News.Bytes A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 623-05/01/14- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - California Wildfire Awareness Week - Headlines and Highlights - Discover the Coast - Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week - BLM and Department of Interior News - Upcoming BLM California Events If this message does not show up properly in your email, you can see it online at: www.blm.gov/ca/news/newsbytes/2014/623.html CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE AWARENESS WEEK Secretary Jewell Discusses Wildfire, Climate Change in Southern California (News.Bytes Extra) Interior Secretary Sally Jewell joined BLM- California, and other agency partners for California Wildfire Awareness Week. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,g5an,ivoo,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Secretary Jewell to Team Up with CAL FIRE to Raise Awareness as California Prepares for Above Normal Wildfire Season (DOI News Release) Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will join with California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird, Chief Ken Pimlott, Director of CAL FIRE and other key Southern California first responders to educate the public and communities on how they can help prepare for what's expected to be a serious fire season throughout California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,3w3u,epws,1bct,ijo3 Officials Warn of Dire Fire Season (San Diego Union-Tribune, 05/06/14) State, local and federal officials -- including U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell -- urged San Diego County residents to be prepared for wildfire. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,ln4p,3dea,1bct,ijo3 Interior Secretary Tours San Diego's Fire Danger (CBS News 8, 05/05/14) It's Wildfire Awareness Week in California and the Secretary of the Interior is getting a feel for San Diego's fire danger. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,24ho,3332,1bct,ijo3 Amid Statewide Drought, California Races To Burn Wildfire Fuel (NPR, 05/04/14) California has already seen much more wildfire activity than normal-- more than double the average of the previous five years. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, all of California is in a state of drought. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,g4dm,11x3,1bct,ijo3 California Governor Jerry Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring May 4-10, 2014 as Wildfire Awareness Week (Sierra Sun Times, 05/05/14) Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued a proclamation declaring May 4-10, 2014 as "Wildfire Awareness Week" in the State of California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,bpwx,1fne,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire (CWCG Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,92ba,kzvv,1bct,ijo3 CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Interior secretary: Contra Costa Conservation Efforts are a Model for the Nation (Contra Costa Times, 05/05/14) Making her second visit to East Contra Costa in less than two months, U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell lauded the region as a model for the nation in the area of habitat conservation. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,76y5,jgcx,1bct,ijo3 Wild Horse and Burro Adoption in San Jose (News.Bytes Extra) Eleven horses and three burros were adopted on May 3rd, at the BLM's wild horse and burro adoption event in San Jose, California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,3i5o,gr,1bct,ijo3 American Conservation Experience Crew Work at Dos Palmas (BLM Facebook) Meet the American Conservation Experience crew working at the Palm Springs South Coast Field Office. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,6u0v,8j6x,1bct,ijo3 Imperial Sand Dunes Volunteers Collect Signs (BLM Facebook) Over 250 volunteers helped collect boundary signs as part of a collaboration with the local community, partners and dune visitors. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,qbk,83xr,1bct,ijo3 BLM Joins Bishop Paiute Tribe Earth Day Event (BLM Facebook) BLM joined the Bishop Paiute Tribe and other partners to share traditional, cultural, and natural resources information with families and the community. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,4mms,i5y9,1bct,ijo3 BLM Names Veteran Manager to Run Arizona Strip District (KCSG TV, 05/07/14) Burke comes to Arizona from California, where he was manager of the Alturas Field Office for the past 16 years. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,ijpw,47xq,1bct,ijo3 Federal Land Grab Comes to California at Vail Lake (BREITBART,04/30/14) Americans have become increasingly concerned about the federal government's seizure of privately-held lands and property. Now another land owner, Bill Johnson of Temecula, California, claims his property at Vail Lake, the largest privately-owned lake in California, is being threatened by the county, state, and federal governments. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,6te7,5t2d,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE COAST California's Hot New Go-To: The Post-hippie Charm of Mendocino County (The Globe and Mail, 05/05/14) This part of Mendocino County is having a moment -- Obama has just declared these lands, the Stornetta Public Lands, a National Monument and... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,dfcm,c7kh,1bct,ijo3 BLM, Coast Guard to Celebrate Transfer of Trinidad Lighthouse (BLM News Release) A ceremony on May 16th marks the transfer of lighthouse from the U. S. Coast Guard to the BLM. The event is open to the public, but space and parking are limited. The BLM recommends carpooling. Those planning to attend must reserve space by contacting Leisyka Parrott at the BLM's Arcata Field Office, (707) 825-2313, by Friday, May 9. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,59m3,6zb4,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: BLM Employee Reconnects with Her AmeriCorps Roots (BLM Facebook) Lissa Eng, Public Affairs Specialist, with the BLM National Office had warm welcome from the AmeriCorps crew working with the BLM Arcata Field Office. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,g3cg,658n,1bct,ijo3 Visit our Discover the Coast Website (BLM website) Learn more about our Discover the Coast campaign, partnerships, and events. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,1cr0,11yu,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK May 4-10, 2014, is California Wildfire Awareness Week. In keeping with this theme, our wildlife trivia question relates to wildfire impacts to the Pacific fisher. Which of the following are documented negative impacts of wildfire to the Pacific fisher? (a) Initial loss of denning and resting habitat (snags and course woody debris) (b) Reduction of canopy/shade cover important for fisher habitat (c) Fishers killed by direct flames (d) Loss of habitat for porcupines, a fisher prey animal (e) All of the above See answer - and more information near the end of this News.bytes. BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR NEWS BLM Last Week: APRIL 28- May 2, 2014 (BLM Tumblr) DOI announced the winner of the Share the Experience photo contest; the first Harbor seal pup of the year arrived at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area on the Cobble Beach in Oregon, and; a story of "an unusual hazard of performing environmental site inspections in the southeast." http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,bf3x,kyep,1bct,ijo3 VIDEO- Week at Interior May 2, 2014 (DOI YouTube) Secretary Jewell's youth initiative takes her to St. Paul Minnesota; the first glimpses of the stunning images from the 2013 Share the Experience photo contest and more. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,467s,7cgs,1bct,ijo3 SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS Apr-Oct. 23: Webcasts Scheduled to Solicit Comments on Route 66 Management Plan (BLM News Release) The California Historic Route 66 Association and BLM California Desert District have scheduled four webcasts to continue soliciting public comments on the preparation of a corridor management plan for the segment of historic Route 66. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,ge64,i1gg,1bct,ijo3 Apr-Jun. 1: Clear Creek (near Redding) Outings (BLM Facebook) We are offering everyone a chance to learn more about our natural world in a series of free outings near Clear Creek south of Redding. Topics on these free guided hikes include fire ecology and more. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,c194,eyme,1bct,ijo3 May 4-10: The King Range Needs a Few Volunteers! (BLM Facebook) The King Range National Conservation Area will host a volunteer vacation with American Hiking Society. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,khj8,awhj,1bct,ijo3 May 7: BLM Announces Fire Restrictions for Lands Managed by Ukiah Field Office (BLM News Release) Effective May 7, the Bureau of Land Management is implementing fire restrictions on public lands managed by the Ukiah Field Office in Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Yolo, Colusa, Glenn and Solano counties. The fire restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,5v21,lwmd,1bct,ijo3 May 12: Comments Due on Proposed Closure of Shooting Area in San Diego County(BLM News Release) The BLM El Centro Field Office is seeking public comment on a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Assessment and an Associated Land Use Plan Amendment to Close the Airport Mesa Target Shooting Area in eastern San Diego County, California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,3u0c,m1rq,1bct,ijo3 Apr-May 24 (Saturdays): Soda Lake and Painted Rock Guided Tours at Carrizo Plain National Monument (BLM Facebook) Come join us for our Soda Lake/Painted Rock Guided Tour. Reservations are required and can be made at: http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,2mrx,hao0,1bct,ijo3 and http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,2z8u,cwxc,1bct,ijo3 May 16-17: Extreme Mustang Makeover Returning to Horsetown, USA The Extreme Mustang Makeover will make its annual visit to the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center in Norco, CA. See the exciting results of a competition that challenges trainers to gentle and ride a wild horse in approximately 100 days. A youth division and a wild horse adoption hosted by the Bureau of Land Management are new highlights for 2014. Forty-two trainers picked up Mustang geldings, ages 4 to 5, in early April and spent the spring preparing their horse for the event. These horses, which were virtually untouched by humans, represent dozens of wild horse herds located all over the West. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,44gv,b1i7,1bct,ijo3 May 28: BLM to Host Online Solar Energy Zone Monitoring and Adaptive Management Public Webinar (BLM News Release) The BLM will host a public webinar on Wednesday, May 28 from 10:00am to 1:00pm to provide an update and ask for input on the Riverside East Solar Energy Zone Monitoring and Adaptive Management Strategy. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,ks6c,5mj0,1bct,ijo3 May 28: BLM Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Solar Project in San Bernardino County (BLM News Release) The public comment period for the proposed Silurian Valley solar project has been extended. Public comments are now due by May 28, 2014. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,1qdu,jice,1bct,ijo3 June 9-13: Volunteers Welcome for Archaeology Week Projects Anyone interested in archaeology of the Great Basin along the California-Nevada border is welcome to join the Bureau of Land Management Eagle Lake Field Office for its inaugural Archaeology Volunteer Week. Join BLM archaeologists in archaeological survey and recording work in the high desert northeast of Susanville. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,hk2o,j579,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER and Related Information Which of the following are documented negative impacts of wildfire to the Pacific fisher? ANSWER: (a) and (b). Studies have shown that wildfires can burn and consume tree snags and downed woody debris that provide denning and resting habitat for Pacific fishers, although, wildfire can also create new snags and downed wood that may provide habitat in subsequent years. Wildfire may eliminate and reduce the shade provided by the tree canopies and decrease the quality of fisher habitat characteristics for a longer period of time. Studies have shown that most adult wildlife can escape direct flame impingement. The vulnerable periods for young fishers are typically not during the wildfire season. Studies have shown that porcupine habitat can benefit from some wildfire effects…improving fresh browse and seed access. Catastrophic wildfire effects have far more destructive and long-term impacts on wildlife. Careless and malicious human-caused wildfires should be prevented. SOURCE: Habitat use of Pacific fishers in a heterogeneous post-fire and unburned forest landscape on the Kern Plateau, Sierra Nevada, California http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,fkar,kp8p,1bct,ijo3 SOURCE: Fire Effects Information System- Pacific fisher. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,985g,3u17,1bct,ijo3 EFFECTS AND USE SOURCE: California Rim Fire Affects Habitat for Imperiled Wildlife http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,2b95,8ter,1bct,ijo3 -------------------- - If your e-mail program does not allow you to click on the above links to visit that Web page, copy and paste the URL into your browser's "Location" or "Address" bar. - Some online news sites require free registration to view their content online. Some news sites remove news stories from the Web soon after publication. If you plan to keep a story, you should print a copy or save the Web page to your computer. DISCLAIMER: By linking to Web sites, the BLM does not imply endorsement of those sites, or of products or advertisements on those sites. 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.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,1wgem,3xn3,4h2h,jgx0,1bct,ijo3 We appreciate feedback. Send comments to the News.bytes team at: mailto:canewsbytes@xxxxxxx
