Attachment_13_-_Decision_Record_Cahuilla_0001.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management

Decision Record - Memorandum

DOI-BLM-CA-D070-2020-0022-EA

Cahuilla Ranger Station Reconstruction Project EA

PREPARING OFFICE

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management

El Centro Field Office 1661 South 4th Street El Centro, CA 92243

Decision Record - Memorandum

DOI-BLM-CA-D070-2020-0022-EA

Cahuilla Ranger Station Reconstruction Project EA

1.0 Cahuilla Ranger Station Reconstruction Project EA

1.1 Summary

The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM), El Centro Field Office (ECFO), proposes to demolish and reconstruct the existing Cahuilla Ranger Station (Proposed Action) located on Gecko Road, south of State Route 78 (SR-78) within the BLM-administered Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA), in southern California (Project Area). The existing Cahuilla Ranger Station is over 37 years old and is in poor condition. The reconstructed Cahuilla Ranger Station would include the following features and facilities:

• Visitor Information/Fee Collection lobby

• BLM Staff areas

• BLM Emergency Medical Service (EMS) area

• BLM Law Enforcement (LE) area

• BLM Maintenance area

The Project Area is located within the Imperial Sand Dunes Special Recreation Management Area within Imperial County in southeastern California and comprises approximately 159,000 acres of BLM-administered land covering an area more than 40 miles long and averaging five miles in width.

1.2 Decision

1.2.1 Alternatives Considered

The Environmental Assessment (EA) considered two alternatives: The Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. These alternatives are described in detail in Chapter 2 of EA #DOI-BLM-CA-D070-

2020-0022-EA.

The selected alternative is the Proposed Action Alternative. The Proposed Action Alternative includes the following:

Construction of a new Cahuilla Ranger Station adjacent to and within the existing ranger station site. The reconstructed ranger station would be approximately 12,000 square feet in size with a parking lot and other features covering approximately 120,000 square feet. Construction would be done by a contractor and would occur within previously graded and disturbed areas. Construction activities are expected to last one to three years. The ranger station areas/rooms would include:

• Visitor services reception area with lobby/entry vestibule.

• BLM recreation/administrative workspace, workshop, staff area, and breakroom.

• BLM EMS unit/staff area (various functions).

• BLM LE area (various functions), workshop, and emergency vehicle storage area.

• Maintenance workshop and storage (general repair and light fabrication).

• Staff restrooms/showers/lockers.

• Staff sleeping rooms.

• Break/kitchen area that can flex as large meeting space.

• Administrative meeting space.

• Above-ground fuel tank (existing).

• Recreational vehicle parking.

• Vault toilet (existing).

• Office copy space and supply storage.

• Janitor closet, washer/dryer room, mechanical room, telecommunications room, and circulation space.

In addition to building and workshop/garage areas, there would be a visitor parking area in front of the building and an enclosed staff parking and vehicle storage area behind the building.

During demolition and construction, the BLM intends to continue to serve public needs in the recreation area. Since this site is the main command post for all visitor service operations, the BLM intends to set up temporary trailers to serve as work areas for the staff, and as a place for visitors to seek assistance and information.

Project Design Features, as listed in Appendix C of the EA, would be implemented to protect resources during construction activities.

Under the No Action Alternative, the existing Cahuilla Ranger Station would remain unchanged and would not be reconstructed. The existing buildings and facilities would continue to be in poor condition and would not meet the current needs of BLM recreation, EMS, and LE staff or provide adequate visitor facilities (i.e., parking, reception/visitor services area).

1.2.2 Decision and Rationale

The existing Cahuilla Ranger Station consists of modular buildings assembled in the mid to late 1980s to provide space for law enforcement rangers, EMS, and visitor services staff, which includes fee collection and providing information to the visiting public. This building is greater than 30 years old, in poor condition, and not large enough to accommodate visitor and staff needs to provide a safe and healthy environment while managing recreational experiences.

