News.bytes
A publication of
Bureau of Land Management in California
Issue date: 3/29/02
This week in News.bytes:
- NOT FOR EDUCATORS ONLY: "Virtual Herbarium" -- plants of Fort Ord
- MORE ON FORT ORD:
----- Spring's in bloom on Central Coast
----- Crazy for Cycling: Fort Ord
- VISIT US: California/Nevada/Arizona Borders
- DESERT ISSUES:
----- Desert Scimitar military training exercise
----- Western Rand Mountains ACEC route closure
----- Imperial Dunes Recreation Area Plan, Draft EIS
- AFTON CANYON:
----- A visit through time
----- Afton Canyon Natural Area
----- Watchable Wildlife site
- SERPENTINE DANGERS ON CALIFORNIA'S SERENGETI
-----...and more on the Carrizo Plain
- BOOKSTORE FEATURE: The Californian
Wildlife Region, 3rd edition
- WEED OF THE WEEK - Dyer's woad or Marlahan mustard
- OIL AND GAS LEASE SALE
- HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS, including:
----- BLM using Activity-Based Accounting
----- Snapshots: BLM hazardous fuels projects
----- Valley Rainbow power line project
----- Department of Interior outsourcing plan
- SELECTED UPCOMING EVENT
NOT FOR EDUCATORS
ONLY: "Virtual Herbarium" -- plants of Fort Ord
A
6 1/2-page list of plants at Fort Ord -- plus more than 30 photos of plants
found on public lands managed by BLM California's Hollister Field Office. Some
rare plants grow only in a small area between Carmel and Prunedale -- and Fort
Ord supplies 50 to 90 percent of their habitat. Besides wildflowers, "on
a single visit to Fort Ord you can enjoy quiet and majestic coast live oak woodland,
aromatic maritime chaparral, wide open grasslands, and freshwater marshes or
vernal pools busy with bird and other animal life."
http://www.ca.blm.gov/hollister/virtual_herbarium_fo.html
MORE ON FORT ORD...
"SPRING'S IN BLOOM ON CENTRAL COAST" (Monterey Herald, 03/27/2002)
"The first shy blossoms of the Central Coast's annual wildflower extravaganza
are showing, just in time for spring." Best viewing spots for early Monterey-area
wildflower viewing include Fort Ord, much of which is public lands managed by
BLM California's Hollister Field Office. The area's wildflower season probably
will peak in April.
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/2905431.htm
"CRAZY FOR CYCLING: Fort Ord" (Monterey Herald, 03/24/2002)
"The most strenuous, muscle-cramping mountain-bike ride in Monterey County
may be 'hurl hill,' a 5-mile trail that loops through Fort Ord." But cyclists
can find plenty of less strenuous workouts among the 80 miles of trails in and
near Fort Ord.
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/local/2926832.htm
Related:
"FORT ORD TRAIL MAP" (BLM California Web pages)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/hollister/trail_map_fo.html
VISIT
US: California/Nevada/Arizona Borders
Visiting the southern portion of the California/Nevada/Arizona borders
this summer? See the Top 10 Points of Interest managed by our Needles Field
Office. http://www.ca.blm.gov/needles/topten.html
- DESERT ISSUES -
DESERT SCIMITAR
MILITARY TRAINING EXERCISE
"BLM ANALYZES MILITARY DESERT TRAINING EXERCISE" (BLM California
news release, 03/21/2002)
To assist the United States Marine Corps in testing command and communication
capabilities in desert terrain similar to the Middle East, the BLM has analyzed
the use of BLM-managed public lands in southern California and western Arizona
to allow the1st Marine Division to conduct "Desert Scimitar 02."
