**Bureau of Land Management**

**Northwest California Resource Advisory Council**

Field Tour and Business Meeting

March 6-7, 2008

Arcata, California

**Summary Minutes**

**Thursday, March 6**

Members convened in Trinidad for a field tour focusing on the California
Coastal National Monument and the Trinidad Gateway to the monument. CCNM
Manager Rick Hanks explained the offshore features on the monument in
the Trinidad area. Speakers from the Tsurai Ancestral Society discussed
the importance of the area to native people, including the Yurok and
members of the Trinidad Rancheria. The council was especially
appreciative of the presentation of native stories by Axel Lindgren of
the Tsurai Ancestral Society.

**Friday, March 7**

**Opening Business**

Attendance

Category one: Bob Warren, Sef Murguia. Absent: Stan Leach, Don Klusman.

Category Two: Ryan Henson, Diane Beck, Michael Kelley. Absent: Rondal
Snodgrass

Category Three: Julie Rogers, Shirley Laos, Bill Radtkey, Kendall Smith.

> *There is no majority in category one and therefore no quorum of the
> advisory council.*

BLM Staff: California State Director Mike Pool, Arcata Field Manager
Lynda Roush, Redding Field Manger Steve Anderson, Ukiah Field Manager
Rich Burns, Arcata Assistant Field Manager Kathy Stangl, NorCal Public
Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana, California Coastal National Monument
Manager Rick Hanks, National Landscape Conservation System staff member
Nell Triplett, Arcata Field Office Administrative Officer Clarence
Killingsworth, California State Office Ecologist Jim Weigand.

Guests: Wayne Harris, Marshall Sayegh, Gualala Festivals Committee;
Tiana Williams, Trinidad Rancheria.

**Approvals:** The agenda was approved. The minutes from the December
meeting were approved as written.

**State Director's Report**

State Director Mike Pool addressed the RAC. Highlights:

-   Mike expressed his appreciation for the RAC's dedication and the
    expenditure of their time and expertise.

-   Renewable Energy Development is a major issue in southern California
    and growing in northeast California. BLM is processing more than 100
    applications for wind and solar energy that focus on more than
    500,000 acres.

-   The Marine Corps proposes expanding the Twentynine Palms Training
    Center onto adjoining public lands. They need a new training area
    for the V-22 Osprey aircraft.

-   Demands in southern California are complex and varied, taking a
    large portion of attention and putting more pressure on the public
    lands. BLM is also involved with Homeland Security on construction
    of the border fence, a major undertaking. Construction is to be
    completed by the end of December -- a fast track to complete a
    750-mile fence in parts of three states.

-   There are concerns about maintaining wildlife habitat connectivity
    in as developments, including the border fence, proceed. Efforts are
    underway to avoid creating islands of wildland habitat, which are
    detrimental to health of species.

-   At the Clear Creek OHV area in the Hollister Field Office a large
    natural asbestos deposit poses risks to recreation visitors. The
    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a study and BLM
    will determine a course of action based on the study. The study
    affects 31,000 acres of heavily used OHV recreation areas.

Nationally:

-   The National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) has been widely
    accepted as a component of BLM's management systems, recognizing the
    special places managed by the agency. Legislation has been
    introduced, and passed the House, to codify the NLCS system, a move
    that will help the BLM leverage funding. BLM now must clearly
    demonstrate to the public its capability to soundly manage these
    special public resources.

-   Wind Energy: There are conflicts where wind generators are proposed
    in areas with high scenic values. Local publics are engaged. The BLM
    is also receiving proposals for solar power developments. These are
    more controversial than other proposed alternative energy
    developments because they impact thousands of acres for installation
    of solar collectors and other facilities including roads and
    transmission lines.

-   Political Transition: The BLM focuses on advancing programs and will
    be prepared to transition to any new administration.

-   Planning: BLM's land use plans are high quality replacements for
    older management framework plans, some dating to the 1970s. The new
    plans are much more detailed, more strongly supported with data and
    more focused on landscape level, watershed management approaches.
    They are a sound basis for the BLM's land and resource use
    allocations. Even when plans are in place, the BLM retains the
    ability to complete plan amendments, retaining flexibility to
    respond to changing conditions and demands.

-   Recreation: Demands continue to grow for access to opportunities on
    the public lands for all forms of recreation. The new BLM-Forest
    Service Recreation Resource Advisory Council (RRAC) will be a
    valuable addition as it reviews proposals for recreation fees. The
    recreation fee program will be a key funding stream for the Forest
    Service and the BLM.

