YPG public meetings planned for June 14 & 15

Yuma, Arizona - The United States Army Garrison Yuma Proving Ground intends to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), in accordance with Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to analyze the environmental impacts resulting from implementation of the Real Property Master Plan at the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) northeast of Yuma, Arizona. The Notice of Intent (NOI) for the PEIS was published in the Federal Register on May 25, 2011.
The project will allow YPG to maintain a facility capable of state of the art testing of military ground and aerial vehicle systems, weapons, munitions, sensors, and guidance systems; to provide realistic training, and to allow flexibility to enter into legally permissible Army/private industry projects where such projects are compatible with the military mission of YPG. Renewable energy initiatives will be discussed in the PEIS, but project-specific NEPA analysis will be required prior to implementing specific renewable energy initiatives. YPG would undertake construction and demolition projects (primarily within cantonment areas), continue existing testing and training activities, and expand some testing and training areas and activities. No expansion of YPG would result from the proposed action. New construction would include a variety of facilities to meet the demand and space needed to meet mission requirements.

A public meeting will be held on YPG at Building 6,

the Desert Breeze Travel Camp Community Center, located on the main

administrative area off of Imperial Dam Road on

Tuesday June 14, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

A second public meeting will be held at the Yuma Public Library,

2951 South 21st Drive, Yuma AZ, 85364 on

Wednesday June 15, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Draft and final versions of the PEIS will be made available to the public for review and comment when completed. The scoping process officially begins with the publication of the NOI in the Federal Register. Public scoping comments will be solicited through June 30, 2011. YPG will also accept public input throughout the NEPA process.

All interested parties are invited to attend the public meetings and to submit comments or questions by mail to Sergio Obregon, National Environmental Policy Act Coordinator, U.S. Army Garrison Yuma Proving Ground, IMWE-YMA-PWE, 301 C Street, Yuma, Arizona 85365-9498, or e-mail ypgnepa@conus.army.mil. By phone, contact Chuck Wullenjohn at (928) 328-6189 from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Thursday.

Laguna Fire north of Yuma 50% contained - AZ FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Yuma, Ariz. - Fire fighters are progressing on the Laguna Fire
along the Colorado River about 15 miles north of Yuma, Ariz.

Fire fighters made good progress Thursday on the Laguna Fire. The
acreage burned is approximately 800 acres. Currently the
fire is estimated at 50% contained with full containment Monday, May 23, 2011.

Fifty fire fighters worked Thursday night securing the southern end
of the fire and putting out flare-ups on the California side. Fire
activity continues to be in islands of vegetation inside the fire
perimeter.

An Arizona Type III Incident Management Team (Morrison) assumed
responsibility for the Laguna Fire Friday morning.

“We’re asking folks to please avoid the Mittry Lake area for the next
few days,” said BLM Colorado River District Fire Management Officer Mike
Trent. “We realize it’s an inconvenience, but we appreciate the public’s
cooperation while we get this fire contained. Access for our fire crews
and equipment is challenging.”

Friday’s activity will focus on continued water drops using two
helicopters, using two fire boats to pump water directly on the flames,
dozer work, and hand crews building fire line.

Approximately 130 fire fighters are working the Laguna Fire including
engines and crews from the Rural/Metro, Department of Corrections, Imperial
County, and Yuma Proving Grounds Fire Departments ; and crews from the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land
Management. Fifty fire fighters and two engines will work through the night
tonight taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and higher humidities.


The Laguna Fire was reported May 18 and is burning in salt cedar,
willow, cottonwood, and mesquite in the Colorado River riparian area. The
fire started in California on the Quechan Reservation and hopped the river
into Arizona. The fire appears to be human caused and is under
investigation. Approximately 95% of the fire is in Arizona.

All fire fighting agencies in southern Arizona want to remind people
that Fire Restrictions are in effect and ask people to be careful outdoors.

Currently there are no plans to close any areas along the Colorado River
area to public use.

Fire Restrictions prohibit the following acts:


1. Open campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires. Campfires and
charcoal grills are only permitted in developed recreation sites or
improved sites, where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided.
The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices is
allowed on public lands provided such devices meet the fire
underwriter’s specifications for safety.


2. Smoking. Smoking is restricted to enclosed buildings, within a
vehicle and on a paved or surface road, within a developed recreation
site, or while stopped in an area at least six feet in diameter that
is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

3. Use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices.


4. Welding or the use of any torch or metal cutting implement.


Spring rains resulted in the growth of wildflowers, grasses, and
other vegetation that is now drying, dying, and poised to become fuel for
wildfires as temperatures increase. The restrictions will continue until
conditions warrant rescinding.


