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News.bytes
A publication of
Bureau of Land Management in California
Issue date: 2/6/2003
This week in News.bytes:
- Cattle grazing on public lands
- Recreation on public lands in California
- Not for Educators Only:
- Plant of the Week: Hoary Cress
- Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week: big frog
- Bookstore Feature: Geology at your feet
- Off-highway issues
- National News
- Headlines and Highlights
- Selected Upcoming Events
CATTLE
GRAZING ON PUBLIC LANDS
"2003 Federal Grazing Fee Announced" (BLM National Office
news release, 02/06/2003)
The grazing fee for western public lands administered by the Bureau of Land
Management and the U.S. Forest Service will be $1.35 per animal unit month
(AUM) in 2003, down from $1.43 in 2002.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/02/nr/WOnews_FinalGrazingFeePR/Conv.htm
"Grazing Proposal Stirs Up Concerns" (San Bernardino County
Sun, 02/04/2003)
"Critics: Too risky for High Desert ... Environmentalists fear proposed
changes in federal policy regulating cattle-grazing on public lands will
set back protections for endangered species, such as the desert tortoise."
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E1158210,00.html
Related:
"BLM Considers Changes to Grazing Regulations
In Effort to Improve Public Rangeland Management" (Department of
Interior news release, 1/3/03)
"The changes under consideration would enhance community-based conservation
and promote cooperative stewardship of the public rangelands," BLM
Director Kathleen Clarke said. "The potential changes would also improve
BLM business practices and provide greater flexibility to managers and grazing
permittees in the administration of public rangelands."
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2003/pr030130_grazing.htm
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RECREATION ON PUBLIC LANDS IN CALIFORNIA
 "Ranch
added to Lost Coast public properties" (Eureka Times Standard,
02/05/2003)
"The second piece in a puzzle of lands on the Lost Coast has been
put into public hands (The 188-acre Barri Ranch, a spectacular piece of
property through which the public will have easy access...) In an unusual
twist, an owner of the property will keep a small plot inside the parcel
and remain on the land. Grazing also will be allowed." BLM has been
managing a group of properties in this Lost Coast Headlands Project.
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E1159649,00.html
Related: "Lost Coast Headlands
Acquisition Project" (BLM California Issue Update, 2/6/03)
BLM California will continue working with other groups on this effort
"and is committed to maintaining the natural character of the landscape,
providing public access, and ensuring that livestock grazing is continued
in accordance with federal regulations."
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/newsbytes.nsf/siteurl/68168460?OpenDocument
"Local
pair to help promote the Volcanic, All American Scenic road"
(Herald News, 02/03/2003)
"Oregon's portion of the All American Road was designated in 1999
and the California portion of the road was designated last June. With
the inclusion of the California portion, a strong emphasis has been placed
on promoting a 'seamless' by-way system connecting the communities and
diverse attractions along the entire All-American Road." Representatives
from BLM join local governments and other groups in promoting tourism
opportunities along the road.
http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2003/02/03/news/community_news/volcanicrd.txt
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NOT
FOR EDUCATORS ONLY
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Bookstore
Feature: "Geology Underfoot in Southern California"
An "inside view" of the Southland's active landscape with sketches
that provide a glimpse of the earth's awesome forces.
http://store.ca.blm.gov/cgi-bin/webc.exe/st_prod.html?p_prodid=449&p_catid=24 |
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Wildlife
Trivia Question of the Week: "What is California's largest native
frog?"
(See answer near end of this issue of News.bytes) |
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Plant
of the Week: Hoary Cress
Deep rooted perennial plant. Leaves are blue-green and lance-shaped. Lower
leaves stalked, while upper leaves have two lobes clasping the stem. Clusters
of white flowers give a white, flat-topped appearance. http://www.ca.blm.gov/alturas/hoarycress.html |
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OFF-HIGHWAY ISSUES
"BLM Approves Western Colorado Desert Routes of Travel Designations
Plan" (BLM California news release, 01/31/2003)
BLM California State Director Mike Pool has signed the decision record
approving the Western Colorado Desert Routes of Travel Designations (WECO),
an amendment to the 1980 California Desert Conservation Area plan.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/01/nr/CDDnews23_weco-rod-signed/Conv.htm
Related: "BLM approves
off-road travel destinations for Imperial County desert area"
(Imperial Valley Press, 02/04/2003)
"Off-road routes of travel designations amendment for the Western
Colorado Desert -- routes of travel connect public lands to state and
county roads and private roads across private property. The amendment
affects about 475,000 acres and more than 2,300 miles of off-road routes
on BLM-managed land..."
