News.bytes
A publication of
Bureau of Land Management in California
Issue date: 6/27/02
This week in News.bytes:
- PILT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) 2002
- "DON'T WAIT" TO ADOPT A WILD HORSE OR BURRO!
- IMPERIAL DUNES DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN
- OTHER DESERT ISSUES
- Lizard protection
- Drought - in the desert
- Quechans oppose open pit mine
- OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ISSUES
- VOLUNTEERS HELPING BLM
- WILDFIRE!
- WEED OF THE WEEK - HOARY CRESS
- HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS
- Lost Coast may be found
- BLM in Hollywood (or Hollywood at BLM)
- Power line dispute
- SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS
PILT
PAYMENTS
BLM California is sending $22,847,692 to local California governments in accordance
with the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act (PILT) for fiscal year 2002. Secretary
of the Interior Gale Norton announced that PILT payments are being sent three
months earlier to help local governments budget for their fiscal years, many
of which begin July 1.
"BLM DISTRIBUTES PILT PAYMENTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS" (BLM California
News Release, 6/278/02)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/SOnews04_PILT_payments_2002.html
Related: "BLM FACTS"
(BLM California Web page)
With links to PILT payments for the past five years.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/blmfacts.html
DON'T WAIT TO ADOPT A WILD HORSE OR BURRO!
BLM
holds many wild horse and burro adoptions around the state -- but you don't
need to wait to adopt your own. Facilities in Ridgecrest and Litchfield have
"visiting hours" for potential adopters.
"WILD HORSES DRAG BIDDERS
TO VALLEY" (Los Angeles Times, 06/24/2002)
" It's going to take some time" to train his mustang for saddle and
bridle, said one adopter at BLM's weekend event in Woodland Hills. "It's
not something that happens overnight." On the other hand, the BLM's Doran
Sanchez pointed out, the wild animals "don't have any bad habits .... You're
starting with an empty vessel, and it will know only what you teach it."
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000044236jun24.story
"RIDGECREST REGIONAL WILD
HORSE AND BURRO CORRALS" (BLM California Web page)
Besides adoptions "events" held around California, members of the
public can adopt wild horses and burros at this BLM corral.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/ridgecrest/whb.html
"WILD HORSE AND BURRO FACILITY
AT LITCHFIELD, CALIFORNIA" (BLM Web page)
One of two California facilities where members of public can adopt wild horse
or burro without waiting for an adoption "event."
http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/facility_detail.htm#susanville
"CORRECTION TO CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
TO WILD HORSE AND BURRO ADVISORY BOARD" (BLM California news release,
06/24/2002)
Nominations for board must be received by July 24, 2002 - date was wrong in
Federal Register Notice.
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2002/pr020624_whb.htm
VOLUNTEERS HELPING BLM CALIFORNIA
"SIERRA
CLUB VOLUNTEER PROJECT"
Volunteers helped BLM's Eagle Lake Field Office in rehabilitating unauthorized
vehicle trails in the Dry Valley Rim Wilderness Study Area in Nevada. A dozen
Sierra Club workers spent a weekend using hand tools on the project, to encourage
natural revegetation by keeping vehicles off the route.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/temp_issues/65-extra_egfotrails.html
"RETIREE FINDS TRAIL WORK
PATH TO FULFILLMENT" (Ventura County Star, 06/26/2002)
"One of the hardest working volunteers in the nation," 72-year-old
Pete Fish helps maintain the first 700 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. BLM
presented him with one of 12 national "Making a Difference" awards
for his efforts.
