BLM HOSTS PUBLIC LANDS DAY VOLUNTEER EVENTS: volunteers come out by the hundreds
Volunteers turned out at sites throughout the state to help BLM celebrate National Public Lands Day (NPLD), September 28:
- In its first NPLD event, the El Centro field office hosted volunteers who collected trash and debris at Table Mountain Area of Critical Environmental Concern in Eastern San Diego County.
- The Ridgecrest field office had a successful project improving the historic Mingus-Meade Cabin and surrounding public land in the El Paso Mountains.
- In the Sierra, Bishop field office volunteers spent the day cleaning up Lone Ranger Canyon in the Alabama Hills in preparation for the annual Lone Pine Film Festival.
- A few hard-working volunteers helped clean-up Dead Indian Canyon, a popular hiking area in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
- Nearly 200 volunteers turned out for the Mitchell Range Improvement Project NPLD event for the Barstow field office, constructing a segment of new trail, improving a portion of existing trail, cleaning debris and painting picnic tables and shade structures.
- Taking advantage of cooler temperatures in late October, the city of Needles will join BLM to host a related NPLD cleanup project along a six-mile segment of the East Mojave Heritage Trail - see item below.

Related: "BLM VOLUNTEERS CLEAR TRAIL" (Barstow Desert Dispatch, 09/30/2002)
"A popular outdoor recreation area now has trail markers to guide hikers and a lot less trash than it had last week." Fourth annual National Public Lands Day volunteer effort organized by BLM California's Barstow Field Office. Projects included removing trash, erecting a fence, and putting up markers on the mountain to delineate what will be known as the Mojave Skyline Trail."
(Note: this newspaper uses a comma (,) at the end of its link - this does not always show up via email. You can cut and paste the full URL -- including the comma -- into your browser.)
http://www.desertdispatch.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1033404044,59004,

Related: "National Public Lands Day 2002" (BLM California Web site)
BLM California's Needles Field Office will hold their Public Lands Day event Oct. 19, so that volunteers will have less hot weather to cope with. Visit their newly-updated Web pages to learn more -- and to learn how to become a Nationally Known Photographer!
http://www.ca.blm.gov/needles/npld2002.html

"TRASH MECCA GETS CLEANUP" (The Union, 10/01/2002)
Not a Public Lands Day event, but volunteers turn out to clean up trash at site in Nevada County, CA: "...many residents near Deadmans Flat ... are tired of the beer-drinking rowdies, the trespassing all-terrain vehicles and people who treat the rugged, dusty terrain as a dump....Many trespassers mistakenly believe the land is owned by the federal Bureau of Land Management. It isn't, but BLM does have neighboring property."
http://www.theunion.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=TU&Date=20021001&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=110010004&Ref=AR

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF BLM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE!
Now online: Your chance to comment on the quality of your recent interactions with BLM. Your comments will be used to help BLM improve the delivery of service to its customers and improve program management. Simply visit our BLM California Website, and follow the link on the left-hand side of the page titled "Customer Feedback Survey:"
http://www.ca.blm.gov/

"GYROCOPTER PILOTS GETTING BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF EL MIRAGE DRY LAKE" (Victorville Daily Press, 09/28/2002)
"They come from across the country, sometimes the world, to fly their gyrocopters at El Mirage Dry Lake." Freedom Fly-in this weekend will bring in more pilots of "mini helicopter with an open-air cockpit" to area managed by BLM California's Barstow Field Office.
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1001817413,98293,

Related: "EL MIRAGE DRY LAKE OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATION AREA" (BLM California Web pages)
Often a site of gyrocopter flights -- as well as other assorted recreational activities.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow/mirage.html

"BLM TO RECOVER COSTS RELATING TO RECREATION PERMITS" (BLM California news release, 10/01/2002)
"Additional Proposed Regulations Would Provide Greater Continuity for Recreation Service Providers and Facilitate Law Enforcement"
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2002/pr021001_recreation.htm

