RECORD OF DECISION: CADIZ GROUNDWATER STORAGE PROGRAM

"INTERIOR APPROVES CADIZ PROJECT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA" (BLM California news release, 08/29/2002)
"The Department of the Interior today signed a Record of Decision setting forth the Department's decision to issue a right-of-way grant for a pipeline and power facilities located on federal lands to allow for a groundwater storage and transfer project. The project, located in San Bernardino County, is called the Cadiz Groundwater Storage and Dry-Year Supply Program."
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/08/nr/SOnews07_Cadiz_ROD.html

"PLAN TO PULL WATER FROM MOJAVE DESERT UNDER FIRE" (Sacramento Bee, 08/26/2002)
Opponents seek to stop Cadiz, Inc.'s underground water plan despite federal approvals which deal with rights-of-way and California Desert Plan.
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/4138176p-5163474c.html

"SENATOR ATTACKS WATER DISTRICT PROJECT" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 08/23/2002)
U.S. Senator asks the directors of Southern California's largest water supplier to reject Cadiz, Inc.'s proposed project.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_nacadiz23.5829d.html


MORE ON CALIFORNIA WATER CRISIS: the view from public lands

"BILL LOOSENS ENDANGERED SPECIES LAW" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 08/28/2002)
California water crisis: state legislature loosens "fully protected species" law for southern California area. Attempt to help state meets its obligation to use less Colorado River water.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1030495099.shtml

"HIGHLAND SIGNS ON TO PLAN TO BETTER DIVIDE LAND" (San Bernardino County Sun, 08/28/2002)
City joins BLM California and other agencies plus companies, to plan for the Upper Santa Ana River Wash. "Water conservation agencies, endangered species and mining companies all have their own unique stake in the sandy flood plain."
http://www.sbsun.com/news/articles/0802/28/new17.asp

"SANTA ANA RIVER INTEREST GROUPS HOPING PLAN B RESOLVES CONFLICTS, CUTS GRIDLOCK" (San Bernardino County Sun, 08/26/2002)
Related: More information on interests of BLM and other parties -- including quarry operators and water districts -- in Santa Ana River Wash.
http://www.sbsun.com/news/articles/0802/26/new13.asp

"WATER DEALS: A TRICKLE IN A THIRSTY STATE" (Sacramento Bee, 08/25/2002)
Another in a set of Sacramento Bee stories on California water issues -- including an earlier story profiling Cadiz, Inc. and its plan to pump stored river water and groundwater from underneath the Mojave Desert. BLM California is responsible for some of the permits in that effort.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/environment/story/4128583p-5151180c.html

HAVE A SAFE LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

"HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY" (Red Bluff Daily News, 08/27/2002)
Labor Day weekend fire danger remains high, even if temperatures are starting to drop. Susanville Interagency Fire Center -- which includes BLM California -- offers tips to campers and picnickers to avoid catastrophe.
http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/August/27-2802-news56.txt

"BLM WILL INCREASE VISITOR CONTACTS AT KNOXVILLE RECREATION AREA" (BLM California news release, 08/02/2002)
Visitors to the Knoxville Recreation Area along the Lake-Napa county line can expect to see more BLM staff during the Labor Day weekend.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/08/nr/NCnews78_knoxville_rangers.html

"CALIFORNIA'S FORGOTTEN WATERWAY" (Sunset, 08/01/2002)
Sunset Magazine travel story on Humboldt Bay. Outdoor recreation attractions include BLM-managed Samoa Dunes Recreation Area.
http://www.sunset.com/sunset/Premium/Travel/2002/08-Aug/HumboldtBay0802/HumboldtBay0802.main.html

Related: "SAMOA DUNES RECREATION AREA"
In the area covered by Sunset Magazine's travel story above.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/arcata/samoa.html

"IT'S A FIELD OF DREAMS FOR THE DOVE HUNTERS" (San Diego Union-Tribune, 08/25/2002)
A California recipient of BLM's National Volunteer Award, Leon Lesicka completes another of his many projects -- this one for Desert Wildlife Unlimited dove-hunting project. Hunters from as far as San Francisco and Sacramento have called about the southern California site.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20020825-9999_1s25outdoors.html

Related: "LOCAL BLM VOLUNTEERS AMONG NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS" (BLM California news release, 05/17/2002)
BLM California news release from earlier this year announcing that Leon Lesicka, working with the El Centro, California BLM Field Office, was among nine national volunteer award winners.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/05/nr/CDDnews53_volunteer_awards_localized.html

"DOVES ARE BIG DEAL FOR HUNTERS" (Stockton Record, 08/28/2002)
Writer mentions a BLM-managed area near Hollister as a site for public dove hunting, in the season that starts Sunday.
http://www.recordnet.com/daily/sports/outdoors/08.27.02/1outdoor082802.html

WILDLIFE TRIVIA: "What is the State fish for California?"
(See answer later in this newsletter)

