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BLM Turns the Wilderness Act on its Head with "Loony" Action in the Black Rock Desert Wilderness

Wilderness Watch challenges emerging threats to America’s National Wilderness Preservation System that we couldn’t have even imagined when we were founded in 1989. The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) recent illegal helicopter retrieval of a high-altitude aerial wireless network balloon that landed in the Black Rock Desert Wilderness in Nevada is one such example.

On February 7, the BLM notified the public that it had allowed Loon Balloon LLC — part of the Google corporation — to use a helicopter to recover the wireless network balloon in the Wilderness. Rather, the BLM is attempting to approve future motorized recovery of crashed high-altitude balloons in Wilderness and other sensitive areas without analyzing any site-specific impacts.

In no way did the balloon landing constitute an emergency. Rather, the emergency declaration and helicopter retrieval illustrate the growing problem of wilderness managers simply ignoring the Wilderness Act when it's inconvenient for them.

Now, after the fact, the BLM has issued a problematic environmental assessment (EA) that fails to analyze the impact of the recent helicopter retrieval, is unclear on future mechanized/motorized use for balloon or rocket recovery (the EA also deals with rocket launches near the Wilderness), and fails to determine measures to prevent future landings in Wilderness, among other problems.

Please take action by March 28 and tell the BLM that you support the No Action Alternative, the only alternative that protects Wilderness and wildlife.

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Tell the BLM that you support the No Action Alternative, the only alternative that protects Wilderness and wildlife!

Winnemucca District Office of the BLM

Subject: RE: Purdue Orbital Launch and Loon LLC Balloon Recovery Environmental Assessment

Message:

I'm writing to submit public comments on the Purdue Orbital Launch and Loon LLC Balloon Recovery Environmental Assessment (EA) and its associated Minimum Requirements Decision Guide (MRDG).

While I applaud the MRDG's apparent emphasis on non-motorized/mechanized retrieval of high-altitude balloons from designated Wilderness, the recent "emergency" helicopter-assisted recovery in the Black Rock Desert Wilderness indicates motorized retrievals are more likely to be authorized than wilderness-compatible alternatives. I'm also concerned that prohibited activities are likely to be authorized without NEPA review or public notice and opportunity to comment.

A programmatic EA and MRDG are insufficient to consider site-specific wilderness impacts from balloon landings and retrieval efforts in Wilderness. This is particularly true for mechanized or motorized retrievals, but the EA implies that requests for prohibited uses will be addressed internally, without further NEPA review or opportunity for public comment. A site-specific NEPA analysis, with public notice and opportunity to comment, must be performed for any prohibited uses in wilderness.

The EA purports to analyze the recent wilderness landing and motorized retrieval of a Loon LLC balloon but offers no factual or legal analysis detailing this event and the actions taken to recover the balloon.

There is no need to allow motorized or mechanized retrieval of balloons or rockets in Wilderness. The EA does not, but should, rigorously explore non-motorized/mechanized balloon and rocket retrieval alternatives.

A recreational special use permit does not authorize illegal use in Wilderness, yet that could occur. Measures to prevent unintentional landing of rockets and balloons in Wilderness or other sensitive areas must be adequately explored or detailed.

I support the no-action alternative since it is the only option that protects Wilderness and wildlife.

The best path forward is for the BLM to prohibit all motorized and mechanized retrieval of balloons or rockets in Wilderness. If, by chance, some balloon or rocket strays into Wilderness, it is the responsibility of the owner to complete recovery without violating our nation's environmental laws.

Thank you.

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