DESERT: OLD ISSUES, NEW LEADER

"LAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT DIRECTOR NAMED" (Imperial Valley Press, 09/17/2002)
Linda Hansen, 22-year veteran of BLM, most recently BLM's Eagle Lake Field Office manager and interim Desert District Manager since February, will oversee public lands in lower third of California.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/desertpass/stories/PE_NEWS_nddesert1.581fd.html

Related: "LINDA HANSEN NAMED AS BLM CALIFORNIA DESERT DISTRICT MANAGER" (BLM California news release, 09/13/2002)
BLM State Director Mike Pool announced the appointment of Hansen today, at the California state office in Sacramento.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/SOnews10_Hansen/Conv.htm

"BLM EXTENDS COMMENTS ON DEVELOPMENT OF DRAFT MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTS" (BLM California news release, 09/18/2002)
BLM extends -- to 10/3/02 -- public scoping for development of draft environmental impact statement and proposed amendment to the 1980 California Desert Conservation Area Plan, that will establish route designation in the Surprise Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Inyo County.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/CDDnews83_Surprise_Canyon_Extended_Scoping_Comment/Conv.htm

"ATV FANS CALL MEDIA SCRUTINY UNFAIR" (Los Angeles Times, 09/18/2002)
"All-terrain vehicle riders, responding to calls for limits, say the recklessness of a few people is skewing public perception." (Automotive column.)
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/highway1/la-hy-wheels18sep18.story

Related: "BLM, SISTER AGENCY AT ODDS OVER OFF-ROADING IN DUNES" (Los Angeles Times, 09/13/2002)
BLM asks U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider research that supports reopening 50,000 acres of Algodones Dunes (Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area) closed to off-roaders. Off-roaders and environmental groups strongly disagree with BLM plans for the area.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dunes13sep13.story

"ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS GAZING AT DESERT GRAZING" (San Bernardino County Sun, 09/17/2002)
"Three environmental groups are keeping watch on livestock grazing on [BLM-managed] land in the High Desert, fearing inadequate monitoring of pastures closed to cattle under court order could jeopardize the desert tortoise."
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E865491,00.html

"RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROBLEMS PROMPT LEGISLATION" (Contra Costa Times, 09/16/2002)
California governor Gray Davis signs bill meant to help state find burial site for low-level waste. "The new law takes a proposed site at Ward Valley out of consideration until the state develops the facility's guidelines."
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/4084316.htm

Related: "GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL TO PROHIBIT DUMP SITE" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 09/13/2002)
"The official end finally came Thursday for the proposed Ward Valley nuclear waste dump. Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill that prohibits Ward Valley in eastern San Bernardino County from being the state site for disposal of low-level nuclear waste." The proposed site is on BLM-managed land.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1031885493.shtml

UNDERGROUND RESOURCE ISSUES

"CITY HIRES LOBBYIST OVER MINE" (Los Angeles Daily News, Santa Clarita edition, 09/14/2002)
Sand and gravel mine: "In response to setbacks in federal court, Santa Clarita hired Cy Jamison, a former director of the Bureau of Land Management, hoping he can use his connections to decrease the amount of aggregate the federal government will allow Cemex to mine from Soledad Canyon."
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20949%257E859944,00.html

"GEOTHERMAL DEBATE BOILS OVER" (Mount Shasta Herald, 09/18/2002)
"Standing room only crowd" attends federal Advisory Council on Historical Preservation public hearing on proposed Telephone Flat geothermal plant. BLM approved nearby Fourmile plant, denied this Telephone Flat plant -- company sued to overturn denial.
http://www.mtshastanews.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/September/18-3017-news13.txt

"TELEPHONE FLAT GEOTHERMAL PROJECT (GLASS MOUNTAIN KGRA, MEDICINE LAKE, CA)" (BLM California Issue Update, 9/18/02)
Updates the status of the proposed Telephone Flat Geothermal Power Plant Project in the Glass Mountain Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA) in the Medicine Lake Highlands of Siskiyou County.
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/newsbytes.nsf/siteurl/68466469?OpenDocument

