News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 726 - May 26, 2016 - Discover the Desert - Youth - Wildland Fire - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events DISCOVER THE DESERT PBS to Air ‘Sands of War’ This Weekend “Sands of War” is a 30-minute documentary that recounts the story of the Desert Training Center (DTC), located primarily in what is now the BLM’s California Desert District, and the important role the DTC played in America’s World War II effort. The story of the DTC is told through the personal experiences of WWII veterans who trained at the facility, providing a compelling account of the young men and women thrust onto the heaving stage of world conflict. The film includes rare archival footage and documents the national significance of the DTC to the success of the U.S. and Allied forces in WWII. Over 100 PBS stations nationwide will air the documentary over this Memorial Day holiday. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,jiy3,41xk,1bct,ijo3 Related: PBS Broadcast Stations http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,alqt,821o,1bct,ijo3 Related: Desert Training Center photos (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,dgh,e7v6,1bct,ijo3 Giving Spring a Stretch with “Snow Days” Summer comes around quickly in the desert, so the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office created, Mountain HIKE, a program to extend the cool temps a while longer! Partnering with the Mount San Jacinto Natural History Association, California State Parks and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, local children learn about forest ecology in an outreach classroom session followed by a fun excursion via aerial tram up to the 8,500 cool forest environment. Recently, youth groups from James O Jesse Highland Community Center enjoyed a trip during an unexpected snowfall, but that did not stop them from coming prepared and totally enjoying a rare late spring snowfall. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,2bsf,g59a,1bct,ijo3 Route 66 Tourism and Economic Summit Attracts Sold Out Crowd Energy was high as Barstow Mayor Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre welcomed more than 100 representatives from throughout southern California to the first ever Route 66 Tourism and Economic Development Symposium on May 18, 2016 at the Ramada Inn on Historic Route 66 in Barstow, California. The Symposium was sponsored in part by the BLM California Desert District and hosted by the California Historic Route 66 Association, who also was a key partner in the development of a Corridor Management Plan for the segment of Route 66 between Needles and Barstow. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,kg7q,8imw,1bct,ijo3 Tourism: Route 66 towns aim to rejuvenate The Press Enterprise, May 19, 2016 Officials from small towns in New Mexico and Illinois on Wednesday shared their experiences on the economic development potential of Route 66 at the High Desert’s first Route 66 Tourism & Economic Development Symposium. Wednesday’s event is a “critical component of our ongoing partnerships as we work together to protect and preserve historic Route 66,” according to Jerome Perez, California director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The symposium also promotes “sustainable heritage tourism” and also helps to “enhance economic development opportunities for San Bernardino County” and the state, he said in a statement. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,8mka,djn3,1bct,ijo3 Spring California Desert Advisory Council Meeting BLM’s California Desert Advisory Council (DAC) held a field tour and public meeting in the BLM Barstow Field Office resource area on May 21-22, 2016. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,y7m,k0wi,1bct,ijo3 YOUTH Exploring My Backyard at Cosumnes River Preserve This past weekend Cosumnes River Preserve hosted Latino Outdoors for a day of hiking and canoeing. It was a great opportunity for families and students to learn about wildlife and bird migration. Many thanks to Generation Green for helping prepare for the day! (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,5lgs,4o4,1bct,ijo3 Related: Latino Outdoors Snapchat Story (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,1ktz,1jfy,1bct,ijo3 Annual Junior Fishing Derby Lures Hundreds of Kids Over 500 kids from ages 2 to 15 fished the Susan River along BLM’s Bizz Johnson Trail on Saturday April 23rd, 2016 during the 27th annual Lassen Sportsmen Clubs Junior Fishing Derby in Susanville, California. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,37dn,bcf0,1bct,ijo3 WILDLAND FIRE Memorial Day Weekend Campfire Safety Start by getting a campfire permit from any CAL FIRE, U.S. Forest Service, or BLM station or office. Your campfire permit is valid from the date issued until the end of the calendar year. Permits are required to have campfire or portable gas stoves on public lands. Check to ensure there aren’t any local fire restrictions in the area. During periods of high fire danger, campfires may be restricted. Also, keep a shovel and bucket of water nearby at all times. (CAL Fire website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,kjwq,jkr6,1bct,ijo3 Investigating Wildland Fire Origins Fire and law enforcement personnel from the BLM and Forest Service attended a 36-hour course on how to investigate the origin and cause of wildland fires in Alturas, California. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,3t6o,7b2k,1bct,ijo3 Secretary Jewell Announces $10 Million for Projects to Increase Wildfire Resilience Across America and Calls on Congress to Fix Wildfire Suppression Fund Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced $10 million in funding to help increase the resiliency of critical landscapes across the country to better mitigate the impacts of wildfire and climate change. The Wildland Fire Resilient Landscapes Program is a new approach to achieve fire resiliency and help restore public lands nationwide through multi-year investments in designated landscapes. Launched last year, the program incorporates goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and Secretarial Order 3336, Rangeland Fire Prevention, Management, and Restoration, by ensuring that projects emphasize a high level of collaboration with partners, landscape-scale planning across multiple jurisdictions, lessen the risk from catastrophic wildfire, and enhance the protection of critical natural resources and watersheds. (Department of Interior News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,4d0b,apab,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Leaving A Legacy, Gary Pritchard-Peterson Retires After 24 Years as King Range Manager As Manager of the King Range National Conservation Area (NCA) for the past 24 years, Gary Pritchard-Peterson has provided outstanding leadership to expand recreational opportunities while protecting and restoring natural resource values at the Nation’s first designated NCA. Gary has demonstrated exceptional skill in building partnerships and coalitions to enhance recreational facilities and experiences for a variety of visitors including hikers, hunters, surfers, students, anglers, mountain bikers, artists and campers. He has established new trails and campgrounds including a world class network of mountain bike trails. He has effectively managed the growing visitor use on the iconic Lost Coast Trail. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,24x4,j7qm,1bct,ijo3 Horsetown Clear Creek Preserve Making a Difference The Horsetown Clear Creek Preserve (HCCP) has been recognized with BLM’s “Making a Difference” National Volunteer Award. For over 20 years the HCCP has helped guide rehabilitation work, hosted countless events and educational opportunities, and also provided valuable input during the development of the Clear Creek Greenway Plan. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,fv9g,3koq,1bct,ijo3 Related: Horsetown Clear Creek Preserve Video (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,8q6h,6lpt,1bct,ijo3 Bus Service Now Available for Bizz Johnson Trail Visitors Local bus service and a program offering bike shuttles for large groups will make this summer's trips on the Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail convenient by eliminating the need to arrange vehicle shuttles. BLM is encouraging trail users to take advantage of the West County Commuter Route offered by Lassen Rural Bus that operates Monday through Saturday. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,elg8,eyq6,1bct,ijo3 BLM Releases Solar Energy Monitoring Strategy BLM released the final strategy for monitoring the impacts of solar energy development in eastern Riverside County. Public comments from the October draft strategy were considered into this final strategy which is part of the implementation of the Western Solar Plan. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,b7av,8npx,1bct,ijo3 Bat Class Vince Beresford, Environmental Protection Specialist and Carly Summers, Wildlife Biologist for the BLM Bakersfield Field Office attended the Southwestern Desert Bat class at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center and State Park Friday, April 22 through Sunday, April 24. International bat expert and researcher, Dr. Patricia “Pat” Brown-Berry instructed on the natural history, behavior and ecology of southwestern bat species. Participants also learned about the use of ultrasonic bat detectors and mist-nets to monitor wild bat populations, threats to bat populations and bat conservation. On Monday, May 16, Dr. Pat Brown and Dr. Bill Rainey joined BLMers Vince and Carly to revisit several abandoned mine land sites which had bat gates installed the previous year per Dr. Brown’s initial assessment. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,e0bd,l0ut,1bct,ijo3 Rock Project Tour On May 11, 2016, BLM’s Bishop Field Office hosted a stop at the Happy Boulders parking area for the Rock Project Tour which is sponsored by the Access Fund and Black Diamond. BLM staff, Black Diamond and Access Fund Representatives, and professional athletes replaced the wooden structure that encases the porta-potty, and completed leveling and rock work at the existing kiosk.The Bishop Field Office also shared information with the group regarding the local archeology and some of the issues related to bouldering and climbing within the eastern Sierra. