**Bureau of Land Management**

Northwest California Resource Advisory Council

Field Tour and Business Meeting

Wednesday and Thursday, June 11-12, 2008

**Weaverville, CA**

**Summary Minutes**

**June 11**

Members of the council joined members of the Trinity County Resource
Conservation District and the Weaverville Community Forest Committee for
a tour of the Weaverville Community Forest and an update on forest
projects. Later in the day the group floated part of the Trinity River,
managed as a Wild and Scenic River by the BLM. Brandt Gutermuth of the
Trinity River Restoration Program addressed the members on the goals of
the program and highlighted project areas, including work to improve
salmon spawning habitat, during the tour.

**June 12**

**Opening business**

Kendall Smith chaired the meeting in the absence of Chairman Don Klusman
and Vice Chair Ryan Henson.

Agenda: The group added discussion about agenda development and climate
change as it relates to RAC meeting travel.

Minutes approval: The minutes from the March meeting were approved with
a correction: Tiana Williams represented the Yurok Tribe, not the
Trinidad Rancheria.

**Attendance**

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

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

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

> *There are no majorities present in categories one and two. There is
> no quorum.*

BLM Staff: Deputy State Director (Minerals) Richard Grabowski, Redding
Field Manager Steve Anderson, Ukiah Field Manager Rich Burns, Arcata
Planning Coordinator Bob Wick (for Field Manager Lynda Roush), Redding
Outdoor Recreation Planner Bill Kuntz, NorCal Public Affairs Officer
Jeff Fontana.

**State Office Update**

Richard Grabowski, deputy state director for minerals, presented the
report on behalf of State Director Mike Pool. Richard presented a
snapshot of the BLM minerals program. In addition to the 15 million
acres of lands managed by the BLM in California, there are 48 million

acres of minerals, or subsurface, responsibility. Other highlights:

-   The mineral and energy division is responsible for diverse programs
    including mining, leaseable and saleable minerals and commodities
    such as gold and uranium. There are 24,000 public lands mining
    claims on file, held by 10,000 individuals and corporations.
    California is the no. 5 gold producer in the nation at about 58,000
    ounces last year.

-   There are currently 390 producing oil and gas leases on BLM-managed
    public lands in California. They produce about 17 million barrels a
    year -- about a weeks' worth of oil consumption in California's two
    million gallons per day demand.

-   Geothermal: California is one of the most active geothermal regions
    in the world. There are 31 geothermal power plants on BLM leases.
    They generate about 500 megawatts, enough power for a half-million
    homes. The program brings in \$12 million in royalties yearly.
    Royalties are shared by the federal government and the counties of
    origin.

-   California is the nation's second largest producer of sand, gravel,
    rock, phosphates and other mineral sales from public lands. More
    than 100 sand and gravel pits on public lands produce about 2
    million tons of materials yearly.

-   The BLM's Abandoned Mine Lands Program addresses safety concerns and
    environmental impacts associated with 13,000 mines located on BLM
    lands. The BLM anticipates there may be mitigation work required on
    about 3,000 of these sites.

-   In total, the minerals program generates \$120 million yearly

**Statewide highlights:**

-   BLM Director Jim Caswell's priorities are :

    -   The healthy lands initiative, focusing on ensuring healthy lands
        in areas where energy is being developed. (California is hoping
        for Fiscal Year 2009 funding in to address juniper encroachment
        issues in the northeast and concerns associated with energy
        development in the southern San Joaquin Valley).

    -   Managing for excellence, including the shift to a three-tier
        management structure.

    -   National Landscape Conservation System, which focuses on
        management of BLM special areas. Legislation is pending to
        codify the system, providing a line budget.

    -   Grazing regulations.

-   Planning is underway for the FY 09 budget.

-   Legislation recognizing the Piedras Blancas Light Station as an
    outstanding natural area may result in funding.

-   A new wilderness bill could include more BLM lands.

-   The Hollister field office has closed the 31,000-acre Clear Creek
    Recreation Area because of hazards from naturally occurring
    asbestos. This could result in more visitors to Cow Mountain, as
    displaced OHV riders look for new recreation locations.

RAC questions/comments:

Michael Kelly expressed concerns about the rapid pace of proposed new
wilderness legislation.

**Target Shooting Management**

Rich Burns led the discussion. He said the Ukiah Field Office has been
at the forefront in managing recreational shooting areas through
development of its resource management plan. The new plan limits target
shooting to designated areas at North Cow Mountain, Walker Ridge and
Knoxville. Safety concerns have led to a shutdown of the Knoxville
Range. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been involved with
discussions and land use plan designations. The RMP designated shooting
to ranges already in place and allowed for identification and
development of new sites.

