EL CAMINO REAL DE TIERRA ADENTRO

NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

Comprehensive Management Plan/

Final Environmental Impact Statement

Prepared by

Long Distance Trails Group — Santa Fe

National Park Service

New Mexico State Office

Bureau of Land Management

April 2004

National Park Service

Bureau of Land Management

U.S. Department of the Interior
Fort Craig, New Mexico on the Camino Real. Fort Craig Photo
v

Added to the National Trails System in October

2000, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal

Road of the Interior) National Historic Trail

(NHT) recognizes the primary route between

the colonial Spanish capital of Mexico City and

the Spanish provincial capitals at San Juan de

Los Caballeros (1598-1600); San Gabriel (1600-

1609); and then Santa Fe (1610-1821). The NHT,

as designated, extends 404 miles from El Paso,

Texas, to San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico. Bureau

of Land Management (BLM) and National Park

Service (NPS) are charged with joint planning

and administration of the trail.

The El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National

Historic Trail Comprehensive Management

Plan/Environmental Impact Statement

(CMP/EIS) responds to the trail’s congressional

designation and the requirements of the

National Trail System Act. This document evaluates strategies to address identified issues and

to meet determined goals.

ISSUES

Initial scoping for the plan identified issues,

which are summarized in the following questions:

• How will the historic, scenic, and natural

resources of the trail be preserved?

• How do people’s activities and uses

affect the trail?

• How will trail management be integrated

with tribal and other government agency

and community plans?

• What opportunities are available to provide visitor services, education, and/or

recreation?

• How do we incorporate international

interest in the trail?

GOALS

Goals describing future conditions were developed for:

• A high-quality visitor experience

• Coordinated interpretation and education

• Effective administration 

• Active resource protection

ALTERNATIVES

The Preferred Alternative

The Preferred Alternative would implement the

provisions of the National Trail Systems Act and

it would also reflect the public’s vision for the

administration and management of the trail.

Under this alternative, an ambitious program of

resource protection and visitor use would be

implemented. Trail administration and partners

would work cooperatively to provide coordinated programming and activities that integrate

themes, resources, and landscapes at certified

sites on private land or protected sites on public

land. Resources that best illustrate the trail’s

significance would be identified and protected

on both public and private land (high-potential

historic sites and segments). Certification priorities would be placed upon sites and segments

supporting interpretive and educational programming and protecting significant resources.

An auto tour route would be established. A binational approach with Mexico would promote

activities such as interpretation, events, and signage. The BLM’s Mimbres, White Sands, and

Taos Resource Management Plans (RMPs)

would be amended to protect important scenic

values.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Alternative A

This is the no-action alternative, which serves

as the baseline for evaluating the changes and

impacts of the other action alternatives. Under

Alternative A, federal agencies would continue

to manage their lands (through which the trail

passes) based upon their existing management

plans. There would be no overall administration

or coordination of the NHT. Coordination of

the activities of an NHT association, private

landowners, and federal, state, and local agencies and resource protection would be limited

to efforts of the International Heritage Center

and others, subject to funding. Current visitor

and recreational activities commemorating or

interpreting the trail would continue.

Alternative B

Collaborative efforts by trail administration and

partners would be directed toward the protection of trail resources (historical, cultural, and

natural) on both private and public land. Active

stewardship and certification priorities would

protect threatened trail resources. A coordinated visitor experience along El Camino Real de

Tierra Adentro NHT would be provided and

structured to promote public understanding

and appreciation of NHT-related resources.

Existing recreational opportunities that are not

trail-related, but are provided by private

landowners and various agencies and organizations, would continue. An auto tour route

would be established.

Actions Common to All Alternatives:

Grandfathered and valid existing rights would

be recognized on public lands. The

International Heritage Center would serve as a

focal point for interpretation and education.

Joint NPS/BLM administration of the trail

would occur, involving budget, staffing, trail

marking standards, and encouragement of volunteers, partnerships, and an advisory council.

International relations would be established

with Mexico to exchange trail information and

research, to foster trail preservation, to foster

educational programs, and to cooperate in the

potential bi-national designation of El Camino

Real de Tierra Adentro International Historic

Trail. Cooperation with tribal organizations and

entities would be encouraged. 
Comparison of Alternatives vii

Visitors would understand the trail’s

significance and appreciate its history and cultural heritage through

participation in coordinated programming and activities that integrate themes, resources, and landscapes at certified or protected

components.

