July 02, 2013

Mr. Henry L. Parra 1301 E. Walnut St Deming, NM 88030

BLM Director (210), Attention: Brenda Williams, P.O. Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383

Please excuse or recognize that I am using large letters due to my vision problems, as I have been diagnosed with possible glaucoma. However, I wish to enter my protest of the Sun Zia- BLM plans to route a large transmission lines north of, or south of Luna County Black Mountain vicinity, in what is not desirable nor acceptable, as I will attempt to document. The BLM has provided a notice dated 06/14/2013 The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project in New Mexico and

Arizona and Proposed Resource Management Plan amendments

It can be read at: //www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/06/14/2013-14110/noticeof-availability-of-the-final-environmental-impact-statement-forthe-sunzia-southwest

This letter is initiated to vehemently protest the Sub Route 3A2 crossing US 180 about 7.5 miles north of Deming, which is too close to what is known as La Gran Linea or the Gadsden Purchase survey line, which is the historical Gadsden Purchase Line- Barlett- Garcia Conde Compromise- US boundary Commission and Comision de Limites Mexican- which met in El Paso, Texas on Dec of 1850 to follow-up on and correct problems associated with the to infamous/incorrect Disturnell Map. The Commissions agreement or selection was to follow the 32

and 22 degrees parallel, which is about 7.20 miles north of Deming, NM. According to the BLM Proposed Resource Management Plan Subroute 3A2 (123.9 miles), then crosses a 115 kV transmission line and U.S. Route 180 Subroute 3A2 (123.9 miles), the crosses a 115 kV transmission line and U.S. Route 180 about 7.5 miles north of Deming. BLM preferred alternative, is a variation of Subroute 3A. The subroute proceeds west from the proposed Midpoint Substation site then From that point, Subroute 3A2 proceeds southwesterly then turns northwest to parallel a 345 kV transmission line and pipeline adjacent to the Hidalgo Substation site. The subroute then heads west, to cross the New Mexico-Arizona state line from Hidalgo County into Greenlee County.

I also wish for the Black Mountain vicinity to be avoided completely as in the RMP BLM preferred alternative, is

a variation of Subroute 3A. The subroute proceeds west from the proposed Midpoint Substation site then from that point, Subroute 3A2 proceeds southwesterly then turns northwest to parallel a 345 kV transmission line and pipeline
I believe the reasons the Black Mountain area should be avoided completely, to the north as well as to the south is that amongst a large number of reasons, which I will also be doing my best to document, it was proposed for The National Register Historic Places/site as there are numerous

archeological sites, The Black Mountain : A class III Inventory of the NM ARNG Deming Training and rifle Range Area, Luna County New Mexico, from archaeologists of the Office of Contract Archeology University of New Mexico by Janette M. Elyea and Peggy A. Gerow, of which I own a copy and am using as some reference. They say on page 28 of report that Camp Cody ca 1917 WWI era, south of the project, the 30,000 troops of the Thirty fourth or Sandstorm Division and it is highly probable that training exercises took place around Black Mountain. Then on Dec 31, 1929 Executive Order 525 authorized the withdrawal of the project area from the public domain to be used by the NM National Guard as a rifle range. Scraping and leveling of the 30 acres surrounding the rifle range, leaves it unknown what cultural resources may have been damaged or lost!

We must protect and/or leave alone grasslands utilized by ranching enterprise that hold the grazing rights and for the numerous wildlife inhabitants that also greatly benefit from ranching waters/practices, which along with cattle and sheep, need that sensitive area to be left as pristine as possible, as well as any farm lands that might be encountered and also possible remains of any type, of old Camp Cody, now mostly razed but still visible in various ways at different sites, and which should have been probably purchased long ago, if it had even possible, for more protection due to historical value of a once large Army base dated to the about beginning of WWI and is truly best described in the following websites. The rifle range below the base of Black Mountain to the south (Now a National Guard Training Site and a military reservation of approximately 3 sections, was itself part of the facilities and originally

developed to some degree, by Camp Cody, with the main base remnants are about 5.43 miles south east of Black Mountain, but closer to the edge of the military reservation itself.
http://campcodydeming.wordpress.com/category/announcement/ http://demingnewmexico.genealogyvillage.com/index.html#new

