Inside track : Vol. 12, No. 2, March/April 1992

16 Pages·1992·5.5 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management

| N S | D = Vol, 12, No. 2. March/April 1992
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6 :| A ( |q Bureau of Land Management
y BLM Tightens Controls
On Pacific Yew Harvests
Mel Ingeroi “Our rangers and law enforcement
Roseburg, Oregon, District Office agents will be out in force to see that
and Leslie Robinette, there is no waste and that poaching and
Oregon State Office
theft are stopped,” said BLM Oregon/
(Sie : :
INSIDE Washington State Director Dean
Soatie name rererars esponding to an urgent Bibles:
|“ BLM 2015” Plan Unveiled ... 3 | RR tmnasiasin need for the Tight controls will require that
cancer-fighting chemical bark be taken from yew trunks and
* Alternative Fuels Program 4 taxol, the BLM has acted quickly to
branches meeting minimum size
° Wanted: Bright Ideas tighten harvest controls for the Pacific
guidelines, leaving some bark on the
* BLM People yew, whose bark contains the life-
trunk for regeneration. BLM employ-
saving drug.
e News Briefs ees will weigh yew bark harvested by
“T consider this a top priority for
permit, and BLM contract administra-
° Habitat Program
the BLM,” said Director Cy Jamison.
tors will be in the field daily to moni-
¢ Hollywood Scenes
“Wasting this resource, for any reason,
tor the quantity and location of har-
° Tracking Personnel
will not be tolerated.”
vests and the credentials of harvesters.
Taxol has been found effective in
“This increased presence in the
the treatment of ovarian cancer and
field will ensure that harvesters adhere
may also prove effective in treating
other forms of the disease.
' ou In preparation for this spring's
>. —_- act Pacific yew bark harvesting season,
™ the BLM has instituted new opera-
repent tional guidelines, stricter policies,
tougher law enforcement, and a
Published By ——_______ number of agreements being negoti-
ated with other federal agencies and
U.S. Department of the Interior private entities.
Bureau of Land Management : -
1849 C Street, N.W. Pacific yew trees grow in North-
mara D.C. 20240 west forests managed by the BLM,
beara miasioune, cnDi lreekcGt iora y Directon parti; cularly iA n western Oregon,
for External Affairs northem California and Idaho.
eMiker Rartliffr, Ch ief,a Currently, BLM resource managers
Elizabeth Rieben, Editor are launching onsite operations to
pene etsy, sststare EXHiiCe, sustain the species, protect it from
Sherman Gillespie,
Visual Information Specialist theft, and ensure that as much bark as
possible is harvested to produce the
Tracking Personnel anti-cancer drug taxol. In addition,
BLM foresters are providing addi-
Tracking Personnel is compiled tional taxol by carefully searching
fBreoem iOnifnokrem atRetiiGoanenl submBitrtaendc hbeys areas desi: gnated for prescri. bed fire to : See
to the Service Center in Denver. ensure all yew is harvested prior to The BLM is tightening controls over Pacific yew
buming. bark harvests in light of the increased demand for
taxol, an anti-cancer drug produced from yew bark.
Drug Administration serving as their growth rate. Although Pacific
cooperators. yew plantations might prove a practi-
“The EIS will analyze the effects cal solution to increased demand in the
of yew collection on the environment,” future, the BLM would not consider
explained Tresidder. “We will con- that a substitute for ecosystem man-
sider the effects of harvest on regen- agement of the wild native species,
eration of Pacific yew, its genetic according to Bibles.
diversity, and its place in forest
ecosystems.” He added they are Taxol—One of
accepting public comments on the EIS. Nature’s Miracles
A BLM task force is also encour-
aging public involvement as they
“The benefits of taxol look
develop the comprehensive Pacific
more and more promising
yew Strategy mandated by Congress in
every day. We can all be
the 1992 Interior Appropriations Act.
proud of our part in providing
The task force expects to have a draft
this vital resource to the
completed in June, with a final docu-
American people.”
ment in October.
