SPEAKING OF WILD HORSES AND BURROS...
... here are some chances to adopt them, coming up soon:

"WILD MUSTANGS AND BURROS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION AT BLM CORRALS IN RIDGECREST" (BLM California news release, 04/09/2002)
BLM California is extending operation of its regional corral facility on Saturday, April 13 to give qualified adopters the opportunity to adopt a wild Mustang and burro.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/04/nr/CDDnews40_whb_corral_adoption_040902.html

"WILD HORSES, BURROS TO BE AUCTIONED AT FAIR" (Yuma Sun, 04/06/2002)
Wild horse and burro adoption at Yuma County Fair -- which can draw visitors from nearby California -- includes horses from California.
http://www.yumasun.com/artman/publish/story_864.shtml

April 20-21, LAKE PERRIS FAIRGROUNDS (BLM California news release)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/CDDnews30_lake_perris_whb_adoption.html

April 27-28, YUBA CITY
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/04/nr/NCnews44_yuba_city_whb_adoption.html

IMPERIAL SAND DUNES DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

"DUNES MEETING DRAWS FULL HOUSE" (Imperial Valley Press, 04/10/2002)
Almost 100 people attend first of six public meetings on draft management plan for the Imperial Sand Dunes. Newspaper says speakers -- environmentalists, off-roaders and vendors -- don't like any of the four alternatives suggested by BLM.
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/April/10-1925-news01.txt

"PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED IN PHOENIX TO REVIEW IMPERIAL DUNES DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLANS" (BLM California news release, 04/09/2002)
One is a series of public meetings, in an effort to provide off highway vehicle recreationists and the general public in the Phoenix area an opportunity to comment on the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Recreation Area Management Plan.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/04/nr/CDDnews39_Dunes_RMP_phoenix_meeting.html

"BLM SCHEDULES MEETING IN LONG BEACH TO REVIEW IMPERIAL DUNES DRAFT MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTS" (BLM California news release, 04/08/2002)
Another upcoming public meeting on the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Recreation Area Management Plan.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/04/nr/CDDnews38_Dunes_RMP_Long_Beach_meeting.html

"HIKERS MAKE 14-MILE TREK THROUGH SANCTUARY" (Yuma Sun, 04/07/2002)
Hikers from the Center for Biological Diversity tackle a section of the Imperial Sand Dunes that is closed to off-road vehicles.
http://www.yumasun.com/artman/publish/story_875.shtml

"SAND DUNES MORE THAN A PLACE TO PLAY FOR OFF-ROADERS" (Yuma Sun, 04/07/2002)
Visitors say Imperial Sand Dunes also provide place for families to bond, friendships to develop and business opportunities for entrepreneurs.
http://www.yumasun.com/artman/publish/story_874.shtml

OTHER OFF-ROAD ISSUES

"OFF-ROADERS PUSH FOR REOPENING OF RAIL TRAIL" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 04/07/2002)
Because post-Sept. 11 security has closed their access route past Shasta Dam to a 44,000-acre OHV park, off-roaders want to start using the Sacramento River Rail Trail. BLM and county officials agreed to the OHV ban last year to protect hikers.
http://www.redding.com/news/past/20020407lo042.shtml

"OFF-ROADERS WIN BOARD'S SUPPORT FOR RE-OPENING TRAIL" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 04/10/2002)
" Shasta County supervisors will urge two federal agencies to temporarily reopen a portion of the Sacramento River Rail Trail to motorized off-road vehicles, but with a 10 mph speed limit."
http://www.redding.com/news/stories/20020410lo029.shtml

Related:
"GENE CHAPPIE-SHASTA OHV AREA" (BLM California Web pages)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/redding/chappie_ohv.html

VISIT US: Northern California
Traveling the northern most portion of Interstate 5 this summer? Take a look at the Top 10 Points of Interest managed by our Redding Field Office.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/redding/topten.html

