Blackwater Potrero - "Blackwater West" Mercenary Camp

BlackwaterWorldwide, part of the PrinceGroup and one of the largest private military contractors in the world, proposed "Blackwater West" to be built in a valley just north of the small town of Potrero, in East San Diego County. The facility would have comprised 824 acres, including a portion of the Cleveland National Forest. The valley is one of a chain of valleys starting in Descanso, part of the original two-million acre preserve originally designated by Teddy Roosevelt. Since then, it has been reduced to 650K acres, and swiss-cheesed with private ownership. This valley has been used as a chicken ranch.

Blackwater pulled this project due to fierce public outcry on March 7, 2008. See BlackwaterOtay to review their new secret invasion into Otay Mesa!

The proposed use will substantially develop the property and utilize it for target practice using pistols and carbines, a two-mile race track for emergency vehicle training, an 18,000 sqft armory, dormitories, mess hall, etc. The intention is to service 300 students each week (15,000 trainees per year) with 60 staff in residence on-site. See [BlackwaterWestProjectDescription](/Common/BlackwaterWestProjectDescription) for details, and [Detailed Plot Plan](https://copswiki.org/w/pub/Common/BlackwaterPotrero/Proposed_Blackwater_detailed_plot_plan.pdf).

Blackwater does not want to admit that they represent a mercenary firm. "Civilians under arms for hire = mercenaries" precisely defines their activities. More than that, they frequently train and deploy foreigners, which makes the point even stronger. Although Blackwater says they will only engage in some activities at the proposed Blackwater West facility near Potrero, such as training of law enforcement and military, there is no licensing or oversight function that exists that can ensure that this is in fact the case, and the function of the facility could change overnight. Its proximity to Mexico is another concern.

Was this location selected so they can profit from lucrative border-security contracts, is it preferred so they can train cheap Mexican soldiers for their private army, or is this preferred so they can perform extraordinary rendition of "enemy combatants" in a partner facility in the El Hongo district of Tecate? Unfortunately, due to the Black-Ops contracts with the CIA, NSA, and military industrial complex, we may never know for sure.

One thing is certain, this insanity must be stopped. - [Stop Blackwater Presentation, April 2009](M768) - Updated with latest information (a bit over an hour). - [Stop Blackwater Presentation, by Raymond Lutz](M48) - This 50 minute video is your best starting point! ## Hot News! - BlackwaterOtay project discovered, 4-22-2008. See pictures and satellite images of this secret project flying under the radar under the pseudonym "Southwest Law Enforcement" - [PotreroPlanningGroupRecallElection](/Common/PotreroPlanningGroupRecallElection) - Details of the election which recalled all five pro-Blackwater members from the Potrero Planning Group. - StopBlackwaterRally \-- Our huge rally at the gates of Blackwater West Oct 6-7, 2007 was very successful - FOR MORE NEWS \-- see [BlackwaterNewsMedia](/Common/BlackwaterNewsMedia) for a complete list.

Portion of Forest Service Map Showing the site. Cleveland National Forest is to the North, and a portion of the purchased property is within the Forest boundary. View looking northwest from the entrance of the valley. Chicken coops are the buildings in the distance. See RoundPotreroValleyImages for more pictures **Virtual Visit to the site:** **The Rise and Fall of Blackwater in Potrero \-- As seen on TV** \*Alternatefocus.org\* @@ TODO - Make Media Topic for the above.