—Cy Jamison
Inventories Will
Scientists are studying methods to extract
Show Yew Occurrence Taxol has been described by the
taxol from yew needles.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) as “the
The BLM is also conducting an most promising anti-cancer agent
to the strict standards we have set,”
discovered in the last decade.” Cur-
intensive Pacific yew inventory, which
explained BLM Oregon/Washington’s
rently the most abundant source of
is expected to be completed in August
Pacific yew program coordinator Kent
taxol is the bark of the Pacific yew, a
1992. Combining information from
Tresidder.
tree that grows in Northwest forests.
BLM inventories with Forest Service
To prevent theft of yew bark,
Researchers at several locations are
data will provide the first complete
BLM rangers have stepped up patrols,
working on methods to synthetically
picture of Pacific yew occurrence and
keeping an eye out for bark thieves
produce the substance, and some
distribution on public lands. The
around the clock. BLM Oregon/
believe that synthetic taxol could be
inventory will also look at other
Washington Chief of Law Enforce-
available in less than 5 years. Meth-
Species in the ecosystem. “Our goal is
ment Lynell Schalk points to the
ods to extract the substance from other
to understand the web of life that
wasteful harvest methods commonly
species of yew, and from yew needles,
Supports the yew and manage to
used by thieves, saying, “Not only are
are also being investigated.
sustain the ecosystem as a whole,” said
they stealing from the public lands,
Tresidder. Last year, over 825,000 pounds of
they are in effect stealing the life-
Pacific yew bark was gathered from
saving taxol from the cancer patients
BLM and Forest Service lands for
BLM Scientists
who need it.” She added that thieves
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company,
will be prosecuted to the fullest extent Study Regeneration
working under a Cooperative Research
of the law.
and Development Agreement with
In addition to sustaining ecosys-
NCI and under agreements with the
Interim Conservation tems, the BLM is studying ways in
BLM and Forest Service. This is
Guidelines Developed which the tree regenerates itself. BLM
enough to produce about 27 kilograms
plant pathologists and silviculturists
of the drug, which will treat more than
are experimenting with techniques for
The Forest Service and the BLM 12,000 patients.
speeding seed germination, propagat-
are currently working on Pacific yew In 1992, at least that much will be
ing the tree through rooted cuttings,
interim conservation guidelines to be needed for clinical trials and to pro-
and transplanting trees from the wild.
followed until the Pacific yew Envi- vide treatment on a compassionate
Long-term studies might lead to
ronmental Impact Statement (EIS) is basis to ovarian cancer patients. Once
development of yew trees that are
completed in the fall of 1992. The the Food and Drug Administration
genetically superior in their production
Forest Service has the lead role on the
of taxol, their resistance to disease or
EIS, with the BLM and the Food and
continued
He (9rSbUi)d h| Fi4mi7no2 6f f ID; —
an ow El _— /, be
a i‘: '<
INSIDE TRACK a ee ee ee ear
approves the drug, demand will be culture, and horticultural approaches. Pacific Yew Conference
much higher. Thus, alternative and In the meantime, the BLM and Forest Planned for August
renewable sources for the drug are Service will be providing the bulk of
essential. Potential sources include the needed substance for clinical trials The BLM, Forest Service,
synthetic production, plant tissue and research. » Oregon State University and the
National Cancer Institute will host a
How much does it take?
national conference on the Pacific
yew August 3-5 at Oregon State
Here is a rough calculation, according to the National Cancer Institute:
University in Corvallis. The confer-
* 30,000 pounds of bark will produce ¢ Each patient therefore requires 60
ence will provide a forum for sharing
1 kilogram (or 1,000 grams) of drug. pounds of bark.
information among natural resource
managers, health professionals,
¢ 30 pounds of bark will thus produce ¢ A mature tree will yield about 20
interest groups, researchers, and
1 gram of drug. pounds of bark.
others concerned about the Pacific
¢ Each patient needs about 2 grams ¢ Thus, about 3 trees are required per yew and taxol production. Both
for treatment. patient (actual number may vary general and technical sessions and a
according to tree size). one-day field trip will be offered.
Call Tony Gwinn at OSU (503)
“BUM 2015” Plan Unveiled 737-2668 for more information. »
be taken into consideration throughout
Jamison Announces Move to
this process.
