LOS ANGELES CANCELS CADIZ UNDERGROUND WATER SUPPLY PROJECT
Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District board votes to cancel water supply project that would pump excess water under the Mojave Desert in wet years, and withdraw more in dry years, to serve southern California customers. Board cites environmental and financial risks. BLM had issued conditional right-of-way for the project's pipeline across public lands.
(Note: Many articles on this subject appeared in California and national media. This edition of News.bytes links to several of them.)

"MWD CANCELS DESERT STORAGE PROJECT" (Los Angeles Times, 10/09/2002)
"Board: The complex plan to keep Colorado River water underground is seen as risky, opposed by environmentalists."
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mwd9oct09.story

"A WATER PLAN FOR SOUTH STATE EVAPORATES" (Sacramento Bee, 10/09/2002)
"An audacious and controversial Southern California water project died Tuesday, a major defeat for the British-born entrepreneur who promoted the plan and cultivated politicians such as Gov. Gray Davis in an effort to see it through."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/4722227p-5739499c.html

"EDITORIAL: DEAD IN THE DESERT" (Sacramento Bee, 10/10/01)
Editorial: "This was one of the loonier water ideas Southern California has ever come up with -- to pay a politically connected entrepreneur millions upon millions of dollars to pump a corner of the Mojave Desert. Yes, the arid Mojave."
http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/editorials/story/4736192p-5752103c.html

"DESERT WATER PLAN DIES" (San Bernardino County Sun, 10/08/2002)
"Citing concerns about the environment, escalating costs and an uncertain water supply, the Metropolitan Water District board of directors Tuesday killed a controversial plan to store and pump water beneath the Mojave Desert."
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E911996,00.html#

"CADIZ: BEYOND THE HEADLINE" (San Bernardino County Sun, 10/09/2002)
Newspaper's summary of the issues in the water district's decision.
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E911978,00.html

"MWD's VOTE ENDANGERS CADIZ'S FUTURE" (Los Angeles Times, 10/09/2002)
"The demise Tuesday of Cadiz Inc.'s plan to build a multimillion-dollar water storage project in the Mojave Desert places the company under a huge financial strain that raises the question of whether it can survive."
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cadiz9oct09.story

"CADIZ GROUNDWATER STORAGE AND DRY-YEAR SUPPLY PROGRAM" (BLM California Issue Update, 10/9/02)
"The Cadiz Groundwater Storage and Dry-Year Supply Program is a proposal ... to use the groundwater basin underlying part of the Cadiz and Fenner Valleys in San Bernardino County for storage of water from the Colorado River for later recovery and transfer of indigenous groundwater under specified conditions for use in dry years to supply water for southern Californians."
(Note: see comment on "secure server" under Selected Upcoming Events below)
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/newsbytes.nsf/siteurl/59527581?OpenDocument

MORE CALIFORNIA WATER ISSUES

"COUNTY PUSHES AQUIFER PROTECTION" (San Bernardino County Sun, 10/9/02)
Though the Cadiz underground water project may be canceled, local officials are worried about what they see as raids on their underground water -- including expansion of nearby areas in Nevada.
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E914155,00.html

"POSTMUS PUSHES AQUIFER PROPOSAL" (Victorville Daily Press, 10/08/2002)
San Bernardino County supervisor proposes rule to protect area groundwater, to be voted on at Oct. 22 meeting. The Desert Groundwater Management Ordinance would "require the development of a proper management and monitoring plan by any large water extractor in an unregulated, undeveloped desert groundwater basin..."
(Note: the comma (,) at the end of this URL does not transmit to some email clients. You may need to copy and paste the following URL into your browser's "Address" or "Location" bar.)
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1034091491,71640,

"DESPITE OBSTACLES, OFFICIALS SAY SoCal WATER SUPPLY IS SECURE" (San Francisco Chronicle, 10/09/2002)
"Even though the state's largest water district has rejected a major water storage plan, officials said they still will be able to provide enough water for Southern California."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2002/10/09/state1916EDT7190.DTL