"RIDERS SEEK TO SAVE OLD TRAILS" (Antelope Valley Press, 09/30/2002)
"Five horse-riding groups asked Palmdale and Los Angeles County "to help protect trail highway-crossing sites, obtain property easements and fight legislation intended to restrict public use of public lands .... The groups also asked for help enforcing Revised Statute 2477, a 110-year-old federal law that prohibits settlers from ownership claims that closed off any of the mining paths and trails that were carved from the wilderness during the development of the Old West."
http://www.avpress.com/n/mosty4.hts

"MORE GOLDFIELDS ACCESS URGED" (Marysville Appeal-Democrat, 09/28/2002)
California Waterfowl Association asks U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to open its land in the Yuba Goldfields near the Yuba River to the public. Group spokesperson says the Army Corps land, when combined with BLM-managed parcel, "would be a good area that folks could get out there and recreate on and hunt and fish and provide significant recreational opportunities." BLM is awaiting final court decision -- state Supreme Court is considering review -- on whether Hammonton Road access to the area is public, or privately owned by gravel company.
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/092802/092802More.shtml

"BLM SPENDING OFF-TRACK? Lawmakers question use of off-road funds" (San Bernardino County Sun, 09/29/2002)
"Contrary to concerns voiced by a congressional delegation, a series of land-use plans for the California desert designates routes for off-road vehicles, a federal land management spokesman said Thursday."
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E891877,00.html

"ROLLBACKS SOUGHT ON DUNES PROTECTION" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 09/28/2002)
Nineteen Congressional Republicans ask Interior Secretary Gale Norton to reconsider protections for endangered species that now limit off-highway vehicles to a smaller area of the Imperial Sand Dunes. Signers call closures "excessive" and say science behind dunes closing was flawed. Head of OHV group says he drafted letter, signed by officials after slight changes.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1033179946.shtml

WILD HORSES AND BURROS

"WILD MUSTANG AND BURRO ADOPTION HEADED TO RAMONA FAIRGROUNDS" (BLM California news release, 10/1/02)
Oct. 5-6: BLM will offer 80 mustangs and 20 burros to qualified adopters through its Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program at the Ramona Fairgrounds. The mustangs (yearlings, geldings and mares up to five years old) and burros were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada, to ensure rangelands will remain healthy for remaining wild horses and burros, native wildlife, and permitted livestock. The animals have been wormed and vaccinated and are in excellent health
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/CDDnews02_Ramona_Adoption_2nd_Release/Conv.htm

"WILD BURROS OFFERED FOR ADOPTION IN ORLAND" (BLM California news release, 9/13/02)
BLM will offer 15 burros on a first come basis, during the third annual "Longears Cele'bray'tion" in Orland, a show and competition event for donkey and mule owners. The adoption fee is $125 for females (Jennies) and $25 for males, also called "Jacks."
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/NCnews84_burroadopt_sept02/Conv.htm

"FREE HORSE TRAINING DEMONSTRATIONS COMING TO EUREKA" (BLM California news release, 10/1/02)
Oct. 19-20: Horse fanciers can get free tips on horse gentling and training techniques during this two-day event -- and 80 wild horses and 20 wild burros will be available for public adoption for a fee of $125 each. The BLM recently gathered the animals from California and Nevada rangelands to keep wild populations in balance with other range users. Preview look when the animals arrive -- about 2 p.m. Friday.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/NCnews01_eureka_training_oct02/Conv.htm


GLAMIS GOLD MINE

"INTERIOR RULES MINE CLAIMS VALID" (Imperial Valley Press, 10/01/2002)
"The U.S. Department of Interior ruled Friday that the claims on a proposed gold mine in eastern Imperial County are valid, bringing development of the mine one step closer despite earlier arguments that it would be harmful to tribal lands."
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/October/01-1606-news03.txt

"INTERIOR DEPT. REVIVES PLAN FOR MINE ON CALIFORNIA INDIAN SITE" (Los Angeles Times, 09/29/2002)
Glamis Gold, Ltd. mining plan in Imperial County.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-glamis29sep29.story

"BLM DETERMINES GLAMIS-IMPERIAL MINING CLAIMS ARE VALID" (BLM news release, 9/27/02)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/SOnews12_Glamis_FinalValidity/Conv.htm

Related: SACRED SITES BILL
Gov. Gray Davis vetoes bill addressing American Indians' ability to protect sacred land. Developers had said bill was too broad, could give tribes veto power over private and public land statewide. Davis reiterated opposition to Glamis Gold, Ltd. proposal for gold mine near sacred site in Imperial County, and signed a second bill related to that.

