A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California
Issue 431 - 5/13/10
THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES:
- "Making a Difference" on Public Lands
- Special Areas
- Renewable Energy
- Wild Horses and Burros
- Headlines and highlights
- Employee profile
- Selected upcoming events
- National and Department of the Interior items
Also see this issue of News.bytes online at:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/news/newsbytes/2010/431.html
"MAKING A DIFFERENCE" ON PUBLIC LANDS
  "The BLM presents 2010 national awards to volunteers who are 'Making a Difference' on public lands" (BLM national news release, 5/5/10)
California volunteers and a BLM-California employee each received the prestigious BLM “Making a Difference” National Volunteer Award for their public service contributions at a May 5, 2010, ceremony at the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. The California winners are the volunteers at Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area, and Noël Stephens of BLM's California Desert District. Includes a link to profiles of the honorees.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/may/wo_vol_awards_2010.html
"Piedras Blancas light is on volunteers" (San Luis Obispo Tribune, 5/9/10)
"A diverse group of dedicated volunteers — who do everything from guiding public tours of the Piedras Blancas lighthouse to yanking out ice plant and replanting with native species — received national recognition Wednesday. Toni and Abel Martinez, two of about 50 volunteers at what’s officially known as the Piedras Blancas Light Station and Outstanding Natural Area, accepted the federal Bureau of Land Management award in Washington, D.C."
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/05/09/1134070/piedras-blancas-light-is-on-volunteers.html
RELATED: Piedras Blancas Light Station (BLM Bakersfield Field Office)
Piedras Blancas is located on California's central coast, just north of San Simeon. The point is named for a white rock out cropping located just off the end of the point.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/pbls.html
SPECIAL AREAS
"Rugged country, rugged history in California's Owens Valley" (New York Times, 5/7/10)
"On my last visit, taken with my husband, we started by exploring the Alabama Hills, near the small town of Lone Pine, and slowly drove north on Highway 395 to Bishop and the nearby gorge ... Desert dust, wind and extreme temperatures are common, but the Owens Valley also shelters marvels, including pink, fist-size flowers that bloom on cactus plants in spring. I easily found other loyalists."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/travel/07owens.html
  RELATED: Tuttle Creek Campground (BLM Bishop Field Office)
Referenced in the article above.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/camping/tuttle.html
"Trailhead dedicated to late Palm Springs mayor Frank Bogert" (Palm Springs Desert Sun, 5/9/10)
"The land, once purchased and owned by Friends of the Desert Mountains, has been turned over to the Bureau of Land Management for public use."
http://www.ca.blm.gov/wjz
"14 places to treasure" (Sunset Magazine May 2010)
"These unique landscapes have been suggested for national monument status. But you don't have to wait for Washington, D.C., to decide. Here's where to go right now."
http://www.sunset.com/travel/outdoor-adventure/proposed-national-monuments-00418000067445/
{Note: The Sunset story refers to 14 areas, including several involving BLM public lands in California featured, that have been in the news regarding regarding potential designations for special public lands in the West. The Secretary has issued the following statement regarding these areas: “Secretary Salazar believes it is important that the Department of the Interior serve as wise stewards of the places that matter most to Americans. For that reason, he has asked DOI’s bureaus to think about what areas might be worth considering for further review for possible special management or Congressional designation. The preliminary internal discussion draft reflects some brainstorming discussions within BLM, but no decisions have been made about which areas, if any, might merit more serious review and consideration. Secretary Salazar believes new designations and conservation initiatives work best when they build on
local efforts to better manage places that are important to nearby communities.”}
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RENEWABLE ENERGY
BLM and CPUC Announce Availability of Draft Joint Environmental Review of Transmission Project in Mojave Desert (BLM News Release, 5/7/10)
The BLM, along with the California Public Utilities Commission, published a Notice of Availability of a draft joint environmental review on the impacts of a proposed electric transmission line in San Bernardino County, Calif. and Clark County, Nev. Southern California Edison has applied for a right-of-way (ROW) authorization to upgrade and replace approximately 35 miles of an existing 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line on public lands with a new double circuit 230-kV transmission line. The proposed Eldorado-Ivanpah Transmission Project would handle electricity produced from several renewable energy project proposals in and around the Ivanpah Valley including the Ivanpah Solar Energy Generation System planned by Solar Partners, LLC.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/may/eldorado-ivanpah_draft_er.html
"Eagles threatened by Green Revolution" (KSWB Fox 5 San Diego, 5/11/10)
A reporter tags along with biologists from the Wildlife Research Institute who are working on solutions to help Golden Eagles.
http://www.fox5sandiego.com/videobeta/8f99f7a5-29f6-4d92-bca2-4a0d2abc5b2f/News/Eagles-Threatened-By-Green-Revolution
"Fed wind farm rules may not save birds" (UPI, 5/10/10)
"The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) says it fears proposed voluntary guidelines for wind farms will not prevent the deaths of birds by the turbines.