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/CDDnews31_operation_desert_scimitar.html
More related stories:
"MILITARY EXERCISE OPPOSED" (San Bernardino County Sun, 03/28/2002)
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1002,1295%257E490802,00.html
"MARINE CONVOY HAS BIOLOGISTS WORRIED" (Riverside Press-Enterprise,
03/27/2002)
http://www.pe.com/localnews/desertpass/stories/PE_NEWS_ndscim27.ca4.html
WESTERN RAND MOUNTAINS ACEC ROUTE CLOSURE
"BLM IMPLEMENTS EMERGENCY INTERIM VEHICLE CLOSURE IN PORTION OF RAND
MOUNTAINS" (BLM California news release, 3/29/02)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/CDDnews34_Rand_ACEC_emergency_closure.html
"WESTERN RAND ACEC CLOSURE"
Briefing document summarizing issues related to Western Rand Area of Critical
Environmental Concern (ACEC). This ACEC is one the subjects of the lawsuit filed
by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), the Sierra Club, and Public Employees
for Environmental Responsibility. The BLM has entered into negotiations to amend
the Lawsuit Settlement.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/temp_issues/briefing_westrandacecrouteclosure_03-02.pdf
"WEST RAND MOUNTAIN ROUTE PHOTOS" (BLM California Web page)
Photos of areas damaged by travel off designated route, and of areas rehabilitated
by off-road groups, in the Rand Mountains
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/reports_docs/2002/randphotos.html
IMPERIAL SAND DUNES RECREATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
"DUEL IN THE DESERT: Plan to reopen Imperial County dunes kicks up dust
on both sides" (San Diego Union Tribune, 3/29/02)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20020329-9999_2m29offroad.html
"LAND MAY BE RE-OPENED FOR
OFF-ROADING" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 3/29/02)
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_nadunes29.926f9.html
"U.S SEEKS TO RE-OPEN AREA
TO OFF-ROADERS" (Los Angeles Times, 03/28/2002)
Management plan for Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000022361mar28.story
"CALIFORNIA DUNES MAY BE
REOPENED TO OFF-ROAD VEHICLES" (New York Times, 3/29/02)
(New York Times requires free registration to view recent articles.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/29/national/29DUNE.html
"Notice of Availability of
a Draft Recreation Area Management Plan (DRAMP) for the Imperial Sand Dunes
Recreation Area (ISDRA) and Associated Draft Amendment to the California Desert
Conservation Area Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement" (Federal
Register Notice)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/fr/imperial_dunes_draft_amendment_availability.html
AFTON CANYON
"DOWN INTO TIME: A trip into Afton Canyon..." (Victorville
Daily Press, 03/16/2002)
Historical tour of Afton Canyon area, "that famous secret" near Barstow.
(PDF file, 3 pages, 340 kilobytes):
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/items_2002/downintotime_031602.pdf
Related:
"AFTON
CANYON NATURAL AREA" (BLM California Web page)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow/afton.html
"AFTON CANYON - WATCHABLE WILDLIFE SITE" (BLM California Web
pages)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/wf-afton.html
CARRIZO PLAIN
"SERPENTINE DANGERS ON CALIFORNIA'S SERENGETI" (Los Angeles
Times, 03/24/2002)
"It has no drinking water. No gas stations. No food. And you might as well
leave the cell phone at home. It doesn't work out here." Add rattlesnakes,
and this national monument is "not for everyone," notes the author
of this travel piece -- but adds that "naturalists were thrilled"
when the Carrizo Plain National Monument was created.
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-000021255mar24.story
"CARRIZO PLAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT" (BLM California Web page)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield/carrizoplain.html
BOOKSTORE FEATURE: The Californian Wildlife Region - 3rd edition
Complete Guidebook to California Wildlife - Although the book is purposely written
in non-technical language, and includes many interesting detials about an animals
behavior or a plant's use; it is equally useful for a college course. The plants
and animals are arranged scientifically by order and family, and a short introduction
to the family group notes their unique characteristic. Illustrations of each
plant or animal appear on the page facing its description.
http://store.ca.blm.gov/webc/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1220
WEED OF THE WEEK - Dyer's woad or Marlahan mustard
Native to Europe, this noxious weed infests rangelands, grain fields, pastures,
alfalfa, waste areas, roadsides, railroad right-of-ways, and fence lines. It's
extensive root system contains large nutrient reserves which make this weed
difficult to control. Contaminated hay is one of the major causes of this weed's
expansion. Plant photo and description:
http://www.ca.blm.gov/surprise/dyerwoad.html
OIL AND GAS LEASE SALE
"BLM TO HOLD OIL AND GAS LEASE SALE, MAY 8" (BLM California
news release, 03/21/2002)
A sale of oil and gas leases on federal land will be held in Bakersfield on
Wednesday, May 8, 2002. The BLM will accept competitive bids on 25 parcels in
two counties -- Kern and San Luis Obispo -- totaling 19,827.02 acres.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/CCnews34_May_OilGas_sale.html
Related:
"COMPETITIVE OIL AND GAS LEASE SALE"
Bids for 25 parcels covering more than 19,000 acres will be accepted at a May
8 sale in Bakersfield. Follow the link from this page, to the "May 8, 2002
Sale Notice" -- the notice is in PDF format, 240 kilobytes.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/compsales.html
HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS
"SNAPSHOTS: Successes of BLM hazardous fuels projects"
(PDF file, 193 kilobytes) BLM California activities to reduce the threat of
wildfires..