The need for the Cahuilla Ranger Station reconstruction and expansion is to improve public and employee health and safety, improve recreation experiences for visitors, and improve the work environment for law enforcement and rescue staff throughout the ISDRA by constructing a facility to accommodate operational needs. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to replace the existing ranger station to meet public, safety, and BLM recreation, EMS, law enforcement, and maintenance staff requirements. The Proposed Action would provide adequate and improved working facilities for BLM staff, improved law enforcement and medical facilities, as well as improved visitor facilities and services to better serve the public.

Based on information in the EA and the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), the BLM has decided to approve the Proposed Action as described in the EA including Project Design Features. The Proposed Action is preferred over the No Action Alternative because it better meets public, safety, BLM recreation, EMS, law enforcement, and maintenance staff requirements.

1.3 Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Policies, and Land Use Plans

1.3.1 Laws, Regulations, and Policies

The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500-1508) implementing NEPA, Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, other cultural resource management laws and regulations, and other pertinent federal environmental statutes, regulations and compliance requirements.

1.3.2 Land Use Plans

Land Use Plan (LUP) Name: Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan (June 2013).

The Proposed Action and alternatives are in conformance with the ISDRA Approved Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP)/Record of Decision (ROD) (BLM 2013). The ISDRA RAMP/ROD allows visitation and development within the ISDRA, while ensuring the resource protection is not compromised, in accordance with the principals of multiple use and sustained yield as mandated by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA).

Relevant ISDRA RAMP Goals and Objectives and Management Actions include:

REC-04 Develop or retrofit facilities to accommodate visitation and meet agency requirements.

REC-05 Design all new facilities to meet the social needs of the visitors and the management needs of the

BLM.

REC-06 Provide a minimum number of recreational facilities. Those facilities should emphasize resource protection and visitor safety.

REC-07 Determine if existing facilities meet accessibility standards, management objectives, and desired future conditions. Existing facilities deemed critical will be maintained and/or modified to be accessible, to the extent possible, and safe for visitor use. Facilities not meeting management objectives and accessibility standards will be considered for removal.

1.3.3 Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

As explained in the FONSI, the impacts of the Proposed Action have been analyzed in the EA and determined not to result in significant impacts to the quality of the human environment, individually or cumulatively with other actions in the general area. No environmental effects meet the definition of significance in context or intensity as defined in 40 CFR 1508.27, and do not exceed those effects described in applicable land use plans. Therefore, preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of NEPA.

1.4 Public Involvement

The BLM initiated a 30-day public scoping period on July 1, 2020 to identify relevant issues which may influence the scope of the environmental analysis. Key issues or potential impacts identified during the scoping process included the following:

• Statement requesting to partner with the BLM to host safety and educational events for children and sufficient space within the Ranger Station for these events.

• Requests for sufficient space for secure indoor facilities for law enforcement.

• Requests for fully staffed fire and emergency services, and space for air ambulance landing zones and community room/emergency operations center.

• Requests for a separate area for law enforcement and detainees.

• Requests for sufficient storage area for equipment and materials.

• Requests for safe, climate-controlled space for staff and visitors.

• Requests for permit vending machine, dump station, and 24-hour emergency call beacon.

In addition to public scoping, internal scoping was performed by an interdisciplinary team of BLM resource specialists to analyze the resources that may potentially be impacted should the Proposed Action be implemented. While consideration of many potential impacts to various environmental resources may arise during scoping, not all impacts warrant analysis. The potential effects to environmental resources identified during internal scoping were carried forward for detailed analysis if:

• Analysis of the effect was necessary to make a reasoned choice between alternatives.

• The effect was likely to have a noticeable or measurable impact to a resource value or values.

• Analysis of the effect was necessary to determine whether or not it would have direct or indirect impacts and, if so, the magnitude of those impacts.

• The effect had the potential to violate a law imposed to protect the environment, or any other law or regulation, without mitigation imposed; or

• An issue would add a measurable incremental impact to past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions and therefore have a possible cumulatively substantial impact.

