DOE 2000. - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - U.S. Department of Energy

WIPP RH PSAR DOE/WIPP-03-3174 CHAPTER 2
2.3 Demographics and Land Use in the Carlsbad Resource Area
2.3.1 Demographics
The WIPP is located in the Southeastern part of Eddy County, near Lea County. The population density
of Eddy County is 11.63 persons per square mile (4.49 persons /km 2 ); the Lea County population density
is 12.69 persons per square mile (4.90 persons/km 2 ) (Census of Population). 1
Demographics for the communities surrounding the WIPP site are listed below, by county.
EDDY COUNTY
Community Population Location Relative to the WIPP Site
Artesia 10,610 53 mi (85.3 km) northwest
Carlsbad 24,896 26 mi (41.8 km) west
Loving 1,243 18 mi (29 km) west-southwest
Total Eddy County 48,605
LEA COUNTY
Community Population Location Relative to the WIPP Site
Eunice 2,731 40 mi (64.4 km) east
Hobbs 29,115 40 mi (64.4 km) east
Jal 2,153 45 mi (72.4 km) southeast
Lovington 9,322 40 mi (80.5 km) northeast
Total Lea County 55,765
2.3.2 Land Use at the WIPP Site
At present, land within 10 mi (16 km) of the site is used for potash-mining operations, active oil and gas
wells, and grazing. This pattern is expected to change little in the future.
The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act (LWA) (Public Law 102-579 as amended by
Public Law 104-201), 2 provides the DOE with lands for operation of the WIPP project. The law provides
for the transfer of the WIPP site lands from the Department of the Interior (DOI) to the DOE and
effectively withdraws the lands, subject to existing rights, from entry, sale, or disposition; appropriation
under mining laws; and operation of the mineral and geothermal leasing laws. The LWA directed the
Secretary of Energy to produce a management plan to provide for grazing, hunting and trapping, wild life
habitat, the disposal of salt, and tailings and mining (PTB). 3
There are no hydrocarbon production wells within the volumetric boundary defined by the LWA. One
active well, referred to as James Ranch 13, was drilled in 1982 to tap gas resources beneath Section 31.
This well was initiated in Section 6, outside the WIPP site boundary. The well enters Section 31 below a
depth of 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) beneath ground level (PTB). 3
2.3-1 January 24, 2003