BLM California News.bytes 
News.bytes Extra, issue 518

State Director Kenna visits BLM's Northern California Field Offices 

BLM State Director Jim Kenna made his first visit to northern California field offices during the week of Feb. 6, spending time with office staffs, stakeholders and members of the Northeast and Northwest California Resource Advisory Councils.

The state director met with staffs in the Eagle Lake, Surprise, Alturas and Redding Field Offices. During these visits and in conversations with BLM constituents, Kenna discussed his management philosophy that centers on themes of sustainability, heritage and community, stressing the BLM's continuing commitment to partnerships that are a major focus for the BLM in California.

a man points to a spot on a large wall map

a woman points out something on her computer screen to a visitor
During a visit to the Susanville Interagency Fire Center, BLM dispatcher Sadie Wilson described how emergency resources are dispatched in a seamless, multi-agency approach, top photo. Jim Hedges, a BLM manager at the center, described the jurisdiction covered by SIFC. The dispatch center dates to the mid-1970s and is a national model for interagency cooperation. The BLM Northern California District, Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park and the CAL FIRE Lassen-Modoc-Plumas Unit participate along with more than 20 volunteer fire departments and two regional ambulance services.

two men walk past solar panels
In a visit to the Hidden Valley Fire Facility near Susanville Kenna joined Jake Garate, assistant hotshot superintendent, for a look at a solar panel array that provides much of the electric power for the station. The station is home for the BLM's Diamond Mountain Interagency Hotshots.

a group of smiling people converse
State Director Kenna and Associate State Director Angie Lara chat with Shasta County Public Works Director Pat Minturn during a visit to the BLM's Keswick Dam trailhead on the Sacramento River Rail Trail. The trailhead links the city of Redding's Sacramento River Trail system with the BLM rail trail.

collage of interviews
The state director also took time to visit with members of the northstate's news media. He completed an interview with KRCR TV's Mike Mangas, Pamela Britton-Baer of the Anderson Valley Post newspaper, and Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight, above. Earlier in the week, he completed interviews with reporters and editors in Susanville, Cedarville and Alturas.

 - Jeff Fontana, BLM Northern California District public affairs officer (February 14, 2012)

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 518 -- To subscribe to News.bytes, send an e-mail to: mailto:Join-Newsbytes@List.ca.blm.gov OR visit our News.bytes subscription page.