252-455-0039 - Address: 1876 Round Potrero Road, Potrero, CA 91963 [Map](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1876%2BRound%2BPotrero%2BRoad%2C%2BPotrero%2C%2BCA&sll=32.780106%2C-116.948267&sspn=0.011744%2C0.019441&ie=UTF8&ll=32.646169%2C-116.623993&spn=0.094097%2C0.155525&z=13&om=1) - [blackwaterWestOverviewFromSDUT.pdf](https://copswiki.org/w/pub/Common/BlackwaterPotrero/blackwaterWestOverviewFromSDUT.pdf): Overview Map from SDUT - [Virtual video tour of the Round Potrero Site](Common.M291) - Enjoy this 14-minute video tour, including an interview with one of the closest neighbors to the project. - Satellite Image of the valley - Currently has chicken ranch buildings on the property. Zoom out to see the adjacent areas. - [RoundPotreroValleyImages](/Common/RoundPotreroValleyImages) - Many more pictures of the site \-- Many high resolution! - [Cleveland National Forest Map](http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/forestvisitormaps/cleveland/south/13.php) - The project area is just south of the Hauser Wilderness, I think in squares numbered 24, 19, and 20. "Round Potrero Ranch" seems to be the main ranch house. Hauser Creek runs just behind the property and feeds Barrett Lake. Compare this map to the satellite map above as the cleveland national forest is not shown on the Google Map. - Official Department of Planning and Land Use documents - Web Site: - Initial Environmental Impact Report: - New project manager is Jarrett Ramaiya, 858-694-3015 - Project Designators: P06-069, R06-019, AP 06-004, Log No. 06-20-001 - Lead agency name and address: County of San Diego, Department of Planning and Land Use 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92123-1666 - Contact: (Was Greg Krzys, Project Manager (858) 694-3103; . until 4/8 or so) - Send email to Jarrett to get on the official distribution list. - Notice of Preparation: - [BlackwaterNopComments](/Common/BlackwaterNopComments) - some comments about this plan making it clear that it should not proceed. - [Proposed_Blackwater_Facility_Overall_Site_Plan.pdf](https://copswiki.org/w/pub/Common/BlackwaterPotrero/Proposed_Blackwater_Facility_Overall_Site_Plan.pdf): Site plan provided by Blackwater, (Very rough) - [BWW_Proj_Descr-1.pdf](https://copswiki.org/w/pub/Common/BlackwaterPotrero/BWW_Proj_Descr-1.pdf): Blackwater West - Project Description from earliest proposal documents (2006) - [BlackwaterWestProjectDescription](/Common/BlackwaterWestProjectDescription) - OCR'd version of the document above with comments and additional information. - [Proposed_Blackwater_detailed_plot_plan.pdf](https://copswiki.org/w/pub/Common/BlackwaterPotrero/Proposed_Blackwater_detailed_plot_plan.pdf): BWW Detailed Plot Plan (Zoom in to see details) - [ProximityToPacificCrestTrail](/Common/ProximityToPacificCrestTrail) - PCT is only 3.35 miles away. - [BlackwaterWestPromoVideo](/Common/BlackwaterWestPromoVideo) - Distributed by Blackwater to support the project. - [DPLUDenialOfAccessToDocs](/Common/DPLUDenialOfAccessToDocs) - The file at DPLU has been incomplete and many records are being withheld - [DPLUUsesBlackwaterAttorneyAsPlanner](/Common/DPLUUsesBlackwaterAttorneyAsPlanner) - Attorney Lori Spar represented herself as Blackwater's Attorney at one planning group meeting and at the next, she was suddenly a key planner for the county on the Blackwater project! - [Jeremy Scahill visits Potrero and speaks with local residents](Common.M289) - [AnthropologyOfPotreroSite](/Common/AnthropologyOfPotreroSite) - review of Kumeyaay history and sacred [MountKuchumaa](/Common/MountKuchumaa) - [EarlyBlackwaterEmails](/Common/EarlyBlackwaterEmails) - Revealing emails we found in the project file describing the cozy working relationship with DPLU. - [SiteVisitRequest](/Common/SiteVisitRequest) - [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) has requested that we be allowed to visit the site for unfettered access, for further review by the public. - [PotreroPlanningGroupMeeting20070710](/Common/PotreroPlanningGroupMeeting20070710) - Comments on the Potrero Planning Group Meeting of 2007-07-10 - [CampLockett](/Common/CampLockett) - Military