terms of flow volume or duration,
1 and the canal water quality would reflect conditions within the Colorado River
2 Basin prior to delivery.
16 Primary pedestrian fence construction would bisect the playa east of the Alamo
17 River in Section B-4 resulting in intermittent, insignificant to low, adverse effects
18 on ponded water when present. If sufficiently bermed, primary pedestrian fence
19 construction could fill the northern edge of this playa, reducing it in overall size.
40 Waters of the United States. Under the Proposed Action there would be no
41 effect on submerged aquatic wetlands within the All-American Canal. An
42 insignificant to low, long-term, beneficial effect on canal bank wetland
15 Primary pedestrian fence construction across the Alamo River at the international
16 border would be designed to accommodate cleaning and maintenance of the
17 culvert mouth resulting in long-term, low to moderate adverse effects due to
18 permanent shrub-scrub wetland removal to accommodate the fence, access
19 road, and maintenance activities. A formal delineation and jurisdictional
20 determination of the extent of the scrub-shrub wetlands that are likely to be
21 impacted by implementation of the Proposed Action has not been conducted.
22 The acreage of wetlands or other waters of the United States that occur in the
23 project area will be determined following a formal delineation and jurisdictional
24 determination from USACE.
2 Alternative 3 would result in impacts on surface waters and waters of the United
3 States similar to those described for Alternative 2. However, the magnitude of
4 the impacts would affect a larger area due to the additional fence and wider
5 corridor. Approximately 810 acres of soils would be disturbed by construction. A
6 Construction General Permit would be required to address the development and
7 implementation of SWPPPs with BMPs to reduce the impacts of storm water
8 runoff. A larger area of wetlands would also be impacted under this alternative.
9 Additionally, CWA Section 404 and Section 401(a) authorizations would be
10 obtained, as required, for unavoidable impacts on jurisdictional waters of the
11 United States. A wetlands mitigation and restoration plan to compensate for
12 unavoidable impacts will be developed by the applicant and submitted to the
13 USACE-Los Angeles District Regulatory Branch for approval prior to
14 implementation. Appropriate mitigation would be developed to compensate for
15 unavoidable impacts.
16 3.5 FLOODPLAINS
17 Definition of the Resource
18 Floodplains are areas of low-level ground present along rivers, stream channels,
19 or coastal waters. The living and nonliving parts of natural floodplains interact
20 with each other to create dynamic systems in which each component helps to
21 maintain the characteristics of the environment that supports it. Floodplain
22 ecosystem functions include natural moderation of floods, flood storage and
23 conveyance, groundwater recharge, nutrient cycling, water quality maintenance,
24 and a diversity of plants and animals. Floodplains provide a broad area to
25 spread out and temporarily store floodwaters. This reduces flood peaks and
26 velocities and the potential for erosion. In their natural vegetated state,
27 floodplains slow the rate at which the incoming overland flow reaches the main
28 water body (FEMA 1986).
9 Vegetation resources include native or naturalized plants and serve as habitat for
10 a variety of animal species. Wetlands are discussed in Section 3.4. This
11 section describes the affected environment for native and nonnative vegetation
12 followed by potential impacts on those resources from each alternative. This
13 analysis is based on site surveys conducted in September and October 2007.
14 More detailed information on vegetation resources, including vegetation
15 classification, species observed, and the survey methodology is contained in the
16 Biological Survey Report (see Appendix D).
27 Occurring within the Salton Trough, the drainage of the project area in general
28 and the Alamo River located within Section B-4, flows from south-to-north to the
29 Salton Sea. Overall, the project area is located on an extensive plain of arid
30 desert that is gently undulating. Bailey (1995) describes the vegetation pattern
31 as dry-desert, a class of xerophytic plants that are widely dispersed and provide
32 negligible ground cover. The climate is continental desert, is of extreme aridity,
33 and results in high air and soil temperatures. Summers are long and hot
34 however the brief winter is moderate in terms of temperature. There are typically
35 no summer rains and the average annual precipitation of the area is
36 approximately 2.6 inches. The evaporation rate during the summer season is
37 very high, even more so due to light to moderate winds.
12 Habitats observed, sampled, and photographed within the project corridor range
13 from active sand dunes of the Imperial Dune system, Signal Mountain toeslopes,
14 the ephemeral Pinto Wash, and saturated and aquatic types of the All-American
15 Canal. Habitats of the easternmost portion of the project receive some form of
16 regular or intermittent disturbance that ranges from camping and all-terrain
17 vehicle use in the desert upland types of Sections B-5A and B-5B to berm
18 construction and canal bank clearing between the border and the canal in
19 Section B-4. Much of the habitat of Sections B-4 and B-5A and B-5B is strewn
20 with trash left by aliens making border crossings and by seasonal recreationists.
21 Several areas of the proposed El Centro Sector corridor are unvegetated due to
22 development and disturbance. Unvegetated sites included access roads within
23 all sections, power line and tower access roads and construction sites (Section
24 B-5B), a large area cleared by the Imperial Irrigation District to reclaim canal
25 seepage on Section B-5B, a natural-appearing playa on Section B-4, and
26 excavations and berms along Sections B-2 and B-4. On the eastern terminus of
27 Section B-5B, active sand flats and dunes support no to < 1 percent vegetative
28 cover. An unvegetated playa approximately midway along Section B-4, east of
29 the Alamo River, is devoid of vegetation due to seasonal flooding and
30 accumulation of salts. Berms and ditches along the western portion of Section
31 B-4 are often unvegetated and the soil appears compacted. The Imperial
32 Irrigation District is currently undertaking canal seepage recovery resulting in
33 many acres of complete surface disturbance resulting in vegetation removal and
34 precluding the establishment of vegetation at this time. Agricultural fields occur
35 along the eastern terminus of Section B-2.
9 The western end of Section B-1, west of Pinto Wash, supports sparse
10 creosotebush scrub flats or plains. Pinto Wash contains sparse woodlands of
11 creosotebush, honey mesquite, and ironwood tall shrubs and small trees.
12 Section B-1 east of Pinto Wash represents diverse topography of flats, slopes,
13 rock outcrops, small desert washes, and small sand dunes dominated by sparse
14 creosotebush, white bursage, and shrubby coldenia. The west end of Section
15 B-2 is located on the toeslope of Signal Mountain and is characterized by sparse
16 creosotebush and white bursage shrubs on the uplands and a mixed shrub and
17 herbaceous community in a wash that occurs at the base of the mountain and
18 supports honey mesquite, ocotillo, white bursage, and creosotebush. The
19 eastern portion of Section B-2 is heavily disturbed by road maintenance or
20 supports ditchbank wetlands and agricultural crops. The eastern one-third of
21 Section B-4 supports sparse creosotebush shrubs associated with fourwing
22 saltbush, longleaf jointfir, and white bursage where sandier soils occur.
23 Scattered areas of gravel-armored desert pavement are interspersed and
24 support sparse creosotebush shrubs with herbaceous desert annuals in years
25 with sufficient precipitation for the seeds to germinate.
26 Section B-5A and the western three-fourths of Section B-5B support sparse
27 creosotebush shrubs associated with longleaf jointfir where sandier soils occur.
28 Scattered areas of gravel-armored desert pavement are interspersed and
29 support sparse creosotebush shrubs with herbaceous desert annuals in years
30 with sufficient precipitation for the seeds to germinate. The eastern one-fourth of
31 Section B-5B occupies active sand dunes located on the edge of the Imperial
32 Sand Dune system that are devoid of vegetation; support sparse longleaf jointfir
33 shrubs; or support sparse creosotebush, longleaf jointfir, and desert buckwheat
34 shrubs. Sections B-5A and B-5B in their entirety lie within the BLM’s Buttercup
35 Recreation Management Area, designated Multiple-use Class I “Intensive” and is
36 used for camping, off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding, sightseeing, commercial
37 vending, education, filming, and ROWs (BLM 2003a). A detailed description of
38 vegetation resources can be found in the Biological Survey Report (see
39 Appendix D).
12 Colorado Desert vegetation that has become established in Pinto Wash and
13 small washes within the corridor would continue to be periodically disturbed by
14 floodwater following torrential rains resulting in low to moderate, short- and long-
15 term, adverse and beneficial effects on smoketree, ironwood, honey mesquite,
16 and creosotebush tall shrublands, These vegetation stands would be subject to
17 toppling or mechanical injury during floods, but would also respond to the water
18 provided to the system.
37 Under the Proposed Action new boundary roads and construction access would
38 occur and the existing international border access road segments would be
39 widened from approximately 16 feet to approximately 20 feet resulting in the loss
40 of approximately 5.3 acres of sparse creosotebush shrub communities corridor-
41 wide; approximately 3.4 acres of desert wash vegetation in Pinto Wash of
1 Section B-1; and approximately 8.3 acres of active sand dune communities
2 adjacent to proposed Sections B-4, B-5A, and B-5B. Additional loss of habitat
3 resulting from clearing of lay-down areas for construction materials and
4 maintenance and storage areas for heavy equipment would be minimal as
5 previously disturbed areas would be selected for these functions to the extent
6 practicable. Effects of Colorado Desert vegetation removal would be low to
7 moderate, adverse, and long-term due to the large amount of similar vegetation
8 regionally, other construction projects in the area cumulatively resulting in
9 vegetation removal, and the highly disturbed condition of the entire B-5A and B-
10 5B corridor due to previous and ongoing recreational activities. Sites within the
11 proposed corridors that are disturbed temporarily during construction could re-
12 vegetate to annual plant species (seasonally and during moist precipitation
13 cycles) resulting in insignificant to low, beneficial and adverse, short- and long-
14 term effects due to provision of food sources and ground cover for wildlife and
15 due to the potential spread of nonnative species including Mediterranean grass
16 and crane’s-bill, among others.
3 The MBTA (16 U.S.C. 703–712) as amended, implements various treaties for the
4 protection of migratory birds. Under the MBTA, taking, killing, or possessing
5 migratory birds is unlawful without a valid permit. Under EO 13186,
6 Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds, the USFWS has
7 the responsibility to administer, oversee, and enforce the conservation provisions
8 of the MBTA, which include responsibility for population management (e.g.,
9 monitoring), habitat protection (e.g., acquisition, enhancement, and modification),
10 international coordination, and regulations development and enforcement. The
11 MBTA defines a migratory bird as any bird listed in 50 CFR 10.13, which includes
12 nearly every native bird in North America.
13 The MBTA and EO 13186 require Federal agencies to minimize or avoid impacts
14 on migratory birds listed in 50 CFR 10.13. If design and implementation of a
15 Federal action cannot avoid measurable negative impact on migratory birds,
16 EO 13186 requires the responsible agency to consult with the USFWS and
17 CDFG and obtain a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit.
36 The most common fish in the All-American Canal and associated laterals is the
37 triploid grass carp, a sterile form of the nonnative grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon
38 idella) from Asia. This sterile form is actively raised and introduced to the canal
39 system by the Imperial Irrigation District to control hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata),
40 an invasive nonnative species of aquatic vascular plant.
1 Mammals and birds observed during the September, October, and November
2 2007 surveys included ground squirrel (Spermophilus sp.), black-tailed jackrabbit
3 (Lepus californicus), coyote (Canis latrans), desert cottontail (Sylvilagus
4 audubonii), red-tailed hawk (Buteo lineatus), Gambel’s quail (Callipepla gambeli),
5 American coot (Fulica Americana), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), greater road
6 runner (Geococcyx californianus), Inca dove (Columbina inca), mourning dove
7 (Zenaida macroura), common ground dove (Columbina passerina), rock dove
8 (Columba livia), great tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), cliff swallow
9 (Hirundo pyrrhonota), burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), and zebra-
10 tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides). A complete list of wildlife observed is
11 provided in the Biological Survey Report (see Appendix D).
14 Under the No Action Alternative, new tactical infrastructure would not be built and
15 there would be no change in fencing, access roads, or other facilities along the
16 U.S./Mexico international border in the proposed project locations within the
17 USBP El Centro Sector. Anticipated continuation or even increases in cross-
18 border violator traffic would be expected to have some adverse impacts on
19 wildlife and aquatic resources of the region. These impacts are anticipated to be
20 short- and long-term, minor to moderate, and adverse.
22 Under the Proposed Action, existing border access roads would be widened from
23 approximately 16 feet to approximately 20 feet resulting in the loss of
24 approximately 5.3 acres of habitat. Additional loss of habitat resulting from
25 clearing of lay-down areas for construction materials and maintenance and
26 storage areas for heavy equipment would be minimal as previously disturbed
27 areas would be selected for these functions to the extent practicable. Potential
28 impacts on wildlife and aquatic life include habitat loss, noise and physical
29 disturbance associated with construction and subsequent maintenance activities,
30 impacts of lights on nocturnal species, and beneficial impacts due to reduced
31 cross-border violator traffic.
1 Lights along the fence corridor may behaviorally exclude nocturnal wildlife such
2 as the kit fox from the illuminated zone, while potentially providing additional food
3 sources for insectivorous bats such as the big brown bat. As such, lights would
4 have minor to moderate, adverse and beneficial impacts on nocturnal wildlife
5 depending on the species examined.
6 Impacts on migratory birds could occur, given the potential timing of fence
7 construction. However, implementation of BMPs to avoid or minimize adverse
8 impacts could markedly reduce their intensity. The following is a list of BMPs
9 recommended for reduction or avoidance of impacts on migratory birds:
26 Because not all of the above BMPs can be fully implemented due to time
27 constraints of fence construction, a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit would be
28 obtained from USFWS.
18 Section 7 of the ESA directs all Federal agencies to use their existing authorities
19 to conserve threatened and endangered species and, in consultation with the
20 USFWS, to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize listed species or destroy
21 or adversely modify critical habitat. Section 7 applies to management of Federal
22 lands as well as other Federal actions that might affect listed species, such as
23 approval of private activities through the issuance of Federal permits, licenses, or
24 other actions.
25 Under the ESA, a Federal endangered species is defined as any species which
26 is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The
27 ESA defines a Federal threatened species as any species which is likely to
28 become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
29 significant portion of its range.
30 The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) states that all native species of
31 fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, invertebrates, and plants, and their
32 habitats, threatened with extinction and those experiencing a significant decline
33 which, if not halted, would lead to a threatened or endangered designation, will
34 be protected or preserved.
35 Section 2080 of the California Fish and Game Code prohibits “take” of any
36 species that the commission determines to be an endangered species or a
37 threatened species. Take is defined in Section 86 of the Fish and Game Code as
38 “hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or
39 kill.” CESA allows for take incidental to otherwise lawful development projects.
40 CESA emphasizes early consultation to avoid potential impacts to rare,
17 The riparian vegetation occurring along the All-American Canal and smaller
18 irrigation canals and ditches of the area does not appear to provide suitable
19 habitat for the Yuma clapper rail. Most such areas contain dense stands of
20 common reed extending into open water with little other emergent wetland
21 vegetation or sandbars or other substrate features for foraging areas.
22 Trees associated with wet areas south of the All-American Canal, and which
23 probably established and survive based on seepage water from that canal, are a
24 mixture dominated by salt cedar. Density and distribution of these trees is not
25 perceived to provide suitable habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher.
26 Potential habitat for the Algodones Dunes sunflower and Peirson’s milkvetch
27 occurs along the proposed fence alignment in Section B-5B which enters into the
28 west side of the Algodones Dunes. Further details on the natural history of these
29 two species are provided in Appendix D. Two proposed fence sections occur
30 within designated management areas for the flat-tailed horned lizard (FTHL).
31 Sections B-1 and B-5A are within the Yuha Desert and East Mesa FTHL
32 management areas, respectively.
33
1 Table 3.8-1. State and Federal Threatened and Endangered Species Near
2 Project Area in Imperial County
2 Under the Proposed Action, new boundary roads and construction access would
3 occur and the existing international border access road segments would be
4 widened from approximately 16 feet to approximately 20 feet resulting in the loss
5 of approximately 5.3 acres of sparse creosotebush shrub communities corridor-
6 wide; approximately 3.4 acres of desert wash vegetation in Pinto Wash of
7 Section B-1; and approximately 8.3 acres of active sand dune communities
8 adjacent to proposed Sections B-4, B-5A, and B-5B. Additional loss of habitat
9 resulting from clearing of lay-down areas for construction materials and
10 maintenance and storage areas for heavy equipment would be minimal as
11 previously disturbed areas would be selected for these functions to the extent
12 practicable. Potential impacts on listed species include habitat loss, noise and
13 physical disturbance associated with construction and subsequent maintenance
14 activities, and beneficial impacts due to reduced cross-border violator traffic.
40 3. All project work areas would be clearly flagged or similarly marked at the
41 outer boundaries to define the limit of work activities. All construction and
1 restoration workers would restrict their activities and vehicles to areas that
2 have been flagged to eliminate adverse impacts to the FTHL and its
3 habitat. All workers would be instructed that their activities are restricted to
4 flagged and cleared areas.
5 4. Within FTHL habitat, the area of disturbance of vegetation and soils would
6 be the minimum required for the project. If possible, specify a maximum
7 disturbance allowable based on the specifics of the project. Clearing of
8 vegetation and grading would be minimized. Wherever possible, rather
9 than clearing vegetation and grading the ROW, equipment and vehicles
10 would use existing surfaces or previously disturbed areas. Where grading
11 is necessary, surface soils would be stockpiled and replaced following
12 construction to facilitate habitat restoration. To the extent possible,
13 disturbance of shrubs and surface soils due to stockpiling would be
14 minimized.
15 5. Existing roads would be used for travel and equipment storage whenever
16 possible.
17 6. Where feasible and desirable, in the judgment of the lead agency, newly
18 created access routes would be restricted by constructing barricades,
19 erecting fences with locked gates at road intersections, or by posting
20 signs. In these cases, CBP would maintain, including monitoring, all
21 control structures and facilities for the life of the project and until habitat
22 restoration is completed.
38 10. Construction of new paved roads would include a lizard barrier fence on
39 each side of the road that is exposed to occupied FTHL habitat.
40 Exceptions might occur in accordance with the following evaluation, to be
1 applied separately to each side of the road. This prescription can also be
2 applied to canals or other fragmenting projects.
3 If the side is made nonviable for FTHLs even if connected to the other
4 side:
1 sites, buildings, or structures included in, or eligible for, the National Register of
2 Historic Places (NRHP), including related artifacts, records, and material
3 remains. Traditional, religious, and cultural properties holding significance for
4 Native American tribes, and Native Alaskan and Native Hawaiian organizations
5 can also be considered NRHP-eligible. Depending on the condition and historic
6 use, such resources might provide insight into living conditions in previous
7 civilizations or might retain cultural and religious significance to modern groups.
39 The Area of Potential Effect (APE) for cultural resources consists of the
40 approximately 44.6-mile corridor of proposed tactical infrastructure along the
41 U.S./Mexico international border in the USBP El Centro Sector including any
42 construction related areas. The project is entirely within California, near Calexico,
37 The record search results indicate that there are 106 sites in the general study
38 area, 11 of which are plotted in or immediately adjacent to the proposed APE
39 (Table 3.9-1). While this is a large number of sites, the recorded resources are
40 generally characterized as isolated prehistoric artifacts (prehistoric pottery
41 sherds, flakes, flaked stone tools), features associated with the All-American
42 Canal, historic trash dumps, or artifacts associated with the historic Plank Road.
7 None of the sites on Table 3.9-1 have been evaluated for NRHP eligibility. In
8 2003 a survey by the BLM (Hangan 2003) was completed with the intent to
9 relocate sites CA-IMP-4479, -4481, -4758, -4760, and -4761; no evidence of the
10 sites was found within a 50-m radius of where they are plotted on the site
11 records. The status of the remaining sites is not known.
25 An intensive pedestrian survey of the APE was conducted in October 2007 under
26 BLM Cultural Resource Use Permit CA-08-03 and a Fieldwork Authorization
27 Permit. The survey covered an area approximately 90 m (300 feet) in width
28 along the designated corridor of access and proposed construction. The survey
29 corridor was intensively examined using pedestrian transects that did not exceed
30 10 m between team members. Areas of substantial disturbance or alteration
3 None of the 11 previously recorded sites (see Table 3.9-1) were relocated within
4 the survey corridor. It is likely that none of these sites are in the precise locations
5 that are plotted on the original site records. It is also possible that the alteration
6 and dynamic conditions of the survey area could have buried or obscured these
7 sites since their original recording, or that the original surveyors could have
8 collected the materials visible on the surface, thereby leaving no discernable
9 evidence of the site behind.
36 Under the No Action Alternative, the proposed tactical infrastructure would not be
37 built and there would be no change in fencing, lights, patrol roads, or other
38 facilities within the USBP El Centro Sector. Since there would be no tactical
4 There are no archaeological sites within the APE for the Proposed Action. Of the
5 archaeological resources adjacent to the APE, none have been assessed for
6 NRHP eligibility or are determined to be eligible to the NRHP. The two newly
7 discovered resources are adjacent to the APE and have not been evaluated for
8 NRHP eligibility. No historic architectural resources or resources of traditional,
9 religious, or cultural significance to Native American tribes are known to be within
10 the APE.
