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

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

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

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

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.