**Bureau of Land Management**

Northwest California Resource Advisory Council

Field Tour and Business Meeting

Nov. 20 and 21, 2008

Cache Creek and Woodland, California

**Summary Minutes**

**Thursday, Nov. 20**

Council members convened at the BLM's Cowboy Camp staging area on the
east side of the Cache Creek Natural Area. Gregg Mangan, natural area
manager, led a field tour focusing on the natural resource
values,(including the important habitat for elk, provided by the Cache
Creek area. Recent wilderness designations, use of cattle grazing for
noxious weed control, biological efforts to control tamarisk and
increasing recreational uses, especially rafting and kayaking, were
discussed. Members hiked the recently developed High Bridge Trail.

**Friday, Nov. 21**

**Opening Business**

Chairman Don Klusman presided over the meeting at the Woodland Public
Library.

**Attendance:**

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

**Category Two:** Michael Kelley, Ryan Henson, Diane Beck, Rondall
Snodgrass

**Category Three:** Tony Shaw, Shirley Laos. Absent: Kendall Smith,
Julie Rogers.

> *Majorities are not present in categories one and three. There is no
> quorum of the council.*

**BLM staff present:** Arcata Field Manager Lynda Roush (designated
federal official), Redding Field Manager Steve Anderson, Ukiah Field
Manager Rich Burns, California Coastal National Monument Manager Rick
Hanks, California State Office Realty Specialist Karen Montgomery,
Northern California Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana.

**Agenda Approval:** The agenda was approved as mailed.

**Meeting Minutes:** The notes from the June meeting were approved
without change.

**Introductions:** Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana introduced Tony
Shaw of Ukiah, the RAC's newly appointed member in the public at large
seat. Tony replaces Bill Radtkey, who is leaving the council after two
terms. Ukiah Field Manager Rich Burns presented Bill with an
appreciation award.

**State Office Update**

Karen Montgomery represented State Director Mike Pool. Highlights of her
report:

-   BLM is implementing the Managing for Excellence initiative, which
    includes the shift to a three-tier organizational structure. The
    agency expects to have northern and central California district
    managers in place by spring.

-   Financially, the BLM is operating under a Congressional Continuing
    Resolution which provides for government operations absent an
    approved budget for fiscal year 2009. Funding is set at last year's
    levels, with no new project starts allowed.

-   BLM has received 80 applications for solar energy developments and
    97 wind energy proposals statewide. The agency is working closely
    with the State of California on alternate energy initiatives, and
    has signed a memorandum of understanding with the California
    Department of Fish and Game and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    committing to coordinate on energy initiatives.

-   The U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued its
    report on the Wild Horse and Burro program (available at
    [www.gao.gov/new.items/d0977.pdf](http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0977.pdf))
    which discusses options for dealing with the large number of horses
    being held off the range. Additionally, the BLM has received an
    offer from Texas resident Madeline Pickens to purchase significant
    acreage to provide a home for about 30,000 wild horses now in BLM
    long-term holding facilities.

-   An omnibus lands package in Congress contains four bills that affect
    the BLM:

    -   The National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) will would
        codify the system into law. The system includes significant
        landscapes including the King Range National Conservation Area,
        wilderness areas and others. There has been opposition from some
        western Congressional representatives and from the U. S. Chamber
        of Commerce.

    -   The California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act would designate
        Riverside County public lands as wilderness.

    -   The Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act
        would designate 430,000 acres of new wilderness in southern
        California.

    -   The Tuolumne-Miwok Bill would transfer certain public lands into
        tribal trust

    -   The Sacramento River National Recreation Area Act would
        establish the Sacramento River National Recreation Area in the
        Bend area (Redding Field Office) north of Red Bluff.

**RAC Comments:**

Bob Warren criticized the BLM's continuing effort to establish a
three-tier management structure in light of the current financial
crunch. He said it creates jobs for which there is little need. He said
he would be contacting his elected representatives to voice his opinion
and encouraged those RAC members who share his views to do the same.