http://www.insidevc.com/vcs/ve/article/0,1375,VCS_251_1230912,00.html
Related:
"LOCAL BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEERS AMONG NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS"
(BLM California news release, 05/17/2002)
Pete Fish of the Ridgecrest, California Field Office and Leon Lesicka, of the
El Centro, California BLM Field Office, are among the nine national volunteer
award winners. Rose Foster, Volunteer Coordinator for the BLM Barstow, California
Field Office, was one of three BLM employees selected for recognition for outstanding
leadership in volunteer efforts. (Repeated from a previous News.bytes)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/05/nr/CDDnews53_volunteer_awards_localized.html
IMPERIAL DUNES DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN
"COMMENT
PERIOD CLOSING ON IMPERIAL DUNES DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN" (BLM California
news release, 06/24/2002)
The public comment period for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) and draft Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for
the Imperial Sand Dunes in Imperial County will come to a close this Friday,
June 28, 2002.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/CDDnews64_dunes_comment_period.html
"COUNTY TAKES ISSUE WITH
BLM DRAFT PLAN FOR DUNES" (Imperial Valley Press, 06/26/2002)
Imperial County supervisors dispute BLM's Imperial Sand Dunes draft management
plan and environmental study. Say it needs more detail on decreases to county
business, and that several issues are not properly addressed.
http://www.ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/June/26-1756-news08.txt
OTHER DESERT ISSUES
"CHAIN REACTION OF THIRST
IN CALIFORNIA DESERT DRY SPELL" (Los Angeles Times, 06/23/2002)
Drought in the desert? That's right -- "This is the driest year in 100
years" for California desert areas including BLM-managed public lands.
Scores of plant and animal species depend on the three to nine inches of rain
that usually falls in a year. With as little as one-quarter of an inch last
year in some places, plants are shriveling up and wildlife cannot find enough
food. Ranchers also must truck in food for their grazing cattle.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000043965jun23.story
"OPEN-PIT MINE ENDANGERS
QUECHAN SITE" (Indian Country Today, 06/20/2002)
Native Americans say proposed mile-wide open pit mine in Indian Pass area threatens
culture and religion of Quechan tribe, including a network know as the "Spirit
Trail." Glamis Gold, Inc. says the issue is overblown: there are no religious
structures on the site, only a part of Spirit Trail crosses the site, and it
avoids the most culturally sensitive areas.
http://indiancountry.com/?1024344871
"BLM SEEKS NOMINEES FOR CALIFORNIA
DESERT DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL" (BLM California news release, 06/25/2002)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking nominations for five southern
Californians with an interest and knowledge of the California Desert and its
natural resources to serve on the BLM's California Desert District Advisory
Council for the 2003-2005 three-year term.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/CDDnews67_dac_seeks_nominations.html
OTHER UPCOMING BLM ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGS
"BLM CITIZEN ADVISORY COUNCIL
TO MEET IN CEDARVILLE" (BLM California news release, 06/24/2002)
Members of the Bureau of Land Management's Northeast California Resource Advisory
Council will discuss a broad range of resource management topics, when they
meet Thursday and Friday, July 11 and 12, at the BLM's Surprise Field Office,
602 Cressler St., Cedarville. The meeting is open to the public.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/NCnews66_nerac_meeting_071102.html
"BLM DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL
TO MEET IN BARSTOW" (BLM California news release, 06/27/2002)
BLM California Desert District Advisory Council will meet Friday-Saturday, June
28-29, 2002. Agenda items include updates on several management plans and review
of council charter and election of officers.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/CDDnews68_dacmtng.html
"BLM's NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA
ADVISORY COUNCIL TO MEET" (BLM California news release, 06/27/2002)
July 17-18. Includes discussion of issues with BLM-managed Cache Creek Natural
Area and updates on wilderness legislation proposed by Sen. Barbara Boxer; management
Headwaters Forest Reserve; and on California Oak Woodlands initiative.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/NCnews69_nwracmtng.html
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ISSUES
"BLM SEEKS COMMENTS ON OHV
GRANT REQUEST" (BLM California news release, 06/25/2002)
The BLM is seeking comments on the proposed 2003 Operation and Maintenance (O&M)
grant request for the South Cow Mountain and Knoxville Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)
recreation areas.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/NCnews68_cowmtn_knoxville_ohv_grant.html
"OFF-ROAD ENTHUSIASTS AND
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SQUARE OFF OVER FLAT-TAILED HORNED LIZARD"
(Imperial Valley Press, 06/20/2002)
Participants describe conflict as between off-road enthusiasts and environmentalists
over means of protecting flat-tailed horned lizard. If listed as endangered
species, could close desert areas to off-road vehicles.