ABC President George Fenwick said Monday he sent letters to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey identifying key shortcomings in recent federal plans to address the affects of wind farms on birds."
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/05/10/Fed-wind-farm-rules-may-not-save-birds/UPI-22461273525262/ |
WILD HORSES AND BURROS
    
Trainers accept challenge to train mustangs in 90 days (BLM news releases, 5/7/10)
Thirty trainers from throughout the West will test their skills with assigned mustangs at the Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge, May 14-15. “It’s fun to bond with your mustang, to earn its trust, and do fun things with him,” said Mary Orbison of Anaheim. “With mustangs, you find the bones are really strong – they’re low maintenance,” said Sandi Anderson of Perris. “My mustang – High Rock Sully -- told me when I could start riding," said Jenna Nelson of Redlands, "When I saw my little horse I named Heart of the Tornado in the pen, I knew I was going to like him. He has a really cute star on his forehead that I think is adorable. I spent the first few days in short sessions with him, then an hour a day after that."
Learn more about the trainers -- perhaps one is from your area -- in BLM-California news releases:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom.html
RELATED: "Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge May 14-16" (Mustang Heritage Foundation)
"An event highlight will be held Friday evening May 14 when Ray Arris and Hail Yeah, Norco's official mascot, will take on Extreme Mustang Makeover Western Stampede Champion Wylene Wilson of Queen Creek, Ariz., in a Mustang "Smackdown" competition. This event is free to the public."
http://www.extrememustangmakeover.com/norco.php
"Grass Valley event finds homes for horses and burros" (News.bytes Extra, 5/10/10)
"Ten horses and four burros found new home in the pines of the Sierra foothills at the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption May 8 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley."
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2010/431whb.html
"Wild Horse Lawsuit Update" (Blythe Desert Independent, 5/6/10)
"Final oral arguments were presented May 6th in Federal court in the lawsuit over the Calico wild horse captures in Nevada."
http://www.thedesertinde.com/Wild-Horse-Lawsuit-Update--0506.html
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HEADLINES and HIGHLIGHTS
  "Travelin' in Time: Piety Hill finally has a historical monument" (Redding Record Searchlight, 5/6/10)
"Piety Hill was one of Shasta County’s original 1849 gold mining settlements. In its prime, Piety Hill claimed 1,500 residents, and about 600 of these were Chinese... Red Bluff resident Jo Giessner, a descendant of the Rev. William Kidder, one of Piety Hill’s original residents, was the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony. With her permission, her speech is shown below:"
http://www.redding.com/news/2010/may/06/piety-hill-finally-has-a-historical-monument/
"Hikers report booby traps on section of Pacific Crest Trail" (Bakersfield Californian, 5/6/10)
Hikers going from Mexico to Canada encountered a "quite dangerous" and "very scary" stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail near Tehachapi that had signs declaring it was rifle range and had nail-studded booby traps embedded in the trail, a hiker told the Kern County Sheriff's Department.
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x173373257/Hikers-report-booby-traps-on-section-of-Pacific-Coast-Trail
"Officials work to remove nail-studded devices from Pacific Crest Trail" (Bakersfield Californian, 5/7/10)
Efforts to clear nail-studded booby traps and barbed wire from the Pacific Crest Trail near Tehachapi were expected to be completed by Friday afternoon, the Kern County Sheriff's Department reported.The clean-up by the Bureau of Land Management came after a hiker on Thursday reported the hazards on the crest of the trail about eight miles from Tehachapi, deputies said.