installation used during WWII near Campo. Now a hazardous substances cleanup site. Why don't we use such ruined areas for new military bases instead of ruining sensitive and pristine valleys? ## General information about Blackwater - See [BlackwaterWorldwide](/Common/BlackwaterWorldwide) ## Selected Articles and Media: Selected by site curator [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz), these articles, videos, and news releases mark important milestones in the rise of [BlackwaterWorldwide](/Common/BlackwaterWorldwide) and our struggle to Stop [BlackwaterPotrero](/Common/BlackwaterPotrero) and other locations. Listed most recent first. - [StopOutsourcingSecurityAct](/Common/StopOutsourcingSecurityAct) 2010-02-23 _[Stop Outsourcing Security Act](/Common/StopOutsourcingSecurityAct)_ -- Jan Schakowski, Bernie Sanders Congress - [OpenLetterToCongress](/Common/OpenLetterToCongress) 2010-01-12 _[Open Letter to Congress -- Dismissal of Case Against Blackwater Contractors Condemned, Groups Unite behind Stop Outsourcing Security Act](/Common/OpenLetterToCongress)_ -- Raymond Lutz, Dan Kenney, Christian Stalberg [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M904](/Common/M904) 2009-12-12 _[Blackwater Loses a Job for the C.I.A.](/Common/M904)_ -- Mark Mazzetti [NewYorkTimes](/Common/NewYorkTimes) - [M898](/Common/M898) 2009-11-24 _[Blackwater’s Secret War in Pakistan: Jeremy Scahill Reveals Private Military Firm Operating in Pakistan Under Covert Assassination and Kidnapping Program](/Common/M898)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) [DemocracyNow](/Common/DemocracyNow) - [M874](/Common/M874) 2009-10-22 _[Judge Refuses to Dismiss War Crimes Case Against Blackwater](/Common/M874)_ -- Jeremy Scahill [TheNation](/Common/TheNation) - [M870](/Common/M870) 2009-10-16 _[Blackwater-Xe Contract Canceled by Southwestern College](/Common/M870)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M822](/Common/M822) 2009-08-31 _[Blackwater tapped foreigners on secret CIA program](/Common/M822)_ -- ADAM GOLDMAN and PAMELA HESS [AssociatedPress](/Common/AssociatedPress) - [M809](/Common/M809) 2009-08-04 _[Blackwater Founder Implicated in Murder ](/Common/M809)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) [TheNation](/Common/TheNation) - [M804](/Common/M804) 2009-07-23 _[Blackwater Seeks Gag Order](/Common/M804)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) [TheNation](/Common/TheNation) - [M778](/Common/M778) 2009-05-07 _[Blackwater, now Xe, era ends in Iraq](/Common/M778)_ -- upi.com - [M873](/Common/M873) 2009-04-23 _[Ethics and Military Contractors: Examining the Public-Private Partnership.](/Common/M873)_ -- Mc Cain Conference Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, United States Naval Academy (Citizens Oversight) - [M760](/Common/M760) 2009-03-21 _[Iraqi widow files suit; husband killed by Blackwater employee](/Common/M760)_ -- [GregMoran](/Common/GregMoran) [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M755](/Common/M755) 2009-03-16 _[CPRA Request of Southwestern College & Blackwater](/Common/M755)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M731](/Common/M731) 2009-02-13 _[Blackwater Sheds Tarnished Name: New Name Is 'Xe'](/Common/M731)_ -- Mike Baker [HuffingtonPost](/Common/HuffingtonPost) - [M721](/Common/M721) 2009-01-30 _[State Department To Blackwater: You're Fired, Leave Iraq by May ](/Common/M721)_ -- BRIAN ROSS and KIRIT RADIA [AbcNews](/Common/AbcNews) - [M726](/Common/M726) 2009-01-27 _[LOCAL RESIDENTS ASK: WHY WAS THIS PRIVATE PARAMILITARY FIRM APPROVED BY THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS?](/Common/M726)_ -- [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M697](/Common/M697) 2008-12-08 _[U.S. Justice Department hands down 35-charge indictments against Blackwater Guards ](/Common/M697)_ -- CSpan - [M683](/Common/M683) 2008-11-19 _[Iraq Pact Forces Security Contractors to Confront Work Without Immunity](/Common/M683)_ -- August Cole [WallStreetJournal](/Common/WallStreetJournal) - [M652](/Common/M652) 2008-10-03 _[Govt. Uses Contractors to Probe Iraq Contractors](/Common/M652)_ -- Kirit Radia [AbcNews](/Common/AbcNews) - [M653](/Common/M653) 2008-10-02 _[Blackwater Machine Gun Found in Raid on Iraqi Insurgents](/Common/M653)_ -- Brian Ross [AbcNews](/Common/AbcNews) - [M641](/Common/M641) 2008-09-17 _[Ex-Blackwater trainer faces drug charges in Canada](/Common/M641)_ -- [BillSizemore](/Common/BillSizemore) [VirginianPilot](/Common/VirginianPilot) - [M565](/Common/M565) 2008-07-02 _[US Private Contractor Leads Torture Training in Mexico](/Common/M565)_ -- Kristin Bricker Narco Sphere - [M549](/Common/M549) 2008-06-18 _[U.S. company: crash lawsuit governed by Islamic law](/Common/M549)_ -- Joseph Neff and Jay Price - [M529](/Common/M529) 2008-06-11 _[Protesters Rally Against Blackwater Facility](/Common/M529)_ -- [KusiNews](/Common/KusiNews) - [BlackwaterVsCityOfSanDiegoTranscript](/Common/BlackwaterVsCityOfSanDiegoTranscript) 2008-05-30 _[Blackwater vs. City of San Diego, Federal Court - Transcript](/Common/BlackwaterVsCityOfSanDiegoTranscript)_ -- [MarilynHuff](/Common/MarilynHuff) United States District Court - [M520](/Common/M520) 2008-05-21 _[Suit by Blackwater vs. City of San Diego](/Common/M520)_ -- [BlackwaterWorldwide](/Common/BlackwaterWorldwide) - [M519](/Common/M519) 2008-05-20 _[Letter from Blackwater Attorney demanding Occupancy Permit](/Common/M519)_ -- Neil Dymott legal firm [BlackwaterWorldwide](/Common/BlackwaterWorldwide) - [M517](/Common/M517) 2008-05-19 _[Citizens Groups Call for an Expanded Inquiry into Blackwater Permits](/Common/M517)_ -- Raymond Lutz, Carol Jahnkow, Susan Friedman [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M518](/Common/M518) 2008-05-19 _[City of San Diego denies occupancy Permit to Blackwater for Otay Mesa facility.](/Common/M518)_ -- Kelly Broughton, Michael Aguirre [CityOfSanDiego](/Common/CityOfSanDiego) - [M510](/Common/M510) 2008-04-29 _[Shooting range owner cuts ties to Blackwater](/Common/M510)_ -- [AnneKrueger](/Common/AnneKrueger) [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M503](/Common/M503) 2008-04-23 _[Blackwater revives mission -- Security contractor plans training center](/Common/M503)_ -- [AnneKrueger](/Common/AnneKrueger) [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M484](/Common/M484) 2008-03-13 _[Potrero CPG 2008-03-13 Blackwater Resolution Only](/Common/M484)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M453](/Common/M453) 2008-03-07 _[Letter from Blackwater, pulls project from Potrero](/Common/M453)_ -- [BrianBonfiglio](/Common/BrianBonfiglio) - [M357](/Common/M357) 2007-12-14 _[Timeline: Blackwater and Security Regulations](/Common/M357)_ -- Corey Flintoff [NationalPublicRadio](/Common/NationalPublicRadio) - [M355](/Common/M355) 2007-12-13 _[Potrero Planning Group Meeting, Dec 13, 2007](/Common/M355)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M349](/Common/M349) 2007-11-25 _[Rise and Fall of Blackwater in Potrero](/Common/M349)_ -- Andy Trimlett Alternate Focus - [M282](/Common/M282) 2007-11-07 _[Filner backs plan to end Blackwater contracting ](/Common/M282)_ -- Paul MKrawzak [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M264](/Common/M264) 2007-11-06 _[Mercenary Immunity](/Common/M264)_ -- Daytona Beach News Journal - [M279](/Common/M279) 2007-11-06 _[Jeremy Scahill on Blackwater: They're Christian Supremacists With a Conversion Agenda [VIDEO]](/Common/M279)_ -- [AlterNet](/Common/AlterNet) - [M245](/Common/M245) 2007-11-01 _[World's Most Notorious Merc to Oversee Blackwater?](/Common/M245)_ -- Noah Shachtman Wired Blog Network - [M229](/Common/M229) 2007-10-30 _['Working as a team': Blackwater fury shelved as Potrero reacts to Harris fire](/Common/M229)_ -- [PatSherman](/Common/PatSherman) [SanDiegoCityBeat](/Common/SanDiegoCityBeat) - [M288](/Common/M288) 2007-10-27 _[Visit to Blackwater West Site after the Harris Ranch Fire](/Common/M288)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M213](/Common/M213) 2007-10-23 _[Blackwater's run for the border](/Common/M213)_ -- Eilene Zimmerman Salon Dot Com - [M207](/Common/M207) 2007-10-22 _[Video of Civil Disobedience at Blackwater Gate in North Carolina](/Common/M207)_ -- Rebecca Cerese