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/items_2002/Snapshots_Fire_California_03_21_02.pdf
"A FIGHT TO PROTECT HOME ON THE RANGE" (Washinton Post, 03/24/2002)
Ranchers and environmentalists spar over dangers that cattle grazing on public
lands post to the endangered desert tortoise.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8513-2002Mar23.html
"STATEWIDE GIS WORKSHOP"
GIS Specialists from all around the State met for a GIS Workshop last week to
discuss BLM-California's GIS objectives and priorities. The three-day workshop
emphasized technical, resources, and management issues, with sessions on standard
operating procedures, map accuracy standards, application development, Enterprise
GIS, ArcGIS v. 8 development strategy, and others. The workshop was followed
by the Field Users Groups meeting where FY 2002 GIS proposals were considered
and projects prioritized.
"INTERIOR DEPARTMENT STEPS UP ACTIVITY-BASED ACCOUNTING" (GovExec.com,
03/20/2002)
Interior Department wants to know exactly how much it costs for each thing it
does. BLM is the first Interior agency to adopt activity-based costing (ABC),
to break down in detail the costs of all of an organization's activities.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0302/032002p1.htm
"AT INTERIOR AND ENERGY,
GETTING READY FOR OUTSOURCING REVIEWS"
(Washington Post, 3/29/02)
Will conduct reviews to determine if some jobs can be turned over to private
sector.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33901-2002Mar28.html
"COUNTY OPPOSES BLM PLAN TO CLOSE SOME DESERT ROADS" (Imperial
Valley Press, 03/27/2002)
Imperial County supervisors pass resolution citing 1866 law they say preserves
their access to county roads, even if an upcoming BLM management plan calls
for closing them.
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/March/27-1608-news08.txt
"U.S. MOVE THREATENS POWER LINE PROJECT" (Riverside Press-Enterprise,
03/28/2002)
Bureau of Indians Affairs approves expansion of Pechanga Indian Reservation.
Southern California Edison says that will complicate proposed Valley Rainbow
Interconnect project.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_NEWS_lines28.1aef7607.html
Related:
"SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY (SDG&E) VALLEY-RAINBOW 500KV
INTERCONNECT PROJECT" (BLM California briefing document)
PDF file: http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/reports_docs/2002/brief_valleyrainbow_mar02.pdf
SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS
April 4
"PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON PROPOSED TRANSFER OF BLM LANDS NEAR HIGHLAND
PARK SPRINGS AREA" (BLM California news release, 03/28/2002)
A proposed 720-acre land transfer, and development of hiking, equestrian and
mountain bike trails in Lakeport, will be discussed in a public meeting Thursday,
April 4, at 6 p.m., in the Lakeport Fire Department meeting room.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/NCnews37_highland_springs-ufo_032802.html
April 18
"MODOC/WASHOE EXPERIMENTAL STEWARDSHIP STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS APRIL
18" (BLM California news release, 03/27/2002)
Members of the Modoc-Washoe Experimental Stewardship Steering Committee will
discuss a wide range of issues, when they meet Thursday, April 18, at 8 a.m.,
at the Cedarville Community Church Hall, Center at Bonner Streets, in Cedarville.
The meeting is open to the public.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/esp_meeting_041802.html
April 19 and 20
"BLM NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETS APRIL 19 AND 20"
(BLM California news release, 03/25/2002)
Members of BLM's Northeast California Resource Advisory Council will discuss
a strategy for Western juniper management, when they meet Friday and Saturday,
April 19 and 20, in Susanville.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/NCnews36_nerac_meeting_april02.html
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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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