Two-Tiered Organization
7. Employees will be informed of
decisions and actions through a new
BLM 2015 bulletin, videos and
( :i ting a need to update the 1. The BLM will develop a two-tiered
employee meetings.
BLM to meet new challenges organizational structure. Any excep-
over the next 25 years, Direc- tions to this will be based on proven “BLM 2015” is part of the BLM’s
tor Cy Jamison announced a field superior effectiveness and efficiency.
streamlining effort started in 1991 with
office reorganization plan April 27
the transfer of about 200 Washington
2. A BLM office will be maintained
which, among other changes, calls for
Office positions to state and field
at each current location and all state
a two-tiered rather than the current
offices closer to the resources. The
offices will be maintained in their
three-tiered management structure.
timing was accelerated as a result of a
current locations. Additional office
“A streamlined organization will
recent report by the Interior
locations will be considered, but no
help us more effectively carry out our
Department’s Inspector General that
location will have offices at more than
mission and serve public land users
found the BLM’s three-tiered manage-
one BLM organizational level, with
and visitors over the next 25 years—to
ment structure to be inefficient.
the exception of state offices and the
the year 2015,” he said. “Coupled
The Washington Office is now
BLM’s Service, Training, and Fire
with new recruitment efforts and
working with information submitted
Centers.
enhanced job opportunities for current
by the states to develop an organiza-
employees, this is part of a broad 3. Organizational changes will not tional model for the change, expected
effort to revitalize the organization require changes in resource manage- to be issued May 22. Using this, the
from top to bottom.” ment plans or planning unit bound- state directors will incorporate em-
Calling the plan “BLM-2015,” aries. ployee suggestions and submit state
Jamison said the approach was worked restructuring proposals to the Wash-
out at a Bureau Management Team 4. Areas of duplicated effort will be ington Office by mid-July.
(BMT) meeting held in Phoenix April eliminated. The BMT will meet again in
21-22. He outlined several guiding
August to discuss the proposals. An
5. Each and every BLM employee
principles which will be followed
approved plan is expected by October.
will be assured of a job opportunity.
throughout the process: Implementation should begin in about
6. Employee input is encouraged, and a year, and be completed in about 5
employee concerms and interests will years. »
4 INSIDE TRACK
Alternative Fuels Program — It’s a Go!
o encourage the use of significant problem—to be worked Giles. “It’s the cleanest burning
alternative fuels and eventu- out over time—is on the dispensing alternative right now, and local gas
ally reduce our dependence on side. At this time, there is limited companies are pushing it. We have
foreign oil, Interior Secretary Manuel availability of refueling sites. the refueling site here, so it just makes
Lujan recently set a goal of placing at sense to try it.”” Giles adds that his
least 100 compressed natural gas “The federal government is office also expects to receive a CNG
(CNG) vehicles in the Department’s the seed—setting an example pick-up from GSA in July, adding that
fleet by the end of 1992. and helping the whole pro- if the CNG program works well in
“The Interior Department plays a gram grow by supplying this Rock Springs, other BLM offices will
major conservation role in the federal probably follow suit when refueling
early demand.”
government, and it is up to us to show sites become more abundant.
—Bob Donelson,
there are many efficient and practical Bob Donelson, chief of adminis-
BLM Nevada State Office
ways to protect our environment and trative services for the Nevada State
conserve our precious energy sources,” Office, agrees. He says Reno will be
Lujan said in making the announce- getting two of the new GSA vehicles
BLM Giving it a Go
ment. this spring, and the Las Vegas District
In January, the Department took Office will be getting another two.