"WATER-GATHERING ISSUES" (Mammoth Times, 10/10/2002)
Small community in Eastern Sierra says water diversion structure, built by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on BLM-managed land, has reduced the flow of water to their properties. Some residents cite increased fire hazard, question legality of water diversion and status of BLM permit for a structure. Some hope for amicable solution with the water district.
http://www.mammothtimes.com/times2002/WaterRights10-10doc.html

"U.S. FILTER DETAILS PLAN IT SAYS WILL SAVE WATER, HELP SPECIES" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 10/09/2002)
"A broken dike in 1905 created what is now known as the Salton Sea. North America's largest water company thinks a new dike would halt the maligned sea's ongoing decline -- and satiate the thirst of millions of urban Californians at the same time." (Also includes links to their earlier articles on the Salton Sea.  BLM California has been involved in transfers of public land to help preserve habitat bordering the Salton Sea.)
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1034120186.shtml


NOT FOR EDUCATORS ONLY:

PLANT OF THE WEEK - Stebbin's madia
Slender erect annual, stems 2 to 10 inches (5 to 25 cm) tall, branching near base and above, leaves linear, 1/2 to 1 inch (12 to 25 mm) long mostly crowned at stem bases and branches with inrolled margins, bright yellow daisy-like flowers with yellow anthers.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/redding/redmast.html

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK: As in the famous TV show, this is posed as an answer -- you supply the question.
And the answer is, "Merriam's kangaroo rat and Fresno kangaroo rat."
(Okay, here it is as a question, after all: "What distinction do these two share, among kangaroo rats on BLM California-managed lands?")


RECREATION ON PUBLIC LANDS: Northern California

"LOST COAST TRAIL IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART" (Contra Costa Times, 10/06/2002)
Feature article: ""We were soon to discover the rugged terrain that defeated road builders can leave you exhausted from boot-grabbing wet sand, scaling wet rocks and boulders and rogue waves that can send you dashing for refuge with a 40-pound pack on your back .... I now clearly understand why Highway 1 turns several miles inland here. When Caltrans builders reached the Lost Coast, they abandoned hope of conquering the area."
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/living/health/fitness/4225200.htm

Related: "KING RANGE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA TRAILS" (BLM California Web site)
Includes the Lost Coast Trail.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/arcata/krncatrails.html

"NATION'S SYSTEM OF OLD RAIL BEDS MAKES GREAT TRAILS" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 10/06/2002)
"It's still not too late to celebrate the Rails to Trails Festival in Susanville. Sure, the event [concluded Sunday] with a 25-mile bike ride from Westwood to Susanville, but the Bizz Johnson Trail is open every day -- and it can handle mountain bikes, hikers, bird watchers and even snowshoers."
http://www.redding.com/outdoors/stories/20021007ou048.shtml

Related: "BIZZ JOHSON TRAIL" (BLM California Web site)
The trail winds 25.4 miles from Susanville to Mason Station, and follows the Susan River for 16 of its miles. Managed by BLM California's Eagle Lake Field Office and Lassen National Forest.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/eaglelake/bizztrail.html

"KIWANIS CLUB WILL HOLD BENEFIT RACE AT SAMOA DUNES" (BLM California news release, 10/08/2002)
The Humboldt Bay Kiwanis Club will hold a fund-raising off-highway-vehicle event at the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area on Saturday, Oct. 12. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages the recreation site, approved a permit for the "Sand Flea Grand Prix." The non-profit Kiwanis Club will use money raised to continue community service programs.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/NCnews02_samoarace/Conv.htm

"EASTERN SIERRA RESIDENTS INVITED TO IMPROVE THEIR 'BACKYARD' " (BLM California news release, 10/08/2002)
Local folks in the eastern Sierra are invited to join thousands of others across the country volunteering to cleanup the land. The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service are hosting cleanup and planting projects in the Bishop area on October 19, 2002, in honor of National Public Lands Day. The Access Fund, Leave No Trace, and the Nation...
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/CCnews02_BishopNPLD/Conv.htm


COACHELLA VALLEY: Preserving resources

"SHIFTING SAND DUNES ROLL ACROSS PROPERTY LINES, ROADS" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 10/08/2002)
Coachella Valley Preserve, joint project of several agencies including BLM California.
http://www.pe.com/breakingnews/local/PE_NEWS_ndlizard.a136b.html