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2003/February/04-1299-news12.txt
"Editorial: Bush's
land giveaway" (Sacramento Bee, 2/2/03)
Editorial: "An open
door to roads on wilderness lands"
http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/editorials/story/6049111p-7005585c.html
Related:
"BLM Issues Final Rule on Conveyances, Disclaimers, and Correction
Documents" (BLM National Office news release)
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2002/pr021224_disclaimer.htm
Related:
"Road rules concern activists" (Bakersfield Californian,
02/05/2003)
"A new federal rule that took effect Wednesday could give counties
control over thousands of miles of old livestock trails and wagon roads,
alarming environmentalists who fear the gates of pristine wilderness areas
will be thrown open to destructive off-road vehicles."
http://www.bakersfield.com/local/story/2576509p-2625423c.html
"California commission stirs off-road vehicle debate"
(Associated Press in San Diego Union Tribune, 2/3/03)
"An obscure state commission that controls millions of fuel tax dollars
is driving a new debate over the use of off-road vehicles on public lands
in California." (Note: several earlier stories ran in last week's
News.bytes)
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20030203-1424-wst-off-roadvehicles.html
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NATIONAL
NEWS
"BLM Requests $1.7 Billion for FY 2004 Budget to Meet Needs of Managing
Public Lands for Multiple Uses" (BLM National Office news release,
02/03/2003)
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2003/pr030203_budget.htm
Related: "Bush administration
seeks money for border parks, federal lands" (San Francisco Chronicle,
02/05/2003)
"After a year that saw a park ranger slain along the Mexican border
and scathing criticism from the Interior Department's inspector general,
the Bush administration is seeking $6 million to shore up patrols of federal
lands along the border." (BLM Rangers also patrol several areas along
the U.S. Mexico border.)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/02/05/state2053EST7196.DTL
"Secretary Norton Announces $160 Million in State Grants from Land
and Water Conservation Fund" (Department of Interior news release,
01/31/2003)
Includes $13.5 million for California. State and local governments are required
to match their grant 50/50.
http://www.doi.gov/news/030131b.htm
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HEADLINES
AND HIGHLIGHTS
"BLM offers $7,500 reward for campground vandalism information"
(BLM California news release, 02/04/2003)
A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of anyone responsible for extensive vandalism that occurred
in late January at a public campground in western Napa County.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/02/nr/NCnews31_huntingcreek_feb03/Conv.htm
California Desert District Office moves this weekend:
Telephone lines to BLM's California Desert District office will be down
as of mid-morning February 7, 2003, in preparation for the move to a new
office. Phone service is expected to be working Monday, February 10, 2003.
Telephone numbers for the office will remain the same.
The new address is:
22835 Calle San Juan de los Lagos
Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Related: "Movin' On Down
the Road" (BLM California news release, 1/30/03)
California Desert District is moving from its current location at 6221
Box Springs Boulevard in Riverside to a new office.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/01/nr/CDDnews22_BLM_Moves_to_Moreno_Valley/Conv.htm
"BLM Seeking new member for northeast California advisory council"
(BLM California news release, 02/05/2003)
The BLM is seeking a person to fill a vacancy on its Northeast California
Resource Advisory Council, a citizen group that provides advice to the
agency's managers. The vacancy is for a term in membership category three,
for a seat representing Native American tribal interests. A new council
member will serve the balance of a term that expires in September 2004,
and will then be eligible to compete for the full three-year term.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/02/nr/NCnews33_racvacancy_feb03_2/Conv.htm
"Glamis landfill gets go-ahead" (Imperial Valley Press,
02/05/2003)
BLM involved in this issue through legal challenge to a land exchange.
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2003/February/05-1674-news01.txt
"BLM, Partners will
burn slash piles near Weaverville" (BLM California news release,
2/5/03)
Fire crews are targeting the week of Feb. 10 to complete burning of debris
piles created during construction of a shaded fuel break at the Timber
Ridge subdivision near Weaverville.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/02/nr/NCnews32_timberridge_burning_feb03/Conv.htm
"BLM reschedules the next oil & gas lease sale for June 4th"
(BLM California news release, 02/04/2003)
The BLM has cancelled the oil and gas lease sale scheduled for March 12,
2003. The next sale of oil and gas leases on federal land is planned for
June 4, 2003, and the oil and gas industry is being asked to identify
federal lands in California with potential for development. BLM calls
this an "expression of interest."
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/02/nr/CCnews14_oilandgas_sale_cancelled_020403/Conv.htm
"Trees targeted for water use" (Palm Springs Desert Sun,
02/03/2003)
Cutting nonnative groves of tamarisks (also known as saltcedar) brings
puddles of water bubbling to the surface of the desert - helping to sustain
the BLM-managed Dos Palmas Preserve, that many animals rely on as an oasis
for water. Salt cedars in the southwest are estimated to suck up almost
as much water as the entire California allocation from the Colorado River.