**Bear Creek Watershed Assessment Grant:** State Office Ecologist Jim
Weigand reported on the effort to collect mercury contamination data in
the 102 square-mile Bear Creek Watershe**d** and to outline options for
future management and improvements. He said the concern centers on the
high concentrations of methyl mercury, from historic mining and natural
sources, in Bear Creek. Methyl mercury is a concern because that form of
the element is toxic to humans who ingest it by eating fish from
contaminated waters. Project goals are to improve water quality, restore
hydrologic function, conserve topsoil, enhance recreation, develop
energy resources, maintain economic livelihoods and lifestyles and
reduce the likelihood of catastrophic events. The assessment examines
options for managing a diverse landscape and watershed.

**Recreation and Public Purposes Act**

Realty Specialist Karen Montgomery presented a PowerPoint overview of
the act that has provisions for transferring land out of public
ownership in certain circumstances. Highlights:

-   Originally "Recreation Act of 1926"

-   Amended in 1954 to be the R&PP Act - included public purposes

-   Amended in 1988 regarding "Disposal, Placement, or Release of
    Hazardous Substances"

-   Under the R&PP Act public lands may be:

    -   Leased

    -   Leased, then Purchased

    -   Purchased

-   Who is eligible under the R&PP Act:

    -   Governmental Entities

        -   State

        -   County

        -   City

        -   Political Subdivisions

    -   Nonprofit Organizations

-   Types of uses under the R&PP Act:

    -   Parks

    -   Schools

    -   Fire Stations

    -   Courthouses and Jails

    -   County/City Administrative Offices

    -   Animal Control Centers

    -   Cemeteries

    -   Museums

    -   Community Centers

    -   Fairgrounds

    -   Landfills/Transfer Stations

    -   Many, Many more...

    -   

-   Pricing -- Leases

    -   Governmental Entities

        -   Recreation and Historic Purposes - \$0

        -   Special Pricing - \$2/acre/year (\$25 minimum/year)

        -   Regular Pricing -- 50% FMV, or 10% FMV for restricted use

    -   Nonprofit Organizations

        -   Recreation and Historic Purposes - 50% FMV, or 10% FMV for
            restricted use

        -   Special Pricing - 50% FMV, or 10% FMV for restricted use

        -   Regular Pricing -- 50% FMV, or 10% FMV for restricted use

-   Pricing -- Purchase

    -   Governmental Entities

        -   Recreation and Historic Purposes - \$0

        -   Special Pricing - \$10 per acre (\$50 minimum)

        -   Regular Pricing -- 50% FMV, or 10% FMV for restricted use

    -   Nonprofit Organizations

        -   Recreation and Historic Purposes - 50% FMV, or 10% FMV for
            restricted use

        -   Special Pricing - 50% FMV, or 10% FMV for restricted use

        -   Regular Pricing -- 50% FMV, or 10% FMV for restricted use

-   Terms and Conditions

    -   Lease

        -   Nondiscrimination

        -   Development and Management Plan

        -   Use Charges

        -   Term -- 25 years for Gov., 20 years for Nonprofits

    -   Purchase

        -   Nondiscrimination

        -   Transfer of Title or Control

        -   Use in Perpetuity

        -   Nonuse for 5 years

        -   All Minerals are Reserved to the USA

        -   Limited Reverter on Hazardous Material Sites

        -   

Field mangers summarized the R&PP leases in their areas.

Lynda Roush said there are 17 patents in the Arcata Field Office area,
with lands being used for parks. She said there is a workload associated
with compliance checks which are required to ensure the lands are being
used in accordance with terms of the R&PP transfer.

Redding Field Manager Steve Anderson noted that the R&PP does not "fit
as well" with land management as it did in past years. He said the
compliance workload is high CCNM Manager Rick Hanks added that R&PP has
its roots in BLM's early years as a federal land disposal agency.

**North Coast Geotourism Project**

Rick Hanks, manager of the BLM California Coastal National Monument,
updated the RAC on the project being undertaken by the National
Geographic Society Center for Sustainable Destiations and partners
including the BLM:

-   The BLM, Forest Service, and the National Park Service have signed a
    memorandum of understanding adopting principles of geotourism
    (tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a
    place -- its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the
    well-being of its residents). Agencies and organizations who partner
    in management of the CCNM have amended their MOUs with the BLM to
    include geotourism principles.

-   A focus of the project will be creation of a National Geographic
    MapGuide for the North Coast region stretching from Del Norte to
    Marin counties, including parts of Lake County. This can include a
    printed map and an interactive database that features places,
    attractions, businesses and events that make the North Coast unique.
    Rick distributed a fact sheet (attachment) describing details.