For fire restriction information in Arizona and New Mexico:
Call Toll Free: 1-877-864-6985
Visit the website: www.publiclands.org/firenews

Laguna Fire burns north of Yuma UPDATE

UPDATED!
Laguna Fire Continues Burning North of Yuma








Yuma, Ariz. - A wildfire has burned approximately 400-600 acres along the Colorado River

about 15 miles north of Yuma, Ariz.

Yuma, Ariz. - Fire fighters are holding the 400- acre Laguna Fire along the Colorado River about 15 miles north of Yuma, Ariz. Fire fighters made good progress Thursday on the Laguna Fire. The acreage burned is unchanged at approximately 400-600 acres. Currently the fire is estimated at 40% contained with full containment May 23, 2011.

Mapping will be done later today or early Friday.

Most of the fire activity today occurred in islands of vegetation inside the fire perimeter. Fire fighters used two helicopters - Type 1 and Type 3 - to drop water on the fire taken from nearby Mittry Lake. A fire boat operating on the Colorado River pumped water directly on the flames.

Approximately 130 fire fighters are working the Laguna Fire including engines and crews from the Rural/Metro, Department of Corrections, Imperial County, and Yuma Proving Grounds Fire Departments ; and crews from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management. Fifty fire fighters and two engines will work through the night tonight taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and higher humidities.


The Laguna Fire was reported May 18 and is burning in salt cedar,
willow, cottonwood, and mesquite in the Colorado River riparian area. The
fire started in California and hopped the river into Arizona. The fire
appears to be human caused and is under investigation. Approximately 95%
of the fire is in Arizona.

The fire grew quickly and burned one historic structure in the
Betty’s Kitchen Recreation area on the California side. A BLM water truck
was damaged as well.

All fire fighting agencies in southern Arizona want to remind people
that Fire Restrictions are in effect and ask people to be careful outdoors.
Conditions are ripe for rapid, large-scale burning … all it takes is a
single spark.



For fire restriction information in Arizona and New Mexico:

Call Toll Free: 1-877-864-6985

Visit the website: www.publiclands.org/firenews




PREVIOUS POST:

The Laguna Fire was reported late Wednesday afternoon (May 18) and is burning in salt cedar, willow, cottonwood, and mesquite in the Colorado River riparian area. The fire started in California and hopped the river into Arizona. The fire appears to be human caused and is under investigation. There is no estimate of containment at this time.

Approximately 95% of the fire is in Arizona.

A large array of fire fighting resources are currently on hand or enroute to the fire. Fire engines and crews from the Rural/Metro, Imperial County, and Yuma Proving Grounds Fire Departments worked with crews from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management fought the fire through the night. About 60 people are on the fire now and additional fire crews have been ordered. Fire fighters plan to remain on scene tonight. Two bull dozers are being used.
The fire grew quickly and burned one historic structure in the Betty’s Kitchen Recreation area on the California side. A BLM water truck was damaged as well.

A Type III Fire Management Team is on scene or enroute and will assume management of the fire later today. All fire fighting agencies in southern Arizona want to remind people that Fire Restrictions are in effect and ask people to be careful outdoors.

Conditions are ripe for rapid, large-scale burning … all it takes is a single spark.

For fire restriction information in Arizona and New Mexico:

Call Toll Free: 1-877-864-6985

Visit the website: www.publiclands.org/firenews

BLM Director to visit Yuma Proving Ground

Yuma Welcomes BLM Director Robert Abbey


Yuma, Ariz. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma Field Office will host a visit from BLM Director Robert Abbey on Monday, February 21, 2011. Director Abbey will be in the BLM Yuma Field Office looking at recreational issues in the area.

Director Abbey’s visit coincides with an America’s Great Outdoors event that was held yesterday at the White House. The America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, established on April 16, 2010, encourages partnerships with local communities to restore and protect the health, heritage, resources, and social and economic value of our nation’s lands and waters.

Director Abbey will tour several BLM recreation sites and will visit with the volunteers who assist with the management of the long-term visitor areas (LTVA). Media are welcome to attend the volunteer potluck luncheon scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. at the Imperial Dam LTVA ramada. There will be an opportunity to interview Director Abbey at that time. Directions to the site are: Take Highway 95 north to the Big Guns turn-off to Yuma Proving Ground. Take Yuma Proving Ground Road approximately seven miles to Senator Wash Road (you will pass Yuma Proving Ground). Turn right and follow it approximately 1 1/2 miles. Turn left on the dirt road marked with the “BLM Volunteer” sign. The ramada is approximately one mile west on the dirt road.

The BLM manages more land – 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.