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- Great American Eclipse |
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| GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE | ||||
| On Monday, August 21, millions of people across the United States saw one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights -- a total solar eclipse. With wide-open spaces and low light pollution, public lands in the path of totality, managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming were popular places for viewing this rare event. | ||||
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The Solar Eclipse: Highlights From Its Path Across the United StatesAt Depoe Bay, near where the line of totality first touched the United States, a flock of sea gulls hidden in fog called out loudly then went suddenly quiet. A chorus of gasps rang out among the scattered crowd of about a hundred still gathered at Government Point as the sun disappeared. Then a cheer went up as all dropped into darkness. (The New York Times) |
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Scientists Discovered Helium During A Total Solar EclipseHelium is named after Helios, the Greek name for the Sun, because scientists discovered the element thanks to a total solar eclipse. By the late 19th century, astronomers had gotten pretty good at predicting solar eclipses, and many were eagerly looking forward to the one scheduled for August 18, 1868, because they had a new idea to put to the test. Gustav Kirchhoff had written in 1859 that if you could look at the spectrum of light emitted by a star, you could match each wavelength of light to the chemical element that emitted it. The result would work sort of like a barcode, telling you what the star was made of. Kirchhoff's colleagues in the nineteenth-century scientific community were eager to try out his method. (Forbes) |
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See What the Solar Eclipse Looked Like From OregonA total solar eclipse started in Oregon before moving eastward across the U.S. on Monday. The rare phenomenon marked the first time since 1979 that an eclipse was visible from the contiguous U.S. — a narrow portion of the country was in the eclipse's path of totality and saw the eclipse in full, while the rest of North America saw a partial eclipse. (TIME) |
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Great American Eclipse Thrills and Chills Idaho ViewersThe Great American Eclipse came and went across the Gem State on Monday — with lots of oohs and aahs, but not the hordes of visitors to Idaho that many expected... Before the eclipse, there were predictions that upward of 20,000 people could show up each day over several days in Weiser for the celestial celebration. And while the actual numbers fell short overall, Monday’s crowd was estimated to still be as robust as several thousand people, and the excitement was still strong in the tiny town northwest of Boise. (Idaho Statesman) |
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After Eclipse, Travelers Say Two Great Minutes Were Worth the TroubleLindsay Bashford traveled more than five thousand miles from his home in England for an experience that lasts about half the time of the average pop song. So were the thousands of miles and dollars, and the various headaches of travel worth it to see a solar eclipse in Idaho Falls? "Absolutely," Bashford said. "Exactly what I had hoped to see being a dream for my entire lifetime." (FOX 13) |
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More than a Million People Visited Wyoming for Eclipse, Early Estimates ShowWyoming’s population almost tripled for a day during Monday’s eclipse, according to early estimates. The Wyoming Department of Transportation reported a 494,000-car increase over the normal five-year average for that day. “If you go by yesterday, with 494,000 cars, and figure two people in every car, you could say roughly a million people,” said Jeff Goetz, a public information officer for the department. “I don’t see why not.” (Casper Star Tribune) |
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| COMMERCIAL | ||||
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Grazing to Continue on Parts of Craters of the MoonThe Bureau of Land Management announced that livestock grazing will continue on BLM-managed portions of the Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. The decision demonstrates the Trump Administration’s effort to support traditional uses such as grazing on public lands while providing opportunities for recreation and promoting conservation. (BLM news release) |
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BLM to Offer 45 Parcels in December Oil and Gas Lease SaleIn keeping with the Administration’s goal of strengthening America’s energy independence, the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming will offer 45 parcels totaling 72,843.75 acres in the High Desert District at its December quarterly oil and gas lease sale. The BLM will hold the lease sale online via www.energynet.com. (BLM news release) |
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BLM Proposes to Rescind Rule on Hydraulic FracturingAs part of President Trump’s goal to reduce the burden of Federal regulations that hinder economic growth and energy development, the Bureau of Land Management announced in the Federal Register a proposal to rescind the 2015 final rule on hydraulic fracturing—a rule that was never in effect due to pending litigation. The proposal includes the opportunity for public comment. (BLM news release) |
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| RECREATION | ||||
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Video: BLM Welcomes Speed Week to Utah's Bonneville Salt FaltsThe Bureau of Land Management Utah Salt Lake Field Office welcomes the Southern California Timing Association and Speed Week racers to the Bonneville Salt Flats from Aug. 12-18, 2017. For over a hundred years, the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats have served as a world-famous racing ground for land speed racers. (BLM Utah Facebook) |