Current management would be

maintained. Interpretive and recreational opportunities, and access to

physical resources related to the trail

would be limited to those developed by the International Heritage

Center and others.

Trail resources (historical, cultural,

natural, and viewsheds) would be

protected through on-going stewardship efforts. Visitors would have

the opportunity to experience trail

resources in an off-site setting.

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

Resources that best illustrate the

trail’s significance would be identified and protected on both public

and private land (high-potential historic sites and segments). Integrated

interpretive and educational programming would be tied to on-theground trail resources. Information

concerning trail-related interpretive/

educational programming and activities would be promoted and

shared. Certification priorities would

be placed upon sites and segments

supporting interpretive/educational

programming and protecting significant resources. A bi-national

approach with Mexico would promote activities such as interpretation, events, and signage.

Management of federal lands

would continue the present course

of action. Certification of sites on

non-federal lands would not occur.

Sharing of interpretive and educational information would be limited

to the International Heritage Center

and others. There would be no

directed strategy for preservation or

visitor use/interpretation.

Trail resources (natural, cultural, historical, and viewsheds) would be

identified and protected on federal

land. Significant trail resources on

private land would be protected

through certification, and volunteer

efforts at high potential sites and

segments. Administration would be

directed toward resource protection

activities. Certification priorities

would protect threatened trail

resources.

COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES

CONCEPT

ADMINISTRATION

1. Bureau of Land Management,

Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service and USDA Forest

Service and certified site

owners/managers would manage

their lands along the trail corridor to

protect trail resources, support visitor understanding, and provide a

wide range of visitor use opportunities.

1. Bureau of Land Management,

Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service and USDA Forest

Service would manage their respective publicly administered lands

along the corridor based upon existing management plans. 

1. Bureau of Land Management,

Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, USDA Forest

Service and certified site

owners/managers would manage

their lands along the trail corridor to

protect trail resources.

The mission of the National Historic

Trail and the Camino Real

International Heritage Center are

closely linked. The Heritage Center

would serve as a focal point for

education interpretation, information, and marketing along with others along the trail. The National

Historic Trail and the International

Heritage Center would have a close

working relationship that complements each other's mission.

The mission of the National Historic

Trail and the Camino Real

International Heritage Center are

closely linked. The Heritage Center

would serve as a focal point for

education interpretation, information, and marketing along with others along the trail. The National

Historic Trail and the International

Heritage Center would have a close

working relationship that complements each other's mission.
3. Routes (areas) on BLM-administered lands where the physical

integrity of high potential sites and

segments and the surrounding visible landscape would be negatively 

3. A uniform system of signage

would be provided for certified

sites, segments, and federal protection components, and at developed

interpretive/educational facilities.

viii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES continued

ADMINISTRATION continued

3. A uniform system of signage

would be provided for certified

sites, segments, and federal protection components.

RESOURCE PROTECTION

1. No special efforts would be made

to identify archaeological and historic sites and visible trail route segments.

1. Archaeological and historic sites

and visible trail route segments

would be identified and protected.

Protection on private lands would

be accomplished through a variety

of means including but not limited

to: certification, cooperative agreements, and acquisition by willing

sellers where lands could be efficiently managed. Provide for scheduled site monitoring of important

sites on BLM-administered lands

and certified sites by agency personnel.

2. Formal and informal partnerships

would be developed and cooperative agreements would be negotiated with federal, state, tribal, international, and local agencies, museums, schools/universities/colleges,

non-governmental organizations,

neighborhood groups, historical

societies, trail organizations, civic

business organizations, and others

to support trail-related

interpretive/educational programing,

visitor information, and provide a

range of activities along the trail.

Non-federal sites and segments

would be certified to provide a wide

range of learning activities.

2. Formal and informal partnerships

would be developed with federal,

state, tribal, international, and local

agencies, museums; schools/universities/colleges; non-governmental

organizations; neighborhood

groups; historical societies; trail

organizations; civic business organizations; and others to protect trailrelated resources and for the identification/protection of trail-related

resources. Certification of non-federal sites and segments would take

place to protect resources.