11 Accordingly, the Proposed Action does not have the potential to impact
12 archaeological or architectural resources. Impacts on resources of traditional,
13 religious, or cultural significance to Native American tribes cannot be assessed
14 until such time as replies are received from tribes having ancestral ties to the
15 lands within the APE. No additional archaeological survey work is recommended
16 prior to implementation of this project. Due to the low potential for inadvertent
17 discovery of previously unidentified, buried, or masked cultural resources within
18 the project, archaeological monitoring is not recommended for project-related
19 excavation or other ground-disturbing construction activities. A worker education
20 program would be developed and a clear delimitation of work areas would occur
21 to ensure that there are no inadvertent damages to cultural resources outside but
22 near the project areas.
27 In accordance with Federal CAA requirements, the air quality in a given region or
28 area is measured by the concentration of various pollutants in the atmosphere.
29 The measurements of these “criteria pollutants” in ambient air are expressed in
30 units of ppm, micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), or milligrams per cubic meter
31 (mg/m3).
32 The CAA directed USEPA to develop National Ambient Air Quality Standards
33 (NAAQS) for pollutants that have been determined to affect human health and
34 the environment. NAAQS are currently established for six criteria air pollutants:
35 ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2),
36 respirable particulate matter (including particulates equal to or less than 10
37 microns in diameter [PM10] and particulates equal to or less than 2.5 microns in
38 diameter [PM2.5]), and lead (Pb). The primary NAAQS are ambient air quality
5 The CAA requires states to designate any area that does not meet (or that
6 contributes to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the
7 national primary or secondary ambient air quality standard for a criteria pollutant
8 as a nonattainment area. For O3, the CAA requires that each designated
9 nonattainment area be classified as marginal, moderate, serious, severe, or
10 extreme, based on ambient O3 concentrations. The Cal/EPA, California Air
11 Resources Board (CARB) has delegated responsibility for implementation of the
12 Federal CAA and California CAA to local air pollution control agencies. The
13 Proposed Action is in the Imperial County Air Quality Control District (ICAQCD)
14 and is subject to rules and regulations developed by the Imperial County Air
15 Pollution Control District (ICAPCD).
16 The State of California adopted the NAAQS and promulgated additional State
17 Ambient Air Quality Standards (SAAQS) for criteria pollutants. The California
18 standards are more stringent than the Federal primary standards. Table 3.10-1
19 presents the primary and secondary USEPA NAAQS and SAAQS.
20 These programs are detailed in State Implementation Plans (SIPs), which are
21 required to be developed by each state or local regulatory agency and approved
22 by USEPA. A SIP is a compilation of regulations, strategies, schedules, and
23 enforcement actions designed to move the state into compliance with all NAAQS.
24 Any changes to the compliance schedule or plan (e.g., new regulations,
25 emissions budgets, controls) must be incorporated into the SIP and approved by
26 USEPA. USEPA has delegated the authority for ensuring compliance with the
27 NAAQS to the CARB. Therefore, the Proposed Action is subject to rules and
28 regulations developed by the CAA.
29 USEPA classifies the air quality in an air quality control region (AQCR), or in
30 subareas of an AQCR, according to whether the concentrations of criteria
31 pollutants in ambient air exceed the NAAQS. All areas within each AQCR are
32 therefore designated as either “attainment,” “nonattainment,” “maintenance,” or
33 “unclassified” for each of the six criteria pollutants. Attainment means that the air
34 quality within an AQCR is better than the NAAQS, nonattainment indicates that
35 criteria pollutant levels exceed NAAQS, maintenance indicates that an area was
36 previously designated nonattainment but is now attainment, and unclassified
37 means that there is not enough information to appropriately classify an AQCR, so
38 the area is considered attainment.
1 Federal actions that are considered “regionally significant” or where the total
2 emissions from the action meet or exceed 10 percent of the AQCR’s total
3 emissions inventory for that nonattainment pollutant.
10 In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that carbon dioxide (CO2) and
11 other greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the CAA. The Court declared
12 that the USEPA has the authority to regulate emissions from new cars and trucks
13 under the landmark environment law.
14 Many gases exhibit these “greenhouse” properties. The sources of the majority
15 of greenhouse gases come mostly from natural sources but are also contributed
16 to by human activity. Additional information on sources of greenhouse gases is
17 included in Appendix F.
19 The Proposed Action is within the ICAPCD. The ICAPCD has established air
20 pollution control regulations in CCR Titles 13 and 17. The ICAPCD has also
21 promulgated rules regulating the emissions of toxic substances which are defined
22 as those chemicals listed in California Health and Safety Code, Division 26 Air
23 Resources, Part 2 State Air Resources Board, Chapter 3.5 Toxic Air
24 Contaminants plus any other air pollutant that is considered a health hazard, as
25 defined by OSHA.
39
de minimis Limit
Pollutant Status Classification
(tpy)
Extreme 10
Severe 25
Serious 50
Nonattainment
Moderate/marginal (inside 50 (VOCs)/100 (NOx)
O3 (measured ozone transport region)
as NOx or
All others 100
VOCs)
Inside ozone transport 50 (VOCs)/100 (NOx)
region
Maintenance
Outside ozone transport 100
region
Nonattainment
CO All 100
/ maintenance
Serious 70
Nonattainment
PM10/2.5 Moderate 100
/ maintenance
Not Applicable 100
Nonattainment
SO2 Not Applicable 100
/ maintenance
Nonattainment
NOx Not Applicable 100
/ maintenance
Source: 40 CFR 93.153
16 The construction projects would generate total suspended particulate and PM10
17 emissions as fugitive dust from ground-disturbing activities (e.g., minor grading
18 and trenching) and from combustion of fuels in construction equipment. Fugitive
19 dust emissions would be greatest during the initial site-preparation activities and
20 would vary from day to day depending on the construction phase, level of activity,
Draft EA January 2008
3-50
FME002854
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
11 For purposes of this analysis, the project duration and affected project site area
12 that would be disturbed (presented in Section 2.2.2) was used to estimate
13 fugitive dust and all other criteria pollutant emissions. The construction
14 emissions presented in Table 3.10-3 include the estimated annual construction
15 PM10 emissions associated with the Proposed Action. These emissions would
16 produce slightly elevated short-term PM10 ambient air concentrations. However,
17 the effects would be temporary, and would fall off rapidly with distance from the
18 proposed construction sites. Construction emissions resulting from the Proposed
19 Action would not exceed the de minimis threshold limits and would not exceed
20 10 percent of the regional air emissions values. Appendix F contains the
21 detailed spreadsheets for calculation of air emissions.
10 The USEPA has estimated that the total greenhouse emissions for California
11 were 427 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MMTCE) in 1990 (CARB 2007b).
12 Of this, an estimated 3.3 million tons of CO2 are associated with the SDAQCR
13 region. The short-term CO2 emissions associated with construction (421 tons)
14 represent less than 0.0001 percent of the estimated California CO2 inventory and
15 less than 0.1 percent of the estimated SDAQCR CO2 inventory. Long-term
16 increases in CO2 emissions would result from maintenance activities (19 tpy)
17 representing negligible fractions of the estimated California and SDAQCR CO2
18 inventories. The Proposed Action would be expected to have a negligible
19 contribution to CO2 and greenhouse gases.
5 As shown in Table 3.10-4, the emissions of NAAQS pollutants are high and
6 could contribute to the deterioration of the air quality in the region. Alternative 3
7 emissions would exceed the de minimis threshold limit for PM10. The impact of
8 this alternative on air quality does not exceed 10 percent of the regional values.
9 However, because Alternative 3 emissions would exceed a de minimis threshold
10 level, a General Conformity Determination in accordance with 40 CFR 93-153(1)
11 would be required prior to commencing construction activities associated with
12 Alternative 3.
1 would total approximately 504 tons of CO2. These emissions estimates are
2 included in Appendix F.
3 The air quality effects of proposed operations and maintenance activities would
4 result in essentially the same amount of CO2 emissions as described for the
5 Proposed Action. Air emissions associated with maintenance would be a
6 negligible contribution to overall air quality in the SDAQCR.
7 The USEPA has estimated that the total greenhouse emissions for California
8 were 427 MMTCE in 1990 (CARB 2007b). Of this, an estimated 3.3 MMTCE are
9 associated with the SDAQCR region. The short-term CO2 emissions associated
10 with construction (504 tons) represent less than 0.0001 percent of the estimated
11 California CO2 inventory and less than 0.1 percent of the estimated SDAQCR
12 CO2 inventory. Long-term increases in CO2 emissions would result from
13 increased maintenance activities. The Proposed Action would be expected to
14 have a negligible contribution to CO2 and greenhouse gases.
25 3.11 NOISE
26 Definition of the Resource
27 Noise and sound share the same physical aspects, but noise is considered a
28 disturbance while sound is defined as an auditory effect. Sound is defined as a
29 particular auditory effect produced by a given source, for example the sound
30 resulting from rain hitting a metal roof. Noise is defined as any sound that is
31 undesirable because it interferes with communication, is intense enough to
32 damage hearing, or is otherwise annoying. Sound or noise (depending on one’s
33 perception) can be intermittent or continuous, steady or impulsive, and can
34 involve any number of sources and frequencies. It can be readily identifiable or
35 generally nondescript. Human response to increased sound levels varies
36 according to the source type, characteristics of the sound source, distance
37 between source and receptor, receptor sensitivity, and time of day. How an
38 individual responds to the sound source will determine if the sound is viewed as
39 music to one’s ears or an annoying noise. Affected receptors are specific
40 (e.g., schools, churches, or hospitals) or broad (e.g., nature preserves or
10 Noise levels in residential areas vary depending on the housing density, location,
11 and surrounding use. As shown in Figure 3.11-1, a quiet urban area in the
12 daytime is about 50 dBA, which increases to 65 dBA for a commercial area, and
13 80 dBA for a noisy urban daytime area.
2
3 Source: Landrum & Brown 2002
1 be from vehicle traffic and agricultural equipment. Expected daytime noise levels
2 in these areas would be approximately 50 dBA or less.
6 Under the No Action Alternative, the proposed tactical infrastructure would not be
7 built and there would be no change in USBP operations. No noise impacts are
8 anticipated under the No Action Alternative.
1 populations, the cumulative noise for several pieces of equipment (generator set,
2 industrial saw, and welder) (see Table 3.11-1) and pile driving was estimated.
3 Pile driving would be the dominant source of noise associated with the Proposed
4 Action. To estimate the worst-case scenario, the higher noise level for pile
5 driving was used (101 dBA). Under the Proposed Action, the cumulative noise
6 from all construction equipment and pile driving was estimated to be 101 dBA at
7 50 feet from construction activities.
36 In order to meet its responsibility to maintain the scenic values of public lands,
37 BLM has developed a Visual Resource Management (VRM) system based on
38 human perceptions and expectations in the context of the existing landscape.
39 Different levels of scenic values require different levels of management.
40 Determining how an area should be managed first requires an assessment of the
1 area’s scenic values. For management purposes, BLM has developed Visual
2 Resource Classes.
14 Class III Objective. The objective of this class is to partially retain the existing
15 character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic landscape
16 should be moderate. Management activities might attract attention but should
17 not dominate the view of the casual observer. Changes should repeat the basic
18 elements found in the predominant natural features of the characteristic
19 landscape. New projects can be approved that are not large scale, dominating
20 features.
1 Section B-5B falls into the Class I or "Intensive Use" meaning its purpose is to
2 provide for concentrated use of lands and resources to meet human needs.
3 Reasonable protection will be provided for sensitive natural and cultural values
4 (BLM 2007a).
7 To properly assess the contrasts between the existing conditions and the
8 Proposed Action, it is necessary to break each down into the basic features
9 (i.e., landform/water, vegetation, and structures) and basic elements (i.e., form,
10 line, color, and texture) so that the specific features and elements that cause
11 contrast can be accurately identified.
12 General criteria and factors used when rating the degree of contrast are as
13 follows:
20 When applying the contrast criteria, the following factors are considered:
28 The construction activity associated with the Proposed Action would result in
29 both temporary and permanent moderate contrasts to Visual Resources. BLM
30 lands along Sections B-1, B-2, and B-4 fall into Multiple-Use Class L, which
31 according to VRM Class II, may be seen, but should not attract attention of the
32 casual observer. The level of change to the landscape should be low and
33 changes should repeat the basic elements found in the natural features of the
34 landscape in form, line, color and texture. Primary pedestrian fence along
35 Sections B-2 and B-4 would be a moderate to strong contrast for viewers near
36 the fence. However, public viewing is limited in this area because of low
37 visitation frequency and limited line of sight from other locations. Proposed
38 primary pedestrian fence in Section B-5B would be consistent with intensive use
39 associated with VRM Class I. Primary vehicle fence along Sections B-1 would
40 be a weak contrast for viewers near the fence.
2 The increased width of corridor associated with this alternative would increase
3 the contrast impact and be visible to a greater extent than that demonstrated for
4 Alternative 2. Over time, the changes to the landscape caused by construction
5 and repair of this alternative would dissipate significantly; therefore reducing the
6 contrast of viewable sections of both sections, but it would always be greater
7 than in the Proposed Action. This alternative would however be even more
8 effective at protecting the area’s natural vistas from continuing degradation by
9 garbage, foot trails, and wildfires associated with cross-border violators.
13 Toxic substances are regulated under TSCA (15 U.S.C. §2601 et seq.), which
14 was enacted by Congress to give USEPA the ability to track the approximately
15 75,000 industrial chemicals currently produced or imported into the United
16 States. USEPA screens these chemicals and can require reporting or testing of
17 those that might pose an environmental or human-health hazard. USEPA can
18 ban the manufacture and import of those chemicals that pose an unreasonable
19 risk. Asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are among the chemicals
20 regulated by TSCA.
1 applicable Federal, state, and local regulations. Each landfill has a separate
2 permit which is subject to review every 5 years. Recently these permits have
3 required revisions because of increased development in outlying, rural areas
4 which increases the amount of daily tonnage and increased daily vehicle count
5 (ICDPW Undated). The total household solid waste disposal rate in Imperial
6 County, California, is 4,588 tons per year. The total business solid waste
7 disposal rate in Imperial County, California, is 148,357 tons per year (CIWMB
8 2007b).
17 The No Action Alternative would result in continuation of the existing solid waste
18 management and hazardous materials and waste management and their
19 associated impacts, as discussed in Section 3.13.1. No additional effects on
20 solid waste management or hazardous materials and waste management would
21 be expected as a result of the Proposed Action not being implemented.
9 There are no known USTs, ASTs, or hazardous waste clean-up sites within the
10 construction corridor.
29 Data in three areas provide key insights into socioeconomic conditions that might
30 be affected by a proposed action. Data on employment identify gross numbers
31 of employees, employment by industry or trade, and unemployment trends. Data
32 on personal income in a region can be used to compare the “before” and “after”
33 effects of any jobs created or lost as a result of a proposed action. Data on
34 industrial or commercial growth or growth in other sectors provide baseline and
35 trend line information about the economic health of a region.
1 Socioeconomic data shown in this chapter are presented at census tract, county,
2 municipality, and state levels to characterize baseline socioeconomic conditions
3 in the context of regional and state trends. Data have been collected from
4 previously published documents issued by Federal, state, and local agencies;
5 and from state and national databases (e.g., U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’
6 Regional Economic Information System).
31 Employment types in the ROI vary (see Table 3.14-1). The largest employment
32 type in the ROI, Imperial County, and California is educational, health, and social
33 services (18.4, 22.0, and 18.5 percent, respectively). Other employment types in
34 the ROI resemble the percentages of Imperial County and California (U.S.
35 Census Bureau 2002). In 2006, Imperial County had a 15.3 percent
36 unemployment rate compared to a 4.9 percent unemployment rate for California
37 (Fedstats Undated). Table 3.14-2 shows demographic data and economic
38 indicators of the ROI, Imperial County, and California.
1 cultural facilities. Baja California has the 8th highest state-level per capita
2 income in Mexico. Residents within Mexicali, Baja California, have the highest
3 economic well-being in Baja California. Economic well-being is an indicator
4 developed by Mexico’s census bureau that uses a statistical technique called
5 cluster analysis to compare and rank municipalities. This analysis ranks
6 municipalities using a large number of social and demographic variables.
Imperial State of
Economic and Social Indicators ROI
County California
Employed Persons in Armed Forces 0.4 0.3 0.6
Employed Persons in Civilian Labor Force (By Industry)
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and
15.8 11.7 1.9
mining
Construction 2.2 5.3 6.2
Manufacturing 7.8 4.8 13.1
Wholesale trade 5.4 5.4 4.1
Retail trade 18.2 12.3 11.2
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 4.5 6.4 4.7
Information 6.9 1.3 3.9
Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and
18.4 3.7 6.9
leasing
Professional, scientific, management,
5.2 5.3 11.6
administrative, and waste management services
Educational, health and social services 18.4 22.0 18.5
Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation
5.3 6.3 8.2
and food services
Other services (except public administration) 3.6 4.4 5.2
Public administration 7.5 11.0 4.5
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2002
Note: Census 2000 data are the most recent comprehensive employment data for the ROI.
1 50 percent. Based on these two conditions, the ROI is not considered to have a
2 disproportionately high percentage of low-income or minority residents according
3 to Census 2000 data.
4 The ROI has a lower percentage of minority populations than Imperial County.
5 Approximately 35.7 percent of the population in the ROI and 39.1 percent of the
6 population in California are reported as “Some other race,” as compared to 16.8
7 percent in Imperial County (see Table 3.14-2). The economic characteristics of
8 the ROI are similar to those of Imperial County. However, the economic
9 characteristics of both the ROI and Imperial County are slightly lower than
10 California (see Table 3.14-2). Residents living in the ROI and Imperial County
11 have a lower median household incomes and per capita incomes than the state
12 of California (see Table 3.14-2) (Fedstats Undated). In the ROI and Imperial
13 County, 18.1 percent and 22.6 percent of the residents are living below the
14 poverty level, respectively as compared to 14.2 percent in the state of California
15 (see Table 3.14-2).
Imperial
ROI California
County
Total Population 5,585 142,361 33,871,648
Percent White 57.8 49.4 59.5
Percent Black or African American 2.09 4.0 6.7
Percent American Indian Alaska Native 0.59 1.9 1.0
Percent Asian 0.39 2.0 10.9
Percent Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific
0.14 0.1 0.3
Islander
Percent “Some other race” 35.72 39.1 16.8
Percent Reporting 2 or more races 3.2 3.6 4.7
Percent Below Poverty 18.1 22.6 14.2
Per Capita Income $13,224 $13,239 $22,711
Median Household Income $31,744 $35,226 $53,025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2002
Note: Census 2000 data are the most recent comprehensive economic and demographic data
for the ROI.
13
SECTION 4
Cumulative and Other Impacts
FME002877
FME002878
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
2 CEQ defines cumulative impacts as the “impacts on the environment which result
3 from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and
4 reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or
5 non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions” (40 CFR 1508.7).
6 Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant
7 actions taking place over a period of time by various agencies (Federal, state,
8 and local) or individuals. Informed decisionmaking is served by consideration of
9 cumulative impacts resulting from projects that are proposed, under construction,
10 recently completed, or anticipated to be implemented in the reasonably
11 foreseeable future.
36 Past Actions. Past actions are those within the cumulative effects analysis
37 areas that have occurred prior to the development of this EA. The effects of
38 these past actions are generally described in Section 3. For example, extensive
39 OHV use in the Algodones Dunes has contributed to the existing environmental
40 conditions of the area.
23 Table 4.0-1 presents the cumulative effects that might occur from implementation
24 of the Proposed Action.
Current
Known Future
Resource Past Actions Background Alternative 2 Cumulative Effects
Actions
Activities
Land Use Commercial and Commercial and CBP purchase of land Commercial and Moderate adverse
residential residential or easements to residential impacts on natural
development, development near construct tactical development and areas.
infrastructure Calexico and infrastructure. Natural infrastructure
improvements on infrastructure areas developed for improvements
natural areas. improvements. tactical infrastructure. permanently alter
BLM Eastern San natural areas and
Diego Draft RMP agricultural lands.
identifies
management
direction for lands.
Geology and Soils Installation of Installation of Minor grading and Continued cross- Minor long-term impact
Current
Known Future
Resource Past Actions Background Alternative 2 Cumulative Effects
Actions
Activities
Floodplains Floodplain adversely Various storm water Short-term potential Increased Proposed Action would
impacted by and floodplain for minor impacts development activities not be expected to
development, management during construction. and water reservoir contribute to flood
decreased vegetation, practices when Only a small portion and canal projects hazards.
increased impervious activities are of Section B-4 is could change peak
surfaces, and soil proposed in or near within 100-year flow or floodplain
compaction. floodplains. floodplain. capacity during high-
volume storm events.
Vegetation Degraded historic Continued Habitat fragmentation. Minor to moderate Moderate adverse
Resources habitat of sensitive and urbanization results Minor to moderate loss of native species impacts on native
common wildlife in loss of native loss of native species and habitat. habitats and
species. species. and habitat. vegetation.
Wildlife and Loss of native habitat Development Minor to moderate Minor to moderate Minor to moderate loss
Aquatic due to development; continues to impact loss of habitat, wildlife loss of habitat and of habitat and wildlife
Resources loss of wildlife biological resources corridors, habitat wildlife corridors. corridors.
corridors; impacted and wildlife habitat. fragmentation.
habitat and food
sources.