-   Border drug interdiction issues continue to grow, along with
    marijuana interdiction on BLM public lands in northern California.
    There is documented evidence of strong involvement by Mexican drug
    cartels. Additionally volunteers continue to staff watering stations
    on the public lands for "those who do manage to cross the border,"
    as a humanitarian gesture.

-   Budgets are stable with no serious program deficiencies. The BLM
    continues to transition toward three tier organization a unified
    organizational structure for the BLM. Districts will be established
    for northern California and Central California. District functions
    will be housed in Redding for the northern district. In central
    California the district manager and staff will be housed in Folsom
    or the state office. The district staffs will be lean. The BLM will
    be challenged financially to create the three tier organization.

-   Native American Plant Gathering. The BLM and the Forest Service
    developed a joint policy -- the first ever -- to provide consistent
    guidance for permitting these activities on public lands and
    national forests for traditional purposes at no charge to them.

**RAC Comments**

Kendall Smith questioned BLM's role in wave energy development with
regarding to the CCNM. Rick Hanks responded that the BLM continues to
stay focused on the issue, but it not clear on what role the BLM might
play. California has huge alternative energy potential including wave
energy.

**RAC Comments on Three-Tier Organization**

Responding to questions about the three tier organization, Mike
clarified that some district positions are in place in the regional
organizations that are now functioning (the NorCal Support Team, for
example). There is not a new organization being completed and no new
personnel moves where people can work virtually. There will be a focus
on keeping the district organizations very lean and avoiding the
temptation for the organization to grow. He said the cost to transition
to a three tier structure in California will be \$750,000 to \$800,000.

Bob Warren: With federal budget deficits there are fewer fiscal
resources, a situation that does not lend itself to spending more on
administration. It makes no sense to spend fewer resources on more
administration by adding a district level tier to the BLM organization.
The RAC has a vested interest in ensuring that money is spent on the
ground. Transition to a three tier structure is not a not a wise use of
limited funds.

Michael Kelley: Commended the three field managers for managing
excellent organizations. He asked Mike to consider retaining this RAC's
geographic focus.

Mike noted that the decisions about the RAC's geographic focus are not
yet final. He said the three-RAC structure will stay in effect and there
will be an internal review about final RAC organizations and focus.

Kendall said that programmatically and geographically makes no sense for
the Central California RAC to advise the Ukiah Field Office even if it
is administratively part of the Central California BLM organization.

Discussions continued about the rationale for the Ukiah field office to
move into the Central District. Ukiah Field Manager Rich Burns noted
that there are strong similarities between the Ukiah Field Office and
the Folsom and Hollister field offices, maybe stronger connections than
the link between Ukiah and the Redding and Arcata field offices. He
feels there may be more opportunities to leverage partnerships with an
alignment with Central California BLM. Rich feels it is workable for the
time being for the NW RAC to continue advising the Ukiah Field Office.

Ryan Henson noted there is a difference between administrative
efficiencies and the BLM receiving citizen advice from an advisory
council with strong knowledge of the geographic area of northwest
California. He suggested a consensus statement asserting that the RAC
should retain advisory responsibilities for the Ukiah Field Office,
regardless of administrative changes. Mike agreed that a continued
affiliation could continue between the Ukiah Field Office and the
Northwest RAC.

> *Action: Members present unanimously agreed with the following
> position statement:*
>
> *In light of the BLM's upcoming change to a three-tier administrative
> organization, it is the unanimous opinion of the Northwest California
> Resource Advisory Council members present at the March 7, 2008 meeting
> that the geographic scope of the Northwest California Resource
> Advisory Council should remain unchanged.*
>
> *The Northwest RAC has detailed knowledge of the region and unique
> sections of the north coast administered by the Ukiah Field Office,
> along with a sound sense of the history of natural resource uses and
> concerns in northwest California. In addition, the San Francisco Bay
> Area provides a logical boundary for the RAC jurisdiction. The Ukiah
> Field Office would benefit from the RAC's continuing advice about
> natural resources in this area.*
>
> *Further, the members present at this meeting disagree with the BLM's
> three-tier administrative proposal. In a time of declining federal
> budgets, creating additional administrative layers of government is
> not in keeping with the needs of the public or the agency.*

Mike said the BLM does not want to cause any major geographic Resource
Advisory Council disruptions in the transition to a three-tier
organizational structure

**California Coastal National Monument**

CCNM Manager Rick Hanks noted that the BLM is moving into the third year
of implementing the Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the California
Coastal National Monument. The plan established a preservation framework
to protect the geologic formations and the habitat they provide for
biota.

