Blackwater Potrero - "Blackwater West" Mercenary Camp

See Also: Blackwater Worldwide Blackwater Otay Blackwater Potrero Blackwater In Moyock Blackwater North

Blackwater Worldwide, part of the Prince Group 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 Blackwater Otay 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 Blackwater West Project Description for details, and Detailed Plot Plan.

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, by Raymond Lutz This 50 minute video is your best starting point!

Hot News!

• Blackwater Otay project discovered, 4-22-2008. See pictures and satellite images of this secret project flying under the radar under the pseudonym "Southwest Law Enforcement"
• Potrero Planning Group Recall Election - Details of the election which recalled all five pro-Blackwater members from the Potrero Planning Group.
• Stop Blackwater Rally -- Our huge rally at the gates of Blackwater West Oct 6-7, 2007 was very successful!
• FOR MORE NEWS -- see Blackwater News Media 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 Round Potrero Valley Images for more pictures! Virtual Visit to the site: The Rise and Fall of Blackwater in Potrero -- As seen on TV Alternatefocus.org

Status and Recent History:

• Blackwater met with Rep. Duncan Hunter and Sup. Dianne Jacob in May, 2006.
• Project opened at the San Diego County Department of Planning and Land Use (DPLU) June, 2006.
• Blackwater made presentation to the Potrero Planning Group in Oct. 2006
• Potrero Planning Group voted 7-0 to approve the project in Dec. 2006
  • PPG_Original_Form_534_2006-11-22.pdf: Form 534 as submitted by the PPG upon their original approval vote
  • Citizens Oversight Projects submitted a lengthy document to the Potrero Planning Group making suggestions for their operation and pointing out their violations of the Brown Act.
  • Later, a lawsuit was opened to challenge the operation of the Potrero Planning Group
• Jan Hedlun was sworn into office in January, 2007. She is has been the sole opponent to the project on the Potrero Planning Group.
• Scoping meeting is held at the DPLU office on Ruffin Rd, San Diego. 125 Protesters marched outside locked gates.
  • See video of scoping meeting
  • Bomb Threat At Scoping Meeting - the public parking lot was closed and we were told later that the Sheriff's Dept. was investigating a Bomb Threat.
• Potrero Planning Group Recall Election - Details of the election which recalled all five pro-Blackwater members from the Potrero Planning Group.
  • Position Paper On the Potrero Community Planning Group Recall Election - Is vote by mail okay? We say yes, but there should be a dropoff site.

General location and Project Plan

• Local Blackwater Representative: Brian Bonfiglio: bbonfiglio@blackwaterusa.com 252-455-0039
• Address: 1876 Round Potrero Road, Potrero, CA 91963 Map
• blackwaterWestOverviewFromSDUT.pdf: Overview Map from SDUT
• Virtual video tour of the Round Potrero Site - 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.
• Round Potrero Valley Images - Many more pictures of the site -- Many high resolution!
• Cleveland National Forest Map - 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: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/docs/PR/4-27-07/0620001.html
    • Initial Environmental Impact Report: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/docs/PR/4-27-07/0620001-ISF.pdf
    • New project manager is Jarrett Ramaiya, jarrett.ramaiya@sdcounty.ca.gov 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; gregory.krzys@sdcounty.ca.gov. until 4/8 or so)
    • Send email to Jarrett to get on the official distribution list.
    • Notice of Preparation: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/docs/PR/4-27-07/0620001-NOP.pdf
      • Blackwater Nop Comments - some comments about this plan making it clear that it should not proceed.
  • Proposed_Blackwater_Facility_Overall_Site_Plan.pdf: Site plan provided by Blackwater, (Very rough)
  • BWW_Proj_Descr-1.pdf: Blackwater West - Project Description from earliest proposal documents (2006)
    • Blackwater West Project Description - OCR'd version of the document above with comments and additional information.
  • Proposed_Blackwater_detailed_plot_plan.pdf: BWW Detailed Plot Plan (Zoom in to see details)
• Proximity To Pacific Crest Trail - PCT is only 3.35 miles away.
• Blackwater West Promo Video - Distributed by Blackwater to support the project.

• DPLUDenial Of Access To Docs - The file at DPLU has been incomplete and many records are being withheld
• DPLUUses Blackwater Attorney As Planner - 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
• Anthropology Of Potrero Site - review of Kumeyaay history and sacred Mount Kuchumaa?
• Early Blackwater Emails - Revealing emails we found in the project file describing the cozy working relationship with DPLU.
• Site Visit Request - Citizens Oversight has requested that we be allowed to visit the site for unfettered access, for further review by the public.
• Potrero Planning Group Meeting 20070710- Comments on the Potrero Planning Group Meeting of 2007-07-10
• Camp Lockett - 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 Blackwater Worldwide

Selected Articles and Media:

Selected by site curator Raymond Lutz, these articles, videos, and news releases mark important milestones in the rise of Blackwater Worldwide and our struggle to Stop Blackwater Potrero and other locations!. Listed in chronological order.