GEOTHERMAL DRILLING: "They'd like to be in hot water"

"GEOTHERMAL DRILLING -- THEY'D LIKE TO BE IN HOT WATER" (Mammoth Times, 03/28/2002)
Company drilling test holes on Inyo National Forest, for hot water to heat nearby town. BLM was involved as federal agency overseeing underground resources.
http://64.227.166.174/archive2002/03-28/Geothermal03-28.html

"NEW GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION AUTHORIZED" (Mammoth Times, 02/28/2002)
Exploring for underground heating source.
http://64.227.166.174/archive2002/02-28/MamPacToDrill02-28.html

"GEOTHERMAL DRILLING IN MAMMOTH LAKES AREA APPROVED" (BLM California news release, 02/22/2002)
The Bureau of Land Management, with concurrence from the Forest Service, has approved two plans of operation, submitted by Mammoth Pacific Limited Partnership (MPLP), to conduct exploration drilling on Federal Geothermal Leases CA-11667 and CA-14408.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/02/nr/USFS_BLMnews_mammoth_geothermal.html

NOT FOR EDUCATORS ONLY: Species Accounts - Plants
A "species account" has been prepared for each plant being considered by the West Mojave Plan, a 9.4 million-acre planning area encompasses most of California's western Mojave Desert.
About one third of the planning area is private land, another third is within military bases, and the final third consists of public lands managed by BLM. Each account was authored by a biologist recognized by his or her peers as having specialized knowledge of the species. The account describes species' distribution, natural history, habitat requirements, population status, threats to the species, recommended measures to address threats, and a detailed bibliography of relevant literature. To view species accounts of nearly 35 plants, see:
http://www.ca.blm.gov/cdd/wemo_species_plants.html

WEED OF THE WEEK - European beachgrass
If you have a photo of this plant we can use on our website, please let us know!
A course, perennial, European beachgrass spreads by deep, tough, buried stems and forms a dense, continuous stand. The leaf blades are relatively narrow, tough, fibrous, and inrolled with a sharp point. The outer surface is smooth and grayish-green, without distinct ribs. The Latin name Ammophila means "sand-loving", as the grass thrives on being buried. European beachgrass inhabits coastal sand dunes; cultivated and spread for dune stabilization, baskets, and brooms.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/arcata/eurobeac.html

CADIZ WATER PROJECT

"CADIZ WATER PROJECT MOVES AHEAD" (Barstow Desert Dispatch, 04/05/2002)
Company reacts to 27-page U.S. Fish and Wildlife opinion on its plan to pump and store water under the Mojave Desert, to help supply Los Angeles area.
http://www.desertdispatch.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1018028330,70772,

"TORTOISE CAN ENDURE PROJECT, AGENCY SAYS" (Los Angeles Times, 04/06/2002)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report on impact of Cadiz, Inc.'s plan to store Colorado River water and pump it back out along with groundwater under Mojave Desert, to serve Metropolitan Water District customers.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000024605apr06.story

"DESERT WATER PROJECT WINS FEDERAL AGENCY'S APPROVAL" (San Bernardino County Sun, 04/09/2002)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues report on project's likely impact on desert tortoises. Company awaits BLM decision also.
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1002,1295%257E513534,00.html

NATIONAL MONUMENTS IN CALIFORNIA

"THEIR HOMES IN YOUR PARK" (Los Angeles Times, 04/08/2002)
Editorial: Urges preservation of inholdings within Santa Rosa San Jacinto National Monument, national parks and other public lands.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-000025058apr08.story

Related:
"BLM AND USFS SCHEDULE PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS FOR THE SANTA ROSA AND SAN JACINTO MOUNTAINS NATIONAL MONUMENT" (BLM California news release, 04/08/2002)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) have scheduled five public scoping meetings to gather public comment and recommendations regarding the preparation of a management plan for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/04/nr/SRSJNMnews03_scoping_meetings_040802.html

