A publication of Bureau of Land Management in California Issue 664-3/7/2015- Visit us on Facebook -- Follow us on Twitter -- Share us with friends and colleagues! THIS WEEK IN NEWS.BYTES: - Discover the Desert - Discover the Coast - Headlines and Highlights - Wildlife Fact of the Week - BLM and Department of the Interior Highlights If this message does not show up properly in your email, you can see it online at: http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,7grk,egf5,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE DESERT Route 66 (BLM Facebook) Route 66 continues to be an international bucket-list item for many travelers. In the heart of the California desert, between the towns of Barstow and Needles, stretches a 320-mile ribbon of history, most of which traverses public lands and serves as a symbol of the pioneering spirit of emigrants coming West and an icon of American freedom and mobility. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,c2ja,iwee,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Desert @ the Route 66 Hot Boat and Custom Car Show (BLM California Youtube) In the heart of the California desert, between the towns of Barstow and Needles, stretches a 320-mile ribbon of history, most of which traverses public lands and serves as a symbol of the pioneering spirit of emigrants coming West and an icon of American freedom and mobility. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,1l04,jsqv,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Desert (BLM Facebook) This Kiavah Wilderness encompasses the eroded hills, canyons and bajadas of the Scodie Mountains of the Sequoia National Forest - the southern extremity of the Sierra Nevada Mountains - and the desert lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management . http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,6zzi,hrjs,1bct,ijo3 Get Outside ! (BLM Facebook) You should come check out this and the rest of the amazing public lands in California! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,5sd8,meih,1bct,ijo3 DISCOVER THE COAST King Range (BLM Tumblr) There are many great places on our public lands to catch the cycle of the sun. I'm always inspired when I see the sun rise over a mountain, and when I look to the long shadows from a setting desert sun. Inspiration keeps coming in the King Range National Conservation Area. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,6mwb,6ha9,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Coast (BLM Facebook) Northern California is getting in on the wildflower action. It is a beautiful time of year to take a trip to King Range National Conservation Area and see BLM. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,ke82,bype,1bct,ijo3 Discover the Coast @ Fort Ord (BLM Facebook) How about some physical fitness on Throwback Thursday? These soldiers were training at Fort Ord in 1940. You can still get active on Fort Ord National Monument today! http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,5ju8,jphp,1bct,ijo3 California Coastal National Monument (BLM Facebook) Did you see the California Coastal National Monument in this video? Due to being close to shore, the California Coastal National Monument is engaged with many partners up and down the California Coast, including the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, which serves as the primary Gateway to the California Coastal National Monument on the Monterey Peninsula. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,3a6n,aav0,1bct,ijo3 CALIFORNIA HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Steam to Energy: World's Largest Geothermal Renewable Energy Facility (Newsbytes Extra) The Geysers geothermal field, located 70 miles north of San Francisco, California, is the largest and most productive geothermal field in the world. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California manages one-third of geothermal resources at The Geysers, with the State of California and private landowners managing the remaining two thirds. The BLM is proud of its role in providing California residents clean, green, renewable energy. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,g4kt,bije,1bct,ijo3 Full Moon (BLM Instagram) A beautiful shot of the full moon last night over the Magnolia Ranch-Cronan Trail system, managed by the BLM California's Mother Lode Field Office. The area has a great multi-use trail system along the South Fork of the American River - one of the most popular whitewater runs in the country. Its also just downstream from the gold discovery that launched the CA gold rush. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,aq7s,b1gd,1bct,ijo3 The Condors Cave (BLM Facebook) The Hollister Field Office is teaming up with the Condor Program at Pinnacles National Park to teach interns about California Condor protection and habitat management in Central California. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,k2s4,lwo3,1bct,ijo3 Imperial Sand Dunes (BLM Facebook) The public is invited to comment on preliminary grant applications the BLM submits to the California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. Preliminary OHV grant applications are available on the division website at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov for review and comment March 3 through April 6.http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,ib4z,10ib,1bct,ijo3 National Monuments Proposed Near Santa Cruz, Lake Berryessa (San Francisco Chronicle, 3/2/2015) Two little-known swaths of federal land in Northern California - one north of Santa Cruz, the other north of Lake Berryessa-have been proposed as national monuments. If approved, they could provide sensational opportunities for outdoor recreation. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,48ht,ax0m,1bct,ijo3 BLM Offers Horses, Burros Available for Adoption in Angels Camp During March 2015 (Sierra Sun Times, 2/28/2015) The Bureau of Land Management will host a Wild Horse & Burro Adoption weekend March 14 and 15 in Calaveras County. The BLM will offer 40 wild horses, from yearlings to four year olds, and 10 burros for public adoption. The horses will include four two-year-old fillies that were halter gentled at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in Elk Grove, as well as three geldings and one filly halter gentled by BLM wranglers. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,lyjp,5eso,1bct,ijo3 EPA Weighs In On Draft DRECP (Victorville Daily Press, 3/4/2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filed 14 pages of comments on the Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, raising questions about air and water quality. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,hze4,fw2p,1bct,ijo3 County Governments Criticize Renewable Energy Plan (Desert Sun, 2/27/2015) An embattled plan to promote renewable energy development across the desert has hit a new roadblock: county governments. Five of the seven counties covered by the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan -including Riverside, Imperial and San Bernardino - expressed serious concerns with the 10,000-page document before a public comment deadline last week. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,fhq4,9khy,1bct,ijo3 RELATED: DRECP (BLM Website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,3mdu,2fcl,1bct,ijo3 New Cemex Legislation Expected Soon (Santa Clarita Valley Signal, 3/3/2015) A new bill aimed at resolving the long-running dispute over the proposed Cemex sand and gravel mine in Canyon Country will be introduced soon, the Santa Clarita Valley's congressman said Tuesday. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,kllc,8vnn,1bct,ijo3 BLM Releases Draft West Mojave Planning Area Route Network Project for Public Review ( BLM News Release) The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the Draft Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the West Mojave Route Network Project, providing guidance and management direction for over three million acres of public lands in San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Riverside and Los Angeles counties. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,m6tf,6s1i,1bct,ijo3 BLM Initiates Environmental Review of Solar Project in California Desert (BLM Website) The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today published a Notice of Intent to conduct an environmental review on the impacts of the Desert Quartzite Solar Project in Riverside County. The BLM is seeking public input as it moves forward with its environmental review of the proposal. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,hh72,9i3t,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE FACT OF THE WEEK How long do you think a San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel survives in the direct sun in the summer heat. a)15 min b) 1 hour c) 5 hours d) 8 hours e) All day ------> See answer near the end of this issue of News.bytes. BLM and DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Highlights This Week at Interior (Video): March 6, 2015 (DOI Youtube) Secretary Jewell and other Interior officials mark World Wildlife Day; Fish and Wildlife announces $45m in grants to support wildlife, habitats, and imperiled species; Deputy Secretary Connor is set to hold a listening session with tribal leaders and landowners to check the progress of the Land Buy-Back Program; the National Park Service announces when Washington DC's famous cherry blossom trees will hit their peak bloom; and it's a week of anniversaries and birthdays to remember.http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,3rje,7771,1bct,ijo3 Check Out What Happened Last Week at the BLM: Feb. 20-25,2015:(BLM Tumblr) In honor of Black History Month, the Department of the Interior published a video about John Ajak - from his days as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan to a petroleum engineer for the BLM. Watch the video: http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,8xtd,8qlr,1bct,ijo3 . Last week, the BLM released the new My Public Lands Magazine, Spring 2015. From winter recreation hot spots to warmer weather get aways, the Spring issue features locations - from each of the BLM's State Offices - to get out and enjoy your public lands. As it says on the cover of the magazine, it's your passport to America's Great Outdoors. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,8xkp,5apr,1bct,ijo3 UPCOMING EVENTS March 8: Discover the Coast @ Davenport Hike http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,ccq8,fsqe,1bct,ijo3 March 11&18: Wildflower Walks Join BLM-CA every Wednesday morning during the month of March for a guided, one mile interpretive walk featuring wildflowers of the San Joaquin River Gorge. http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,dgte,dgso,1bct,ijo3 March 18 & 21: Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area Public Meetings http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,i4mf,fpij,1bct,ijo3 March 21 - Fish Slough Clean-Up The BLM Bishop Field Office and Friends of the Inyo host clean-up at the Fish Slough Area of Critical Environmental Concern on March 21 to pick up trash and help restore the area.http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,fbb1,chfk,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE TRIVIA ANSWER Answer: A) During the heat of the summer these little ground squirrels which live in abandoned giant kangaroo rat burrows, can only survive in the direct sun for about 15 minutes. SOURCE:BLM Facebook http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,26b5a,3xn3,bls8,duy8,1bct,ijo3
