Issue 606

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:27:05 -0800

Title: News.bytes, issue 593 - BLM California - 02-28-13

      A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California

      Issue 606- 01/09/14   -   Visit us on Facebook --
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  THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES:

  - BLM Year in Review

  -
  Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week

  - Upcoming Events

  - Headlines and Highlights: Assorted topics from your public lands in California

  - National and Department of the Interior items

      If this message does not show up properly in your email, you can see it online at:

        www.blm.gov/ca/news/newsbytes/2014/606.html    

    BLM YEAR in REVIEW       
      In 2013, we shared  175 field stories in our weekly News.Bytes publication and provided daily posts on our social media pages to better inform and connect you to our programs and landscapes.  Here are a few of our highlights:
              PUBLIC LAND VISITS: 
      Secretary Jewell Visits Point Arena
Stornetta Public Lands in Mendocino County 

        (News.Bytes Extra Archive) 

        More than 300 residents of the Mendocino Coast turned out for a public listening session hosted by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to share the community vision to conserve a scenic and significant area of coastal public lands in Mendocino County. Secretary Jewell was joined by
Congressman Jared Huffman,  BLM Principal Deputy Director Neil Kornze, and BLM California State Director, Jim Kenna.

        http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2013/600_extra_-secretary.html      
              Iraqi Delegation learns
about Oil and Gas Operations 

        (News.bytes Extra Archive) 

        Petroleum, chemical and environmental engineers from an Iraq delegation, sponsored by the State Department, visited the Bakersfield Field Office to learn more about baseline environmental information and developing new approaches to mitigate environmental impacts.  

        http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2013/590_extra_iraq.html 

                Midway-Sunset oil field tour highlights
energy issues 

        (News.Bytes Extra Archive) 

        Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times San Francisco Bureau chief, interviews Jeff Prude, petroleum engineer and Gabe Garcia, Minerals Division chief, both from the Bakersfield Field Office, during a tour of the Midway-Sunset oil field.  Oil production in California has received national media
interest due to potential production in the Monterey Shale formation and proposed state and federal fracking regulations.

        http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2013/566xtra_midway_sunset_oilfield.html 

              FIXING THINGS UP:
      The Piedras Blancas Replica Water and Communication
Tower

        (News.Bytes Extra Archive) 

        The recently constructed replica water tower, located at Piedras Blancas Light Station, will carry on the tradition of Point Piedras Blancas as a place of safety communications.

        http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2013/599_extra_-the_piedras.html 
        Successful Sage-Grouse Habitat Protection in Spring Peak Fire Management

        (News.Bytes Extra Archive) 

        In the Spring Peak Fire and the nearby Indian Fire of 2012, the Bishop BLM and the US Forest Service worked with the Incident Commander and the fire team to keep firefighters and public safe, protect the ghost towns, and allow for some wildlife habitat to remain in the form of unburned
islands, primarily made up of sagebrush and bitterbrush. These green islands provide a natural seed source to help the area revegetate after the fire.

      http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2013/595_extra_-_successful.html 
        International Coastal Cleanup Day at
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium 

        (BLM Twitter Timeline) 

        The BLM partnered with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and others on a beach cleanup to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day.  See photos, videos, and links from our September 21, 2012 #DiscoveryTheCoast Twitter timeline.

        https://twitter.com/BLMca/timelines/421006984096133120      
      United Desert Gateway
16th Annual Dunes Clean-Up 

        (Imperial Sand Dunes Facebook) 

        The clean-up, one of the largest in the state, typically draws more than 1,000 volunteers and is funded through a BLM partnership with the United Desert Gateway and private sponsors.  An important component of BLM California's Strategic Framework, this partnership enhances recreation,
increases public safety and develops community participation and involvement.

        http://www.ca.blm.gov/mnld      
      SUPPORTING YOUTH:
      2013 Outdoor Youth Summit
Multicultural Experiences in America's Great Outdoors 

        (News.Bytes Extra Archive) 

        The BLM and US Forest Service hosted the 2nd Annual Outdoor Summit for Youth. The focus was on multicultural experiences and the importance of connecting diverse youth with the outdoors.  In addition to a rich and diverse youth panel discussion, breakout sessions, and Expo, participants
explored ways to expand opportunities to better connect young people with the outdoors and the field of natural resources.

      http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2013/599_extra_-2013_outdoor.html 

        Twitter Timeline for the California Outdoor Youth Summit:

          https://twitter.com/BLMca/timelines/421013146862497792

      Youthful Talent and Enthusiasm are
Benefitting the Public Lands

        (News.Bytes Extra Archive) 

      More than 30 youth hires, including interns, college graduates and high school students, are helping with recovery from last summer's Rush Fire, establishing rangeland monitoring points, working on the new South Side Recreation Trail, assisting with sage-grouse conservation, and improving
conditions at the Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area near Doyle.

      http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2013/589_extra_-_youth.html
      Youth Engaged
in the Wild Horse and Burro Program

        (News.Bytes Extra Archive) 

        The Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals partnered with the Kern County Fair to create the Kern County Youth Wild Horse and Burro Project.

        http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2013/597_extra_-_youth.html

        National Public
Lands Day Events 2013 

        (BLM CA Facebook) 

    Photos of various 2013 Natioal Public Lands Day activities with BLM California. #NPLD

    http://www.ca.blm.gov/nnld

WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK

    Which of the following western gray squirrel stereotypes is false?

      (a.)  They seem to be everywhere because their population just keeps growing.