"DELAYED VOTE ON PROJECT MAY PUT CADIZ IN FINANCIAL BIND" (Los Angeles Times, 09/18/2002)
Cadiz, Inc. plan for water storage and supply under Mojave Desert: scheduled reviews and upcoming holidays could delay final vote by Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District, proposed customer for the water. BLM has approved right-of-way, with conditions, for water pipeline.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cadiz18sep18.story

Related: "FOR THE RECORD: Cadiz" (Los Angeles Times, 09/19/2002)
Clarification/correction on Cadiz story above.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-a2-correx19.7sep19.story



NOT FOR EDUCATORS ONLY:

WEED OF THE WEEK - Mediterranean sage
Native to Europe. Occurs in pastures meadows, rangelands, and other open areas. One plant may produce thousands of seeds which are spread easily because the mature plant forms a "tumbleweed." http://www.ca.blm.gov/alturas/medsage.html
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. What began as a handful of plants introduced in the 19th century, now number in the hundreds of millions. Noxious weeds threaten endangered species, native plants and grazing, increase erosion and groundwater loss and prevent recreational activities.


WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION: On average, how many quills does a common porcupine have?
(See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes)

WAS LAST WEEK'S QUESTION A "WILDLIFE" TRIVIA QUESTION?
! To quote one reader: "Wildlife are defined as those amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals not normally domesticated by man. Since the donkey's introduction to lands administered by BLM was from domesticated stock they are not wildlife."

Our trivia question writer (not nearly a full-time job, we can assure you) writes: "We included them in the wildlife web page because the wild horse and burro program is so important to BLM ... I also wanted to stay consistent with other government agencies. Department of Fish and Game lists the feral burro and wild horse in their "California's Wildlife - Mammals" book." (Speaking of wild burros, don't miss the wild burro adoption special event, under "Headlines and Highlights" below.)

Also: "One other point. Where do we measure water by pounds for consumption? After almost 30 years in wildlife I do not remember ever doing a consumption study based on pounds of water." (We would like to point out that these are otherwise-pleased readers of News.bytes. They are, in fact, helping to keep it correct and reliable. We appreciate it.)



COMPUTER FOLKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

"SNEAK PREVIEW OF www.recreation.gov SITE TO SPOTLIGHT AMERICA'S TREASURES" (Department of Interior news release, 09/16/2002)
http://www.doi.gov/news/020916.htm

Related: "CASE STUDIES: PORTAL OPERATION ON $150 A DAY" (New Architect, 09/13/2002)
Recreation.gov helps public find recreation opportunities on public lands, including areas managed by BLM, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service Service and other federal agencies.
http://www.newarchitectmag.com/documents/s=2286/na1002k/index.html

Related: "RECREATION.GOV"
Search for recreational opportunities on public lands across the U.S.
http://recreation.gov/

Related: "SEARCH FOR RECREATION SITES" (BLM California Web site)
Also see the searchable recreation database just for BLM California sites. (See note under "Selected Upcoming Events" below, about reaching this secure Web site.)
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/recsites.nsf/search?openform



FOREST AND WILDFIRE PLANS

"A BETTER PLAN FOR THE FORESTS" (Washington Post, 09/17/2002)
Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton's Opinion piece in the Washington Post....
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26089-2002Sep16.html

"DEMOCRATS DELAY FOREST-PROTECTION MEASURE" (Washington Times, 09/13/2002)
"Senate Democrats are blocking President Bush's forest-protection plan based in part on an environmental exemption that Majority Leader Tom Daschle has allowed for his home state of South Dakota to prevent wildfires. Sen. Larry E. Craig, Idaho Republican, wants to attach an amendment to the Interior spending bill to stop environmentalists from using continued lawsuit appeals as a tool to block timber sales."
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020913-676871.htm

"WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT WILDFIRE CAN HURT US" (High Country News, 09/17/2002)
"Beyond a handful of the most damaging fires, officials do not track whether forest stands were devastated or improved by fire, whether watersheds were hurt or helped, wildlife habitat destroyed or enhanced. We need to know. Fire plays a crucial role in most Western ecosystems."
http://www.hcn.org/wotr/dir/WOTR_020830_Little.html