Threatened and Degraded habitat Urbanization and Minor to moderate Loss of habitat for Minor to moderate loss
Endangered impacted sensitive agricultural loss of habitat, habitat sensitive species. of habitat, habitat
Species species. development fragmentation. fragmentation.
degraded habitat for
sensitive species.
Cultural, Development and Development and None. Continued None.
Historical, and infrastructure infrastructure development and
Archeological improvements improvements infrastructure
Resources adversely affected adversely affect improvements to
January 2008
Current
Known Future
Resource Past Actions Background Alternative 2 Cumulative Effects
Actions
Activities
Air Quality State nonattainment for Existing emission Construction activities Existing emission Construction activities
8-hour O3; Federal sources continue to would temporarily sources continue to would temporarily
moderate maintenance adversely affect contribute to CO and adversely affect contribute to CO and
for CO; State regional air quality. PM emissions. regional air quality. PM emissions.
nonattainment for PM10 No new major sources
and PM2.5. identified in El Centro
Noise Commercial and Commercial and Short-term noise None. Current activities would
residential residential impacts from be the dominant noise
development, vehicles development, construction. source.
dominate ambient vehicles dominate Negligible cumulative
noise near urban ambient noise near impacts.
areas. Remote areas urban areas.
temporarily impacted Remote areas
by ORV recreational temporarily
Current
Known Future
Resource Past Actions Background Alternative 2 Cumulative Effects
Actions
Activities
Hazardous Use of hazardous Use of hazardous Minor use of Minor use of None.
Materials and substances in vehicles. substances in hazardous materials hazardous materials
Wastes Possible illegal vehicles. Possible during construction. during construction.
dumping. illegal dumping.
1 Potential cumulative adverse effects on Alamo River surface water flow volume,
2 duration, and water quality could result from the AACRP to the east that would
3 reduce canal seepage to the groundwater table in the Mexicali Valley by up to
4 68,000 acre-feet annually, potentially reducing the volume, duration, and quality
5 of irrigation return water into the Alamo River.
12 Potential cumulative adverse effects on Alamo River surface water flow volume,
13 duration, and water quality could result from the AACRP to the east that would
14 reduce canal seepage to the groundwater table in the Mexicali Valley by up to
15 68,000 acre-feet annually, potentially reducing the volume, duration, and quality
16 of irrigation return water into the Alamo River.
17 4.5 FLOODPLAINS
18 Minor adverse effects from proposed construction adjacent to the 100-year
19 floodplain and from a small portion of Segment B-4 within the 100-year floodplain
20 could occur. Continued development, AACRP, and proposed Lower Colorado
21 River Storage Reservoir could affect flood dynamics, though it is assumed that
22 floodplain management would be incorporated as appropriate into all
23 development projects to reduce the potential for adverse effects on the 100-year
24 floodplain. Implementation of the Proposed Action would have a negligible long-
25 term effect on floodplain resources.
31 4.11 NOISE
32 Negligible cumulative effects on ambient noise would be expected. The
33 Proposed Action would result in noise from construction, operation, and
34 maintenance of tactical infrastructure, but other known activities in the vicinity of
35 the Proposed Action would not be expected to contribute noticeably to the overall
36 noise environment.
27 The cumulative impacts of USBP activities to reduce the flow of illegal drugs,
28 terrorists, and terrorist weapons into the United States and the concomitant
29 effects upon the Nation's health and economy, drug-related crimes, community
30 cohesion, property values, and traditional family values would be long-term and
31 beneficial, both nationally and locally. Residents of adjacent towns would benefit
32 from increased security, a reduction in illegal drug-smuggling activities and the
33 number of violent crimes, less damage to and loss of personal property, and less
34 financial burden for entitlement programs. This would be accompanied by the
35 concomitant benefits of reduced enforcement and insurance costs. There could
36 be an adverse cumulative effect on agriculture and other employers of low-
37 income workers if the labor pool of illegal aliens was substantially reduced.
38 Operation and maintenance of the tactical infrastructure has little potential for
39 cumulative impacts on socioeconomics.
18 Energy Resources. Energy resources utilized for the Proposed Action would be
19 irretrievably lost. These include petroleum-based products (e.g., gasoline and
20 diesel) and electricity. During construction, gasoline and diesel would be used
21 for the operation of construction vehicles. USBP operations would not change
22 and the amount of fuel used to operate government-owned vehicles might
23 decrease slightly due to increased operational efficiencies. Consumption of
24 these energy resources would not place a significant demand on their availability
25 in the region. Therefore, no significant impacts would be expected.
10
SECTION 5
Mitigation Plan and CEQA Findings
FME002893
FME002894
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
Significance Significance
Mitigation Monitoring
Impact Before Mitigation Measure After
Number Responsibility
Mitigation Mitigation
GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Geo 1 Construction of the Significant (CEQA CBP would mitigate impacts on soils by implementing its Less than CBP
tactical infrastructure Class II) CM&R Plan developed in consultation with the BLM, the significant
could expose soils to USFWS, and the CDFG, and its Project-wide Dust (CEQA Class III)
erosional forces, and Control Plan. Fugitive dust generated by construction
facilitate the dispersal activities would be minimized by implementing CBP’s
and establishment of Project-wide Dust Control Plan to include BMPs
weeds. indentified by some of the regulatory agencies.
Measures to be implemented include: take every
Significance Significance
Mitigation Monitoring
Impact Before Mitigation Measure After
Number Responsibility
Mitigation Mitigation
WATER RESOURCES
Water 1 Refueling of vehicles Significant (CEQA CBP would comply with its SPCC Plan. This includes Less than
and storage of fuel, oil, Class II) avoiding or minimizing potential impacts by restricting the significant
and other fluids during location of refueling activities and storage facilities and (CEQA Class III)
construction could by requiring immediate cleanup in the event of a spill or
contaminate water leak. Additionally, the SPCC Plan identifies emergency
resources. response procedures, equipment, and cleanup measures
in the event of a spill.
Water 2 Impacts on wetlands Significant (CEQA CBP would adhere to its CM&R Plan, and comply with Less than CBP
would include the Class II) the USACE’s Section 404 and the SDRWQCB’s Section significant
temporary and 401 Water Quality Certification permit conditions. (CEQA Class III)
permanent alteration of Wetlands would be restored or mitigated. Some of the
wetland vegetation, mitigation measures pertaining to wetland crossings
water quality, mixing of wetland areas, storing and returning the top foot of soil
topsoil and subsoil, from wetland areas to preserve root stock for re-growth.
and compaction and
rutting of soils.
January 2008
FME002897
Draft EA
Significance Significance
Mitigation Monitoring
Impact Before Mitigation Measure After
Number Responsibility
Mitigation Mitigation
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Bio 1 The primary impact of Significant (CEQA CBP would minimize the area of new disturbance and Less than CBP
the Proposed Action Class II) impacts on vegetation. CBP would implement its CM&R significant
on vegetation would be Plan to reduce impacts on vegetation within the (CEQA Class III)
the cutting, clearing, construction and permanent rights-of-way and improve
and/or removal of re-vegetation potential. Some of the measures that
existing vegetation would be implemented include: crush or skim vegetation
within the construction within the construction corridor in areas where grading is
work area. not required, which would result in less soil disturbance.
The remaining root crowns would aid in soil stabilization,
help retain organic matter in the soil, aid in moisture
retention, and have the potential to re-sprout following
construction. Preserve native vegetation removed during
clearing operations. The cut vegetation would be
activities.
Bio 2 Removal of existing Significant (CEQA CBP would reduce the potential to spread noxious weeds Less than CBP
vegetation and the Class II) and soil pests by implementing the measures included in significant
disturbances of soils its CM&R Plan. These measures include, but are not (CEQA Class III)
during construction limited to: survey by a qualified noxious weed authority;
could create conditions flagging or treatment before construction; identification of
for the invasion and populations of plants listed as invasive exotics by the
establishment of California Invasive Plant Council and the BLM National
exotic-nuisance List of Invasive Weed Species of Concern; not allowing
species. for disposal of soil and plant materials from non-native
areas to native areas; washing all construction
equipment before beginning work on the Project; use of
gravel and/or fill material from weed-free sources for
relatively weed-free areas; use of certified weed-free hay
bales; implementation of post-construction monitoring
January 2008
Significance Significance
Mitigation Monitoring
Impact Before Mitigation Measure After
Number Responsibility
Mitigation Mitigation
Bio 3 Fires inadvertently Significant (CEQA CBP would implement its Fire Prevention and Less than CBP
started by construction Class II) Suppression Plan to minimize the potential for wildfires. significant
activities (e.g., Some of the measures contained in the plan include: (CEQA Class III)
welding), equipment, requiring the contractor to train all personnel on fire
or personnel could prevention measures, restricting smoking and parking to
affect wildlife by cleared areas, requiring all combustion engines to be
igniting vegetation equipped with a spark arrestor, and requiring vehicles
along the ROW. and equipment to maintain a supply of fire suppression
equipment (e.g., shovels and fire extinguishers).
Some impact on Avoidance by design and BMPs based on USFWS Less than CBP
Significant (CEQA
Bio 4 sensitive species could Biological Assessment/Biological Opinion will be significant
Class II)
occur. implemented. (CEQA Class III)
VISUAL RESOURCES
Significance Significance
Mitigation Monitoring
Impact Before Mitigation Measure After
Number Responsibility
Mitigation Mitigation
AIR QUALITY
Air 1 Construction of the Less than Fugitive dust generated by construction activities would Less than CBP
Proposed Action would significant (CEQA be minimized by the implementation of CBP’s Project- significant
generate emissions of III) wide Dust Control Plan. The Project-wide Dust Control (CEQA III)
Particulate Matter Plan includes control measures identified as BMPs by
(PM10 ) some of the regulating agencies. The measures that
would be implemented include: take every reasonable
precaution to minimize fugitive dust emissions from
construction activities; take every reasonable measure to
limit visible density (opacity) of emissions to less than or
equal to 20 percent; apply water one or more times per
day to all affected unpaved roads, and unpaved haul and
access roads; reduce vehicle speeds on all unpaved
roads, and unpaved haul and access roads; clean up
SECTION 6
References
FME002901
FME002902
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
1 6. REFERENCES
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“Division of Toxicology ToxFAQs: DDT, DDE, and DDD.” U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
ATSDR. September 2002. Available online:
<http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts35.html>. Accessed 20 November
2007.
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CARB 2007a California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2007. Ambient Air Quality
Standards. Available online: <http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/
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(West) Calexico, Imperial County, California. U.S. Department of
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CBP 2007 CBP. 2007. Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment for the
Proposed Installation of 2.62 Miles of Primary Fence near Calexico,
California. August 2007.
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20Chapter%204/ 4%201-1%20%20common_noise_sources.pdf>.
Accessed 6 July 2004.
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2004 2004. Pesticide Concentrations in Water and in Suspended and
Bottom Sediments in the New and Alamo Rivers, Salton Sea
Watershed, California, April 2003. U.S. Department of the Interior,
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California State Regional Water Quality Control Board. Reston, VA.
Available online: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/ds104/>. Accessed 20
November 2007.
Morton 1977 Morton, P.K. 1977. Geology and Mineral Resources of Imperial
County, California. County Report 7, California Division of Mines and
Geology, Sacramento, California.
NatureServe NatureServe Explorer. 2007. Comprehensive Reports Alliance and
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explorer/servlet/>.
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Description of Its Current Conditions, and Potential Remediation
Projects.” Available online: <http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/salton/
Salton%20Sea%20Descriptions.html>.
USACE 2000 USACE. 2000. Environmental Assessment for the Proposed JTF-6
Levee Road Maintenance and Repair Project, Brownsville, Texas.
USACE Fort Worth District. April 2000.
USBR 1994 U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). 1994. Record of Decision for
the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the All-American Canal
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USBR 2001 USBR. 2001. New River Wetlands Project Environmental
Assessment. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation,
Lower Colorado Region. Brawley and Imperial, CA.
USBR 2005 USBR. 2005. Biological Assessment for the All-American Canal
Lining Project, Potential Species Impacts in the Republic of Mexico.
18 November 2005. Available online: <http://www.usbr.gov/lc/
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USDOJ 2007 U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ). 2007. “Clean Water Act
Jurisdiction Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Rapanos
v. United States and Carabell v. United States.” Prepared for the U.S.
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CWAwaters.html>. Accessed 20 November 2007.
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Construction Equipment and Operations, Building Equipment, and
Home Appliances. NJID 300.1. 31 December 1971.
USEPA 1974 USEPA. 1974. Information on Levels of Environmental Noise
Requisite to Protect Public Health and Welfare with an Adequate
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online: <http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html>. Accessed 3 October
2007.
USEPA 2006b USEPA. 2006. AirData NET Tier Report for Southeast Desert AQCR.
Available online: <http://www.epa.gov/air/data/geosel.html>. Accessed
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Clean Water Act Snapshot, and Finding Updates.” Last updated 7
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cwa.htm>. Accessed 20 November 2007.
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(USEPA), (b) (6) (NRCS), and (b) (6)
(USFWS).
1
SECTION 7
List of Preparers
FME002909
FME002910
El Centro Sector Proposed Tactical Infrastructure
1 7. LIST OF PREPARERS
2 This EA has been prepared under the direction of CBP and the U.S. Army Corps
3 of Engineers, Fort Worth District ECSO. The individuals who assisted in
4 resolving and providing agency guidance for this document are:
5 (b) (6)
6 Chief, CBP Environmental Branch
7 (b) (6)
8 USACE Fort Worth District ECSO
1 (b) (6)
2 M.S. Environmental Science and
3 Education
4 B.S. Biology
5 Years of Experience: 9
6 (b) (6)
7 B.S. Environmental Policy and
8 Planning
9 Years of Experience: 8
10 (b) (6)
11 B.S. Environmental Studies
12 Years of Experience: 3
13 (b) (6)
14 M.S. Biology
15 B.S. Biology
16 Years of Experience: 32
17 (b) (6)
18 B.S. Environmental Science
19 Years of Experience: 5
20 (b) (6)
21 M.S. Resource
22 Economics/Environmental
23 Management
24 B.A. Political Science
25 Years of Experience: 32
26 (b) (6)
27 M.S. Fisheries Science
28 B.S. Marine Science
29 Years of Experience: 12
APPENDIX A
Standard Design for Tactical Infrastructure
FME002915
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APPENDIX A
STANDARD DESIGN FOR TACTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
USBP apprehension statistics remain the most reliable way to codify trends in
illegal migration along the border. Based on apprehension statistics, in a 2006
report on border security, the Congressional Research Service concluded that
“the installation of border fencing, in combination with an increase in agent
manpower and technological assets, has had a significant effect on the
apprehensions made in the San Diego sector” (CRS 2006).
Since effective border enforcement requires adequate scope, depth, and variety
in enforcement activity, any single border enforcement function that significantly
depletes USBP’s ability to satisfactorily address any other enforcement action
creates exploitable opportunities for criminal elements. For example, the intense
deployment of personnel resources necessary to monitor urban border areas
without tactical infrastructure adversely affects the number of agents available for
boat patrol, transportation check points, patrolling remote border areas, and other
tasks. Tactical infrastructure reduces this effect by reinforcing critical areas,
allowing the agents to be assigned to other equally important border enforcement
roles (INS 2002).
Fencing
Two applications for fencing have been developed in an effort to control illegal
cross-border traffic: primary pedestrian fences that are built on the border, and
secondary fences that are constructed parallel to the primary pedestrian fences.
These fences present a formidable physical barrier which impede cross-border
violators and increases the window of time USBP agents have to respond (INS
2002).
There are several types of primary pedestrian fence designs USBP can select for
construction depending on various site conditions and law enforcement tactics
employed. Each option offers relative advantages and disadvantages. Fencing
composed of concrete panels, for example, is among the more cost-effective
options, but USBP agents cannot see through it. USBP prefers fencing
A-1
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Over the past decade, USBP has deployed a variety of types of fencing, such as
primary pedestrian fence (see Figures A-1 through A-4), primary pedestrian
fence with wildlife migratory portals (see Figures A-5 and A-6), and bollard
fencing (see Figure A-7).
A-2
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A-3
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A-4
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Bollard fencing has been effective in its limited deployment and can also be seen
through. However, it is expensive to construct and to maintain. Landing mat
fencing is composed of Army surplus carbon steel landing mats which were used
to create landing strips during the Vietnam War. Chain-link fencing is relatively
economical, but more easily compromised. In selecting a particular fencing
design, USBP weighs various factors such as its effectiveness as a law
enforcement tool, the costs associated with construction and maintenance,
potential environmental impacts, and other public interest concerns. USBP
continues to develop fence designs to best address these objectives and
constraints.
Patrol Roads
Patrol roads provide USBP agents with quick and direct access to anyone
conducting illegal activity along the border, and allow agents access to the
various components of the tactical infrastructure system. Patrol roads typically
run parallel to and a few feet north of the primary pedestrian fence. Patrol roads
are typically unpaved, but in some cases “all-weather” roads are necessary to
ensure continual USBP access (INS 2002).
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Lighting
Portable lights are self-contained units with generators that can be quickly moved
to meet USBP operational requirements. Portable lights are powered by a
6-kilowatt self-contained diesel generator. Portable lights would generally
operate continuously every night and would require refueling every day prior to
the next night’s operation. The portable light systems can be towed to the
desired location by USBP vehicles, but they are typically spaced approximately
100 to 400 feet apart, depending upon topography and operational needs. Each
portable light would have a light fan directed toward the fence to produce an
illuminated area of 100 ft2. The lighting systems would have shields placed over
the lamps to reduce or eliminate the effects of backlighting. Effects from the
lighting would occur along the entire corridor where they could be placed;
however, in reality, only parts of the fence would be illuminated at a given time
since the portable lights would be periodically relocated to provide the most
effective deterrent and enforcement strategy (INS 2001).
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References
CRS Congressional Research Service (CRS). 2006. “Report For
2006 Congress.” Border Security: Barriers Along the U.S. International
Border. 12 December 2006.
DHS U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 2004.
2004 Environmental Impact Statement for Operation Rio Grande. CBP,
Washington D.C. April 2004.
INS 2001 Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). 2001. Final
Environmental Assessment, Portable Lights within the Naco
Corridor. Cochise County, Arizona. December 2001.
INS 2002 Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). 2002. Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for the Completion of the 14-Mile
Border Infrastructure System, San Diego, CA. Immigration and
naturalization Service. January 2002
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A-8
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APPENDIX B
Applicable Laws and Executive Orders
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Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Establishes Federal standards for air pollutants.
7401–7671q, as amended Prevents significant deterioration in areas of the country
where air quality fails to meet Federal standards.
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Comprehensively restores and maintains the chemical,
1251–1387 (also known as physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.
the Federal Water Pollution Implemented and enforced by the U.S. Environmental
Control Act) Protection Agency (USEPA).
Fish and Wildlife Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce
Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. to provide assistance to and cooperate with Federal and
661–667e, as amended state agencies to protect, rear, stock, and increase the
supply of game and fur-bearing animals, as well as to
study the effects of domestic sewage, trade wastes, and
other polluting substances on wildlife. The 1946
amendments require consultation with the USFWS and
the state fish and wildlife agencies involving any
waterbodies that are proposed or authorized, permitted,
or licensed to be impounded, diverted, or otherwise
controlled or modified by any agency under a Federal
permit or license.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 Implements various treaties for protecting migratory
U.S.C. 703–712 birds; the taking, killing, or possession of migratory birds
is unlawful.
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Executive Order (EO) 12372, Requires Federal agencies to consult with state and local
Intergovernmental Review of governments when proposed Federal financial
Federal Programs, July 14, assistance or direct Federal development impacts
1982, 47 FR 30959 interstate metropolitan urban centers or other interstate
(6/16/82), as supplemented areas.
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EO 13148, Greening the Designates the head of each Federal agency to ensure
Government Through that all necessary actions are taken to integrate
Leadership in Environmental environmental accountability into agency day-to-day
Management, April 21, 2000, decision making and long-term planning processes,
65 FR 24595 (4/26/00) across all agency missions, activities, and functions.
Establishes goals for environmental management,
environmental compliance, right-to-know (informing the
public and their workers of possible sources of pollution
resulting from facility operations) and pollution
prevention, and similar matters.
EO 11593, Protection and Requires all Federal agencies to locate, identify, and
Enhancement of the Cultural record all cultural resources, including significant
Environment, May 13, 1971, archeological, historical, or architectural sites.
36 FR 8921 (5/15/71)
Note: 1 This table only reflects those laws and EOs that might reasonably be expected to apply to
the Proposed Action and alternatives addressed in this EIS.
B-3
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B-4
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B-5
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B-6
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APPENDIX C
Public Involvement and
Agency Coordination
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(b) (6)
(b)
(6)
C-1
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C-2
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-3
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-4
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(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b)
(b) (6) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-5
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b)
(6)
(b) (6)
C-6
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-7
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-8
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-9
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-10
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-11
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-12
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-13
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-14
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-15
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-16
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-17
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-18
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
C-19
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Agency consultations letters have been sent to the State Historic Preservation
Officer (SHPO) and to identified Indian Nations that may have interest in the
Proposed Action. Those consultation letters are located in the Cultural
Resources Survey (Appendix E).
