News Release

For Release: August 14, 2006
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-06-85

Modoc-Washoe Stewardship Group Meets August 24-25

A variety of natural resource topics will be discussed when the Modoc-Washoe Experimental Stewardship Program Steering Committee holds a meeting and field tour, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 24 and 25, in Cedarville.

The meeting and tour are open to the public.

On Aug. 24, the meeting begins at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Cedarville Community Church at the intersection of Center and Bonner streets.

Committee members will hear a status report on a joint effort by Modoc County, the Bureau of Land Management and the Modoc National Forest to develop a management plan and environmental impact statement (EIS) for sagebrush steppe ecosystems across the region. The plan focuses on improving health and productivity of areas that have been impacted by widely expanding stands of western juniper.

Other agenda topics include a technical review team report on the Emerson fuel-break project, an update on a project to develop wildlife water sources in the East Fork of High Rock Canyon, a report on the proposed Sworinger hydroelectric project and informational reports on a western states energy corridor study and forest research.

The committee will also discuss a Fort Bidwell livestock trespass issue, hear a report on a BLM cooperative monitoring program and discuss wolf population expansion issues.

Managers from the BLM Surprise Field Office and the Modoc National Forest, Warner Mountain Ranger District will present status reports.

On Aug. 25, committee members will convene at 8 a.m. at the BLM Surprise Field Office, 602 Cressler St., Cedarville, and depart for a field tour to the site of last summer's Barrel Fire and to the Bitner Ranch area.

Members of the public are welcome. They must provide their own lunch, and should plan on providing their own transportation in a high-clearance vehicle.

The 17-member steering committee provides natural resource management advice to the BLM Surprise Field office and the USFS Warner Mountain Ranger District. One of three such committees established by Congress, the group works on a full consensus basis to promote innovative approaches to range management and to provide incentives for excellence.

For more information, contact BLM Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana at (530) 252-5332.

-BLM-

Northern California Public Affairs - 2950 Riverside Drive - Susanville, CA 96130