HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"Dog packs threat to wildlife" (Los Angeles Daily News, 03/06/2005)
"Wild or free-roaming dogs in the California desert are raising concerns about the safety of people and wildlife."
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2748479,00.html

"RMB has big plans for trails" (Redding Record-Searchlight, 3/6/2005)
Redding Mountain Biking club president: "We're helping build this trail to accommodate all mountain bikers, not just the hardcore riders. This will be an encompassing ride for beginners and advanced riders." BLM's Redding Field Office recreation planner expresses approval: "We're always looking for people to help build and maintain trails."
(Free registration required.)
http://www.redding.com/redd/od_columnists/article/0,2232,REDD_17547_3597893,00.html

"Desert restoration crews getting it done" (News.bytes Extra, 3/8/2005)
A seven-member crew is restoring areas in the Dead Mountains, Piute Mountains, Old Woman Mountains and Bigelow Cholla Garden in the deserts of Southern California. See photos and read more in this News.bytes Extra:
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/xtra-05/198-xtra_desertrestoration.html

"BLM to hold planning meeting" (BLM California news release, 03/01/2005)
BLM's Folsom Field Office is asking the public to help identify issues and concerns regarding future management of about 20,497 acres of public lands in Nevada and Yuba counties at a public meeting on Wednesday, March 9, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2005/03/nr/CCNews40_planningmtg.html

"Cache Creek legislation raises ire" (Woodland Daily Democrat, 03/03/2005)
"Newly proposed legislation that would bestow a "wild and scenic" designation on 31 miles of Cache Creek was heavily criticized at a water district board meeting...."
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/Stories/0,1413,136%257E32730%257E2742811,00.html

"Crews prepare for fire season" (Barstow Desert Dispatch, 03/02/2005)
Desert brush and grasses are growing like wildfire because of this year's record rainfall - which could mean "a rough fire season for remote areas." Says a BLM fire weather forecaster: "Severe fire season is a function of how quickly the vegetation dries out."
http://www.desertdispatch.com/2005/110977412715615.html

"Current job openings - BLM California" (USAJOBS website)
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9blm-ca.asp

WILD HORSES AND BURROS

"Halter trained horses up for adoption in Tulare" (BLM California news release, 2/22/2005)
The BLM brings its Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program to Tulare's International Agri-Center, Saturday and Sunday, March 12-13. The BLM expects to offer six horses from a well-known wild horse training program based at a state prison in Canon City, Colo. The adoption will also feature 80 untrained mares, geldings and yearlings, and 20 burros. Animals will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2005/02/NR/NCNews31_whbadoption.html

Related: "Backcountry Horsemen rendezvous heads to Tulare" (Fresno Bee, 3/4/2005)
"If you're planning to hit the trail, whether on horseback or on foot, this year's Backcountry Horsemen of California Rendezvous should have something for you. Beginning March 11 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, the three-day event will feature lectures, demonstrations, seminars and a trade show. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management will have wild horses and burros available for adoption."
(Requires free registration)
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/sv/story/10064452p-10892986c.html

"Wild horse and burro advisory board meeting scheduled" (BLM national news release, 3/4/2005)
The board will meet March 14, 2005 in Boise, Idaho. The BLM re-established the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board in 1998 to provide input and guidance for the management of wild horse and burro herds on the Western rangeland.
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2005/pr050304_whb.htm

CALIFORNIA SEACOAST

"South Spit Cooperative Management Area" (BLM California, Arcata Field Office website)
A new webpage introduces this "4.5 mile expanse of wave sculpted beaches, windswept dunes and marshy bayshore, just a stone's throw from the city of Eureka: Beachcombers strolling the coastal sands can watch hang gliders soar on the updrafts above Table Bluff, while surfers ride the offshore swells."
http://www.ca.blm.gov/arcata/South_Spit.html

"Lighthouse Ranch purchase a hopeful beacon for future" (Eureka Times-Standard, 03/02/2005)
Editorial: "While we are certainly skeptical of ongoing public acquisition of private property in many cases, this purchase fits like a glove. Still, how the property is used and managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management remains to be seen.....The South Bay is a jewel and we hope this new purchase is a move toward an even better future for the area."
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2906%257E2740359,00.html

"County signs on to new beach, dunes cooperative" (Eureka Times-Standard, 03/04/2005)
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors joins Humboldt Coastal Dunes Cooperative. "Future group tasks would include beach and dune restoration; regional permitting; providing a forum for public input and discussion on dune issues; the development of scenarios for the protection and acquisition of unprotected lands; education; public outreach; recreation; and enforcement." BLM is among participating agencies.
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E2744531,00.html

OFF-ROADING AND ISSUES

"Public Invited to El Mirage Road Dedication" (BLM California news release, 3/7/2005)
Dedication ceremonies March 9 (tomorrow) will celebrate the paving of Mountain View Road at the entrance to the El Mirage Dry Lake Recreation Area.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2005/03/NR/CDDNews28_miragededication.html