      (b.)  They hide acorns underground to dig up later for food.

      (c.)  They sleep and nest in holes in trees.

      (d.)  They prefer to jump from tree to tree rather than travel on the ground.

      (e.)  They were the subject of the second-most-read story ever on the World Weekly News' website: "Gray squirrels really space aliens in disguise; May control your neighbors' thoughts with radio wave 'acorns.'"

        ------> See answer  near the end of this News.bytes. 

    SELECTED   UPCOMING EVENTS

        Jan 25:  Wind Caves Day Hike for You and Your Canine Companion 

        (BLM CA Facebook) 

        Join a BLM guided hike to Wind Caves in the Coyote Mountain Wilderness. This is a moderate to strenuous day hike, through a stunning and rugged landscape, in southern California

    http://www.ca.blm.gov/pnld

    HEADLINES and HIGHLIGHTS
      Learn How to Track Animals

      (San Diego Union-Tribune, 01/03/14) 

A walk and talk analyzing animal tracks is Sunday at Elfin Forest. The 784-acre reserve includes open space park and a recreational area, established by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District in partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority and U.S. Department of the Interior-Bureau of
Land Management.

http://www.ca.blm.gov/jnld 

      RELATED: Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

        (Olivenhain Municipal Water District Website) 

        The 784-acre Reserve was developed by OMWD in partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority and the U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management, as an element of the Olivenhain Water Storage Project and the Authority's Emergency Storage Project.

        http://olivenhain.com/elfin-forest-recreational-reserve 

    Off-Roaders Being Safety Conscious after Dunes Death

      (KSWT, 01/06/14) 

      More off-road enthusiasts are hitting the Imperial Sand Dunes to relax and get some thrills. But with more people out riding, there's also higher chances for accidents to happen. 13 On Your Side spoke with experienced duners and officials from the Bureau of Land Management park rangers for
some safety tips.

      http://www.kswt.com/story/24369850/off-roaders-being 

      RELATED: Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area 

        (BLM Website) 

        Located in the southeast corner of California, the Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest mass of sand dunes in the state.

        http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra.html 

'Fracking' the Monterey Shale -- Boon or Boondoggle?

  (LA Times, 12/27/13)

  "      Eureka!" reads the California motto, originated in the 19th century Gold Rush. Now some believe the state is on the cusp of a 21st century bonanza, only this time it will be oil that fuels a Golden State boom.

  http://www.ca.blm.gov/bnld

  RELATED: BLM California Oil and Gas Program 

  (BLM Website) 

  The BLM manages 15.2 million acres of surface and 47 million acres of mineral estate in California.

  http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/energy/og.html 

Unusual Delay For Palen Solar Project

  (KCET, 12/24/13) 

  In an about-face, the proponents of a large solar project in the desert portions of Riverside County have asked for a delay in a state agency's final decision on the project. In a filing with the California Energy Commission  on Monday, Palen Solar Holdings, which wants to build a 500-megawatt
concentrating solar project halfway between Blythe and Indio...

  http://www.ca.blm.gov/dnld

  RELATED: BLM California Solar Energy Program

    (BLM Website) 

    On public lands, solar development for large-scale electricity projects is just beginning, but the future looks bright.

    http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/energy/solar.html 

Terry Corwin and Robert Stephens: Do We Want a National Monument on Our North Coast? 

  (Santa Cruz Sentinel, 12/21/13) 

  The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County looks at the idea of a National Monument on the North Coast through the lens of our Conservation Blueprint. There are 17 National Monuments managed by the Bureau of Land Management already, including Fort Ord in Monterey County. National Monuments are part of a
larger National Conservation Lands system that protects more than 27 million acres. These lands include some of the most spectacular scenic, historic, natural, cultural, and archaeological sites in our country.

  http://www.ca.blm.gov/qnld

      RELATED: BLM National Monuments 

    (BLM Website) 

    National Monuments are special areas of public land designated by public proclamation by the President or by Congress, to protect historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, or other objects of historic or scientific interest.

    http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/content/ca/en/prog/monuments.html 

    NATIONAL, OTHER STATE AND DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR ITEMS    
      Secretary Jewell Announces $1 Million Private Funding Commitment to Advance Youth & Conservation Initiative 

(DOI News Release) 

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is First Company to Pledge to Newest Public-Private Partnership to Develop Next Generation of Outdoor Stewards. 

http://www.ca.blm.gov/vnld
      This Year at Interior 2013:

        Part One(DOI YouTube) 

        Part one of our look back at the Top Stories of 2013 from This Week at Interior.

        http://www.ca.blm.gov/rnld

                Part Two(DOI YouTube) 

        Part two of our look back at the Top Stories of 2013 from This Week at Interior.

        http://www.ca.blm.gov/snld

    WILDLIFE TRIVIA answer and related websites

    Which of the following western gray squirrel stereotypes is false?

    (a.)  They seem to be everywhere, because their population just keeps growing.

    Note: While answer (e.) may also be false, it is not a common stereotype.

    What on earth is a Spadefoot?

                SOURCE: "Western Gray Squirrel - Sciurus griseus" 

          (BLM California wildlife database)

          Gray squirrels typically occur in oak-conifer woodlands from California up to Washington. The range was expanded as people started planting more oak and walnut trees, but recently their range has been decreasing. The populations are becoming smaller and fragmented as urban sprawl and
other developments destroy their habitat. In addition, introduced species are taking over prime habitat.

          http://www.ca.blm.gov/tnld

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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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