BLM VIRTUAL VISITOR: A tour of BLM-managed lands across the country
The year 2006 marks the Bureau of Land Management's 60th anniversary as a multiple-use, land management agency. Created by Congress in 1946, BLM's roots go back to 1812 with establishment of the General Land Office. Since then hundreds of public land laws have been passed, and others repealed, as a growing nation determined how best to manage its most precious natural asset -- its land.
      To celebrate 60 years of public land stewardship, News.bytes invites you to take a virtual tour of these lands in other states. Every few weeks, we plan to let you explore the public land resources special to these states. But it's also important to remember that all these lands are owned by everyone in the United States, and BLM takes its responsibility to all these shareholders very seriously. Enjoy our first visit on the tour: Wyoming.

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
What is the other common name for the Black Bear?
a. the brown bear
b. the grizzly bear
c. the honey bear
d. the American black bear
e. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
------> See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes.

WEED OF THE WEEK: Medusahead grass...
.... invades millions of acres of semi-arid rangeland, crowding out many native and desirable plants. Infested rangelands have suffered up to 75 percent reductions in grazing capacity. It also introduces fire into non-fire prone ecosystems. Control of small, isolated infestations is critical.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/surprise/weeds/medusa.html

RECREATION ON PUBLIC LANDS

"Beached boaters" (Tracy Press, 8/8/06)
"Heavy releases from up-river dams prompted the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 1 to close the lower Mokelumne River to all boats and rafts for two months.... Jeff Horn of the Bureau of Land Management figures that a lot of winter debris has flowed downriver. Downed trees fully or partially block about 70 locations along the lower river, and many other 'submerged hazards' are out there," a sheriff's spokesman says.
http://tracypress.com/2006-08-08-boaters.php

"Iron Mountain shooting ranges closed during power line work" (BLM California news release, 8/3/06)
Target shooting ranges along Iron Mountain Road west of Redding will be closed on weekdays from Monday, Aug, 7 through Friday, Sept. 15, while utility crews complete a power line relocation project.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/news/2006/08/nr/NCNews83_IronMountain_gun_range_closure_aug06.html

"Deputies to unveil off-road user's guide" (Twentynine Palms Desert Trail, 8/2/06)
"The brochure is a multi-agency effort involving the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and the California Highway Patrol....The brochure will be distributed widely to try to educate the public about the laws, safe and responsible riding, and how people can seek relief from ORV trespass and nuisance."
http://www.deserttrail.com/articles/2006/08/02/sports/sports3.txt

"A shared shore" (San Luis Obispo Tribune, 8/6/06)
"Wildlife viewing areas highlight the stretch of coastline south of Piedras Blancas, where seals and birds coexist with their human visitors....Although the prospect of crossing onto the BLM property to take a closer look at the 131-year-old lighthouse is tempting, the facility is used primarily for scientific research, and park visitors should stay out. Monthly public tours of the light station are available...."
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/local/15210962.htm

RELATED: "Piedras Blancas Light Station" (BLM California, Bakersfield Field Office)
Includes links to information on tours, research, restoration, history and more.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/bakersfield/pbls/

WILDFIRES AND PREVENTION

"Fighting wildfires: Tent camp handles strategies, support for firefighters" (Chico Enterprise Record, 8/4/06)
"A war rages in Glenn County's backyard, and a small city of tents bustles with men and women planning, strategizing and supporting the fighters at the front." This story follows members of the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Parks Service and the Glenn County Sheriff's Office, as they battle "a rampaging wildfire ravaging thousands of acres of timber and brush in steep, inaccessible terrain...." Includes a gallery of almost four dozen related photos.
http://www.chicoer.com/newshome/ci_4135030

"BLM begins second phase of Stone-Bengard fuels reduction project" (BLM California news release, 8/3/06)
Workers will thin stands of juniper trees on about 430 acres of BLM-managed public land on the north shore of Eagle Lake. The 45-day project was expected to begin this week.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/news/2006/08/nr/NCNews82_Stones-Bengard_fuels_reduction.html

RELATED: "Current wildland fire information" (National Interagency Fire Center)
Updated daily during fire season.
http://www.nifc.gov/information.html

HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS

"The environmental cost of illegal immigration" (San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/6/06)
"Illegal immigrants, on their journey from the border, leave behind trash and human waste that can seep into soil and water and harm wildlife. The federal agents who pursue them do their own damage to the environment. The low-flying helicopters and off-road vehicles disturb wildlife and destroy habitat." The BLM was represented in testimony at a House hearing in San Diego on "the extent of damage to federal lands and what can be done about it...."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060806-9999-1m6immig.html