-   Partners have formed a geotourism committee to oversee the project
    and collect nominations for inclusion on the MapGuide.

-   Up to 50 public meetings will be held at locations along the coast
    to solicit nominations.

-   Project partners are now meeting with boards of supervisors and
    other key stakeholders to lay the groundwork for the project.

-   Rick welcomed comments from the RAC about areas, events and
    attractions to be included.

    -   Rondall Snodgrass said that conservation and restoration are a
        major part of life on the North Coast and should be included on
        the MapGuide.

**Public Comments**

Bob Schneider, president of the conservation organization Tuleyome,
briefed the RAC on a proposal to create the Berryessa/Snow Mountain
National Conservation Area. It would cover about 470,000 acres of public
lands, including areas managed by the BLM Ukiah Field Office. Schneider
said the intent is to provide management coordination for an important,
diverse landscape that faces threats from urbanization and other issues.
He said establishment of special management designation on lands under
multiple agency jurisdictions is not without precedent. He cited the
Santa Rosa/San Jacinto National Monument, which includes BLM lands, as a
successful example. A summary report on the proposal is on the Tuleyome
website: [www.tuleyome.org](http://www.tuleyome.org/).

The council took no action but asked to be kept informed.

**Lacks Creek Planning**

Lynda Roush reported that after a public comment period the Arcata Field
Office has adopted the draft Lacks Creek Management Plan as the final
plan. Layout of mountain biking and equestrian trails are priorities for
the coming year. Details of the plan are available at
[www.blm.gov/ca/arcata](http://www.blm.gov/ca/arcata).

**Field Managers' Reports**

**Arcata:** Lynda Roush reported:

-   Chris Heppe has been hired as the new manager for the Headwaters
    Forest Reserve. He comes to the BLM from Redwoods National Park,
    where he oversaw the geological services branch.

-   The Navy Department now has access to about \$9 million to begin
    building removal at the former Centerville Naval Station near
    Fortuna. Once buildings are removed, the BLM will manage the area as
    part of the Lost Coast Headlands near Ferndale. Public scoping will
    start in February in BLM's work to develop a Lost Coast Headlands
    Management Plan.

-   Field office staff will begin work this winter on improvement and
    expansion of snowy plover habitat at the South Spit Cooperative
    Management Area. Projects will restore 30 acres of habitat and
    retreat the existing 20-acres of nesting habitat. Plovers are
    nesting in the restored areas.

**Ukiah:** In addition to his written report (attachment), Rich Burns
noted:

-   The field office won a national Department of the Interior
    achievement award for its work in cleaning up marijuana growing
    sites on public lands.

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-   Discussions are underway between the field office and partners for
    acquisition of 600 acres adjacent to the Stornetta Public Lands near
    Point Arena.

-   Negotiations are underway for a possible transfer from Save the
    Redwoods League to the BLM of about 250 acres adjacent to Montgomery
    Woods.

**Redding:** Steve Anderson provided a written report (attachment).
Highlights:

-   The field office continues to see great success in recreational
    trail development. Thanks to partner cooperation about 30 miles have
    been completed in the past two years.

-   Ceremonies have been held dedicating a new Keswick Trailhead and
    trail connection and a new salmon viewing platform and trailhead at
    Clear Creek.

-   An abundance of salvage from private lands and the housing downturn
    have made it more difficult for the field office to complete timber
    sales.

-   A GAO report on use of Stewardship authorities in the Weaverville
    Community Forest was favorable.

-   The closure to Salmon fishing the in the Sacramento River has
    resulted in a twofold increase in requests for fishing guide permits
    on the Trinity River. BLM issued a moratorium on new Trinity
    permits.

-   

**Topics from RAC members**

-   Don Klusman asked managers to bring the RAC a list of issues for the
    group to consider next year.

-   Michael Kelley offered to help coordinate RAC involvement in agenda
    development.

**Closing Business**

**Next Meeting:** Thursday and Friday, March 19-20, 2009. Redding field
office will host with a field trip to one of the newly completed bike
trails.

**Agenda topics:** Discussion and planning of work and issues for the
coming year, including a review of meeting processes, RAC roles in
assisting the BLM, status report on Sacramento River Bend.

The meeting was adjourned.

*Summary notes compiled by*

*Jeff Fontana, BLM public affairs officer*

*Northern California*