On the following pages is a Google Earth satellite map copy whereon, I have placed a volcano place mark (Black Mt. is an extinct volcano, where at the very top were found remains of an ancient shelter) just above and a little to the east (you can see a/the white clearing of the rifle range surface area originally established as mentioned before for training by Camp Cody in or around 1917. I do not believe the UNM Office of Archeology was aware of the following information. There is and I know the individual whose own prominent Deming

pioneer businessman father used to buy brass casings of ammo/ordinance collected by old Demingites which were indeed found to the east of present rifle range, where mostly sand dunes now lie in the mesquites, which were used in training exercises held by the Camp Cody soldiers. As a matter of fact my old friend, a mining engineer, due to his fathers numerous land investments, is the owner of the Holy Cross boiler Room building and properties once part of Camp Cody, itself! His own father, also a well know salvage buyer, told him where the Deming locals collected/gleaned the saleable ammo apparently recyclable casings, he the senior businessman would purchase. If his name or names are needed I will, if he gives me his permission, make all info available, though in writing this, many Luna County citizens especially those who are long time residents will probably recognize, who I am referring to.

On the following pages is a copy of a 2007 US Dept of Interior Topographic Map, showing Black Mountain and the Military Reservation which was on the volcano mountain/cone and in area around it. It, the rifle range which was once used by the public is presently closed according to a sign off US Highway 180, where you turn to the road accessing the Black Mt. area.

You will notice I used ordinance and I would like to tell you some members of my maternal grandmother once severed limbs and apparently blinded at least one, in an unexpected/accidentally set off explosion of an unknown explosive, out in the greater desert area near Camp Cody, somewhere. They were offered a pension, but it was declined, with a response that they would or could not accept limosna (I thing it means to beg or charity). I just remember ones first name as being Cornelio, I believe. They lived out their lives as cripples or if you prefer handicapped. No one left, in my family to ask for more details nowadays, as I am a senior citizen myself, but I have a few kin who might recall the story/incident.

The Luna County Commission supported a Luna County Natural Resources suggestion that a corridor be established and/or adjacent to similar utilities line corridors utilized already and thus semiindustrialized, or following a corridor chosen by the Luna County Commission, as suggested by the Luna County Natural Resources board, which appears to be

ignored by the BLM and Sun Zia. We must listen to the people or public if you prefer, as there are other companies already in line to ask for transmission lines building in Luna County. We would like for something like Southland Transmission Project policy says, in selecting sites or siting for or opportunities for transmission lines, "along
existing linear facilities such as transmission lines, highways and railroad corridors". We

actually have parts of an abandoned railroad way near New Mexico State Highway 9 in southern New Mexico and power lines indeed already come through, near the US Interstate US I-10 and Burlington Railroad has a double or two track-way also near US Highway I-10 corridors or disturbed and/or industrialized areas already exist or where they could/might be more suitable or acceptable. New projects are already being planned to transmit new sources (like wind and solar) of power to the big metropolises of the west, where demand is greatest and

who will be on the receiving end of this power or electricity. My electric bill nor yours, I can probably safely assure, will not be reduced nor benefited financially, from all this generation which I guess goes on the grids to be available, wherever it heads. Southland Transmission Project is already next in line in for approval proceedings to build a power line for transmission of power to be generated near the Texas and New Mexico borders east of El Paso, Texas. I suggest combine the projects or share transmission capacities, if possible or improve existing utilities infrastructure, avoiding just trampling wherever or as they please. A solar project I believe is also in the planning stages west of Columbus, NM and the larger city of El Paso, Texas in BLM lands near State Highway 9 already, making this an ideal pathway for transmission lines development. I believe the Village of Columbus needs a stimulus for jobs creation and this might be a great

development for that area. In my protest, I suggest that NM State Highway 9 be the ideal linear site sought/desired and then proceeding back north to the US I-10 along NM State Highway 113, where a railway exists/parallels, from the Playas, NM .We must see cooperation in power utility transmission in possibly building a super corridor instead of complicating our systems integrity. We believe in the power of the voice of America and its citizens. We do not desire nor wish congested skylines and ruined vistas. We love things simple and pristine as much as humanely possible. We can work together, but it seems that the BLM is overlooking who truly owns the land and what they are entrusted to protect and that is the American public and our beautiful lands. I attach a sampling of photos of a place with real Cowboys, the tallest yuccas, varied wildlife and archaeological and cultural (we are the real west) importance as well.