"COACHELLA VALLEY PRESERVE: Watchable Wildlife site" (BLM California Web site)
A part of the Coachella Valley jointly managed by several partners, including BLM California's South Coast/Palm Springs Field Office.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/wf-coachella.html

"PROTECTING THE LAND" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 10/6/02)
Friends of the Coachella Valley founded in 1987 "to acquire lands in and around the Coachella Valley to protect the wildlife, scenic, scientific, cultural and recreational land values."
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/features/1033873517.shtml

WILD HORSES AND BURROS

"FREE HORSE TRAINING DEMONSTRATIONS COMING TO EUREKA" (BLM California news release, 10/01/2002)
North Coast horse fanciers can get free tips on horse gentling and training techniques, when the U. S. Bureau of Land Management hosts a wild horse and burro adoption event Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/NCnews01_eureka_training_oct02/Conv.htm

"ANIMAL ADOPTION EVENT NETS NEW HOMES FOR HORSES" (North County Times, 10/09/2002)
Of 80 mustangs and 20 burros at the Ramona Information Days for Equestrians last weekend, 61 horses and 13 burros were adopted to qualified homes. Highest bid was $660 for a 2-year-old, second highest was for a slightly trained 5-year-old; the rest went for the $125 minimum bid....
http://www.nctimes.net/news/2002/20021009/55226.html

"PUBLIC COMMENTS SOUGHT ON HORSE, BURRO CENTER" (Reno Gazette-Journal, 10/04/2002)
Proposed center in Carson City, Nevada area would be interpretive center where visitors could learn about wild horse and how they are managed, and offer a limited number of horse for adoption. Organizers also see it as a tourist attraction.
http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2002/10/04/25314.php

"WILD HORSE AND BURRO ADVISORY BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD BY BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT" (BLM California news release, 10/08/2002)
BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will hold a meeting October 28-29, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Advisory Board will discuss matters pertaining to management and protection of wild free-roaming horses and burros on the Nation's public lands.
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2002/pr021007_whb.htm


BLM LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUES

"PRACTICING FOR QUICK RESPONSE IN THE DUNES" (Imperial Valley Press, 10/03/2002)
BLM and other law enforcement and medical agencies prepare for this year's off-road recreation season at the Imperial Sand Dunes, to avoid last year's problems. "Last Thanksgiving, 40 officers tried to control an estimated 190,000 dunes visitors."
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/October/03-1743-news05.txt

"FOREST CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL OHV USE" (Mammoth Times, 10/10/2002)
Officials say most off-highway vehicle users follow the rules -- but as the sport gets more popular, there are more who do not. BLM teams up with forest and state law enforcement, with support of local recreation groups, to increase patrols in popular areas of the Eastern Sierra. Their goal: reduce damage to natural resources.
http://www.mammothtimes.com/times2002/OHV_Crackdown10-10.html

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

BLM AND CONTRACTORS RECOGNIZED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTION
The Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP), San Diego Chapter recognized BLM and partners as finalists under the "Outstanding Environmental Solution" category, at their 2002 Awards. The BLM contracted with URS Corporation and Gallegos & Associates to prepare a GIS data base, biological monitoring plan, and cultural resource report for BLM's portion of the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program -- to protect 85 species in a preserve area of 170,000 acres. BLM's portion -- over 28,000 acres -- includes Otay Mountain Wilderness.
The nomination read, in part: "This project represents a unique solution ... over 30 public, private, and educational agencies were contacted and a complete GIS database was compiled and constructed to lay the foundation for the cultural and biological monitoring plans. Over 125 layers were incorporated into a functioning, east-to-use database. {Before GIS] ... studies of this type would have taken many hours of field research, analysis, and documentation. By using GIS technology, the planning efforts were advanced because data layers such as species, habitats, vegetation, and climate could be evaluated simultaneously. The GIS database is installed in all local BLM offices, allowing biologists, archaeologists, and planners easy access for key decision making for the Otay/Kuchamaa Management Area."