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Video: One Less Spark One Less WildfireHunting season is upon us and we are asking everyone to prepare your trailers and vehicles before heading out. Please park on hard surfaces as well, cheatgrass is so dry that the exhaust can ignite a wildfire quickly! (BLM Nevada Facebook)
Related: Fuel loading and fire safety (BLM Nevada Facebook) |
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Find Your Public Lands AdventureAre you craving some fun in the sun, a thrilling outdoor experience or a chance to witness an incredible natural phenomenon? America’s public lands offer endless opportunities for fun and adventure! DOI compiled a list of a just a few of the best events on public lands throughout the year. From Salt Flat racing in Utah to manatee watching in Florida to casting a line in Georgia, there’s fun for the whole family. This list includes incredible adventures, but it’s only a sampling of the opportunities available on public lands. (DOI blog) |
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Leave No Trace With Us: Plan Ahead and PrepareWe’re partnering up with Leave No Trace to bring you important and useful tips to Leave No Trace as you visit your public lands. There are seven Principles of Leave No Trace and we’ll be sharing them over the next seven weeks so be sure to follow along! (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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Learn About the T.R.E.A.D PrinciplesSummer is prime recreation season across the nation. Public lands make amazing destinations for all kinds of adventures. The Bureau of Land Management works with partners like Tread Lightly! to help educate public lands users on how to enjoy being outdoors while being safe and treating the land responsibly. By practicing outdoors ethics, you are helping ensure future generations will continue to enjoy public lands. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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#FindYourWay on America's Wild and Scenic RiversAmerica’s rivers have long served as workhorses supporting the exploration, transportation systems, and industrial and agricultural development of our nation. In 1968 Congress passed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to ensure that some of our most cherished river segments are conserved in their natural, untamed state for us and for future generations, and next year marks the 50th anniversary of this landmark act. From placid canoe streams to rushing whitewater kayak runs, from icy trout-filled brooks to lazy cypress lined bayous, the system contains America’s best free-flowing waterways. There are 208 river segments in 40 states that are part of the system. (DOI blog) |
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| CONSERVATION | ||||
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Surveying Bats in MontanaBats. Lots of bats… and right now, they’re headed north. Many people may regard springtime as the season when Montana prairies abound with the songs of feathered migrants arriving from warmer, southern climes, but it’s not just birds winging their way northward this time of year. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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BLM Idaho Plants Sagebrush for Soda Fire RehabStanding on a hillside of foot-high grass, it is hard to believe you are inside a massive wildland fire burn less than two years old. It looks like a sea of native regrowth, but what’s really lurking here are the bright green shoots of invasive annual grasses. Their appearance is the unfortunate hallmark of a fire-altered landscape. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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Arizona Summer Surprises VisitorsSouthern Arizona can look pretty lackluster most summers -not this year. The monsoon season has brought vivid colors to the desert. Greenery is flourishing all around your public lands, poppies can be found near washes throughout the desert, and the barrel cacti are showing off there vibrant petals. (BLM Arizona Facebook) |
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Partnering for Wyoming WildernessThe Bureau of Land Management, the Wyoming Conservation Corps, and the Wyoming Wilderness Association recently collaborated to support conservation of the Northern Red Desert. During the 10-day project, which took place in July 2017, students from the University of Wyoming placed 113 signs indicating the boundary for five of the nine Wilderness Study Areas in the Northern Red Desert. The effort will help preserve the area’s unique features and landscape. (BLM news release) |
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Exposing Youth to Conservation CareersNick's Interns was founded in 2004 by a local family in memory of their son who worked as a student at the King Range National Conservation Area. The program’s primary goal is to expose area youth to conservation careers through paid internships in order to break cycles of poverty and drug abuse. This is achieved by offering them the experience, confidence and skills to get involved in community efforts to restore local watersheds as well as opportunities to explore resource management careers with government agencies. (BLM California Facebook) |
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| HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS | ||||