Now from the RMP Copies were sent to affected Federal, State,
tribal, and local government agencies, public libraries in the Project area, and to interested parties that previously requested a copy. The BLM Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendments Proposed for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Line Project A limited number of copies of
the document will be available to those who request one. To request a copy, contact Adrian Garcia, BLM Project Manager, BLM New Mexico State Office, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508-1560. Interested persons may also review the Final EIS/Proposed RMP amendments on the Internet at www.blm.gov/nm/sunzia. All protests of the proposed RMP amendments must be in writing and mailed to one of the following addresses:

All protests of the proposed RMP amendments must be in writing and mailed to one of the following addresses: Regular mail: Overnight mail:

BLM Director (210), Attention: BLM Director (210), Attention: Brenda Williams, P.O. Box Brenda Williams, 20 M Street SE.,

Regular mail:

Overnight mail:

71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383

Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003.

In the following pages is some of my personal photo documentation of the Black Mountain Area.

South Black Mountain grasslands

Herd of Pronghorn to the south of Black Mountain, in view of Deming, NM. They are gathered about mid-center to the far left, you can see their tan and white rears.

The monsoons bring life almost immediately! These are tadpoles but in among them are a few Notostraca or Tadpole Shrimp born of eggs lying dormant in the earth and occasional formed pools or mud puddles. A rainy period or the monsoons brings them to a short life. The circle of life repeats itself.

View south from Black Mountain- Mimbres River tree line barely visible. There is a power line just south of the river, I could see. Not sure of its purpose or size, but it lies about 3.17 miles south of Black Mountain according to my review of Google Earth

Still active, but long abandoned headquarters house. Usually sheep and/or cows roam here. The house itself was apparently used as a backdrop of a shot up house for some movie recently with a Mideast theme.

Amongst the tallest yuccas, if not record size, in the land! They are the state plant or flower?

Monsoons time fences/corrals and clouds near Black Mountain

Sheep dog on guard just south east of Black Mountain with his sheep safely in corral!

State bird uses corral posts for a better view.

Young Jack rabbit takes a look!

Another of numerous Jack friends.

Scailed Quail in the shade here- there are also Gambels Quail distributed throughout the vicinity. Their numbers vary as they are affected by severe winters, as well as drought and many other factors.

A small Prairie dog species sneaks along.

My German Shorthair explores ancient Indian tinajas (In our Spanish a tinaja is a vessel for carrying or storage of water/liquids), but these are within rocks of varying sizes and sometimes large and solid which have been ground, drilled or sanded primitively (and I mean of a stone age, without modern tools or equipment), but indeed very nicely shaped round cylinder like holes, for saving water, which they still often hold, are very numerous- some covered by the river sand and only seen when the Mimbres River once again flows, washing them clean or covering them further, at times. I do not recall seen metates (grinding stones/tools- more open then the usually narrower cylindrical tinajas ) or moleres (moleres is a new term to me- and I believe it may have Mexican Spanish origins, probably a correct term, but many of us in New Mexico still use a quite a bit of archaic Spanish and stick to what we learned, being members of the original colonizing and even

conquistador origins, still living in New Mexico, where usually corn or sometimes mesquite beans were ground up, all for food/consumption. There could have been plenty long ago but looting was very common here especially with its closeness to Deming, NM, where quit a surprising number were actually fond of digging, even buying new vehicles when they hit the jackpot with a prized/valuable Mimbreno vessel, which they knew where and how to dispose of. I never knew where they sold them, but I did know that they themselves sometimes had partial rather impressive collections, such as the occasional earthenware, baskets, mesquite shaving or just soft tender flexible saplings for rather crude but functional woven sandals/shoes, impressive arrowhead collections, all left behind in antiquity. I believe they no longer do this, because of tougher laws but arrowhead hunters still exist and if you give them even more access, they will come! It used to be people would pick up the more portable metates for decoration or selling, which is highly illegal, as is picking up arrowheads, and any other artifacts or pottery shards, with highly serious penalties under the Antiquities Act and other Acts/laws enforcing the severe and very serious and costly penalties, including imprisonment.