Blackwater Watch - [M209](/Common/M209) 2007-10-22 _[Waxman: Blackwater may have engaged in tax evasion](/Common/M209)_ -- Klaus Marre The Hill - [M216](/Common/M216) 2007-10-22 _[Blackwater likely to train Mexican drug warriors - Press release from Mexico](/Common/M216)_ -- Antonio Garza Mexican Ambassador to the United States - [M202](/Common/M202) 2007-10-19 _[Blackwater asks county to allow extended firing range hours](/Common/M202)_ -- Jeff Hampton [VirginianPilot](/Common/VirginianPilot) - [M203](/Common/M203) 2007-10-19 _[Blackwater Wanted Iraqi Military Planes](/Common/M203)_ -- Richard Lardner [AssociatedPress](/Common/AssociatedPress) - [M212](/Common/M212) 2007-10-19 _[$1.4 billion U.S.-Mexico anti-drug program to entail use of private contractors](/Common/M212)_ -- Alfredo Corchado Dallas Morning News - [M195](/Common/M195) 2007-10-11 _[ Blackwater West Discussion at the Potrero Community Planning Group 11 Oct 2007](/Common/M195)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M268](/Common/M268) 2007-10-11 _[EXCLUSIVE - Family Members of Slain Iraqis Sue Blackwater USA for Deadly Baghdad Shooting](/Common/M268)_ -- [AmyGoodman](/Common/AmyGoodman) [DemocracyNow](/Common/DemocracyNow) - [M287](/Common/M287) 2007-10-06 _[Stop Blackwater Rally](/Common/M287)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M155](/Common/M155) 2007-09-17 _[Blackwater License Being Pulled in Iraq](/Common/M155)_ -- [AssociatedPress](/Common/AssociatedPress) [NewYorkTimes](/Common/NewYorkTimes) - [M152](/Common/M152) 2007-09-13 _[Potrero Planning Group Meeting, 13 Sep 2007](/Common/M152)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M164](/Common/M164) 2007-09-12 _[Contractors take on expanded role in drug war](/Common/M164)_ -- Katherine Mc Intire Peters Government Executive - [M131](/Common/M131) 2007-08-27 _[Blackwater Buys Brazilian Bombers](/Common/M131)_ -- strategypage.com - [M129](/Common/M129) 2007-08-22 _[University Severs Police Institute, Blackwater Deal](/Common/M129)_ -- [AssociatedPress](/Common/AssociatedPress) WRAL - [M125](/Common/M125) 2007-08-15 _[Judge halts Blackwater arbitration](/Common/M125)_ -- Jay Price [NewsObserver](/Common/NewsObserver) - [M115](/Common/M115) 2007-08-12 _[Paramilitary Training Camps Forum](/Common/M115)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M93](/Common/M93) 2007-07-25 _[Outsourcing National Intelligence](/Common/M93)_ -- RJHillhouse [TheNation](/Common/TheNation) - [M91](/Common/M91) 2007-07-24 _[Blackwater Opponents Say County Employee Has Conflict of Interest](/Common/M91)_ -- [AmitaSharma](/Common/AmitaSharma) KPBS Full Focus - [M78](/Common/M78) 2007-07-21 _[Wind Zero Q&A and Site Visit](/Common/M78)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M71](/Common/M71) 2007-07-08 _[Blackwater team sent wrong way](/Common/M71)_ -- [AssociatedPress](/Common/AssociatedPress) [BostonGlobe](/Common/BostonGlobe) - [M72](/Common/M72) 2007-07-08 _[Memos blame Blackwater ambush on orders to leave unprepared](/Common/M72)_ -- Joseph Neff [VirginianPilot](/Common/VirginianPilot) - [M62](/Common/M62) 2007-06-23 _[Wind Zero Presentation](/Common/M62)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M58](/Common/M58) 2007-06-15 _[Pull the plug on the mercenary war](/Common/M58)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) [GlobalResearch](/Common/GlobalResearch) - [M59](/Common/M59) 2007-06-14 _[Blackwater on the Border](/Common/M59)_ -- [NancyConroy](/Common/NancyConroy) [GringoGazette](/Common/GringoGazette) - [M56](/Common/M56) 2007-06-10 _[Blackwater-backed Torture Flights Caught in the UK](/Common/M56)_ -- Adam Howard [AlterNet](/Common/AlterNet) - [M55](/Common/M55) 2007-06-08 _[Blackwater Heavies Sue Families of Slain Employees for $10 Million in Brutal Attempt to Suppress Their Story](/Common/M55)_ -- Daniel J. Callahan and Marc P. Miles [AlterNet](/Common/AlterNet) - [M47](/Common/M47) 2007-06-05 _[Covert Canyon Video Tour](/Common/M47)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M48](/Common/M48) 2007-06-01 _[Stop Blackwater Presentation](/Common/M48)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M42](/Common/M42) 