Nature Never Stops Evolving… and neither do we

COVID-19 forced most of us to reimagine the world. To reimagine how we think about our behavior and our safety and health. To rethink our responsibilities to each other and to the spaces we occupy. And to reimagine our relationship to the outdoors where, for most of the pandemic, millions found welcome respite. (recreateresponsibly.org)

Reconnect with your local BLM Field Office

The BLM continues to work with local, state, and federal officials to support responsible recreation on public lands throughout California. At this time, many of our public rooms and visitor centers are beginning to open on a limited basis. Please check the list below to see what public rooms are open near you. (BLM CA)

Know before you go

The BLM welcomes you to explore, enjoy, and make positive memories from your outdoor experiences on America’s public lands and waters. Please remember these are wide-open spaces and wildlands. Plan ahead and be aware of potential hazards. It is everyone’s responsibility to take steps necessary to minimize the chances of becoming lost or injured on public lands. (BLM.gov)

You may experience cuteness overload on your public lands, but do not feed wildlife

We have a lot of new members to #TeamPublicLands this summer and we are so glad you're out there enjoying nature. Just remember, even if the critters look cute, never give them food. (DOI Twitter)

Check the air quality before you go outdoors 

Though the hazy skies at Cosumnes River Preserve are not as smoke-filled as other areas in California, we still encourage you to take caution and check the Air Quality Index before planning your trip to the Preserve this weekend. (Cosumnes River Preserve Facebook)

A gigantic thank you to this season's Seabird Community Scientists!!!!

We just wrapped up the 2021 nesting seabird monitoring season in collaboration with the North Coast Seabird Protection Network and the Bureau of Land Management - California. In a nutshell, volunteers conducted over eighty surveys between April and August, culminating in about 300 field hours. (Trinidad Coastal Land Trust Facebook)

Celebrating National Aviation Day

In honor of #NationalAviationDay, we would like to thank the more than 25,600 wildland firefighters and support personnel working on wildfires across the country. Your safety is always on our minds and we thank you for all your hard work and dedication during #FireYear2021. Please continue to stay safe! (BLM Instagram)

U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard feature BLM CA mustangs 

This week, the U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, the last in the U.S., from Barstow, California, rode wild mustangs adopted from the BLM Wild Horse & Burro Program at Idaho's Caldwell Night Rodeo. (BLM Facebook)

BLM Central Coast and Ukiah field offices increase fire restrictions due to drought and wildland fire danger

The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast and Ukiah field offices are increasing fire restrictions due to high wildland fire danger. The restrictions apply to all BLM-managed public lands within the boundary of the Central Coast and Ukiah field offices. (BLM CA News Release)

Northern California national forests, CDFW lands to close temporarily due to extreme fire conditions

The USDA Forest Service has announced the temporary closure of nine national forests in northern California effective Sunday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m. through Monday, September 6 at 11:59 p.m. due to extreme fire conditions. A 10th forest, the El Dorado National Forest, was closed earlier this week due to wildfire. (Wildlife.ca.gov)

Are you an Instagram follower?

If so, then take a moment and check out the @BLMNational Fire account and learn more about some amazing things happening in the BLM Fire program! @BLMFire on Instagram. (BLM Fire Twitter)

Desolation Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail, others closed in Tahoe area due to Caldor Fire

The Pacific Crest Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail and any dispersed camping areas on the Carson Range District are closed through Sept. 6. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is closing the areas due to "extreme fire conditions." The Pacific Crest Trail is closed between Hwy. 108 Hwy. 88. The Tahoe Rim Trail is closed from the forest boundary east of Freel Meadows to the California/Nevada border. (Reno Gazette Journal)

BLM California fire restrictions

BLM California fire restrictions or temporary public land closures reduce the risk of wildfires and protect the public. Often times, these preventative measures focus on human-related activities, such as campfires, off-road driving, equipment use and recreational target shooting, since human-related activities are the number one cause of a wildfires. Many BLM California offices have issued seasonal fire restrictions. (BLM CA Web)

Public land mining claim fees and waivers due Sept.1

The Bureau of Land Management reminds claimants who wish to retain mining claims on public lands through the 2022 assessment year to pay a maintenance fee or file a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification on or before Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, to prevent the mining claim from being declared forfeit and void. (BLM CA News Release)

BLM welcomes public input for proposed exploratory drilling project

The deadline to submit public comment is Monday, Aug. 30

The Bureau of Land Management is initiating an environmental review and seeking public comments on the Plan of Operations for a proposed exploratory drilling project on public lands near Conglomerate Mesa, Inyo County. (BLM CA News Release)

BLM seeks public input on Clyde Mine evaluation

Submit written comments by Wednesday, Sept. 1

The BLM welcomes public input on the proposed clean-up of the abandoned Clyde Mine in Colusa County. The proposed remediation, monitoring and maintenance was developed in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and is estimated to cost more than $1.4 million. (BLM CA News Release)

BLM invites public review of the Arica and Victory Pass Solar Projects

Submit written comments by Tuesday, September 7

The proposed Arica and Victory Pass solar projects would generate up to 465 megawatts of electricity with up to 400 megawatts of battery storage. Together, these renewable energy projects would result in an estimated combined infrastructure investment of $689 million, $5.9 million in annual operational economic benefit and power approximately 132,000 homes. (DOI News Release)

BLM welcomes public input on the Oberon Solar project

Virtual public meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The BLM invites the public to review the environmental analysis and land use plan amendment for a proposed 500-megwatt photovoltaic solar project on 2,700 acres of public lands near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County. The efficient deployment of renewable energy from our nation’s public lands is crucial in achieving the Biden Administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. (BLM CA News Release)

Osprey as anglers

What's your success rate when fishing? How many fish do you catch compared to how many times you cast your line in the water? Chose the correct rate of success for the osprey:

50%
60%
70%

Keep scrolling to find out!

OSMRE announces recipients of the
2021 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards

The @OSMRE honored five states with the 2021 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award, for their exemplary work in abandoned mine land reclamation. See this year's list of winners. (DOI Twitter)

We’ve revised the regulations for the annual Federal Duck Stamp contest for 2022 and beyond

These changes provide artists more flexibility when designing their art and aim to broaden the appeal of the Duck Stamp for all Americans. The 2020 regulations are still in effect for the 2021 contest. (DOI Facebook)

Interior files court brief outlining next steps in leasing program

Last week, the United States appealed the preliminary injunction entered by the district court in Louisiana v. Biden, which enjoined the Department of the Interior from implementing the pause in new federal oil and gas leasing as set forth in Section 208 of Executive Order 14008. (DOI News Release)

This Week at Interior Aug 27, 2021

Secretary Haaland celebrates Women's Equality Day, marking 101 years since women gained the right to vote with the 19th Amendment; and it's happy 105th birthday to the National Park Service in our social media Picture of the Week! (DOI Video)