News.bytes
A publication of
Bureau of Land Management in California
Issue date: 7/2/02
This week in News.bytes:
- ABANDONED MINE MENACE
- CADIZ WATER PROJECT MAY BE STOPPED
- WILDFIRE DANGER - AND PREVENTION
- Fire restrictions set
- Goats and horshoes
- Illegal fireworks on the 4th
- WILD HORSE ROUNDUPS
- PLANT OF THE WEEK - Prostrate buckwheat
- BOOKSTORE FEATURE - Trinity Alps - A Hiking and Backpacking Guide
- BLM NEEDS OHV RECREATION GRANT COMMENTS
- CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE RATTLESNAKE KIND
- HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS
- SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS
ABANDONED
MINE MENACE
Two brothers die in abandoned mine in southern California, bring issue to the
forefront.
"UNMARKED MINE MENACE"
(Los Angeles Times, 06/28/2002)
Editorial: Two youth die in abandoned mine in Southern California with toxic
gas pockets and frigid water; editorial urges federal agencies to post signs
at those known to be dangerous. Says no budget to seal off all 46,000 abandoned
mines and quarries in California -- but signs specifying what the dangers are
"would warn off all but the stupid or suicidal -- people who simply cannot
be protected from themselves.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-ed-mine28jun28.story
"TOO MANY MINES, TOO LITTLE
MONEY" (Los Angeles Times, 06/26/2002)
" Federal and state officials have known for years that the abandoned Blue
Light Mine in the Santa Ana Mountains was a potential deathtrap for curious
explorers, but say they lacked the money and manpower to seal it." Family
and friends of two brothers who died there petition to seal it off. Three most
accessible entrances were gated in 1997.
http://www.latimes.com/editions/orange/la-000044695jun26.story
"HEEDING THE CALL TO MINE
THE UNKOWN" (Los Angeles Times, 06/30/2002)
Abandoned mine explorer fears death of two brothers will stop them from exploring
abandoned mines. Says they should be able to use common sense: "America
is about freedom ... If you want to take your chances, you should be able to
do it. I don't believe in over-regulation."
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mines30jun30.story
"ABANDONED MINE LANDS - BLM
CALIFORNIA"
Some of the abandoned mine lands with current BLM California remediation or
other projects.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/aml.html
CADIZ WATER PROJECT
"2 MAJOR WATER PROJECTS MIGHT
DRY UP" (Los Angeles Times, 06/29/2002)
Provision of U.S. Senate bill passed out of committee last week would prevent
BLM from issuing right of way to Cadiz, Inc. for their proposed water pumping
and storage facility under the Mojave Desert.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-water29jun29.story
"CADIZ GROUNDWATER STORAGE
AND DRY-YEAR SUPPLY PROGRAM" (BLM California briefing document)
Describes the Cadiz Groundwater Storage and Dry-Year Supply Program -- proposal
by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), in cooperation
with Cadiz Inc., of Santa Monica, to use the groundwater basin underlying part
of the Cadiz and Fenner Valleys in San Bernardino County for storage of water
from Colorado River, for pumping out along with some groundwater, during dry
years.
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/newsbytes.nsf/siteurl/88542916?OpenDocument
WILDFIRE
DANGER - BUT PREVENTION GAINING GROUND?
"NO TOLERANCE FOR ILLEGAL
FIREWORKS" (Red Bluff Daily News, 07/02/2002)
CHECK FOR NEW URL AT END OF DAY "The Fourth of July is always a nightmare
for firefighters. The combination of dry vegetation and enthusiastic patriots
lighting fireworks can easily spell disaster .... If they fly, scurry or blow
up, they are illegal." Enforcement will be especially strict this year.
http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/July/02-2923-news1.txt
"FIRE SAFETY ALL TOO THOROUGH:
Brush piles up by the ton as Alpine-area residents whack it back" (San
Diego Union-Tribune, 06/27/2002)
Backcountry residents cut down so much brush so quickly -- to become "fire
safe" -- that tons pile up along roads and overwhelm a chipper service
paid for with Fire Safe grant. BLM California and U.S. Forest Service "chip
in" to help.
http://video.uniontrib.com/news/metro/20020627-9999_2m27chipper.html
"AGENCIES WARN OF HOLIDAY
FIRE HAZARDS" (Red Bluff Daily News, 07/01/2002)
Firefighting center urges people to have fun on the Fourth of July -- but don't
add to the wildfires raging out of control across the West.
