PHOTO ALBUM: Fort Ord
At Fort Ord, the Bureau of Land Management is working with the community and other partners to help this former military base become available for public use. The goal of the community-based Fort Ord Reuse Plan is to: "Promote the best use of land through well planned and balanced development which ensures educational and economic opportunities as well as environmental protection."

Related: "Fort Ord public lands"
Come and enjoy some of the last undeveloped natural, public lands on the Monterey Peninsula, located on the former Fort Ord military base. Here the BLM protects and manages 35 species of rare plants and animals and their native coastal habitats.There are also more than 50 miles of trails for the public to explore on foot, on bike or on horseback.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/hollister/fort_ord_home.html

WILDFIRES

"Hiker ignites fire" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 05/14/2004)
"A hiker cooking dinner...along a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail near Whitewater Canyon touched off a vegetation fire that by Thursday had burned almost two square miles of rugged terrain, authorities said. Officials ticketed an Ohio woman for starting the blaze....She could be billed for firefighting costs....The couple...were on Bureau of Land Management acreage when the fire erupted....fire officials said with the dry conditions, hikers should avoid campfires and stoves if they can."
http://www.pe.com/localnews/desertpass/stories/PE_News_Local_dcanyon14.5840b.html

"8 grounded tankers will get second look" (Associated Press in San Bernardino County Sun, 5/18/2004)
"As many as eight of 33 large planes used to fight forest fires could be restored to service this summer, if they are determined to be safe and their complete records can be located, members of Congress said...."
http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208~12588~2157447,00.html

"Boeing 747 Supertanker planned for wildfire drops" (Barstow Desert Dispatch, 05/18/2004)
"A Colorado aviation company is pushing for federal government approval of a Boeing 747 Supertanker that can drop the thousands of gallons more retardant over a major wildfire than previously possible, officials said. Victor Valley firefighters said the use of such a large aircraft for wildfire suppression is unprecedented."
http://www.desertdispatch.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1084887277,51946,

"Brush fraught with danger" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 05/15/2004)
"Of the $61,000 the Lytle Creek Fire Safe Council received from the Bureau of Land Management, some went to rent a chipper to clear small trees and brush. The council bought mowers and chainsaws and sent out fire-safety mailers to the community's 350 homes and businesses. ....In all of Lytle Creek, 23 out of 250 homes were burned in October's fires....Because of the aggressive brush clearing, the community of Tally lost only two out of 70 homes....But lawmakers and community leaders fear that cuts in federal grants that fund community brush-clearing programs could mean fewer happy endings."
http://www.pe.com/breakingnews/local/stories/PE_News_Local_fund16.ecbb.html

"Air tanker grounding unfair, dangerous, California firm says" (Associated Press in San Diego Union-Tribune, 05/17/2004)
"A California company that supplied more than a third of the heavy firefighting air tankers grounded by the government said Monday it is unfairly being lumped in with a Wyoming firm responsible for most of the catastrophic accidents. The U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department this month canceled all contracts for use of 33 air tankers that usually drop retardant on fires during the summer, citing safety concerns after two planes broke up in midair in 2002."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20040517-1441-wst-wildfires-tankers.html

"Storm debris fuels fire threat" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 05/18/2004)
"Dry conditions, grounded air tankers stoke blaze danger"
http://www.redding.com/redd/nw_local/article/0,2232,REDD_17533_2894408,00.html

WILD HORSES AND BURROS

"47 find homes in wild horse and burro adoption event" (News.bytes extra, 5/18/2004)
The BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Adoption program set up shop at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley last weekend, and 47 animals found home homes. Horse enthusiasts from throughout the region met and chatted with people who have adopted and trained horses and burros, and watched horse trainer Phil West demonstrate gentling methods. See more photos of the events in this News.bytes Extra:
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/xtra-04/157-xtra_whb_recap.html

Related: "Equine Connection" (The Union, 05/15/2004)
Report from last weekend's wild horse and burro adoption in Nevada County. Participants ranged from a trainer who rides a mustang for a sheriff's department, to a girl working on a school report on mustangs.
http://www.theunion.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040515/NEWS/105150093

"BLM will offer horses and burros for adoption in Chico" (BLM California news release, 5/19/2004)
BLM will offer 60 horses and 20 burros on Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Adopters can preview the animals when they arrive at the fairgrounds at about 2 p.m. Friday, June 11.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2004/05/nr/NCnews64_chicoadopt.html