But in more and more areas, CNG
delivery of the first CNG powered van, “The infrastructure is the key. When
vehicles will work. Inside Track
supplied by the General Services that is developed, more and more
talked to a few BLMers who intend to
Administration (GSA). It was immedi- people will be able to use CNG
prove its practicality and dispel the
ately whisked to the White House, vehicles. But for that to happen, there
myth that alternative fuels are not
where it was ceremoniously taken for a has to be some demand. The federal
worth the trouble.
test drive by Lujan’s boss, President government is the seed—setting an
“When people think of alternative
Bush. The performance was deemed a example and helping the whole
fuels, a lot of them are thinking about
“great success” by the President, and program grow by supplying this early
the propane and gas mixtures of the
the program was officially launched. demand.”
early 1980s. CNG is nothing like
CNG is increasingly becoming the The BLM’s New Mexico State
that,” says Ron Giles of BLM’s Rock
alternative fuel of choice. Natural gas Office will be increasing this early
Springs, Wyo., District. Giles,
burns cleanly, causing little or no demand if their request for 13 of the
assistant district manager for adminis-
pollution; is abundant in the United GSA vehicles is approved, according
tration, is working to convert (or
States and therefore inexpensive; and to Supervisory Property Management
retrofit) eight vehicles to CNG,
has a high octane rating. The most Specialist Terri Barry. “New Mexico
including a Ford
is considered the major producer of
Bronco, Chevy
natural gas from a federal standpoint.
pick-up, Blazer,
Of course we have a lot of interest in
and two utility
it. Our primary interest is the environ-
trucks. In his
mental factor,” she notes. “It’s a clean
case, the driving
fuel, and it actually results in fewer
range will
maintenance costs.” Barry explains
increase, as
for example that spark plugs and
retrofitted
exhaust systems last a lot longer with
vehicles have
natural gas and that less frequent oil
tanks for both
changes mean less ground pollution
fuels and can
from used oil. “And vast improve-
therefore run on
ments have been made in safety
either petro-
features,” she says. “Tanks have been
leum or CNG.
reinforced to the point where a stick of
“Wyoming has
dynamite exploded outside the tank
President Bush declares the performance a “great success” after test driving an abundance
will not ignite the gas.”’ (In fact,
the first CNG-powered van delivered by the GSA to Interior Secretary of natural gas,”
according to Princeton University
Manuel Lujan in January. (photo by Tami Heilemann, DOI) explained
continued
INSIDE TRACK 5
vehicles feasible in New Mexico. tion on the BLM’s program, contact
She also hopes that more BLM offices the appropriate BLM administrative
will help get the national program off Officer or Jim Shiffer in Washington,
the ground, because “‘it’s so good for D.C., at FTS 268-5751 (commercial
apLBPpAmOOpeSSE DeO SS
the environment.” For more informa- 202-208-5751). «
—Elizabeth Rieben
gsaigtag n
“Natural gas is nothing ifn ot renewable” says
Durbin. He quips that the digestive track of one
cow produces about 24 cubic feet of methane
per day—enough to power a typical passenger
car for 6 miles.
Professor Enoch Durbin, natural gas is
the safest of all fuels. In 50 years of
Italian experience, he says, there has
never been a fire in a natural gas
fueled car.)
Barry credits local gas companies
and recent state legislation mandating
refueling sites with making natural gas
ii.
Retrofitted CNG vehicle
‘Natural Gas-
Methanol: “It is very toxic. A four-
ounce swig can kill you. It is water
The Alternative of Choice
soluble, so water supplies could be
contaminated; it produces formic acid
“Not just any substitute will do.” of it is consumed during combustion, which corrodes engine parts; and it is
costly.”
— Professor Enoch Durbin, leaving little or no pollution. It is a
Princeton University * super fuel which runs beautifully. Ethanol: “A product of com, pota-
Over 3/4 of a million cars run on it.” toes, sugar cane or wheat, production
Ithough we hear the term He notes that although the technology requires oil (to fuel the tractors,
“energy crisis” a lot, the fact currently exists, “there is still plenty irrigation pumps, etc.). In an industri-
is, according to Princeton of room for improvement to exploit alized agricultural system such as ours,
University Professor Enoch Durbin, its full potential.” we consume more oil energy in
this country has plenty of energy Durbin has developed methods to making ethanol than we get. It also
has a cold-start problem.”
sources that could be used as alterna- double vehicle range with existing
tives to oil—they simply haven’t fuel tanks and is developing a natural Electricity: “It doesn’t exist. We
been fully explored. gas fueling system to meet the Califor- have to make it from coal, oil, or
In order to get a better picture of nia ultra clean standards. nuclear sources. The principal
the state of “alternative fuels,” Inside Although the following alterna- problem is storage on the vehicle. To
Track talked to Professor Durbin, tives have some of the advantages of store the equivalent of 12 gallons of
who is working to improve the natural gas, their disadvantages pose gasoline would require a 7,000-pound
performance of alternatives. Of significant problems according to battery.”s
natural gas, he says, “It is a simple Durbin.
