"BLM RELEASES FINAL NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN" (BLM news release, 11/12/2002)
Final plan signed by BLM Directory Kathleen Clarke on Oct. 25, incorporates many public comments received on draft. Plan "promotes environmentally sound use of mountain bicycles and other muscle-powered, nonmotorized modes of transportation on BLM-managed public lands."
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2002/pr021112_bike.htm

"BOXER'S SAVE-THE-WILDERNESS BILL PITS BIKERS vs. HIKERS" (Sacramento Bee, 11/14/2002)
Skyrocketing numbers of mountain bikers, with stronger and lighter bikes taking them deep into the backcountry, are running into conflicts with hikers and wilderness preservationists. One point of contact: proposed bill that would affect 2.5 million acres of California wilderness, including lands managed by BLM.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/environment/story/5192219p-6201036c.html

PUBLIC LANDS RIGHTS-OF-WAY CONTROVERSIES

"LINE MAY BE ON HOLD" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 11/11/2002)
"An administrative law judge's recommendation to kill a proposed high-voltage line through southwest Riverside County did not sound the death knell for the project. Industry experts expect state regulators to keep San Diego Gas & Electric's proposed 500,000-volt Valley Rainbow Interconnect on life support indefinitely."
http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_NEWS_nslines11.fba1.html

Related: "AGENCY HEARS PROS, CONS ON POWER LINE" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 11/13/2002)
California Public Utilities Commission will decide whether San Diego Gas & Electric's proposed Valley Rainbow Interconnect will be built, and which routes it could follow -- could require BLM rights-of-way permits.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_NEWS_nslines13.a1a54.html

"CONVERTING OIL PIPELINE PROPOSED" (Bakersfield Californian, 11/12/2002)
Proposal to convert crude oil pipeline through Kern County into natural gas transport. Environmental impact report to examine rerouting pipeline or including special mitigations, say BLM and California State Lands Commission. A residential subdivision was built over the pipeline right-of-way since it was built in the 80's. No public comments offered from 30 people attending first public meeting on proposal. Two more meetings scheduled, comment deadline Nov. 22.
http://www.bakersfield.com/local/story/2120974p-2217430c.html

"CITY ASKS DAVIS TO ENTER MINE FIGHT" (Los Angeles Daily News, 11/13/2002)
"The [Santa Clarita] City Council has asked Gov. Gray Davis and Attorney General Bill Lockyer to intervene in the federal court battle over a massive sand and gravel mine..." in Soledad Canyon. Cemex obtained BLM permit for its mining operation.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20943%257E989040,00.html

"CITY IN GRITTY FIGHT, TURNS TO GOVERNOR" (The Signal, 11/13/2002)
The Santa Clarita City Council "unanimously called for a resolution to be drafted and sent to Gov. Gray Davis and Attorney General Bill Lockyer asking them to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Louisiana-based mining giant Cemex Inc. against Los Angeles County."
http://www.the-signal.com/News/ViewStory.asp?storyID=1228

NOT FOR EDUCATORS ONLY

WEED OF THE WEEK - WAVY LEAF THISTLE
Perennial from simple taproot, sometimes creeping. Stems erect, branching, 1 to 3-1/2 feet tall, white wooly. Upper leaves smaller, toothed, spiny. Flowers one to few, pink to lavender to white. (Photo courtesy California Department of Food and Agriculture)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/alturas/wavythis.html

WILDLIFE TRIVIA OF THE WEEK
QUESTION: What are the slowest reproducing mammals on earth, for their size?" (In other words, slow mammals that reproduce slowly.)
See answer near end of this issue of News.bytes.

"GROUPS HONOR MARY ANN HENRY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS" (Ridgecrest News Review, 11/13/2002)
BLM and several groups honor widely-recognized native-plant expert "In recognition of her pioneering efforts to conduct the first systematic inventory of Short Canyon flora; her decades of service to environmental education; and her years of commitment to sustaining the desert's beauty and biodiversity."
http://www.news-ridgecrest.com/stories/4.html

Related: "BOTANIST, ENVIRONMENTALIST HONORED FOR LIFETIME WORK" (Ridgecrest Daily Independent, 11/14/2002)
"Mary Ann Henry has made the desert her life's work, and in doing so has made a monumental difference to the desert. An estimated 100 friends, relatives, supporters and fans gathered in Short Canyon on Nov. 3, to honor Henry."
http://www.ridgecrestca.com/articles/2002/11/12/news/local_news/news02.txt

YOU'RE INVITED: Clean up the Canyon
The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy -- of which BLM California is a member -- and Friends of the Desert Mountains invite you to "Clean up the Canyon" this Saturday, Nov. 16.
This weekend's project: Habitat restoration in Cathedral Canyon 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. "Enjoy a great day in this beautiful canyon and help us remove non-native tamarisk to restore the habitat for bighorn sheep and other wildlife," organizers say. Meet at the IMAX Theater in Cathedral City, with your comfortable hiking/work shoes, work clothes, gloves, lunch and water. Be prepared to hike one or two miles into the canyon, and please bring large loppers or handsaws if you have them.
Please call if you plan to attend, or need information: (760) 776-5026.