"BLM plans public meetings on wild horse gathering" (BLM California news release, 5/18/2004)
The BLM will listen to public comments on the use of helicopters and motor vehicles in wild horse and burro management, during public meetings to be held in Susanville and Cedarville.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2004/05/nr/NCnews63_whb_mtng.html

"Memorandum of Understanding will advance Goal of Increased Wild Horse and Burro Adoptions" (BLM California news release, 05/18/2004)
"This partnership provides both parties an opportunity to share skills to assist the public with selecting, adopting, and maintaining an adopted wild horse or burro," said BLM Director Kathleen Clarke. "Both the BLM and the Foundation will benefit...as we can more effectively use our resources to market, advertise, and promote adoption of horses or burros that have been removed from the range."
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2004/pr040517_whb.htm

"Wild horses' fate up in air" (Los Angeles Times, 05/16/2004)
"Legislation that would have returned a herd of wild horses to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park failed in a state Senate committee, leaving the fate of the animals uncertain....Although the bureau will defer to state officials' decision on the matter, the horses require a hospitable environment to thrive, said [BLM's]...wild horse and burro program manager for California."

MEET YOUR ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Ruth Miriam Shriber
Ruth Shriber is a landscape architect in her first term as a Northwest California Advisory Council member. She represens transportation and rights-of-way interests. Learn more in our weekly News.bytes feature:
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/rac/nwrac/member_profiles/shriber.html

PLANNING PUBLIC LAND USES

"NEMO Proposed Routes of Travel Plan Available to Public" (BLM California news release, 05/14/2004)
The Northern and Eastern Mojave Desert (NEMO) proposed Routes of Travel Plan, which encompasses approximately 1.3 million acres of public lands in Inyo, San Bernardino and Mono counties, is available to the public at http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow, initiating the 30-day protest period.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2004/05/nr/CDDnews47-NEMOroutes.html

"Trails reopened in King Range National Conservation Area" (BLM California news release, 5/18/2004)
The King Crest and Lightning hiking trails have been reopened following repair of fire-related damage.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2004/05/nr/NCnews62_kingrange.html

"Controversial flat-tailed horned lizard protection plan updated" (Imperial Valley Press, 05/15/2004)
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with several other state and federal agencies, has updated plans to protect the habitat of the flat-tailed horned lizard, a lightning rod for controversy in public lands debates. 'Working with partners maximizes results,' said Greg Thomsen, field manager for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's field office in El Centro. 'By pooling our resources, we can do more to conserve the flat-tailed horned lizard than any one agency could do on their own'."
http://www.ivpressonline.com/articles/2004/05/15/news/news04.txt

"Gun deal shot down" (Redding Record Searchlight, 5/19/2004)
"The government has apparently scrapped plans to sell land for a gun range northwest of Redding, surprising target shooters who thought their two-decade search was over....the concern is twofold: selling land directly to the gun club, and using a parcel of private land that is surrounded by public land. Neighbors' worries about traffic, noise and safety were also a factor....although most of the 200 people who attended the public meeting supported the range."
http://www.redding.com/redd/nw_local/article/0,2232,REDD_17533_2897354,00.html

"Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee to meet" (BLM California news release, 05/18/2004)
The nine members of the committee, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, advise the BLM on resource management priorities and planning, as well as volunteer efforts and educational outreach in the 250,000-acre Monument. The agenda for the May 22nd meeting will discuss a range of Preferred Alternatives on the Pre-release Draft Management Plan.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2004/05/nr/CCnews28-carrizoadvmeeting.html

Related: "Environmentalists woo Latinos" (Riverside Press-Enterprise, 5/17/2004)
"Seeking to reach out to Inland Hispanics, local and national groups [held] a forum...to raise awareness about environmental issues...[T]he Wilderness Society launched a Spanish-language campaign... to create awareness and inspire activities on public lands....The campaign....will focus on public lands across the West, including the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, the scenic backdrop for the Coachella Valley."
http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_News_Local_tierra17.a148c.html

Related: "Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument" (BLM California Web site)
http://www.ca.blm.gov/palmsprings/santarosa/santa_rosa_national_monument.html

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"On lands peopled by spirits" (Los Angeles Times, 05/18/2004)
"Paul Smith lives on land used and farmed by California's desert Indians. He displays grinding stones, arrow points, beads and other artifacts found at the spectacular fan palm oasis in Twentynine Palms that has been in his wife's family since 1928....[He] worries that land managers don't give sacred sites in California deserts that same respect. So he organized a conference Friday and Saturday - with the Bureau of Land Management as a cosponsor - to bring together Native Americans, archeologists, federal agencies and the public to explore what sacred lands are, who decides what they are and why we should care."
http://www.latimes.com/features/outdoors/la-os-migrations,1,7215124.story

