News.bytes
A publication of
Bureau of Land Management in California
Issue date: 8/22/2002
This week in News.bytes:
- CALIFORNIA WATER SUPPLY PLANS STIR UP CONTROVERSY
- DESERT LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS: Something to anger everyone?
- PLANT OF THE WEEK - CROSBY'S BUCKWHEAT
- WILDFIRE PRESCRIPTIONS
- WILDLIFE TRIVIA OF THE WEEK: reptile
- RECREATION ON PUBLIC LANDS, including:
- National Mountain Biking Plan
- Campgrounds on BLM lands
- Rural side of suburbia
- Jacumba
- Route 66, BLM and Amboy Crater
- HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS, including:
- California Coastal National Monument plans
- Valley Rainbow power line
- Wild horses and burros headed to Roseville
- Hazards of old mines
SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS
CALIFORNIA
WATER SUPPLY PLANS STIR CONTROVERSY
"FEINSTEIN ASKS MWD TO KILL MOJAVE PROJECT" (Los Angeles
Times, 08/22/2002)
California Senator urges Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District to stop
deal with Cadiz, Inc. to pump water from and store river water under Mojave
Desert. Project requires BLM environmental approval.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cadiz22aug22.story
"FEINSTEIN SAYS DESERT WATER PROJECT COULD BE 'TERRIBLE MISTAKE'
" (Associated Press, in San Francisco Chronicle, 08/21/2002)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/08/21/state2049EDT0222.DTL
"PRECIOUS DROPS: DESPITE CRITICISM, A DEAL TAKES SHAPE TO COLLECT
WATER UNDER THE MOJAVE" (The Sacramento Bee, 08/19/2002)
Cadiz Inc. plan said to pit well-connected developer against a rancher
and cowboy poet who fears the Cadiz Inc. plan will deplete the water supply
-- and has a friend in a U.S. Senator.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/environment/story/4043566p-5068981c.html
MORE PHOTOS related to this and other California water issues: http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/projects/liquid_assets/photos/story/4043843p-5069251c.html
"WOULD-BE WATER KING AWASH IN CONTROVERSY" (Sacramento
Bee, 08/20/2002)
"Keith Brackpool, chief executive of Cadiz, Inc., and the man who
would be king of California's new private water industry, has spent much
of his career swimming in controversy."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/environment/story/4043567p-5068974c.html
"SENATOR PROPOSES STATE PANEL TO WATCH OVER STATE'S WATER DEAL"
(Palm Springs Desert Sun, 08/21/2002)
Chairman of Senate Agriculture and Water Resources Committee circulates
proposal to supervise action on a complex group of Southern California
water deals. Says proposal needed to make sure state reduces Colorado
River water use, as promised. Critics say a new state panel would only
further complicate an already tangled issue.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1029882156.shtml
"REGIONAL AGENCIES DON'T WANT STATE TO MANAGE WATER"
(San Jose Mercury News, 08/21/2002)
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/news/3908669.htm
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DESERT
LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS
"BLM PUBLISHES FINAL NORTHERN AND EASTERN MOJAVE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT" (BLM California news release, 08/22/2002)
The Northern and Eastern Mojave (NEMO) proposed Plan Amendments and Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been released by the BLM. The
FEIS describes and analyzes alternatives for managing species and habitats
on public lands administered by the BLM.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/08/nr/CDDnews74_NEMO_FEIS.html
Related: "PROPOSED NEMO
PLAN, FINAL EIS" (BLM California Web pages)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/pdfs/nemo2002/
"NEW DESERT PLAN: SOMETHING TO ANGER EVERYONE" (Victorville
Daily Press, 08/18/2002)
"There isn't a whole lot that environmental groups and off-road vehicle
groups agree on. But they seem to have found one thing to agree on: They
aren't happy with a recently released desert management plan that affects
5.5 million acres of land, including parts of the Mojave Desert not far
from Barstow and Victorville." Environmentalist and off-roaders find
plenty to complain about in the Proposed Northern and Eastern Colorado
Desert Coordinated Management Plan, or NECO, and Final Environmental Impact
Statement.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1029686779,23892,
"VOICE OPINION ON DESERT
MANAGEMENT PLAN" (Needles Desert Star, 08/14/2002)
The Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert Coordinated Management Plan and
Final Environmental Impact Statement have been published by the Bureau
o Land Management and are available for review. The NECO plan includes
5.5 million acres of public lands.