The monument corridor is 14,600 square nautical miles containing more
than 20,000 rocks and small islands totaling about 1,000 acres of land
area. Partnerships are the keys to management, with local gateways
providing for local community involvement in management.

Three broad implementation priorities are protecting the resources,
inventorying the resources and building partnerships, including
gateways.

There are 12 identified gateways along the coast. These are areas where
the public can learn more about the monument and specific parts of the
coast and their communities. BLM is focusing now on building the Palos
Verdes, Piedras Blancas, Trinidad, Pigeon Point, and Point Arena
gateways.

Trinidad was first and is the most actively functioning gateway group.

Rick said other communities, including Crescent City and Gualala on the
north coast, are interested in forming gateways. He said BLM will focus
on getting the first five gateways in place before focusing major
attention on the next group.

**Gateway Activities:**

**Trinidad:** The BLM is providing meeting space and facilities, but the
gateway committee is making the Gateway work. The group has developed a
brochure and other outreach materials. The group is setting the pace and
setting direction. Arcata Field Manager Lynda Roush noted that the
success in Trinidad has been noticed in Crescent City, sparking
enthusiasm for a gateway there. Preliminary work has started to
establish a Shelter Cove gateway, where the BLM has a long-established
presence associated with the King Range National Conservation Area.

**Point Arena:** The gateway committee has established its area of
interest. There are two kiosks in place and a committee is working a
brochure. Fair Chase Sport Fishing is interested in becoming CCNM
partner. It would be the first business partner in the monument. The
Mendocino Coast Audubon Chapter will become a formal collaborative
partner soon.

**Elk:** Preliminary discussions have been held with a group including
the historical society and California State Parks unit regarding gateway
establishment. Talks with a broader community group are planned.

Additionally, there have been internal discussions about gateway
possibilities for Mendocino, Gualala, Fort Bragg and the Sonoma Coast
State Beach (Bodega Bay to the Russian River).

Kendall Smith urged Rick to keep Fort Bragg in mind. She said there is
great potential for linking the gateway and a proposed coastal trail
that pass through a former mill site, providing new coastal access.

**Seabird Monitoring**

BLM State Office Ecologist Jim Weigand discussed the seabird monitoring
initiative at Gualala Point Island and other monitoring activities,
including efforts for vegetation.

He said the final Gualala Point Island seabird monitoring report is
online now. Responding to questions, he said the report writers intended
to present an objective summary of findings, and did not intend to
recommend a decision regarding the Gualala fireworks celebration.

**Gualala Festivals Committee Comments**

Marshall Seyagh said the CCNM provides a thread connecting communities
that have so much in common with coastal resources.

From the Gualala Festival Committee standpoint he said:

-   Gualala generates \$100 million in annual tourism funds each year.

-   3,000 CCNM brochures were distributed to visitors during last year's
    festival. There is a great opportunity to integrate tourism and the
    monument.

-   If the committee believed that fireworks were destroying birds it
    would stop. He said the bird declines are due to cumulative impacts
    from a variety of human disturbances, not just from a short duration
    fireworks display.

-   The committee has worked to mitigate the display to address bird
    disturbance concerns.

-   The July Fourth celebration and fireworks display provides myriad
    benefits to the community.

-   Decisions about the fireworks display should not be based solely on
    the monitoring report; more study is needed. He said some parts of
    the report could be taken both ways, for and against fireworks
    displays.

-   The Festivals Committee has demonstrated its willingness to
    participate in the studies. He recommended that disturbance
    monitoring should be expanded to all sources of disturbances.

Wayne Harris said Brandt's cormorant populations have been declining for
three decades; there is more going on to cause nest failures that just
the fireworks show. (The report noted that fireworks shows are not the
cause of major cormorant declines.). Additionally, he said the
monitoring report contains many typos and miscounts.

He requested the opportunity to discuss the report further after RAC
members have had the chance to review it.

Next steps:

Rick Hanks said there is a need for more long-term monitoring on seabird
disturbance. He pointed out that the monitoring was designed to be point
in time and showed loss of nests during that point in time.

The study was also valuable in establishing a protocol for application
in other areas of the monument. He said the BLM's role was to provide
information using a protocol developed by the Department of Fish and
Game (a core managing partner of the CCNM) and the U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.