"BLM's Redding chief optimistic" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 05/14/2004)
"Thursday didn't prove the best day to show off Clear Creek's rebounding fish populations to more than a dozen colleagues, including the Bureau of Land Management's new Redding-area supervisor and the agency's statewide director....But without a doubt, officials say, Clear Creek is on the mend. The success story was the backdrop Thursday as the BLM administered the oath of office to the new Redding supervisor, one-time Yosemite naturalist Steve Anderson...."
http://www.redding.com/redd/nw_local/article/0,2232,REDD_17533_2885237,00.html

"BLM announces date changed for 'Day on the River'" (BLM California news release, 05/17/2004)
The annual "Day on the River" float trip, a free event for special-needs children and their families, has been rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28 (The original date was June 5.) Water releases into the Trinity River from Trinity Dam will result in high, swift river flows in early June, making the float trip unsafe for families of inexperienced rafters.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2004/05/nr/NCnews60-dayontheriver.html

"Klusman recognized for National Conservation Area planning"
Don Klusman, chairman of the BLM's Northwest California Resource Advisory Council, was recognized for his leadership of a 26-member, two-RAC subcommittee that helped the BLM's Winnemucca (Nevada) and Surprise (California) field offices develop a management plan for the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. See photo and read more in this News.bytes Extra:
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/xtra-04/157-xtra_klusman_award.html

"BLM seeking hosts for Trinity River campgrounds" (BLM California news release, 05/17/2004)
Camp hosts work 20 hours per week, including weekends. They greet and provide information to campers and perform light maintenance work. The BLM provides a private campsite with power, telephone and sewer connections, and covers expenses including food and fuel.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2004/05/nr/NCnews61_camphost.html

"New BLM leader named" (Barstow Desert Dispatch, 05/15/2004)
"A Helendale woman has snagged the top job at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management [Barstow] field office, putting her in charge of roughly three million acres of public land.
http://www.desertdispatch.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1084657408,98840,

Current job openings - BLM California
BLM California job listings on USAJOBS Web site this week include firefighters and an ecologist.
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9blm-ca.asp

"Toxic pot plot underscores growing problem" (Eureka Times-Standard, 5/18/2004)
Hikers on public lands run across abandoned pesticide containers possibly leaking into a stream. The BLM sends a team to clean up. "It's a scene ever more common on public land in the West. Industrial-scale marijuana growing operations often bring in armed illegal immigrants with orders to shoot. After the marijuana is harvested, the detritus -- including toxic chemicals -- is left behind."
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E2155830,00.html

Related: "Agents uproot garden of pot" (Union Democrat, 5/18/2004)
"Tuolumne County Sheriff's narcotics investigators got a jump on the marijuana eradication season when they destroyed 1,674 plants Friday and arrested one man and a teenage boy. It was the first marijuana raid of the 2004 season." BLM was among the agencies participating.
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=14206

"Robot racers" (Government Computer News, 05/17/2004)
"DARPA wants to know how they got as far as they did....Several of the teams are now reorganizing for the next Grand Challenge, probably next year. DARPA has a four-year permit from the Bureau of Land Management to use selected tracts of land in the Mojave Desert for the race."
http://www.gcn.com/23_11/tech-report/25906-1.html

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Answer: (a) Both the tule perch and the pacific fisher have "delayed fertilization."
In the tule perch, mating takes place from midsummer to early fall, but the sperm is stored until winter when the eggs are finally fertilized. Young are born in May and June, about four months after fertilization. Fishers are one of the few mammals that have delayed implantation, so the young are born almost an entire year (330 to 360 days) later.
Learn more about the Pacific fisher and the tule perch in our BLM California online wildlife database (Note: the Wildlife Database is hosted on the Department of Interior's secure Web server - see note under "Selected Upcoming Events" below).
Pacific Fisher:
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf/siteurl/13359579?OpenDocument
Tule perch:
https://doi1.ios.doi.gov/blmcawildlife.nsf/siteurl/63766995?OpenDocument

Related: "Tule Perch - Hysterocarpus traski (Gibbons)" (Berkeley Digital Library Project):
http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/kopec/tr9/html/sp-tule-perch.html

Related: "California's plants and animals: Russian River tule perch" (California Department of Fish and Game Web site):
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hcpb/cgi-bin/read_one.asp?specy=fish&idNum=38