LAND USE PLANNING

"PART OF PRESERVATION PLAN REVEALED" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 10/18/2002)
"Public land stewards unveiled a major portion of a plan to streamline local development while preserving the Coachella Valley's prolific collection of wildlife, plants and birds. The [BLM] said Thursday it intends to protect nearly 300,000 acres in the valley by limiting off-road vehicle access, improving the mountainous habitat of the endangered bighorn sheep and expanding the unique life zone around an oasis near the Salton Sea."
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1034909187.shtml

Related: "PROPOSED COACHELLA VALLEY PLAN AMENDMENT PUBLISHED" (BLM California news release, 10/17/02)
(Relates to story above -- repeated from previous issue of News.bytes.)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/CDDnews04_Coachella_FEIS_available/Conv.htm

Related: "COACHELLA VALLEY PRESERVE - Watchable Wildlife Site" (BLM California Web site)
The best "Watchable Wildlife sites" in California were selected by experts with the National Watchable Wildlife Program -- a unique partnership of state and federal agencies and private organizations dedicated to promoting wildlife-related recreation, education, and conservation. This page includes tips on watching wildlife, summary of wildlife types you may spot here, and related information.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/wf-coachella.html

"DRAFT AMENDMENT AND ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE WESTERN COLORADO DESERT ROUTES OF TRAVEL DESIGNATIONS RELEASED" (BLM California news release, 10/18/2002)
The BLM has released draft amendment and associated environmental assessment of the California Desert Conservation Area Plan for off-road vehicle trail (route of travel) designations in the Western Colorado Desert (WECO) portion of Imperial County.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/CDDnews05_WECO_amendment2/Conv.htm

"BLM SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON KING RANGE MANAGEMENT PLAN" (BLM California news release, 10/23/02)
Will host five meetings in Northern California. Written comments due Dec. 15.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/NCnews06_kingrange_scoping/Conv.htm

RIGHTS OF WAY ACROSS PUBLIC LANDS: Power Line

"JUDGE RULES AGAINST POWER LINE" (North County Times, 10/22/2002)
Public Utilities Commission Judge rules that San Diego Gas & Electric Co. failed to demonstrate need for new 500,000-volt power line. Member of same commission -- which has final say over "Valley-Rainbow Interconnect" -- said in separate filing that a line is needed to ensure electrical reliability, but SDG&E's proposal not cost-effective. Proponents and opponents both say ruling is progress.
http://www.nctimes.net/news/2002/20021022/54214.html

"POWER LINE PANNED" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 10/22/2002)
Proposed Valley Rainbow Interconnect: "A judge rejects a San Diego utility's proposal, but it's not dead yet. " Some proposed routes would require BLM rights-of-way permits.
http://www.pe.com/breakingnews/local/PE_NEWS_nslines22.f27c.html


RIGHTS OF WAY ACROSS PUBLIC LANDS: California water
California has December deadline for plan to use less Colorado River water -- or face 15 percent cutback to meet its legal limit. Many proposed routes for increased water supply to southern California cities would cross BLM-managed lands in the southern California desert.

"DESERT WATER LAW OK'd" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 10/23/02)
"Large-scale users of desert water will be required to file detailed plans to preserve underground aquifers under an ordinance granted preliminary approval Tuesday by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors." Proposed ordinance was seen as reaction to proposed Cadiz, Inc. plan to pump water into and out of under the Mojave Desert that had received conditional BLM rights-of-way permits. Ordinance supporters say cancellation of that plan does not mean their groundwater is safe from exploitation.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/sanbernardino/stories/PE_NEWS_nbwater23.57f81.html

"WATER BOARD OKs PLAN IN HOPES OF AVOIDING CUTBACKS" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 10/23/02)
Coachella Valley Water District narrowly approves proposal aimed at avoiding massive cutbacks in the amount of water California can draw from the Colorado River. Close vote of 3-2 "reinforces doubts as to whether water districts involved in the deal can reach final agreement on a transfer by the end of the year."
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1035328948.shtml

"IMPERIAL VALLEY FARMERS QUESTION PROPOSED PACT" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 10/23/02)
"Imperial Valley farmers sought assurances ... that they will be able to stay in business if they support a pact that will transfer water from their crops to urban Southern California."
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_naimport2.a1431.html

"CALIFORNIA TO TAKE LESS WATER FROM COLORADO RIVER" (Grand Junction (Colorado) Daily Sentinel, 10/17/02)
Perspective from a state that shares Colorado River water with California.
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/newsfd/auto/feed/news/2002/10/17/1034855138.21102.5201.9595.html

"WATER DISPUTE CONTINUES FOR 40 ACRES, DWP" (Inyo Register, 10/22/02)
Water crisis on a smaller scale: Dispute between residents of Wright's 40 Acres and Los Angeles Division of Water and Power: structure to regulate water is on BLM-managed land. BLM employee suggests solution to dispute.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=5792801&BRD=2270&PAG=461&dept_id=468891&rfi=6

NOT FOR EDUCATORS ONLY

PLANT OF THE WEEK - Tiehm's milkvetch
Much branched mat-forming perennial herb, gray hairy, 4 -16 inches wide. Leaves dense, 1/4 - 1 inch, with 7-9 leaflets. Flowers white tinged with lilac, about 3/16 inch. Pod small, hairy, usually 2 seeded. http://www.ca.blm.gov/surprise/surpasti.html ("Special status plants" are those plants whose survival on BLM-managed lands is of concern.)

