News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 750 - DECEMBER 1, 2016 - Your Public Lands - From the Field - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events YOUR PUBLIC LANDS Celebrating the Northern California Coastal Wilderness Act Volunteers from the Eel River Recovery Project, Cahto Tribe and local community worked with BLM Arcata Field Office staff to implement erosion prevention measures on a previously constructed fire containment line at the Cahto Peak area of the South Fork Eel Wilderness Area. The event was held to help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Northern California Coastal Wilderness Act which served to designate 273,000 acres as part of the Federal Wilderness Preservation System and 21 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,disr,9hmz,1bct,ijo3 Related: Northern California Coastal Wilderness Act (Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,kryc,14in,1bct,ijo3 NPLD Takes La Quinta Cove Back to Nature California's Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument hosted a well-attended, productive National Public Lands Day (NPLD) event at La Quinta Cove on Saturday, November 19,2016. More than 40 volunteers helped remove a grand total of 128 contractor size trash bags of invasive Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) from surrounding trails. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,jgn9,9nfh,1bct,ijo3 Related: National Public Lands Day 2016 (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,j813,wq9,1bct,ijo3 Wet fall should help winter birds migrating to Central Valley Sacramento Bee, November 27, 2016 A wet autumn should continue a trend this year of improving habitat for Swainson’s hawks, western sandpipers and other migratory birds that arrive in the Sacramento Valley via the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south migratory route, each winter. This year’s wet spring relieved drought conditions and led to an increase of California’s waterfowl population, according to an August report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The state’s population of ducks had dropped dramatically in 2015 because of the drought, but earlier this year the number of breeding ducks in California was up 30 percent over the year before, according to the wildlife service. Migratory birds that fly south from Alaska each winter gather in wildlife areas throughout California, including the Cosumnes River Preserve south of Elk Grove. The 50,000-acre preserve, filled with wetlands and meadows, is co-owned by state and local governments and nonprofits including the Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,cak1,exv,1bct,ijo3 Related: A Bucket List Must, Cosumnes River Preserve (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,8986,i7hz,1bct,ijo3 Big Thanks to Volunteers Working in the Volcanic Tablelands Last month, our Bishop Field Office hosted a stewardship project at the Sad Boulders climbing area in conjunction with The American Alpine Club’s Fall Highball event in Bishop, California. BLM staff worked with a group of 51 volunteer climbers to re-line and add new steps to the approach trail, clean up trash, and close unnecessary trails to prevent erosion. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,e62k,h5vm,1bct,ijo3 Supermoon captured on BLM-managed public lands The Cronan Ranch, pictured here is under the stewardship of the BLM Mother Lode Field Office and contains 12 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching and more near Pilot Hill, California. The area is part of the South Fork American River corridor. It was once home to riches with the discovery of gold just upstream at Sutter's Mill, which started the famed California Gold Rush. The area is now one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the United States with visitors coming from far and wide to enjoy the class 3+ rapids. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,f4hk,m0if,1bct,ijo3 Related: BLM California Instagram Takeover (@mypubliclands account) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,7eur,7hqg,1bct,ijo3 Coastal Volunteering Success Earlier this month we hosted a volunteer day at the Black Sands Beach overlook in the King Range National Conservation Area with the Lost Coast Interpretive Association and the Southern Humboldt Homeschool Community. About 40 parents, children and members of the public participated. Volunteers removed weeds and planted native plants, predominately native bunchgrasses. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,5n7d,gbl7,1bct,ijo3 Honoring National Public Lands Day and Veterans Day The BLM El Centro Field Office hosted an interpretive public hike and a 4x4 tour of Devil's Canyon for active military members and veterans. The event included several members of the Jacumba Hikers, the Tierra Del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club of San Diego and Straightline Engineering Jeep Club. The 4x4 event included vehicles from highly modified Jeep's to custom made rock crawlers. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,a871,8gja,1bct,ijo3 FROM THE FIELD 2 Million Year Old Duck Prints Found Palm Springs Field Office Archaeologist, George Kline, arranged for a group of California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program volunteers to help record a newly discovered prehistoric archaeological site in the Dos Palmas Preserve. The site was discovered a year ago after a lightning fire burned off much of the vegetation adjacent to the site. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,d74n,m0k1,1bct,ijo3 BLM and Forest Service Team Up to Protect Bats and Public Land Visitors In late November, the BLM and Forest Service teamed up to install a bat gate at an abandoned mining adit in the greater Lake Isabella area in California. The adit posed a public safety concern and was identified by the local community as being in need of closure. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,4kci,1084,1bct,ijo3 Meet the Arcata's Watershed Stewards Program Members Our Arcata Field Office recently welcomed Nicole Bejar and Emily Moloney of the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) to the office. The WSP members will spend their 10-month term working with a team of BLM mentors to monitor aquatic species and their habitats, with an emphasis on ESA-listed anadromous salmonids. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,fv7t,3s77,1bct,ijo3 Helicopter Wood Placement near the Mattole River Estuary The Arcata Field Office has a long history of watershed restoration and partnerships in the Mattole River. The Mattole River Watershed encompasses a large portion of the King Range National Conservation Area... An active restoration community continues to work on restoring and recovering this remarkable landscape. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,xmz,a974,1bct,ijo3 If You Build It, They Will Come: Bitter Creek Wildlife Refuge Creates Ideal Habitat for Giant Kangaroo Rat With over 14,000 acres of habitat supporting hundreds of animal and plant species, there is no such thing as a "typical day" on Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Bitter Creek)—but some days stand out more than others. That was certainly the case on September 30, 2016 when a giant kangaroo rat was discovered in the north-western portion of the refuge...The presence of giant kangaroo rats on the refuge—and other small mammals—is an indication of a healthy ecosystem. The north-western portion of the refuge borders the Carrizo Plain National Monument (managed by the Bureau of Land Management) and it is not uncommon for species from the Carrizo Plain to cross over into Bitter Creek. (USFWS Pacific Southwest Region) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,cm1c,6ibc,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS Veterans Day 2016 at the General Patton Museum On a beautiful California desert day, the General Patton Museum at Chiriaco Summit hosted their annual Veterans Day Celebration on November 11, 2016. The program included a WWII War Bird Flyover, participation of military units from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Bureau of Land Management State Director, Jerry Perez, and Palm Springs-South Coast Field Manager, Doug Herrema. The event also included the unveiling of a memorial to fallen Palm Springs Police Department Officers. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,gxiv,exgm,1bct,ijo3 'They're a lot like us': Program pairs inmates, wild horses Associated Press, November 27, 2016 Jail inmates and wild horses are helping each other learn to adapt through a California program aimed at preparing both for society. Inmates at Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in rural Elk Grove spend 40 hours a week training mustangs that federal land managers gather from overpopulated areas in 10 Western states. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,atz2,krmx,1bct,ijo3 Young elephant seals practice fasting and sparring The Cambrian, November 22, 2016 Juvenile seals are still on the beach, the last of the juvenile fall haul-out. Most will be gone by the time the adult bulls start arriving at the end of the month. Young seals, mostly males younger than 6 years, haven’t eaten for the six weeks or so they have spent on the beach. The long fast gets their bodies accustomed to the longer fasts they will endure as adults. Bulls spend as long as 100 days on the beach without food during the December through February breeding season. Read full story http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,c092,4dmp,1bct,ijo3 Headwaters Trail and More BLM Projects Lost Coast Outpost, audio, November 2016 This morning Carol Vander Meer, my new Happy Trails Co-Host and I talked with Ben Blom of the Bureau of Land Management about new trail being proposed for the Headwaters Forest along the Elk River corridor. We also talked about mountain biking opportunities at Lax Creek, the trail up at Lighthouse Ranch near Table Bluff, and the Lost Coast Headlands with new trail construction and interpretive signs. Listen to interview http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,ctjc,j0su,1bct,ijo3 BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS BLM Finalizes Rule to Make Land Use Plans More Responsive to Community Needs The Bureau of Land Management issued an updated rule that will make its land use planning more accessible to the public, more responsive to the changing conditions on the public lands, and more efficient. The BLM developed this rule through years of work with state and local governments, cooperators, communities, stakeholders, and the public at large. The rule updates regulations that are more than 30 years old, provides additional and more robust opportunities for input into the agency’s planning process, and ensures that science is a cornerstone of the BLM’s planning work. The BLM launched this effort after hearing from stakeholders that the current planning process is too slow and cumbersome. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,ly5g,7h88,1bct,ijo3 >From Sea to Shining Sea - U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Travels Coast to Coast The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree has made it to Washington, D.C.! The tree spent two lovely nights in the BLM Idaho Falls District ware yard before making its way across the United States to shine brightly on Washington D.C’s Capitol Hill. This year’s tree, an 80-foot tall Engelman Spruce, came from the Payette National Forest near Boise, Idaho and made 15 stops throughout the Gem State before landing to the west lawn in Washington D.C. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,931f,gxjp,1bct,ijo3 BLM Celebrates Its "Heritage Heroes" Earlier this year, the BLM celebrated the winners of the “Heritage Heroes Awards”. Individuals and groups comprised of BLM employees, BLM volunteers, or project partners were nominated for their significant support of the cultural heritage, history, paleontological resources, tribal consultation, or museum collections programs. Below we share the work of these remarkable individuals as a teaser for the announcement of the newest winners of the Awards, which we will be featuring each month. Congratulations to all the Heritage Heroes Award winners! (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,lr5c,kafo,1bct,ijo3 On-the-ground with AIM BLM knows how important science and technology are to monitoring landscape changes on public lands. That’s why we’re using the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Strategy in our field offices. AIM uses a scientific methodology to collect information about land and water and evaluate rangeland health. Because of the way data are collected, stored and managed within the AIM framework, we can answer questions about the condition and trend of the lands we manage at the field office, state, eco-regional, and national levels. (My