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Celebrating Improvements to the Bruneau Canyon OverlookIn June 2017, 100 people drove 24 miles southeast of the small town of Bruneau to celebrate recent improvements to the Canyon Overlook site. The overlook provides spectacular views of the Bruneau- Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness and the Bruneau Wild and Scenic River Area, and now boasts an ADA accessible pathway, restroom facilities, interpretation and an improved overlook site. This Wilderness area represents a significant collaborative process that brought the Tribes, ranchers, BLM and environmental organizations together to protect its open spaces in what is known as the Owyhee Initiative. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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Rescue Alaskan Youth Say Yes to Y.E.S.In order to get youth involved in nature, BLM Alaska attended the annual Youth Environmental Summit (YES), hosted by the Native Village of Gakona, where kids can learn about the area’s natural resources. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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Rescue the Rogue: Firefighters save Zane Grey’s cabinA few years ago, Western author Zane Grey's historic Oregon cabin had to be turned into a space-age silver chalet to protect it from raging summer firestorms. But before there was a cabin to save, there was a man. His name was Zane Grey. Zane Grey, one of the earliest masters of the American western novel, made Oregon's Rogue River not only the backdrop to his novel, Rogue River Feud. He also made this area his home. (BLM Oregon Facebook) |
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BLM Joins Partners at the 18th National Boy Scouts of America JamboreeThe Bureau of Land Management joined over 20,000 Scouts, Scoutmasters, and visitors in the 18th National Boy Scouts of America Jamboree taking place July 19-28. Boy Scouts will be coming from all across the country, as well as a few from abroad, to learn about leadership, earn merit badges and explore the great outdoors. The Jamboree will take place at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, adjacent to the New River Gorge National River, Mount Hope, West Virginia. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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Volunteers Help BLM Celebrate National Trails DayFor Mel Langdon, volunteering at the BLM Campbell Tract on National Trails Day is about paying it forward. “I raised some kids and they came out here for camps,” said Langdon. “I appreciate all the facilities that are here. So this is payback for that and for the next kids coming up.” Langdon was one of about 30 people who came to help build and repair fences, plant trees, improve access to Campbell Creek, and weed and replant the gardens at the BLM Campbell Tract on National Trails Day on June 3. While taking a break from building fences, Langdon mentioned that she has participated in Trails Day projects at the Campbell Tract for more than 10 years. She was not the only returning volunteer. (My Public Lands Tumblr) |
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Feedback on Recently Updated BLM.gov WebsiteWe recently updated our website. Content is updated daily and we would like to thank you for your patience. If you encounter issues with the site please let us know so we can better serve you. Please email us at newmedia@xxxxxxx. |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK | ||||
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True or false, fish love trees? Keep reading for answer below. |
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| DOI HIGHLIGHTS | ||||
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Secretary Zinke Sends Monument Report to the White HouseToday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke sent a draft report to the president which included his findings and recommendations on national monuments that were under review as a result of the April 26, 2017 executive order. The report summary can be read here. The extensive 120-day review included more than 60 meetings with hundreds of advocates and opponents of monument designations, tours of monuments conducted over air, foot, car, and horseback (including a virtual tour of a marine monument), and a thorough review of more than 2.4 million public comments submitted to the Department on regulations.gov. Additionally, countless more meetings and conversations between senior Interior officials and local, state, Tribal, and non-government stakeholders including multiple Tribal listening sessions. (DOI news release) |
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Deputy Secretary Bernhardt Announces $25.6 Million in Historic Preservation Grants to States and to TribesU.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt with the National Park Service announced the distribution of an additional $21 million in historic preservation grants to every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, and partnering nations as well as $4.6 million for historic preservation grants to 169 Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. This funding, along with $32.6 million awarded earlier this year under a continuing resolution, represents a total of $58 million that the National Park Service has invested in the preservation efforts of states and tribes this year. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Announces No Changes to Sand to Snow National Monument in CaliforniaU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that California’s Sand to Snow National Monument is no longer under review and that he will recommend no changes be made to the existing monument. The monument was under review in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017, executive order. “Today, I am recommending that no changes be made to the Sand to Snow National Monument and that the Monument is no longer under official Department of the Interior review,” said Secretary Zinke. “The land of Sand to Snow National Monument is some of the most diverse terrain in the West, and the monument is home to incredible geographic, biologic, and archaeological history of our nation.” (DOI news release) |