2. Research Needs: Interdisciplinary

research program would be coordinated to support visitor use and

interpretive/ educational programming and activities.

2. Research Needs: There would be

no directed strategy for research

related to the trail.

2. Research Needs: There would be

no directed strategy for research

related to the trail.

3. Use of off-highway vehicles

(OHVs) on BLM-administered lands

would continue under the present

course of action.

3. Routes (areas) on BLM-administered lands where protected archaeological and historic sites and trail

route segments would be negatively

impacted would be closed to unauthorized vehicles.

1. Archaeological and historic sites

and visible trail route segments

would be identified and protected.

High potential historicsites & segments would be proactively managed by willing owners in partnership with trail administration.

Protection on private lands would

be voluntary and would be accomplished through a variety of means

including but not limited to: certification, cooperative agreements, and

acquisition or exchange by willing

sellers where lands could be efficiently managed. A site steward

program could provide for the

active monitoring and patrolling of

important sites and segments on

BLM-administered lands and certified sites. 
Comparison of Alternatives vix

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES continued

VISITOR EXPERIENCE - RECREATION

1. Activities with interpretive/educational components would be

encouraged and supported; companion trails would be established;

and recreational uses, through

directional and interpretive signage

and brochures, would be encouraged. Access to the trail route or

viewpoints would be developed.

1. Coordinated recreational development of the trail would not

occur.

1. Recreational development of the

trail would not be encouraged.

2. An auto tour route as identified

on Map 3A-G; accompanying interpretive materials designed to

enhance education and visitor

understanding would be provided.

2. An auto tour route would not be

designated.

2. An auto tour route as identified

on Map 3A-G; accompanying interpretive materials would be provided.

3. Special/cultural events directly

tied to trail significance would be

promoted and supported.

3. Special events would only be

encouraged by the International

Heritage Center and others, subject

to funding.

3. Special/cultural events that focus

on resource protection would be

promoted.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE - INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION

1. New facilities such as visitor centers or museums developed by the

private sector would be supported.

New interpretive and educational

programming would be encouraged; extant facilities and programming at high-potential historic sites

and segments would be strengthened. Kiosks, trailheads, and trails

to support recreation development

would be encouraged.

1. Facilities and programs would

only be encouraged by the

International Heritage Center and

others.

1. New facilities would not be

encouraged. Existing facilities and a

local/regional emphasis on content/history/culture would be

improved. A broad protection and

advocacy strategy through activities

such as partnerships and media programs would be encouraged.

RESOURCE PROTECTION continued

4. Those areas on BLM-administered

lands that are visible within approximately 5 miles of high potential historic sites and segments and also in

relatively undisturbed areas would

be designated Visual Resource

Management (VRM) Class II as

shown in Maps 4A-C and 5. The

area surrounding the International

Heritage Center would remain VRM

Class I & II. (See also Appendix H).

4.Management of visual resources

on BLM-administered lands would

continue under the present course

of action.

4. Management of visual resources

on BLM-administered lands would

continue under the present course

of action.

impacted would be closed to unauthorized vehicles.

2. A range of media such as tapes,

maps, and oral histories would be

developed; media at high-potential

sites and segments would be coor2. Interpretive media would only be

encouraged by the International

Heritage Center and others.

2. A range of interpretive media

would be developed to enhance visitor understanding offsite.
x EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

dinated and integrated. A bi-national approach to interpretation would

be taken.

3. Hands -on activities directly tied

to trail-related resources at highpotential sites and segments would

be emphasized and supported;

responsible recreation on public

lands and respect for private land

ownership would be emphasized

and supported. Educational packages that align with TX and NM

standards would be developed. A

website that centralizes educational

resources around the trail would be

developed. Opportunities to engage

communities along El Camino Real

in cultural education and interpretation would be encouraged such as

the following: Habitat Chat among

sister communities along NHT using

interactive media, history, culture,

science, and math with hands-on

museum activities. The pursuit of

grants to write and publish local

history through a variety of media

would be encouraged.

3. Educational programs would be

encouraged by the International

Heritage Center and others.

