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Blackwater Potrero - "Blackwater West" Mercenary Camp
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.
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.
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
- 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.
- Potrero Planning Group Recall Election - Details of the election which recalled all five pro-Blackwater members from the Potrero Planning Group.
General location and Project Plan
General information about Blackwater
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.
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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.
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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.
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Blood Is Thicker Than Blackwater -- Jeremy Scahill, The Nation, 2006-05-08
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The Tale of Prince - A War Profiteer -- , Brave New Films, 2006-09-25
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Iraq for Sale -- Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films, 2006-10-08 [ Screened 2006-10-15 and 25 Mar 2007 at Rancho San Diego Library. No longer have the DVD.]
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Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army -- Jeremy Scahill, Nation Books?, 2007-02-15
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Blackwater Scoping Meeting at San Diego County DPLU, April 5, 2007 (complete) -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-04-05
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Blackwater scraps Philippines center, hits snags in California -- Bill Sizemore, Virginian Pilot, 2007-04-13
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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
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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
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Blackwater executive joins Romney in presidential campaign -- Associated Press, Fayetteville Observer, 2007-04-26 We won't vote for Romney, will we!
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Jeremy Scahill presents 'Blackwater' in La Mesa, Ca. May 2, 2007 -- Jeremy Scahill, Citizens Oversight, 2007-05-02
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Jeremy Scahill in Potrero -- Jeremy Scahill, Citizens Oversight, 2007-05-02
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Lawsuit filed against Potrero group, county -- Miriam Raftery, East County Californian, 2007-05-03
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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. (3 Parts)
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Panel in hot water over Blackwater vote: Recall petition, lawsuit under way -- Anne Krueger, Union Tribune, 2007-05-12
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Backcountry Revitalization meeting -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-05-18 Dianne Jacob admits to private meeting with Blackwater and Duncan Hunter in May, 2006
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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.]
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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
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News 8 Exclusive: Secret 'Covert Canyon' Training Camp Operating In Alpine -- Marc Halcon?, News8, 2007-05-23 [Includes two parts]
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County Ceases Canyon’s Covert Operation -- Miriam Raftery, East County Californian, 2007-05-31 Covert Canyon's owner has been linked to Blackwater.
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Stop Blackwater Presentation -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-06-01
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Covert Canyon Video Tour -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-06-05 Covert Canyon
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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
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Blackwater-backed Torture Flights Caught in the UK -- Adam Howard?, Alter Net, 2007-06-10
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Blackwater on the Border -- Nancy Conroy, Gringo Gazette, 2007-06-14 Statement from the Editor
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Pull the plug on the mercenary war -- Jeremy Scahill, Global Research, 2007-06-15
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Blackwater team sent wrong way -- Associated Press, Boston Globe, 2007-07-08
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Memos blame Blackwater ambush on orders to leave unprepared -- Joseph Neff?, Virginian Pilot, 2007-07-08
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Wind Zero Q&A and Site Visit -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-07-21
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Blackwater Opponents Say County Employee Has Conflict of Interest -- Amita Sharma, KPBS Full Focus, 2007-07-24
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Outsourcing National Intelligence -- RJHillhouse, The Nation, 2007-07-25
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Paramilitary Training Camps Forum -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-08-12 Presentations by Wind Zero, Covert Canyon, and about Blackwater, discussion following.
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Judge halts Blackwater arbitration -- Jay Price?, News Observer, 2007-08-15
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University Severs Police Institute, Blackwater Deal -- Associated Press, WRAL, 2007-08-22
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Blackwater Buys Brazilian Bombers -- , strategypage.com, 2007-08-27
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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)
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Potrero Planning Group Meeting, 13 Sep 2007 -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-09-13
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Blackwater License Being Pulled in Iraq -- Associated Press, New York Times, 2007-09-17
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Stop Blackwater Rally -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-10-06
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Blackwater West Discussion at the Potrero Community Planning Group 11 Oct 2007 -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-10-11
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EXCLUSIVE - Family Members of Slain Iraqis Sue Blackwater USA for Deadly Baghdad Shooting -- Amy Goodman, Democracy Now, 2007-10-11
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Blackwater Wanted Iraqi Military Planes -- Richard Lardner?, Associated Press, 2007-10-19
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$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.
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Blackwater asks county to allow extended firing range hours -- Jeff Hampton?, Virginian Pilot, 2007-10-19 [Wants to shoot until midnight.]
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Blackwater likely to train Mexican drug warriors - Press release from Mexico -- Antonio Garza?, Mexican Ambassador to the United States, 2007-10-22
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Video of Civil Disobedience at Blackwater Gate in North Carolina -- Rebecca Cerese?, Blackwater Watch?, 2007-10-22
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Waxman: Blackwater may have engaged in tax evasion -- Klaus Marre?, The Hill?, 2007-10-22
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Blackwater's run for the border -- Eilene Zimmerman?, Salon Dot Com?, 2007-10-23
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Visit to Blackwater West Site after the Harris Ranch Fire -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-10-27
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'Working as a team': Blackwater fury shelved as Potrero reacts to Harris fire -- Pat Sherman, San Diego City Beat, 2007-10-30
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World's Most Notorious Merc to Oversee Blackwater? -- Noah Shachtman?, Wired Blog Network?, 2007-11-01
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Jeremy Scahill on Blackwater: They're Christian Supremacists With a Conversion Agenda [VIDEO] -- , Alter Net, 2007-11-06
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Mercenary Immunity -- , Daytona Beach News Journal?, 2007-11-06
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Filner backs plan to end Blackwater contracting -- Paul MKrawzak?, Union Tribune, 2007-11-07
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Rise and Fall of Blackwater in Potrero -- Andy Trimlett?, Alternate Focus?, 2007-11-25
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Potrero Planning Group Meeting, Dec 13, 2007 -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2007-12-13 Newly elected planning group members take office.
