4x4Wire

Nov 29, 2010 - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has posted new web pages that describe its efforts to respond to climate change and related environmental challenges. The BLM’s Climate Change Home Page is found at www.blm.gov.

“Public lands managed by the BLM are facing widespread environmental challenges that transcend traditional management boundaries,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “These challenges include managing wildfire, controlling weeds and insect outbreaks, providing for energy development, and addressing impacts from climate change.”

Abbey Issues Directive to Strengthen Safety and Oversight at Events

(Nov 19, 2010) - An internal review by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released today found its policies and procedures for permitting off-highway vehicle (OHV) events are sound, but the agency did not adhere to these procedures in permitting Mojave Desert Racing (MDR) Production’s California 200, the race that resulted in eight spectator fatalities in a tragic accident in San Bernardino County on August 14, 2010.

San Bernardino, CA, October 26, 2010 – A recent, comprehensive visitor use survey across the San Bernardino National Forest indicates a significant increase in recreational use on the Forest, up 25% since data last taken in 2003.

Results of the one-year visitor survey, called the National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) report, estimates the San Bernardino National Forest hosts 2,442,800 total national forest visits annually, up from 1,953,634 in 2003.The latest survey was conducted from October 2008 to September 2009 in partnership with California State University, San Marcos.

(Oct 29, 2010) - The new season for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts at the Imperial Sand Dunes and nearby Superstition Mountain recreation areas opens with an emphasis on safety, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today.

According to Margaret Goodro, BLM El Centro Field Office’s new manager, “I’m looking forward to getting out in the desert and meeting the generations of responsible OHV enthusiasts.” She reminded off-roaders that they must limit their speed to 15 mph when within 50 feet of others.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Designates Critical Habitat and Releases Economic Analysis for Bull Trout

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today revised the 2005 critical habitat designation for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), a threatened species found throughout much of the Pacific Northwest and protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Approximately 18,975 miles of streams and 488,252 acres of lakes and reservoirs in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Nevada are being designated as critical habitat for the wide-ranging fish. In Washington, 754 miles of marine shoreline are also being designated.