§410aaa–51 Utility rights-of-way

Summary

Keeps existing rights-of-way and normal operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement for certain companies in the Mojave National Preserve outside the wilderness areas. Southern California Edison Company may upgrade its Eldorado-Lugo and Mojave-Lugo lines under limits: Eldorado can never have more than three transmission lines; the Mojave area must have the old line removed and the site reclaimed within three years after construction of an upgraded line begins, after which only one line may remain there (but if Eldorado has two or fewer lines, the Mojave area may have up to two). No extra land can be added in Eldorado or Mojave unless it reduces harm to preserve resources, and no more than 350 feet of extra land can be added south of the Mojave line unless a larger addition would reduce harm. All upgrade work, including work done with helicopters, must minimize harm to preserve resources. The Secretary must make emergency access plans with Southern California Edison within 180 days after October 31, 1994. Allows the same basic protections for Southern California Gas Company’s pipeline rights-of-way: existing rights and upgrades or renewals are allowed outside wilderness areas if done to minimize resource harm, and the Secretary must make emergency access plans with the company within 180 days after October 31, 1994. Also keeps existing rights and normal work for communications cables or lines, and for the Molybdenum Corporation of America; Molycorp, Incorporated; and Union Oil Company of California (d/b/a Unocal Corporation), or their successors or assigns, on preserve lands outside the wilderness areas, as long as impacts on preserve resources are minimized.