2007-05-31 _[County Ceases Canyon’s Covert Operation](/Common/M42)_ -- [MiriamRaftery](/Common/MiriamRaftery) [EastCountyCalifornian](/Common/EastCountyCalifornian) - [M33](/Common/M33) 2007-05-23 _[Pivotal Family Lawsuit Against Blackwater USA Blocked from Court -- and Moved to Panel with Company Ties](/Common/M33)_ -- Amy Goodman, Jeremy Scahill, Bill Sizemore [DemocracyNow](/Common/DemocracyNow) - [M35](/Common/M35) 2007-05-23 _[News 8 Exclusive: Secret 'Covert Canyon' Training Camp Operating In Alpine](/Common/M35)_ -- Marc Halcon News 8 - [M25](/Common/M25) 2007-05-20 _[Suit against Blackwater over contractor deaths moves to arbitration](/Common/M25)_ -- [BillSizemore](/Common/BillSizemore) [VirginianPilot](/Common/VirginianPilot) - [M31](/Common/M31) 2007-05-18 _[Backcountry Revitalization meeting](/Common/M31)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M14](/Common/M14) 2007-05-12 _[Panel in hot water over Blackwater vote: Recall petition, lawsuit under way](/Common/M14)_ -- [AnneKrueger](/Common/AnneKrueger) [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M21](/Common/M21) 2007-05-10 _[Potrero Planning Group Meeting, May 10, 2007](/Common/M21)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [ECC03May2007](/Common/ECC03May2007) 2007-05-03 _[ Lawsuit filed against Potrero group, county](/Common/ECC03May2007)_ -- [MiriamRaftery](/Common/MiriamRaftery) [EastCountyCalifornian](/Common/EastCountyCalifornian) - [M277](/Common/M277) 2007-05-02 _[Jeremy Scahill presents 'Blackwater' in La Mesa, Ca. May 2, 2007](/Common/M277)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M289](/Common/M289) 2007-05-02 _[Jeremy Scahill in Potrero](/Common/M289)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M17](/Common/M17) 2007-04-26 _[Blackwater executive joins Romney in presidential campaign](/Common/M17)_ -- [AssociatedPress](/Common/AssociatedPress) [FayettevilleObserver](/Common/FayettevilleObserver) - [M13](/Common/M13) 2007-04-19 _[Blackwater Plans for New Military Facility Near San Diego Draws Fire From Residents, Peace Activists and Local Congressmember](/Common/M13)_ -- Amy Goodman, Jeremy Scahill, Rep. Bob Filner, Raymond Lutz [DemocracyNow](/Common/DemocracyNow) - [M15](/Common/M15) 2007-04-19 _[Democrats Oppose Plans for Paramilitary Camp in Potrero: Party Votes to Protect East County Preserve from Blackwater Development](/Common/M15)_ -- Media Committee [SanDiegoDemocraticParty](/Common/SanDiegoDemocraticParty) - [M291](/Common/M291) 2007-04-19 _[Video tour to Blackwater Site](/Common/M291)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M145](/Common/M145) 2007-04-13 _[Blackwater scraps Philippines center, hits snags in California](/Common/M145)_ -- [BillSizemore](/Common/BillSizemore) [VirginianPilot](/Common/VirginianPilot) - [M3](/Common/M3) 2007-04-05 _[Blackwater Scoping Meeting at San Diego County DPLU, April 5, 2007 (complete)](/Common/M3)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M294](/Common/M294) 2007-02-15 _[Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army](/Common/M294)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) Nation Books - [M293](/Common/M293) 2006-10-08 _[Iraq for Sale](/Common/M293)_ -- [RobertGreenwald](/Common/RobertGreenwald) [BraveNewFilms](/Common/BraveNewFilms) - [M290](/Common/M290) 2006-09-25 _[The Tale of Prince - A War Profiteer](/Common/M290)_ -- [BraveNewFilms](/Common/BraveNewFilms) - [M70](/Common/M70) 2006-05-08 _[ Blood Is Thicker Than Blackwater](/Common/M70)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) [TheNation](/Common/TheNation) - [M292](/Common/M292) 2005-06-21 _[Private Warriors](/Common/M292)_ -- Martin Smith PBS Front Line - [M153](/Common/M153) 2004-06-24 _[Order #17 of L. Paul Bremer regarding Iraqi law immunity](/Common/M153)_ -- Paul Bremer Coalition Provisional Authority ## Recent Articles and Media: - [M1959](/Common/M1959) 2020-11-14 _[A Brief History of Citizens' Oversight Projects](/Common/M1959)_ -- [RayLutz](/Common/RayLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M1570](/Common/M1570) 2015-04-14 _[BLACKWATER GUARDS SENTENCED IN DEATHS -- Men