News.Bytes A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 640-09/04/14- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - Wilderness 50 - Headwaters Forest Reserve - Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week - Oil and Gas - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and Department of Interior Highlights - 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/2014/640.html 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE WILDERNESS ACT Desert Discovery Center Celebrates Wilderness (NewsBytes Extra) The BLM Barstow Field Office and the Desert Discovery Center decided to celebrate the Wilderness Act's 50th Anniversary in a big way. They worked in partnership with students in a local after school program to paint a building-sized mural along historic Route 66, in Barstow, California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,3j62,1xxd,1bct,ijo3 Intern Blogs about Experience in the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness (BLM Facebook) Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Intern, Glen Morrison, gets introduced to the BLM's Bighorn Mountain Wilderness. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,agqw,h9ft,1bct,ijo3 #BornWild : BLM's National Conservation Lands (BLM Tumblr) In 1983, Congress designated the BLM's first wilderness. Since then, Congress has designated 221 BLM Wilderness areas encompassing 8.7 million acres, including the 1994 passage of the California Desert Protection Act which created 69 wilderness areas in California. Another 528 WSAs remain, totaling 12.7 million acres. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,jajb,jl2s,1bct,ijo3 Visions of the Wild Festival (BLM Facebook) The Wilderness Act and Visions of the Wild Festival in Vallejo featured on Capital Public Radio. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,c38g,7t23,1bct,ijo3 RELATED PODCAST: Visions of the Wild (CPR website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,6pww,kuxo,1bct,ijo3 RELATED VIDEO: Visions of the Wild- 60 second spot (Visions of the Wild YouTube) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,hacf,7d94,1bct,ijo3 HEADWATERS FOREST RESERVE Tour the Headwaters Forest Reserve (BLM Facebook) The BLM's Headwaters Forest Reserve was created in 1999 to protect the last remaining stand of unprotected old-growth (or ancient) redwood forest. Today, Headwaters provides habitat for iconic species of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,6o52,cp4o,1bct,ijo3 Google Program Brings Nature Into The Digital Age (CBS News, 09/03/14) Ben Blom, the land manager at the Headwaters Forest Preserve, pointed to a mark on a tree. "That is a mark to cut. That tree was going to be cut down until Headwaters was protected by the federal government and and the state in 1999," he said. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,63t,1lty,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Headwaters Forest Reserve (BLM Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,4krx,eo8l,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Take a Virtual Tour of the Headwaters Forest Reserve (Google Street View) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,ypp,2z11,1bct,ijo3 Discover The Coast (BLM website) Learn more about the Discover the Coast initiative, our partnerships, and events. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,1cr0,11yu,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK Can you guess what bird species this is? They are a bird of prey that can be observed year-round in the Cache Creek Wilderness area. More tips... * They have a wingspan of about 7 feet (2 meters) * They weigh 8 to 14 pounds * They have been known to live up to 28 years in the wild and 36 years in captivity * They can reach speeds over 35 mph during level flight and between 75 to 99 mph in a hunting dive * They hunt cooperatively- one bird will scare prey and another will grab it with its sharp talons ------> See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes. OIL AND GAS New Oil and Gas Leases Likely Following Fracking Report (Willits News, 09/03/14) The BLM expects to begin issuing new leases for oil and gas exploration next year after the California Council on Science and Technology issued its review of "well stimulation techniques," commonly called fracking, last week. Fracking expected to occur mostly in existing fields in Southern California and not in or near Mendocino County. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,4a6i,380o,1bct,ijo3 Hey, Bureau of Land Management, Why the Rush to Frack? (LA Times, 08/29/14) Citing a report that even its author says is based on incomplete information, the BLM wants to resume issuing oil and gas drilling leases on federal land in California. So in the absence of clarity, BLM officials plan to gamble with some of California's water supplies. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,6g71,b3c1,1bct,ijo3 Rules For Fracturing On Public Lands Likely This Year (Houston Chronicle Energy, 08/29/14) The Obama administration is on track to impose new mandates governing hydraulic fracturing on public land by year-end, a move that will test the White House's ability to appease worried environmentalists without derailing the drilling boom bolstering the U.S. economy. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,kamw,elmv,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: BLM California Announces Path Forward for Oil and Gas Program (BLM News Release) The BLM is announcing its comprehensive strategy for the federal oil and gas program in California. "With these pieces in place, we will be able to both contribute to meeting America's energy needs and implement appropriate, safe, and responsible measures to protect groundwater and other critical resources." said Jim Kenna, BLM California State Director. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,56a0,49se,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Advanced Well Stimulation Technologies in California: An Independent Review of Scientific and Technical Information (CCST Website) CCST has released an independent report that reviews well stimulation technologies, including hydraulic fracturing, used in on-shore oil reservoirs in the state of California. This study was commissioned by the BLM and will inform BLM's oil and gas policies in California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,ffxv,6ymy,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: BLM California Oil and Gas Strategy (BLM Website) The BLM's comprehensive strategy for the federal oil and gas program in California incorporates information from the Independent Science Review by the California Council on Science and Technology; provides internal guidance for processing of applications for permits to drill and sundry notices; and provides the results from public scoping on oil and gas development in the Hollister Field Office. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,cvi9,4vwn,1bct,ijo3 OTHER CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS San Vicente Redwoods 1 of the Biggest Unprotected Forests Around (08/28/14) The BLM will resume issuing oil and gas leases next year for federal lands in California after a new study found limited environmental impacts from fracking and other enhanced drilling techniques, the agency said Thursday. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,kttq,c17e,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Coast Dairies: A Landmark for Conservation on the California Coast (Archived News.Bytes Extra) Almost 6,000 acres of rolling green meadows, redwood forests, and dramatic vistas of Pacific Ocean, just north of Santa Cruz will be permanently protected following the donation of the Coast Dairies property to the BLM by The Trust for Public Land. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,2ih7,meub,1bct,ijo3 Feds Eye Stricter Rules for Railroad Rights of Way (08/31/14) In mid-August, the BLM issued a memorandum to field offices about the change that requires rights of way work to serve railroad operations only. The agency anticipates that up to 3,500 evaluations will be needed to determine if work done the last decade and a half meets the updated criteria. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,23bx,5jv6,1bct,ijo3 BLM Seeks Information on Illegal Waste Dumping, Reward Offered (BLM News Release) The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of an individual witnessed dumping chemical waste material onto public lands near the Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest, California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,7g18,auya,1bct,ijo3 BLM Announces Scoping Meeting and Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Assessment for Solar Project Water Request (BLM News Release) The BLM intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment to evaluate the effects of a request for a 50-acre foot increase in the amount of groundwater authorized for the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm Project, a BLM-approved 550-megawatt solar photovoltaic generating facility now under construction in the westernmost portion of the Chuckwalla Valley, Riverside County, California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,amxu,44ql,1bct,ijo3 BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights VIDEO- This Week at Interior: August 26, 2014 (DOI YouTube) Successful test of earthquake warning system, more land for Civil War battlefields and more. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,hzi,bdhi,1bct,ijo3 SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS Sept. 3-6: Visions of the Wild Festival-Vallejo (Visions of the Wild Festival Facebook) Connecting nature, culture, and community. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,8k6v,83mz,1bct,ijo3 Sept 27: BLM National Public Lands Day Events (BLM Webpage) NPLD is the largest volunteer event for America's public lands. It is held on a Saturday in late September when thousands of Americans volunteer to improve and enhance our nation's public lands. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,ce4q,fn98,1bct,ijo3 Aug. 11- Oct.: Delays, Closures will Affect Butte County Roads During Improvement Projects (BLM News Release) Visitors planning to travel on Doe Mill road in Butte County will be subject to delays and closures as construction gets underway on road improvements and a bridge replacement project. The road, also known as Ponderosa Way, will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during construction. The road will be open on weekends. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,doem,dszr,1bct,ijo3 Aug. 28: Webcast 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 the third in a series of four webcasts to continue soliciting public comments on the preparation of a corridor management plan for Historic Route 66 from Barstow to Needles, California. Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects will host the webcast on to address transportation-related issues. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,97qh,8gf6,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER and Related Information Can you guess what bird species this is? They are a bird of prey that can be observed year-round in the Cache Creek Wilderness area. ANSWER: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) SOURCE: Fun Facts About Bald Eagles (LiveScience Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,3jqr,fgdn,1bct,ijo3 SOURCE: Bald Eagle (BLM Wildlife Database Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,8yjx,j03q,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,20eoz,3xn3,4h2h,jgx0,1bct,ijo3 We appreciate feedback. Send comments to the News.bytes team at: mailto:canewsbytes@xxxxxxx To subscribe to News.bytes, visit our News.bytes subscription page at: http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,20eoz,3xn3,k0vc,86f4,1bct,ijo3 To unsubscribe, send an email to: unsubscribe-183567@xxxxxxxxxxx