• Order #17 of L. Paul Bremer regarding Iraqi law immunity -- Paul Bremer? , Coalition Provisional Authority? , 2004-06-24 This is the "gift" by Paul Bremer to all the contractors as he left the Iraqi theater.
• Private Warriors -- Martin Smith? , PBS Front Line? , 2005-06-21 details the March 31, 2004 Blackwater catastrophe and describes the general situation with private security contractors in Iraq.
• Blood Is Thicker Than Blackwater -- Jeremy Scahill, The Nation, 2006-05-08
• The Tale of Prince - A War Profiteer -- , Brave New Films, 2006-09-25
• Iraq for Sale -- Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films, 2006-10-08
• Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army -- Jeremy Scahill, Nation Books? , 2007-02-15
• Blackwater Scoping Meeting at San Diego County DPLU, April 5, 2007 (complete) -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-04-05
• Mission: Controversial - Reaction mixed to contractor's plan to train forces in East County -- Anne Krueger, Union Tribune, 2007-04-05
• Blackwater scraps Philippines center, hits snags in California -- Bill Sizemore, Virginian Pilot, 2007-04-13
• Video tour to Blackwater Site -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-04-19
• Democrats Oppose Plans for Paramilitary Camp in Potrero: Party Votes to Protect East County Preserve from Blackwater Development -- Media Committee, San Diego Democratic Party, 2007-04-19
• Blackwater Plans for New Military Facility Near San Diego Draws Fire From Residents, Peace Activists and Local Congressmember -- Amy Goodman, Jeremy Scahill, Rep. Bob Filner, Raymond Lutz , Democracy Now, 2007-04-19
• Blackwater executive joins Romney in presidential campaign -- Associated Press, Fayetteville Observer, 2007-04-26 We won't vote for Romney, will we!
• Jeremy Scahill presents 'Blackwater' in La Mesa, Ca. May 2, 2007 -- Jeremy Scahill, Citizens Oversight, 2007-05-02
• Jeremy Scahill in Potrero -- Jeremy Scahill, Citizens Oversight, 2007-05-02
• Lawsuit filed against Potrero group, county -- Miriam Raftery, East County Californian, 2007-05-03
• Potrero Planning Group Meeting, May 10, 2007 -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-05-10 Planning Group members who voted for the project are served with recall paperwork.
• Panel in hot water over Blackwater vote: Recall petition, lawsuit under way -- Anne Krueger, Union Tribune, 2007-05-12
• Backcountry Revitalization meeting -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-05-18 Dianne Jacob admits to private meeting with Blackwater and Duncan Hunter in May, 2006
• Suit against Blackwater over contractor deaths moves to arbitration -- Bill Sizemore, Virginian Pilot, 2007-05-20 [Incredible move by Blackwater to process the Fallujah victims by arbitration.]
• Pivotal Family Lawsuit Against Blackwater USA Blocked from Court -- and Moved to Panel with Company Ties -- Amy Goodman, Jeremy Scahill, Bill Sizemore, Democracy Now, 2007-05-23
• News 8 Exclusive: Secret 'Covert Canyon' Training Camp Operating In Alpine -- Marc Halcon? , News8, 2007-05-23 [Includes two parts]
• County Ceases Canyon’s Covert Operation -- Miriam Raftery, East County Californian, 2007-05-31 Covert Canyon's owner has been linked to Blackwater.
• Stop Blackwater Presentation -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-06-01
• Covert Canyon Video Tour -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-06-05
• Blackwater Heavies Sue Families of Slain Employees for $10 Million in Brutal Attempt to Suppress Their Story -- Daniel J. Callahan and Marc P. Miles, Alter Net, 2007-06-08
• Blackwater-backed Torture Flights Caught in the UK -- Adam Howard? , Alter Net, 2007-06-10
• Blackwater on the Border -- Nancy Conroy, Gringo Gazette, 2007-06-14 Statement from the Editor
• Pull the plug on the mercenary war -- Jeremy Scahill, Global Research, 2007-06-15
• Wind Zero Presentation -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-06-23 1hr 20min
• Blackwater team sent wrong way -- Associated Press, Boston Globe, 2007-07-08
• Memos blame Blackwater ambush on orders to leave unprepared -- Joseph Neff? , Virginian Pilot, 2007-07-08
• Wind Zero Q&A and Site Visit -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-07-21
• Blackwater Opponents Say County Employee Has Conflict of Interest -- Amita Sharma, KPBS Full Focus, 2007-07-24
• Outsourcing National Intelligence -- RJHillhouse, The Nation, 2007-07-25
• Paramilitary Training Camps Forum -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-08-12 Presentations by Wind Zero, Covert Canyon, and about Blackwater, discussion following.
