Areas proposed for Wilderness Designation
by California Wilderness Coalition
(Square Miles, Wind Capacity and Wind Energy Impact)
Beauty Mountain WSA (#74)
- 19.93 sq miles
- 106 MW / 279,000 MWH
San Ysidro Mountain WSA (#75)
- 3.33 sq miles
- 24 MW / 68,000 MWH
San Felipe Hills WSA (#76)
- 8.34 sq miles
- 94 MW / 268,000 MWH
Table Mountain WSA (#78)
- 1.59 sq miles
- 30 MW / 92,000 MWH
Hauser Mountain WSA (#81)
- 8.53 sq miles
- 44 MW / 106,000 MWH
Wilderness Study Areas
What is a Wilderness Study Area?
In 1976, Congress directed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) through Section 603(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
(FLPMA) to inventory and respond to Congress within 15 years;
"... those roadless areas of five thousand acres or more and roadless islands of the public lands, identified during the inventory required by
section 201(a) of this Act as having wilderness characteristics described in the Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964 and shall from time to
time report to the President his recommendation as the suitability or nonsuitability of each such area or island for preservations as
wilderness..."
The wilderness characteristics that were used in the inventory as described in the 1964 Wilderness Act were:
- Generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable
- Has at least five thousand acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired
condition
- Has outstanding opportunities for solitude, or a primitive or unconfined type of recreation in at least part of the area
- May also contain ecological, geological, other features of scientific, scenic, or historical value
- California BLM began the inventory in 1978 and made its suitability recommendations to Congress in 1991. The inventory identified
over 210 Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) and made 209 suitability/nonsuitability recommendations. Since the suitability
recommendations, Congress has designated wilderness for some of WSAs, has designated new WSAs, and has released others from
further WSA management restrictions. As a result, California BLM now manages 80 WSAs totaling over 1,360,000 acres.
How are Wilderness Study Areas managed?
The BLM is required by Congress to manage each WSA consistent with the direction provided in Section 603(c) of FLMPA (commonly
called the "Interim Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (or IMP)). In general, BLM is required to maintain the
wilderness characteristics of each WSA until Congress decides whether it should either be designated as wilderness or should be released for
other purposes.
The guidance for managing each WSA is provided in the IMP handbook (H-8550-1). The general management standard is that the suitability
of the WSAs for preservations as wilderness must not be impaired. Valid existing rights are recognized, and grandfathered uses such as
grazing and mineral uses are allowed but restricted to the same manner and degree as on the date FLPMA was approved. While many
activities are allowed within WSAs, some have specific restrictions. For example, recreation vehicle use off existing travel routes and issuing
new mineral leases, are not allowed. Most primitive recreation activities are allowed and are encouraged. These include hiking and camping,
backpacking, fishing and hunting, rock hounding, boating (with or without motors), horseback riding, and the use of pack animals.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/eaglelake/wsa.html
Beauty Mountain (WSA #74)
2.5 miles
2.8 miles
San Ysidro Mountains (WSA #75)
1.2 miles
San Felipe Hills (WSA #76)
4.2 miles
0.5 miles
Sawtooth Range (WSA #78)
Table Mountain (WSA #81)
Complex Turbine
Configuration.
Estimate .6 miles
.4 miles
1.5 miles
Has something
changed?
Is global warming
known to be less
of a concern now?
Table Mountain Wilderness Study
Area
(Outstanding-Superb Resource)
Proposed Federal
Energy Corridor
Potential
Turbine
Locations
Electrical Interconnection to
Proposed Federal Energy
Corridor
Potential
Turbine
Locations
Electrical Interconnection
to Proposed Federal
Energy Corridor
Hauser Mountain (WSA #73)
0.6 miles
1.6 miles
Summary of GHG and Energy Security Benefits Lost from Wilderness Designation in San Diego County
Wilderness Study Area
Beauty Mountain
San Ysidro Mountains
San Felipe Hills
Sawtooth Range
Table Mountain
Hauser Mountain
WSA
ID
74
75
76
78
81
73
Average Wind
Estimated
Lineal Miles of Power Class Megawatts of Wind
Wind Potential
(1)
Capacity (2)
5.3
4
106
1.2
5
24
4.7
5
94
0
0
2.5
6
50
2.2
3
44
15.9
318
Square Miles
19.93
3.33
8.34
6.08
1.59
8.53
47.8
Estimated
Megawatt
Hours per
Year (3)
278,568
68,328
267,618
153,300
105,996
873,810
Tons of
CO2
Reduced
(4)
175,890
43,143
168,976
0
96,795
66,927
551,730
Car Miles Powered
per Year (5)
403,923,600
99,075,600
388,046,100
0
222,285,000
153,694,200
1,267,024,500
Equivalent Barrels of Oil
Cars Not
not Imported
Using Oil (6)
(7)
26,928
480,861
6,605
117,947
25,870
461,960
0
0
14,819
264,625
10,246
182,969
84,468
1,508,363
Notes
1 Average Wind Power Density ("Wind Class") based on CEC Mesomap over specified turbine locations
2 Assumes 2 MW turbine with 80 meter rotor diameter and turbine spacing of 2-3 rotor diameter (depending on ridge orientation relative to prevailing winds
3 Megawatt-Hours of annual energy production per Megawatt of installed nameplate cacity calculated as follows
Wind Class
Capacity Factor
MWH/MW
2
25.0%
2,190
3
27.5%
2,409
4
30.0%
2,628
5
32.5%
2,847
6
35.0%
3,066
7
37.5%
3,285
Example Calculation: Wind Class 4 = 300 kW average production for 8,760 hours/year for a 1 MW turbine (300 kW x 8,760 hours/year = 2,628,000 kWh/yr)
4 1,392 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour delivered * 1 metric ton/2204.6 lb (http://www.energyforhumanity.info/)
5 50% of energy for plug in hybrid. 2.9 miles per kilowatt-hour, (http://ecoworld.com/blog/2006/08/04/electric-car-cost-per-mile/)
6 15,000 miles per year per car
7 20 MPG per car
San Diego County Wilderness Study Areas
The links at the bottom of this page allow review of the studies conducted in the 1970’s, 1980’s
and 1990’s. The studies follow a standard format that addresses the items below:
A. Wilderness Characteristics
1. Naturalness
2. Solitude
3. Primitive and Unconfined Recreation
4. Special Features
B. Diversity in the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS)
1. Assessing the diversity of natural systems and features as represented ecosystems
2. Expanding the opportunities for solitude or primitive recreation within a days driving
time (five hours) of the major population centers.
