environmental assessment us border patrol, tucson sector

3-312345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546the site, and the Peterson/Lazy J Ranch is to the west of the approximately 10-acre site.Evidence of cattle grazing is present on the property.3.2.1.3 Alternative 3The 18.2-acre parcel is state-owned land that is currently undeveloped, natural desert scrubland(see Photograph 2-3). Geronimo Trail, a county-improved dirt/gravel road, abuts the eastern sideof the parcel, and overhead electrical service lines exist along Geronimo Trail. The Alternative 3site is located across Geronimo Trail, just to the north, from the Preferred Alternative Site anddirectly across Geronimo Trail from the Alternative 2 site. Undeveloped desert scrublandsurrounds the site. Evidence of cattle grazing is present on the property.3.2.1.4 Alternative 4The Alternative 4 site is approximately 140 acres of active ranchland. Primary access to theranch is from Geronimo Trail, then west on East Lazy J Ranch Road. The site is set backapproximately 0.6 mile from an existing county road (Geronimo Trail) that is used by localranches for daily access and USBP for patrol (see Figure 2-6). Overhead electrical service linesand other on-site utilities exist at the ranch. Most of the area within the Alternative 4 site hasbeen previously developed or disturbed. The ranch is currently in operation and supportsapproximately 220 cows, 15 bulls, 20 replacement heifers, and 100 calves year-round.Undeveloped desert scrubland surrounds the ranch operations site.3.2.2 Environmental Consequences3.2.2.1 No Action AlternativeThe No Action Alternative would preclude the construction, operation, and maintenance of theproposed FOB, and land use would remain unchanged. More agents would be required to patrolthe remote eastern zones of the USBP Douglas Station’s AOR to account for the necessary drivetime to their patrol areas. Indirect impacts from CBV activities and subsequent USBPinterdiction activities would be greater under the No Action Alternative than any of the otheralternatives.3.2.2.2 Preferred AlternativeThe Preferred Alternative would convert approximately 10 acres of undeveloped, scrub andbrush rangeland to a developed land use. The construction, operation, and maintenance of theproposed FOB at the Preferred Alternative site would be consistent with zoning for the area andsurrounding land use. Therefore, impacts on land use at the Preferred Alternative site would benegligible.3.2.2.3 Alternative 2Impacts on land use would be the same as described for the Preferred Alternative.3.2.2.4 Alternative 3Impacts on land use would be the same as described for the Preferred Alternative.3.2.2.5 Alternative 4Alternative 4 would convert the present land use from ranch operations to USBP facilities. Theutilization and modification of existing structures as the proposed FOB would be consistent withDouglas FOB EADraftAugust 2011