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APPENDIX D
Biological Survey Report
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DRAFT
Prepared for:
Prepared by:
DECEMBER 2007
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1 PHOTOGRAPHS
2
3 5-1. Alamo River at the U. S./Mexico Border Entering a Culvert under the All
4 American Canal ..................................................................................................... 7
5 5-2. Representative Photographs of Active Desert Dune and Sand Field
6 Habitat ................................................................................................................... 8
7 5-3. Representative Photographs of Creosote Bush with Disturbance Habitat .......... 10
8 5-4. Representative Photographs of Creosote Bush – White Bursage –
9 Longleaf Jointfir Habitat ...................................................................................... 11
10 5-5. Representative Photographs of Creosote Bush – White Bursage –
11 Fourwing Saltbush Habitat .................................................................................. 11
12 5-6. Representative Photographs of Shrubby Coldenia Habitat ................................. 12
13 5-7. Representative Photographs of Common Reed Habitat ..................................... 13
14 5-8. Representative Photographs of Bermuda Grass Habitat .................................... 13
15 5-9. Representative Photograph of Heliotrope Habitat ............................................... 14
16 5-10. Representative Photograph of Alkali Mallow Habitat .......................................... 14
17 5-11. Representative Photographs of Submerged Aquatic Bed Habitat ...................... 15
18 5-12. Representative Photographs of Arrow Weed Scrub Habitat ............................... 16
19 5-13. Representative Photographs of Athel Tamarisk .................................................. 17
20 5-14. Representative Photographs of Shrub Tamarisk ................................................ 17
21 5-15. Unvegetated Sand Flats and Dunes ................................................................... 18
22 5-16. Unvegetated Playa .............................................................................................. 18
23 5-17. Unvegetated Berms and Ditches ........................................................................ 19
24 5-18. Unvegetated Seepage Recovery Area ................................................................ 19
25 5-19. Unvegetated Access Roads and Trails ............................................................... 20
26 5-20. Unvegetated Recreation Sites ............................................................................ 21
27
28
29 TABLES
30
31 2-1. Tactical Infrastructure Sections, El Centro Sector................................................. 2
32 5-1. Plant Species Observed in El Centro Sector Segments B-1, B-2, B-4, B-
33 5A, and B-5B. ...................................................................................................... 21
34 5-2. Wildlife Observed During Natural Resources Surveys Conducted
35 September 4–6 and October 16–18, 2007 .......................................................... 28
36
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1 1. Introduction
2 This biological survey report synthesizes information collected from a variety of
3 sources to describe the biological resources of the project areas associated with
4 Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of tactical infrastructure along the
5 U.S./Mexico international border in the USBP El Centro Sector, California, the
6 potential impacts of the proposed project (described in more detail below) on
7 those biological resources, and recommendations for avoidance or reduction of
8 those impacts. Information was gathered from publicly available literature; data
9 provided by relevant land management agencies; review of aerial photography
10 and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps (Calexico, Bonds Corner;
11 Midway Well NW, Midway Well, Grays Well, and Grays Well NE quadrangles);
12 data from the California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS) electronic inventory; data
13 from the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB); and field surveys
14 conducted on September 4–6, 2007, and October 16–18, 2007. During the
15 September 4–6, 2007, surveys, segments B-4 and B-5B were surveyed.
16 Additional segments were added to the project in October 2007 and these
17 segments (B-1, B-2, and B-5A) were surveyed on October 16–18, 2007.
18 This report was developed to support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
19 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Endangered Species Act
20 (ESA) requirements for analysis of potential impacts on biological resources
21 resulting from the proposed project. This report was developed as an
22 independent document but will be included as an appendix in the Environmental
23 Assessment developed for this project.
24
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1 2. Project Description
2 U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
3 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is proposing to install and operate
4 tactical infrastructure consisting of pedestrian, aesthetic, or hybrid fence; access
5 roads; patrol roads; lights; and other tools along the U.S./Mexico international
6 border within the USBP El Centro Sector, California. USBP El Centro Sector has
7 identified these high-priority areas for improvements that will help it gain
8 operational control of the border. These improvements include installation of
9 “primary fence” segments (i.e., areas of the border that are not currently fenced).
10 Under the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (SFA) (Public Law 109-367), Congress has
11 appropriated funds for the construction of pedestrian fence along the U.S./Mexico
12 international border. Construction of other tactical infrastructure might occur as
13 additional funds are appropriated by Congress. Table 2-1 provides the general
14 location of tactical infrastructure and length for each section in the USBP El
15 Centro Sector.
Approx.
Fence Section BP Project
General Location Length
Number Station Section ID
(mi)
El 1.5 miles west of Pinto Wash 11.3
B-1 ELC-ELS-2
Centro to Monument 225
El Monument 224 to ELS West 2.4
B-2 ELC-ELS-3
Centro Checks
B-4 Calexico ELC-CAX-1 CAX East Checks 8.6
B-5A Calexico ELC-CAX-3 Between B-4 and B-5B 19.3
East End of CAX E Checks to 3.0
B-5B Calexico ELC-CAX-2
Monument 210 (start of B-5A)
Total 44.6
17
18 Five fence segments are proposed within the USBP El Centro sector. The
19 following is a general description of each section:
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39
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1 4. Environmental Setting
2 The potential impact areas extend 300 feet north from the U.S./Mexico
3 international border. To the extent feasible, the proposed fence would be
4 constructed within 3 feet of this international border. The 300-foot corridor allows
5 sufficient room to accommodate temporary construction impacts, as well as
6 permanent impacts from installation and use of tactical infrastructure.
7 The climate of the area is continental desert, of extreme aridity, and results in
8 high air and soil temperatures. Summers are long and hot however the brief
9 winter is moderate in terms of temperature. There are typically no summer rains
10 and the average annual precipitation of the area is approximately 4 inches. The
11 evaporation rate during the summer season is very high, particularly due to light
12 to moderate winds.
13 The project area is within the Desert Province and Sonoran Desert Region (also
14 referred to locally and regionally as the Colorado Desert). Overall, the project
15 area is on an extensive plain of arid desert that is gently undulating.
16
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Draft Biological Survey Report El Centro Sector Tactical Infrastructure EA
1 5. Biological Resources
2 5.1 Vegetation Classification
3 Vegetation Overview
4 The vegetation in the El Centro Sector of southern California has generally been
5 classified under the Dry Domain (300), Tropical/Subtropical Desert Division (320)
6 classified by Bailey (1995). The project area is more finely classified as the
7 American Semidesert and Desert Province (322). The Jepson Manual (Hickman
8 1996) describes vegetation geography using combined features of the natural
9 landscape including natural vegetation types and plant communities, and
10 geologic, topographic, and climatic variation. This geographic system places the
11 project area in the Desert Province and Sonoran Desert Region.
12 Occurring within the Salton Trough, the drainage of the project area in general,
13 and the Alamo River within Section B-4 (see Photograph 5-1), flows from south
14 to north to the Salton Sea. Overall, the project area is on an extensive plain of
15 arid desert that is gently undulating. Bailey (1995) describes the vegetation
16 pattern as dry-desert, a class of xerophytic plants that are widely dispersed and
17 provide negligible ground cover.
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3 5.1.8 Heliotrope
4 One large patch of heliotrope, providing approximately 10 percent cover, has
5 become established within the ditch between the canal bank and the berm of
6 Section B-4 on the international border (see Photograph 5-9). This stand
7 occupies approximately 1 acre and supports high levels of pocket gopher
8 burrowing activity. Sparse cover, < 1 percent of alkali mallow, also occurs. This
November 2007 13
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1 vegetation type occurs within the North American Warm Desert Riparian
2 Woodland and Shrubland ecological system of NatureServe (2007).
November 2007 14
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4
5
November 2007 19
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November 2007 20
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Draft Biological Survey Report El Centro Sector Tactical Infrastructure EA
Total Number
Wetland of Fence
Scientific Name/
Indictor B-1 B-2 B-4 B-5A B-5B Sections in
Common Name
Status Which Species
Occurs
Ambronia villosa/Sand
--- X X 2
Verbena
Ambrosia dumosa/White
--- X X X X 4
Bursage or Burro Bush
Amsinckia sp./Fiddleneck --- X X 2
Arundo donax/Giant Reed FACW X 1
Asclepias subulata/
--- X X 2
Rush Milkweed
Atriplex canescens/
FACU X X X 3
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex
FAC X X X 3
lentiformis/Quailbush
Bouteloua sp. --- X X 2
Brassica cf tournefortii/
--- X 1
Mustard
November 2007 21
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Draft Biological Survey Report El Centro Sector Tactical Infrastructure EA
Total Number
Wetland of Fence
Scientific Name/
Indictor B-1 B-2 B-4 B-5A B-5B Sections in
Common Name
Status Which Species
Occurs
Conyza canadensis/
FACU X 1
Canadian horseweed
Cucurbita palmate --- X 1
Cylindropuntia
echinocarpa cf/ --- X 1
Golden cholla
Cynodon dactylon/
FAC X X 2
Bermuda Grass
Eleocharis acicularis/
OBL X 1
Spike-rush
Encelia frutescens/
--- X 1
Button Brittlebush
Ephedra trifurca/
Longleaf Jointfir or --- X X X X 4
Mormon-tea
Ericameria laricifolia/
--- X X 2
Turpentine Bush
Eriogonum deserticola/
--- X 1
Desert Buckwheat
Eriogonum thomasii/
--- X 1
Thomas’ buckwheat
Erodium cicutarium/
--- X X 2
Crane’s-bill
Ferocactus cylindraceus/
--- X 1
Barrel Cactus
Fouquieria splendens/
--- X X 2
Ocotillo
Heliotropium
--- X 1
currassivicum/Heliotrope
Hesperocallis undulata/
--- X 1
Desert lily
Hymenoclea salsola/
--- X 1
Cheesebush
Larrea tridentata/
--- X X X X X 5
Creosotebush
November 2007 22
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Total Number
Wetland of Fence
Scientific Name/
Indictor B-1 B-2 B-4 B-5A B-5B Sections in
Common Name
Status Which Species
Occurs
Malvella leprosa/
FAC* X 1
Alkali Mallow, Whiteweed
Myriophyllum sp./
OBL X 1
Water-milfoil
Oenothera deltoides/
--- X X 2
Devil’s Lantern
Olneya tesota/Ironwood --- X 1
Parkinsonia aculeate/
Jerusalem Thorn or FAC- X 1
Mexican Palo Verde
Palafoxia arida var. arida
--- X X X 3
/ Spanish Needle
Pectis papposa/
--- X X 2
Manybristle Cinchweed
Phragmites australis/
FACW X X 2
Common Reed
Phoenix sp./Date Palm --- X 1
Plantago insularis/
--- X 1
Annual Plantain
Pleuraphis rigida/Big
--- X 1
Galleta
Pluchea sericea/Arrow
FACW X X X 3
Weed
Populus fremontii/
FACW X 1
Fremont Cottonwood
Prosopis glandulosa/
--- X X X X 4
Mesquite
Psorothamnus emoryi/
--- X X 2
Dyebush
Psorothamnus spinosus/
--- X 1
Smoketree
Ruppia sp./Ditchgrass OBL X 1
Salix gooddingii/
OBL X 1
Goodding Willow
November 2007 23
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Total Number
Wetland of Fence
Scientific Name/
Indictor B-1 B-2 B-4 B-5A B-5B Sections in
Common Name
Status Which Species
Occurs
Schismus barbatus/
--- X X 2
Mediterranean Grass
Stephanomeria
--- X X 2
pauciflora/Wire Lettuce
Tamarix aphylla/
FACW- X 1
Athel Tamarisk
Tamarix ramosissima/
FAC X X X 3
Tamarisk, Salt-Cedar
Thamnosa sp. --- X 1
Tiquilia plicata/Shrubby
Coldenia or Fanleaf --- X X X X X 5
Crinklemat
Typha latifolia/Broad-
OBL X X 2
leafed Cattail
Washingtonia sp./Fan
FACW X 1
Palm
Total # of FACW- to
OBL species per NA 2 9 15 2 0 NA
section
Total # of species per
NA 22 20 30 13 9 NA
fence section
Source: USDA NRCS 2007
Notes: Facultative Upland (FACU) – usually occurs in non wetlands, but occasionally found in
wetlands;
Facultative (FAC) – equally likely to occur in wetlands or non wetlands;
Facultative Wetland (FACW) – usually occurs in wetlands but occasionally found in non wetlands;
Obligate Wetland (OBL) – occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands.
(*) = tentative assignments based on limited information,
(-) = less frequently found in wetlands.
November 2007 24
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5 Section B-1
6 Potential Listed Species: Flat-tailed horned lizard
7 Listed Species Observed: None (several types of lizard tracks)
8 Suitable Listed Species Habitat Present: Yes
9 If so, Habitat Quality: High
17 Section B-2
18 Potential Listed Species: Flat-tailed horned lizard
19 Listed Species Observed: None (no tracks observed)
20 Suitable Listed Species Habitat Present: Yes
21 If so, Habitat Quality: Low due to agriculture and disturbance
33 Section B-4
34 Potential Listed Species: None
35 Listed Species Observed: None
36 Suitable Listed Species Habitat Present: No
37 If so, Habitat Quality: Not applicable
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1 Section Habitat Description: Occurring within the Salton Trough, the drainage
2 of the project area in general and the Alamo River located within Section B-4
3 flows from south-to-north to the Salton Sea. Native and non-native vegetation
4 occurring in the western two-thirds of Section B-4 are largely supported by
5 seepage from the All American Canal. Nearly pure stands of Bermuda grass
6 have become established in the ditch between the canal bank and the berm that
7 has been formed along the international border within Section B-4.
8 Characterizing much of the eastern portion of Section B-4 are areas with deeper
9 sand deposits supporting relatively tall creosote bush and longleaf jointfir shrubs.
10 Sand mounds (up to 1.5 m tall) are interspersed with areas of deflation exposing
11 a veneer of small gravel. The alignment in Section B-4 would extend
12 approximately 0.8 miles eastward into the Algodones Dunes.
13 Section B-5A
14 Potential Listed Species: Peirson’s milkvetch
15 Algodones dunes sunflower
16 Plant Occurrence: None
17 Suitable Listed Plant Habitat Present: Yes
18 If so, Habitat Quality: Moderate
29 Section B-5B
30 Potential Listed Species: Peirson’s milkvetch
31 Algodones dunes sunflower
32 Plant Occurrence: None
33 Suitable Listed Plant Habitat Present: Yes
34 If so, Habitat Quality: Moderate
35 Section Habitat Description: Section B-5B in its entirety lies within the BLM’s
36 Buttercup Recreation Management Area, designated Multiple-use Class I
37 “Intensive” and is used for camping, OHV riding, sightseeing, commercial
38 vending, education, filming, and rights-of-way (USBLM 2003a). The entirety of
39 this section is within the Algodones Dunes. Surveys were conducted for the
40 presence of Pierson’s Milk-vetch, however, none were found. Generally,
41 Pierson’s Milk-vetch is found mostly in the more interior portions of the dunes
42 (USFWS 2007).
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31 The habitat for FTHL consists of the creosote-white bursage series of Sonoran
32 desert scrub. Most records for the FTHL are from sandy flats or areas with a
33 veneer of fine, windblown sand. FTHLs apparently occur in the lowest density in
34 parts of the Algodones dune fields (USBLM 2003b).
November 2007 27
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Total Number
of Fence
Scientific Name/ Species Sections in
B-1 B-2 B-4 B-5A B-5B
Common Name Status Which
Species
Occurs
Mammals
Canis latrans/ C X 1
Coyote
Dipodomys sp. C X 1
Lepus californicus/ C X X 2
Black-tailed jackrabbit
Spermophilus
tereticaudus tereticaudus/ C X X 2
Round-tailed ground
squirrel
Sylvilagus audubonii/ C X X 2
Desert cottontail
Reptiles
Callisaurus draconoides/ C X X 2
Zebra-tailed lizard
Crotalus cerastes
laterorepens/ C X 1
Desert sidewinder
Urosaurus graciosus/ C X 1
Long-tailed brush lizard
Uta stansburiana/ C X 1
Side-blotched lizard
Birds
Athene cunicularia
hypugaea/ SSC X 1
Burrowing owl
Bubulcus ibis/ C X 1
Cattle egret
Birds (continued)
Buteo lineatus/ C X X 2
Red-tailed hawk
Cathartes aura
meridionalisb/ C X X 2
Turkey vulture
Callipepla gambeli/ C X 1
Gambel’s quail
November 2007 28
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Total Number
of Fence
Scientific Name/ Species Sections in
B-1 B-2 B-4 B-5A B-5B
Common Name Status Which
Species
Occurs
Charadrius vociferous/ C X 1
Killdeer
Columbina inca/ C X 1
Inca dove
Columba livia/ C X 1
Rock dove
Columbina passerine/ C X 1
Common ground dove
Eremophila alpestris/ C X 1
Horned lark
Falco sparverius/ C X 1
American Kestrel
Fulica Americana/ C X X 2
American coot
Geococcyx californianus/ C X X 2
Greater road runner
Himantopus mexicanus/ C X 1
Black-necked Stilt
Hirundo pyrrhonota/ C X X 2
Cliff swallow
Pandion haliaetus
carolinensis/ C X 1
Osprey
Phalacrocorax auritus/ C X 1
Double-crested cormorant
Quiscalus mexicanus/ C X 1
Greattailed grackle
Zenaida macroura/ C X 1
Mourning dove
Note: C = Common; SSC = Species of special concern
November 2007 29
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22
November 2007 33
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Permits
Issuing
Permit Type Reason Legislation
Agency
404 Permit U.S. Army Wetland and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
Corps of WOUS delineation (CWA) authorizes the USACE to
Engineers issue permits regulating the
(USACE) discharge of dredged or fill material
into the waters of the United States,
including wetlands.
General permits are often issued by
USACE for categories of activities
that are similar in nature and would
have only minimal individual or
cumulative adverse environmental
effects. A general permit can also
be issued on a programmatic basis
("programmatic general permit") to
avoid duplication of permits for
state, local, or other Federal agency
programs.
401 Water California Wetland and Section 401(a)(1) of the CWA
Quality Regional WOUS delineation specifies that any applicant for a
Certification Water Federal license or permit to conduct
Quality any activity, including but not limited
Control to the construction or operation of
Board facilities that might result in any
discharge into navigable waters,
shall provide the Federal licensing
or permitting agency a certification
from the state in which the
discharge originates or will
originate, or, if appropriate, from the
interstate water pollution control
agency having jurisdiction over the
navigable water at the point where
the discharge originates or will
originate, that any such discharge
will comply with the applicable
provisions of Sections 301, 302,
303, 306, and 307 of the CWA
(SWRCB 2007).
November 2007 34
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Permits
Issuing
Permit Type Reason Legislation
Agency
Streambed California Prevention of State of California Fish and Game
Alteration Department altering streamflow, (CFG) Code section 1602 requires
Agreement of Fish and changing bottom any person, state or local
Game material, or governmental agency, or public
depositing material utility to notify CFG before
in rivers, streams, beginning any activity that will do
or lakes in one or more of the following: (1)
California. substantially obstruct or divert the
natural flow of a river, stream, or
lake; (2) substantially change or use
any material from the bed, channel,
or bank of a river, stream, or lake; or
(3) deposit or dispose of debris,
waste, or other material containing
crumbled, flaked, or ground
pavement where it can pass into a
river, stream, or lake. Fish and
Game Code section 1602 applies to
all perennial, intermittent, and
ephemeral rivers, streams, and
lakes in the state.
Section 7 (ESA) USFWS Allow the proposed Section 7 of the ESA directs all
consultation action to proceed Federal agencies to use their
while avoiding existing authorities to conserve
impacts on listed threatened and endangered species
species. and, in consultation with the
USFWS, to ensure that their actions
do not jeopardize listed species or
destroy or adversely modify critical
habitat. Section 7 applies to the
management of Federal lands as
well as other Federal actions that
might affect listed species, such as
Federal approval of private activities
through the issuance of Federal
funding, permits, licenses, or other
actions.
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Permits
Issuing
Permit Type Reason Legislation
Agency
Migratory Bird USFWS Fence constructed The MBTA established a Federal
Treaty Act during breeding prohibition, unless permitted by
(MBTA) season. regulations, to pursue, hunt, take,
coordination capture, kill, attempt to take, capture
(Migratory Bird or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell,
Depredation offer to purchase, purchase, deliver
Permit) for shipment, ship, cause to be
shipped, deliver for transportation,
transport, cause to be transported,
carry, or cause to be carried by any
means whatever, receive for
shipment, transportation or carriage,
or export, at any time, or in any
manner, any migratory bird,. . . or
any part, nest, or egg of any such
bird.
The Migraotry Bird Depredation
Permit is USFWS Form 3-200-13.
Special Use BLM If requested by N/A
Permits for BLM.
access to BLM
Management
Areas
Take Permit CDFG California Section 2080 of the Fish and Game
Department of Fish Code prohibits “take” of any species
and Game that the commission determines to
Environmental be an endangered species or a
Species Act threatened species. Take is defined
compliance. in Section 86 of the Fish and Game
Code as "hunt, pursue, catch,
capture, or kill, or attempt to “hunt,
pursue, catch, capture, or kill”
(CDFG 2007).