At Knoxville, shooting-related safety concerns have increased as more
people moved onto land adjacent to the BLM-managed recreation site. The
BLM has received increasing numbers of calls from people whose buildings
were hit by stray bullets. Off-highway vehicle users also began
complaining about being narrowly missed by stray bullets. The field
office consulted with the NRA at the site. The association concurred
with the proposal to close the shooting range and find a more suitable
range location. Subsequently, discussions began about the possibility of
acquiring neighboring property for development of a range, but that did
not materialize.

The pistol range was closed on April 15, meaning that the entire
Knoxville Recreation Area is now off limits to target shooting. Hunting
is allowed during state-regulated seasons. The field office is
publishing a supplemental rule in the Federal Register which will
officially put the closure in effect and provide the ability for law
enforcement rangers to enforce it. The closure of the range has resulted
in people shooting in various areas of the Knoxville Recreation Area.
Rich provided a copy of the closure order (attachment)

Additionally, the field office is looking for a party to assume
ownership of the North Cow Mountain shooting range.

Managers noted that the Arcata and Redding field offices RMPs do not
limit shooting to the extent of the Ukiah RMP. Random recreational
shooting is generally allowed on those public lands unless areas are
specifically closed to that activity. Field Office Planning Coordinator
Bob Wick said the Arcata field office has closed some areas where target
shooting was a problem, but noted the field office has few problems
associated with target shooting.

Redding Field Manager Steve Anderson noted that it will be very
difficult for gun clubs to purchase shooting range property because of
land prices and the liability exposure associated with shooting ranges.

Steve said the Redding Field Office has closed a number of shooting
areas, but directs shooters to Iron Mountain Mine road, which is
convenient. Former shooting areas at Walker Mine Road and Swasey have
been phased out as other recreation uses such as cycling, hiking and
horseback riding have increased. At Iron Mountain Mine Road there are
now four parking spots for shooters.

**Lacks Creek Planning**

Bob Wick updated the council on development of a management plan for the
Lacks Creek area adjacent to Redwood National Park. The BLM recently
acquired through donation about 4,000 acres, bringing the public land
total to about 8,000 acres in the 12,000-acre watershed. He presented a
PowerPoint presentation.

The Arcata Resource Management Plan (RMP) calls for management to
complement the park protection zone for Redwood National Park. The area
is a late successional reserve under provisions of the Northwest Forest
Plan. It is one of the closest public land parcels to Arcata suitable
for primitive dispersed recreation.

Bob said about 30 people participated in a public scoping session to
begin planning for management of the Lacks Creek public lands. The draft
plan evaluated three alternatives focusing on restoration, no action,
and an accelerated approach to watershed restoration. The no action
alternative would have followed the current guidance in the RMP.

The draft plan will contain proposed actions to restore and improve
forests and prairie ecosystems, watersheds and fisheries. It will
contain management direction for fire and fuels, wildlife habitat
management and development of roads and trails for recreation use.

The overall goals are to restore late successional forest conditions.
Forestry projects, prescribed burning, livestock grazing and thinning
will be important management tools. The field office has also been
pleased with public response to the firewood program.

Responding to Michael Kelly, Bob said air quality concerns related to
prescribed fire area not as great a concern on the north coast as they
are for other areas in California.

Rebuilding the forest canopy is an objective to help restore stream
conditions for fish.

Forest management and habitat improvements all will benefit wildlife.

Bob also presented maps showing proposed location for projects in
relation to streams that provide Chinook salmon habitat. He noted the
entire area is a BLM Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).

Trail development is strongly supported by the mountain biking community
in Arcata because there are limited opportunities now. Lacks Creek would
provide riding opportunities only 45 minutes from town. Michael Kelly
pledged to recruit volunteer support for trail development.

Bob stressed that all recreation development will be in conformance with
the plan's overall watershed restoration and protection goals.

The area is also used for hunting and some dispersed recreational
shooting.

Bob noted that the Arcata Field Office continues to work closely with
the Hoopa Tribe on forestry projects.

Rondal Snodgrass said the BLM must not ignore the importance of the
Lacks Creek area for native people. He said the area also has historic
significance. Bob noted that the draft management plan contains a
cultural resource component, and said the field office will work closely
with the Hoopa Reservation. He said there are no plans for an historical
or cultural interpretation program.

Discussion continued about the Native American and post-settlement
historic importance of the area. Rondal said consideration to the rich
tribal heritage should be referenced in any interpretive information
developed for the area.

Timeline: The field office hopes to complete the preliminary plan and
environmental assessment for public distribution by mid July. A 30-day
public review period will follow. Public comments will be considered. A
decision record could be released in September, with plan implementation
to begin in October.

Shirley Laos suggested involving all surrounding tribes \-- Blue Lake
Rancheria, Yurok Tribe and Hoopa -- in the planning process.

Funding: The field office expects to receive \$1.35 million for
restoration in next year's budget. Redwood National Park will contribute
\$250,000 from its centennial fund (the area is adjacent to the park
protection zone and plays a role in protecting the watershed above the
park).