3. Resources, stewardship, and offsite interpretation would be emphasized. Visitors would be encouraged

to visit off-trail facilities to lessen

impact. Auto, bus, or train tours

may be developed. Use of a variety

of media would be encouraged. 

VISITOR EXPERIENCE - INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION continued

COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES continued
Comparison of Impacts xi

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 

This environmental impact statement is programmatic, and addresses El Camino Real de Tierra

Adentro NHT management. It considers impacts to the visitor experience along the trail; impacts to

cultural resources associated with the trail, including landscapes and ethnography; impacts to natural

resources and threatened and endangered species; and socioeconomic impacts in terms of landownership and visitor use. More detailed environmental analysis for specific trail projects will follow in

appropriate environmental documents. The following table provides a summary of the impacts under

each alternative.

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

COMPARISON OF IMPACTS

The impacts from both

Alternatives B and the Preferred

Alternative may have a neutral

or positive impact upon the

North American Indian tribes

associated with El Camino Real.

There would be no evident social

or cultural impact upon the

tribes.

During implementation of the

Preferred Alternative, additional

consultation with affected North

American Indian tribes may lead

to positive impacts by providing

them with the opportunity to

present their stories from the

tribal point of view in exhibits

and documents. Tribes that participate in the voluntary certification of sites and segments

would be eligible for technical

assistance and challenge costshare monies for preservation,

interpretive exhibits, and signage.

A continued lack of public

awareness and appreciation

could result in increased potential for inadvertent destruction

of trail resources. 

The impacts from both

Alternatives B and the Preferred

Alternative may have a neutral

or positive impact upon the

North American Indian tribes

associated with El Camino Real.

There would be no evident social

or cultural impact upon the

tribes.

During implementation of the

Preferred Alternative additional

consultation with affected North

American Indian tribes may lead

to positive impacts by providing

them with the opportunity to

present their stories from the

tribal point of view in exhibits

and documents. North American

Indian tribes that participate in

the voluntary certification of

sites and segments would be eligible for technical assistance and

challenge cost-share monies for

preservation, interpretive

exhibits, and signage.

Where developments take place

(roadside pull-outs and interpretive wayside exhibits as proposed in the Preferred

Alternative), a site-specific analysis would take place to ensure

that historic resources are not

disturbed, or if resources will be

impacted, proposed mitigation

measures would take place in

consultation with the tribes. 

North American Indians Impact 

Topic
xii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

COMPARISON OF IMPACTS continued

Use of partnerships (site stewardship) and educational efforts,

and would mitigate the potential

for inadvertent destruction of

trail resources. Proactive management of high-potential historic sites and segments would

maintain the physical integrity of

the resources.

A lack of public awareness and

appreciation could result in

increased potential for inadvertent destruction of trail

resources.

Use of partnerships (site stewardship) and educational efforts

would mitigate the potential for

inadvertent destruction of trail

resources. Proactive management of high-potential historic

sites and segments would maintain the physical integrity of the

resources.

Archeological/

Historical Resources

Impact Topic

Energy and Minerals

New leases within a designated

Visual Resource Management

(VRM) Class II area would

include a stipulation requiring

conformance to Class II objectives. Restrictions on lease development could result in an operator not drilling at the most geologically desirable location or

during the most desirable time

period. If the operator is not

able or willing to conform to the

restrictions, drilling could be precluded.

The issuance of new mineral

material contracts would be at

the discretion of the BLM, provided that the mining conformed to the management

objectives of VRM Class II, or

BLM could eliminate the visual

intrusion entirely by reclaiming

the site after the expiration of

any outstanding contracts.

Discontinuing the issuance of

mineral material contracts could

force those desiring to obtain

the materials to go to another

less desirable or more expensive

source.

A VRM Class II designation

would not affect the status of

existing mining claims, approved

plans, or notices for operations

or prohibit future prospecting

and mining claim location under

the Mining Law. New surfacedisturbing activities could be

affected by the VRM Class II designation.

New leasing, lease development,

and contracts would be subject

to existing management plans

and site-specific environmental

assessments.

Same as Alternative A

Mineral material contracts would

continue to be managed under

existing terms and conditions

and management plans.