"ARCHAEOLOGISTS AND TRIBES TARGET SITES' PRESERVATION" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 10/05/2002)
"Sunshine, mild winters and abundant fresh water made ... early civilization possible in the desert Southwest. American Indians and archaeologists ...hope... modern advancement in the Southern California and Arizona deserts won't erase the lessons left behind by ancestors." Says BLM archaeologist at meeting: ""People see the desert and think it is a wasteland .... What they don’t understand is the desert is one of the most sensitive environments we have."
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1033780653.shtml

"LAND BUREAU REJUVENATES WILDLIFE HABITAT" (San Bernardino County Sun, 10/06/2002)
Riparian (river and stream bank) restoration efforts in Afton Canyon.
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E907514,00.html

"OPEN HOUSE SLATED TO CELEBRATE 2nd ANNIVERSARY, CREATION OF THE SANTA ROSA AND SAN JACINTO MOUNTAINS NATIONAL MONUMENT" (BLM California news release, 10/07/2002)
An open house is planned for Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to noon to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the creation of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. It will be held at the monument's visitor center on Highway 74 in Palm Desert. The event is free and open to the public.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/SRSJMNMnews01_2ndanniversay/Conv.htm

"CONGRESS UNLIKELY TO ACT ON FOREST PASS BY YEAR'S END" (Ventura County Star, 10/09/2002)
"...A Congress that has remained largely split on the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program's future" last year extended the pilot program through 9/30/04. Two bills introduce this year would have made the fee program permanent, but groups continue to lobby Congress for and against it. BLM is among federal agencies in the fee demo program.
http://www.insidevc.com/vcs/national/article/0,1375,VCS_123_1467867,00.html

"WATER DISTRICT HIRES WASHINGTON LOBBYISTS" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 10/04/2002)
Water district backs bill to move high-voltage San Diego Gas & Electric power line (Valley Rainbow Interconnect) route out of Temecula Valley and onto public land in the Cleveland National Forest. BLM would handle right-of-way permits across public forest land.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_NEWS_nslines04.f307.html

"BLM ADVISORY GROUP TO MEET IN EASTERN SIERRA" (BLM California news release, 10/01/2002)
A citizen advisory group to the BLM will meet in the eastern Sierra next week. The Resource Advisory Council for Central California will tour the Lone Pine Film Festival on Friday, October 11th, 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

"SUPERVISORS TELL BLM 'NO MORE LAND'" (Siskiyou Daily News, 10/03/2002)
Siskiyou County Supervisors say they want no more of the county's land going from private to public ownership, with loss of property tax revenues. Spurred by latest swap in the works: five miles of PacifiCorp/Scottish Power lands along Klamath River intended for management by BLM California or BLM Oregon.
http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/October/03-3440-news4.txt

"PROTECTION DEBATED FOR ONE OF LAST WILD RIVERS" (Los Angeles Times, 10/07/2002)
"Environment: Bid for U.S. safeguards faces opposition from power companies, sportsmen .... California Wild Heritage Act of 2002 would protect 2.5 million acres of federal land from invasive development and give portions of 22 rivers protection under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act." The bill would affect a number of BLM-managed areas.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-clavey7oct07.story

"MURPHY RETURNING TO POST" (Los Angeles Daily News, Santa Clarita edition, 10/01/2002)
Santa Clarita's first intergovernmental relations officer returns to post he left in 1998 -- and "is expected to take the lead in Santa Clarita's ongoing fight against a planned sand and gravel mine in Soledad Canyon." (Cemex gravel operation received permit from BLM)
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20949%257E896152,00.html

ANSWER TO THIS WEEK'S WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION:
Merriam's kangaroo rat and Fresno kangaroo rat.
And the correct QUESTION is:
"What are the two SMALLEST kangaroo rats found on BLM California lands?"

Learn more about these two animals on the BLM California wildlife database.
(Note: see comment on "secure server" under Selected Upcoming Events below)
Fresno kangaroo rat:
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf/siteurl/82276494?OpenDocument
Merriam's kangaroo rat
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf/siteurl/594645?OpenDocument