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/June/20-1716-news13.txt
Related:
"COACHELLA VALLEY PRESERVE" (BLM California Web page)
One of the homes of the fringe-toed lizard, managed by partners including BLM
California.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/wf-coachella.html
"SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES PLAN
CRACKDOWN ON TRESPASSERS" (REDDING RECORD-SEARCHLIGHT, 06/20/2002)
Shasta County Sheriff's department says deputies will chase down off-road vehicle
riders trespassing on private lands, and will seize their vehicles as evidence.
Response to residents' increasing complaints of noise, pollution and property
damage. OHV rider says problem is restricted access to OHV park west of Shasta
Dam (BLM's Gene Chappie-Shasta Off-Road Vehicle area.)
http://www.redding.com/news/past/20020623lo006.shtml
Upcoming Event: 07/08/2002
- South Cow Mountain and Knoxville OHV grant request public meeting
Clearlake City Council Chambers
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/66300756?OpenDocument
Upcoming Event: 07/09/2002
- South Cow Mountain and Knoxville OHV grant request meeting
BLM Ukiah Field Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/35416343?OpenDocument
WILDFIRE!
"FUEL
FOR THE FIRE: Low rainfall puts region at risk" (San Diego Union-Tribune,
06/23/2002)
" Four winters of below-normal rainfall are fueling fear that this fire
season could be one of the worst ever" for San Diego area. Making matters
worse: many firefighters tied up elsewhere in California and other western states.
BLM California is working with property owners and other agencies to try to
at least reduce fire dangers.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sun/metro/news_1m23risky.html
"AREA RESIDENTS TAKE FIRE
SAFETY INTO OWN HANDS" (San Diego Union-Tribune, 06/23/2002)
San Diego County Firesafe Council buys wood chipper with part of $500,000 grant
from BLM -- 350 property owners on waiting list to use it. Residents are clearing
brush along roads and parcels, to help protect themselves from this year's extreme
fire danger.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sun/metro/news_mz0m30safety.html
"NEW RESTRICTIONS COULD AFFECT
CAMPING PLANS" (BakersfieldChannel.com, 06/25/2002)
" Building a campfire in a secluded spot in the woods or lighting up a
cigarette while on a hike could cost you up to $1,000 or even a year in jail."
Loss of houses and damage to lands prompt fire restrictions.
http://www.thebakersfieldchannel.com/news/1531008/detail.html
"FIRE RESTRICTIONS GO INTO
EFFECT" (BLM California news release, 06/24/2002)
In response to the increasing fire danger, the Sequoia National Forest, BLM's
Bakersfield Field Office and Kern County Fire Department announced fire restrictions
for all federal and state protected lands within Kern County.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/CCnews_joint_fire_restrictions.html
"AGENCIES URGE EVERYONE TO
HAVE A FIRE SAFE HOLIDAY" (BLM California news release, 06/26/2002)
Along with celebrating the 4th of July comes a responsibility to be safe and
prevent campfires from escaping and creating wildfires, say officials at the
Susanville Interagency Fire Center (SIFC).
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/SIFCnews03_fire_safe_july4.html
"PRESIDENT BUSH RELEASES
$120 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR WILDLAND FIRE EFFORT" (Department
of Interior news release, 06/21/2002)
Departments of Interior and Agriculture to receive more funds for firefighting
and rehabilitation of burned lands.
http://www.doi.gov/news/020624.html
"HOUSE PANEL VOTES TO ADD
$145 MILLION FOR FIGHTING WILDFIRES" (San Francisco Chronicle, 06/25/2002)
"A House panel voted Tuesday to add $145 million to President Bush's budget
for fighting wildfires in the West, cutting subsidies for private landowners
and conservation grants to pay for the increase."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/06/25/national1720EDT0715.DTL
"WALKER SMOLDERS AFTER FIRE
- Authorities estimate the fire's cost at close to $10 million" (Mammoth
Times, 06/27/2002)
Firefighters managed to save most threatened homes in this fire, but lost three
firefighters in plane crash. Evacuated residents returning to town of Walker
to find dozens of homes surrounded by "blackened, charred ground"
- but spared.
http://www.mammothtimes.com/times2002/Walkersmolders06-27%20Hold%204%20Q.html#TopOfPage
"NATIONAL FIRE PLAN"
A cooperative effort of the Department of Interior, USDA Forest Service and
National Association of State Foresters, for "managing the impact of wildfires
on communities and the environment." (BLM is part of the Department of
Interior). Links to sites including fire prevention projects, fire research,
and fire safety information.)
http://www.fireplan.gov/
Related:
"PRESCRIBED BURNS PAY OFF" (ABC News, 06/26/2002)
"White, powdery ash" is all that remains of several buildings in the
path of Colorado's huge Hayman fire --- while a wood frame house two miles down
the road was spared. An 8,000-acre "prescribed burn" last fall destroyed
nearby brush and small trees -- in highly flammable thickets -- leaving only
older, larger trees in a buffer zone.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/DailyNews/prescribed_burns020626.html
"ALSO IN FLAMES: SMOKEY BEAR
APPROACH" (Christian Science Monitor, 06/27/2002)
Did 100 years of "Smokey Bear" - suppression of all forest fires -
just help create the 20 wildfires burning 2.5 million acres across the West?
New homeowners in wildland-urban interface" also increase fire risk. Controversial
debate over solutions, including logging to thin forests or "let it burn"
policy.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0627/p01s01-usgn.html
"LITTLE FIRES TO END BIG
FIRES" (Christian Science Monitor, 06/26/2002)
Editorial: Calls for reducing wildfire danger from brush, fallen wood and other
fuels in forests, through "carefully selected logging ... careful use of
controlled fires", property-owner responsibility to clear brush and trees
to close to buildings and local building codes that specify fire-resistant materials.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0626/p10s02-comv.html
"TOUGH TIMES FOR PEOPLE WHO
BATTLE WILDLAND BLAZES" (The New York Times, 06/23/2002)
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/23/national/23MEMO.html
WEED
OF THE WEEK - HOARY CRESS
Deep rooted perennial grows up to three feet. Leaves are blue-green, lance-shaped.
Lower leaves stalked, while upper leaves with two lobes clasping the stem. Many
clusters of white flowers give a white, flat-topped appearance. Flower with
4 petals. Seed capsules are heart-shaped, containing two reddish-brown seeds
separated by a narrow, papery partition. Native to Europe, this noxious weed
commonly grows in disturbed sites, saline soils, and along river banks and other
waterways.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/eaglelake/hoarycress.html
HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS
"WAY OFF THE BEAT-ON PATH:
Lost Coast road offers rugged fun" (San Francisco Chronicle, 06/27/2002)
"The Lost Coast is in danger of becoming the Found Coast" says feature
story on these public lands managed by BLM California and State of California.
But the remote northern California areas won't be overrun soon: "Visitors
can choose between: driving narrow, paved lanes that seem as if they were scribbled
on maps by earthworms dipped in ink; walking trails that test any hiker's love
of rugged ways; or daring entry via dirt tracks that munch up a car for lunch."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/06/27/SP160424.DTL
Related:
"KING RANGE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA" (BLM California Web pages)
The Lost Coast lands managed by BLM California - with links to information on
trails, camping, and more.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/arcata/king_range.html
Related:
"RECREATION SITE SEARCH" (BLM California Web pages)
Search BLM California recreation database for information on sites mentioned
in the San Francisco Chronicle article -- or any other sites in California.
(Note: this Web site is now on a more secure server, and your browser may state
that "You are about to view pages over a secure connection" and ask
you to "Trust a Security Certificate" from the Department of Interior
that hosts this site.)
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/recsites.nsf/search?openform
"HOLLYWOOD SHOOTS THE HIGH
DESERT" (Victorville Daily Press, 06/24/2002)
Brad Pitt was shooting a movie last month in El Mirage -- one of the most popular
California desert spots for filming movies. Also popular with Hollywood filmmakers
is Dumont Dunes. BLM California issues film permits for parts of these areas,
and others used in popular films and commercials....
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1024932506,94660,
Related:
"EL MIRAGE DRY LAKE OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATION AREA" (BLM
California Web page)
One of Hollywood filmmakers' most popular BLM sites.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow/mirage.html
Related:
"WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A FILM PERMIT"
Includes map of some notable films shot on lands managed by BLM California's
Bishop Field Office. BE SURE TO CONTACT THE LOCAL BLM FIELD OFFICE FOR ANY UPDATES
TO PERMIT INFORMATION.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/bishop/film.html
Related:
"THE ALABAMA HILLS"
See the paragraph under "A Bit of Film History" for some of the commercials
and films shot on BLM-managed lands here -- from the time of Gene Autrey and
Roy Rogers, to recent filmmakers.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/bishop/alabamas.html
"BILL MAY SUGGEST POWER-LINE
ROUTE GO THROUGH FOREST INSTEAD OF INDIAN-OWNED LAND" (Riverside Press-Enterprise,
06/27/2002)
A congressional bill may suggest alternative route for San Diego Gas & Electric
"Valley Rainbow Interconnect" power line -- once proposed to cross
land now allotted to Pechanga Indian tribe and land that would have required
BLM California rights-of-way permits. Suggested new route would cross Cleveland
National Forest land.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_NEWS_nsbill27.a16b8.html
Related:
"POWER MANAGERS CALL FOR CONSERVATION" (North County Times, 6/27/02)
San Diego Gas & Electric company and California Independent System Operator
officials call for conservation -- and construction of the Valley Rainbow Interconnect.
"You are more vulnerable because you are at the end (of the state's transmission
network)," said one.
http://www.nctimes.net/news/2002/20020627/55125.html
"EA COMPLETED FOR NEW INTERAGENCY
VISITOR CENTER" (Mammoth Times, 06/27/2002)
Called "a major step" toward construction of eight-agency Eastern
Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center near Lone Pine.
http://www.mammothtimes.com/times2002/InteragencyEA06-27.html#TopOfPage
"WILDERNESS MEASURES DRAW
FIRE" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 06/21/2002)
Bills by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and the north coast's Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Napa,
aim to protect some 839,000 acres of pristine federal land and parts of nine
rivers in Northern California, including more than 60,000 acres in and near
Shasta County. The bills have drawn fire from some Shasta County officials who
say the plans were developed without any local input and would prevent many
residents from enjoying some of the region's most beautiful getaway spots.
http://www.redding.com/news/past/20020621lo040.shtml
SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS
06/29/2002 - Mammoth Lakes area
geothermal field trip
At "chain up area"
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/25071184?OpenDocument
07/02/2002 - Fourmile Hill Geothermal
Project oversight committee meeting
Klamath National Forest Supervisor's Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/28952163?OpenDocument
07/11/2002 - Northeast California
Advisory Council meeting
BLM Surprise Field Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/83836576?OpenDocument
07/16/2002 - Draft Headwaters
Management Plan public meeting
Humboldt County Library
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/9279469?OpenDocument
07/17/2002 - Northwest California
Advisory Council meeting
BLM Ukiah Field Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/36168918?OpenDocument
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News.bytes published by
Bureau of Land Management
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1834
Sacramento, Ca 95825
(916) 978-4600
http://www.ca.blm.gov
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