**Cow Mountain Management**

Rich Burns said his staff is consolidating input from various interests,
including suggestions for trail developments, to include in the upcoming
draft management plan. The staff will begin working on planning
alternatives and hopes to have a draft plan available for public review
in late September.

Other Cow Mountain highlights:

-   **Marijuana Garden Cleanup:** Rich said marijuana cultivation has
    been a major problem, particularly the garden site debris. The staff
    has worked on sites on both north and south Cow Mountain. Pipe and
    camping materials are left behind when law enforcement officers
    remove the plants. The materials are sometimes reused by growers if
    not removed after the law enforcement raids. Rich said the BLM
    Washington Office this year provided \$20,000 to help Ukiah with
    cleanup projects. It provided enough funding to clear some of the
    100 garden sites on Ukiah Field Office public lands.

-   **Access issues:** Rich reported that negotiations are continuing
    that could lead to an improved entry point on the Lakeport side of
    the mountain. A new access could alleviate some traffic concerns on
    Mill Creek Road on the Ukiah side of the mountain.

**Public Comment**

Bill Kuntz presented a volunteer award to Bill Frase for his
contributions to management of the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area. Mr. Frase
donated rights of way across his property that enabled the BLM to build
three miles of routes and to improve access. The Lemurian Trail, a
popular route, runs through the property.

**Field Managers Reports**

**Ukiah:** In addition to his written report Rich noted that BLM grants
of \$108,000 and \$98,000 have been awarded to the Mendocino Fire Safe
Council for gorse removal and chipping projects to improve community
fire safety.

At the Black Forest, Lake County is working to acquire property adjacent
to the BLM-managed forest to improve viewshed protection Mount Konocti.
BLM currently manages its part of the Black Forest as an Area of
Critical Environmental Concern.

Ukiah continues to work with Greenwing Energy, which has a right of way
to study wind energy potential on Walker Ridge. The company has
permission to install meteorological towers. There is potential for the
development of a wind farm in the area.

Rich also reported that the California Coastal Commission ruled that a
coastal development permit would be required for the Gualala Festival
Committee's proposed fireworks display, and that it would issue a "cease
and desist" order if the organization attempted to launch fireworks
without first obtaining a permit.

**Redding:** Field Manager Steve Anderson presented a written report
(attachment) covering trails development, forestry, demand for gold
panning, fire and law enforcement. Additionally, he noted the office
acquired six acres in the Bend Area using half of a \$1.25 million
allocation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

**Arcata:** Bob Wick presented a written report (attachment) covering
the King Range, Headwaters, the South Spit, Centerville, Samoa Dunes,
the California Coastal National Monument and Lacks Creek.­­ Visitation at
the King Range has been the lowest in many years. The staff speculates
that weather and high fuel prices could be part of the reason. The
Paradise Ridge mountain bike trail is nearly complete, with a dedication
planned for September during National Public Lands Day.

**Geotourism**

Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana reported that the California Coastal
National Monument (CCNM) continues to be a partner in a California coast
geotourism initiative involving National Geographic. A product will be
National Geographic Mapguides for the entire coast, with work to begin
first on the northern portion, from the Oregon border to San Francisco.
CCNM Manager Rick Hanks has added a geotourism addendum to Memoranda of
Understanding between the BLM and CCNM partners, in which the BLM and
partners pledge to uphold geotourism principles. Rick will continue to
update and involve the RAC as the project progresses.

**Agenda formation**

Michael Kelly said he would like to see more proactive agendas and
encouraged members to be more active in proposing agenda topics,
particularly in areas to support the BLM and communities. He said
members can use the Topica discussion list to suggest agenda topics.

Sef said he would like to see more discussion about equestrian use and
facilities and less about activities connected to "wheels."

Kendall suggested a RAC project to find ways to provide more education
to the public about public lands value and opportunity in all areas.
Discussions about impacts versus costs for public land activities could
be the foundation for educational campaigns that could be undertaken.
She suggested a statewide RAC meeting to discuss assisting BLM with a
public education campaign about the benefits of public lands.

Julie Rogers said she feels that one responsibility of the members is to
help promote BLM's image.

Kendall also suggested that BLM should consider the impact on natural
resources resulting from the current meeting schedule and required
travel. She suggested that the BLM consider reducing the number of
meetings and using teleconferences for some meetings.

**Next Meeting:**

Ukiah will host on Oct. 23 and 24 with a field trip to the Cache Creek
Natural Area. Agenda topics will include a discussion of meeting
frequency (conservation and reducing travel) an overview of the
Recreation and Public Purposes Act and other items requested by BLM
managers and RAC members.

The meeting was adjourned.

*Meeting notes compiled by*

*Jeff Fontana, BLM public affairs officer*

*Northern California*