* Portions of this article have been
solution that is cheap, abundant,
excerpted from “Running on Gas,” by
friendly to the environment, and Hydrogen: “We don’t have any hydrogen.
Enoch Durbin, which appeared in
It has to be made. It also ignites easily and
blessed with a high octane rating.
Princeton Alumni Weekly,
requires 14 times the space as gasoline.”
Another advantage is that nearly all
December 18. 1991.
6 INSIDE TRACK
BLM Team To Study Bright Ideas
mining claimants. “She had devel- employees for their views on how best
nyone who has participated
A in a BLM evaluation has first- oped an automated process that to collect and communicate these
worked beautifully—it saved time and ideas, and expand employee recogni-
hand experience with the
many bright ideas and contributions of increased her efficiency. It could have tion.
widespread applications throughout The team plans to complete its
the BLM’s work force. All too often,
the BLM.” recommendations to the field commit-
however, creative and innovative ideas
never make it beyond the local area. Strasfogel says the BLM will be tee by March 1993. Team members
looking at ways to find these ideas, will be asking offices throughout the
Andrew Strasfogel, a senior policy
communicate them throughout the BLM to participate in surveys and
analyst who has participated in many
evaluations, has witnessed this. “You agency, and recognize employees who field testing of alternative evaluation
come up with them. methods.
come across a lot of creative solutions
during the evaluation process,” he In order to do this, the BLM’s For more information on the
field committee (made up of associate charter, contact project manager Dan
says, “but there is really no easy way
to communicate them to other BLM state directors) has approved a project Sokoloski, deputy assistant director for
charter for a bureauwide team to Energy and Mineral Resources at FTS
employees who might be able to apply
explore ways to collect and communi- 268-4201 (commercial 202-208-4201)
them to their jobs. We write them up
cate these “good news” initiatives. It or assistant project manager Andrew
in evaluation reports, but they don’t
also will look at current evaluation Strasfogel at FTS 268-7722. »
usually reach beyond the narrow
readership of those reports.” He reports to learn to what degree produc-
tive and innovative ideas are already Think of it as one big suggestion box
recalls a land law clerk in a state office
being documented, survey BLM wide open to everyone!
who processed numerous letters to
Panel Formed to Study
Communications Fees on Public Lands
Tom Gorey lands managed by the Agriculture The committee will include
Public Affairs Specialist Department’s Forest Service and the representatives from the Forest
Washington, D.C., Office BLM. Service; BLM; the broadcast indus-
The committee will also examine try and state, county and local
| nterior Secretary Manuel whether rental fees should be waived government. An expert in method-
Lujan and Agriculture or reduced for broadcasters who serve ologies for determining market
Secretary Edward Madigan the public interest. There would be no values will also serve on the
are forming an advisory committee to change in status for public broadcast- committee.
examine rental fees charged for ing stations, which currently get Congress suggested that the
communications use of federal lands. waivers from rental fees. Forest Service and the BLM estab-
The nine-member committee, The underlying issue is to make lish the committee when it passed
formally called the Radio and sure that the federal government gets the fiscal year 1992 Interior Depart-
Television Broadcast Use Advisory fair market return from broadcasters’ ment appropriations bill last Novem-
Committee, will advise the secretar- use of public lands. The question is, ber. The two federal agencies
ies On appropriate methods of what is fair? Secretary Lujan said he officially announced their intent to
determining fair market value for was confident the report would help form the committee in the March 5
radio and television broadcast uses of government officials resolve the issue Federal Register. »
public lands. The use involves the in a way that would be fair to both
placement of broadcast antennae on federal taxpayers and broadcasters.