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=638&show=localnews&NewsID=346016
"CONSERVATIONISTS WAGE WAR ON SALTCEDAR" (Victorville
Daily Press, 08/18/2002)
A
less controversial issue in desert land management: Salt cedar or tamarisk
trees were once brought into the desert and planted as windbreaks, to
stop erosion or for decoration. Now they rob animals and other plants
of water, kill other plants by pumping salt into the soil, and can increase
flooding. Project to remove tamarisk uses methods much like earlier BLM
project.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1029686812,29794,
Related: "AFTON CANYON
RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECT FOURTH YEAR STATUS REPORT" (BLM
California Web pages)
Many more details on salt cedar/tamarisk removal, in this report on an
earlier BLM project in Afton Canyon. (Note: tamarisk was "Weed of
the Week" in last week's News.bytes.)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow/sltcdr97pa1.html
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PLANT
OF THE WEEK - CROSBY'S BUCKWHEAT
Low, matted, perennial herb with highly branched stem forming mats 4 -
9 inches across and growing in tufts. Leaves basal, elliptic, long leaf
stems, densely white-wooly. Flowers abruptly enlarged on hairy, erect
stems, bright yellow in color.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/surprise/surpercr.html
WILDLIFE TRIVIA: What is the State reptile for California?
(See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes)
WILDFIRE PRESCRIPTIONS
"AGENCIES' TEAM ASSESSING PINES FIRE DAMAGE" (North County
Times, 08/18/2002)
"A national interagency Burned Area Emergency Response team assessing
damage from the Pines Fire [in northern San Diego County] is already seeing
new growth in some areas, the team leader said Saturday." Team assessing
the damage is working with BLM, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian
Affairs; the Los Coyotes and Santa Ysabel tribal officials;
http://www.nctimes.net:80/news/2002/20020818/11111.html
"PUTTING OUT A FOREST FIRE IS JUST THE BEGINNING: Maryland Researchers
Apply Satellite Data For Forest Rehabilitation" (Science Daily
Magazine, 08/19/2002)
"Even before a forest fire is out, federal land management agencies
must assess burn damage and move to protect soil stability and water quality
in the hardest hit areas. With some 5.5 million acres already burned this
year ... these agencies face a daunting task." Researchers visit
fire-damaged areas in California and Oregon this week, Researchers visit
fire-damaged areas in California and Oregon this week, developing software
that can use info from NASA satellites to assess fire damage better and
more quickly.
http://www.newsdaily.com:80/releases/2002/08/020819065955.htm
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RECREATION
ON PUBLIC LANDS
"BLM BLM RELEASES DRAFT NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKING STRATEGIC ACTION
PLAN FOR PUBLIC REVIEW" (BLM California news release, 08/19/2002)
"When
implemented, the National Mountain Bicycling Strategic Action Plan would
promote environmentally sound use of mountain bicycles and other nonmotorized,
mechanized vehicles on BLM-managed public land." Public comments
and recommendations encouraged through 9/25/02.
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2002/pr020819_bike.htm
"BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT EASES ACCESS TO BARSTOW-AREA CRATER"
(Victorville Daily Press, 08/17/2002)
"The
Bureau of Land Management has improved access to Amboy Crater, and also
added new restrooms to make the area more accessible to High Desert explorers
driving along on National Trails Highway between Ludlow and Amboy. The
crater, designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1973, is about 75
miles east of Barstow, next to the town of Amboy along the old Route 66."
http://www.newsalert.com:80/bin/story?StoryId=Cpv3kqaicvLyTq1jbvevslufdq0vtuW&FQ=ROAD&Nav=na-search-&StoryTitle=ROAD
Related: "AMBOY CRATER"
(BLM California Web pages)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/needles/amboy.html
"JACUMBA" (San Diego Outdoors, 08/21/2002)
"Even if you don't go out there, isn't that a fun name to speak?
Hah-kum-bah. If you've driven out I-8 past the Lagunas, Pine Valley, and
then Jacumba, you come to a dry rock- and boulder-strewn area that just
calls out 'Hey, there. Stop awhile, get out of that car, and come poke
around.' I've taken that drive many times and have felt that lure each
time. To explore it, walk in from the parking area along the dirt road.
You'll have plenty of company out here in BLM territory. It's popular
with 4-wheelers, rock-climbers (can't imagine why) and hikers."
http://www.sandiego-online.com:80/forums/outdoors/jacumba.shtml
"THE RURAL SIDE OF
SUBURBIA" (San Diego Union Tribune, 08/17/2002)
A 36-mile scenic drive through San Diego's "near-coastal North County"
includes a recommended stop at a "750-acre open space park developed
by [BLM] and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sat/auto/news_mz1d17suburb.html
"BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT CAMPGROUNDS" (RV Travel, 08/20/2002)
"The [BLM] is responsible for land, mineral, and wildlife management
on millions of acres of US land. With over one-eighth of the US land mass
under their control, the BLM also has plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities
to offer. BLM management areas include 34 National Wild and Scenic Rivers,
136 National Wilderness Areas, 9 National Historic Trails, 43 National
Landmarks, 23 National Recreation Trails, and more. What does that mean
for campers? Well, you can enjoy these natural wonders from 17 thousand
campsites at over 400 different campgrounds, mostly in the western states."
http://www.rvtravel.about.com:80/library/weekly/aa000420f.htm
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HEADLINES
AND HIGHLIGHTS
"COASTAL MONUMENT BEGS A PLAN OF ACTION; Washington asking locals
for input on management" (Bakersfield Californian, 08/21/2002)
"The near-timeless rocks and reefs that launch fountains of foam
and hang curtains of translucent mist constantly along the California
coast are a new national monument. 'It is unique among national monuments.
