For Immediate Release: February 10, 2005 CA-CDD-05-23
Contact: Doran Sanchez (951) 697-5220 or Chris Knauf 760-337-4457

Imperial Sand Dunes 2005 Multi-Species Monitoring Program Begins

For the second year, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has initiated a three-month multi-species monitoring program at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. The monitoring project will begin Feb. 14 and is expected to end May 8, 2005.

Working with the Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) under contract to BLM, 36 interns will complete a two week training period on-site and then proceed with a monitoring program that includes the Peirson's milk-vetch and two additional plants, as well as the Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard. During the project, at least 350 milk-vetch transects, and 70 Colorado Desert fringe-toed lizard transects will be completed by ECO's pedestrian surveyors.

According to Christopher Knauf, BLM El Centro Field Office project manager, "This is the second year we have conducted this survey at the Dunes, and it encompasses a wide variety of monitoring that contributes to an ecosystem level of understanding."

The monitoring project is part of BLM's ongoing compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is described in detail in the Biological Opinion issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to BLM on Jan. 25, 2005. Knauf also pointed out that all biological monitoring under the ESA at the Dunes is paid for by Congressional funding made available to BLM through annual appropriations and no recreation fee funds are used for that purpose per Federal law.

For more information contact the BLM's El Centro Field Office at (760) 337-4400.

-BLM-

visit our website at www.ca.blm.gov

California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos California - (909) 697-5200