RECREATION ISSUES, SOLUTIONS ON PUBLIC LANDS

"ROAD FIGHT GOES TO STATE TOP COURT" (Sacramento Bee, 08/28/2002)
Dispute over Hammonton Road: one judge ruled it open to public, giving recreation access to banks of Yuba River. Company says road is private, for their gravel mining operation. BLM proposed land exchange to consolidate ownership pattern and allow multiple uses, but negotiations not complete.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/4166442p-5189221c.html

"PARADISE LOST?" (Auburn Journal, 08/28/2002)
Related: Sports columnist worries about trash already dumped near Hammonton Road in just the first week since it opened to the public. Will too much public access ruin what was a good if hard-to-reach fishing and recreation spot? Or will people become more responsible?
http://auburnjournal.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/August/29-282-SPORTS2.TXT

Related: "YUBA GOLDFIELDS" (BLM California issue update)
A portion of the lower Yuba River from approximately ten miles east of Marysville to the Parks Bar Bridge on Highway 20 is known as the Yuba Goldfields. There have been three major public land issues in this area: Clouded land title; restrictions on public access to the river for recreation uses; and maintenance of the chinook salmon and steelhead trout habitat in the river. Includes issue of Hammonton Road ownership.
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/newsbytes.nsf/siteurl/54585031?OpenDocument

"CLEAR THE WAY; Habitat restoration along Clear Creek to open up recreation options" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 08/25/2002)
Several agencies and groups join to improve fish spawning grounds ruined by gold and gravel mining. Gravel added, and streambed now free to wander BLM-manage lands in the lower Clear Creek floodplain. Some hope area will rival popular Sacramento River Rail Trail near Redding.
http://www.redding.com/outdoors/stories/20020825ou086.shtml

"ATV RETAILERS PLAY IT SAFE WITH KIDS" (Yuma Sun, 08/26/2002)
All-terrain vehicle dealers who make sure children are the right size and can handle their machines -- before they agree to sell to their parents. Some groups seek ban on ATVs for children under 16. BLM-managed Imperial Sand Dunes sees few young riders seriously injured.
http://www.yumasun.com/artman/publish/story_1344.shtml

"A ROUGH ROAD AHEAD?" (Lompoc Record, 08/25/2002)
Off-road vehicle riders seek riding area closer to their homes in Lompoc -- alternative to long drives to state- or BLM-managed lands.
http://www.lompocrecord.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/August/25-748-news07.txt

WEED OF THE WEEK - KLAMATH WEED
Also known as St. John's Wort, this plant is seriously toxic to livestock. It stands one to four feet tall, with erect, two-ridged stems and numerous rust-colored branches. Leaves are opposite, oblong, entire and covered with tiny transparent dots. Flowers are numerous, bright yellow, with five separate petals that twist after flowering. Klamath weed is a perennial that survives year-round due to its taproot. http://www.ca.blm.gov/arcata/klamweed.html

BURNING MAN FESTIVAL ON BLM LANDS

"BURNING MAN FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IN NEVADA DESERT" (Associated Press, in USA Today, 08/26/2002)
Estimated 28,000 people head to Black Rock Desert in Nevada for this 17th annual "celebration of art and radical self-expression" -- on land jointly managed by BLM California's Surprise Field Office and BLM Nevada offices.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-08-26-burning-man_x.htm

"PACK THE SUNSCREEN, PLENTY OF WATER: Burning Man flares!" (Reno Gazette-Journal, 08/29/2002)
Another perspective on Burning Man Festival "Event is freak show, cash cow for locals."
http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2002/08/29/22588.php?sp1=&sp2=&sp3=

"BLACK ROCK DESERT-HIGH ROCK CANYON EMIGRANT TRAILS NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA" (BLM California news release, 08/26/2002)
The National Conservation Area and home of the Burning Man Festival is jointly managed by BLM California's Surprise Field Office and BLM Nevada offices.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/surprise/



MORE ABOUT BLM-MANAGED BLACK ROCK DESERT

"NEVADA'S BIG EMPTY" (Los Angeles Times, 08/25/2002)
Travel story on lands managed jointly by BLM California and Nevada: "When it's not serving as a backdrop for the Burning Man Festival, Black Rock Desert is an accessible wilderness of vast vistas, natural hot springs, wild horses, bighorn sheep -- and very few people."
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-nevada25aug25.story

"PHOTO GALLERY: BLACK ROCK DESERT (the other 51 weeks)" (Reno Gazette-Journal, 08/27/2002)
Rocket launches, land speed record attempts, balloon festivals, historical trail of California pioneers: Black Rock Desert hosts a wide variety of cultural events and landmarks besides the Burning Man Festival.
http://www.rgj.com/news/gallery.php?id=71&format=html

"ROCKET HOBBYISTS CLEARED FOR SPACE LAUNCH" (Sacramento Bee, 08/27/2002)
Burning Man Festival is not the only thing happening in the Black Rock Desert: rocketry enthusiasts with various goals also frequent the area. This is just one of the groups that want to "give NASA a run for its money" launching satellites.
http://www.sacbee.com/24hour/healthscience/story/514397p-4084406c.html

"WEATHER PREVENTS AMATEUR ROCKET LAUNCH" (Space.com, 07/02/2002)
Related story above: Earlier attempt to launch their rocket from Black Rock Desert was stopped by weather conditions.
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/csxt_rocket_020702.html