Potential impacts to the resources listed in the Resources Evaluation Table (EA Appendix B) were evaluated in accordance with criteria listed above to determine if detailed analysis was required. Rationale is provided in the Resources Evaluation Table for resources that are present but whose impacts do not warrant detailed analysis based on the criteria listed above. BLM staff determined that recreation, soil resources, travel and transportation, utilities, vegetation resources, and wildlife had the potential to be affected and, therefore, should be analyzed in the EA.

The EA and associated unsigned FONSI were posted on the BLM’s online National Register of NEPA documents (ePlanning) for a 30-day public comment period (January 30 to March 1, 2021). Public comments were similar to scoping comments, and included the following (BLM responses are detailed in Attachment 1 Table DR-1):

• Support for the Cahuilla Ranger Station construction;

• Clarification on type of underground tanks to be removed;

• Availability for safety and educational events;

• Duration of the construction period;

• Requests to notify the Imperial Irrigation District related to electrical service upgrades and permits needed; and

• Inclusion of a law enforcement holding facility in the building plans.

1.5 Administrative Remedies

An appeal from this decision may be made to the Office of Hearings and Appeals, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Interior, Board of Land Appeals (Board) in strict compliance with the regulations in 43 CFR Part 4. Notices of appeal must be filed in this office within 30 days after publication of this decision. If a notice of appeal does not include a statement of reasons, such statements must be filed with this office and the Board within 30 days after the notice of appeal is filed. The notice of appeal and any statement of reasons, written arguments, or briefs also must be served upon the Regional Solicitor, Pacific Southwest Region, U.S. Department of Interior, 2800 Cottage Way, E-1712, Sacramento, California 95825.

The effective date of this decision (and the date initiating the appeal period) will be the date this notice of decision is posted on the BLM’s ePlanning website.

1.6 Approval by Authorized Official

Approved by: _____________________________ Date: _____________________ Ryan Chatterton, Field Manager

Attachment 1. Table DR-1. Summary of EA Public Comments and BLM Responses Resource Evaluation Table

Table DR-1. Cahuilla Ranger Station EA Project:

Summary of EA Public Comments and BLM Responses

Commenter Comment Response Gabriel Valdez My family loves going out to the sand dunes when we can and we would love to see a new rangers station that will make it easier on everyone out there and add more resources to the area. Overall I agree with it and would love to see if be built in the future.

Comment noted.

Erika Aponte General contractor interested in the project and procurement plan. Comments noted.

Ted Moreno I’ve been going to Glamis for many years and it is my opinion that the ranger station needs to be updated and improved as it has been unimproved for too many years.

Comment noted.

Dick Holliday On page 4 the third bullet point I believe that the statement should read “Remove two existing underground fuel tanks.” Not fire tanks.

Comment noted. These are tanks related to the fire suppression system and are not underground fuel tanks.

Dick Holliday In the request for public scoping comments, in July 2020, the requests that were of particular importance to the visitors to the ISDRA were detailed on Page 2 Section 1.3.

The first one of these comments was a “Statement requesting to partner with the BLM to host safety and educational events for children and sufficient space within the Ranger Station for these events”.

As this will be an important improvement to the dunes visitors I don’t see a specific reference to this request in the list of area/rooms specified in Section 2.1 starting on page 3.

Perhaps this requested space would be included in the first bullet point on page 4 listed as “Visitor services reception area with lobby/entry vestibule”. If so please note that this area will also be available for the safety and educational events.

If the request for a space for safety and educational events is included then perhaps this can be somehow included in the document. If the space for these events can utilize some other area in the facility please add the details how this request for space will be accomplished.

If such a space is not planed perhaps it needs to be as it was one of the primary requests from the public scoping process.

Comments noted. Depending on the type and attendance levels, the events could be held in several parts of the new facility, including the parking lots, interior visitor area, and/or shops.

Summary of EA Public Comments and BLM Responses

Commenter Comment Response Dick Holliday Perhaps you could explain why this project construction will take one to three years as described in Section 2.1 “Construction activities are expected to last one to three years” and Section 3.2.2 “The Cahuilla Ranger Station would be closed during the construction period and construction activities are expected to last one to three years”.

