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

WIPP RH PSAR DOE/WIPP-03-3174 CHAPTER 2
Grazing leases have been issued for all land sections immediately surrounding the WIPP, with the
exception of the 277 acre (112.1 hectare) Exclusive Use Area 5 . Grazing within the WIPP site lands
operates within the authorization of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act (FLPMA), the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978, and the Bankhead-Jones
Farm Tenant Act of 1973. The responsibilities of the DOE include supervision of ancillary activities
associated with grazing (e.g., wildlife access to livestock water development, assure water developments
inside WIPP lands are configured according to the regulatory requirements, etc.) and ongoing
coordination with respective allottees. Administration of grazing rights, including the collection of
grazing fees, shall be in cooperation with the BLM in accordance with an existing Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) and the coinciding Statement of Work through guidance established in the East
Roswell Grazing Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/WIPP 94-2033). 4 Portions of two grazing
allotments administered by the BLM fall within the land withdrawal area: Livingston Ridge (No.
77027), and Antelope Ridge (No. 77032) (DOE/WIPP 93-004). 5
2.3.3 Land Use in the Carlsbad Resource Area
Major land uses in the Carlsbad resource area include potash mining, oil and gas recovery (discussed
previously), ranching, farming, recreation, and tourism.
2.3.3.1 Ranching
There are 286 ranching units in the Carlsbad resource area (New Mexico Agricultural Statistics). 6
approximate areas, in acres (1 hectare= 2.47 acre), are as follows:
The
County Total Federal State Deeded
Eddy 2,675,000 1,627,827 577,225 470,149
Lea 2,812,160 416,960 1,199,221 1,195,979
The number of livestock located on these ranching units will vary depending upon grazing conditions.
However, the number of livestock (in head) for the Carlsbad resource area as reported in the 1993 New
Mexico Agricultural Statistics 6 are:
County Cattle Dairy Herd Sheep Goats/ Horses/Pigs
Eddy 25,000 9,100 12,000 1,200
Lea 22,000 7,200 5,800 1,560
2.3.3.2 Farming
There are approximately 160,000 acres (64,750 hectare) of farmland in the Carlsbad resource area. The
principal crops grown include cotton, alfalfa, and sorghum grains. There are also significant quantities of
pecans grown in this area, and minor amounts of truck vegetables.
2.3.3.3 Recreation
Due to the topography, climatic conditions, and wildlife in the area of the WIPP site, an extensive (nonfacility
based) variety of recreational opportunities are available to include: hunting for both big and
small game animals; camping; horseback riding; hiking; watching wildlife (e.g., bird watching); and
2.3-2 January 24, 2003