Marshall noted that the California Coastal Commission in December said
it would issue a cease and desist order if the commission intends to
proceed with fireworks this year. The commission advised the committee
that it needs a coastal development permit. No order has been received.
He said the committee will not apply for the coastal development permit,
viewing the requirement as arbitrary.

Sef Murguia noted that it is incumbent on the BLM to fully investigate
the concerns about impacts to seabirds.

Julie Rogers suggested there could be areas for compromise to minimize
impacts from the fireworks display. Marshall said the location for
launching the display is the only location that is suitable.

Rich Burns noted that the monitoring was a window in time and suggested
it would be helpful to monitor the site again this year to have a basis
for data comparison.

Jim Weigand said much was learned in last year's monitoring effort about
how to improve the monitoring. He said the BLM will assist with
monitoring throughout the year to determine the importance of the rocks
for wildlife through the year. Botanical inventories will be completed
by Sea Ranch residents as part of their partnership agreement with the
BLM. Weigand said California state Parks will also provide some
monitoring expertise through the existing management partnership. Park
service expertise also is available. It is important to build a
systematic and efficient information gathering network.

**Public Comment Period**

There were no public comments

**Geotourism Initiative**

Rick updated the council on an initiative being developed in conjunction
with the National Geographic Society to develop a geotourism
informational program and Geotourism Map Guide for the California Coast.
Geotourism focuses on maintaining authenticity of a place, attracting
tourists who appreciate authenticity and are committed to preserving it.

There are proposals for development of geotourism regions on the
northern, central and southern parts of the coast. The proposal is to
develop Map Guides for each region. The process to develop each map runs
12 to 18 months. National Geographic provides the technical services.
Local communities provide the funding. The California Ocean Protection
Council has contributed \$85,000, covering half of the total cost of the
northern California geotourism map. In the north, the theme will be
salmon, building on the sea-land connections that were important
historically and continue today. There are also science and nature
connections, and a historical association with tribes. There is a good
link with the CCNM gateways.

Rick said he is considering adding to monument partnership agreements a
statement in which CCNM partners agree to support geotourism concepts
and practices. (The principles are included as a handout).

Bob Warren said the geotourism initiative should strive to involve the
destination tourism industry, which can help fund efforts such as this.
He said geotourism plays well internationally.

Kendall said these initiatives result in tourists staying longer in
areas and spending more money with local businesses. She strongly
supports the effort.

Michael Kelley said he is impressed with the goals of sustaining places,
and diversity.

**South Cow Mountain**

Rich Burns updated the council on access issues at the South Cow
Mountain National Recreation Area. Work continues on management plan
development. The goal is to have a draft plan out for review by the end
of the fiscal year.

**Access issues:** Rich said discussion continues about traffic problems
on Mill Creek Road, the main west side access for the recreation area.
The narrow, winding road runs through a residential area and is seeing
increasing use as South Cow Mountain becomes more popular.

The field office has been working with the county transportation
department to improve conditions. A speed limit sign has been placed,
along with traffic cautionary signs advising visitors of the residential
area. Rich noted that signs were placed in November, but there have been
no improvements in driver behavior. Neighbors remain frustrated.

A neighbor group and county transportation group met again recently.
There will be some speed surveys and an evaluation of the speed limit,
leading to the ability for law enforcement to enforce speed limits (the
current speed limit is not supported by a formal speed survey).

There are also plans to distribute flyers asking visitors to drive
safety through the neighborhood.

Kendall said the group has agreed on educational and enforcement efforts
to encourage Cow Mountain visitors to be more careful. She also noted
that community members have threatened to sue the county and the BLM
over traffic control issues. She said the county is seeking federal
grant funds to help improve the road. Various user groups are providing
support letters. She said the county also supports development of a
second access road by improving the Lakeport entrance to South Cow
Mountain, which would help deflect some traffic from Mill Creek Road.

Kendall suggested a future agenda item to discuss ways that the RAC
could work to encourage funding to address access needs at South Cow.

Rich said that until recently, visitation to Cow Mountain has been about
150 visitors per weekend. Since 2006 it has increased to about 400 per
weekend. There has not been a decrease even with increases in fuel
prices, and the field office does not expect visitation decreases.

**Redding Field Office Recreation Trails**

Redding Field Manager Steve Anderson reported that the BLM has requested
trail development funds from the Iron Mountain Mine Trustee Council, a
request that was supported by the RAC. The field office requested
\$413,000 from the Superfund budget to fund additional trail develop
recreation trails in the Sacramento River Rail Trail area.