"BILL TO PROTECT SACRED INDIAN SITES IS VETOED" (San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/01/2002)
Copley News Service story.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20021001-9999_1n1sacred.html

"GOVERNOR VETOES SACRED SITES BILL" (North County Times, 10/02/2002)
http://www.nctimes.net/news/2002/20021002/55218.html

"DAVIS KILLS INDIAN SITES BILL, SIGNS TWO OTHERS" (Associated Press, in Bakersfield Californian, 09/30/2002)
http://www.bakersfield.com/state_wire/story/1870076p-1985520c.html

"GOVERNOR'S VETO FRUSTRATES TRIBES AND LAWMAKERS" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 10/02/2002)
"Response: Indians are unsure of their next step in protecting sacred sites near their reservations. "
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_nasacred-manual.7ad6aef3.html

COACHELLA VALLEY PLAN: 10-PART SERIES

"MORE ABOUT THE COACHELLA VALLEY MULTI-SPECIES PLAN" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 09/29/2002)
Links to a series of 10 stories, plus photos, on complex Coachella Valley Habitat Plan involving BLM, local and state governments and other groups. Newspaper "decided to present the plan visually, with pictures of the plants and animals that will be protected, symbols that show where they live and a map that shows which land will be protected and which land will be made available for development."
http://www.thedesertsun.com/cgi-bin/storytag2.view.cgi?selection=multi_species_plan

BLM HOSTS MEETINGS OF CITIZEN ADVISORY COUNCILS, OTHERS

"BLM ADVISORY GROUP TO MEET IN EASTERN SIERRA" (BLM California news release, 10/1/02)
The Resource Advisory Council for Central California will tour the Lone Pine Film Festival on Friday, October 11, and meet in the Patio Room at the fairgrounds in Bishop on Saturday, October 12.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/CCnews01_ccrac_meet1002/Conv.htm

"BLM RESOURCE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETS OCT. 23-24 IN WEAVERVILLE" (BLM California news release, 9/30/02)
BLM's Northwest California Resource Advisory Council will: tour fire and fuels projects and a proposed land exchange; hear update on off-highway vehicle management, hear status report on management plan for South Spit area of Humboldt County, and hear status report on proposal for a Weaverville community forest. Other agenda items: land use planning in the Horseshoe Ranch area of Siskiyou County, Oregon Mountain fire salvage, report on public meetings for draft management plan for Cache Creek Natural Area. Time for public comments reserved at 1 p.m. Saturday.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/NCnews90_nwrac_october02meeting/Conv.htm

"PUBLIC MEETINGS SET FOR CACHE CREEK MANAGEMENT PLAN" (BLM California news release, 9/23/02)
Series of public meetings in early October provide a forum for public comments on the BLM's draft management plan and environmental assessment for the Cache Creek Natural Area in Lake, Colusa and Yolo counties.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/cachecreek_meetings/Conv.htm

"BLM WILL HOST PUBLIC MEETING ON FORT SAGE BIRD STUDY" (BLM California news release, 9/23/02)
BLM presents information on bird nesting and demographic study underway in Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area -- Oct. 10 in Susanville. The bird study is part of the BLM's development of a Wildlife Habitat Protection Plan for the Fort Sage OHV Area east of Doyle.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/09/nr/NCnews86_birdmeeting_sept/Conv.htm

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"WIND DRIVES FIRE NEAR RUMSEY" (Davis Enterprise, 10/02/2002)
More than 500 firefighters from many agencies -- including BLM -- fight fire in Yolo County's Capay Valley. Complications include high winds and rugged terrain.
http://www.davisenterprise.com/display/inn_news/090NEW3.TXT