Public Lands Tumblr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,4dj7,gsst,1bct,ijo3 Video: Mining for Minerals 1000 Feet Underground Follow BLM staff as they tour a lead mine in southeastern Missouri. The Doe Run mining complex consists of several mines, and federal mineral leases administered by the BLM. This is the largest hard rock royalty generator in the United States, annually contributing $10 million in royalties to American taxpayers through the U.S. Treasury. Mineral development is one of many important land uses that ensures the BLM generates more revenue than the agency costs to run. (BLM Eastern States Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,l2ng,jdoy,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK True or false? Giant kangaroo rats have large, fur-lined cheek poucheson each side of their mouth used for storing seeds. Keep reading for answer below. UPCOMING EVENTS December 3: BLM, Latino Outdoors Host Youth Event at Cosumnes River Preserve On Saturday, December 3, the Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with Latino Outdoors and the Generation Green program at Grant High School, will host the second annual Explore My Backyard event at the Cosumnes River Preserve. The event is geared towards Latino youth and families from the Sacramento and Central Valley areas, providing an opportunity explore public lands and providing a platform to share cultural connections and narratives. (BLM Media Advisory) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,kf47,97jv,1bct,ijo3 December 4, January 8, February 5, March 5 and April 9: Young Explorers program launched at Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Two programs are combined to make this new Young Explorer program. Story hour and a map and compass class. RSVPs are required as space is limited to 14 in each class, please call (760) 862-9984. Participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,13r8,jg3m,1bct,ijo3 December 10: Wild Horse and Burro Adoption The BLM and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center present five saddle trained horses for a BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program adoption. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,23eb,4yd7,1bct,ijo3 December 19: BLM Sets Meeting on Vehicle, Aircraft use in Wild Horse and Burro Program The Bureau of Land Management will host a hearing about the use of aircraft and motor vehicles in wild horse and burro management on public lands Monday, December 19, at 6:30 p.m., at the Hyatt Place Sacramento/Roseville, 220 Conference Center Drive, Roseville. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,fne8,f82b,1bct,ijo3 December 28: Holidays at the Piedras Blancas Light Station The Piedras Blancas Light Station Association will be hosting a Holiday Open House on Wednesday, December 28 between 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. The event is by reservation only due to limited parking at the Light Station. The cost is $25 per car, to be paid when making the reservation. Please call (805) 924-1807 or email piedrasblancastours@xxxxxxxxx. Now - January 3: BLM Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Fort Ord Supplementary Rules The Bureau of Land Management is asking for public comment on language clarification for the proposed supplementary rules for the Fort Ord National Monument Dog Management Plan. Comments will be accepted until January 3, 2017. The rules designate areas of the monument where off-leash opportunities exist for dogs and areas where leash requirements are in place. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,89y9,ec7w,1bct,ijo3 January 9: Travel Notice - BLM will Require Overnight Wilderness Reservations in King Range The Bureau of Land Management will require permits by reservation for overnight use in the King Range Wilderness and Backcountry Management Zone of the King Range National Conservation Area beginning January 9, 2017. The requirement will not affect day-use visitors or campgrounds outside the wilderness or backcountry areas. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,bxq8,3ck,1bct,ijo3 Now - February 3: BLM Seeks Comment on Proposed Northwest California Resource Management Plan The Bureau of Land Management is asking for public comments on issues that should be addressed as it begins developing a Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for public lands managed by the Redding and Arcata field offices. The Northwest California Integrated Resource Management Plan will guide the agency in decision making on these public lands for the next 15 to 20 years. It affects about 400,000 acres of public land in Del Norte, Siskiyou, Shasta, Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Tehama, and Butte counties. (BLM News Release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,5nwq,hgce,1bct,ijo3 April 10 and 15: Leave No Trace Master Educator Training Backcountry Horsemen of California are conducting a Leave No Trace Master Educator Training. The five-day Leave No Trace Master Educator Course is designed for individuals who will be teaching Leave No Trace Trainer Courses and Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops. Applications are being accepted until January 2017. (Backcountry Horsemen of California website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,dhm3,3b8d,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER True or false? Giant kangaroo rats have large, fur-lined cheek poucheson each side of their mouth used for storing seeds. True! The giant kangaroo rat has been federally listed as endangered since 1987 and the Service released a recovery plan shortly after that summarizes a variety of recovery strategies for this species and 33 others in the San Joaquin Valley. The giant kangaroo rat has a diet that primarily includes seeds, but when compared to the other 20 species in its genus, it is the largest—with an adult weighing between 4.6 and 6.4 ounces and 12.2 to 13.7 inches long. It is mostly active between sunset and sunrise—spending non-foraging hours in complex burrows that can have five or more openings. It is the keystone species of the desert ecosystem. Its burrows serve as home to federally listed blunt-nosed leopard lizards and other species and it is prey for larger animals, such as the San Joaquin kit fox. (USFWS Pacific Southwest Region) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2one2,3xn3,92xp,iveg,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/