Related:
"SANTA ROSA AND SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT" (BLM California Web site)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/palmsprings/santa_rosa_national_monument.html

"COASTAL MONUMENT HEADQUARTERED IN MONTEREY" (Monterey Herald, 04/07/2002)
New office for California Coastal National Monument, managed by BLM California.
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/mcherald/3016971.htm

Related:
"CALIFORNIA COASTAL NATIONAL MONUMENT" (BLM California Web pages)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/hollister/coastal_monument.html

BOOKSTORE FEATURE: California Coastal National Monument Lapel Pin
Speaking of national monuments in California ...
A colorful lapel pin illustrating the wonders of the California Coastal National Monument. This pin also comes with a quick information card which summarizes the area's history and geography.
http://store.ca.blm.gov/webc/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1459

NEW NATIONWIDE WILDFIRE COUNCIL

"ADMINISTRATION FORMS WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL" (Associated Press, in San Francisco Chronicle, 04/10/2002)
U.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture form council to coordinate wildland firefighting efforts nationwide.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/04/10/state1812EDT7864.DTL

"BUSH ADMINISTRATION CREATES NEW INTERAGENCY WILDLAND FIRE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL" (Department of Interior news release, 04/10/2002)
Departments of Interior and Agriculture form interagency council to help create "seamless management" of federal wildland firefighting efforts.
http://www.doi.gov/news/bushadmin.htm

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"COACHELLA CANAL BREAK FLOODS ACRES" (Imperial Valley Press, 04/09/2002)
Break in the Coachella Canal floods 15 acres of North Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area.http://www.ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/April/09-1580-news04.txt

Related:
"NORTH ALGODONES DUNES WILDERNESS" (BLM California Web pages)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro/algodones.html

"FROM TREE-HUGGER TO TERRORIST" (New York Times, 04/07/2002)
Interview with a jail inmate whose profile fits that of "Earth Liberation Front" member -- a group that claimed responsibility for firebombing a BLM California wild horse and burro corral in northeastern California last year. (Note: New York Times requires free registration to view recent articles.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/07/magazine/07ELF.html

"INVESTIGATION FINDS INTERIOR DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES USED GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARDS AT CASINO, TO BUY JEWELRY" (Associated Press, in San Francisco Chronicle, 04/10/2002)
Department of Interior's inspector general report says DOI does not have proper controls to prevent credit card abuse. Some employees paid rent, bought jewelry or got cash advances at casinos.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/04/10/national1016EDT0550.DTL

"UTILITY'S PLAN HITS SETBACK WITH RULING" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 04/04/2002)
A California Public Utility Commission ruling on San Diego Gas & Electric's proposed Valley Rainbow powerline project. The proposed power line would also cross BLM-managed land.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_NEWS_nslines04.4958e.html

"BLM ASKS INDUSTRY FOR COMMENTS ON NEXT OIL & GAS LEASE SALE" (BLM California news release, 4/2/02)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/04/nr/CCnews36_O%26Ginterests.html

SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS

April 12-13
Bakersfield
"BLM CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ADVISORY COUNCIL TO MEET IN BAKERSFIELD" (BLM California news release, 04/04/2002)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/04/nr/CCnews37_RACmeeting_040402.html

April 11, 15, 18, 23, 25 Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan public meetings
Several locations
http://www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro/isdradates.html

April 18 - Modoc/Washoe Experimental Stewardship Steering Committee meeting
Cedarville
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/esp_meeting_041802.html

April 20-21 (but sign up early!) - Volunteer project
Cache Creek Natural Area
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/NCnews39_ukiah_trails_day_project.html

April 19-20 - Northeast California Resource Advisory Council meeting
Susanville
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/NCnews36_nerac_meeting_april02.html

April 24-25 - Northwest California Resource Advisory Council meeting
Arcata
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/03/nr/NCnews38_nwrac_april02_meeting.html