Executive Summary

ES.1 Introduction (2.6MB)
ES.2 Description and analysis of alternatives considered in detail (24.4MB)
ES.3 Analysis of alternatives not analyzed in detail (2.69 MB)
ES.4 Preliminary scoping process and issues (13.6MB: sections ES.4 - ES.7)
ES.5 Areas of controversy and unresolved issues
ES.6 Summary of environmental commitments
ES.7 BLM preferred alternative

Section One - Introduction
(3.75 MB sections 1.1 - 1.4)

1.1 Background
1.2 Purpose and need
1.3 California Desert Conservation Area Plan / land withdrawal process
1.4 Preliminary scoping process and issues

Section Two - Alternatives

2.1 Introduction (14.4 MB sections 2.1 - 2.3)
2.2 Alternative formulation process
2.3 Description of proposed action
2.4 Alternative carried forward for detailed analysis (8.12 MB)
2.5 Alternative eliminated from further analysis (9.98 MB)

Section Three - Affected Environment

3.1 Introduction (842 KB)
3.2 Geology (4.8MB)
3.3 Soils (3.3MB)
3.4 Water Resources (10.7MB)
3.5 Biological resources (Sections 3.5.1 - 3.5.3)
3.5.1 Vegetation (9.37MB)
3.5.2 Sensitive Plants (10.4MB)
3.5.3 Wildlife Resources (23.6MB)
3.6 Cultural Resources (6.11MB)
3.7 Paleontology (1.86MB)
3.8 Air Quality (10MB)
3.9 Noise (6.20MB)
3.10 Land Use (11.5MB)
3.11 Recreation (3.92 MB)
3.12 Mining (18.6MB)
3.13 Utility Corridors (2.99MB)
3.14 Transportation and Access (5.69MB)
3.15 Socioeconomics (364KB)
3.16 Education and Research (762 KB)
3.17 Wilderness Characteristics (7.71MB)
3.18 Airspace (3.82MB)
3.19 Aesthetics/Visual Resources (5.96 MB)
3.20 Solid Waste and Hazardous Substances (6.23 MB)
3.21 Health and safety (1.34MB)

Section Four - Environmental Impact Analysis

4.1 Introduction (4MB)
4.2 Geology (2.2MB)
4.3 Soils (3.5MB)
4.4 Water Resources (3.2MB)
4.5 Biological resources (Sections 4.5.1 - 4.5.9)
4.5.1 Proposed Action (9.8MB)
4.5.2 Modified Avawatz-Silurian Alternative (3.3MB)
4.5.3 Modified Coyote Basin Alternative (9.2MB)
4.5.4 Alvord Alternative (3.9MB)
4.5.5 Superior Valley Alternative (3.9MB)
4.5.6 Avawatz Alternative (3.9MB)
4.5.7 No Action Alternative (3.1MB)
4.5.8 Cumulative Impacts (1.8MB)
4.5.9 Summary (5.84MB)
4.6 Cultural Resources (6.3MB)
4.7 Paleontology (3.0MB)
4.8 Air Quality (14.3MB)
4.9 Noise (5.4MB)
4.10 Land Use (15.1MB)
4.11 Recreation (7.2MB)
4.12 Mining (4.4MB)
4.13 Utility Corridors (14.1MB)
4.14 Transportation and access (3.0MB)
4.15 Socioeconomics (1.9MB)
4.16 Education and Research (2.5MB)
4.17 Wilderness Characteristics (2.5MB)
4.18 Airspace (2.6MB)
4.19 Aesthetics/Visual Resources (5.0MB)
4.20 Solid and Hazardous Waste (2.4MB)
4.21 Health and Safety (3.9MB)
4.22 Summary of Impact Analysis(14.9MB)

Section Five - Relationship between short-term uses of environment and maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity
(628KB sections 5.1 - 5.7)

5.1 Proposed Action (Silurian Valley) Alternative
5.2 Modified Avawatz-Silurian Alternative
5.3 Modified Coyote Basin Alternative
5.4 Alvord Alternative
5.5 Superior Valley Alternative
5.6 Avawatz Mountains Alternative
5.7 No action Alternative

Section Six - Irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources
(1MB - Sections 6.1 - 6.7)

6.1 Proposed Action (Silurian Valley) Alternative
6.2 Modified Avawatz-Silurian Alternative
6.3 Modified Coyote Basin Alternative
6.4 Alvord Alternative
6.5 Superior Valley Alternative
6.6 Avawatz Mountains Alternative
6.7 No Action Alternative

Section Seven - Consultation and Coordination
(3.72 MB - Sections 7.1 - 7.3)

7.1 Public Participation Opportunities
7.2 Agency Consultation
7.3 Document Distribution

Section Eight - Relationship to Relevant Environmental Protection Statues and other requirements
(4.16MB - Sections 8.1 - 8.22)

8.1 National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (PL 91-190), as amended

8.2 California Environmental Quality Act

8.3 Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (PL 94-579)

8.4 National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 89-665), as amended,
The Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (PL93-291)
Executive Order 11593, Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment, 16 U.S.C. 470 (May 13, 1971)

8.5 Endangered Species Act of 1973 (PL 93-205), as amended

8.6 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (PL 85-624), as amended

8.7 Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

8.8 Clean Water Act of 1977 (95-217), as amended

8.9 Executive Order 11988 Floodplain Management (1977)

8.10 Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands

8.11 Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-income Populations (February 11, 1994)

8.12 Clean Air Act (PL 91-604), as amended (1990)

8.13 Farmland Protection Policy Act (PL 97-98)

8.14 Army Regulation 200-1, Envrionmental Protection and Enhancement

8.15 U.S. Army Authorization

8.16 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) (PL 94-580) and its amendment;
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA)
(PL 98-616)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (PL 96-510), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) (PL 99-499)
Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) PL 94-469)

8.17 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (PL 90-542), as amended

8.18 Wilderness Act of 1964 (PL 88-577)

8.19 National Minerals Policy Act of 1970 (PL 91-631) and National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 (PL 96-479)

8.20 Compliance with Laws and Regulations Pertinent to Mineral Resources

8.21 California Desert Protection Act

8.22 Study to Determine Appropriate Minimum Altitude for Aircraft Flying Over National Park System Units (PL 100-91), 101 Stat.674, (1987)

Section Nine - List of Preparers (2.74MB)

Section Ten - Information Contacts and Bibliography (12.6MB sections 10.1 - 10.2)

10.1 Information Contacts
10.2 Bibliography

Section Eleven - Acronyms and Abbreviations (1.91MB)

Section Twelve - Index (1.85MB)

Appendix A - Land Use and Requirements Study (LURS) (1.91MB)

Appendix B - Revised Final Draft Tortoise Biological Assessment and Conservation Plan

Executive Summary and Table of Contents (6.19MB)
Section 1. Introduction (3.0MB)
Section 2. Project Desription (4.0MB)
Section 3. Description of Affected Environment (39.0MB)
Section 4. Impacts of the Proposed Action Without Conservation Measures (3.3MB)
Section 5. Conservation Measures Analysis and Commitments (16.2MB)
Section 6. Net Impacts of the Proposed Project (2.0MB)
Section 7. Cumulative Impacts of the Proposed Project (3.11MB)
Section 8. References (17.0MB)

Appendix C - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion on the Proposed Action (24.6MB)

Appendix D - Plant Species List for the Study Area (8.9MB)

Appendix E - General Air Conformity Requirements Study

Final Report (63.9MB)
Excerpts from EPA Guidance (24.0MB)