Same as Alternative A

Prospecting and mining claim

location would continue to be

allowed in areas open under the

Mining Law.

Same as Alternative A
Comparison of Impacts xiii

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

COMPARISON OF IMPACTS continued

Livestock-grazing would continue to be administered under

existing terms and conditions

and management plans.

New range improvements within

the Jornada del Muerto section

of the trail proposed for VRM

Class II guidelines would have to

meet the new classification standard. Large construction projects

could be restricted, although no

range improvement projects

have been identified in these

areas.

Increasing visitor use of and

publicity regarding the trail could

lead to vandalism of rangeland

improvements, and could lead to

a greater number of visitors

seeking assistance from ranchers

for directions or search and rescue.

Livestock - grazing Impact 

Topic

Land and 

Realty Uses

Additional visitors to the designated sites would increase traffic

in the area and could cause

some impacts to existing rightsof-way. Land -use prescriptions

for visual resource protection

could inhibit or restrict some

rights-of-way actions.

Since visitor use associated with

the trail is expected to slightly

increase as a result of on-going

initiatives, there could be

increases in vandalism of rangeland improvements and the

number of visitors seeking assistance from ranchers for directions or search and rescue.

Additional visitors to the desig- Same as Alternative A

nated sites would increase traffic

in the area and could cause

some impacts to existing rightsof-way.

Visitors would not be offered

experiences on El Camino Real

de Tierra Adentro NHT. Some

visitors would continue to be

confused about the location and

availability of visits to trail-related resources and sites. Other visitors, particularly those from out

of state or other countries,

would not be provided with trail

orientation, information, and

interpretation. Visitor use in

Jornada del Muerto would not

be expected to exceed 1,500

annual visits under this alternative, and use at the Teypama site

would probably not change from

existing levels of use.

Development of a coordinated

interpretive and educational program emphasizing resource protection on the NHT would benefit visitors, increasing their

awareness of resource values

and threats. Visitors may be disappointed by the lack of a comprehensive, trail-wide interpretive and education overview, or

by the relative inability to have

experiences in the trail corridor.

Levels of recreation use would

be expected to be similar to

those expected under

Alternative A.

Same as Alternative A

Same as Alternative A

Recreation/Visitor Experience/

Interpretation

Visitors would benefit from this

opportunity to follow the

approximate trail route and to

visit related resources and interpretive facilities. Visitor use on

BLM-administered lands could

increase in Jornada del Muerto

from 900 to 5,500 visits annually

and at the Teypama site from

200 to 400 visits annually.

Additional opportunities to experience the trail corridor through

recreation on BLM-managed

lands would increase visitor

enjoyment of the NHT. The ability to drive or hike in the trail

corridor, to receive interpretive

messages on site, and to see

trail-related cultural, natural, and

landscape resources would be

beneficial and would result in

memorable experiences.
xiv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

COMPARISON OF IMPACTS continued

Off-highway-vehicle opportunities on public lands could be

restricted in the immediate vicinity of historic or cultural sites for

resource protection

Interpretive services and products would not be provided. 

Certification of sites, segments,

and interpretive facilities would

benefit the visitor experience

through the increased identification, interpretation, and use of

trail-related resources. Standards

of quality reaches through the

certification process would contribute to the development of

accurate and consistent media

and programming, and would

increase visitor enjoyment and

understanding of the trail's history and significance.

Developing, marking, and interpreting an auto tour route

would contribute to increased

public awareness of the NHT.

Visitors would benefit from this

opportunity to follow the

approximate trail route, and to

visit related resources and interpretive facilities.

Off-highway-vehicle opportunities on public lands could be

restricted in the immediate vicinity of historic or cultural sites for

resource protection.

Development of an interpretive

plan would assist Camino Real

Administration and partners to

present a cohesive, integrated

interpretive and educational program, and would result in public

understanding and appreciation

for the trail.

Impact Topic

Scenery

The Mimbres and White Sands

Resource Management Plans

would be amended as follows to

ensure that activities would be

limited to those that would not

attract attention, and the level

of change to the characteristic

landscape would be low in the

Jornada del Muerto area:

Amend 97,873 acres of existing

VRM Class IV public land to

VRM Class II in the vicinity of

high-potential historic segments

and near select high-potential

historic sites; amend 903 acres 

There would be no change in

visual resource management

classifications.