It's certainly not huge like other monuments,' said Jeff Fontana, northern
California spokesman for the [BLM]."
http://www.californianonline.com:80/news/stories/20020821/localnews/473868.html
Related: "RESIDENTS CAN
JOIN OFFSHORE ROCK HEARING" (San Luis Obispo Tribune, 08/13/2002)
"Central Coast residents can get involved in the management of the
state's offshore rocks, islands and pinnacles at two public hearings.
These specks of offshore land extending as far as 12 miles out to sea
are protected under the California Coastal National Monument designated
in 2000." BLM manages the monument, is holding public meetings on
management plans, including one Aug. 30 in Santa Barbara.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispotribune/2002/08/13/news/breaking_news/3855903.htm
"WILD HORSES AND BURROS HEADED FOR ROSEVILLE" (BLM California
news release, 08/19/2002)
Wild horses and burros from the public rangelands of California and Nevada
are headed for the Placer County Fairgrounds in Roseville, where they
will be available for public adoption.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/08/nr/NCnews79_rosevilleadoption2002.html
Related: "BLM TAKING ACTION
TO SAVE FOALS, COLTS" (Ridgecrest Daily Independent, 8/2/02)
(Note: story will open as two images on a Web page, not as text.)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/temp_issues/73_extra2_burros.html
"DECISION IS NEXT ON POWER-LINE PLAN" (Riverside Press-Enterprise,
08/21/2002)
Arguments over need for Valley Rainbow Interconnect end. Judge will rule
on proposal for Temecula Valley. BLM involved in approval of rights-of-way
over federal lands....
http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_NEWS_nslines21.a174f.html
"OLD MINES POSE HAZARDS" (Bakersfield Californian, 08/17/2002)
"Just a few months ago, a 10-year-old boy was rescued after falling
150 feet into an old mine shaft in eastern Kern County. Not everyone is
as fortunate.Usually, when the Indian Wells Valley Search & Rescue
Team is called out to a mine, it's to recover a body. Officials with [BLM],
which manages federal land, are discussing whether it's best to fence
off or fill in abandoned mines on federal land, said Peter Graves, a resource
management specialist at the Ridgecrest BLM office."
http://www.bakersfield.com:80/business/story/1611955p-1729479c.html
"FEDERAL LANDS NOW DEMAND WEED-FREE HAY TO PROTECT HABITATS"
(Imperial Valley Press, 08/15/2002)
Writer from University of California Imperial County Cooperative Extension
discusses rules to take effect next year on "weed-free hay",
and effect on horse and cattle grazing on federal lands. Aim is to reduce
destruction of grazing areas by invasive weeds, but avoiding fines or
other punishment may be more complicated than seems at first glance.
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/August/15-1753-news28.txt
"READING PROGRAM AWARDS PARTY IS TOMORROW" (Needles Desert
Star, 8/14/02)
Employee of BLM Needles Field Office holds bull snake at the Needles library,
as she introduces area youngsters to "critters of the desert."
(Note: story will open as an image, not text.)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/temp_issues/73_extra_reading.html
"A SONGBIRD IN THE HAND; Survey to help steer stream restoration
projects" (Redding Record-Searchlight, Outdoors Section, 7/14/02)
(This article -- with quite a bit of information and several nice photos
-- appeared some time ago, but was recently brought to our attention here
at News.bytes.) Team works to restore BLM California-managed land along
Clear Creek to "pre-mining condition."
http://www.redding.com/outdoors/past/20020715ou039.shtml
ANSWER
TO WILDLIFE TRIVIA: What is the State reptile for Californial?
{;-0}- The Federally-threatened desert
tortoise is the State reptile of California. It occurs in several
of California's Field Offices, including: Barstow, El Centro, Needles,
Palm Springs, and Ridgecrest.
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SELECTED
UPCOMING EVENTS
08/22/2002 - Ridgecrest Steering Committee
Ridgecrest
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/82104830?OpenDocument
08/22/2002 - California Coastal National Monument public scoping meeting
Trinidad
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/61034104?OpenDocument
08/27/2002 - California Coastal National Monument public scoping meeting
San Diego
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/19472191?OpenDocument
08/28/2002 - California Coastal National Monument public scoping meeting
Laguna Beach
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/82126803?OpenDocument
08/30/2002 - California Coastal National Monument public scoping meeting
Santa Barbara
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/77472649?OpenDocument
09/05/2002 - California Coastal National Monument public scoping meeting
San Francisco
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/70682994?OpenDocument
09/12/2002 - Oil and Gas Lease Sale
Bakersfield
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/58967270?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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