1
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1
Notification
Agency Contact Information
USFWS – Regional (b) (6)
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
6010 Hidden Valley Road
Carlsbad, California 92011
Office (b) (6) ext. 308
Fax 760-431-5902
BLM (b) (6)
Wildlife Biologist
El Centro Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
1661 South 4th Street
El Centro, California 92243
Office (b) -(b) (6)
Fax 760-337-4490
(b) (6)
Bureau of Reclamation (b) (6) , Environmental Manager
or
(b) (6) , Realty Specialist
Bureau of Reclamation
7301 Calle Agua Salada
Yuma, AZ 85364
(b) (6)
Fax 928-343-8320
Email: (b) (6)
Email: (b) (6)
2
Additional Studies
Agency Study
USACE Wetland Delineation and Determination
3
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1 8. List of Preparers
2 (b) (6) 26 (b) (6)
3 B.A. Geography 27 A.A.S. Nursing
4 Years of Experience: 2 28 Years of Experience: 17
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1 9. References
Bailey 1995 Bailey, Robert F. 1995. Ecoregions of the United States.
U.S. Forest Service. Accessed On-line at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/colorimagemap/images/300.html.
USFWS 2007 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007. Peirson’s
Milk-Vetch Fact Sheet. Accessed On-line at:
http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad/Rules/PMV/pmv fact.pdf
November 2007 39
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BIOLOGICAL SURVEY
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF FEDERALLY LISTED SPECIES
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Natural History:
Morphology: Perennial herb. Stems erect, 8–36 inches (2–9 decimeters) long.
Leaf 0.5–6 inches (1–15 cm) long, with 3–13 leaflets. Leaflets
narrow/oblong, 1/8–3/8 inches (2–8 millimeters) long, with one terminal leaflet.
Inflorescence contains 5–20 flowers with pink- purple petals, often white tipped.
Largest petal (banner) is 3/8–5/8 inches (10–14 millimeters) long. The fruit is a
6/8–1 3/8 inches (2–3.5 centimeters) long, and attached to the stem (sessile).
The fruit is an oval pod with a small hook at the end, has stiff, straight, sharp
hairs (strigose) covering it, is inflated (bladdery), and has only one chamber.
Peirson’s milk-vetch blooms from December to April (USBLM 2005).
Threats: The primary threat to the only known existing population of Peirson’s
milk-vetch is the destruction of existing plants and habitat by off-road vehicle
usage in the Algodone dunes.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2005. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and
Plants: 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Delist the Astragalus magdalenae var.
peirsonii (Peirson's milk-vetch) Federal Register: November 30, 2005 (Volume
70, Number 229), Proposed Rules, Page 71795-71799.
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Yuma Clapper rail was listed as a federally endangered species on March 11,
1967. There is no critical habitat for the species. The Yuma clapper rail is also
protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Distribution: Yuma clapper rail is found in the Lower Colorado River from
California and Arizona into Mexico; also Salton Sea, Imperial County, California
(California Department of Fish and Game 1990). In California, Yuma clapper rail
nests along the lower Colorado River, in wetlands surrounding the Coachella
Canal, the Imperial Valley, and the upper end of the Salton Sea at the
Whitewater River delta and Salt Creek. It is thought that this rail was not
distributed along the Colorado River until suitable habitat was created through
dam construction (Natureserve).
Natural History:
Habitat: Yuma clapper rail is associated with freshwater marshes. They prefer
mature stands of cattails and bulrushes with narrow channels of flowing water.
However, dense common reed can also support Yuma clapper rail.
Threats: Threats to the Yuma clapper rail population in the United States
include the loss of marsh habitat due to channelization, lack of existing habitat
marsh management, and lack of protection of suitable habitat area. Other
threats to Yuma Clapper Rail include mosquito abatement activities,
displacement due to nonnative vegetation, and contaminants in prey, particularly
elevated concentrations of selenium in crayfish.
A-2
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Natural History:
It nests in the fork or on horizontal limb of small tree, shrub, or vine, at a height of
0.6–6.4 m (mean usually about 2–3 m) (Harris 1991), with dense vegetation
above and around the nest.
Clutch size usually is 3 to 4. Incubation lasts 12–15 days, by female. Young are
tended by both parents, and leave the nest at 12–15 days, usually in early to
mid-July. They typically raise one brood per year. Breeding territories are about
1.5 acres. Densities might be on the order of 9–14 pairs/100 acres.
They are present in California from late April to September (Biosystems Analysis
1989); and in southern Arizona from early May to early or mid-September
(Phillips et al. 1964).
Habitat: Thickets, scrubby and brushy areas, open second growth, swamps, and
open woodland (AOU 1983). Nests primarily in swampy thickets, especially of
willow, sometimes buttonbush (Phillips et al. 1964, AOU 1983), tamarisk (Brown
1988), vines, or other plants, where vegetation is 4–7 m or more in height.
Tamarisk is commonly used in the eastern part of the range.
A-3
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A-4
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APPENDIX E
Cultural Resource Survey
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Prepared for:
Prepared by:
DECEMBER 2007
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1 NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL
2 DATABASE INFORMATION
3 Report Author: (b) (6)
14 USGS Quadrangle
15 Maps: Coyote Wells, Yuha Basin, Mount Signal, Calexico, Bonds
16 Corner, Midway Well NW, Midway Well, Grays Well 7.5
21
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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
25 Two new archaeological sites (an historic debris scatter and a prehistoric artifact
26 scatter), along with two isolates (prehistoric ceramic sherd and a prehistoric
27 flake) were discovered during the survey. Site forms for all four resources were
28 submitted to the appropriate center for recording. By definition, the two isolates
29 do not meet the standards for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places
30 and do not require additional documentation. The two newly discovered sites are
31 within the buffer zone, but outside the immediate APE and are not recommended
32 for additional evaluation. No further work is recommended for this site relative to
33 the implementation of the current project.
41 Based on the results of the background research and the pedestrian survey,
42 implementation of the proposed project will not result in direct impacts on cultural
43 resources within the proposed project APE. There are no sites within the
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
6 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1
7 2. SETTING ............................................................................................................................ 6
8 2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ................................................................................ 6
9 2.2 CULTURAL SETTING ............................................................................................ 8
10 2.2.1 Prehistoric Period ...................................................................................... 8
11 2.2.2 Historic Period ......................................................................................... 11
12 3. METHODS ........................................................................................................................ 14
13 3.1 SITE RECORD AND ARCHIVAL RESEARCH ................................................... 14
14 3.2 FIELD WORK ........................................................................................................ 14
15 4. RECORD SEARCH RESULTS ....................................................................................... 16
16 4.1 PREVIOUS SURVEYS ......................................................................................... 16
17 4.2 RECORDED SITE INFORMATION ..................................................................... 18
18 5. FIELDWORK RESULTS ................................................................................................. 29
26 APPENDIX
34
35
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1 FIGURES
7 PHOTOGRAPHS
8 5-1. Overview of the Easternmost Section of the Survey Area (Section B-5B)
9 Looking West .................................................................................................................... 29
10 5-2. Survey Area in Section B-5B, Partial Desert Pavement, ORV Damage ........................ 30
11 5-3. Overview of Project Corridor Section B-5A, Looking East; International Border is
12 on the Right Side of the Photograph ............................................................................... 30
13 5-4. Section B-4 Looking East; Mexico is to the Left Side of the Photo and the All-
14 American Canal is on the Right Side ............................................................................... 31
15 5-5. Section B-1 Overview, Looking West, Vehicle Barrier is on the Border ......................... 31
16 5-6. U.S./Mexico Border Monument #217, Approximately 35m Southwest of Site
17 Datum ............................................................................................................................... 32
18 5-7. Example of Historic Transfer Ware (ceramics) ............................................................... 33
19 5-8. Examples of Bottle Finishes............................................................................................. 33
20 5-9. Example of Chipping Waste (red metavolcanic stone) ................................................... 35
21 5-10. View of the All-American Canal Looking West (the existing Border Fence can
22 be seen on the far left of the photograph) ....................................................................... 36
23
24 TABLES
25 1-1. Proposed Fence Sections for Border Patrol El Centro Sector ......................................... 4
26 4-1. Recorded Sites within the Project APE by Section ......................................................... 19
27 4-2. Recorded Sites within 0.5 miles of the Project APE ....................................................... 19
28 4-3. Recorded Sites by Project Section .................................................................................. 25
29
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1 1. INTRODUCTION
2 The Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the Proposed Action lies in Imperial
3 County California, along the U.S./Mexico international border. A project-specific
4 archaeological assessment was prepared in support of the USBP El Centro
5 sector on the construction, operation, and maintenance of approximately 26
6 miles of tactical infrastructure in the Imperial Valley, California. The APE for the
7 Proposed Action includes lands owned or managed by the Bureau of Land
8 Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. International Boundary Water
9 Commission (USIBWC), and private property. The tactical infrastructure would
10 consist of patrol roads, pedestrian fence, vehicle barriers, and other infrastructure
11 such as lighting.
12 The mission of CBP is to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering
13 the United States, while also facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. In
14 supporting CBP’s mission, USBP is charged with establishing and maintaining
15 effective control of the border of the United States. USBP’s mission strategy
16 consists of five main objectives:
27 USBP has nine administrative sectors along the U.S./Mexico international border.
28 Each sector is responsible for implementing an optimal combination of personnel,
29 technology, and infrastructure appropriate to its operational requirements. The El
30 Centro Sector is responsible for Imperial and Riverside counties in California.
31 The areas affected by the Proposed Action include the southernmost portion of
32 Imperial County. Within the USBP El Centro Sector, areas for tactical
33 infrastructure improvements have been identified that would help the Sector gain
34 more effective control of the border and significantly contribute to USBP’s priority
35 mission of homeland security.
36 The USBP El Centro Sector has identified areas for improvements that will help it
37 gain operational control of the border. These improvements include installation
38 of “primary fence” sections (areas of the border that are not currently fenced).
39 These sections of primary pedestrian fence are designated as sections B-1, B-2,
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1 B-4, B-5B, and B-5A on Figure 1-1. See Table 1-1 for a general description of
2 the proposed tactical infrastructure sections.
3 USBP currently uses the following three main types of barriers along the border:
4 x Primary fencing
5 x Secondary double fencing to complement the primary fencing
6 x Vehicle barriers meant to stop vehicles, but not people on foot.
7 There are several types of primary border fence designs that USBP can select
8 for construction depending on various ground conditions and law enforcement
9 tactics employed. Each option offers relative advantages and disadvantages.
10 Fencing based on concrete panels, for example, is among the more cost-
11 effective solutions but USBP agents cannot see through this type of barrier.
12 USBP prefers fencing structures that offer visual transparency, which offer USBP
13 agents a tactical advantage to observe activities developing on the other side of
14 the border.
15 Over the past decade, USBP has used a variety of types of primary fencing, such
16 as pedestrian fence, vehicle fence, bollard-type, ornamental picket, landing mat,
17 and chain-link. Bollard fencing has been effective in its limited deployment and
18 can be seen through. However, it is expensive to install and to maintain.
19 Landing mat fencing is composed of military surplus carbon steel landing mats,
20 which were used to create landing strips during the Vietnam War. Chain-link
21 fencing is relatively economical, but more easily compromised. In selecting
22 particular fencing designs, USBP has to weigh various factors such as their utility
23 as a law enforcement tool, costs associated with construction and maintenance,
24 potential environmental impacts, and public concerns. USBP is continuing to
25 develop different types of fence designs that could best address these competing
26 objectives and constraints.
27
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U S /Mex co
ve
i
November 2007
115 Salton
ra
Sea
Arizona
Ports of Entry San
Co lo
Phoenix
Diego
B-1 Fence Sect on Labe 111
Tijuana
M es
26
0 25 5 10 E Centro
Sca e Sector
Projection: A bers
U n i t e d S t a t e s
USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic Pacific
North American Datum of 1983 Ocean Mex ico
Gulf
Cultural Resources Survey Report
Brawley of
California
27
California
86
28
Rd
Imperial
H u ff
Ocotillo
80
El Centro
31 32
111 115
Hotville
30
8
Jacumba Mcc a
be Rd 33
Wilderness
Rd
H un t
Heber Rd
H eb e
r Rd
er
98
er R d
29 d
B ow k
rR
s Co rn
K effe
Calexico 98
B on d
B-5A
B-1 B-5B
B-2 B-3 8
Calexico West
Calexico East
(Service Port) B-4
M e x i c o
El Centro Sector Tactical Infrastructure EA
3
Source: ESRI StreetMap USA 2005
Border Length of
Section General Land Type of Tactical
Patrol New Fence
Number Location Ownership Infrastructure
Station Section
Vehicle fence, lighting,
West of Public: BLM-
B-1 El Centro patrol road, access 11.3 miles
Pinto managed
roads
Monument Pedestrian fence,
Public: BLM-
B-2 El Centro 224 to West lighting, patrol road, 2.4 miles
managed
of Calexico access roads
West of Public: BLM-
B-3 Calexico Lighting (7.4 miles) NA
Calexico managed
Public: BLM-
and Bureau Pedestrian fence,
Calexico
B-4 Calexico of lighting, patrol road, 8.6 miles
East
Reclamation- access roads
managed
Public: BLM-
and Bureau Pedestrian fence,
Calexico
B-5A Calexico of lighting, patrol road, 19.3 miles
East
Reclamation- access roads
managed
East of
Pedestrian fence,
Calexico to Public: BLM-
B-5B Calexico lighting, patrol road, 3.0 miles
Monument managed
access roads
210
Total 44.6 miles
Note: Lighting would be spaced approximately 50 yards apart.
2 USBP has also developed a variety of barrier designs to stop vehicles from easily
3 crossing into the United States from Mexico. Some of these barriers are
4 fabricated to be used as temporary structures and are typically not anchored with
5 foundations. Because they are not permanently anchored, they can be easily
6 moved to different locations with heavy construction equipment. Temporary
7 vehicle barriers are typically built from welded metal, such as railroad track, but
8 can also be constructed from telephone poles or pipe. These barriers are built so
9 that they cannot be easily rolled or moved using manual labor only. They are
10 aligned and typically chained together over areas of high potential for vehicle
11 entry.
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19
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1 2. SETTING
12 The largest quantity of the overlying sediment has been derived from the
13 continuous uplift and erosion of the Peninsular Range west of the rift and the
14 older Chocolate and Cargo Muchacho mountains that are on the eastern
15 boundary of the rift. By far the primary source of the Tertiary and Quarternary
16 Age sediments within the trough are sediments deposited by the meanderings of
17 the Colorado River. At the point where the Colorado River empties into the Gulf
18 of Mexico it releases finer sediments onto a vast and growing delta, with the
19 coarser materials falling out of suspension along point bars and interchannel
20 bars. Thus the trough is constantly being filled with sediment although portions of
21 the central valley remain well below sea level.
22 The Colorado Desert is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Heat,
23 coupled with exceptionally low annual rainfall, creates a somewhat forbidding
24 landscape. Summer temperature frequently exceeds 115 degrees Fahrenheit,
25 with total rainfall averaging about 6.4 centimeters (cm) per year. Summer
26 monsoons are not uncommon, though most of the rain falls in the mid-winter.
27 Vegetation cover is sparse and runoff associated with heavy, seasonal rains is
28 typically severe, in particular over large areas of the central basin which are
29 characterized by hard lacustrine clay soil. There are few permanent water
30 sources in this area of the Salton Rift, with the exception of seasonal springs and
31 Native American dugwells that are associated with localized aquifers.
32 Prior to the construction of dams on the Colorado River, the slower flow of the
33 river resulted in the deposition of large quantities of sediment in the lower
34 channels of the delta. This encouraged local flooding, which resulted in even
35 more sediment accumulation, an increase in the overall height of the delta, and
36 lowering of the stream channel margins above the average grade of the main
37 river channel to the north. The end result was impoundment and flooding in the
38 Salton Trough. This chain of events was particularly common after large flood
39 events, when the receding water of the Colorado River was unable to find a route
40 back through the surface of the delta. The Salton Trough filled with overflow
41 Colorado River water in approximately 18 years, forming what has been
42 estimated to be the largest freshwater lake in California (Schaefer 2000). At its
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1 greatest extent, Lake Cahuilla was 110 miles in length, 32 miles wide and more
2 than 280 feet deep in the center. The lake filled to a maximum elevation of 40
3 feet (12 meters [m]) above sea level. Until recently, it was thought that the
4 phenomenon of Lake Cahuilla was a single episode spanning at least five
5 centuries, between circa AD 1000 and 1500 (Rogers 1945). Further study has
6 resulted in a reconstruction of three fillings and recessions that occurred between
7 about AD 1200 and 1700 (Laylander 1997).
8 The lake (see Figure 2-1) is variously referred to as Blake Sea, Lake Le Conte,
9 or Lake Cahuilla and is evidenced today by extensive deposits of lacustrine
10 sediments and many kilometers of relic shoreline formations that are often
11 associated with prehistoric human settlement in the form of camp sites, fishing
12 camps, and occasional long-term habitation locations. The plant and animal
13 resources that were made available as a result of the lake were extensive and
14 large human populations are known to have occupied the region. Relic
15 shorelines of Lake Cahuilla occur in each of the identified project sections,
16 particularly at the western end of the infrastructure corridor.
17
18 (Source: Krantz and Black 2007)
21 The 11.31-mile section (B-1) at the western end of the corridor is within the area
22 known as the Yuha Basin, in the southwestern portion of Imperial County, about
23 12 miles southwest of the city of El Centro. This area is referred to as West
24 Mesa with the more easterly portion of the project within the area known as East
25 Mesa.
26 The West Mesa portion of fence section B-1 supports a mixed creosote bush
27 scrub community (Holland 1986) with stands of ironwood (Olneya tesota) and
28 desert willow (Chilopis linearis) interspersed within extensive patches of tamarisk
29 (Tamarix chinensis). The ground surface appears to be a combination of
30 alternating clay lenses with softer sandy spits overlying a thick impervious clay
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1 base. Runoff accumulates in deeper erosional features along the margins of the
2 depression as well as in the central basin. Stands of vegetation concentrate
3 around the margins of these seasonal, transitory features, and former pools are
4 marked by large stands of dead vegetation. It appears that large concentrations
5 of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) have been present in this area in the
6 past but appear to have died as a result of low water.
23 The artifact assemblages that are usually associated with the Pinto complex
24 include well-made projectile points, bifacially worked knives, and scrapers. The
25 economy of this period was generally dependent upon hunting, which is inferred
26 from the large number of projectiles in the recovered assemblages. The
27 projectiles were generally heavy, which suggests they were delivered on the end
28 of a spear and probably with the assistance of an atlatl or spear thrower. This
29 indicates a hunting style that focused on larger game, though the increased
30 number of ground stone implements in Pinto period sites is taken as evidence of
31 an increased use of plant foods. Pinto sites are usually found along the margins
32 of old watercourses and dry lake sides (Weide 1976).
33 The two major divisions currently accepted for the Pinto complex are the Little
34 Lake projectile point type series and the Pinto Basin projectile point series. The
35 Little Lake series is generally confined to the regions surrounding the Mojave
36 Desert, Death Valley, and Owens Valley (Bettinger and Taylor 1974). The Pinto
37 Basin series is represented in the Colorado and eastern Mojave deserts, where it
38 is gradually replaced by the Amargosa/Elko complex by circa 1,500 to 1,200 B.C.
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14 Only a few Amargosa complex sites have been recorded in the interior of the
15 Colorado Desert. It is likely that sites from this period are present in the desert
16 regions; however, at present many more are known from the coastal plains and
17 peninsular ranges. This is most likely due to the more concentrated amount of
18 survey and evaluation work that has been accomplished in those regions.
35 The Quechan was one of the Yuman groups who practiced agriculture in addition
36 to hunting, gathering, and collecting. The typical Quechan Colorado River
37 settlement had a scatter of houses along the riverbank rather than a centralized
38 village (Moratto 1984). The house structures were two basic types, a semi-
39 subterranean winter home made from cottonwood log frames with an arrow-weed
40 wattle covered with earth. The second type was a flat-topped ramada that
41 provided shade in the summer. The cultivated fields were established close to
42 the houses.
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1 The Quechan had clans and a strong tribal identity. This identity was
2 represented in the Kwoxot or chief and there was normally only one Kwoxot in
3 the tribe at a given time. This individual was the economic, political, and religious
4 leader of the tribe.
5 The Quechan, like other Colorado River tribes, were agricultural and had a
6 material culture that was more complex than neighboring desert people (Moratto
7 1984). They had a military organization and are known to have traveled great
8 distances to do battle, to visit, and to trade. These people are believed to have
9 exercised influence over their California neighbors through the introduction of
10 new material culture and cultural practices.
11 The Cocopa are also a Yuman language speaking group who occupied the lower
12 Colorado River region and the delta in southwestern Arizona, and southeastern
13 California, northwestern Sonora, and northeastern Baja California. The Cocopa
14 have patrilinial, exogamous, nonlocalized, nonautonomous clans or lineages.
15 Each lineage is associated with a particular totem (plant, animal or natural
16 phenomenon). Leaders are selected based on their ability to speak well and to
17 be counselors to other group members. There are elaborate rites and
18 ceremonies associated with death and the dead and cremation has been and is
19 still practiced by the Cocopa.
20 The Colorado River provided ample fresh water, in particular after summer flood
21 events. In the winter months food was scarce though hunting and gathering
22 were practiced. After the floodwaters receded, the Cocopa planted maize,
23 squash, and beans. Wild foods of importance include mesquite, screw beans,
24 cattail pollen, tule roots, and grass seeds. The Cocopa hunted deer, wild boar,
25 rabbits, dove, quail, and waterfowl.
26 At the western end of the project the influence of the Cahuilla and the Tipai is
27 most likely. As a group, the Cahuilla have traditionally inhabited the area north
28 and west of the Salton Trough, including the Coachella Valley and the Santa
29 Rosa Mountains (Wilke and Lawton 1975, Bean 1978). Their language belongs
30 to the Cupan subgroup of the Uto-Aztecan stock, which allies them more closely
31 to the other Takic-speaking groups, such as the CupeĖo, Gabrielino, and the
32 Luiseno (Shipley 1978).
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6 Cahuilla society was not highly structured in ethnographic times. Tribal members
7 recognized two, nonpolitical patriarchies, which were organized into pseudoclans
8 composed of 3–10 lineages (Bean 1978). The lineages were dialectically
9 different but cooperated within the clan in matters of defense, ritual, and group
10 subsistence practices (Bean 1978). Villages and their surrounding catchment
11 areas were usually controlled by a single lineage, but territory boundaries were
12 indistinct and were open to all Cahuilla (Bean 1978).
13 Early contact with the Spanish produced rapid culture change and decimation of
14 the Cahuilla from disease. The Cahuilla first encountered Europeans in 1774
15 when the Anza expedition crossed their territory. Estimates of the size of the pre-
16 contact Cahuilla population range as high as 10,000 people and as many as 80
17 lineages (Bean 1978). The true population of the Cahuilla was probably closer to
18 4,000 people in pre-contact times but most likely fluctuated with the cycles of the
19 lacustrine environment in the project area. By the 1860s the population of the
20 Cahuilla had fallen to approximately 1,000 individuals as a result of disease and
21 starvation (Bean 1978). After the initial contact with the Spanish, the desert
22 Cahuilla were generally ignored, as their territory did not present a desirable
23 location for early settlement.
37 The Mexican period was characterized by the retention of several of the Spanish
38 institutions, including the granting of large tracts of land to Mexican individuals
39 and families, and the establishment of the rancho system. Cattle ranching
40 superseded agricultural enterprises and most lands became open ranges that
41 were seasonally utilized for cattle grazing; this change in land use severely
42 restricted the mobility and access that native groups once had to prime hunting
43 and collecting areas.
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1 The loss of the Mexican-American War by Mexico in 1848 marked the end of the
2 Mexican period in the region. Gold was soon discovered in California, and the
3 massive influx of European and American immigrants into the region beginning in
4 1849 quickly eliminated the last vestiges of the rancho system and the free-range
5 cattle system.
6 Prior to 1900, the Imperial Valley consisted entirely of the semi-barren Colorado
7 Desert. To the settlers and explorers of the Spanish, Mexican, and American
8 periods, the desert was a barren wasteland, which constituted a formidable
9 barrier between southern California and the more settled regions to the east.
10 Irrigation projects begun after 1900 dramatically altered this situation. With the
11 development of a system to transport Colorado River water, the Imperial Valley
12 became one of the most productive and important agricultural regions in the
13 United States.
14 The All-American Canal brings Colorado River water to the Imperial Valley in
15 California. The canal was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation in
16 the 1930s and was completed in 1942. The canal is the valley’s only source of
17 water. It replaced the Alamo Canal, which was mostly in Mexico. The All-
18 American Canal provides drinking water for nine cities and irrigates more than
19 500,000 acres (2,000 square kilometers [km²]) of farmland. It is the largest
20 irrigation canal in the world, carrying up to 26,155 cubic feet per second of water.
21 The Bureau of Reclamation owns the canal, but the Imperial Irrigation District
22 operates it. Water for the canal is diverted at the Imperial Diversion Dam. The All-
23 American Canal feeds, from east to west, the Coachella Canal, East Highline
24 Canal, Central Canal, and the Westside Main Canal. These four main branches
25 of the canal and a network of smaller canals gradually reduce the flow of the All-
26 American Canal until it ends in the western Imperial Valley and drains into the
27 Westside Main Canal. The All-American Canal is 82 miles (132 kilometers [km])
28 long, has a total drop of 175 feet (53 m), a width of 150 to 700 feet, and a depth
29 of 7 to 50 feet.
30 Activity in the Colorado Desert between the late 1700s and the 1900s primarily
31 consisted of exploration and the establishment of suitable transportation routes
32 across the desert. Some individuals took advantage of the potential for gold
33 starting in the mid-1800s, with the development of a number of placer mining
34 operations including the American Girl and American Boy mines in the Cargo
35 Muchacho Mountains. Lode mining developed in this area beginning in the
36 1870s. In 1938 the American Girl mine and the Golden Cross mine produced 4
37 million dollars worth of gold. By 1900 the largest town in present-day Imperial
38 County was the mining camp of Hedges (Van Wormer and Newland 1996). This
39 town was composed of some 400 inhabitants, primarily Hispanic, in a narrow
40 desert canyon of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, somewhat north of the project
41 area. Hedges was originally known as Gold Rock, and later as Tumco.
42 While land use in much of the Imperial Valley is still generally undeveloped or
43 agricultural, the impacts of urban expansion, agricultural expansion, and
44 recreational activities have had a significant impact in the past 20 years. The
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1 3. METHODS
17 A letter initiating consultation with associated Native American groups was sent
18 to 14 tribal groups with cultural links to the project area by the U.S. Army Corps
19 of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth (see Appendix A). The concerns of these
20 groups were considered during the preparation of this document, and information
21 regarding resources of traditional, religious, or cultural significance to Native
22 American tribes, Traditional Cultural Properties have also been considered as
23 part of the impact analysis.
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1 additional portions also reduced the area of survey. The ground surface visibility
2 was excellent and survey conditions were optimal.
3 Identified archaeological sites and isolated finds were plotted on field maps using
4 a field Geographic Positioning instrument with submeter accuracy. All resources
5 have been recorded on appropriate Department of Parks and Recreation forms
6 that will be submitted to the Southeastern Information Center with a copy of the
7 final technical report. The project area includes prehistoric and historic
8 archaeological sites, features, and isolated finds and historic structures (e.g., All-
9 American Canal).
10
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18 There are 37 reports on file with the Southeastern Information Center for the
19 project area:
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1 x Data Recovery and Analysis for 4-IMP-4830 West Mesa. Imperial County,
2 California, Cornerstone Research, 1982
3 x Archaeological Survey of the Mountain Springs (Jade) to Sand Hills Portion of
4 the SDG&E Interconnection Project 500kV Transmission Line. Cultural
5 Systems Research, Inc., 1982
6 x Sand Hills to the Colorado River Data Recovery Program APS/SDG&E
7 Interconnection Project (now Southwest Powerlink). Wirth Environmental
8 Services, 1982
9 x Cultural Resource Survey of the APS/SDG&E 500kV Transmission Line
10 Right-Of-Way Sand Hills to the Colorado River, Imperial County, California.
11 Cultural Systems Research, Inc., 1983
12 x Southwest Powerlink Cultural Resources Management Plan. Wirth
13 Environmental Services, 1984
14 x Archaeological Investigations in the Western Colorado Desert: A
15 Socioecological Approach, Data Recovery on the Mountain Spring (Jade) to
16 Sand Hills Section: Southwest Powerlink Project. Wirth Environmental
17 Services, 1984
18 x Archaeological Investigations in the Picacho Basin: Southwest Powerlink
19 Project-Sand hills to the Colorado River Section. Wirth Environmental
20 Services, 1984
21 x Cultural Resource Study of the Imperial County Prison Alternatives. Imperial
22 County, California, WESTEC Services, Inc.,1988
23 x Cultural Resource Study of the Mount Signal and Dixie Ranch Imperial
24 County Prison Alternatives Imperial County, California. ERC Environmental
25 and Energy Services Company, Inc.,1990
26 x Archaeological Examinations of Bravo Ranch, Imperial County, California.
27 Imperial Valley College Desert Museum, 1992
28 x Cultural Resources Study of the New Port of Entry and State Route 7 Situated
29 Between the International Border and State Route 98, Calexico, Imperial
30 County, California. Archaeological Associates,1992
31 x Cultural Resource Records Search and Survey for the Southern California
32 Gas Company Line 6902 South, Imperial County, California. LSA Associates,
33 Inc.,1993
34 x Cultural Resource Survey for the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility for
35 the New Calexico Port of Entry, Imperial County, California.CalTrans,1994
36 x Cultural Resources Assessment, Southern California Gas Company Natural
37 Gas Transmission Line 6902 Revised Border Crossing Location, Imperial
38 County, California. LSA Associates, Inc.,1995
39 x Cultural Resources Assessment, Southern California Gas Company Natural
40 Gas Transmission Line 6902 El Centro to Mexicali, Imperial County,
41 California. LSA Associates, Inc.,1996
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1 x Cultural Resource Survey for the Gateway of the Americas Specific Plan and
2 Constraint Study for the Proposed State Route 7 Corridor, Imperial County,
3 California. Gallegos & Associates, 1997
4 x A Cultural Resources Inventory and Evaluation of the Imperial Irrigation
5 District’s C-Line Pole Replacement Project, Imperial County, California. ASM
6 Affiliates, Inc.,1998
7 x Overview and Cultural Resources Survey for the De Anza Natural Gas
8 Pipeline. KEA Environmental, Inc.,2000
9 x Archaeological Examinations of Aggregate Products, Inc. Conveyor Belt
10 Project at the All-American Canal, Imperial County, California. Jay Von
11 Werlhof, 2000
12 x The All-American Canal: An Historic Properties Inventory and Evaluation,
13 Imperial County, California. ASM Affiliates, 2001
14 x Cultural Resource Survey of a 230-kV Transmission Corridor from the
15 Imperial Valley Substation to the International Border with Mexico. RECON,
16 2001
17 x Environmental Assessment for Presidential Permit Applications for BAJA
18 California Power, Inc. and SEMPRA Energy Resources. U.S. Department of
19 Energy, U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management El
20 Centro, California, 2001
21 x Proposed Placement of Permanent Lighting Systems near Calexico along the
22 All-American Canal, Imperial County, California. Department of the Army, Fort
23 Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2002
24 x Results of an Archaeological Survey for the Border Remote Video
25 Surveillance Project, El Centro Sector, Imperial County, California. Brian F.
26 Smith and Associates, 2002
27 x Supplemental Archaeological Survey for the Border Remote Video
28 Surveillance Project, El Centro Sector, Imperial County, California. Brian F.
29 Smith and Associates, 2002
30 x Environmental Impact Statement for the Imperial-Mexicali 230–kV
31 Transmission Lines. U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of the
32 Interior Bureau of Land Management El Centro, California, 2004
33 x A Class I Cultural Resources Inventory for the All-American Canal Lining
34 Project, ASM Affiliates, 2004
35 x Cultural Resources Study for the Proposed Development of Industrial
36 Entitlements at the East Calexico Port of Entry, Imperial County, California.
37 ASM Affiliates, Ken Moslak, 2007
1 within the 0.5-mile radius study record search area as summarized on Table 4-2.
2 While this is a large number of sites, the recorded resources are generally
3 characterized as isolated prehistoric artifacts (prehistoric pottery, flakes, flaked
4 stone tools), features associated with the All-American Canal or historic trash
5 dumps, or artifacts associated with the historic Plank Road. A total of 21 of the
6 recorded resources are categorized as isolated finds, meaning there were fewer
7 than three items found at these locations.
10 Table 4-2. Recorded Sites within 0.5 miles of the Project APE
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November 2007 21
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11 (b) (6) archaeologist for the El Centro BLM Field Office, conducted a
12 Class III survey of a number of previously recorded site locations as part of the
13 “110 survey” by the BLM in 2003. Using the Universal Transverse Mercator
14 (UTM) coordinates provided on the original site records, Hangan attempted to
15 relocate these previously identified sites and in every case the original site was
16 not verified. In part, this is not surprising as the original site descriptions are for
17 small numbers of items such as ceramic sherds and debitage and the sites were
18 generally recorded between 1976 and 1980, more than 20 years before Hangan
19 attempted to relocate them. It is possible that the items were collected by the
20 recording teams; however, this is not noted on the site records. Further
21 compounding this effort was the challenge that plotting of site locations during
22 the late 1970s generally involved the use of a hand-held compass to triangulate a
23 position, followed by drawing of point or polygon on the relevant 7.5-minute U.S.
24 Geological Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangle map. The USGS quads
25 have a scale of 1” to 24,000’, meaning that a site which occupies a 5 or 10
26 square meter area will be plotted a minimum of several hundred feet from its
27 actual location with some regularity, in particular on a landscape that tends to be
28 absent of elevation distinctions or landmarks of a scale evident on a USGS map.
29 As part of her survey, Hangan examined an area of 50 meters around the
30 recorded site UTMs and found no evidence of the 27 sites she attempted to
31 relocate. The likelihood of relocating these small sites remains low.
32 In many instances the site record is for a single cultural item or, in some
33 instances, several items at the mapped location. This is particularly true of those
34 “sites” characterized as ceramic scatters and flaked stone scatters. As shown on
35 the maps in Confidential Attachment 1 (Reserved), many of these sites occupy
36 small areas (1-5 square meters in size) and consist of fewer than five items. In
37 many respects these sites can be characterized as “background noise” for an
38 area with a rich and varied archaeological profile, primarily based around the
39 various shores and edges of the extinct Lake Cahuilla. These small,
40 homogeneous sites represent the remnants of activity that took place in the
41 margins away from the foci of the various shorelines where individuals and
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3 The following sites are recorded within the project APE based on UTM and
4 plotted map indications. These sites were determined to be the most likely to
5 occur within the survey corridor and the UTM data were downloaded into a field
6 Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to assist in relocation efforts. Efforts were
7 made during the survey to identify these sites using the UTM data, site location
8 maps from the site forms, and by completing a careful pedestrian search of 50
9 meters around the UTM or plotted datum.
10 Table 4-2 provided a summary of the recorded sites and isolated finds within 0.5
11 miles of the project corridor. The site descriptions were derived from the site
12 records and the recorders are provided with updated site information, where
13 available.
14 Table 4-3 summarizes the sites and isolated finds by project section from west to
15 east. The information highlights that each of the proposed sections has been
16 previously surveyed and there is a considerable amount of data for each. While
17 most of these sites are outside of the immediate project corridor, the summarized
18 information does emphasize that this area has a relevant prehistoric human
19 presence in addition to an historic component. There are 7 sites or isolated finds
20 in or near Section B-1, 13 in or near Section B-2, 6 in or near Section B-4, 60 in
21 or near Section B-5A, and 20 in or near Section B-5B.
Site Section
CA-IMP-805 B-1
CA-IMP-3978 B-1
CA-IMP-3981 B-1
CA-IMP-4307 B-1
CA-IMP-5223 B-1
CA-IMP-6173 B-1
CA-IMP-6174 B-1
CA-IMP-3979 B-2
CA-IMP-3980H B-2
CA-IMP-4478 B-2
CA-IMP-4479 B-2
CA-IMP-4480 B-2
CA-IMP-4481 B-2
CA-IMP-4495 B-2
CA-IMP-4829 B-2
CA-IMP-4830 B-2
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Site Section
CA-IMP-4831 B-2
CA-IMP-4832 B-2
CA-IMP-4833 B-2
CA-IMP-5649 B-2
CA-IMP-7130H B-4
CA-IMP-7363H B-4
CA-IMP-7364H B-4
CA-IMP-7563H B-4
CA-IMP-7564H B-4
CA-IMP-7565H B-4
CA-IMP-319 B-5A
CA-IMP-1387 B-5A
CA-IMP-1388 B-5A
CA-IMP-1391 B-5A
CA-IMP-1392 B-5A
CA-IMP-1393 B-5A
CA-IMP-3046 B-5A
CA-IMP-3047 B-5A
CA-IMP-3052 B-5A
CA-IMP-3053 B-5A
CA-IMP-3054 B-5A
CA-IMP-3055 B-5A
CA-IMP-3056 B-5A
CA-IMP-3057 B-5A
CA-IMP-3065 B-5A
CA-IMP-3123 B-5A
CA-IMP-3124 B-5A
CA-IMP-3127 B-5A
CA-IMP-3649H B-5A
CA-IMP-3796 B-5A
CA-IMP-3797 B-5A
CA-IMP-3798 B-5A
CA-IMP-3799 B-5A
CA-IMP-3800 B-5A
CA-IMP-3801H B-5A
CA-IMP-3802 B-5A
CA-IMP-3803 B-5A
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Site Section
CA-IMP-3804H B-5A
CA-IMP-3813 B-5A
CA-IMP-3814 B-5A
CA-IMP-3815 B-5A
CA-IMP-3816 B-5A
CA-IMP-4757 B-5A
CA-IMP-4758H B-5A
CA-IMP-4759 B-5A
CA-IMP-4760 B-5A
CA-IMP-4761 B-5A
CA-IMP-7685 B-5A
CA-IMP-8286 B-5A
CA-IMP-8287 B-5A
CA-IMP-8288 B-5A
CA-IMP-8292 B-5A
CA-IMP-8293 B-5A
CA-IMP-8294 B-5A
CA-IMP-8303H B-5A
CA-IMP-8304H B-5A
CA-IMP-8309H B-5A
CA-IMP-8321 B-5A
CA-IMP-8322 B-5A
CA-IMP-8323 B-5A
CA-IMP-8335 B-5A
CA-IMP-8336 B-5A
CA-IMP-8356H B-5A
CA-IMP-8361 B-5A
CA-IMP-8362H B-5A
CA-IMP-9304 B-5A
P-13-008865 B-5A
P-13-008910 B-5A
P-13-008935 B-5A
P-13-008970 B-5A
CA-IMP-1383 B-5B
CA-IMP-1384 B-5B
CA-IMP-1385 B-5B
CA-IMP-1386 B-5B
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Site Section
CA-IMP-3794 B-5B
CA-IMP-3811 B-5B
CA-IMP-3812 B-5B
CA-IMP-4397 B-5B
CA-IMP-4398 B-5B
CA-IMP-4762 B-5B
CA-IMP-4763 B-5B
CA-IMP-4764H B-5B
CA-IMP-4910 B-5B
CA-IMP-7130H B-5B
CA-IMP-7649 B-5B
CA-IMP-7709 B-5B
CA-IMP-8306H B-5B
CA-IMP-8308H B-5B
CA-IMP-8314 B-5B
P-13-007806 B-5B
1
November 2007 28
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1 5. FIELDWORK RESULTS
2 The project area was surveyed by a team of five archaeologists from e²M in early
3 October 2007. The team was accompanied by Agent(b) (6) of the El Centro
4 Sector. (b) (6) was with the team for the entire survey and provided
5 important project information. All areas were accessible, though several
6 presented safety hazards. All areas were reached through the use of existing
7 roads on BLM and private land. These roads are used extensively by the Border
8 Patrol on a daily basis. Only one area in Section B-1 presented an access
9 challenge, as there is not an existing road along this border section (see Figure
10 1-1). The closest road is as much as several hundred meters from the
11 international border for a distance of approximately 0.5 to 1 mile. Access to this
12 area was gained by foot and the corridor was examined using a spaced transect
13 pedestrian coverage.
14 Ground surface visibility over the entire survey corridor was excellent. The area
15 was open and generally devoid of vegetation. Large portions of the survey
16 corridor have been altered by road construction, border maintenance, canal
17 construction and maintenance, agricultural development, and off-road vehicle
18 traffic. Photographs 5-1 through 5-5 provide general characterizations of the
19 surveyed areas.
20
21 Photograph 5-1. Overview of the Easternmost Section of the Survey Area
22 (Section B-5B) Looking West
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1
2 Photograph 5-2. Survey Area in Section B-5B,
3 Partial Desert Pavement, ORV Damage
4
5 Photograph 5-3. Overview of Project Corridor Section B-5A, Looking East;
6 International Border is on the Right Side of the Photograph
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1
2 Photograph 5-4. Section B-4 Looking East; Mexico is to the Left Side of the
3 Photo and the All-American Canal is on the Right Side
4
5 Photograph 5-5. Section B-1 Overview, Looking West,
6 Vehicle Barrier is on the Border
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1 None of the previously identified sites within the survey corridor (see Table 4-1)
2 were relocated during the current survey.
23
24 Photograph 5-6. U.S./Mexico Border Monument #217,
25 Approximately 35 m Southwest of Site Datum
November 2007 32
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2
3 Photograph 5-7. Example of Historic Transfer Ware (ceramics)
4
5 Photograph 5-8. Examples of Bottle Finishes
November 2007 33
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1
2 Figure 5-1. Site Map
3 The prehistoric site is a small, dispersed artifact scatter containing 50+ pieces of
4 fine grain metavolcanic shatter and +5 tested cores (see Figure 5-2). Material is
5 sitting on the remnants of a thin desert pavement with an associated cobble lens.
6 There were no formed tools and a couple of the cores appear to be severely
7 weathered by wind, suggesting some antiquity. Artifacts are loosely scattered
8 over an area approximately 60 m east/west by 75 m north/south (see
9 Photograph 5-9). Diagnostic artifacts such as projectile points or artifacts
10 considered tempora lly sensitive are not present in the assemblage. In general, it
11 appears that one type of fine-grained stone was sampled or quarried from cobble
12 float and tested for suitability, or prepared cores and suitable flakes were
13 removed from the site to be worked elsewhere.
14 The historic features or sites within the project include a portion of the All-
15 American Canal, which parallels the study area in the vicinity of Mexicali, towards
16 the eastern end of the corridor (see Photograph 5-10). The All-American Canal
17 has been placed on the NRHP and is considered an important historic complex.
18 Although the canal is in close proximity to the project area, it will not be impacted
19 by the Proposed Action.
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1
2 Figure 5-2. Site Map
3
4 Photograph 5-9. Example of Chipping Waste (red metavolcanic stone)
5
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1
2 Photograph 5-10. View of the All-American Canal Looking West (the existing
3 Border Fence can be seen on the far left of the photograph)
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4 6.1 RECOMMENDATIONS
5 Due to the low potential for the inadvertent discovery of previously unidentified,
6 buried, or masked archaeological sites within the project area, archaeological
7 monitoring is not recommended for project-related excavation or other ground-
8 disturbing construction activities. Two newly discovered archaeological sites and
9 two isolates were recorded during the survey efforts. All four are outside the
10 area of immediate impacts. Neither of the recorded resources will be directly or
11 indirectly impacted by the project as proposed. Neither of the recorded isolates
12 meet the standards required for significance and would not be eligible for
13 nomination to the NRHP.
14 In the event that cultural resources are inadvertently discovered during the
15 course of construction-related excavation, the onsite construction supervisor will
16 halt work in the area and immediately report the discovery to the designated
17 environmental manager and appropriate cultural resources management
18 protocols will be implemented. The results of such mitigation measures will be to
19 thoroughly document and analyze the discovery and the findings will be
20 submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for concurrence.
21 Work may not resume in the vicinity of a potentially eligible archaeological
22 resource until the SHPO has determined that the proposed mitigation measures
23 are sufficient for treatment of the resource, and has concurred with the findings
24 and conclusions contained in the mitigation report. Mitigation measures might
25 include relocation of ground-disturbing project activities to avoid the resource. If
26 avoidance is not possible, data recovery excavation can be implemented to
27 mitigate potential project impacts on a significant or eligible resource that cannot
28 be avoided.
29 6.2 SUMMARY
30 The proposed El Centro tactical infrastructure project does not represent a
31 potential impact on known significant or eligible archaeological sites or features.
32 The area has been examined for evidence of archaeological sites, features, and
33 isolates and none were identified within the project APE. The known sites are
34 outside of the proposed alignment and maximum extent of the construction zone
35 as presently defined.
36 Native American groups with historic ties to the project area have been consulted
37 for information on resources of traditional, religious, or cultural significance and
38 other concerns. The results of this consultation are pending and will be
39 incorporated into a final draft of this report. Based on the completed research
40 and survey work, no additional cultural resources evaluation is recommended
41 prior to implementation of the tactical infrastructure project as proposed. A
November 2007 37
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Cultural Resources Survey Report El Centro Sector Tactical Infrastructure EA
1 7. REFERENCES
2 (b) (6)
3 2005 Overview and Survey: Cultural Resources Along the North Baja
4 Expansion Project
5 Bean, Lowell
6 1978 Cahuilla. In R. F. Heizer, vol. ed., Handbook of North American
7 Indians, Vol. 8: California: 575-587. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian
8 Institution.
15 Barrows, David
16 1900 The Ethno-Botany of the Cahuilla Indians. University of Chicago Press
17 Berryman, Judy
18 2001 Cultural Resource Survey of a 230-kV Transmission Line Corridor from
19 the Imperial Valley Substation to the International Border with Mexico
20 Berryman, Judy
21 2001 Cultural Resource Treatment Plan in Support of the Construction of
22 Two 230-kV Transmission Lines from the Imperial Valley Substation to
23 the International Border with Mexico
26 (b) (6)
27 2002 Results of an Archaeological Survey for the Border Remote Video
28 Surveillance Project, El Centro Sector, Imperial County, California
31 Childers, W. Morkin
32 1977 New Evidence of Early Man in the Yuha Desert
33 Crafts, Karen C.
34 1994 Cultural Resource Survey for the Commercial Vehicle Inspection
35 Facility for the New Calexico Port of Entry, Imperial County, California
November 2007 39
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8 Dominici, Debra A
9 1981 Archaeological Survey Report for the Proposed Sand Hills Interchange
10 Project
21 Gallegos, Dennis
22 1980 Class II Cultural Resource Inventory of the East Mesa and West Mesa
23 Regions, Imperial Valley, California
28 Hangan, Margaret
29 2003 Bureau of Land Management 110 Survey 2003
33 Holland
34 1986 Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of
35 California. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
November 2007 40
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7 Laylander, Don
8 1997 The Last Days of Lake Cahuilla: The Elmore Site. Pacific Coast
9 Archaeological Society Quarterly 33(1/2):1-138.
13 Morton
14 1977 Geology and Mineral Resources of Imperial County. California Division
15 of Mines and Geology. Sacramento, Ca.
16 Moratto
17 1984 California Archaeology. Academic Press. New York.
18 Moslak, Ken
19 2007 Cultural Resource Study for Proposed Development of Industrial
20 Entitlements at the East Calexico Port of Entry, Imperial County,
21 California
22 Norwood, Richard
23 1982 Data Recovery and Analysis for 4-IMP-4830, West Mesa, Imperial
24 County, California
25 Pallette, Drew
26 1997 A Cultural Resources Inventory and Evaluation of the Imperial
27 Irrigation District’s A3-Line Transmission Route, Imperial County,
28 California
29 Pendleton, Lorann
30 1984 Archaeological Investigations in the Picacho Basin: Southwest
31 Powerlink Project-Sand hills to the Colorado River Segment
32 PHR Associates
33 1989 The Plank Road of Imperial County
34 Pigniolo, Andrew
35 1988 Cultural Resource Study of the Imperial County Prison Alternatives,
36 Imperial County, California
November 2007 41
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1 Pigniolo, Andrew
2 1990 Cultural Resource Study of the Mount Signal and Dixie Ranch Imperial
3 County Prison Alternatives, Imperial County, California
4 Rogers, Malcolm
5 1929 The Stone Art of the San Dieguito Plateau. American Anthropologist
6 31:454-467.
7 Rogers, Malcolm
8 1945 An Outline of Yuman Prehistory. Southwestern Journal of
9 Anthropology 1:167-198
10 Shackley, M. Steven
11 1982 Archaeological Survey of the Mountain Springs (Jade) to Sand Hills
12 Portion of the SDG&E Interconnection Project 500 KV Transmission
13 Line
14 Shackley, M. Steven
15 1984 Archaeological Investigations in the Western Colorado Desert: A
16 Socioecological Approach, Data Recovery on the Mountain Spring
17 (Jade) to Sand Hills Segment: Southwest Powerlink Project
18 Schaefer, Jerome
19 1981 Phase II Archaeological Survey of the La Rosita 230 Kv
20 Interconnection Project
21 Schaefer, Jerry
22 1983 Cultural Resource Survey of the APS/SDG&E 500kV Transmission
23 Line Right-Of-Way Sand Hills to the Colorado River, Imperial County,
24 California
25 Schaefer, Jerry
26 1986 Late Prehistoric Adaptations During the Final Recessions of Lake
27 Cahuilla: Fish Camps and Quarries on West Mesa, Imperial County,
28 California. Mooney-Levine and Associates, San Diego.
29 Schaefer, Jerry
30 1998 A History and Evaluation of the Old Coachella Canal
35 Schaefer, Jerry
36 2001 The All-American Canal: An Historic Properties Inventory and
37 Evaluation, Imperial County, California
November 2007 42
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7 Shipley, William
8 1978 Native Languages of California: In R. F. Heizer, vol. ed., Handbook of
9 North American Indians, Vol. 8. California: 80-90. Washington, D. C.:
10 Smithsonian Institution
14 Sturm, Bradley L.
15 1995 Cultural Resources Assessment: Southern California Gas Company
16 Natural Gas Transmission Line 6902 Revised Border Crossing,
17 Imperial County, California
22 Thomas
23 1981 How to Classify the Projectile Points from Monitor Valley, Nevada.
24 Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology 3:1.
November 2007 43
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10 Wade, Charles
11 1979 Environmental Impact Report for Big Chief Claims Group (Glamis)
15 Weide
16 1976 Regional Environmental History of the Yuha Desert. In Background to
17 Prehistory of the Yuha Desert Region, edited by P.J. Wilke, pp. 9-20,
18 95-97. Ballena Press, Ramona, California.
23 Wirth Associates
24 1982 Sand Hills to the Colorado River Data recovery Program APS/SDG&E
25 Interconnection Project (now Southwest Powerlink)
29 York, Andrew, Rebecca McCorkle Apple, Alex Kirkish and Jackson Underwood
30 2000 Overview and Cultural Resources Survey for the De Anza Natural Gas
31 Pipeline
32
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2 Ainsworth, P.
3 1981 Imperial Valley College Museum Form 4-IMP-4495. On file at
4 Southeastern Information Center
5 Andrews, Sherri
6 2004 DPR Form CA-IMP-3057 Update, -3065 Update, -4757 Update, -8286,
7 -8287, -8288, -8292, -8293, -8294, -8303H, -8304H, -8309H, -8321,
8 -8322, -8323, -8335, -8336, -8361, -8362H, P-13-008910,
9 P-13-008935 and P-13-008970. On file at Southeastern Information
10 Center
11 Apple, Rebecca
12 2005 DPR Form CA-IMP-4764H Update. On file at Southeastern Information
13 Center
14 Banks, Thomas
15 1979 DPR Form 4-IMP-3794 and -3800. On file at Southeastern Information
16 Center
17 Berryman, Judy
18 2001 DPR Form 4-IMP-4479 Update, and -4481 Update. On file at
19 Southeastern Information Center
20 Carrico, Susan
21 1979 BLM California Desert Survey Record Form 4-IMP-3978 and -3981.
22 On file at Southeastern Information Center
23 Childers
24 N.D. Imperial Valley College Museum Form 4-IMP-805. On file at
25 Southeastern Information Center
26 Collins, G. Edward
27 1981 Imperial Valley College Museum Form 4-IMP-4478 and -4480. On file
28 at Southeastern Information Center
29 Collins, G. Edward
30 1997 DPR Form CA-IMP-7685 and -7709. On file at Southeastern
31 Information Center
32 Corbin
33 1976 DPR Forms 4-IMP-1383, -1384, -1385, -1387, and 1388. On file at
34 Southeastern Information Center
November 2007 45
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1 Dolan, Christy
2 2000 DPR Form CA-IMP-7130H Update. On file at Southeastern Information
3 Center
4 Gallegos, Dennis
5 1979 BLM California Desert Survey Record Form 4-IMP-3979. On file at
6 Southeastern Information Center
9 Hangan, Margaret
10 2003 DPR Form CA-IMP-1391 Update, -1392 Update, -1393 Update, -3052
11 Update, -3053 Update, -3054 Update, -3055 Update, -3056 Update, -
12 3123 Update, -3124 Update, -3127 Update, -3649 Update, -3796
13 Update, -3797 Update, -3798 Update, -3799 Update, -3801H Update, -
14 3802 Update, -3803 Update, -3804 Update, -3814 Update, -3816
15 Update, -4758H Update, -4760 Update, -4760 Update and -4761
16 Update. On file at Southeastern Information Center
17 Kasper, Jan
18 1981 DPR Form 4-IMP-4398. On file at Southeastern Information Center
22 Pallette, Drew
23 1997 DPR Forms CA-IMP-7649 and P-13-007806. On file at Southeastern
24 Information Center
25 Pallette, Drew
26 2004 DPR Forms CA-IMP-4397 Update, -8306H, -8308H, P-13-008865,
27 and P-13-008977.On file at Southeastern Information Center
28 Palmer, K.
29 1981 Imperial Valley College Museum Forms 4-IMP-4759, -4762 and -4763.
30 On file at Southeastern Information Center
31 Richardson, Lindia
32 1981 DPR Form 4-IMP-6174. On file at Southeastern Information Center
35 Schultz, Richard
36 2007 DPR Form CA-IMP-9304. On file at Southeastern Information Center
November 2007 46
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1 Sturm, Bradley L.
2 1995 DPR Forms CA-IMP-7130H Update, -7363H and -7364H. On file at
3 Southeastern Information Center
4 Thesken, Thomas
5 1984 DPR Form 4-IMP-5649. On file at Southeastern Information Center
6 Vogel
7 1978 Imperial Valley College Museum Form 4-IMP-3047. On file at
8 Southeastern Information Center
13 Walker, Carol
14 1979 Imperial Valley College Museum Form 4-IMP-3811, -3812, -3813 and -
15 3815. On file at Southeastern Information Center
16 Welch, Pat
17 1982 Imperial Valley College Museum Form 4-IMP-4829, -4830, -4831, -
18 4832 and -4833. On file at Southeastern Information Center
19 Wheelock, Naomi
20 1979 BLM California Desert Survey Record Form 4-IMP-3980H. On file at
21 Southeastern Information Center
22 Wessel
23 1976 DPR Form 4-IMP-1386. On file at Southeastern Information Center
24 York, Andrew, Rebecca McCorkle Apple, Alex Kirkish and Jackson Underwood
25 2000 DPR Form CA-IMP-7130H Update. On file at Southeastern Information
26 Center
30
November 2007 47
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1
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(b) (6)
(b)
A-1
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-2
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A-3
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-4
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A-5
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-6
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-7
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(b) (6)
(b)
(6)
A-8
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-9
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-10
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-11
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(b) (6)
A-12
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-13
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(b) (6)
A-14
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-15
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-16
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-17
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-18
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-19
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A-20
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-21
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A-22
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(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-23
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A-24
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(b) (6)
(b) (6)
(b) (6) (b) (6)
(b) (6)
A-25
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A-26
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(b) (6)
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A-27
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A-28
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(b) (6) (b) (6)
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A-29
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(b) (6)
A-31
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APPENDIX F
Air Quality Emissions Calculations
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APPENDIX F
AIR QUALITY EMISSIONS CALCULATIONS
Greenhouse Gases
In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Court declared
that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has the authority to regulate
emissions from new cars and trucks under the landmark environment law.
Many chemical compounds found in the Earth’s atmosphere act as “greenhouse gases.”
These gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely. When sunlight strikes the
Earth’s surface, some of it is reflected back towards space as infrared radiation (heat).
Greenhouse gases absorb this infrared radiation and trap the heat in the atmosphere.
Over time, the trapped heat results in the phenomenon of global warming.
Many gases exhibit these “greenhouse” properties. The sources of the majority of
greenhouse gases come mostly from natural sources but are also contributed to by
human activity and are shown in Figure F-1. It is not possible to state that a specific
gas causes a certain percentage of the greenhouse effect because the influences of the
various gases are not additive.
Figure F-2 displays the annual greenhouse gas emissions by sector in the United
States. Most government agencies and military installations are just beginning to
establish a baseline for their operations and their impact on the greenhouse effect.
Since the USEPA has not promulgated an ambient standard or de minimis level for CO2
emissions for Federal actions, there is no standard value to compare an action against
F-1
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in terms of meeting or violating the standard. Hence, we shall attempt to establish the
effects on air quality as a result of the amount of CO2 produced by the Federal action
and what could be done to minimize the impact of these emissions.
References
Energy Information Administration. 2003. “Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, and Energy.”
EIA Brochure. 2003. Available online: <http://www.eia.doe.
gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html>. Last updated April 2, 2004. Accessed November 4,
2007.
F-2
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Tanyalynnette Rosmarino, Director of Field Engineering, Northeast, BigFix, Inc. 2006. “A Self-
Funding Enterprise Solution to Reduce Power Consumption and Carbon Emissions.” Slide
presentation for the NYS Forum’s May Executive Committee Meeting Building an Energy Smart
IT Environment. 2006. Available online:
<http://www.nysforum.org/documents/html/2007/execcommittee/may/
enterprisepowerconsumptionreduction_files/800x600/slide1.html>. Accessed November 4,
2007.
F-3
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F-4
Summary Summar zes tota em ss ons by ca endar year.
Combustion Est mates em ss ons from non-road equ pment exhaust as we as pa nt ng.
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Fugitive Est mates f ne part cu ate em ss ons from earthmov ng, veh c e traff c, and w ndb own dust
Grading Est mates the number of days of s te preparat on, to be used for est mat ng heavy equ pment exhaust and earthmov ng
dust em ss ons
Generator Emissions Est mates the tota em ss ons from emergency generators to power construct on equ pment.
AQCR Summar zes tota em ss ons for the Southeast Desert AQCR T er Reports for 2001, to be used to compare project to
Tier Report reg ona em ss ons.
S nce future year budgets were not read y ava ab e, actua 2001 a r em ss ons nventor es for the count es were used as
an approx mat on of the reg ona nventory. Because the Proposed Act on s severa orders of magn tude be ow s gn f cance,
the conc us on wou d be the same, regard ess of whether future year budget data set were used.
Inc udes:
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Assumpt ons:
Tota ground d sturbance for pedestr an fence and patro road wou d be 44.6 m es ong by 60 feet w de (14,129,280 ft 2).
No grad ng wou d be requ red n construct on stag ng areas.
Patro road wou d be graded and ned w th grave . No pav ng wou d be nc uded n A ternat ve 2.
Construct on wou d occur between March and December 2008 for a tota of 190 work ng days.
Em ss on factors are taken from Tab e 3-2. Assumpt ons regard ng the type and number of equ pment are
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Grading
No. Reqd.a NOx VOCb CO SO2c PM10
Equ pment per 10 acres ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day)
Bu dozer 1 29.40 3.66 25.09 0.59 1.17
Motor Grader 1 10.22 1.76 14.98 0.20 0.28
Water Truck 1 20.89 3.60 30.62 0.42 0.58
Tota per 10 acres of act v ty 3 60.51 9.02 70.69 1.21 2.03
Paving
No. Reqd.a NOx VOCb CO SO2c PM10
Equ pment per 10 acres ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day)
Paver 1 7.93 1.37 11.62 0.16 0.22
Ro er 1 5.01 0.86 7.34 0.10 0.14
Tota per 10 acres of act v ty 2 12.94 2.23 18.96 0.26 0.36
Demolition
No. Reqd.a NOx VOCb CO SO2c PM10
Equ pment per 10 acres ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day)
Loader 1 7.86 1.35 11.52 0.16 0.22
Hau Truck 1 20.89 3.60 30.62 0.42 0.58
Tota per 10 acres of act v ty 2 28.75 4.95 42.14 0.58 0.80
Building Construction
No. Reqd.a NOx VOCb CO SO2c PM10
d
Equ pment per 10 acres ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day)
Stat onary
Generator Set 1 11.83 1.47 10.09 0.24 0.47
Industr a Saw 1 17.02 2.12 14.52 0.34 0.68
We der 1 4.48 0.56 3.83 0.09 0.18
Mob e (non-road)
Truck 1 20.89 3.60 30.62 0.84 0.58
Fork ft 1 4.57 0.79 6.70 0.18 0.13
Crane 1 8.37 1.44 12.27 0.33 0.23
Tota per 10 acres of act v ty 6 67.16 9.98 78.03 2.02 2.27
a) The SMAQMD 2004 gu dance suggests a defau t equ pment f eet for each act v t y, assum ng 10 acres of that act v ty,
(e.g., 10 acres of grad ng, 10 acres of pav ng, etc.). The defau t equ pment f eet s ncreased for each 10 acre ncrement
n the s ze of the construct on project. That s, a 26 acre project wou d round to 30 acres and the f eet s ze wou d be
three t mes the defau t f eet for a 10 acre project.
b) The SMAQMD 2004 reference sts em ss on factors for react ve organ c gas (ROG). For the purposes of th s worksheet ROG = VOC.
c) The SMAQMD 2004 reference does not prov de SO 2 em ss on factors. For th s worksheet, SO 2 em ss ons have been est mated
based on approx mate fue use rate for d ese equ pment and the assumpt on of 500 ppm su fur d ese fue . For the average of
the equ pment f eet, the resu t ng SO2 factor was found to be approx mate y 0.04 t mes the NOx em ss on factor for the mob e equ pment (based
upon 2002 USAF IERA "A r Em ss ons Inventory Gu dance") and 0.02 t mes the NOx em ss on factor for a other equ pment (based on AP-42, Tab e 3.4-1)
d) Typ ca equ pment f eet for bu d ng construct on was not tem zed n SMAQMD 2004 gu dance. The equ pment st above was
assumed based on SMAQMD 1994 gu dance.
NOTE: The 'Tota Days' est mate for pav ng s ca cu ated by d v d ng the tota number of acres by 0.21 acres/day, wh ch s a factor der ved from the 2005 MEANS
Heavy Construct on Cost Data, 19th Ed t on, for 'Aspha t c Concrete Pavement, Lots and Dr veways - 6" stone base', wh ch prov des an est mate of square
feet paved per day. There s a so an est mate for 'P a n Cement Concrete Pavement', however the est mate for aspha t s used because t s more conservat ve.