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x173373375/Officials-work-to-remove-nail-studded-devices-from-Pacific-Crest-Trail
"The Clear Creek Dust-Up" (Hollister Free Lance, 5/13/10)
"For more than two years, Clear Creek Management Area, 70,000 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management... has been temporarily closed to the public after a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study discovered high concentrations of asbestos in the area due to its 31,000 acre serpentine deposit, the largest in the United States."
http://www.freelancenews.com/news/265653-the-clear-creek-dust-up
RELATED: Clear Creek Management Area (BLM California website)
To protect public health and safety, a Temporary Closure for approximately 31,000 acres of public lands in the Clear Creek Management Area was put into effect May 1, 2008.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/clear_creek_management_area.html
"McClintock presses administration for Modoc National Monument documents" (Lassen County Times, 5/12/10)
"Congressman Tom McClintock challenged President Barack Obama and his administration on Wednesday, May 5 to honor its recent open government pledge and reveal the details of a plan to designate as much as 3 million acres in Lassen and Modoc counties as a National Monument."
http://www.lassennews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5881
"French invasion: Non-native French Broom is taking over Monterey County" (Monterey County Herald, 5/8/10)
"Non-native French Broom is taking over Monterey County, growing so thickly in some places that it squeezes out native flora."
http://www.montereyherald.com/living/ci_15045442
"Five arrested in Tehama County sweep" (Contra Costa Times, 5/6/10)
Three Gerber men and two Red Bluff residents were arrested Tuesday in an operation police say yielded guns, methamphetamine, power tools and stolen Bureau of Land Management signs.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_15030847
"Questions linger in case of rescued hiker; officials unsure how man got to remote area near Guthrie Creek" (Eureka Times Standard, 5/11/10)
While the beach where Brooks was stranded is not far from the mouth of Guthrie Creek, which is accessible by a trail maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, getting there along the beach is nearly impossible. ”Where he was going we're really not sure,” said BLM Arcata Field Manager Lynda Roush, “or why he was that far down the beach and how he got to be where he was.”
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_15060151
"Shooting sports, nonprofit organizations team up on tips to help shooters minimize impact on environment" (Los Angeles Times, 5/11/10)
The nonprofit organization Tread Lightly! has partnered with some of the nation’s most influential shooting sports organizations to come up with nine tips to help shooters minimize their impact on the environment. The tips are part of a recent "Respected Access is Open Access" public awareness campaign, developed to help shooters and hunters keep their access to public and private land open by encouraging proper environmental and social behaviors.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2010/05/shooting-sports-organizations-release-nine-tips-enviro.html
"Fire center: Northern Rockies face big fire year" (San Francisco Chronicle, 5/10/10)
"The northwestern United States enter wildfire season with drier-than-normal conditions following a mild winter that left little snow."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/05/10/national/a101900D80.DTL
"BLM names new manager" (Oregon Mail Tribune, 5/11/10)
"The Bureau of Land Management has named a new district manager in Medford, Oregon. Dayne Barron, currently field manager for the agency's Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville, Calif., will take the post."
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100511/NEWS07/5110338
Nominations Requested for Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee (BLM News Release, 5/10/10)
The Bureau of Land Management is requesting nominations for the Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/may/CPNMRACs.html
"BLM postpones oil and gas lease auction" (BLM news release, 5/6/10)
The Bureau of Land Management has postponed an oil and gas lease auction scheduled for June 9 in Bakersfield.
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/may/og_postponed.html
"BLM delays oil, gas lease auctions" (Monterey County Herald, 5/8/10)
The delay will enable the agency to conduct an environmental assessment on about 6,800 acres in South County that oil and gas companies have expressed interest in possibly developing.
http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_15045306
"Current job openings - BLM California" (USAJOBS website)
Accepting applications for Archaeology Technician, River Patrol Park Ranger, Biological Aid/Technician, Survey Technician, and more.
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9blm-ca.asp |
 EMPLOYEE PROFILE: Colene Gearman ...
... grew up in Texas but says her career with the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management has provided her the opportunity to live in many beautiful places. She is now Chief, Staffing and Classification with BLM's California State Office. Read more:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/employee_profiles/collene_gearman.html
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NATIONAL AND DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR ITEMS
"Competition Open to Host Department of the Interior Regional Climate Science Centers" (DOI Press Release, 5/5/10)
The Department of the Interior is now accepting proposals from universities and scientific organizations to host four of the Department of the Interior regional Climate Science Centers planned throughout the nation—those in the Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and North Central regions. “These centers will be part of a dynamic new network of eight geographically dispersed centers providing science about climate change impacts, helping land managers adapt to the impacts, and engaging the public through education initiatives,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. “In short, Climate Science Centers will better connect our scientists with land managers and the public.”
http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Competition-Open-to-Host-Department-of-the-Interior-Regional-Climate-Science-Centers.cfm |
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News.bytes published by
Bureau of Land Management
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1834
Sacramento, Ca 95825
(916) 978-4600
http://www.blm.gov/ca/
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