Interior Department announces historic launch of the Foundation for America’s Public Lands

Taking historic action that will benefit the nation’s public lands for generations to come, the Foundation for America’s Public Lands launched today at a virtual event featuring remarks by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Department leaders. This congressionally chartered, non-profit foundation authorized by Congress in 2017 will help leverage public and private dollars to conserve, protect and restore lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management for the benefit of the American people. (DOI News Release)

Related: Last week, the Foundation for America’s Public Lands launched at a virtual event. (Vimeo.com)

10 Remarkable hiking trails on California’s Mendocino Coast

Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands:  Public lands: Magnificent geological formations are plentiful on land and sea at this California Coastal National Monument. For example, looking to the east, you can see the San Andreas Fault, where it rises above the earth’s crust. Looking west, you’ll see rocks offshore. Islands in the making form blowholes and caves as the ceaseless waves pound away at the shore creating tiny islands called stacks. (Travel Awaits Article)

BLM California Desert District to host Desert Advisory Council virtual public meeting

The BLM California Desert District will host a public ZOOM meeting of the Desert Advisory Council on Saturday, Feb. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, and the public comment period is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. 

The Desert Advisory Council meeting will include presentations on the status of several renewable energy and mining projects; a presentation on BLM law enforcement coordination; and updates on off-highway vehicle recreation and Desert Advisory Council subgroups. Managers and staff from the five field offices and fire program will also report on their activities. (BLM CA News Release)    

The BLM seeks Desert Advisory Council subgroup applicants by February 28

The BLM California Desert District is seeking applicants who may be interested in serving on any of three subgroups that assist the Desert Advisory Council, a citizen-based advisory committee that develops recommendations for the BLM related to public land management issues. (BLM CA News Release)

BLM and Inyo National Forest seek public input for off-highway vehicle grants

The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office and the Inyo National Forest want to hear the public’s ideas on how to ensure off-highway vehicle trails are secure and well maintained on public lands throughout the Eastern Sierra. The public is invited to provide input during a virtual public meeting planned for Thursday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. (BLM CA News Release)

BLM releases Slaughterhouse Canyon mineral sale proposal for public review

The Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office proposes to offer mineral materials below private land for competitive sale and today released a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Environmental Assessment on the proposed Slaughterhouse Canyon Mineral Material sale. The environmental documents are available for a 30-day public review. (BLM CA  News Release)

BLM controlled burns reduce wildland fire risk near Lake Isabella and Chimney Peak

The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office fire crews plan to improve the fire resiliency of the Chimney Creek Campground and Chimney Peak Fire Station, as well as create defensible space around the historic Keyes Mine by burning about 100 piles of fuels that could feed a wildland fire. Pile burn operations near Lake Isabella and Chimney Peak in Kern and Tulare counties are scheduled to start Tuesday, Feb. 1, and continue periodically until spring, depending on weather and air quality conditions, onsite observations and resource availability. The piles to be burned are smaller, so minimal smoke would be visible from Lake Isabella. (BLM CA News Release)

BLM plans prescribed fire in Weaverville Community Forest to prevent wildfire risk

Fire crews from the Bureau of Land Management plan to conduct a prescribed fire in the Weaverville Community Forest beginning Tuesday, Jan 25, and possibly continuing through Wednesday, Jan. 26.  Operations will be conducted only when weather and fuel conditions allow for safe and successful burning. (BLM CA News Release)

Applegate Field Office performs an rx-burn

Our Applegate Field Office fire and fuels crews took advantage of continuing good burning conditions and completed another 100 acres of pile burning on the Modoc Gulch project last week near the community of Dorris near the California-Oregon border. Crews are close to completing the 220-acre project. The piles are from vegetation thinning projects to improve range health and to reduce the severity of wildfires. If you look closely, you can see one of our fire crew members monitoring the #rxburn! (BLM CA Facebook)

Looking for a Fire job?

Multiple Bureau of Land Management Fire programs are looking to fill Assistant Engine Captain, GS-0462-06/07 positions located in Bureau of Land Management - Arizona, Bureau of Land Management - California, Bureau of Land Management - Colorado, Bureau of Land Management - Idaho, Bureau of Land Management - Montana/Dakotas, Bureau of Land Management - Nevada, BLM Oregon & Washington, Bureau of Land Management - Utah, and Bureau of Land Management - Wyoming. Visit USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/632437200# to apply today. The announcement closes on February 4, 2022. (BLM CA Facebook)

Check out the NEW BLM Fire Job Dashboard --> bit.ly/3dQMQlf

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D. Fennec Fox

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Photo: Chris Roundtree, NPS

Andrew Archuleta named BLM Wyoming State Director

The BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning announced today that Andrew Archuleta has been selected as the new BLM Wyoming State Director. In this position, Archuleta will be responsible for overseeing the management of 17.5 million surface acres of public lands and more than 40 million acres of Federal sub-surface mineral estate.  Archuleta will report to the BLM WY State Office in late February 2022. (BLM National News Release)

BLM enhances protections in wild horse and burro Adoption Incentive Program

To enhance existing protections for adopted wild horses and burros, the Bureau of Land Management is announcing new changes to its Adoption Incentive Program, which offers financial incentives to adopt untrained animals from the BLM. (BLM National News Release)

Interior Department calls for nominations to serve on committee coordinating federal actions on invasive species

The Department of the Interior announced today that it will appoint new members to the Invasive Species Advisory Committee, which provides information and expert advice to inform federal government activities related to invasive species. (DOI News Release)

In California visit, Assistant Secretary Trujillo highlights Infrastructure Law Investments in Water Management and Drought Mitigation

Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo wrapped up a three-day trip to California today where she highlighted President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $8.3 billion investments in water management and drought resilience. During her visit, Assistant Secretary Trujillo met with elected officials, water managers, scientists, and local leaders to hear about the impacts that the climate crisis is having on the region and the Department’s commitment to investing in Western communities’ water infrastructure. (DOI News Release)

This week at Interior - January 28, 2022

Secretary Haaland marks the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Interior joins other federal agencies to push for clean energy on and off-shore; a virtual event launches the Foundation for America's Public Lands; there's a new tool on the way to measure the progress of conservation, stewardship, and restoration efforts across the United States. (DOI Video)