3. Balancing the geographic distribution of wilderness areas
C. Manageability
D. Energy and Mineral Resource Values
1. Summary of Information Known at the Time of the Preliminary Suitability
Recommendation
2. Summary of Significant New Mineral Resoruce Data Collected Since the Preliminary
Suitability Recommendation Which Should be Considered in the Final Decision.
Links for Wilderness Study Area Reports and Recommendations
Beauty Mountain Wilderness Study Area (CA-060-029)
San Ysidro Mountain Wilderness Study Area (CA-060-022)
San Felipe Hills Wilderness Study Area (CA-060-023)
Table Mountain Wilderness Study Area (CA-060-026)
Hauser Mountain Wilderness Study Area (CA-060-027)
Renewable Study Areas?
Wilderness Study Areas
Wilderness Areas
Argus Range Wilderness Area
Big Maria Mountains Wilderness Area
Bigelow Cholla Garden Wilderness Area
Bighorn Mountain Wilderness Area
Black Mountain Wilderness Area
Bright Star Wilderness Area
Bristol Mountains Wilderness Area
Cache Creek Wilderness Area
Cadiz Dunes Wilderness Area
Carrizo Gorge Wilderness Area
Cedar Roughs Wilderness Area
Chemehuevi Mountains Wilderness Area
Chimney Peak Wilderness Area
Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness Area
Cleghorn Lakes Wilderness Area
Clipper Mountain Wilderness Area
Coso Range Wilderness Area
Coyote Mountains Wilderness Area
Darwin Falls Wilderness Area
Dead Mountains Wilderness Area
Domeland Wilderness Area
El Paso Mountains Wilderness Area
Fish Creek Mountains Wilderness Area
Funeral Mountains Wilderness Area
Golden Valley Wilderness Area
Grass Valley Wilderness Area
Hollow Hills Wilderness Area
Ibex Wilderness Area
Indian Pass Wilderness Area
Inyo Mountains Wilderness Area
Ishi Wilderness Area
Jacumba Wilderness Area
Kelso Dunes Wilderness Area
Kiavah Wilderness Area
King Range Wilderness Area
Kingston Range Wilderness Area
Little Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness Area
Little Picacho Wilderness Area
Machesna Mountain Wilderness Area
Malpais Mesa Wilderness Area
Manly Peak Wilderness Area
Mecca Hills Wilderness Area
Mesquite Wilderness Area
Newberry Mountains Wilderness Area
Nopah Range Wilderness Area
North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area
North Mesquite Mountains Wilderness Area
Old Woman Mountains Wilderness Area
Orocopia Mountains Wilderness Area
Otay Mountain Wilderness Area
Owens Peak Wilderness Area
Pahrump Valley Wilderness Area
Palen/McCoy Wilderness Area
Palo Verde Mountains Wilderness Area
Picacho Peak Wilderness Area
Piper Mountain Wilderness Area
Piute Mountains Wilderness Area
Resting Spring Range Wilderness Area
Rice Valley Wilderness Area
Riverside Mountains Wilderness Area
Rocks and Islands Wilderness Area
Rodman Mountains Wilderness Area
Sacatar Trail Wilderness Area
Saddle Peak Hills Wilderness Area
San Gorgonio Wilderness Area
Santa Lucia Wilderness Area
Santa Rosa Wilderness Area
Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness Area
Sheephole Valley Wilderness Area
South Fork Eel River Wilderness Area
South Nopah Range Wilderness Area
Stateline Wilderness Area
Stepladder Mountains Wilderness Area
Surprise Canyon Wilderness Area
Sylvania Mountains Wilderness Area
Trilobite Wilderness Area
Trinity Alps Wilderness Area
Turtle Mountains Wilderness Area
Ventana Additions Wilderness Area
Whipple Mountains Wilderness Area
Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Area
Yuki Wilderness Area
Agua Tibia Wilderness Study Area
Avawatz Mountains Wilderness Study Area
Bear Canyon Wilderness Study Area
Bear Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Beauty Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Big Butte Wilderness Study Area
Bitterbrush Wilderness Study Area
Black Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Bodie Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Bodie Wilderness Study Area
Buffalo Hills Wilderness Study Area
Cady Mountains Wilderness Study Area
Caliente Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Carrizo Gorge Wilderness Study Area
Carson Iceberg Wilderness Study Area
Casa Diablo Wilderness Study Area
Cerro Gordo Wilderness Study Area
Chidago Canyon Wilderness Study Area
Crater Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Death Valley 17 Wilderness Study Area
Dry Valley Rim Wilderness Study Area
Eden Valley Wilderness Study Area
Excelsior Wilderness Study Area
Fish Slough Wilderness Study Area
Five Springs Wilderness Study Area
Garcia Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Granite Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Great Falls Basin Wilderness Study Area
Hauser Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Independence Creek Wilderness Study Area