Same as Alternative A

Certification of sites, segments,

and interpretive facilities would

benefit the visitor experience

through the increased indentification, interpretation, and use of

trail-related resources. Standards

of quality reached through thecertification process would contribute to the development of

accurate and consistent media

and programming, and would

increase visitor enjoyment and

understanding of the trail's history and significance.

Developing, marking, and interpreting an auto tour route

would contribute to increased

public awareness of the NHT.

Visitors would benefit from this

opportunity to follow the

approximate trail route, and to

visit related resources and interpretive facilities.

Off-highway-vehicle opportunities on public lands could be

restricted in the immediate vicinity of historic or cultural sites for

resource protection.

Development of an interpretive

plan would assist Camino Real

Administration and partners in

presenting a cohesive, integrated

interpretive and educational program, and would result in

increased public understanding

and appreciation for the trail.

Recreation/Visitor Experience/

Interpretation continued
Comparison of Impacts xv

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

COMPARISON OF IMPACTS continued

Economic improvements and

additional service and hospitality-industry jobs generated by

increased visits would enhance

the economic stability of adjacent communities, especially

those with higher rates of unemployment. Other benefits would

include improved governmental

services resulting from increased

tax revenues, and avoidance of

future social costs that might

otherwise result from continued

economic problems. Low-moderate-income families and individuals, at-risk youth, and the

Hispanic and North American

Indian communities may be

expected to find new employment in the service sector.

Proportionately, the greatest

improvements can be expected

in the poorer counties of New

Mexico, and to a lesser extent in

El Paso County and the Mexican

"gateway communities."

of VRM Class III public lands in

the vicinity of high-potential historic trail segments and highpotential historic sites to VRM

Class II. The Taos Resource

Management Plan would also be

amended as follows in the Santa

Fe river canyon area: Assign

VRM Class II to 998 acres of previously unassigned public lands

within the foreground/ middleground viewshed, including 0.3

mile of high-potential historic

trail segments and extending

through the Santa Fe River

Canyon.

Impact Topic

Scenery continued

Damage to soils and vegetation

would be minimal, and mitigated by proper design of trails and

pullouts. The change in visual

classification is not expected to

be a barrier to vegetation-management activities on public

lands. Soils would be disturbed

on approximately 0.4 acre where

the pullout parking areas are

constructed and interpretive 

The current "baseline" socioeconomic effects and benefits to

the local and regional economy

would continue.

Additional visitation would

improve the viability of individual

interpretive sites along the trail,

primarily on nonfederal lands.

This would contribute to the

economic activity of the surrounding communities through

increased visitor expenditures, to

a lesser extent than under the

Preferred Alternative.

Socioeconomics/Social Values/

Environmental Justice

Vegetation/Soils/

Noxious Weeds/

Water/Air

Continuing the existing situation should result in little

change in the vegetation, soil

erosion, or introduction of noxious weeds near the trail. 

Same as Alternative A. 
xvi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B

COMPARISON OF IMPACTS continued

Impact Topic

Disturbance to wildlife would be

short-term during construction.

Dispersed recreational activity

within the planning area, such

as camping, climbing, hiking,

and biking, would result in sitespecific, short-term negative

impacts on the microbiological,

small mammal, and avian components of the localized fauna.

There would be no impacts to

threatened and endangered

species, since the project areas

do not possess habitat required

for listed species.

Wildlife Vegetation/Soils/Noxious

Weeds/Water/Air continued

signs placed near the Upham

Exit, the Paraje de San Diego,

the Ojo de Perrillo/Point of

Rocks, and the Yost Escarpment.

An additional 0.5 acre would be

disturbed if a companion trail

were constructed. Due to the

absence of potential habitat,

there would be no impacts to

threatened and endangered

species. Designation and development of the trail would result

in increased vehicular traffic

along unpaved, county-maintained roads which could result

in increased airborn PM10 particulate matter (dust), especially

during dry periods. Dust abatement measures will be developed for the roads if PM10 particulate matter levels become

problematic.

Continuation of the existing

situation would not result in

additional modification of

wildlife habitat or disturbances

to wildlife.

Same as Alternative A