The 'Tota 'Days' est mate for demo t on s ca cu ated by d v d ng the tota number of acres by 0.02 acres/day, wh ch s a factor a so der ved from the 2005
MEANS reference. Th s s ca cu ated by averag ng the demo t on est mates from 'Bu d ng Demo t on - Sma Bu d ngs, Concrete', assum ng a he ght
of 30 feet for a two-story bu d ng; from 'Bu d ng Foot ngs and Foundat ons Demo t on - 6" Th ck, P a n Concrete'; and from 'Demo sh, Remove
Pavement and Curb - Concrete to 6" th ck, rod re nforced'. Pav ng s doub e-we ghted s nce projects typ ca y nvo ve more pav ng demo t on.
The 'Tota Days' est mate for bu d ng construct on s assumed to be 230 days, un ess project-spec f c data s known.
It s further assumed that the tota approx mate average m es per day per veh c e wou d be 10 m es.
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It s assumed that the average veh c e w produce 19.5 pounds of CO 2 per ga on of gas used. (www.e a.doe.gov/o af/1605/coeff c ents)
Examp e: (30 veh c es) x (10 m es/day/veh c e) x (190 days work ng) x (1 ga /10 m es) x (19.5 b CO 2/ga x ton/2000 b) = 55.575 tons CO2
Estimate emissions of CO2 for SDAQCR region is 3.3 million tons per year
Bu dozer m eage per acre 1 VMT/acre (M es trave ed by bu dozer dur ng grad ng)
Construct on VMT per day 54 VMT/day
Construct on VMT per acre 8.4 VMT/acre (Trave on unpaved surfaces w th n s te)
AP-42 Sect on
Operat on Emp r ca Equat on Un ts (5th Ed t on)
Bu doz ng 0.75(s1 5)/(M1 4) bs/hr Tab e 11.9-1, Overburden
Grad ng (0.60)(0.051)s2 0 bs/VMT Tab e 11.9-1,
Veh c e Traff c (unpaved roads) [(k(s/12)a (W/3)b)] [(365-P)/365] bs/VMT Sect on 13.2.2
Source: Comp at on of A r Po utant Em ss on Factors, Vo . I, USEPA AP-42, Sect on 11.9 dated 10/98 and Sect on 13.2 dated 12/03
Em ss on Factor Em ss on Factor
Operat on (mass/ un t) Operat on Parameter ( bs/ acre)
Bu doz ng 0.21 bs/hr 1.2 hr/acre 0.30 bs/acre
Grad ng 0.77 bs/VMT 1 VMT/acre 0.80 bs/acre
Veh c e Traff c (unpaved roads) 3.24 bs/VMT 8.4 VMT/acre 27.20 bs/acre
Reference: Ca forn a Env ronmenta Qua ty Act (CEQA) A r Qua ty Handbook, SCAQMD, 1993.
Input Parameters
Construct on area: 36.04 acres/yr (from "CY2008 Combust on" Worksheet)
Qty Equ pment: 10.81 (ca cu ated based on 3 p eces of equ pment for every 10 acres)
Assumpt ons.
Terra n s most y f at.
An average of 6" so s excavated from one ha f of the s te and backf ed to the other ha f of the s te; no so s hau ed off-s te or borrowed.
200 hp bu dozers are used for s te c ear ng.
300 hp bu dozers are used for str pp ng, excavat on, and backf .
V bratory drum ro ers are used for compact ng.
Str pp ng, Excavat on, Backf and Compact on requ re an average of two passes each.
Excavat on and Backf are assumed to nvo ve on y ha f of the s te.
Ca cu at on of days requ red for one p ece of equ pment to grade the spec f ed area.
Reference: Means Heavy Construct on Cost Data, 19th Ed., R. S. Means, 2005.
Acres/yr
Acres per equ p-days (project- Equ p-days
Means L ne No. Operat on Descr pt on Output Un ts equ p-day) per acre spec f c) per year
2230 200 0550 S te C ear ng Dozer & rake, med um brush 8 acre/day 8 0.13 36.04 4.51
2230 500 0300 Str pp ng Topso & stockp ng, adverse so 1,650 cu. yd/day 2.05 0.49 36.04 17.62
2315 432 5220 Excavat on Bu k, open s te, common earth, 150' hau 800 cu. yd/day 0.99 1.01 18.02 18.17
2315 120 5220 Backf Structura , common earth, 150' hau 1,950 cu. yd/day 2.42 0.41 18.02 7.45
2315 310 5020 Compact on V brat ng ro er, 6 " fts, 3 passes 2,300 cu. yd/day 2.85 0.35 36.04 12.64
TOTAL 60.39
Ca cu at on of days requ red for the nd cated p eces of equ pment to grade the des gnated acreage.
The Proposed Act on wou d requ re s x d ese powered generators to power construct on equ pment. These generators wou d operate approx mate y
8 hours per day for 190 work ng days.
FME003119
Number of Generators 6
Max mum Hours of Operat on 8 hrs/day
Number of Construct on Days 190
Note: Generators horsepower output capac ty s on y 0.363 percent eff c ent (AP-42 Chapter 3.3).
Source: USEPA AP-42 Vo ume I, Stat onary Interna Combust on Sources, Tab e 3.3-1 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/ch ef/ap42/ch03/f na /c03s03.pdf)
Em ss ons (D ese )
NOx 10.581 tpy
VOC 0.864 tpy
CO 2.279 tpy
SOx 0.696 tpy
PM10 0.744 tpy
Source: Em ss on Factors: USEPA AP-42 Vo ume I, Stat onary Interna Combust on Sources, Tab e 3.3-1 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/ch ef/ap42/ch03/f na /c03s03.pdf)
To be conservative, it was assumed that up to 30 portable light units would be needed for construction. These portable lights are powered by a 6-kilowatt self-contained
diesel generators. Portable lights would generally operate continuously every night (approximately 12 hours) 365 days per year.
FME003120
Number of Generators 30
Maximum Hours of Operation 12 hrs/day
Number of Operational Days 190
Note: Generators horsepower output capacity is only 0.363 percent efficient (AP-42 Chapter 3.3).
Source: USEPA AP-42 Volume I, Stationary Internal Combustion Sources, Table 3.3-1 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch03/final/c03s03.pdf)
Emissions (Diesel)
NOx 8.514 tpy
VOC 0.695 tpy
CO 1.834 tpy
SOx 0.560 tpy
PM10 0.598 tpy
Example: Total NOx Emissions = (Annual MMBtu/year*(EF)/2000 = (7,417*4.41)/2000 = 16.355 tpy
Source: Emission Factors: USEPA AP-42 Volume I, Stationary Internal Combustion Sources, Table 3.3-1 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch03/final/c03s03.pdf)
CO2 Emissions
0.140 MMBTU/gallons of diesel fuel used
4,799 MMBTU/Year*gallons/0.140 = 34,278 gallons
34,278 gallons*21.3 pounds CO2/gallon = 730,133 pounds
730,133/2000 = 365 tons/year
1 CA Imper a Co 55,867 15,887 15,306 4,816 195 11,186 216 796 885 416 68.9 67.3
2 CA Kern Co 200,112 54,605 39,554 13,636 1,651 38,899 7,112 16,571 3,614 2,205 3,816 2,574
3 CA Los Ange es Co 1,544,169 254,667 63,478 28,466 7,461 232,906 18,187 21,335 5,022 4,474 9,170 18,649
4 CA R vers de Co 341,679 51,314 42,853 12,301 575 44,419 1,031 1,494 474 375 98.1 1,822
5 CA San Bernard no Co 331,485 81,596 33,305 13,727 1,602 46,991 6,769 27,891 5,764 4,728 1,646 3,298
Grand
Tota 255,979 70,492 54,860 18,452 1,846 50,085 7,328 17,367 4,499 2,621 3,885 2,641
SOURCE:
http://www.epa.gov/a r/data/geose .htm
USEPA - A rData NET T er Report
*Net A r po ut on sources (area and po nt) n tons per year (2001)
S te v s ted on 2 October 2007.
Southeast Desert AQCR (40 CFR 81.167): Imper a County, port ons of Kern County, port ons of Los Ange es County, port ons of R vers de County,
and portions of San Bernardino County, California
Combustion Est mates em ss ons from non-road equ pment exhaust as we as pa nt ng.
FME003122
Fugitive Est mates f ne part cu ate em ss ons from earthmov ng, veh c e traff c, and w ndb own dust
Grading Est mates the number of days of s te preparat on, to be used for est mat ng heavy equ pment exhaust and earthmov ng
dust em ss ons.
Generator Emissions Est mates the tota em ss ons from emergency generators to power construct on equ pment.
AQCR Summar zes tota em ss ons for the Southeast Desert AQCR T er Reports for 2001, to be used to compare project to
Tier Report reg ona em ss ons.
S nce future year budgets were not read y ava ab e, actua 2001 a r em ss ons nventor es for the count es were used as
an approx mat on of the reg ona nventory. Because A ternat ve 3 s severa orders of magn tude be ow s gn f cance,
the conc us on wou d be the same, regard ess of whether future year budget data set were used.
Inc udes:
FME003124
Assumpt ons:
Tota ground d sturbance for pedestr an fence and patro road wou d be 44.6 m es ong by 150 feet w de (35,323,200 ft 2).
No grad ng wou d be requ red n construct on stag ng areas.
Patro road wou d be graded and ned w th grave . No pav ng wou d be nc uded n A ternat ve 2.
Construct on wou d occur between March and December 2008 for a tota of 190 work ng days.
Em ss on factors are taken from Tab e 3-2. Assumpt ons regard ng the type and number of equ pment are
FME003125
Grading
No. Reqd.a NOx VOCb CO SO2c PM10
Equ pment per 10 acres ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day)
Bu dozer 1 29.40 3.66 25.09 0.59 1.17
Motor Grader 1 10.22 1.76 14.98 0.20 0.28
Water Truck 1 20.89 3.60 30.62 0.42 0.58
Tota per 10 acres of act v ty 3 60.51 9.02 70.69 1.21 2.03
Paving
No. Reqd.a NOx VOCb CO SO2c PM10
Equ pment per 10 acres ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day)
Paver 1 7.93 1.37 11.62 0.16 0.22
Ro er 1 5.01 0.86 7.34 0.10 0.14
Tota per 10 acres of act v ty 2 12.94 2.23 18.96 0.26 0.36
Demolition
No. Reqd.a NOx VOCb CO SO2c PM10
Equ pment per 10 acres ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day)
Loader 1 7.86 1.35 11.52 0.16 0.22
Hau Truck 1 20.89 3.60 30.62 0.42 0.58
Tota per 10 acres of act v ty 2 28.75 4.95 42.14 0.58 0.80
Building Construction
No. Reqd.a NOx VOCb CO SO2c PM10
d
Equ pment per 10 acres ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day) ( b/day)
Stat onary
Generator Set 1 11.83 1.47 10.09 0.24 0.47
Industr a Saw 1 17.02 2.12 14.52 0.34 0.68
We der 1 4.48 0.56 3.83 0.09 0.18
Mob e (non-road)
Truck 1 20.89 3.60 30.62 0.84 0.58
Fork ft 1 4.57 0.79 6.70 0.18 0.13
Crane 1 8.37 1.44 12.27 0.33 0.23
Tota per 10 acres of act v ty 6 67.16 9.98 78.03 2.02 2.27
a) The SMAQMD 2004 gu dance suggests a defau t equ pment f eet for each act v t y, assum ng 10 acres of that act v ty,
(e.g., 10 acres of grad ng, 10 acres of pav ng, etc.). The defau t equ pment f eet s ncreased for each 10 acre ncrement
n the s ze of the construct on project. That s, a 26 acre project wou d round to 30 acres and the f eet s ze wou d be
three t mes the defau t f eet for a 10 acre project.
b) The SMAQMD 2004 reference sts em ss on factors for react ve organ c gas (ROG). For the purposes of th s worksheet ROG = VOC.
c) The SMAQMD 2004 reference does not prov de SO 2 em ss on factors. For th s worksheet, SO 2 em ss ons have been est mated
based on approx mate fue use rate for d ese equ pment and the assumpt on of 500 ppm su fur d ese fue . For the average of
the equ pment f eet, the resu t ng SO2 factor was found to be approx mate y 0.04 t mes the NOx em ss on factor for the mob e equ pment (based
upon 2002 USAF IERA "A r Em ss ons Inventory Gu dance") and 0.02 t mes the NOx em ss on factor for a other equ pment (based on AP-42, Tab e 3.4-1)
d) Typ ca equ pment f eet for bu d ng construct on was not tem zed n SMAQMD 2004 gu dance. The equ pment st above was
assumed based on SMAQMD 1994 gu dance.
NOTE: The 'Tota Days' est mate for pav ng s ca cu ated by d v d ng the tota number of acres by 0.21 acres/day, wh ch s a factor der ved from the 2005 MEANS
Heavy Construct on Cost Data, 19th Ed t on, for 'Aspha t c Concrete Pavement, Lots and Dr veways - 6" stone base', wh ch prov des an est mate of square
feet paved per day. There s a so an est mate for 'P a n Cement Concrete Pavement', however the est mate for aspha t s used because t s more conservat ve.
The 'Tota 'Days' est mate for demo t on s ca cu ated by d v d ng the tota number of acres by 0.02 acres/day, wh ch s a factor a so der ved from the 2005
MEANS reference. Th s s ca cu ated by averag ng the demo t on est mates from 'Bu d ng Demo t on - Sma Bu d ngs, Concrete', assum ng a he ght
of 30 feet for a two-story bu d ng; from 'Bu d ng Foot ngs and Foundat ons Demo t on - 6" Th ck, P a n Concrete'; and from 'Demo sh, Remove
Pavement and Curb - Concrete to 6" th ck, rod re nforced'. Pav ng s doub e-we ghted s nce projects typ ca y nvo ve more pav ng demo t on.
The 'Tota Days' est mate for bu d ng construct on s assumed to be 230 days, un ess project-spec f c data s known.
It s further assumed that the tota approx mate average m es per day per veh c e wou d be 10 m es.
FME003128
It s assumed that the average veh c e w produce 19.5 pounds of CO 2 per ga on of gas used. (www.e a.doe.gov/o af/1605/coeff c ents)
Examp e: (75 veh c es) x (10 m es/day/veh c e) x (190 days work ng) x (1 ga /10 m es) x (19.5 b CO 2/ga x ton/2000 b) = 138.938 tons CO 2
Estimate emissions of CO2 for SDAQCR region is 3.3 million tons per year
Bu dozer m eage per acre 1 VMT/acre (M es trave ed by bu dozer dur ng grad ng)
Construct on VMT per day 135 VMT/day
Construct on VMT per acre 8.4 VMT/acre (Trave on unpaved surfaces w th n s te)
AP-42 Sect on
Operat on Emp r ca Equat on Un ts (5th Ed t on)
Bu doz ng 0.75(s1 5)/(M1 4) bs/hr Tab e 11.9-1, Overburden
Grad ng (0.60)(0.051)s2 0 bs/VMT Tab e 11.9-1,
Veh c e Traff c (unpaved roads) [(k(s/12)a (W/3)b)] [(365-P)/365] bs/VMT Sect on 13.2.2
Source: Comp at on of A r Po utant Em ss on Factors, Vo . I, USEPA AP-42, Sect on 11.9 dated 10/98 and Sect on 13.2 dated 12/03
Em ss on Factor Em ss on Factor
Operat on (mass/ un t) Operat on Parameter ( bs/ acre)
Bu doz ng 0.21 bs/hr 0.5 hr/acre 0.10 bs/acre
Grad ng 0.77 bs/VMT 1 VMT/acre 0.80 bs/acre
Veh c e Traff c (unpaved roads) 3.24 bs/VMT 8.4 VMT/acre 27.20 bs/acre
Reference: Ca forn a Env ronmenta Qua ty Act (CEQA) A r Qua ty Handbook, SCAQMD, 1993.
Input Parameters
Construct on area: 90.10 acres/yr (from "CY2008 Combust on" Worksheet)
Qty Equ pment: 27.03 (ca cu ated based on 3 p eces of equ pment for every 10 acres)
Assumpt ons.
Terra n s most y f at.
An average of 6" so s excavated from one ha f of the s te and backf ed to the other ha f of the s te; no so s hau ed off-s te or borrowed.
200 hp bu dozers are used for s te c ear ng.
300 hp bu dozers are used for str pp ng, excavat on, and backf .
V bratory drum ro ers are used for compact ng.
Str pp ng, Excavat on, Backf and Compact on requ re an average of two passes each.
Excavat on and Backf are assumed to nvo ve on y ha f of the s te.
Ca cu at on of days requ red for one p ece of equ pment to grade the spec f ed area.
Reference: Means Heavy Construct on Cost Data, 19th Ed., R. S. Means, 2005.
Acres/yr
Acres per equ p-days (project- Equ p-days
Means L ne No. Operat on Descr pt on Output Un ts equ p-day) per acre spec f c) per year
2230 200 0550 S te C ear ng Dozer & rake, med um brush 8 acre/day 8 0.13 90.10 11.26
2230 500 0300 Str pp ng Topso & stockp ng, adverse so 1,650 cu. yd/day 2.05 0.49 90.10 44.05
2315 432 5220 Excavat on Bu k, open s te, common earth, 150' hau 800 cu. yd/day 0.99 1.01 45.05 45.43
2315 120 5220 Backf Structura , common earth, 150' hau 1,950 cu. yd/day 2.42 0.41 45.05 18.64
2315 310 5020 Compact on V brat ng ro er, 6 " fts, 3 passes 2,300 cu. yd/day 2.85 0.35 90.10 31.60
TOTAL 150.97
Ca cu at on of days requ red for the nd cated p eces of equ pment to grade the des gnated acreage.
A ternat ve 3 wou d requ re s x d ese powered generators to power construct on equ pment. These generators wou d operate approx mate y
8 hours per day for 190 work ng days.
FME003133
Number of Generators 6
Max mum Hours of Operat on 8 hrs/day
Number of Construct on Days 190
Note: Generators horsepower output capac ty s on y 0.363 percent eff c ent (AP-42 Chapter 3.3).
Source: USEPA AP-42 Vo ume I, Stat onary Interna Combust on Sources, Tab e 3.3-1 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/ch ef/ap42/ch03/f na /c03s03.pdf)
Em ss ons (D ese )
NOx 10.581 tpy
VOC 0.864 tpy
CO 2.279 tpy
SOx 0.696 tpy
PM10 0.744 tpy
Source: Em ss on Factors: USEPA AP-42 Vo ume I, Stat onary Interna Combust on Sources, Tab e 3.3-1 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/ch ef/ap42/ch03/f na /c03s03.pdf)
To be conservat ve, t was assumed that up to 30 portab e ght un ts wou d be needed for construct on. These portab e ghts are powered by a 6-k owatt se f-
conta ned d ese generators. Portab e ghts wou d genera y operate cont nuous y every n ght (approx mate y 12 hours) 365 days per year.
FME003134
Number of Generators 30
Max mum Hours of Operat on 12 hrs/day
Number of Operat ona Days 365
Note: Generators horsepower output capac ty s on y 0.363 percent eff c ent (AP-42 Chapter 3.3).
Source: USEPA AP-42 Vo ume I, Stat onary Interna Combust on Sources, Tab e 3.3-1 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/ch ef/ap42/ch03/f na /c03s03.pdf)
Em ss ons (D ese )
NOx 16.355 tpy
VOC 1.335 tpy
CO 3.523 tpy
SOx 1.076 tpy
PM10 1.150 tpy
Source: Em ss on Factors: USEPA AP-42 Vo ume I, Stat onary Interna Combust on Sources, Tab e 3.3-1 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/ch ef/ap42/ch03/f na /c03s03.pdf)
CO2 Emissions
1 CA Imper a Co 55,867 15,887 15,306 4,816 195 11,186 216 796 885 416 68.9 67.3
2 CA Kern Co 200,112 54,605 39,554 13,636 1,651 38,899 7,112 16,571 3,614 2,205 3,816 2,574
3 CA Los Ange es Co 1,544,169 254,667 63,478 28,466 7,461 232,906 18,187 21,335 5,022 4,474 9,170 18,649
4 CA R vers de Co 341,679 51,314 42,853 12,301 575 44,419 1,031 1,494 474 375 98.1 1,822
5 CA San Bernard no Co 331,485 81,596 33,305 13,727 1,602 46,991 6,769 27,891 5,764 4,728 1,646 3,298
Grand
Tota 255,979 70,492 54,860 18,452 1,846 50,085 7,328 17,367 4,499 2,621 3,885 2,641
SOURCE:
http://www.epa.gov/a r/data/geose .htm
USEPA - A rData NET T er Report
*Net A r po ut on sources (area and po nt) n tons per year (2001)
S te v s ted on 2 October 2007.
Southeast Desert AQCR (40 CFR 81.167): Imper a County, port ons of Kern County, port ons of Los Ange es County, port ons of R vers de County,
and portions of San Bernardino County, California
Alternative 3: Secure Fence Act Alignment Alternative F-32 AQCR Tier Report