Dont know if this is the right section: heres the article

April 24th 2007
ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP 14,731 ACRES OF OFF-ROAD RIDING AREAS FOR GEOTHERMAL POWER DEVELOPMENT?

The San Diego Off-Road Coalition needs all off-roaders to act now. There is grave danger to one of our favorite riding areas.

The Federal Bureau of Land Management wants to lease 14,731 acres of prime off-road land to companies to build geothermal energy plants. Over 80% of the land is inside the Ocotillo Wells SVRA. The remaining acres are just east of Pole Line road and have traditionally been enjoyed for off-roading.

It is critical that off-road enthusiasts send their WRITTEN COMMENTS to the BLM to oppose this project.

If you value OCOTILLO WELLS you need to take the time to mail a comment and get all you friends to do the same.

Do it now- don't wait till the last minute! The San Diego Off-Road Magazine has excellent guidelines for action. Go to their Web site at for instructions. Written comments mailed have the most effect, so sit down, write and send your comments today. Written comments are being taken until April 30.

Bureau of Land Management
California Desert District Office
Attn: John Dalton
22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos
Moreno Valley, CA 92553

WRITE YOUR LETTER, AND HELP SAVE OUR DESERT!!!!!!!!!!! TAKE ACTION NOW!!

http://www.sandiegooffroad.com/news_5.htm

 

I've never been there, but that's alot of land to lose. I don't have any envelopes to send a letter. The weather here in Denver is super crappy right now, maybe I can send one tomorrow.

On the other hand, geothermal energy could be a nice alternative power source, depending on what they actually do with the area...

 

I grew up going to Ocotillo, still go there quite often....There's a lot of land out there, Borrego, and other neighboring areas. I would hate to see it go, but, in the big scheme of things, wouldn't mind to see some geothermal plants going up either.

Toss up for me.

 

I say set up a few wave-power plants off shore and call it a day

 

they can build powerplants somewhere else. Like in the middle of nowhere, they dont need recreational land.

 

damm that would suck i spent a lot of time out there in my younger days

 

exactly

 

I've never been there, but it would certainly be a real shame to lose that much land.... what an awful waste of space (for the geothermal development, I mean).

 

I'm no expert, but I would believe that a geothermal plant has to be constructed in a zone that has more activity than normal, hence the location (that is also assuming this location has the activity).

 

my uncle's the top BLM ranger for the nation. He's based out of Idaho...I sent him an email asking for more info regarding this. I will update you once I hear back.