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,byjp,jyna,1bct,ijo3 Related: Rock Project Tour (Access Fund website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,86cn,k41x,1bct,ijo3 Former Supervisor Jimmy Smith, A Great Man, Has Died Lost Coast Outpost, May 24, 2016 Former 1st District Supervisor Jimmy Smith, a native of Humboldt County whose kindness and dignity will leave a lasting impact on our community as great as his work, passed away at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. Jimmy Smith was instrumental in assisting the BLM Arcata Field Office with land transfers that include the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area and the Lost Coast Headlands. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,5ymd,kcu0,1bct,ijo3 Related: Centerville transitioning to new recreation spot (2010 News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,dea4,ijj0,1bct,ijo3 Palm Springs council urges review of hydro-plant The Desert Sun, May 20, 2016 The Palm Springs City Council joined a chorus of environmental voices pressing for Joshua Tree National Park to add another 25,000 acres of important wildlife habitat. The move would save the lands from development even as it appears increasingly likely those lands will surround a massive hydropower plant. Conservation groups and park officials have expressed opposition to the 1,300-megawatt power plant proposed for the Eagle Mountain area, which they say would diminish an underground water supply critical to the national park and harm several at-risk species, including desert tortoises and bighorn sheep. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,lyh8,3e1o,1bct,ijo3 Rep. Cook Bill to Create Alabama Hills National Scenic Area Passes House Highland Community News, May 23, 2016 Rep. Paul Cook (R – Apple Valley) announced that his bill, H.R. 496, the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area Establishment Act, passed unanimously in the House of Representatives today. This legislation establishes the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, encompassing 18,610 acres of the scenic Alabama Hills. This designation would preserve this land for recreational use by the public and future generations. A Bureau of Land Management (BLM) map of the proposed Alabama Hills National Scenic Area can be found here. This bill guarantees that all recreational activities currently taking place in the Alabama Hills will continue. This includes not only hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, but hunting, fishing, and authorized motorized vehicle use as well. Additionally, recreational prospecting (rock-hounding) will continue to be allowed in historic mining areas under this legislation. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,1e07,f78j,1bct,ijo3 Berryessa chamber wants Napa County in charge of lake Daily Republic, May 24, 2016 The Lake Berryessa Chamber of Commerce has asked Rep. Mike Thompson to lead a revolution that would transfer ownership and control of the land around the lake to Napa County. The chamber “urges you to facilitate the transfer of ownership and management of the land area surrounding Lake Berryessa from the Bureau of Reclamation to Napa County,” the letter to Thompson dated Thursday states. “We need a revolutionary strategy to stop the death spiral of Lake Berryessa.” Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,eomq,lf8o,1bct,ijo3 Solar-thermal plant damaged by fire to be online in 3 weeks The Washington Times, May 25 ,2016 Officials say the huge Mojave Desert solar-thermal power plant damaged last week by fire could be back online within three weeks. David Knox, spokesman for plant operator NRG Energy, said Wednesday that mirrors misaligned during maintenance focused sunbeams in such a way that fire was sparked May 19. Knox says new safeguards will prevent the problem from happening again at Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System. The sprawling plant uses mirrors to focus sunlight on boilers at the top of three 459-foot towers, creating steam that drive turbines to produce electricity. The facility on the California-Nevada border is the largest of its kind in the world. Nobody was injured in the fire. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,iyuw,ky8i,1bct,ijo3 BLM Seeks Nominations to Central California, Northern California and Carrizo Plain Advisory Groups BLM is extending the call for public nominations to the Central California and Northern California resource advisory councils and the Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee. The groups advise the BLM on public land issues. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 30 days. The Central California RAC advises BLM officials for the Hollister, Mother Lode, Bakersfield, Ukiah and Bishop field offices. The Northern California Resource Advisory Council advises BLM officials for the Arcata, Redding, Eagle Lake and Applegate field offices. The Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee advises BLM officials for the monument. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,1sl7,6005,1bct,ijo3 BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS Agencies Release Study of ‘West-Wide’ Energy Corridors BLM, Department of Energy and Forest Service released a study that provides a foundation for upcoming regional reviews of energy corridors on western public lands to assess the need for revisions and provide greater public input regarding areas that may be well suited for transmission siting. The regional reviews will begin with priority corridors in southern California, southern Nevada and western Arizona, and provide more opportunities for collaboration with the public and Federal, Tribal, state and local governmental stakeholders. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,74u6,5dp7,1bct,ijo3 Video: This Week at Interior May 20, 2016 Sending graduates on their way at the nation's first tribal and state community college; welcoming the nation's newest citizens; BioBlitzing on the National Mall; telling the story of an American tragedy; sailing around the world in a traditional Polynesian canoe; getting public input on the federal coal program; marking the 11th annual Endangered Species Day; paying tribute to fallen officers with a candlelight vigil. (Department of Interior YouTube) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,9guv,992g,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK How many bat species are there worldwide? More than... a) 500 b) 1000 c) 1300 d) 1500 Keep reading for answer below UPCOMING EVENTS May 28, June 4 and June 11: BLM Revises Meeting Locations and Times for Rasor Off-Highway Vehicle Area Tours Due to anticipated high heat conditions, the BLM, Barstow Field Office, has revised the meeting time and location for the previously scheduled Rasor Road Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) area tour rides and meeting. The scheduled tour rides will provide a more detailed opportunity for the public to provide comments and concerns regarding land use, off-highway vehicle area access, visitor services, off-highway vehicle recreational opportunities, facilities, resource values, and monitoring. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,il6b,107c,1bct,ijo3 June 1: BLM Offering Firewood Cutting Permits at Recreation Site near Ferndale BLM is offering firewood cutting permits at the Lost Coast Headlands recreation site, six miles west of Ferndale.Permits will be available for purchase beginning Wednesday, June 1 and offered while supply lasts. Permits can be purchased at the Arcata Field Office, from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm Monday - Friday at 1695 Heindon Road in Arcata. Permits will allow wood cutters to remove downed trees from the recreation site in the designated wood cutting area. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,m95c,7pxl,1bct,ijo3 June 3: Free Nighttime Photography Workshop - June 3 A free workshop entitled, "Nighttime Photography: Tips and Tricks," will be presented Friday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m., in the King Range National Conservation Area. Participants will meet at the King Range Project Office, 768 Shelter Cove Rd., in Whitethorn to carpool to the workshop site. Participants will return to the office by 12:30 a.m. All are welcome; however, the focus will be for intermediate photographers with a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera. Pre-registration is not required. Participants should also bring a headlamp or flashlight, warm clothing, and water. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,fptm,jfcf,1bct,ijo3 June 4: National Trails Day June 4, 2016 is American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, the country’s largest celebration of trails. National Trails Day events will take place in every state across the country and will include hikes, biking and horseback rides, paddling trips, birdwatching, geocaching, gear demonstrations, stewardship projects and more. (American Hiking Society website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,7rvs,cldu,1bct,ijo3 June 14: Meeting Scheduled for Northwest California Integrated Resource Management Plan Anyone interested in public lands in Humboldt, Mendocino, Shasta, Trinity, Siskiyou, Butte and Tehama counties has an opportunity to share with the BLM their values regarding these lands, in a public meeting. The meeting will be held Tuesday, June 14, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the BLM Arcata Field Office, 1695 Heindon Road, in Arcata. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,96zz,80eg,1bct,ijo3 June 15: Experimental Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles Collect Data on Sage grouse Habitat BLM's Eagle Lake Field Office will offer an informational meeting on local use of Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) on June 15th from 5-6 pm. A UAV crew will demonstrate how UAVs collect data with examples of how the data is used for observing, monitoring, and measuring the landscape. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,dler,5if9,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER How many bat species are there worldwide? More than... Answer: c) More than 1300 species of bats account for approximately 20% of all mammal species, and most are highly beneficial. (Bat Conservation International) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2jwzr,3xn3,a4ip,kw10,1bct,ijo3 News.bytes is a publication of the Bureau of Land Management California. Bureau of Land Management California State Office 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W1623 Sacramento, Ca 95825 (916) 978-4600 www.blm.gov/ca/