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION: What is the rarest pocket mouse species in North America?"
(See answer near end of this issue of News.bytes)


WILD HORSES AND BURROS

"THE WILD REBORN" (Eureka Times-Standard, 10/20/2002)
"Once-devastated wild horses now find homes." Wild horses shown off, gentled, adopted at recent event.
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E937953,00.html

"WILD HORSES AND BURROS HEADED FOR PASO ROBLES" (BLM California news release, 10/17/02)
Free horse gentling and training demonstrations -- at the only wild horse and burro adoption opportunity in San Luis Obispo County this fall.  Nov. 2-3, 2002.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/CCnews03_pasoroblesWHB_adoption/Conv.htm

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"GUZZLERS FAVORED" (Needles Desert Star, 10/23/02)
"While controversy has waxed and waned over water sources for wildlife in the East Mojave Desert, the [BLM] has determined no significant impact would be realized from the installation of two big game guzzlers in the Sheephole Valley Wilderness."
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=638&NewsID=380877&CategoryID=1393&on=0

"ROUGH 'n' READY" (Bakersfield Californian, 1021/02)
California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs' driving clinic helps improve off-road driving skills. The association is heavily involved in federal state and local recreational land use issues. "Our staff and volunteers work very closely with legislators and land use managers to provide input, influence, expertise and manpower to keep public lands open for four-wheel drive vehicle access."
http://www.bakersfield.com/local/story/2003566p-2105456c.html

"CATASTROPHIC FIRE CONTROL EXAMINED" (Red Bluff Daily News, 10/17/2002)
Series of workshops on environmentally sensitive road maintenance and brush clearing techniques to help prevent wildfires -- partially funded by BLM "fire safe" grant.
http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/October/17-3180-people3.txt

"BURN IT TO SAVE IT" (Los Angeles Times, 10/20/2002)
"A Century Ago, Blazes Caused by Man Regularly Purged Forests, Says Historian Stephen J. Pyne, Who Warns That Decades of Fire Suppression Have Put the West One Spark From Conflagration"
(Note: Los Angeles Times articles require free registration to view articles on their Web site. This is a policy of the Los Angeles Times.)
http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/magazine/la-tm-fire42oct20001450.story

"POT IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY: Both sides of the story/Climate attracts many growers" (Eureka Times-Standard, 10/20-21/02)
"It's kind of like Napa to wine ... Mendo(cino) and Humboldt are the Napa and Sonoma of marijuana country. There's no doubt about it, it's got the No. 1 reputation in the country." Two-part series points out much of it is grown on public lands.
Part one:
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E937947,00.html
Part two:
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E939322,00.html

"ALLEGRETTI'S GROUNDWATER USE INCREASE REQUEST TO BE HEARD" (Imperial Valley Press, 10/18/2002)
Farmers want to pump more groundwater than can naturally be replaced, said representatives including BLM. Earlier request delayed, when groups said it needed to go through California Environmental Quality Act review process.
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/October/18-1221-news08.txt

"COURT UPHOLDS CLINTON-ORDERED NATIONAL MONUMENTS IN FIVE WESTERN STATES" (Associated Press, in San Francisco Chronicle, 10/18/2002)
Federal appeals court affirms lower court dismissal of challenges to 1906 Antiquities Act, as it related to creation of seven monuments in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. Industry and property rights groups say they will appeal.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/10/18/national1839EDT0811.DTL

"OPERATION DUMP DUMBO: Ore Car Recovery in the Argus Mtn. Range" (Desert Geographic, 09/30/2002)
Ore carts are "symbols of America's ingenuity and an icon to our past." Many restored carts are on display in museums. Volunteers and BLM Ridgecrest Field Office personnel work to find abandoned ore carts and other mining artifacts, and document their condition and location or in some cases recover them.
http://www.desertdrifter.com/archive/sep02/0902ODDJB.html

"OPINION: MOST DANGEROUS JOB" (Denver Post, 10/20/2002)
Guest column: Groups say national park rangers are injured or killed on duty at high rate, ask for investigation.
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E172%257E932660,00.html?search=filter#


WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER to the question: What is the rarest pocket mouse species in North America?"
Answer: White-eared pocket mice are the rarest pocket mice in North America. They are found in the area managed by BLM California's Ridgecrest Field Office, and very little is known about their habits.
Learn more about this animal on the BLM California wildlife database:
(See note below "Selected Upcoming Events" -- for information on connecting to our database's secure server.)
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf/siteurl/13487297?OpenDocument