News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 732 - JULY 7, 2016 - Your Public Lands - Wildfire - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events YOUR PUBLIC LANDS Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, Happy Birthday To You! On July 10 of last year, 330,780 acres of public land joined the ranks of America’s National Monuments. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was created by Presidential Proclamation with 133,566 acres to be managed by the BLM Ukiah Field Office and 197,214 acres to be managed by the Mendocino National Forest. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,5eue,llb6,1bct,ijo3 Related: Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,erem,5hck,1bct,ijo3 Related: Check out a new national monument in Napa and Lake Counties (Via Magazine) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,fsct,5cn6,1bct,ijo3 Proud American Happy 4th Of July! Fox News shares, "America the Beautiful", a tribute featuring just a few stunning BLM-managed public land locations including Cosumnes River Preserve in California. (Fox News Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,1hiq,lvpe,1bct,ijo3 King Peak The King Range is part of the greater North Coast Range, which extends north from San Francisco and tapers to a sliver, pinched against the Pacific Ocean by the Klamath Mountains, in northern Humboldt County. The Lost Coast presents assemblages of plant (known as associations) that have puzzled botanists for years. (Hiking Humboldt blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,am7a,7049,1bct,ijo3 Welcome to Week 4 of the virtual #mypubliclandsroadtrip 2016 - Take the Backroads! Last week, #mypubliclandsroadtrip featured Extreme Public Lands for mountain biking, climbing, rafting, 4x4 and more adventures on America’s public lands. From July 5-10, #mypubliclandsroadtrip explores scenic backroads and byways for unique historic, geologic and recreation resources. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,75cg,79kz,1bct,ijo3 Related: New story books that recap roadtrip stops (Steller) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,m5ef,ecpx,1bct,ijo3 Related: Extreme Public Lands (Esri storymap journal) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,2uu1,d6jk,1bct,ijo3 WILDFIRE Drones Impede Wildfire Efforts Wall Street Journal, July 6, 2016 There is a growing trend in drone interference in wildfire-fighting efforts out West. Drone sightings can stall efforts if they lead to firefighting aircraft having to be grounded. The Federal Aviation Administration has rules that prohibit drone operators from flying above 400 feet and require them to keep clear of any piloted aircraft. Since firefighting planes fly low and slow, added with poor visibility, unmanned drones pose serious risks for collision. This week the FAA sent an email to registered drone operators to remind them of these rules and of a potential $27,500 civil penalty for flying drones over or near wildfires. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,bprj,1rik,1bct,ijo3 Related: If You Fly, We Can't (CAL Fire website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,l5yf,g1qs,1bct,ijo3 Fire Rehabilitation Begins with the READ Team The recent Erskine Fire, near Lake Isabella stood up a Type 1 Incident Command System which is the largest support function team available, capable of supporting major incidents such as very large fires, hurricanes and natural disasters. The Erskine Fire Type 1 team was a multi-agency operation with over 2,000 fire personnel and fire support people assigned along with air assets. Immersed in all of this operational complexity was a team called READ. REsource ADvisors on the Erskine Fire consisted of archaeologists, wildlife biologists, botanists, hydrologists, ecologists, and civil engineers. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,ki0t,97om,1bct,ijo3 BLM Firefighters Are Celebrity Readers Engine Metro 3130 crew members from the BLM Bakersfield Field Office recently participated in Celebrity Reader Day at John L. Prueitt Elementary school in Wasco, California. The purpose of Celebrity Reader Day was to gather local celebrities from various professions to read a short story and talk about the importance of reading. Crew members were asked to read books in front of classes ranging from kindergarten through sixth grade. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,f7zh,8v60,1bct,ijo3 State Director Perez Visits Eastern Sierras California State Director Jerry Perez saw public lands from Topaz to the Alabama Hills during a recent visit to the Eastern Sierras. He visited crews at Topaz and Mono Basin interagency fire stations. In the Bodie Hills, he learned about projects to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire and improve sage grouse habitat, as well as being hosted on a tour of Bodie State Park by State Parks staff and volunteers. (News.Bytes story) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,e2yc,g4ei,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Amah Mutsun Native Americans partner with BLM on land management deal San Jose Inside, July 6, 2016 Amah Mutsun Native American tribe has entered “into an agreement with the Bureau of Land Management,” which manages “most of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies property,” giving the tribe “equal authority over the property to manage native plants, preserve wildlife and undertake a more culturally sensitive approach to archaeology.” With the deal, tribe members “are waiting for either Congress or President Obama to issue a declaration” designating the property as the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,73ed,dlp3,1bct,ijo3 Clear Creek Management Area would reopen under House-passed measure LA Times, July 7, 2016 The House passed legislation directing the Bureau of Land Management to open the 75,000-acre Clear Creek Management Area in San Benito and Fresno counties to recreational use, including off-road vehicles, hikers and hunters. The unanimous voice vote, a common method of passing non-controversial bills, occurred Tuesday evening. It next goes to the Senate. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,4ny8,ckyp,1bct,ijo3 BLM Desert Advisory Council Announces Special Recreation Permit Subgroup Members The BLM, California Desert District Advisory Council, has selected members to its Special Recreation Permit (SRP) Subgroup. Representatives on the subgroup are Jim Woods (California Off-Road Vehicle Association – Southern Region), Jerry Grabow (American Motorcyclist Association – District 37), Linda Koch (Equestrian Interests), Robert Koch (Off-Road and Equestrian Interests) and Randy Banis (Desert Advisory Council Representative). The SRP Subgroup is tasked with identifying operational issues in the application of required recreation permits, providing comments about current or proposed actions by BLM, and aiding in accurately communicating recreation permit procedures to interested parties. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,2igx,ft79,1bct,ijo3 BLM Announces Dog Management Plan on Fort Ord National Monument The BLM has released a Decision Record on a plan that covers dog use on the Fort Ord National Monument. Interim dog leash requirements went into effect last year to keep visitors and their pets outside areas where the Army performs munitions cleanup. These interim requirements were designed to protect the wildlife and livestock from dog attacks, and reduce conflicts between off-leash dogs and the growing number of visitors. Visitation has increased from 250,000 annual visits in 2012 to over 400,000 annual visits in 2014. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,9ph5,dpqx,1bct,ijo3 Related: BLM’s Fort Ord National Monument dog management plan includes off-leash areas (Monterey Herald) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,8be0,ejbp,1bct,ijo3 These federal rules are supposed to help solar power. Critics say they would do the opposite. The Desert Sun, June 30, 2016 In a landmark announcement, President Barack Obama joined with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to pledge that North America will get half of its electricity from climate-friendly energy sources by 2025, in an effort to slow global warming. But in California, renewable energy developers are wondering whether Obama’s actions will live up to his words. Over the last few months, solar and wind industry groups have been fighting federal regulations they say would make it difficult if not impossible to build clean energy projects on public lands in the California desert, home to some of the state’s strongest sunlight and most powerful wind. If the new regulations are finalized as planned later this year, developers say, the United States could lose a major source of relatively cheap clean energy, and California could be forced to meet its own climate goals by buying more solar and wind power from out of state. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,fsx,iclh,1bct,ijo3 Related: Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,g9zw,m8p1,1bct,ijo3 Tribe gets more land after vote Visalia Times Delta, June 6, 2016 A bill granting additional acreage the Tule River Tribe, whose reservation land has been relocated and repeatedly appropriated by others since it was established in 1856, passed the House Tuesday evening by voice vote. The idea of transferring the federal Bureau of Land Management acreage in Tulare County to the tribe was proposed in a bill introduced by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,dn4o,9q2s,1bct,ijo3 BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS BLM Earns Three Customer Service Awards Secretary of the Interior presented the BLM with three 2016 Federal Customer Service Awards. The awards recognized the Recreation Mapping Project, work by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and Larry R. Primosch for their outstanding professionalism and public service. The Recreation Mapping initiative improved access to public lands by providing interactive mountain biking maps available online from any device. The interagency NWCG Program Management Unit was recognized for providing leadership to guide more than 30,000 wildland firefighters to increase their efficiency, effectiveness and capability. Mr. Primosch received an award for delivering exceptional service to customers requiring rights-of-way and other permits for activities on public land. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,18q7,2fmg,1bct,ijo3 Video: This Week at Interior July 1, 2016 Dedicating the first monument to LGBT civil rights at the Stonewall Inn in New York City; ensuring the gains of American Indians during the Obama era will continue into the next administration; modifying gathering rules for Native Americans on land managed by the National Park Service; improving regulations on valuation of oil, gas, and coal resources; honoring a Park Police Officer in Maryland; wishing everyone a safe and happy Independence Day weekend! (Department of Interior YouTube) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,mddd,33sn,1bct,ijo3 Interior Department Announces Final Regulations To Ensure American Public Receives Every Dollar Due for Production of Oil, Gas & Coal on Public Lands As part of the overall effort to modernize the Nation’s energy regulations, the Department of the Interior today released final regulations that will improve valuation and revenue collection for the country’s mineral resources, ensuring Americans receive every dollar due for production of those resources on public lands and waters. Developed by Interior’s Office of Natural Resources Revenue, the rule also provides the clarity and certainty for industry in determining the market value, for royalty purposes, of Federal oil and gas, and Federal and American Indian coal. (Department of Interior News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,a2tk,82c4,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK Which of the following is true about Pacific lampreys? a) Lampreys appear in the fossil record 500 million years ago, which means they predate dinosaurs. b) Pacific lampreys populations have experienced a dramatic decline, primarily due to dams and stream habitat degradation. c) Pacific lampreys, like salmon, spawn in freshwater and spend their adult lives in the ocean. d) Adult Pacific lampreys in the ocean are parasitic and feed on the bodily fluids of marine mammals, sharks, and other fish. e) The Eel River in northern California was given its name due to the abundance of “eels”… which were actually Pacific lamprey. f) All of the above. Keep reading for answer below. UPCOMING EVENTS July 13, 14, 19 and 21: Four Public Workshops Planned for Sand to Snow National Monument The Forest Service and BLM will be hosting four Sand to Snow National Monument collaborative workshops in the month of July. The workshops will provide an opportunity for information sharing between the public, Forest Service and BLM about the Sand to Snow National Monument. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,6qj4,af63,1bct,ijo3 July 14: BLM Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Public Land Withdrawal in Coolgardie Mesa and West Paradise Conservation Areas The BLM Barstow Field Office is seeking public comment on the Environmental Assessment released today for the proposed withdrawal of 10,094 acres of BLM-managed lands in the Coolgardie Mesa and West Paradise Conservation areas. The 30-day comment period ends July 14. The purpose of the withdrawal is to protect the Lane Mountain Milkvetch, an endangered federally listed plant. The Coolgate Mesa and the West Paradise Conservation area represent two-thirds of the plants’ known range. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,4qc2,2pj3,1bct,ijo3 July 23: Kayak the Lost Coast "Kayaking the Lost Coast" will be offered Saturday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., in Shelter Cove. Participants should meet at the boat launch site before 9 a.m. to register for the paddle. Please bring water, food, sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Those without their own kayaks and safety equipment can rent from Pacific Outfitters. There is a charge of $69 per person. To sign up for this trip, visit: www.pacificoutfittersadventures.com. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,e67q,fkz6,1bct,ijo3 July 25: BLM Seeks Desert District Advisory Council Nominations The BLM California Desert District is soliciting nominations from the public for four members of its California Desert Advisory Council to serve three-year terms. The council's 15 members provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on the management of over 10 million acres of public lands in eight counties of Southern California. Nominations will be accepted until July 25 for the four positions to be filled: one environmental protection, one public-at-large, one transportation/rights-of-way, and one non-renewable resource. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,ddjw,54dh,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER Which of the following is true about Pacific lampreys? f) All of the above. During a fish survey BLMer Zane Ruddy came across a pair of adult Pacific lamprey building a spawning nest (aka redd) in South Fork Bear Creek, a tributary to the Mattole River. This stretch of the creek falls within the King Range National Conservation Area. Based on conversations with a lamprey expert at the USFWS Pacific Southwest Region 2016 appears to be a remarkable year for Pacific lamprey in California, with reports of spawning activity coming from across the region. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,4m51,cbzf,1bct,ijo3 Related: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Luna the Lamprey outreach campaign (Luna the Lamprey Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2ky4h,3xn3,bzn4,2ugt,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/