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Deputy Secretary Bernhardt Announces More Than $52 Million in Federal Funding To Bolster Tribal, State Wildlife Conservation ProjectsU.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced more than $52 million in funding to Native American tribes and state wildlife agencies through the Tribal Wildlife Grant program and the State Wildlife Grants program. The funds, which are provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, give support for a diverse array of species and habitats across the country. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Expands Hunting and Fishing Opportunities at 10 National Wildlife RefugesIn his latest effort to increase access to hunting and fishing on public lands and waters, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced a proposal to open or expand opportunities at 10 national wildlife refuges. If finalized, this would bring the number of refuges where the public may hunt up to 373, and up to 312 where fishing would be permitted. (DOI news release) |
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Interior Repeals Defective Federal Mineral Valuation RuleTo create more workable oil, gas and mineral valuation regulations and avoid costly litigation, the Department of the Interior today announced the repeal of the Consolidated Federal Oil and Gas and Federal and Indian Coal Valuation Reform Rule (Valuation Rule) which had created confusion and uncertainty regarding how companies report and pay royalties on energy and other mineral resources from federal onshore and offshore areas and American Indian lands. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke Statement on Sage Grouse ReportU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke received a report from the Department of the Interior Sage-Grouse Review Team regarding possible plan and policy modifications to complement state efforts to improve Greater Sage-Grouse conservation and economic development on public lands. The report is the final product required by Secretarial Order 3353 “Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation and Cooperation with Western States” issued June 7, 2017. The report as well as the cover letter from the BLM to the Secretary, and the memo from Secretary Zinke to Deputy Secretary David Bernhardt is available here. (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Recommends No Changes to Grand Canyon-Parashant National MonumentU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced Arizona’s Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is no longer under review and that he will recommend that no changes be made to the monument. The monument was under review in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017, executive order. “Today I’m announcing that Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument’s review process has concluded and I am recommending no changes be made to the monument,” said Secretary Zinke. “The land has some of the most pristine and undeformed geological formations in North America, which show the scientific history of our earth while containing thousands of years of human relics and fossils.” (DOI news release) |
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Secretary Zinke Recommends No Modifications to Upper Missouri River Breaks National MonumentU.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced Montana’s Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is no longer under review and that he will recommend to the President that no modifications be made to the monument. The monument was under review in accordance with President Donald J. Trump’s April 26, 2017 executive order. “Today I’m announcing the review of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument has concluded and I am recommending to the President that no changes be made to the monument,” said Secretary Ryan Zinke. “The monument is one of the only free-flowing areas of the Missouri that remains as Lewis and Clark saw it more than 200 years ago." (DOI news release) |
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Interior Announces Revised Strategy, Policies to More Effectively Reduce Fractionation of Tribal LandsFollowing extensive analysis and feedback received from tribal leaders and American Indian landowners, the Department of the Interior announced a revised strategy for the consolidation of fractional land interests through the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations. The strategy, which will more effectively allocate the remaining Program funds to reduce the maximum amount of fractional interests, includes a revised schedule for implementation, as well as new opportunities for tribal governments to use the Program’s tools and systems to facilitate their own land consolidation initiatives. (DOI news release) |
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Interior Secretary Zinke Applauds Confirmation of David Bernhardt as Deputy Secretary of the InteriorDepartment of the Interior veteran David Bernhardt was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Interior’s Deputy Secretary. He will be sworn-in in the coming days. “Finally, after months of waiting for confirmation in the Senate, I'm excited to welcome David Bernhardt back to the Department to serve as Interior's Deputy Secretary,” said Secretary Ryan Zinke. “David's extensive experience serving under previous Interior secretaries, his esteemed legal career, and down-right love of our land and resources is exactly what is needed to help streamline government and make the Interior and our public lands work for the American economy. I look forward to swearing him in and having him on board to help put America First.” (DOI news release) |
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| WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER | ||||
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We all know fish live in water, but many of us don’t realize that their world stretches up onto the banks and beyond. Sure, fish don’t occupy that space. But what happens out of the water can affect them profoundly. This story is about the quiet love affair between fish and trees. What happens in the riparian zone — the land next to rivers and streams — doesn’t always stay there. Trees frequently topple over and fall in. Here, they begin a new chapter where fish, not birds, flit about their branches and roots. (The Quiet Love Affair Between Fish and Trees via USFWS Alaska) |
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