Related update: "BLAZE NEARS CONTAINMENT" (Davis Enterprise, 10/03/2002)
http://www.davisenterprise.com/display/inn_news/089NEW3.TXT

"WATER AS BUSINESS TAPS INTO FEARS" (Los Angeles Times, 09/30/2002)
"The apparent breakdown of a deal between private Cadiz Inc. and the public Metropolitan Water District to build a $150-million water storage facility in the Mojave Desert raises an issue that may become more relevant to the state's water future: What role is there for private enterprise in supplying water to the California public?"
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-water30sep30.story

"LANDFILL OPPONENTS STEP UP EFFORTS" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 09/27/2002)
Opponents of proposed Eagle Mountain landfill in eastern Riverside County plan lawsuit. "They say the harm that would befall the endangered desert tortoise should the dump open outweighs the benefits of having a repository for Los Angeles County trash for the next 100 years."
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1033092230.shtml

"SECRETARY NORTON ANNOUNCES NEXT 20 LIGHTHOUSES AVAILABLE UNDER NATIONAL PRESERVATION PLAN" (Department of Interior news release, 09/28/2002)
The 20 lighthouses under consideration to be transferred at no cost from the Coast Guard to new owners -- federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit corporations and community development organizations -- include two in California. "This program has proven to be one of the most popular ones ever at the Interior Department, " Norton said. "Lighthouses seem to capture our imagination and many people are devoted to their preservation." If no qualified steward is found, the lighthouses could be sold through competitive public sale.
http://www.doi.gov/news/020930.htm

Related: "PIEDRAS BLANCAS LIGHT STATION" (BLM California Web site)
Web site for lighthouse just north of San Simeon, now administered by BLM California with cooperation of community groups that wish to restore it.
http://www.piedrasblancas.gov/

"MARIJUANA FARM YIELDS THOUSANDS OF MATURE PLANTS" (Modoc Record, 10/03/2002)
BLM joins U.S. Forest Service and local and state law enforcement agencies, to help uproot an estimated 6,400 pot plants discovered during routine reconnaissance flight.
http://www.modocrecord.com/NEWS.html#Marijuana
Photos:
http://www.modocrecord.com/NEWS.html#Photos

"OIL AND GAS CONFERENCE COMING TO TOWN" (Bakersfield Californian, 10/01/2002)
BLM is one of the sponsors and BLM California's State Director Mike Poole is a scheduled speaker, at the ninth annual Oil and Gas Conference in Bakersfield. "American Oil From California Soil" conference agenda includes operations, regulatory issues and environmental issues.
http://www.bakersfield.com/business/story/1874189p-1988545c.html

"IN SEARCH OF A BETTER WAY TO MEASURE EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE" (Washington Post, 10/01/2002)
"Is it possible to accurately measure the job performance of federal senior executives? The General Accounting Office has looked at approaches used at four agencies [including] the Bureau of Land Management... and found a glimmer of hope."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25116-2002Sep30.html

"AGENCIES LOWER EXECUTIVES' RATINGS, LIMIT BONUSES" (GovExec.com, 09/27/2002)
Percentage of BLM executives with bonuses remained same as year before, at 47 percent, Government Accounting Office says.
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0902/092802b2.htm

"WARD VALLEY ISSUE DEAD" (NEEDLES DESERT STAR, 10/02/2002)
California Governor signs legislation prohibiting previously planned low-level radioactive waste dump west of Needles, at site currently on BLM-managed land.
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=638&NewsID=370147&CategoryID=1393&on=0

WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER: ("How far can a kangaroo rat jump?")
Kangaroo rats can often cover a distance of 6 feet with one leap!
California kangaroo rats are an exception. They tend to scurry away when threatened, instead of leaping.
Learn more about the California kangaroo rat, at the BLM California online Wildlife Database:
(Note: see comment on "secure server" in paragraph below)
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf/siteurl/59214466?OpenDocument