INSIDE TRACK 7
Cooperators Help the BLM
**Bring Back the Natives’”’
Michelle Dawson Paladino Foundation Provides More Wildlife Partnerships
Public Affairs Specialist Challenge Grants Bring New Ideas, Opportunities
Washington, D.C., Office
to the BLM
Last year, the National Fish and
ring Back the Natives, a
B program to restore native Wildlife Foundation helped support For neotropical migratory birds,
fish populations on the public Bring Back the Natives through a the BLM has entered into an interna-
lands, is off to a good start thanks to $500,000 challenge grant offered to tional partnership with the National
two private groups assisting the BLM. the BLM and Forest Service under a Fish and Wildlife Foundation and
Director Cy Jamison signed a cooperative agreement. Existing various other organizations. PART-
projects involving native and cutthroat NERS IN FLIGHT—AVES DE LAS
cooperative agreement with the
American Fisheries Society in Decem- trout are located in California, Colo- AMERICAS will focus attention on
ber to enhance fisheries, particularly rado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New declining populations of the many bird
native trouts of the West along with Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, species that breed in North America
riparian habitats and wildlife resources This year, the Foundation has and winter in Latin and South
asked that the BLM and Forest America. They include some of the
on BLM lands.
Service expand these efforts to salmon most beautiful birds in the country,
“This partnership is an outstanding
and steelhead trout in the Pacific such as the indigo bunting, scarlet
example of private-public cooperation
Northwest through a $1 million tanager, and many species of warblers.
that benefits all Americans,” Jamison
challenge grant proposal. Challenge This effort is part of the BLM’s
said. “With the American Fisheries
grant funds become available only Nongame Bird Habitat Conservation
Society, we will conserve fishery
when additional, nonfederal money is Strategy in Fish and Wildlife 2000.
resources and provide some great
matched on a one-for-one basis. For America’s wild and beautiful
fishing opportunities for future genera-
birds, the BLM signed a cooperative
tions.” BLM Library
agreement with the American Birding
The Society, founded in 1870, is a
Yenver Federal Center
Association March 16 to enhance
nonprofit scientific and educational
Bidg. 50, OC-521
nongame bird inventories and monitor-
organization made up of professionals
P.O. Box 25047
ing on the public lands. »
in the fishery sciences.
Denver, CO 80225
slit pe aee am i
rn oriole, will benefit Allan Keith, President of the American Birding
from several partnerships recently established by the Association, and Director Cy Jamison sign an
BLM. (Photo courtesy of Cornell University.) agreement to benefit America’s wild birds.
8 INSIDE TRACK
New Biodiversity Coordinator Named
irector Jamison recently cal sciences from Colorado State
announced the appointment of University in Fort Collins.
Carole ‘Kniffy’ Hamilton as The new position was established
the BLM’s biodiversity coordinator, a to initiate an ecologically sound
new position within the Division of biodiversity program within the BLM
Land and Renewable Resources in and to coordinate biodiversity matters
Washington, D.C. with other public and private organiza-
“Biodiversity is fast becoming a tions, particularly at the national level.
crucial consideration in management Hamilton will also advise the director
for the 21st century,” said Jamison. and other BLM managers on
“And Kniffy offers just the right biodiversity and sustainable develop-
scientific, management and people ment issues.
skills to forge a comprehensive Carole “K. nifty” Hamilton
biodiversity program within the BLM.” “Biodiversity is not so much
Hamilton, an 11-year veteran of an issue as an approach to notes. “A fact some people forget.”
the BLM, previously served as area She adds that biodiversity issues cut
management into the 21st
manager for the Lower Gila Resource across many varied BLM programs,
century.” — Cy Jamison
Area in Arizona and prior to that as including renewable resources, lands
branch chief of biological resources in and realty, planning, and energy and
the Arizona State Office. She began The term “biodiversity” refers to minerals.