This does not seem reasonable if proper construction planning is established.

Comment noted. The BLM included unforeseen delays or problems in the time frame based on past experience and advice from contracting and engineering managers.

Dick Holliday All other details that I see in this document look to be reasonable to me. Comment noted.

Imperial Irrigation District The existing BLM ranger station is currently being served by IID. However, if the

BLM is contemplating an electrical upgrade please be advised to contact Igancio Romo, the IID Service Planner for the area, at (760) 482-3426 or email Mr. Romo at IGRomo@IID.com to initiate the application process. In addition to submitting a formal application (available for at the district website at http://www.iid.com/home/showdocument?id=12923), BLM will be required to submit the electrical loads, panel schedules, voltage, electrical one-line diagram, generator information (including IID Regulation no. 21 compliance if applicable), approved project plans and CAD files, project schedule and environmental compliance documentation along with the application fees, permits and rights of way and easements pertaining to the provision of electrical service to the project (this would include any temporary construction power to the site). BLM shall be responsible for any and all costs related to providing electrical service to the project.

Comment noted.

Imperial Irrigation District Any construction or operation on IID property or within its existing and proposed right of way or easements including but not limited to: surface improvements such as proposed new streets, driveways, parking lots, landscape; and all water, sewer, storm water, or any other above ground or underground utilities; will require an encroachment permit, or encroachment agreement (depending on the circumstances). The IID encroachment permit application and instructions are available for download at the district website https://www.iid.com/about-iid/department-directory/real-estate. The IID Real Estate Section should be contacted at (760) 339-9239 for additional information regarding encroachment permits or agreements.

Comment noted.

mailto:IGRomo@IID.com http://www.iid.com/home/showdocument?id=12923 https://www.iid.com/about-iid/department-directory/real-estate https://www.iid.com/about-iid/department-directory/real-estate

Summary of EA Public Comments and BLM Responses

Commenter Comment Response Imperial Irrigation District Any new, relocated, modified or reconstructed IID facilities required for and by the project (which can include but is not limited to electrical utility substations, electrical transmission and distribution lines, water deliveries, canals, drains, etc.)

need to be included as part of the project’s CEQA and/or NEPA documentation, environmental impact analysis and mitigation. Failure to do so will result in postponement of any construction and/or modification of IID facilities until such time as the environmental documentation is amended and environmental impacts are fully analyzed. Any and all mitigation necessary as a result of the construction, relocation and/or upgrade of IID facilities is the responsibility of the project proponent.

Comment noted.

Ed Stovin – San Diego Off-Road Coalition and California Off-Road Vehicle Association

I have toured the existing Cahuilla Ranger Station as well as the Buttercup Ranger Station and it is easy to see that the Cahuilla station subpar for the task needed in managing the north dunes.

Comment noted.

Ed Stovin – San Diego Off-Road Coalition and California Off-Road Vehicle Association

I can see from the EA that every possible resource impact has been carefully looked at and no negative result have been found. I agree with this conclusion.

Comment noted.

Ed Stovin – San Diego Off-Road Coalition and California Off-Road Vehicle Association

I also agree that a new station, like the one proposed would have beneficial effects for both BLM staff as well as visitors to the ISDRA. I believe that having good management is the best way to keep a popular off-road vehicle area open and this project will provide staff with the means for effective management.

Comment noted.

Ed Stovin – San Diego Off-Road Coalition and California Off-Road Vehicle Association

The features listed in the EA please me greatly. I love having a sleeping area as well as showers and lockers for staff. It is a long way from home for most staff and having the ability to stay over is a great idea. On big weekends, staff can stay longer without having to worry about a long drive home. That should make it a little safer to work there.

Comment noted.

Ed Stovin – San Diego Off-Road Coalition and California Off-Road Vehicle Association

I didn't see a specific listing for a law enforcement suspect holding area. Can I assume that comes under "BLM LE area (various functions)"? I can't see anything else that was overlooked.

Comment noted. There are several law enforcement areas included in the proposed ranger station, including a detainee area.