APPENDIX G RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON THE RDEP DRAFT EIS Appendix G. Response to Comments on the RDEP Draft EIS TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page G. RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON THE RDEP DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ................................................................................................................. G-1 G.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. G-1 G.1.1 Campaign letters ........................................................................................................... G-4 G.1.2 How the Appendix is Organized .............................................................................. G-4 G.2 Issue Topics, Responses, and Comments .............................................................................. G-5 G.2.1 Air Resources ................................................................................................................ G-5 Impact Analysis .............................................................................................................. G-5 Methodology .................................................................................................................. G-5 Mitigation measures ..................................................................................................... G-7 G.2.2 Alternatives .................................................................................................................... G-7 Design Features and Best Management Practices ................................................. G-7 Development Incentives ........................................................................................... G-12 Disposal ........................................................................................................................ G-15 Elimination Criteria ................................................................................................... G-15 Additional Buffer ........................................................................................................ G-16 Citizen’s Proposed Wilderness .............................................................................. G-16 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................... G-17 Deletion ....................................................................................................................... G-19 Geographic Information System Data................................................................... G-21 Black Mesa ................................................................................................................... G-22 Non-BLM Lands ......................................................................................................... G-23 National Park System Units ..................................................................................... G-24 Parcel Size .................................................................................................................... G-25 Slope ............................................................................................................................. G-26 Species Habitat Conservation Guide Tiers ......................................................... G-27 Sonoran Desert Heritage Conservation Proposal ............................................. G-27 Specific Species of Concern .................................................................................... G-28 Wildlife ......................................................................................................................... G-30 Yuma Proving Ground .............................................................................................. G-35 Land Tenure ................................................................................................................ G-35 Load Centers .............................................................................................................. G-36 New Alternative ......................................................................................................... G-37 Policy ............................................................................................................................. G-37 Required Plans – Transportation ........................................................................... G-38 Required Plans – Water Resources ...................................................................... G-39 Transmission – Change Screening Criteria ......................................................... G-40 Water – Screening Criteria ..................................................................................... G-43 Water – Zone classification .................................................................................... G-44 Climate Change – Impact Analysis ........................................................................ G-46 G.2.3 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................... G-46 Design Features and Best Management Practices .............................................. G-46 Formerly Used Defense Sites ................................................................................. G-49 Baseline Information and Impact Analysis ............................................................ G-50 G.2.4 Cumulative Analysis .................................................................................................. G-52 Analysis Area .............................................................................................................. G-52 October 2012 Arizona Restoration Design Energy Project G-i Final Environmental Impact Statement Appendix G. Response to Comments on the RDEP Draft EIS TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Section Page Analysis Scope ............................................................................................................ G-53 G.2.5 Wildlife – Naming Convention ............................................................................... G-54 G.2.6 Geographic Information System ............................................................................. G-54 Data Availability.......................................................................................................... G-54 Data Corrections ....................................................................................................... G-56 Independent Verification .......................................................................................... G-56 G.2.7 Impact Analysis ........................................................................................................... G-57 Climate Change Assumptions ................................................................................. G-57 Mitigation Measures .................................................................................................. G-58 Regional Mitigation Plan ........................................................................................... G-59 G.2.8 Soils – Affected Environment .................................................................................. G-61 G.2.9 Implementation – Existing Applications................................................................ G-62 G.2.10 Lands and Realty – Impact Analysis ....................................................................... G-63 G.2.11 Livestock Grazing – Impact Analysis ..................................................................... G-63 G.2.12 Noise – Impact Analysis ........................................................................................... G-64 G.2.13 Nominated Sites ......................................................................................................... G-64 Agricultural Lands ...................................................................................................... G-66 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................... G-66 New Site ...................................................................................................................... G-68 National Park System Units ..................................................................................... G-68 Ranking Method ......................................................................................................... G-70 Re-evaluating sites ..................................................................................................... G-71 G.2.14 Off-Highway Vehicles Impact Analysis .................................................................. G-74 G.2.15 Other Plans ................................................................................................................. G-75 G.2.16 Consistency with other BLM Planning Efforts .................................................... G-75 G.2.17 Planning ........................................................................................................................ G-76 Agency Coordination ................................................................................................ G-76 Evaluation Process ..................................................................................................... G-76 Public meetings ........................................................................................................... G-78 G.2.18 Multiple Uses .............................................................................................................