Related: "El Mirage Dry Lake Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area" (BLM Barstow Field Office website)
While most visitors ride off-road vehicles, the area also offers spots for camping, racing events, ultra-light and other aircraft activity, hiking, rock scrambling, rock hounding, and wildlife watching.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow/mirage.html

"Conference seeks to break ORV 'siege'" (Hi-Desert Star, 3/8/2005)
"Last weekend's conference on off-road vehicle use and abuse in the Morongo Basin took a hard look at an increasingly conspicuous problem for many here."
http://www.hidesertstar.com/articles/2005/03/05/news/news3.txt

"Illegal off-road ordinance discussed" (Victorville Daily Press, 3/8/2005)
"More than 50 people attend committee meeting in Apple Valley...Apple Valley is not the only community facing the problem of off-road vehicles. The Bureau of Land Management, as part of its West Mojave Plan, is moving to address them."
http://www.vvdailypress.com/2005/111029266774708.html

"The Hi-Desert Star's view: Off-road rift growing deeper" (Hi-Desert Star, 03/07/2005)
Editorial: "Increasingly it seems the rift is growing between those who do ride ORVs and those who say they are victims of abuse. Soon it may become an unbridgeable chasm. Money for truly effective enforcement will not be secured overnight. Until it is, both sides of this issue must work even harder to live together and discourage the criminals who happen to ride ORVs and are doing everything they can to dig that chasm between us."
http://www.hidesertstar.com/articles/2005/03/05/editorial/opinion1.txt

ADVISORY COUNCIL OPENINGS

"BLM Seeks Central California Resource Advisory Council Nominations" (BLM California news release, 3/4/2005)
The BLM is seeking nominations to fill four positions for full three-year terms on the 12-person Central California Resource Advisory Council (RAC), a citizen's panel which advises the BLM on the stewardship of federal public lands. In addition, the BLM is seeking nominations to fill an unexpired term on the RAC. To ensure a balance of viewpoints on the RAC, nominees must represent one of three major categories of interest.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2005/03/NR/CCNews41_cracnominations.html

"BLM has openings on Northeast California citizen advisory council" (BLM California news release, 3/8/2005)
Nomination period closes April 18, 2005. Three membership categories have openings.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2005/03/NR/NCNews32_NERACopenings.html

"BLM has openings on Northwest California citizen advisory council" (BLM California news release, 3/8/2005)
Three membership/interest categories have openings.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/2005/03/NR/NCNews33_nwracopening.html

MEET YOUR ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Ryan Henson...
...is a conservation associate with the California Wilderness Coalition and represents national and regional environmental interests on BLM's Northwest California Resource Advisory Council.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/rac/nwrac/member_profiles/henson.html

PROFILE: Daniel Vaughn
Lead realty specialist with BLM's Bakersfield Field Office, Dan is mainly responsible for land acquisitions, exchanges, sales, some right-of-way work and dealing with any unusual real estate situations. "We are entering the 21st century with a 19th century land pattern," he says. Read more in this week's News.bytes Profile:
http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/newsbytes/profiles/vaughn-bakersfield.html

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Hare today, gone...?
When are Snowshoe Hares (usually) most active? Test your knowledge against other News.bytes readers, in our online interactive quiz:
http://www6.ca.blm.gov/forms/polls/issue198/wild/index.php

LAST WEEK'S WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION
If you missed last week's online quiz, it's not too late to guess - or apply your profound knowledge of wildlife trivia:
http://www6.ca.blm.gov/forms/polls/issue197/wild/index.php

SPECIAL STATUS PLANT OF THE WEEK: Pink sand-verbena
Before flowering, pink sand verbena may be confused with yellow sand verbena (Abronia latifolia), but the yellow sand verbena's leaves are more oval than triangular. Upon flowering, there's no chance of confusion.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/pa/ssp/plants/abronia_umbellata_breviflora.html

PHOTO ALBUM: "Merced river"
From the high country of Yosemite National Park, the Merced River shows no mercy on its headlong rush through glacially-carved canyons, rugged mountains and foothills to the San Joaquin Valley. Ample access points allow you to punch rapids at your own pace.

Related: "Merced River" (BLM California, Folsom Field Office website)
Summarizes information about the river -- and after a full day on the river, check out the Railroad Flat or McCabe Flat campgrounds.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/folsom/merced.html

BOOKSTORE FEATURE: "Life of a Miner"
"The Old Ways of Mining (childrens' book): An illustrated introduction to the life of the miners during the eighteen-hundreds. Based on the discovery of gold - California Gold Rush."
http://store.ca.blm.gov/cgi-bin/webc.exe/st_prod.html?p_prodid=470

Related: "Locating a Mining Claim/Site" (BLM California website)
Frequently Asked Questions on the subject.
http://www.ca.blm.gov/caso/iac/faqmc.html