deny guilt in killing of 14 unarmed civilians in Baghdad traffic circle in 2007](/Common/M1570)_ -- Spencer Hsu [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M1511](/Common/M1511) 2014-10-23 _[Coalition Moves to Stay San Onofre Settlement to “clean house” of corruption at the CPUC](/Common/M1511)_ -- [RayLutz](/Common/RayLutz) Citizens Oversight Coalition To Decommission San Onofre - [M1460](/Common/M1460) 2014-05-29 _[THE RISE OF THE OLIGARCHS Empire interview with Erik Prince](/Common/M1460)_ -- [AlJazeera](/Common/AlJazeera) - [M1438](/Common/M1438) 2014-05-13 _[RATEPAYER ADVOCATES TO SPEAK ON $3.3 BILLION SAN ONOFRE BAILOUT OF GIDDY UTILITY INVESTORS](/Common/M1438)_ -- [RayLutz](/Common/RayLutz) [CoalitionToDecommissionSanOnofre](/Common/CoalitionToDecommissionSanOnofre) - [M1356](/Common/M1356) 2013-05-02 _[Jeremy Scahill on 'Dirty Wars' in San Diego](/Common/M1356)_ -- [JeremyScahill](/Common/JeremyScahill) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M1260](/Common/M1260) 2012-05-08 _[Imperial County Board of Supervisors Rescind Approval of Wind Zero (AKA Coyote Wells) Project](/Common/M1260)_ -- [RayLutz](/Common/RayLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M1237](/Common/M1237) 2012-02-02 _[Judge rules training center eviction was legal](/Common/M1237)_ -- [JHarryJones](/Common/JHarryJones) [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M1837](/Common/M1837) 2011-10-10 _[Tribe wants training center off reservation](/Common/M1837)_ -- [JHarryJones](/Common/JHarryJones) [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M1175](/Common/M1175) 2011-09-10 _[Eagle Rock Training Center Should be Shut Down](/Common/M1175)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M1173](/Common/M1173) 2011-05-26 _[News 8 takes rare tour inside Eagle Rock Training Center - San Diego, California News Station - KFMB](/Common/M1173)_ -- News 8 - [M1167](/Common/M1167) 2011-05-15 _[Secret Desert Force Set Up by Blackwater’s Founder](/Common/M1167)_ -- Mark Mazzetti [NewYorkTimes](/Common/NewYorkTimes) - [M1166](/Common/M1166) 2011-05-14 _[Afghanistan: The Internet is Mightier than the Bullet](/Common/M1166)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M1164](/Common/M1164) 2011-05-09 _[Meshaal told to choose between committing to Quartet's conditions and Bin Laden's fate](/Common/M1164)_ -- Middle East Monitor - [M1162](/Common/M1162) 2011-05-02 _[Bin Laden Dead](/Common/M1162)_ -- [RaymondLutz](/Common/RaymondLutz) [CitizensOversight](/Common/CitizensOversight) - [M1158](/Common/M1158) 2011-04-23 _[Marines, SEALs confirm training on Indian reservation](/Common/M1158)_ -- [JHarryJones](/Common/JHarryJones) [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M1159](/Common/M1159) 2011-04-23 _[Ex-Blackwater Guards Face Renewed Charges](/Common/M1159)_ -- James Risen [NewYorkTimes](/Common/NewYorkTimes) - [M1152](/Common/M1152) 2011-04-14 _[Military training facility on Indian reservation is revealed](/Common/M1152)_ -- [JHarryJones](/Common/JHarryJones) [UnionTribune](/Common/UnionTribune) - [M1148](/Common/M1148) 2011-02-24 _[At what risk? Correcting over-reliance on contractors in contingency operations](/Common/M1148)_ -- Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan - [M1129](/Common/M1129) 2011-02-07 _[Virtual Warfare Escalates on US-Mexico Border](/Common/M1129)_ -- Kanya D Almeida [TruthOut](/Common/TruthOut) - **All [BlackwaterNewsMedia](/Common/BlackwaterNewsMedia)** - This page contains all the news media about Blackwater that has been submitted to the site. Some media that is very important was recently submitted to the site but has an earlier publication date\... You can find it here. ## Related Organizations

- I have asked Duncan [McFetridge](/Common/McFetridge) of [SaveOurForestAndRanchlands](/Common/SaveOurForestAndRanchlands) to provide his presentation as a video so we can distribute it more widely, as it is the only presentation where I have seen a picture of the valley and its relationship to the other remaining open space in the Cleveland National Forest. - Area of service of the [Back Country Land Trust](http://www.bclt.org), [San Diego Conservation Resources Network](http://sdcrn.org/):