"THE ROCKET LAUNCH FOR CAN DO STUDENTS" (ARLISS 2002, 08/27/2002)
More Black Rock Desert rocket launches: Students and faculty at Stanford Universities, high schools, and other universities including University of Tokyo, plus high-power rocketry enthusiasts in Northern California, plan to "build, launch, test and recover prototype satellites, miniaturized to fit inside a soft drink can ... in preparation for an Earth in preparation for an Earth orbit or Mars orbit space launch."
http://ssdl.stanford.edu/arliss/

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR IN THE NEWS

"A FAIR SETTLEMENT, OR JUST SETTLING?" (Washington Post, 08/26/2002)
Shoshone Tribe members disagree over proposed federal government payment for ancestral lands: take cash or push their claims to the land? Tribe claims public lands covering a large area of Nevada and California, as shown in map accompanying article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60931-2002Aug25.html

Related: "INDIAN TRUST FUND DECISION EXPECTED SOON" (Fox News, 08/29/2002)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,61561,00.html

Related: "LAND OR MONEY?" (High County Times, 08/05/2002)
Shoshone land settlement.
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=13340

Related: "JOINT TRIBAL LEADERS/DOI TASK FORCE ON TRUST REFORM TO MEET AUGUST 26-28 IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA" (BLM California news release, 08/23/2002)
"Task force members will continue to look at reforming current trust management systems and processes to better serve American Indian and Alaska Native tribal and individual trust account beneficiaries."
http://www.doi.gov/news/020823.htm


FIGHTING WILDFIRES

"BLM NEEDS EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTERS FOR HOTSHOT CREW" (BLM California news release, 8/29/02)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/08/nr/NCnews82_hotshot_crews.html

"BUSH ASKS CONGRESS FOR EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR FOREST FIRES" (Associated Press in San Franscico Chronicle, 8/29/02)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/08/29/national1533EDT0689.DTL

"NORTON AND VENEMAN ASSEMBLE TEAM TO WORK ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S HEALTHY FORESTS INITIATIVE" (BLM California news release, 08/28/2002)
"The team will work to meet the directive by the President to improve the regulatory process to ensure more timely decisions, greater efficiency, and better results in reducing the risk of catastrophic fires."
http://www.doi.gov/news/020828.htm

Related: "BUSH UNVEILS WILDFIRE PLAN" (Sacramento Bee, 08/23/2002)
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/environment/story/4097992p-5120804c.html

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

ASSEMBLY OKs EFFORT TO SAVE INDIAN SITES (Sacramento Bee, 8/29/02)
California Assembly voted approves bill that would force developers to consult with Indian tribes before disturbing sacred land. Goes to state Senate next.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/4180262p-5203009c.html

Related: "ASSEMBLY OKs BILL GIVING INDIANS CHANCE TO PRESERVE SACRED TRIBAL SITES" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 08/29/2002)
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1030581484.shtml

Related: "BILL WOULD LET TRIBES VETO USE OF NEARBY LAND" (San Diego Union-Tribune, 08/25/2002)
More background on the bill -- including its potential effects on proposed Glamis, Inc. open-pit gold mine on BLM-managed land in the desert of east Imperial County.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sun/news/news_1n25sacred.html

"NEXT WEEKEND BIZZ JOHNSON SHUTTLE SET FOR SEPT. 7" (BLM California news release, 08/29/2002)
The next weekend Bizz Johnson Trail bus shuttle, offered by the BLM and Lassen Rural Bus, is set for Saturday, Sept. 7, from the Susanville Railroad Depot.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/08/nr/NCnews81_bizz_shuttle_aug02.html

"FOURMILE HILL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETS SEPTEMBER 3 IN YREKA" (BLM California news release, 08/27/2002)
A citizen oversight committee charged with reviewing development plans and monitoring data for the Fourmile Hill geothermal project near Medicine Lake will meet Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m., at the Klamath National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1312 Fairlane Rd., Yreka. The meeting is open to the public.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/08/nr/NCnews80_fourmile_oversight_committee_meeting.html

"BLM SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSAL TO AMEND SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC RIGHT-OF-WAY" (BLM California news release, 8/29/02)
Proposal to install communications equipment on site near Fallbrook, San Diego County and amend existing right-of-way grant at this site.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/08/nr/CDDnews75_SDGE_EA_review.html

"TRINITY ATTORNEY FINED $15,000 OVER PLANNED AD" (Sacramento Bee, 08/27/2002)
Judge says proposed newspaper ad attacking real estate agent -- retained by U.S. Attorney to testify on land values in lawsuit against BLM over 1999 Lowden Fire that escaped a prescribed burn -- "intended to put her out of business." Fines attorney representing some claimants who did not settle claims against BLM administratively, who arranged for who arranged for fee of 20 percent of damages paid to his clients.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/4153455p-5175898c.html


ANSWER TO WILDLIFE TRIVIA: "What is the State fish of California?"
{|;-)} The golden trout is the State fish of California. (This species does not occur on BLM California-managed land.)