Related: "COACHELLA VALLEY MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY" (State of California Web page)
The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy is governed by 21 voting members, representing local, state and federal governments -- including BLM California -- the public at large and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The Conservancy was established by the California Legislature in 1990 to protect the mountains surrounding the Coachella Valley, from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. The Conservancy grew out of a community-based conservation group seeking partnerships to achieve that goal.
http://www.cvmc.ca.gov/

"THE EAGLE PASS AREA GETS A FACE LIFT" (Needles Desert Star, 11/12/2002)
BLM and other agencies invite public to help clean up items such as old refrigerators and other household appliances, from public lands near Eagle Pass Road. Site was historical dump site until 1976 law instituted public landfills. More information forthcoming about event, Nov. 21 and Dec. 22.
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=638&NewsID=391938&CategoryID=1393&show=localnews&om=1

"DESERT VANDALS SOUGHT" (Needles Desert Star, 11/06/2002)
About 60 volunteers cleaned up 20 tones of trash near Mojave Trail -- and came across an example of vandalism on public lands.
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=638&NewsID=388330&CategoryID=4635&on=0

"FIRE SAFE PLAN - COUNCIL WORKS TO REDUCE FIRE DANGERS" (Mammoth Times, 11/14/2002)
"Created at the height of the 2002 fire season, the Fire Safe Council has prepared a handbook to help east-side residents improve their chances against wildfires." National Forests in the Bishop area prepared handbook in conjunction with the council, which includes BLM.
http://www.mammothtimes.com/times2002/E_SierraFireCouncil11-14.html

"FIRE SAFE COUNCIL ADDRESSES FIRE HAZARDS, PREVENTION" (Ridgecrest Daily Independent, 11/14/2002)
Fire Safe Council including BLM working on projects including prevention and demonstration "defensible lots" to stop wildfires from burning houses. Kern County fire official says, "This year approximately $100 million was spent on the Biscuit fire. That money would be better spent on prevention than fire fighting and structure loss."
http://www.ridgecrestca.com/articles/2002/11/08/news/local_news/news03.txt

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"BLM HAS ITS SIGHTS ON VEGETATION REHAB" (Inyo Register, 11/12/2002)
Subtitled: "Organizations work toward re-greening and protection of local wild lands." Native California plants grown to repair damage from fire and off-road vehicles. Efforts also to improve signage to keep off-road areas open.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6039205&BRD=2270&PAG=461&dept_id=468891&rfi=6

"APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR HEADWATERS FUND BOARD" (Eureka Times-Standard, 11/14/2002)
Humboldt County received $22 million from state and federal governments in 1999 during sale of the 7,400-acre Headwaters Forest and two smaller groves from Pacific Lumber Co. County now taking applications from people who will help decide how that money is invested.
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E990421,00.html

Related: "HEADWATERS FOREST RESERVE" (BLM California Web site)
BLM California-managed areas of the preserved forest.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/arcata/headwaters.html

"BLM ACCEPTING COMMENTS ON REVISED DESERT TRAVEL" (Imperial Valley Press, 11/12/2002)
Written comments must be received or postmarked by Nov. 18.
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/November/12-1338-news05.txt

Related: "WESTERN COLORADO (WECO) OHV ROUTE OF TRAVEL DESIGNATION UPDATE PROJECT" (BLM California Web site)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro/weco.html

Related: "PUBLIC MEETINGS SET for draft amendment and associated environmental assessment for Western Colorado Desert routes of travel designations" (BLM California news release, 11/6/02)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/11/nr/CDDnews08_WECOpublicMeetings/Conv.htm

"CHANGES IN SPECIES PROTECTION PROPOSED" (Mt. Shasta News, 11/13/2002)
Actions involving court settlement that requires U.S. Forest Service and BLM to "substantially review, and potentially change, the way species are protected in areas designated for timber harvesting in the pacific northwest." BLM California's nearest impact would be near Oregon-California line.
http://www.mtshastanews.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2002/November/13-2755-news19.txt