• Judge halts Blackwater arbitration -- Jay Price? , News Observer, 2007-08-15
• University Severs Police Institute, Blackwater Deal -- Associated Press, WRAL, 2007-08-22
• Blackwater Buys Brazilian Bombers -- , strategypage.com, 2007-08-27
• Contractors take on expanded role in drug war -- Katherine Mc Intire Peters? , Government Executive? , 2007-09-12 Confirms that Blackwater has contract in counter-narcoterrorism business ($15B)
• Potrero Planning Group Meeting, 13 Sep 2007 -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-09-13
• Blackwater License Being Pulled in Iraq -- Associated Press, New York Times, 2007-09-17
• Stop Blackwater Rally -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-10-06
• Blackwater West Discussion at the Potrero Community Planning Group 11 Oct 2007 -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-10-11
• EXCLUSIVE - Family Members of Slain Iraqis Sue Blackwater USA for Deadly Baghdad Shooting -- Amy Goodman, Democracy Now, 2007-10-11
• Blackwater admits border security is a goal -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-10-12
• Blackwater Wanted Iraqi Military Planes -- Richard Lardner? , Associated Press, 2007-10-19
• $1.4 billion U.S.-Mexico anti-drug program to entail use of private contractors -- Alfredo Corchado? , Dallas Morning News? , 2007-10-19 Implies that Blackwater could be used for training of Mexican drug warriors.
• Blackwater asks county to allow extended firing range hours -- Jeff Hampton? , Virginian Pilot, 2007-10-19 [Wants to shoot until midnight.]
• Blackwater likely to train Mexican drug warriors - Press release from Mexico -- Antonio Garza? , Mexican Ambassador to the United States, 2007-10-22
• Video of Civil Disobedience at Blackwater Gate in North Carolina -- Rebecca Cerese? , Blackwater Watch? , 2007-10-22
• Waxman: Blackwater may have engaged in tax evasion -- Klaus Marre? , The Hill? , 2007-10-22
• Blackwater's run for the border -- Eilene Zimmerman? , Salon Dot Com? , 2007-10-23
• Visit to Blackwater West Site after the Harris Ranch Fire -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-10-27
• 'Working as a team': Blackwater fury shelved as Potrero reacts to Harris fire -- Pat Sherman, San Diego City Beat, 2007-10-30
• World's Most Notorious Merc to Oversee Blackwater? -- Noah Shachtman? , Wired Blog Network? , 2007-11-01
• Jeremy Scahill on Blackwater: They're Christian Supremacists With a Conversion Agenda [VIDEO] -- , Alter Net, 2007-11-06
• Mercenary Immunity -- , Daytona Beach News Journal? , 2007-11-06
• Filner backs plan to end Blackwater contracting -- Paul MKrawzak? , Union Tribune, 2007-11-07
• Potrero Planning Group Meeting, Dec 13, 2007 -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-12-13 Newly elected planning group members take office.
• Timeline: Blackwater and Security Regulations -- Corey Flintoff? , National Public Radio, 2007-12-14 Nice summary of all the security violations
• Letter from Blackwater, pulls project from Potrero -- Brian Bonfiglio, , 2008-03-07
• Potrero CPG 2008-03-13 Blackwater Resolution Only -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2008-03-13 Final meeting denying the application from Blackwater.
• Blackwater revives mission -- Security contractor plans training center -- Anne Krueger, Union Tribune, 2008-04-23
• Shooting range owner cuts ties to Blackwater -- Anne Krueger, Union Tribune, 2008-04-29
• Southern California Residents Gear Up for New Fight to Stop Secretive Expansion by Military Firm Blackwater -- Amy Goodman, Raymond Lutz, Bob Filner, Democracy Now, 2008-05-02
• City of San Diego denies occupancy Permit to Blackwater for Otay Mesa facility. -- Kelly Broughton? , Mike Aguirre, City Of San Diego? , 2008-05-19 Includes opinion by Mike Aguirre
• Citizens Groups Call for an Expanded Inquiry into Blackwater Permits -- Raymond Lutz, Carol Jahnkow, Susan Friedman? , Citizens Oversight, 2008-05-19
• Letter from Blackwater Attorney demanding Occupancy Permit -- Neil Dymott legal firm, Blackwater Worldwide, 2008-05-20
• Suit by Blackwater vs. City of San Diego -- , Blackwater Worldwide, 2008-05-21
• Blackwater vs. City of San Diego, Federal Court - Transcript -- Marilyn Huff, United States District Court, 2008-05-30
• Protesters Rally Against Blackwater Facility -- , KUSI TV, 2008-06-11
• U.S. company: crash lawsuit governed by Islamic law -- Joseph Neff? and Jay Price? , , 2008-06-18
• US Private Contractor Leads Torture Training in Mexico -- Kristin Bricker? , Narco Sphere? , 2008-07-02

