News.Bytes A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 644-10/03/14- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - National Public Lands Day - Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan - Discover the Desert - Headlines and Highlights - Wildlife Trivia Question of the Week - 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/2014/644.html NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY Friends, Family, Partners and Pets Volunteered on National Public Lands Day 2014 (News.Bytes Extra) National Public Lands Day began in1994 and is now the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands.This year, National Public Lands Day was celebrated on Saturday, September 27, 2014. Hundreds of people came to support their public lands with clean-up and restoration work up and down the state of California. The BLM sponsored and supported 20 different NPLD projects. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,4yda,lr,1bct,ijo3 Public Invited to Celebrate National Public Lands Day (BLM News Release) The BLM Bishop Field Office invites you to celebrate National Public Lands Day. Join your friends on either Sept. 27 in the Bodie Hills or Oct. 4 in the Alabama Hills to volunteer for community-based conservation projects in the eastern Sierra. Or mark the day by visiting public land near you to enjoy your favorite outdoor activity. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,adf2,4ps3,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: National Public Lands Day Events (BLM Website) A list of BLM California National Public Lands Day events in September and October 2014. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,as2v,ezl8,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: National Public Lands Day Photo Album (BLM Flickr) Photos of the BLM California Public Lands Day activiites around the state. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,1y6v,11w0,1bct,ijo3 DESERT RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSERVATION PLAN Palen Solar Project Dropped by Developers (The Desert Sun, 09/26/14) BrightSource Energy and Abengoa Solar withdrew their application for the Palen solar project. The developers could eventually propose another solar project at the same site, which is about 60 miles east of Indio. But their decision to withdraw the controversial Palen proposal -- which drew fire from environmental and Native American groups -- ends any chance of development in the foreseeable future... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,4ige,dd8y,1bct,ijo3 BLM, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Announce the Availability of the Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan and Informational Webinar (BLM News Release) The BLM and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a Notice of Availability of the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement. Publication of the notice initiates the formal public comment period which runs through Jan. 9, 2015. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,ieul,7q1f,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: U.S. Department of the Interior and State of California Release Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan for Public Review (DOI News Release) Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency John Laird today released an innovative landscape-level draft renewable energy and conservation plan covering more than 22 million acres in the California desert, marking a major milestone in federal and state efforts to cut carbon pollution, create jobs, develop clean domestic energy and conserve and protect ecological and cultural resources. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,eyb6,huc7,1bct,ijo3 OTHER CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Feds Acquire 5,800-acre Wilderness Near Santa Cruz (SF Gate, 10/02/14) The federal government took possession this year of a notable 5,800-acre plot of wilderness and ranch land north of Santa Cruz known as Coast Dairies -- part of an ongoing effort to protect the coastal forests and salmon-spawning streams of the Santa Cruz Mountains. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,13k1,6kzp,1bct,ijo3 Wild Horses And Inmates Expected To Learn Important Lessons From New Jail Program (Capital Public Radio, 10/02/14) The Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in Sacramento County is now the temporary home of 20 wild horses. Inmates at the jail will train them as part of a new program. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,b32a,gr5s,1bct,ijo3 The Important Task of Documenting Arborglyphs in the Bodie Hills (News.Bytes Extra) On a cool September morning in the Bodie Hills of Mono County, over 15 participants gathered for a training session and three days of arborglyph documentation hosted by the BLM Bishop Field Office and the Eastern Sierra Interpretative Association. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,ldkj,m159,1bct,ijo3 BLM to Lift Fire Restrictions in a Number of Areas (BLM News Release) Recent rains and a shift to cooler temperatures have reduced dry conditions and fire danger in locations within the Alturas, Eagle Lake, Surprise, and Bishop field office management areas. View news releases for more information. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,kpcj,fb7f,1bct,ijo3 Your Wilderness is Managed by a Passionate Set of BLM Staff, Volunteers and Partners (BLM Tumblr) California is fortunate to be home to an extensive part of the wilderness system. We have it all here - from the majestic coast of the King Range to the stark beauty of the desert's Mecca Hills. And most importantly we have... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,5u1m,bz0s,1bct,ijo3 BLM Announces Gentled Mustangs Available for Adoption in Red Bluff on October 10-12, 2014 (Sierra Sun Times, 09/30/14) September 29, 2014 - Halter-trained wild horses will be available for public adoption Friday through Sunday, Oct. 10 through 12, at the Pauline Davis Pavilion, Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,g6o,dyxs,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA QUESTION of the WEEK It's the month of October and time to think about those spooky, creepy crawly things. What do you know about tarantulas in California? Which of the following statements are true? (a.) They spend most of their time underground sitting and waiting for prey to come by their burrows (b.) They typically migrate in September and October (c.) Tarantulas are usually nocturnal although males will venture out in the daylight in search of females during breeding season. (e.) They are primarily hunted by the tarantula hawk (f.) a, b, and c (g.) all of the above ------> See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes. BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights Last Week at the BLM, Sept. 22-27, 2014 (BLM Tumblr) Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency John Laird on Sept. 23, released an innovative landscape-level draft renewable energy and conservation plan covering more than 22 million acres in the California desert... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,3orp,c5ej,1bct,ijo3 This Week at Interior (VIDEO): September 26, 2014 (DOI YouTube) Secretary Jewell's travels take her across several western states, highlighting a number of Interior initiatives, including clean domestic energy, youth engagement, wildlife conservation, and restoring trust relationships with Native American tribes and more. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,8gop,984h,1bct,ijo3 Sagebrush Habitat Fuels $1B in Recreation Spending (AP, 09/30/14) Visitors to federal rangelands with significant tracts of sagebrush pumped about $1 billion into the economy in 11 Western states last year, according to a study released by advocates of protecting sage grouse across the region. The study is the first of its kind to examine the direct and indirect economic impacts of recreation spending tied to BLM property with habitat for sagebrush-dependent species... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,ifqm,1fze,1bct,ijo3 As Wild Horses Overrun the West, Ranchers Fear Land Will Be Gobbled Up (The New York Times, 09/30/14) For decades, the BLM has relied on a strategy of rounding up excess horses with helicopters and storing them in a system of private ranches and feedlots. But now there are almost 50,000 horses in storage, and the system is out of space and money. In response, the agency has drastically cut roundups, leaving horses to multiply on the range... http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,9xf4,icj4,1bct,ijo3 Secretary Jewell Announces Competitive Leasing Policy to Encourage Solar and Wind Energy Development on Public Lands, Create Greater Certainty for Developers (DOI News Release) As part of President Obama's comprehensive Climate Action Plan to create American jobs, develop domestic clean energy resources and cut carbon pollution, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced a new competitive leasing process by the BLM to help spur solar and wind energy development on public lands in the West. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,gx7x,a64t,1bct,ijo3 SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS Sept.-Oct: 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,21g0r,3xn3,ce4q,fn98,1bct,ijo3 Sept. 22-Oct.: Road Improvement Project to Begin at Samoa Dunes (BLM News Release) A road construction project to improve access and traffic safety on public lands at Samoa Dunes Recreation Area near Eureka will get underway. One traffic lane will be open during most of the project, but there will be periods of full road closure and delays of up to 15 minutes. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,8e1o,ln8j,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 4: Forest Health and Erosion Control Meeting Set for Laytonville (BLM News Release) Topics including recovery from the Lodge Fire and resources available to help landowners improve forest health and control erosion will be discussed in a public meeting. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,ygw,exce,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 4: BLM, Bike Club Hosting 'Take a Kid Mountain Biking' Event (BLM News Release) Redding area children and their families can enjoy a day of mountain bike riding in a special "Take a Kid Mountain Biking" celebration at the Swasey Recreation Area in west Redding. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,1uty,lu4a,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 4: Event will Offer a Glimpse into the Past and the Science of Archaeology (BLM News Release) Today's residents can get a hands-on glimpse into how they hunted, prepared food, made tools and communicated, when the BLM and Susanville Indian Rancheria hold their first Public Archaeology Day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Hobo Camp area west of Susanville. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,8foa,2fc6,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 8: Fall Color Bike Ride Planned for Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail (BLM News Release) A special fall colors ride and bike shuttle will be offered Saturday, Oct. 18, providing a great way to get some exercise and enjoy spectacular fall colors along the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail in northeast California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,92si,5s2a,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 9: Informational Webinar of the Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (BLM News Release). A recorded informational webinar will be available to help the public navigate the DRECP documents. The webinar will include background information on the DRECP, including the plan's overall goals, the general content and structure of the plan and associated environmental analysis, and an orientation to the DRECP Gateway, a user-friendly map-based data sharing system. A series of public meetings will be held in late October and early November throughout the DRECP planning area and surrounding population centers. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,78ga,ahwm,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 10-12: Gentled Mustangs Available for Adoption in Red Bluff (BLM News Release) Halter-trained wild horses will be available for public adoption Friday through Sunday at the Pauline Davis Pavilion, Tehama County Fairgrounds in Red Bluff. The 2 and 3-year-old mares and geldings are gentle and approachable and have been trained by BLM wranglers to accept halters. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,5m4k,1ec3,1bct,ijo3 Oct. 14: BLM Announces Public Meeting for Proposed Mining Withdrawal (BLM News Release) A Federal Register notice was published announcing a proposal to withdraw approximately 10,000 acres in San Bernardino County from new mining claims to help protect an endangered plant. The two-year temporary segregation would protect the botanical integrity of the Coolgardie Mesa and West Paradise Conservation Areas as a conservation measure for Lane Mountain Milkvetch, a plant federally-listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,2ajx,5fzq,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,21g0r,3xn3,doem,dszr,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER and Related Information What do you know about tarantulas in California? Which of the following statements are true? ANSWER: (g.) all of the above are correct answers SOURCE: March of the Tarantulas (SoCal Wild Website) It's called a migration, but for the thousands of male tarantulas that live in Southern California, it's more like "knocking on doors looking for a date." http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,iv7k,epz3,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: Watchable Wildlife (BLM Hollister Website) For those of you interested in spiders, October is the season to look for tarantulas migrating. As you travel the back roads of southern San Benito County watch for these large spiders as they walk across roads and fields. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,21g0r,3xn3,iapi,ieg7,1bct,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,21g0r,3xn3,4h2h,jgx0,1bct,ijo3 We appreciate feedback. Send comments to the News.bytes team at: mailto:canewsbytes@xxxxxxx