Lying about this Anazazi (ancient Native Americans of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado) pueblo complex at Aztec, NM, I photographed what we New Mexico Hispanics know as metates (the heavily ground specially shaped base)and manos ( the small grinding rock which is used on top and held in the hand). The Mogollon Culture who lived far in the southwest of NM and sometimes in closely adjacent areas metates and manos were pretty much similar to these. I emphasize these were not photographed at Black Mountain., but are only shown here for illustrative/informational purposes.

I cast a shadow near a tinaja, I was trying to photograph with Black Mt. nearby. There are tinajas all around to west of Black Mountain- significant village/pueblo of the famous potterymakers, a Mimbreno Culture who disappeared- probably occupying our area until about the 1250s.

Indian sign? Tinajas all around- to west of Black Mountain. Shown here is my newer dog (large Chesapeake). My runt and wonderful German Shorthair, shown elsewhere, was killed by an obviously very hungry and predatory Mountain Lion on a winter hike we were on elsewhere, not long ago. I now carry a larger caliber hand firearm for this very reason, as lions in some cases have been known to attack and even kill humans here in New Mexico. While I have been around and seen very many times in my lifetime, I can or used to spot movement easily and very often they were just stealthy above me usually just checking me out, but I would move away loading my hunting firearm, just in case. They never did bother me until one attacked and carried off my German Shorthair. Some even say she probably saved my life in that she was chosen for a meal. I dont really know, but I am legally armed just in case,

while in the wilderness. For I have learned, perhaps the hard way, that you are in their domain (wildlifes) when you hike the mountains. Many build too close or right in their domain for better views or closeness to the mountains, but quite often they learn that they have all kinds of sometimes unwelcome visitors/neighbors.

Nice looking young buck along the tall brush- near Black Mt. Secret please!

Fledgling Night Hawk, pretends to be asleep. Good camo and strategy! Notice the red pottery shard directly below to the right of the bird. There are pottery remains in different places all around the Black Mountain area, some cruder and perhaps older.

Another of the many tinajas near Black Mt.

Red with back Lines Pottery shard in an eroded pueblo/camp

Classical Mimbreno back and white pottery shard, near Black Mt.

Sign of previous digging- probably looters, who knows?

Plain red pottery shard near Black Mt. Pueblo ruin site

The weathered vicinity of the ancient Pueblo

Possible ancient tools, near Black Mt.

Possible ancient tool of some kind. Seems to have some rubbing.

Looking toward edge of ruins site- Not far away to the Black Mountain north, the famous Albert Spalding almost started a Spring Training camp for the Chicago White Stockings. I have personally visited the well casing and cement motor pump bases in some of the land once owned by Spalding. I worked for State engineers in younger years. Actual site of Training Camp facilities well probably in Private land- once owned by Kennecott Corp,( they buy these places for water rights) now probably owned by Freeport. There used to be or still maybe nearby, an old two story ranch house once belong to a gentleman whose last name was Yates (Killen first name- but not sure of spelling) with no electricity or modern utilities/facilities. Water was drawn/supplied by windmill. I believe when I first visited, he had occupied only

first or lower floor. A large Great Horned Owl looked down upon us from an upper open window!

Someones marker- Possibly official surveying, done at some time.

Run over marker!

Trophy Pronghorn buck just north of Black Mt.

A view fro the north south towards Black Mt.

All photos by Henry L Parra (copyright) taken near and around Black Mountain., by self and author of this protest.

