Duncan Hunter's letter to BLM Director

DUNCAN HUNTER
52D DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA
RANKING MEMBER
2265 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 2051!HJ552
(202) 225-5672
FAX: (202) 22!HJ235
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
1870 CORDELL COURT,'206
EL CAJON, CA 92020
(619) 448-5201
FAX: (619) 449-2251
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June 17,2008
Mr. James L. Caswell
Director, Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Department of Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Director Caswell:
I am writing today regarding an important issue that is of concern to many of my off-roading
constituents: the need to mitigate for impacts on recreational resources caused by alternative energy
projects. I would appreciate Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) review of this matter.
Recent reports, such as the enclosed article in the San Diego Union Tribune, indicate that over
100 applications have been submitted to the BLM by energy-producing companies seeking to develop
more than I million acres of desert land in Southern California. While I support the development of
alternative energy resources in the United States and support the actions state and federal agencies have
taken to encourage such efforts, I am also concerned that many of the locations selected for alternative
energy exploration and extraction exist on lands that serve as popular recreational areas for hundreds of
thousands of visitors each year.
In order for BLM to fulfill its multiple-use mandate to provide high quality, accessible
recreational opportunities to off-roaders, campers, hikers, rock climbers, hunters, and other outdoor
enthusiasts, appropriate mitigation must occur. It is for this reason that I would like to know what
specific mitigation actions the BLM is prepared to take to help ensure that alternative energy development
results in "no net loss" to public recreation land. Acre-for-acre mitigation, or an equivalent in lieu fee for
all public recreation land reallocated for alternative energy exploration, extraction, transmission, or
distribution, arejust a couple of alternatives that I believe should be considered. Only through such a
mitigation program will the proper balance be struck between the need for new, domestic energy sources,
and the need to provide, public access to the deserts, mountains, and other natural lands held in public
trust by the federal government.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you
regarding this important issue.
With best wishes.
Duncan Hunter
Member of Congress
Enclosure