NOT FOR EDUCATORS ONLY

WILDLIFE TRIVIA OF THE WEEK:
How do coast horned lizards defend themselves against predators?"
(See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes)

Reader question on recent Wildlife Trivia Question - from News.bytes 96, 2/20/03: The question was, "How many venomous snakes occur in California?" The answer was: "Nine - but two are not dangerous to humans."
A reader asks: "So...why are the 2 snakes not dangerous to humans even though they are venomous? The link didn't have the answer."
The answer, from the wildlife biologist who devises our questions:
"Snakes kill in different ways - some constrict, some inject venom, etc. Any snake that injects venom into its prey is considered "venomous." However, the Lyre snake and the Night snake have such mild toxins that they are not poisonous to humans. The venom they have is the perfect amount for killing small prey such as birds and rodents."

WEED OF THE WEEK - Yellow starthistle
Yellow starthistle, a native European annual, infests cultivated fields, pastures, and waste lands in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. In Nevada, yellow starthistle may dominate rangelands with annual precipitation of less than 15 inches. This weed crows out native plants, and can poison horses - see next item. (This weed was also mentioned in last week's News.bytes (Issue 97), to accompany news release on the problem of invasive weeds.)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/bishop/yellowstarthistle.html

Related: Our readers ask - About the weed feature in last week's News.bytes, issue 97:
"The yellow star thistle looks like one that I found under my bird feeder last year. Could it be that some companies add such seeds to bird seed, and do you know how we could find out?"
The answer comes from Carolyn Gibbs, Botanist/Weed Coordinator with BLM California's Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville:
"There may be some noxious weed seed in your wild bird seed - a small percentage of weed seed is allowed. To find out how much that percentage is in your county, contact your local Agriculture Commissioner. Each county may be different and he/she will have that data for you.
"These noxious plants can be eradicated in the first couple of years - just pull out any that may appear. There is also a problem with some wildflower seed packets. Some of the most hardy plants are not necessarily the best for our environment. A good rule of thumb is to look for California native plant species.
I can send you a booklet identifying our most wanted weed species in Northeastern California -- or you can call the your local Agricultural Commissioner and obtain the literature for your area. Thank you for your interest."

Related: "Thistle no star for cattle" (Modesto Bee, 03/02/2003)
Livestock forum speaker: "Ranchers and dairy operators told that their primary enemies include yellow star thistle, a virulent weed capable of choking a productive pasture..." that has infested 10 million to 15 million acres in California. "Aside from being a poor protein source, the weed sucks moisture from the soil, making it difficult for more nutritious plants to grow. It's also lethal to horses, which develop a nervous disorder called 'chewing disease.'"
http://www.modbee.com/ag/story/6298036p-7247999c.html

ENERGY

"County gives geothermal OK: lawsuits, appeals still pending" (Mount Shasta News, 02/26/2003)
"The Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control Board announced that it has certified an Environmental Impact Report for the Telephone Flat geothermal plant." BLM is involved in the permitting process for the public lands.
http://www.mtshastanews.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2003/February/26-2385-news09.txt

"Statement of J. Steven Griles before U.S. Senate Committee - Energy production on federal lands" (BLM National Office news site, 02/27/2003)
Statement of J. Steven Griles, Deputy Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee U.S. Senate hearing on energy production on federal lands.
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/legislative/pages/2003/te030227b.htm

"Public lands have abundant opportunities for renewable and nonrenewable energy sources" (BLM National Office news release, 02/27/2003)
"Reducing the nation's dependence on foreign sources of energy and achieving the goal of secure, affordable and environmentally sound energy will require focused efforts on both the supply and demand side, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Steve Griles today told the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee."
http://www.doi.gov/news/030227.htm

GRAZING - California desert

"Cattle leaving 6 Mojave ranges; Grazing banned through June 15 for tortoises' sake" (San Bernardino County Sun, 02/28/2003)
"Livestock ranchers are expected to remove their cattle from six federal grazing allotments in the Mojave Desert today in accordance with a court order, a federal land official said. But another legal challenge from concerned environmental groups looms on the horizon."
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208%257E12588%257E1212534,00.html

"Ranchers ordered to move cattle" (Inland Valley Daily News, 02/28/2003)
"Livestock ranchers are expected to remove their cattle from six federal grazing allotments in the Mojave Desert today in accordance with a court order, a federal land official said. But another legal challenge from concerned environmental groups looms on the horizon."
http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203%257E21481%257E1212744,00.html

"Cattle-grazing limits aim to save tortoise" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 02/28/2003)
"Mojave Desert: Seasonal restrictions, to aid a threatened species."
http://www.pe.com/localnews/desertpass/stories/PE_NEWS_ndcows28.f816.html

OTHER LAND USE PLANNING ISSUES, DISPUTES

"Accord reached in canal suit" (Appeal-Democrat, 03/01/2003)
Settlement reached in lawsuit filed against BLM - had alleged BLM failed to do environmental assessment in granting Yuba County Water Agency a utility right-of-way through Yuba Goldfields.
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/archive/2003/030103/030103hpkSettle.shtml

