News.bytes Extra, issue 426
Burke views BLM California issues first-hand
Marcilynn Burke, BLM deputy director for programs and policy, got a first-hand look at issues facing the Bureau of Land Management in central and southern California during a tour that covered mining, monuments, wind and solar power last week.
In Los Angeles County, Burke toured the site of the approved CEMEX/Soledad Canyon sand and gravel mine near the City of Santa Clarita and met with city officials. The project has been opposed by the city.
From there, Burke travelled from the California Desert District to the Central California District where she met with Bakersfield Field Office employees and saw the varied resources managed by BLM in Kern and San Luis Obispo counties. She saw oil production in the Midway-Sunset oil field and wildflowers in bloom on the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
Looking over the Midway-Sunset oil field
Wildflowers spread over a slope in the nearby Temblor Range
Marcilynn Burke focuses a camera, while Carrizo Plain National Monument Manager Johnna Hurl (left) briefs her on monument issues. BLM Central California District Manager Kathy Hardy is on the right.
From Bakersfield, the tour moved east to the Ridgecrest Field Office where she saw wind energy production in the Tehachapi area and discussed possible issues as condors extend their range into the area.
The last stop on the tour was a visit to the brand new eSolar Sierra Sun Tower 5 MW commercial solar thermal power generation plant in Lancaster.
- David Christy, BLM Central California District
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