BLM California News.Bytes Issue 949

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Jagged rock on the coast.

Piedras Blancas Light Station Outstanding Natural Area, Bakersfield Field Office

ISSUE 949- May 7, 2021



Public Land Access

AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region Trail Crew working on a trail at the KING Range NCA.

AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region Trail Crew volunteering at the King Range NCA

The BLM King Range National Conservation Area is hard at work preparing trail systems for the upcoming summer season. Recently, the King Range had the pleasure of hosting an AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region Trail Crew, who worked diligently with BLM personnel to maintain and repair sections of the Lost Coast Trail and Paradise Royal Mountain Bike Trail. Over the course of two weeks, these young stewards of our public lands repaired, rerouted, and improved over twenty miles of trail. (BLM CA Facebook)

Desert landscape in the Amargosa Basin.

Bureau of Land Management invites public input on the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan

The Bureau of Land Management Barstow Field Office is opening the public scoping period for the development of the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan (plan). Members of the public are invited to attend a virtual presentation on May 12, 2021 at 4 p.m. via Zoom to provide scoping comments during the 30-day period which will close on June 1, 2021. (BLM CA News Release)

Campground.

BLM releases decision on McCain Valley campground modifications

The Bureau of Land Management El Centro Field Office has released a decision to move forward with water system upgrades and campsite modifications to Lark Canyon Campground and Day Use Area and Cottonwood Campground. The sites are located in McCain Valley, a remote part of eastern San Diego County, near Boulevard, Calif. (BLM CA News Release)

A herd of sheep grazing.

Cronan Ranch Trailhead parking area to temporarily close for 700 weed-eating sheep

A flock of nearly 700 sheep will arrive at the Bureau of Land Management’s Cronan Ranch Trailhead near Pilot Hill on Tuesday, May 11, to start their summer of grazing on troublesome yellow starthistle and medusahead plants. As a result, the parking area will be closed that day to allow room for unloading the animals and moving them to the recreation area. (BLM CA News Release)

a bike trail next to a river.

Sacramento River Rail Trail improvement projects require temporary closures

Crews from the Bureau of Land Management will be repairing fire damage and constructing fuel breaks along sections of the Sacramento River Rail Trail, requiring temporary closures on weekdays, from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m., now through May 21. (BLM News Release)


Headlines & Highlights

Tim-Gilloon

The Bureau of Land Management welcomes new field manager to Palm Springs-South Coast field office

Tim Gilloon joined the Bureau of Land Management Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office as the new field manager located in Palm Springs, Calif. Drawing on his years of combined experience from federal civil service, private industry, and the military, Tim is well prepared to take on his newest challenge as a BLM field manager responsible for more than 1.7 million acres of public lands within portions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. (BLM CA News Release)

 Cattle grazing.

BLM monitoring drought impacts, assessing changes in use

With drought impacts expected to intensify over the coming summer and fall months in California, resource management specialists in northeast California’s high desert rangelands will be paying close attention to conditions, including plant health and water availability, to determine if changes in land uses will be necessary. (BLM CA News Release)

Wild horse and burros in a coral.

BLM resumes adoption appointments at Ridgecrest Wild Horse and Burro Corrals

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is scheduling appointments for members of the public interested in adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro from the Ridgecrest Corrals near Ridgecrest, Calif. Those interested in visiting the facility and selecting a horse or burro can contact the corrals at 760-384-5765 and make arrangements. (BLM CA News Release)

Wild horses.

BLM sets public hearing for vehicle, aircraft use in wild horse, burro management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California will host a statewide virtual public hearing, Thursday, May 13, from 4 to 6 p.m., to discuss the use of motorized vehicles and aircraft in the monitoring and management of wild horses and burros on public lands managed by the BLM in California and northwest Nevada. Registration is required. (BLM CA News Release)


Fire & Fuels Management

A wildfire.

Wildfire Awareness Week

This week is Wildfire Awareness Week in California. The risk for catastrophic wildfires is exceptionally high due to drought and tree mortality. Are you ready for wildfire? Plan. Know. Act. (readyforwildfire.org)

A graphic that reads: Know the fire danger in your area and be aware of fire restrictions.

#WildfirePrevention matters!

All residents and vacationers need to be extra cautious outdoors, because one of the leading causes of wildfires is outdoor powered equipment. To prevent wildfire, use powered equipment before 10 a.m. and never on hot and windy days. Also, when clearing dead or dying grass, do not use a lawn mower or weed trimmer with a metal blade. Finally, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and is not dragging anything on the ground (e.g., trailer chains). Be sure to check local fire restrictions. (NIFC Facebook)

A fire dispatcher looking out of a window at a helicopter.

Are you interested in joining the BLM California team?

We post all of our position openings on www.usajobs.gov. In fact, today is the last day to apply for six exciting dispatch positions in the BLM California!
Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch), 0462-6/7, Various Locations
Fire Logistics Dispatcher, GS-2151-6/7, Various Locations. (BLM CA Facebook)

A firetruck on a road with firefighters.

BLM initiates seasonal fire, target shooting restrictions in California Desert District

The Bureau of Land Management has elevated seasonal fire restrictions effective May 6 for BLM California Desert District managed public lands within Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, southern Inyo, eastern Mono, San Diego, and eastern Kern counties. These restrictions will remain in effect until December 31, unless terminated sooner if conditions warrant. (BLM CA News Release)


Question of the Week - Wildlife

A tiger salamander.

True or False:

Some California Tiger Salamanders never grow up!

A. True
B. False

Keep scrolling to find out!


DOI & BLM National News

solar panels

Interior Department Approves Solar Energy Project in California Desert

Today, the Interior Department announced that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has given final approval to a new solar energy project on public lands in California. The Crimson Solar Project represents an investment of roughly $550 million and has the potential to deliver enough power to energize approximately 87,500 homes. (DOI News Release)

Ranger Tammy with a goat.

Recognizing Our Outstanding Public Servants

This past year @Interior's public servants continued to deliver for the American people, while also balancing virtual learning, working from home, and keeping their families and communities healthy. This week, we honor you! #PSRW (Secretary Deb Haaland Twitter)

A river snaking through a mountain landscape.

Biden administration launches America the Beautiful Initiative

Today, the Biden-Harris administration announced its vision for how the United States can work collaboratively to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation as the “America the Beautiful” initiative. (BLM Medium

A native American holding her red painted palm in front the camera.

This Week at Interior May 7, 2021

Secretary Haaland takes part in a red shawl ceremony on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day; Interior celebrates the historic and cultural contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders communities; the Bureau of Land Management gives a thumbs up to a new solar power project; a decades-long creek restoration project comes to completion in California; the USGS earthquake early-warning system expands to the entire West Coast; and wildflowers bloom in our social media Picture of the Week! (DOI Video)

Question of the Week Answer

If you chose A. you are correct! True!

It is common for salamanders of the Ambystomatidae family (which California Tiger Salamanders belong) to stay in the larvae form and not develop into terrestrial adults.

The California tiger salamanders around Sonoma County and Santa Barbara are endangered, which means they are in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. California tiger salamanders in the Central Valley are threatened. The species is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but they are not in danger of extinction right now.

Source: U.S. FWS

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