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Timeline: Blackwater and Security Regulations -- Corey Flintoff?, National Public Radio, 2007-12-14 Nice summary of all the security violations
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Letter from Blackwater, pulls project from Potrero -- Brian Bonfiglio, , 2008-03-07
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Potrero CPG 2008-03-13 Blackwater Resolution Only -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2008-03-13 Final meeting denying the application from Blackwater.
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Blackwater revives mission -- Security contractor plans training center -- Anne Krueger, Union Tribune, 2008-04-23
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Shooting range owner cuts ties to Blackwater -- Anne Krueger, Union Tribune, 2008-04-29
- 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
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Letter from Blackwater Attorney demanding Occupancy Permit -- Neil Dymott legal firm, Blackwater Worldwide, 2008-05-20
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Suit by Blackwater vs. City of San Diego -- , Blackwater Worldwide, 2008-05-21
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Blackwater vs. City of San Diego, Federal Court - Transcript -- Marilyn Huff, United States District Court, 2008-05-30
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Protesters Rally Against Blackwater Facility -- , KUSI TV, 2008-06-11
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U.S. company: crash lawsuit governed by Islamic law -- Joseph Neff? and Jay Price?, , 2008-06-18
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US Private Contractor Leads Torture Training in Mexico -- Kristin Bricker?, Narco Sphere?, 2008-07-02 WARNING -- TORTURE VIDEO IS DISTURBING.
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Open Letter to Congress -- Dismissal of Case Against Blackwater Contractors Condemned, Groups Unite behind Stop Outsourcing Security Act -- Raymond Lutz, Dan Kenney?, Christian Stalberg?, Citizens Oversight, 2010-01-12
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Stop Outsourcing Security Act -- Jan Schakowski?, Bernie Sanders?, Congress, 2010-02-23
Recent Articles and Media:
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Judge rules training center eviction was legal
-- JHarry Jones, Union Tribune, 2012-02-02
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Eagle Rock Training Center Should be Shut Down -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2011-09-10
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Close Eagle Rock Training Center -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2011-07-24
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News 8 takes rare tour inside Eagle Rock Training Center - San Diego, California News Station - KFMB -- ", News 8, 2011-05-26
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Secret Desert Force Set Up by Blackwater’s Founder -- Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, 2011-05-15
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Bin Laden Dead -- Raymond Lutz, Citizens Oversight, 2011-05-02
- Ex-Blackwater Guards Face Renewed Charges -- James Risen, New York Times, 2011-04-23 Case was in arbitration but recently abandoned due to lack of funds. BW mers were given immunity by govt (state dept) akin to episode on '24' before they could testify.
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Marines, SEALs confirm training on Indian reservation -- JHarry Jones, Union Tribune, 2011-04-23 Blackwater Los Coyotes, Includes promotional video
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Military training facility on Indian reservation is revealed -- JHarry Jones, Union Tribune, 2011-04-14 Blackwater Los Coyotes
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At what risk? Correcting over-reliance on contractors in contingency operations -- ", Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, 2011-02-24
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Blackwater deaths suit tossed after six years -- Mike Baker, Washington Post, 2011-01-26 An unfortunate likely consequence when you pick a fight with a corporation with deep pockets and who was likely just following black-ops contract provisions designed to sacrifice the BW contractors in an orchestrated ambush so that the Bush admin had an excuse for the siege of Fallujah. You need money to use our court system if you want to be treated with any measure of fairness. No money, and you will not be able to withstand the tactics of a deep-pocket adversary. Very sad. --Ray
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30 False Fronts Won Contracts for Blackwater -- JAMES RISEN and MARK MAZZETTI, New York Times, 2010-09-03
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Foreign mercs must leave, Karzai says -- AS/HGL, Press Tv, 2010-08-08
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Power outage questions probed -- Shut-off of Otay Mesa plant remains unclear -- Onell Soto, Union Tribune, 2010-04-03 Power outage caused COPs office computer to go offline, an example of potential cyber terrorism.
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AP Exclusive: Charges eyed for ex-Blackwater chief -- DEVLIN BARRETT and MIKE BAKER, Associated Press, 2010-03-23
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Stop Outsourcing Security Act -- Jan Schakowski, Bernie Sanders, Congress, 2010-02-23
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Activist a common sight recording local meetings -- Ray Lutz is government watchdog -- Anne Krueger, Union Tribune, 2010-01-30 Features Raymond Lutz
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Coyote Wells (AKA Wind Zero) Draft EIR -- ", Imperial County, 2010-01-26
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Biden: U.S. to appeal dismissal of Blackwater charges -- Dan Lothian and Samira Simone, CNN, 2010-01-23 Nisour Square Massacre
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Police academy suspends classes -- Kristina Davis, Union Tribune, 2010-01-21 (Note: this academy recently pulled their contract with Blackwater/Xe to use the Blackwater Otay training facility. See Blackwater In Southwestern College for the full story on our 10-month battle to stop that contract. This additional scrutiny of their training facility may be a result as well.)
- 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
Back Country Land Trust of the San Diego Conservation Resources Network
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.
- 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(?)
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Raymond Lutz - 03 May 2007