My personal inner most preference is following what was called Study Area Expansion Oct 2009 coming from Carrizozo to Alamogordo and then north of El Paso, Perhaps going underground* where

necessary or considered most sensitive, even though this might be more expensive for the Power-line Transmission system builder/owner (but possibly more acceptable to the US Military and/or Dept of Defense), then proceeding (above ground if more feasible and acceptable to the citizens of New Mexico and these USA citizens who wish to comment or object) to Columbus NM using land near Highways 54, Highway 81, Highway 9 partly built upon an old abandoned Douglas, AZ to El Paso Railroad bed and on top of the old railroad bed, where possible, then going up the area of the railroad and/or near Highway 113 from Playas to I-10 area and going on west! That way you incorporate SunZia and Southlands Power-line Plans into one super path/system or I should perhaps say more/most appropriate county, and especially public approved corridor. Solar projects are coming up in those remotest

southern New Mexico areas and would also be served at the same time. http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/bl m/nm/programs/more/lands_and_realty/sunz ia/sunzia_feis.Par.36849.File.pdf/SunZia_F EIS_07.Chapter_2Proposed_Action_and_Alternatives.pdf The last thing I would like to include is first a photo of what I believe represented Luna county at its best and then the second which is what we see or is the disrupted view now, along the Hatch Highway (state Highway 26) now, and I thought, all because we failed to convince the BLM to place these unsightly wind turbines (my own opinion) in a more remote and less prominent location and in the midst of a gorgeous and beneficial grassland.

Vast and beautiful views forever changed! * Not especially palatable to me and others who love the open country. *Since writing this letter of protest. It has come to my attention that these wind turbines are indeed on private property. Thus, this is construction /technology installation is exactly none of my business and the total prerogative or right of the property

owner. I apologize if this may have been considered offensive to anyone. I will leave it on for now, as I took these pair of photos from a public thoroughway, and will now simply use for the purpose of showing how public lands views, might be forever be impacted with construction of electricity generating and transmitting installations. Those who desire them on private property have that undeniable right, I believe and in fact, I applaud the concept of range owners being able to decide for themselves, if they wish to build or have built, as may be possibly beneficial for them on their own lands, for times, especially in this extended drought, are very difficult for many of them, to be able to possibly benefit financially and fairly so, especially on their own lands. Perhaps this is what occurs in Texas, where most land is indeed privately

owned and I read somewhere that each turbine brings in like $10,000. or more to the landowner. I do not know who owns or pays for construction, nor further details. Such private landowner facilities probably could benefit not only the landowner but have positive effects locally and beyond. However, on public lands we have opportunities for written input through channels such as the Federal Register on the matter of Black Mountain Area Power-line proposed development which is an invitation or opportunity to comment and I did this whole paper as an expression of my sole opinion. I do this under my First Amendment rightsmainly, Freedom of Speech!

I must also warn those who take the time to read this that I am a professional, outdoor sportsman (mostly companion at my age) and photographer. You must beware of poisonous serpents rattle snakes when you venture out in the summertime. On this most recent visit to Black Mountain to obtain a bit more photography for this project, I indeed saw one rattlesnake- they are common out here and seem to like the spots we like such as shady areas. However, while hunting they will venture almost anywhere, anytime as this is, as I say their casa (home). So be aware! Thank you most kindly for officially entering this protest. Respectfully yours, Henry L. Parra, Sr 1301 E. Walnut St.

Deming, NM 88030
Phones 575-494-7438 or 575-494-7302 E-mail- hlparra,sr@gmail,com Copy of this document is on scribd.com for easier sharing the Internet site is shown at the very end/last.
PS I am pretty sure the military would not intentionally fire at public highways or near them, so their objections to routing near Study Area Expansion Oct 2009 coming from Carrizozo to Alamogordo and then north of El Paso by or near Highway 54 and their vote or say so, should only count as one, just like the rest of us Americans. They, the military, appropriated or took most of that military reservation land from ranching families who had deep roots to their lands, promising to return them and then forever denied their return never making good on the promise. Permission is hereby given for possible reference or referral use only of this protest document, if writing in protest of SunZia /BLM PRM (Proposed Resource Management) Plan. - However all photos are protected by copyright! Thank you for respecting this request. If this power line were being built through a state such as Texas, which is mostly all private land it might be more expensive to obtain rights of way, then using public lands which can probably be obtained by simply filing for approval and following guidelines as outlined or required by law, for such use and construction from the from the Dept. of Interior and or BLM, with relatively lesser expense.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/151670106/BlackMtProtest