Recent Articles and Media:

This is the most recently published 20 articles, most recent first.

• Mexican Torture Training Raises Questions About U.S. Military/Police Aid -- Laura Carlsen? , Huffington Post? , 2008-07-09
• San Diego appeals court ruling allowing Blackwater to operate in Otay -- Ronald Powell? , Union Tribune, 2008-07-03
• Blackwater Plan Roils Capitol Hill -- August Cole? , Wall Street Journal? , 2008-07-02
• US Private Contractor Leads Torture Training in Mexico -- Kristin Bricker? , Narco Sphere? , 2008-07-02
• U.S. Agrees to Lift Immunity for Contractors in Iraq -- Sabrina Tavernise? , New York Times, 2008-07-02
• Agents seize Blackwater firearms -- Jay Price? , News Observer, 2008-06-26
• S.D. disobeying court order, Blackwater says -- Tanya Mannes, Union Tribune, 2008-06-25
• NRA Throws Support to Blackwater Over Otay Mesa Training Facility -- Amita Sharma, Kpbs News, 2008-06-24
• Blackwater using cache of AK-47s -- Joseph Neff? , News Observer, 2008-06-22
• HOUSE-SENATE APPOINTMENTS NAMED TO COMMISSION ON WARTIME CONTRACTING -- Jim Webb? , Senate, 2008-06-20
• Activists turn to Blackwater for Darfur security -- Harvey Morris? , Financial Times? , 2008-06-19
• Blackwater states its case -- Jay Price? and Joseph Neff? , News Observer, 2008-06-19
• Opposition to Blackwater's border base -- Rick Greenblatt? , Socialist Worker? , 2008-06-18
• U.S. company: crash lawsuit governed by Islamic law -- Joseph Neff? and Jay Price? , , 2008-06-18
• Military trainer wins legal clearance -- Tanya Mannes, Union Tribune, 2008-06-18
• Injunction allows Blackwater to continue Otay operation -- Tanya Mannes, Union Tribune, 2008-06-17
• Transcript of June 17, 2008 Blackwater hearing. -- , Marilyn Huff, 2008-06-17
• Blackwater's bright future -- Jeremy Scahill, Los Angles Times? , 2008-06-16 Opinion
• Blackwater gets cold shoulder in Idaho -- , Associated Press, 2008-06-15 “They have callous disregard for human life,”
• Blackwater files legal papers over training site -- Tanya Mannes, Union Tribune, 2008-06-14
• All Blackwater News Media - 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.

• Submit Media - use this topic to submit new media to the site and tag it appropriately.

Related Organizations

• I have asked Duncan McFetridge of Save Our Forest And Ranchlands 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, San Diego Conservation Resources Network:
  BCLT on SDCRN
• Multiple Species Conservation Plan - Does not explicitly include this area.
• California Wilderness Coalition - Describes Hauser Wilderness Additions, which border the site to the north.
• http://www.Wilderness4All.org - San Diego regional federal wilderness campaign, including Hauser Wilderness Additions
• http://www.noprivatearmies.org - Activist group organizing to fight the Blackwater North facility.

Related Research

• Gunfire Noise Analysis - Our attempt to critique the "computer Model" of the gunfire analysis
• DPLU_Notification_List_0766_001.pdf: List of people notified by DPLU of the project
• Paramilitary Camps - Various paramilitary and lethal force camps
  • Covert Canyon - 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 Covert Canyon was already in operation.
  • Wind Zero - New proposal in the Imperial valley, just after the split of I-8 and 98.
  • Procinctu Group - "The Ranch" -- Camp in riverside.
• Paramilitary Law - Laws that restrict the formation of private armies withing the US.
• Suitable Locations For Training - 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.)
• Williamson Act - 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
• Backcountry Revitalization Violates Brown Act - Latest on our interaction with Sup. Dianne Jacob regarding censorship of public comments at this May 18th meeting in Camp.
  • Lone Delegate Blocks Democrats - One democrat used his influence to block both the Blackwater Resolution 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)) - 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: jarrett.ramaiya@sdcounty.ca.gov and those will be incorporated into the report. Or, click here: Stop Blackwater Web Petition 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, jarrett.ramaiya@sdcounty.ca.gov 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" http://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/pdf/reglobby07.pdf
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(?)

-- Raymond Lutz - 03 May 2007