http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/July/01-5705-news2.txt
"FIRE AVOIDANCE: UNSHOE HORSES,
RENT GOAT HERD" (Christian Science Monitor, 07/02/2002)
Federal, state and local agencies across the West are trying to prevent more
wildfires. Strategies range from banning campfires to renting goats to eat tall
grasses -- to asking horse riders to keep careful watch on horseshoes, as sparks
from striking rocks can start wildfires.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0702/p01s01-usgn.html
"FIRE RESTRICTIONS SET FOR
BLM LANDS IN NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA" (BLM California news release, 06/27/2002)
The Bureau of Land Management's Arcata Field Office has announced that fire
restrictions go into effect Monday, July 1, on BLM-managed public lands in Humboldt
and Mendocino counties, including the King Range National Conservation Area.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/NCnews70_firerestrictions_northcoast.html
BOOKSTORE FEATURE: Trinity Alps - A Hiking and Backpacking Guide
Descriptions of Over 500 Miles of Trails, accurate driving directions to all
trailheads. An expert's rating of the fishing, lake by lake and stream by stream.
A map of the Trinity Alps. http://store.ca.blm.gov/webc/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=406
WILD HORSE ROUNDUPS
"BLM HOLDS CONTROVERSIAL
WILD-HORSE AUCTIONS" (Monterey County Herald, 06/30/2002)
Animal activists say wild horses are rounded up by BLM because of demands by
ranchers. BLM spokesperson says with their population growing about 25 percent
a year, wild horses don't have enough feed, and squeeze out wildlife.
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/3575262.htm
Related:
"UNBRIDLED BEAUTIES FIND REFUGE" (Monterey County Herald, 06/30/2002)
Some figures on BLM wild horse herds, in story on former Silicon Valley researcher
who started sanctuary near Paso Robles for negelected wild horse herd from Montana.
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/3575263.htm
"RUNNING DRY: Roundup aims
to save horses hurt by drought" (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 06/29/2002)
More than a year of dry weather leaves southern Nevada range with not enough
vegetation to support wild horses. Roundup will bring them to BLM California
adoption center in Ridgecrest.
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jun-29-Sat-2002/news/19081939.html
Related:
"DROUGHT PROMPTS ROUNDUP: Wild horses suffer malnourishment" (Las
Vegas Review-Journal, 06/28/2002)
Emergency roundup of wild horses: bleak conditions on the range in Southern
Nevada leave them dehydrated and starving. Will be trucked to BLM California
facility at Ridgecrest, once they recover strength.
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jun-28-Fri-2002/news/19076090.html
PLANT
OF THE WEEK - Prostrate buckwheat
Found in dry barren rocky slopes and flats within the sagebrush-juniper to Jeffery
pine forest types, this low matted perennial herb grows 4 to 11 inches across.
Leaves are basal, wider at the tip than at the stem, and densely white woolly.
Stems are smooth and erect, with abruptly enlarged bright yellow flowers.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/surprise/surperpr.html
OHV RECREATION GRANT COMMENTS
"BLM NEEDS COMMENTS ON OFF
HIGHWAY VEHICLE GRANT REQUEST" (BLM California news release, 06/27/2002)
The Bureau of Land Management's Arcata Field Office is seeking public comments
on a request for grant funds to assist with management of its off highway vehicle
recreation program....
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/06/nr/NCnews71_arcata_ohvgrant_openhouse.html
"BLM & FOREST SERVICE
SCHEDULE OPEN HOUSE TO SOLICIT COMMENTS ON OHV REGIONAL GRANT APPLICATIONS"
(BLM California news release, 07/01/2002)
The California State Office of the Bureau of Land Management and the Pacific
Southwest Region of the Forest Service have scheduled an open house, to obtain
public comments on their Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Fiscal Year 2003 regional
grant applications.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/07/nr/SOnews05_sacramento_ohvgrant_openhouse.html
CLOSE
ENCOUNTERS OF THE RATTLESNAKE KIND
Warm weather brings out hikers and other who love the outdoors -- and snakes.
A BLM employee's [update/correction 8/23/10: This photo apparently was not taken by an employee of the BLM. Actual origin of the photo is unknown at this time] picture of rattlesnakes staying cool in a culvert introduces
a set of recent articles on rattlesnakes.