Kingston Range Wilderness Study Area
Lava Wilderness Study Area
Machesna Wilderness Study Area
Masonic Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Merced River Wilderness Study Area
Milk Ranch/Case Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Mormon Meadow Wilderness Study Area
Moses Wilderness Study Area
Mount Biedeman Wilderness Study Area
Owens Peak Wilderness Study Area
Panoche Hills North Wilderness Study Area
Panoche Hills South Wilderness Study Area
Pit River Canyon Wilderness Study Area
Piute Cypress Wilderness Study Area
Rockhouse (a) Wilderness Study Area
Rockhouse (b) Wilderness Study Area
Rocky Creek/Cache Creek Wilderness Study
Area
Sacatar Meadows Wilderness Study Area
San Benito Mountain Wilderness Study Area
San Felipe Hills Wilderness Study Area
San Ysidro Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Sawtooth Mountains A Wilderness Study Area
Sawtooth Mountains C Wilderness Study Area
Scodie Wilderness Study Area
Sheep Ridge Wilderness Study Area
Skedaddle Wilderness Study Area
Slinkard Wilderness Study Area
Soda Mountains Wilderness Study Area
South Warner Contiguous Wilderness Study
Area
Southern Inyo Wilderness Study Area
Symmes Creek Wilderness Study Area
Table Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Thatcher Ridge Wilderness Study Area
Timbered Crater Wilderness Study Area
Tule Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Tunnison Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Twin Peaks Wilderness Study Area
Volcanic Tablelands Wilderness Study Area
Walford Springs Wilderness Study Area
White Mountains Wilderness Study Area
Yolla Bolly Contiguous Wilderness Study Area
Julian – Opportunity for Showcase Project / Will the Locals Support it?
“She is a brilliant strategist,” said Hartman, who met
Fuller when the two worked to block development
of wind energy project near Volcan Mountain.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20060321-9999-1b21fuller.html
Is Julian a
‘developed
site’?
Sierra Club to tackle issues on wind-turbine locations
By Anne Krueger STAFF WRITER June 23, 2005
"This is completely raw, undeveloped land," Fuller said. "If you put a wind farm in
there, it would be like somebody going in a museum and slashing 'Mona Lisa's' face."
But Fuller said the group would like to see wind farms at developed sites, not at
remote locations where they might harm wildlife or the ruins of ancient Indian villages.
Hi XXXX,
I am very pleased to have provided such a proactive guy with the maps and information. Many times in my career with XXX I have met people that talk like they will do something but never do it. From the moment I met you I knew that you were cut from a similar piece of leather as me. I thank you for taking action when action needs to be taken. It would be me at this moment out there doing what you are if I could. On XXX I will be leaving XXX after 30+ years of service. I spent 10+ years as the President of my XXX while with XXX, I know the management team, the strategies they employ, the delay tactics and what makes them jump. I own their buttons from California to Washington DC. When I first put my hand up and swore the oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and defend my Country, I took that oath for life. Currently within our nation and within our own government, enemies of our future as a nation and the true security of this nation have become leaders within key agencies. This wilderness bill is an example of that. Our nation should not be setting aside more acres for preservation until we have removed the threat of control by oil from other nations. Oils only value to us is our own addiction. The war on drugs, foreign oil should be added to the list. XXX has effectively delayed all applications for renewable energy until the Wilderness Groups have had a chance to put this bill forward. The lands that are within this new Wilderness Bill are the lands that were unsuitable in 1994 after 15 years of study. They don’t contain the values of wilderness but they do prevent the development of renewable energy and power line corridors from impacting the desert. The XXX staff had to use records that were from before 1994 and only had 24 hours to respond to the request for information on these lands. On top of this it was during the peak of fire season when the resource teams were assigned to fires. This is what an enemy does, sneak attack. This is the renewable energy’s Pearl Harbor. It is a day that will live in infamy if it is allowed. So keep up the pressure. Be sure to add as
many solar companies as possible, the combined voices with many letters will make the
difference.