Steve summarized trail work that has been completed since the RAC
meeting and field tour last fall in Redding. He said a trail is now
nearly complete providing a 25-mile loop linking the Hornbeck and Ditch
Trail System on the east side of the Sacramento River with Shasta Dam. A
total of 25 miles have been completed since the RAC's last visit.

At the Swasey Recreation Area in west Redding, work should be complete
in the next four weeks on a trail linking the BLM site with the
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

Michael Kelley characterized the developments as "world class" and
contributing to making Redding a destination for recreation-minded
tourists.

Ryan Henson said every few feet of trail developed increases the quality
of life for Redding residents, providing opportunities for people to
improve their health and lifestyles.

Steve said that he and the Redding BLM staff consider Ryan's sentiments
"part of the BLM mission" and take their responsibility seriously in
this area.

**Sacramento River Bend**

Bob Warren reported on recent meetings between the Shasta Cascade
Wonderland Association and Congressman Wally Herger. The congressman and
Sen. Barbara Boxer are working on legislative proposals to designate a
Sacramento River Bend National Recreation Area, but there are still
disagreements about whether an advisory council should be established.

**Field Managers' Reports**

**Arcata:** Field Manager Lynda Roush shared the most recent Headwaters
Forest Reserve newsletter and the business plan for the Reserve. The
business plan identifies priorities for implementing the Resource
Management Plan, and funding needs for additional projects.

King Range NCA manager Gary Pritchard Peterson shared information
regarding the Paradise Ridge Mountain Bike Trail. He commended work from
his staff and support from volunteer groups, mountain bike clubs,
schools, scout troops and the California Conservation Corps in
completing the trail. Michael Kelley said he had the opportunity to ride
the trail, and said it offers tremendous variety. He said the trail is a
"huge plus" for the entire community. Gary noted the trail is the first
loop of a planned trail system. He also noted that the King Range staff
will be completing a wilderness management plan, required by the
Congressional designation of the King Range Wilderness.

There was discussion about pending funding cuts for the California
Conservation Corps. Members considered the best way to voice their
support for the CCC, which benefits the youth and the BLM. A discussion
item was set for the next meeting agenda.

**Ukiah:** Field Manager Rich Buns presented a written report covering
fire and fuels, Knoxville management, Cow Mountain, the Black Forest,
wind energy development proposals, management of the Stornetta Public
Lands, California Coastal National Monument Gateways, the Cache Creek
Natural Area, Lake Berryessa topics, geothermal energy, Walker Ridge
surveys, and marijuana eradication on public lands.

**Redding:** Steve Anderson said thee is new interest in gold panning
and dredging with the increase in old prices. There are some concerns
regarding stream bottom impacts. Most is casual use. Additionally, Steve
reported that the field office received \$1.25 million from the Land and
Water Conservation Fund for land acquisition in the Sacramento River
Bend Area. He said the Resources Land Group is assisting with funding to
provide funds for acquisition of two key parcels in the Sacramento River
Bend Area.

**Other RAC Member Reports**

Julie Rogers said the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council is finishing
its Pine Mountain (Willits area) wildfire safety project made possible
with a \$59,000 National Fire Plan grant from the BLM. The project is
helping with vegetation clearing and chipping around homes and along
roads, creating a map to assist emergency services personnel, and
installing street signage

where there had been none. Julie said fire safety work funded by the BLM
is also taking place in Brooktrails, Mendocino County\'s highest risk
community for loss of life in a wildfire. The current \$166,000 project
will provide for both CAL FIRE crews and private contractors to create
fuel breaks to allow easier containment of a wildfire.

**Closing Business**

**Next meeting:** The Redding Field Office will host on Wednesday and
Thursday, June 11 and 12, in Weaverville.

**Meeting topics**: BLM support for the CCC, Cow Mountain access update,
geotourism initiative, update on Sacramento River, Lacks Creek planning,
project support from field offices. The members want to undertake a
broad look at target shooting on public lands, including demands,
liabilities and other management concerns.

*Summary meeting notes compiled by*

*Jeff Fontana, public affairs officer*

*BLM, Northern California*

Note: Handouts and attachments referenced in these notes are available
by contacting BLM Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana at (530) 252-5332
or by email at
[[jfontana@ca.blm.gov]{.underline}](mailto:jfontana@ca.blm.gov).