RELATED: "Border security on federal lands: What can be done to mitigate impacts along the Southwestern Border"
Testimony of Steve Borchard, District Manager of BLM's California Desert District, before the House Committee on Resources.
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/legislative/pages/2006/te060805.htm

"Share the Experience" photo contest
America's Federal Recreational Lands are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. They include some of the world's most magnificent forests, parks and monuments. They also make fantastic settings for photography. Enter the "Share the Experience™" Photo Contest for the chance to have your photograph featured on the 2008 Federal Recreational Lands Pass! Plus, you have the chance to win trips to those lands, a hybrid SUV, and digital cameras and photo gear. The contest ends December 31, 2006.
http://www.sharetheexperience.org

"Catch and release: Clear Creek restoration helps salmon, but birds also benefit" (Redding Record Searchlight, 8/3/06)
"Restoration work aimed at getting more salmon to spawn on Clear Creek in south Redding also has improved conditions for many birds that live close to the creek, say scientists who have been keeping tabs on the birds for seven years.... Much of the land along the creek is now in the fold of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which has been consolidating parcels since the mid-1990s. The hope is to improve conditions for salmon that swim up the creek from the Sacramento."
http://www.redding.com/redd/nw_local/article/0,2232,REDD_17533_4890791,00.html

"Protecting cultural resources in grazing areas" (News.bytes Extra)
BLM staff, tribal members and a rancher recently met to discuss ways to protect sensitive cultural resources within the rancher's grazing allotment, while still providing for livestock grazing.

"BLM office to temporarily close while moving to new location" (BLM California news release, 8/1/06)
The BLM's Needles Field Office is moving from its current location at 101 West Spikes Road to its new office located at 1303 South U.S. Highway 95, just two blocks north of its current address. The office will be officially closed for business from August 14 through August 21 as staff move into the new building.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/news/2006/08/nr/CDDNews82_Needles_move.html

Current job openings - BLM California" (USAJOBS website)
Current listings include dispatcher, student trainees and firefighting jobs.
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9blm-ca.asp

"SDG&E's final Powerlink plan still crosses Borrego park" (San Diego Union-Tribune, 8/5/06)
"San Diego Gas & Electric filed its long-awaited final application for the Sunrise Powerlink yesterday, with the utility now proposing to extend the controversial transmission line by about 30 miles.... SDG&E said the project grew in length after it opted to adjust the route in Imperial County to avoid environmentally sensitive habitats and a military installation." Portions of the route would require rights-of-way permits from the BLM.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060805/news_1b5power.html

RELATED: "SDG&E proposes route changes for power line" (North County Times, 8/4/06)
"San Diego County's electric utility Friday filed a long-awaited report that shifts portions of a 'preferred route' for its proposed Sunrise Powerlink transmission line to avoid military air space in the desert, ranch-style homes in Ramona and vernal pools in Rancho Penasquitos."
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/08/04/news/top_stories/16_31_228_4_06.txt

EMPLOYEE PROFILE: Sharlene Mendez...
...is a Human Resources Assistant with BLM's California State Office. She processes personnel actions and helps employees with questions on pay, leave and other benefits. She also conducts new employee information sessions. Read more in this week's News.bytes Employee Profile.

NATIONAL AND/OR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ITEMS

"Kempthorne praises President's nomination of C. Stephen Allred to be Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management" (Department of the Interior news release, 8/2/06)
His nomination is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Acting Assistant Secretary Johnnie Burton will continue to serve in that capacity until Allred has been confirmed.
http://www.doi.gov/news/06_News_Releases/060802a.htm

WILDLIFE TRIVIA answer
d. the American black bear.

RELATED: "Ursus americanus (American black bear)" (University of Michigan, Animal Diversity Web)
Information including description, behavior, geographic range, food habits, predation and more, plus a number of photos of black bear, their tracks and more.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ursus_americanus.html

"Living with wildlife: Black bears" (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
"Most importantly, black bears should never be allowed access to human food or garbage; it habituates them to people and increases the chance of conflict. Once habituated to finding food near homes or campgrounds, bears can become a threat to human safety and must often be destroyed." Also: "Because black bears are often brown," people sometimes mistake them for grizzly bear.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/