her BLM career as a wildlife manage- the variety of life and its processes and Hamilton can be reached at FTS
ment biologist in Washington, D.C., includes the variety of living organ- 268-6511 (Commercial 202-208-
where she supervised inventory, isms, the genetic differences among 6511), Department of the Interior,
monitoring and training. Hamilton has them and the communities and ecosys- Bureau of Land Management, Mail
a bachelor of science degree in biologi- tems in which they occur. “This Stop 3653, 1849 C Street NW,
definition includes humans,” Hamilton Washington, D.C. 20240. »
Federal Agencies, Boy Scouts
Join Forces for the Environment
tions such as the Boy Scouts of
America—in a variety of conserva-
tion projects such as maintaining
hiking trails, restoring riparian areas,
he BLM recently joined six the efforts of volunteers—members of improving fish spawning areas or
youth and outdoor-oriented organiza-
other outdoor-focused
- constructing nest boxes.
federal agencies and the
The program benefits from the
Boy Scouts of America to kick off a
combined expertise of the BLM,
new program designed to respond to
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
increasing demands for trained and
Environmental Protection Agency,
knowledgeable conservation volun-
Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest
teers. Called TRAIL Boss (Teaching
Service, National Park Service and
Resource and Individual Leader-
Soil Conservation Service, with the
ship), the program teaches adults
resources of youth organizations like
skills to develop and conduct conser-
the Boy Scouts of America.
vation projects anywhere in the
eee resets For more information, contact
country. Ben Love, chief scout executive, Boy Scouts of
Doug Blankenship, BLM volunteer
These specially trained leaders, America, looks on while BLM Deputy Director
coordinator, at FTS 268-5261
Dean Stepanek adds the BLM to the TRAIL Boss
or TRAIL Bosses, will then direct
program. (Commercial 202-208-5261). »
INSIDE TRACK EMEe ee eC
.BIM People
Rod Harris, Elko uted over 4,000 hours of labor in the The BLM survey team of Robin
district manager, area of cave exploration, survey, Mathews, Cheryl Baier, Scott
received the Public inventory and mapping. Peronto, Clyde King, and Scott
Lands Foundation’s Twenhofel made history when they
Outstanding Land Mark Buckbee,
placed the first Arizona Desert Wilder-
Professional Award Roseburg, Oregon, ness Area commemorative survey
for 1991, and also district chief of the monument in the Muggins Mountains
was named 1991 Water Branch of Technical Wildemess Area in the Yuma District.
Conservationist of the Year by the Support, has been Facing dangers such as unexploded
Nevada Wildlife Federation. He was selected as the bombs, low level radiation, rattle-
recognized for his outstanding efforts National Forestry snakes, mountain lions and Bengal
on the Marys River land exchange. Recreation Association’s (NFRA) co- tigers, they completed the border
The Federation noted that his winner of the 10th annual Ranger of survey of nearly 18 miles in the rugged
leadership in the exchange will benefit the Year Award. The award was area. (Bengal tigers? The team
wildlife resources. presented at NFRA’s 44th annual reports that owners of land bordering
convention in Chandler, Ariz., on the area keep them as pets.) Other
Richard R. April 3. dangers were from the U.S. Army’s
“Butch” Olendorff, Yuma Proving Ground to the North. ,
Boise, Idaho district,
Rick Athearn,
recently received the
Colorado State Office
prestigious
historian, authored
President’s Award
the historical study, A
from the Raptor
rs Forgotten Kingdom:
Research Foundation, an international
The Spanish Frontier
organization dedicated to raptor
in Colorado, 1540-
research, education, and conservation.
1821, which was recognized by the
Olendorff is only the fourth person to
American Library Association as one
receive the coveted plaque and
of 20 outstanding government works,
testimonial. In addition to being a
or “notable documents,” for 1991. The
charter member of the Foundation,
document was so popular that it went
Olendorff has served over the years as Cadastral Survey Team Leader Robin Mathews
out of print within 6 months of publi-
(left) and Yuma District Manager Herman
its president, secretary, and editor of
cation. A second edition will be Kast display the brass monument cap specially
The Journal of Raptor Research.
printed for the 1992 Quincentennial. cast for the BLM in Madison, Wisconsin.
Athearn joined the BLM in 1975 as a
Paula Perletti,
historian at the Denver Service Center.
Shoshone, Idaho,
He later moved to the Colorado State
district recreation
Office as state historian, the first such
planner, recently
position in the BLM. He started the Editor's note: This section is
received the BLM’s
BLM’s Cultural Resources Series in compiled from information
“Volunteer for the 1976 and has since published 32 readily available to the editor
Public Lands” before press time. Submissions
volumes of professional archaeological
national award for her efforts in are encouraged and will be
and historical studies, including
supervising and directing volunteer printed based on available
several he wrote.
Cave inventory efforts of the Magic space. Please include name and
Valley Grotto. Perletti has been phone number with all corre-
spondence. Photographs should
involved with the group since 1989,
be 5 x 7 inches, black and white,
and the Grotto members have contrib-
and labeled on the back.
sO eee §& INSIDE TRACK
BIM put about 870 discarded trees to good
use. They were placed in gullies and An annual
News Briefs stream channels of a critical riparian mountain bike
race in BLM-
area about 40 miles south of Battle
Arizona's
Mountain. The 125-acre site burned in - Yuma District
July 1991, increasing erosion = will help raise
First Family For Fishing
potential. The trees will collect silt, «= funds for the
~- local Boys
slow runoff, help rebuild stream
President and Mrs. Bush will serve and Girls
channels, and serve as cover for native
as Chairfamily for National Fishing Clubs.
wildlife. »
Week, scheduled for June 1 - 7 this
year. Plans are for the The First
RightRider Encourages
Family to accompany Secretary Lujan
Responsible Riding onship race season.
to various celebrations of the event
Race organizers donate all pro-
that week throughout the country. »
Hikers, mountain bikers, and ceeds from the race to the Boys and
equestrians should find trails on BLM Girls Clubs of Yuma to help support
lands more enjoyable this summer their year-round after school activities.
thanks to RightRider, a new off- This year’s donation, the largest to
highway vehicle responsibility cam- date, was $4,000.
paign. The program is designed to Yuma Resource Area has sup-
encourage and reinforce positive ported the Blaisdell Blow-out since its
riding behavior and stewardship of inception 4 years ago through BLM’s
public lands. It was created through a Special Recreation Use Permit pro-
memorandum of understanding signed gram. “We feel that this is a good
President Bush, an avid fisherman, will be by the BLM and the Motorcycle example of BLM’s multiple use
joined by wife Barbara, to chair National
Industry Council in November. » policy,” said Yuma Resource Area
Fishing Week, June 1 - 7 this year.
Manager Mike Taylor. “It lets people
Photo credit: David Valdez, The White House
enjoy recreation for one day out of the
More Uses for year while offering opportunities-for
other uses the rest of the year.”s
Christmas Trees:
Nevada BLM and Volunteers Logging Update
Team up to Control Erosion Laonee, eS
* : <
The Supreme Court recently
Bob Sherwood of BLM’s Nevada
: ¢ z upheld a now-expired 1989 law which
Battle Mountain District reports on yet ee
temporarily shielded federal timber
another use for discarded Christmas Director Cy Jamison and Senior Vice President of
sales from legal challenges. The Ninth
trees (see January-February 1992 issue the Motorcycle Industry Council, Melvin Stahl,
Circuit Court of Appeals struck down
promote the RightRider rider responsibility
for related story). An erosion control
campaign on BLM lands. the law in 1990 saying it violated the
project completed Feb. 1 by district
constitutionally required separation of
volunteers, Boy Scout Troop 250 and Special Permits Make powers by passing a law that interfered
the Lander County Rod and Gun Club
Special Races Possible with the authority of the courts to
decide environmental cases. The
Blustery winds and blowing sand ruling reaffirms Congress’ authority to
did not dampen the spirit of the 250 enact legislation dealing with the
racers and hundreds of cheering timber supply crisis.
Spectators at the recent 4th Annual Other rulings include two recent
Blaisdell Blow-out Mountain Bike injunctions issued by the Ninth Circuit
Race in BLM’s Yuma District. The and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
a j : i r Ye is colorfully clad racers thundered across which have virtually halted all BLM
Me ea I RR 1 GNI Lite the 5.2-mile boulder-strewn race timber sales in forests this spring.
Boy Scouts haul trees to gullies where they
will help control erosion. course in the Colorado Desert in the BLM attomeys are reviewing the
year’s first of a seven-race Mountain orders to determine further action. .