"INTENSE LOGGING BLAMED FOR WILDFIRES" (Los Angeles Times, 09/17/2002)
"Legislators in the West say timber laws led to slew of big burns, but statistics show heavy cutting in '70s, '80s may have caused epidemic."...
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-logging17sep17.story

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"LASSEN LAND AND TRAIL TRUST CELEBRATES FESTIVAL" (Red Bluff Daily News, 09/18/2002)
Rails-to-Trails Festival features BLM-managed Bizz Johnson Trail.
http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/September/18-3769-people5.txt

Related: "BIZZ JOHNSON TRAIL - RAILS TO TRAILS FESTIVAL 2002" (BLM California Web page)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/eaglelake/bizactvs.html

"PROBE: Question: Do you know of anybody who rescues turtles?" (Imperial Valley Press, 09/17/2002)
Well, in this case ... Newspapers' help line calls local BLM office about turtle stranded in culvert -- which turns out to be a snapping turtle, not native to the area. BLM personnel retrieved the snapper anyway. (Note: our El Centro Field Office ecobiologist reports the turtle was apparently trying to get out of the ditch for an important reason: "As soon as she got into some water at our office, she laid eggs." The turtle was returned to the wild in a more natural area at the All-American Canal, and the eggs are in incubation.)
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/September/17-1574-news05.txt

"WILD BURROS OFFERED FOR ADOPTION IN ORLAND" (BLM California news release, 09/13/2002)
A group of wild burros will be looking for new homes, when the U. S. Bureau of Land Management offers them for public adoption Saturday, Oct. 5, during the third annual "Longears Cele'bray'tion," a show and competition event for donkey and mule owners, set for the Glenn County Sheriff's Posse Memorial Arena in Orland.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/NCnews84_burroadopt_sept02/Conv.htm

"BLM WHEELS OUT MOUNTAIN BIKE PLAN" (Los Angeles Times, 09/19/2002)
"Using California as a model, the bureau proposes new guidelines for use of public land, as interest in the sport increases across the U.S."
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bikes19sep19.story

Related: "BLM RELEASES DRAFT NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN FOR PUBLIC REVIEW" (BLM national office news release, 8/19/02)
Plan referenced in above newspaper article, and earlier issue of News.bytes.
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2002/pr020819_bike.htm

"PUBLIC TALKS ABOUT CALIFORNIA COASTAL NATIONAL MONUMENT" (BLM California news release, 09/13/2002)
Eight meetings over three weeks provide first public insight into the new California Coastal National Monument. Created by presidential proclamation in January 2000, the monument includes all undesignated rocks, islands, exposed reefs and pinnacles above mean high tide extending 12 nautical miles off the California coastline.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/CCnews62_CACoastalMeetsFolo/Conv.htm

"COMMISSIONER CASTS FOR MOVIE MONEY" (Victorville Desert Dispatch, 09/13/2002)
Film commissioner helps bring money to San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Profile of a day in her work includes meeting with BLM in Barstow, to work on more standardized rules for filming in "variety of unique area locations that have stunning vistas."
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1031932945,23310,

"MUSEUM COLLECTIONS HIT THE ROOF" (High Country News, 09/16/2002)
Lack of museum storage space for historical artifacts, could threaten construction projects such as pipelines, road expansions across public lands. Story focuses on Colorado sites, but issue has national impact.
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=13374

"TRIBES BILL HAS INLAND STAMP" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 09/13/2002)
"Inland" area lawmakers push bill aimed at protecting sacred Native American sites -- including Glamis, Inc. proposed gold mine and a proposed power line that would require BLM right-of-way permit.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_nasacred1.57d5d.html



WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER: On average, how many quills does a common porcupine have?
Common porcupines have, on average, 30,000 quills! They are thick pieces of hair that have the ability to stiffen when the animal is threatened. They are so strong that they can actually puncture a shoe! When a quill is injected into an enemy's body, the heat causes the quill to swell up and makes it nearly impossible to remove. {:-o)-

Visit BLM California's searchable wildlife database (See note below "Selected Upcoming Events" on reaching this secure Web server.)
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf