FIGHTING WILDFIRES: Award to Californian, national report release

NATIONAL WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE AWARD
Jim Francis, fuels management specialist for the BLM California Fire and Aviation Branch received the 2002 National Wildland Urban Interface Individual Award - for his work implementing the National Fire Plan for BLM-California.
The award narrative states: Jim is recognized for his dedicated efforts to help increase staffing, funding, equipment and training for fuels treatment projects; for improving coordination and communication with state partners resulting in increased project funding and state fire planning and mitigation capacities; for enabling local, private and non-profit entities to assess, plan and implement local projects to reduce their wildfire risks; and for helping reactivate the California Fire Alliance.

Related: "LEADERS CHOSEN FOR COUNTY'S FIRE SAFE COUNCILS" (Calaveras Enterprise, 12/9/02)
One way BLM California is helping to prevent wildfires is to help form Fire Safe Councils where local residents work on their own fire prevention projects. Two such councils have formed in Calaveras County. "Nobody's going to protect your property more than you are," says an organizer.
http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/December/09-283-news03.txt

"AIR TANKERS GROUNDED AFTER REVIEW" (Sacramento Bee, 12/07/2002)
Aging firefighting aircraft grounded, after panel says government's aerial firefighting programs are unsafe. BLM Director Kathleen Clarke and Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth joint statement: "What we have found is a system in need of repair ... What began as an innovative program in the 1950s to use recently retired military and civilian surplus aircraft ... now needs improvement."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/california/story/5497501p-6480317c.html

"REPORT SAYS AGENCIES NEED TO IMPROVE FIREFIGHTING SAFETY" (GovExec.com, 12/10/2002)
An independent, five-person panel appointed by the Agriculture Department's Forest Service and the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management published the report, "Federal Aerial Firefighting: Assessing Safety and Effectiveness."
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1202/121002a1.htm

"BLUE RIBBON PANEL ON FEDERAL AERIAL FIREFIGHTING" (National Interagency Firefighting Center Web pages)
Links to PDF copies of the actual report - "Federal Aerial Firefighting: Assessing Safety and Effectiveness" from the Blue Ribbon Panel on Federal Aerial Firefighting - plus transcripts of public outreach town meetings, background and other information.
http://www.nifc.gov/blueribbon/index.htm

NOT FOR EDUCATORS ONLY

WEED OF THE WEEK - Dalmation toadflax
This native of the Mediterranean has spread to lands managed by the Redding Field Office. It is found along roadsides and on rangelands. "Aggressively invades native plant communities, spreading by seed and creeping root system. Non-palatable to most herbivores. Difficult to control. Control methods include cultural, chemical and mechanical."
Invasive weeds are generally non-native plants from Europe and Asia. They spread at an alarming rate because, unlike native species, there are no native insects, fungi, or diseases to control their growth and spread. A handful of such plants in the 19th century now number in the hundreds of millions. These noxious weeds are destroying wildlife habitat and forage, threatening endangered species and native plants, increasing soil erosion and groundwater loss, and blocking recreational opportunities.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/redding/redlida.html

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

ALSO: "BLM INTERPRETERS AND EDUCATORS HONORED AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE" (BLM news release, 12/06/2002)
BLM's 2002 "Excellence in Interpretation or Environmental Education" award presented to Jim Jennings, recreation planner from BLM California's Bishop Field Office - for his work on an innovative guide to remote roads in the Eastern Sierra.
"Motor Touring in the Eastern Sierra" was the result of a large cooperative project involving federal, state, and local governments as well as civic and volunteer groups. Jennings helped with research, helped create partnership of agency and citizen groups, created a marketing plan and helped distribute the publication. The 18 routes in the guide are almost entirely on public land - and on routes that visitors can use without damaging the lands.
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2002/pr021206_nai.htm

LAND USE AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY ISSUES

"BLM RECEIVES REQUEST TO CHANGE USE OF LA POSTA WITHDRAWAL AND TRANSFER LAND TO NAVY" (BLM California news release, 12/09/2002)
Request from Navy to modify use of La Posta withdrawal from microwave relay station to training site and to transfer administrative jurisdiction of to the Navy - approximately 1,079 acres near Campo in southeast San Diego County.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/12/nr/CDDnews12_La_Posta_Withdrawal_Modification/Conv.htm

"BOARD TARGETS POWER LINES" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 12/11/2002)
Riverside County supervisors will ask state Utilities Commission to block San Diego Gas & Electric's proposed Valley Rainbow Interconnect power line: "The county doesn't want to be the utility basement for the rest of Southern California." Line would likely involve BLM in rights-of-way permitting.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_nalines11.edbe.html

"POLICE TRAINING CENTER MOVES FORWARD" (Monterey Herald, 12/11/2002)
Fort Ord re-use, involving BLM California: Monterey Peninsula College would expand its public safety training program after trading land with the county and negotiating management of fragile habitat.
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/local/4714721.htm

"LOCKYER IN MINE BATTLE" (Los Angeles Daily News, 12/09/2002)
California Attorney General agrees to join federal court battle over a Cemex, Inc. sand-and-gravel mine in Soledad Canyon -- city and county officials asked him to help them fight project. Company won BLM bid for mining at the site.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20949%257E1042796,00.html

"CEMEX LAWSUIT COULD RESOLVE POLICY QUESTIONS" (Santa Clarita Signal, 12/10/2002)
Related Editorial: newspaper welcomes state Attorney General to Cemex lawsuit, questions his enthusiasm, says precedent could be set for case where federal and local decisions differ....
http://www.the-signal.com/Archive/ViewStory.asp?StoryID=1437

Related: "LOCKYER TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST MINE" (Santa Clarita Signal, 12/10/2002)
http://www.the-signal.com/Archive/ViewStory.asp?StoryID=1430



VOLUNTEERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

"ROSE BLOOMS IN THE DESERT" (Barstow Desert Dispatch, 12/03/2002)
"Our Town" feature on BLM Barstow's volunteer coordinator, Rose Foster -- who recruits for cleanup efforts and other improvements to public lands. Also refers to a volunteer event last weekend, but notes "volunteering opportunities are available year-round."
http://www.desertdispatch.com/ourtown/stories/120302.html

"BARSTOW VOLUNTEER PROGRAM" (BLM Barstow Field Office Web pages)
Related: examples of projects worked on by volunteers to the BLM's Barstow Field Office.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow/volunteer.html

"VOLUNTEER PROGRAM" (BLM California Web pages)
Related: information on other opportunities to volunteer with BLM California, volunteer application, volunteer coordinators.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/volunteers.html

Related: "KING RANGE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA - HIKING AND BACKPACKING" (BLM California Web site)
Home of the Lost Coast and a number of hiking trails.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/arcata/krncahike.html

"BLM DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL TO MEET IN RIDGECREST" (BLM California news release, 12/10/2002)
BLM's California Desert District Advisory Council will participate in a field tour of Surprise Canyon Friday (Dec. 13, and meet in formal session Dec. 14.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/12/nr/CDDnews11_DAC_to_Meet_in_Ridgecrest/Conv.htm

ANSWER TO WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK,
"What is the most habitat-specific mammal in North America?"
Pacific fishers -- they need forests with low and closed canopies to protect them from predation. Also of interest: "Fishers are well-known for being one of the few predators of common porcupines."
Learn more about Pacific Fishers from our BLM California Wildlife Database:
(Note: see comment on "secure server" under Selected Upcoming Events below.)
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf/siteurl/13359579?OpenDocument