Officials are asking if paying for tamarisk eradication programs would
go a long way toward helping ease the state water crisis.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1044239533.shtml
 Related:
"Watchable Wildlife Site: Dos Palmas Preserve" (California
Web site)
This oasis in the midst of the dry Colorado Desert shelters many animal
species -- on 1,400-acres at the heart of a 20,000-acre area created to
protect important biological resources. BLM has worked with partners such
as The Nature Conservancy and California Department of Fish and Game to
acquire and manage this sensitive habitat, and with Ducks Unlimited to
design wetland restoration projects.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/wf-dospalm.html
"Save Wiley Coyote' campaign strikes a chord at BLM"
(The Daily Independent, 02/05/2003)
Brief item: "The story of the Bureau of Land Management's Horse and
Burro Facility versus a few troublesome coyotes has taken an interesting
turn..."
http://www.ridgecrestca.com/articles/2003/02/02/news/local_news/news06.txt
"Some objections aired
on West Valley hydro plant project" (Modoc News, 01/30/2003)
Proposal for "two modest-sized power plants on the South Fork of
the Pit River" requires developer to fund a BLM review process. BLM
California manages significant amounts of land along the Pit River.
(Note: this item opens in the middle of a rather long Web page, which
could make it more difficult to print.)
http://www.modocrecord.com/NEWS.html#Some
"Planning for goldfields
use" (Appeal-Democrat, 02/03/2003)
Yuba Goldfields area: "Mined land unsafe for recreational use until
reclaimed, officials say .... The BLM, which owns about 1,100 acres, including
land being mined, wants to eventually reclaim the land and establish a
network of trails and canoe routes, BLM Field Manager Deane Swickard said."
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/020203/020203rygoldfields.shtml
Related: "Map of Goldfields
Recreation Areas" (BLM California news release, 10/31/02)
Read details of currently available recreation areas, and follow links
to maps of the Yuba Goldfields designated recreation areas. (Note that
some lands may not have access across adjacent private property.)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2002/10/nr/CCnews07_Goldfields/Conv.htm
"Bono asks feds’
help in saving Salton Sea" (The Desert Sun, 02/01/2003)
"Rep. Mary Bono and Sen. Dianne Feinstein sent a letter Friday asking
Interior Secretary Gale Norton to spend more money studying new proposals
to save the Salton Sea in hopes of getting the federal government more
involved." BLM involved through management of some of the lands adjacent
to the Salton Sea.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1044075897.shtml
Related:
"Salton Sea Study, Salton Sea Authority and USDI Bureau of
Reclamation" ((BLM California Issue Update, 2/4/03)
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/newsbytes.nsf/siteurl/5384757?OpenDocument
"Regulations.gov - Your one-stop site to comment on federal regulations"
(U.S. Government Web site, 01/31/2003)
BLM is included in new government-wide Web site: for the public to view
and make on-line comments on proposed regulations in the Federal Register.
(PLEASE NOTE: BLM is on the list under "L" for "Land Management
Bureau", not under "B") For BLM, the Web site will give
people the chance to comment there or go to BLM's site to make comments
and see all the comments already filed on-line with BLM.
http://www.regulations.gov
"Tom Dunklin: Blending
science and art" (Eureka Times-Standard, 02/03/2004)
Geologist and photographer who helped develop project to remove 3-1/2
miles abandoned road -- involved in many more projects also. One of them:
an unfinished thesis "which looks into how landslides affect streamside
dynamics and how microclimates created by riparian vegetation affect water
temperature..."
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E1154724,00.html
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Answer
to Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week, "What is California's
largest native frog?"
It is the California red-legged tree frog. Some adults that have been found
are over five inches long.
Learn more in our BLM California Wildlife Database, at:
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf/siteurl/16139163?OpenDocument
(Note: see comment on "secure Web server" under Selected Upcoming
Events below.)
Red-faced correction, 2/7/03: As one
of BLM California's wildlife biologists pointed out almost immediately to
the News.bytes Team:
""The largest frog in California is correctly known as the Red-legged
Frog (Mark Twain's celebrated "Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"),
not the Red-legged Tree Frog, as you
listed it. Tree frogs are much smaller, such as the Pacific Tree Frog which
only reaches a length of about 2 inches long."
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SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS
(Note: the Upcoming Events database is now on a more secure Web
server, and your browser may state "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. To view the pages, you must select
"Yes" or "OK" for both questions.)
02/12/2003 - Ridgecrest
OHV Grant Proposal Workshop
Ridgecrest
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/76077364?OpenDocument
02/15/2003 - Fort Ord memorial planting event
Fort Ord
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/29084001?OpenDocument
02/15/2003 - Wild Horse and Burro adoption - Chowchilla
Chowchilla
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/55480431?OpenDocument
02/27/2003 - Northeast California Advisory Council
Susanville
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmEvents.nsf/siteurl/64704967?OpenDocument
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DISCLAIMER: By linking to Web sites, the BLM does not imply endorsement of those
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or of products or advertisements on those sites.
News.bytes published by
Bureau of Land Management
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1834
Sacramento, Ca 95825
(916) 978-4600
http://www.ca.blm.gov
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