PHOTO: Rattlesnakes playing it
cool (origin unknown)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/temp_issues/66_extra_rattlers.html
"DON'T GET RATTLED OVER SNAKES"
(Sacramento Bee, 5/29/02)
Advice on identifying rattlesnakes, and what to do if bitten.
http://www.sacramento.com/portal/recreation/story/2969758p-3833656c.html
"AVOIDING ENCOUNTERS WITH
VENOMOUS RATTLESNAKES" (Ukiah Daily Journal, 06/23/2002)
More tips.
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91%257E3089%257E690773,00.html#
"SWIMMER SUFFERS SNAKEBITE
ON CHIN" (Sacramento Bee, 6/24/02)
Man swimming in Cosumnes River southeast of Elk Grove bitten when he "unfortunately
came face-to-face with a rattlesnake that ... was trying to get across the river
... People need to realize that the snakes are out there."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/environment/story/3327523p-4356013c.html
"SNAKE IN THE GRASS MIGHT
BE YOUR FRIEND" (Sacramento Bee, 6/15/02)
Reminder that rattlesnakes are a real hazard this time of year, but not to over-react:
"...it is unfortunate that a lot of harmless, beneficial snakes are killed
just because they are snakes."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/home/gardening/bugging_you/story/3219836p-4255917c.html
"SNAKEBITE ANTIVENIN IN SHORT
SUPPLY IN U.S." (San Francisco Chronicle, 6/25/02)
Snakebite medicine ruined at factory -- many local hospitals have only enough
to treat one severe rattlesnake bite.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/06/25/MN900792.DTL
"OTHERWORLDLY RATTLESNAKES"
Rattlesnakes thought to be supernatural.
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91%257E3089%257E668631,00.html
HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS
"PRISON IN BAKER MAY GET
NEW LIFE" (Sam Bernardino County Sun, 07/02/2002)
Legislators will reconsider closing of minimum-security prison, that supplied
volunteer firefighters who worked with BLM California and other agencies, and
often were first responders to accidents on a 94-mile stretch of Interstate
15 across the High Desert.
http://www.sbsun.com/news/articles/0602/29/new06.asp
"COUNTY ROUNDUP - RIDGECREST:
Movie production brings in more than $2 million" (Bakersfield Californian,
06/28/2002)
Short item mentions new Disney feature film "Holes" -- based on award-winning
children's book -- was filmed on BLM-managed lands. Filmmakers careful with
plants and wildlife.
http://www.bakersfield.com/local/story/1330820p-1449952c.html
"ALLEGRETTI FARM REQUEST
TOPS COUNTY AGENDA" (Imperial Valley Press, 07/01/2002)
Imperial County supervisors will again consider application from brothers who
want to pump more groundwater, instead of paying for irrigation district pipeline
to their farm. BLM Field Office asks for environmental review to find out if
it would take too much water from wildlife on adjacent BLM lands. (Followup
to item in last week's News.bytes)
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/July/01-2686-news04.txt
SELECTED
UPCOMING EVENTS
(Note: the Upcoming Events
Web site is now on a more secure server, and your browser may state that "You
are about to view pages over a secure connection" and ask you to "Trust
a Security Certificate" from the Department of Interior that hosts this
site.)
07/02/2002 - Fourmile Hill Geothermal
Project oversight committee meeting
Klamath National Forest Supervisor's Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/28952163?OpenDocument
07/08/2002 - South Cow Mountain
and Knoxville OHV grant request public meeting
Clearlake City Council Chambers
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/66300756?OpenDocument
07/08/2002 - Arcata OHV grant
open house
BLM Field Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/8833143?OpenDocument
07/09/2002 - South Cow Mountain
and Knoxville OHV grant request meeting
BLM Ukiah Field Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/35416343?OpenDocument
07/09/2002 - Sacrament OHV grant
open house
Federal Building
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/74709545?OpenDocument
07/11/2002 - Northeast California
Advisory Council meeting
BLM Surprise Field Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/83836576?OpenDocument
07/16/2002 - Draft Headwaters
Management Plan public meeting
Humboldt County Library
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/9279469?OpenDocument
07/17/2002 - Northwest California
Advisory Council meeting
BLM Ukiah Field Office
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/36168918?OpenDocument
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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
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