Related: "Deal proposed for Hammonton Road" (Appeal-Democrat, 03/04/2003)
Gravel company mining in BLM-managed area called Yuba Goldfields, wants to settle dispute with some area residents over whether road it uses for access is public or private. Proposal: company would create three parks totaling about 100 acres along the Yuba River - in return for keeping road closed to the public.
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/030403/030403hpkham.shtml

"Sand dunes management plan takes priority" (Imperial Valley Press, 03/03/2003)
New resources branch chief at BLM's El Centro field office says her first priority is to finish Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan. "Surveys on the threatened Peirson's milkvetch and other species are at the heart of a debate on how to manage" the dunes.
http://ivpressonline.com/archives/index.inn?loc=detail&doc=/2003/March/03-1083-news04.txt

"Kern bails from West Mojave Plan" (Barstow Desert Dispatch, 03/02/2003)
"A federal plan to protect endangered Mojave Desert plants and animals may be in jeopardy after Kern County officials announced they would no longer agree to sponsor the blueprint as it navigates its way through California's regulatory maze."
http://www.desertdispatch.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1046622311,93643,

"Survival of the species: Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity's top priority not making friends but protecting environment" (Yuma Sun, 03/02/2003)
Story on group that has filed a number of lawsuits against BLM in California and elsewhere, over issues including grazing and off-road vehicle use in areas such as the Imperial Sand Dunes.
http://yumasun.com/artman/publish/articles/story_4252.shtml

Related: "Off-roaders, business owners, government officials question Center's motives" (Yuma Sun, 3/2/2003)
"The Center for Biological Diversity may think it's trying to save the planet, but there are those in Yuma who believe its intentions here are more dubious. Off-roaders see the center as a threat to their way of life," as do some desert businesspeople. Some government officials question if the lawsuits filed against them hurt rather than harm the environment in the long run.
http://yumasun.com/artman/publish/articles/story_4251.shtml

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"Fiscal Year 2004 proposed budget" (BLM National Office news release, 03/04/2003)
BLM budget justifications for Fiscal Year 2004 (Oct. 1, 2003 through Sept. 31, 2004) are available on the Web. On this same Web page are Frequently Asked Questions about the budget process, and related information.
http://www.blm.gov/budget/

"BLM takes some operations online" (Bakersfield Californian, 03/03/2003)
"At the BLM, officials say [accepting oil and gas permit applications and reports online] saves money, plus it's efficient and convenient. No longer are operators or permit agents required to physically bring permit applications into the office or mail them."
http://www.bakersfield.com/business/story/2710111p-2758163c.html

"Successful burn conducted on refuge" (Needles Desert Star, 3/5/2003)
BLM California's Needles Field Office reports a successful prescribed burn, to improve wildlife habitat in the Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge on the Arizona-California border. Taking part in the burn operation with other local, federal and state agencies and tribal police, were BLM personnel from California, Arizona and New Mexico.
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=638&show=localnews&NewsID=434521

"Dogs lose out to sheep in Palm Desert" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 02/28/2003)
"The Palm Desert City Council voted unanimously Thursday to ban dogs from a trail on city-owned land near the [BLM]'s visitors center and the Bighorn Institute, a recovery center for endangered peninsular bighorn sheep.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1046406186.shtml

"Security tightens in North State" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 02/28/2003)
Among precautions in wake of heightened terrorist security alert: permits across Shasta Dam suspended. Road across dam had been a popular access route to BLM-managed Gene Chappie-Shasta OHV (off-highway vehicle) Area.
http://www.redding.com/news/past/20030228lo038.shtml

"National monument advisory committee meetings to take place in Palm Desert" (BLM California news release, 03/01/2003)
The (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service have scheduled meetings for the advisory committee to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/03/nr/SRSJMNMnews04_MAC%20Mtgs/Conv.htm

"Harper Dry Lake soon to shed arid reputation; Crews restoring wetlands for birds" (Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 03/02/2003)
"By spring, migratory birds winging along the Pacific Flyway will again find a welcome rest stop at Harper Dry Lake, which for years has been a rather inhospitable place for waterfowl." Volunteers and BLM employees are restoring remote marshlands near Barstow. "We've installed a new pump along with water lines, ponds, and trails to revive the wildlife refuge and create a quiet place where visitors can observe as many as 250 bird species," says BLM Field Office manager.
http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203%257E21481%257E1216205,00.html

"Wild horses and burros available for adoption in Lakeport" (BLM California news release, 02/27/2003)
They are wild horses and burros, and they'll be available for public adoption, when the BLM brings its Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program to the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport, Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2003/02/nr/NCnews41_lakeport_adoption_feb03/Conv.htm

"Mitsubishi, groups work on strategy; Mining company cooperating to soften environmental blow when it expands" (Victorville Daily Press, 02/27/2003)
"The mineral-rich northern slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains are a unique ecosystem providing a habitat for four plants, three of them endangered, that can't be found anywhere else on Earth. The U.S. Forest Service and the [BLM] have forged a cooperative relationship with mining interests and the California Native Plant Society to protect the plants as well as the rights of private landowners, including mining corporations."
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1046365005,54327,

"Recreation Fees Here to Stay in Bush's Budget" (The Olympian, 02/27/2003)
"President Bush's proposed federal budget would make permanent a controversial recreation fee on public lands." BLM has participated in the Fee Demonstration Program discussed in the article.
http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20030227/southsound/10369.shtml