[BCLT on SDCRN](http://sdcrn.org/about/back-country-land-trust.html) - [MultipleSpeciesConservationPlan](/Common/MultipleSpeciesConservationPlan) - Does not explicitly include this area. - [California Wilderness Coalition](http://www.calwild.org) - Describes [HauserWildernessAdditions](/Common/HauserWildernessAdditions), which border the site to the north. - - San Diego regional federal wilderness campaign, including [HauserWildernessAdditions](/Common/HauserWildernessAdditions) - - Activist group organizing to fight the [BlackwaterNorth](/Common/BlackwaterNorth) facility. ## Related Research - [GunfireNoiseAnalysis](/Common/GunfireNoiseAnalysis) - Our attempt to critique the "computer Model" of the gunfire analysis - [DPLU_Notification_List_0766_001.pdf](https://copswiki.org/w/pub/Common/BlackwaterPotrero/DPLU_Notification_List_0766_001.pdf): List of people notified by DPLU of the project - [ParamilitaryCamps](/Common/ParamilitaryCamps) - Various paramilitary and lethal force camps - [CovertCanyon](/Common/CovertCanyon) - discovered in May, and County stopped operation. Was Blackwater behind exposing this (competitor) facility? Perhaps. There is certainly less need for shooting ranges, etc. if [CovertCanyon](/Common/CovertCanyon) was already in operation. - [WindZero](/Common/WindZero) - New proposal in the Imperial valley, just after the split of I-8 and 98. - [ProcinctuGroup](/Common/ProcinctuGroup) - "The Ranch" \-- Camp in riverside. - [ParamilitaryLaw](/Common/ParamilitaryLaw) - Laws that restrict the formation of private armies withing the US. - [SuitableLocationsForTraining](/Common/SuitableLocationsForTraining) - Existing or closed military bases may be more suitable for training. (This whole topic assumes you think private training camps is a smart idea. Most people I talk with don't, for many reasons.) - [WilliamsonAct](/Common/WilliamsonAct) - The California Land Conservation Act, better known as the Williamson Act, has been the state's premier agricultural land protection program since its enactment in 1965. The Round Potrero Valley is protected by such a contract - [BackcountryRevitalizationViolatesBrownAct](/Common/BackcountryRevitalizationViolatesBrownAct) - Latest on our interaction with Sup. Dianne Jacob regarding censorship of public comments at this May 18th meeting in Camp. - [LoneDelegateBlocksDemocrats](/Common/LoneDelegateBlocksDemocrats) - One democrat used his influence to block both the [Blackwater Resolution](Ecdc.BlackwaterConventionResolution) and Resolutions to stop funding the war. - [Shooting Closure on Public Lands in San Diego County, CA (Federal Register: November 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 213)) ](http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-GENERAL/1998/November/Day-04/g29524.htm) - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is permanently closing 320 acres of public land near La Posta, southern San Diego County, California, to recreational target shooting. ### Environmental Impact Report Comments - **NOTE: COMMENTS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN STOPPED. THIS SECTION HERE FOR REFERENCE ONLY.** - The Department of Planning and Land use has requested comments. Send email to: and those will be incorporated into the report. Or, click here: [StopBlackwaterWebPetition](/Common/StopBlackwaterWebPetition) and we'll make sure it gets submitted in as many places as possible. - Mail in your comments and letters: This is a bit better as it will show additional effort on your part. (However, detailed comment on the EIR is better left till after they complete it). Send to: - Project manager: Jarrett Ramaiya, 858-694-3015 - Project Designators: P06-069, R06-019, AP 06-004, Log No. 06-20-001 - Lead agency name and address: County of San Diego, Department of Planning and Land Use 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92123-1666 From "Registered Lobbyists" > Clay, Nicole and Saathoff, Stephanie of Carpi & Clay
Are listed representing Blackwater USA. This is the same lobbying firm that represents the County of San Diego(?)