Land Swap Moves Ahead

[Wildhorse]

The next step in the land exchange process has now begun. The BLM has officially announced that it plans to prepare a draft environmental impact statement to assess the effects of the land exchange and will hold one or more public meetings to solicit public input for it. We can read the announcement at the BLM Palm Springs website. Here is a direct link:

https://www.federalregister.gov/article ... intent-to-
prepare-a-draft-environmental-impact-statement-for-a-proposed-land-exchange#h-6

We can participate in the public meetings. They will be announced at the BLM website 15 days before they occur. We can also submit written comments.
The BLM has set up a special email address for public comments.

AguaCalienteExchange@blm.gov

For those who may not be familiar with this land exchange, here is a brief summary.


The BLM has proposed exchanging a little over 9 square miles of land in the National Monument for 2.3 square miles of land that the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians acquired for the sake of making the exchange. The land the public would give up in the exchange includes Garstin, Theilman, part of Skyline and numerous other popular trails. In addition, the land that the public would give up is home to several endangered and threatened wildlife species, including bighorn sheep. The public would lose the ability to protect the species and the trails, unless terms of the exchange allow it.

About 18 months ago, the BLM issued a draft Environmental Assessment report that included a conclusion that the land exchange would have no significant effect on the environment, including trails and wildlife. The public responding with a highly unusual number of letters and comments that challenged that conclusion. Then the BLM decided it would be necessary to prepare a draft environmental impact statement. That is where we are today.

To complete the land exchange, the BLM needs to complete an appraisal and establish that the public will benefit overall from the land exchange. Although the BLM does not need to conclude that the land exchange has no significant environmental impact, consideration of environmental effects is part of their assessment of the public benefit.

After the BLM approves an exchange, if it does do that, the public has some rights of appeal within the BLM and the courts.

It is possible that the land exchange could be approved by the end of this year. It is also possible that the environmental impact study will take some time and delay the ultimate decision beyond the end of this year.

Public expressions of disapproval of the land exchange and its effects on the environment may prevent it or affect its ultimate content and terms. It is worth participating in this political and legal process. In the near future, that participation will involve attending public meetings that the BLM will conduct and writing letters about environmental concerns, including effects on trails and wildlife.

[bluerail]

Can anyone find out more exactly what the tribe is giving to get this deal done ? I know there has to be a few people out there that know the real incentive for this swap.

[2strokesmoke]

I don't mean to sound ignorant but, what's really at stake here? The land is traded and we lose the trails or we keep the trails and Big Horn sheep are effected?

[cynthia23]

The bighorns are not the reason for the exchange. I think you're thinking of the controversy over the Bump and Grind trail, which is on Fish and Game Land. FG is trying to limit hiker access there to protect sheep. This is another, much bigger issue and is about the BLM proposing to give away thousands of acres to the AC tribe. Read Wildhorse's opening post for more details. The sheep certainly wouldn't benefit from this proposed give-away of thousands of acres of currently protected public lands. If the giveaway happens, the land will go into the hands of private individuals who will certainly develop some of it. Neither hikers or sheep benefit from that. The only beneficiaries would be the AC, who will reap millions of dollars from this proposed deal--some say as many as 80 million. Some of the land in the Santa Rosas is incredibly valuable from a high-end development point of view. For years developers have been trying to get into this area. It would pretty literally be a gold mine. This is what is at stake--the preservation of these wild areas and hiker access to them.

re: bluerail's question--yes, it would be interesting to know in what backroom this deal originated and if/how much cash changed hands. Again, given the Abramoff connection, it's not at all paranoid or tinfoil-hat to think there may have been payola or graft involved. I believe some kind of influence-peddling occurred somewhere down the line, because there is almost nothing else that can explain this.

[TR1466]

Newbie Member here. Probably "newbie-est" as we just registered 10 minutes ago
Not at all sure where to post this and whether it is appropriate, but here goes. We're written a draft "Written Comments" letter re: BLM Land Swap and would like to make this letter available to Members. Our sole aim is to make it easy for Members to send written comments to the BLM. The wording of the letter could be modified & edited by whomever would like to use it.
Please advise me if you think this would be: (1) appropriate, and/or (2) helpful.

[Wildhorse]

The BLM has announced two meetings to discuss the environmental impact study with the public.

The link to the announcement is: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsro ... hange.html

Here is the text of the BLM announcement:

"Two public scoping meeting regarding a proposed land exchange between the Bureau of Land Management and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will be held in Palm Springs next month.

The first meeting is scheduled for March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Spa Hotel, 100 North Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262. A second public scoping meeting will be held on March 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

The public is asked to identify relevant issues that will determine the scope, including alternatives, of an Environmental Impact Statement to be prepared for the proposed exchange, which would occur within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. In addition to comments made at the public scoping meetings, written statements identifying relevant issues will be accepted through April 27, 2012. They should be sent to Field Manager, BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, or via e-mail to AguaCalienteExchange@blm.gov.

On July 27, 2010, the BLM released an environmental assessment addressing effects of the proposed land exchange for public review and comment. Based on comments submitted to the BLM and upon further internal review, BLM determined that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement would best address the potentially significant effects of the proposed exchange. Public scoping to identify relevant issues is part of the EIS process.

In October 1999, the Tribe and the BLM entered into an agreement to coordinate and cooperate in the management of federal lands within and outside the external boundaries of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation that were within the then proposed national monument. The Tribe and the BLM agreed to meet annually to identify specific resource management, land tenure adjustments, and joint management goals, including implementation of a memorandum of understanding for acquisition and exchange of lands within the proposed monument."

[bluerail]

" I believe some kind of influence-peddling occurred somewhere down the line, because there is almost nothing else that can explain this."


yep.

[sthewlis]

Two public scoping meeting regarding a proposed land exchange between the Bureau of Land Management and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will be held in Palm Springs next month.



The first meeting is scheduled for March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Spa Hotel, 100 North Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262. A second public scoping meeting will be held on March 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.



The public is asked to identify relevant issues that will determine the scope, including alternatives, of an Environmental Impact Statement to be prepared for the proposed exchange, which would occur within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. In addition to comments made at the public scoping meetings, written statements identifying relevant issues will be accepted through April 27, 2012. They should be sent to Field Manager, BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, or via e-mail to AguaCalienteExchange@blm.gov.



On July 27, 2010, the BLM released an environmental assessment addressing effects of the proposed land exchange for public review and comment. Based on comments submitted to the BLM and upon further internal review, BLM determined that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement would best address the potentially significant effects of the proposed exchange. Public scoping to identify relevant issues is part of the EIS process.



In October 1999, the Tribe and the BLM entered into an agreement to coordinate and cooperate in the management of federal lands within and outside the external boundaries of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation that were within the then proposed national monument. The Tribe and the BLM agreed to meet annually to identify specific resource management, land tenure adjustments, and joint management goals, including implementation of a memorandum of understanding for acquisition and exchange of lands within the proposed monument.



For more information regarding the proposed land exchange between the BLM and the Tribe, please contact Jim Foote, Monument Manager, at (760) 833-7136.