Mojave Field Report
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Providence Mountains State Recreation Area 38200 Essex Road Or P.O
Our Mission Providence The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and In the middle of the education of the people of California by helping Mountains to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological Mojave Desert, Jack and diversity, protecting its most valued natural and State Recreation Area cultural resources, and creating opportunities Ida Mitchell shared with for high-quality outdoor recreation. thousands of fortunate visitors the cool beauty of the caverns’ magnificent “draperies” and “coral California State Parks supports equal access. pipes” formations. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (760) 928-2586. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected]. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Providence Mountains State Recreation Area 38200 Essex Road or P.O. Box 1 Essex, CA 92332 • (760) 928-2586 © 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) V isitors to Providence Mountains State that left abundant shell-covered organisms Recreation Area are greeted by the sight on the sea floor. of jagged slopes of gray limestone, topped The shells and plant materials that settled by volcanic peaks of red rhyolite. Located on the sea bottom eventually became on the eastern slope of the Providence limestone. As the restless land heaved Mountains Range, the park lies within the upward, these formations were pushed boundaries of the 1.6-million acre Mojave above the level of the former ocean bed. -
Mojave National Preserve California
A fact sheet from 2017 Dougall Photography/iStockphoto Mojave’s $131.8 million maintenance backlog includes repairs to historic buildings such as the Kelso Depot. Shane McMurphy/iStockphoto Mojave National Preserve California Overview Two hours from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas and 100 miles from the nearest lodging lies California’s Mojave National Preserve. The Las Vegas Review-Journal dubbed this vast desert in San Bernardino County the “perfect escape for those seeking serenity.” The preserve spans 1.6 million acres, making it the third-largest National Park Service (NPS) unit in the contiguous United States. Mojave is ecologically and geologically diverse, with towering sand dunes, dun-colored mesas, and volcanic formations providing habitat for its abundant plants and wildlife. In addition to the densest forest of Joshua trees in the world, visitors can see bighorn sheep, bobcats, golden eagles, and breathtaking displays of seasonal wildflowers. The preserve also has a rich cultural heritage. Lands first inhabited by the Chemehuevi and Mojave tribes attracted gold miners in the late 19th century and were later crossed by several railroad lines. Visitors can learn more about this history through exhibits at the visitor center and by exploring archaeological sites, abandoned mines, and preserved homesteads and other buildings. The ghost town of Kelso, which once served as a Union Pacific Railroad depot and mining outpost, is one of the park’s most popular destinations. Unfortunately, Mojave faces over $131 million in deferred maintenance. Maintenance challenges Nearly all of Mojave’s needed repairs are for its road network. Severe deterioration of some sections of pavement has prompted the NPS to warn visitors of dangerous potholes. -
Understanding the Source of Water for Selected Springs Within Mojave Trails National Monument, California
ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSICS, 2018 VOL. 19, NO. 2, 99–111 https://doi.org/10.1080/15275922.2018.1448909 Understanding the source of water for selected springs within Mojave Trails National Monument, California Andy Zdon, PG, CHg, CEGa, M. Lee Davisson, PGb and Adam H. Love, Ph.D.c aTechnical Director – Water Resources, PARTNER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE, INC., Santa Ana, CA, Sacramento, CA; bML Davisson & Associates, Inc., Livermore, CA; cVice President/Principal Scientist, Roux Associates, Inc., Oakland, CA ABSTRACT KEYWORDS While water sources that sustain many of the springs in the Mojave Desert have been poorly Water resources; clipper understood, the desert ecosystem can be highly dependent on such resources. This evaluation mountains; bonanza spring; updates the water resource forensics of Bonanza Spring, the largest spring in the southeastern groundwater; forensics; Mojave Desert. The source of spring flow at Bonanza Spring was evaluated through an integration isotopes of published geologic maps, measured groundwater levels, water quality chemistry, and isotope data compiled from both published sources and new samples collected for water chemistry and isotopic composition. The results indicate that Bonanza Spring has a regional water source, in hydraulic communication with basin fill aquifer systems. Neighboring Lower Bonanza Spring appears to primarily be a downstream manifestation of surfacing water originally discharged from the Bonanza Spring source. Whereas other springs in the area, Hummingbird, Chuckwalla, and Teresa Springs, each appear to be locally sourced as “perched” springs. These conclusions have important implications for managing activities that have the potential to impact the desert ecosystem. Introduction above Bonanza Spring. Identification of future impacts General information and data regarding springs in the from water resource utilization becomes problematic if Mojave Desert are sparse, and many of these springs are initial baseline conditions are unknown or poorly under- not well understood. -
Wilderness Study Areas
I ___- .-ll..l .“..l..““l.--..- I. _.^.___” _^.__.._._ - ._____.-.-.. ------ FEDERAL LAND M.ANAGEMENT Status and Uses of Wilderness Study Areas I 150156 RESTRICTED--Not to be released outside the General Accounting Wice unless specifically approved by the Office of Congressional Relations. ssBO4’8 RELEASED ---- ---. - (;Ao/li:( ‘I:I)-!L~-l~~lL - United States General Accounting OfTice GAO Washington, D.C. 20548 Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division B-262989 September 23,1993 The Honorable Bruce F. Vento Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Committee on Natural Resources House of Representatives Dear Mr. Chairman: Concerned about alleged degradation of areas being considered for possible inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System (wilderness study areas), you requested that we provide you with information on the types and effects of activities in these study areas. As agreed with your office, we gathered information on areas managed by two agencies: the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLN) and the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. Specifically, this report provides information on (1) legislative guidance and the agency policies governing wilderness study area management, (2) the various activities and uses occurring in the agencies’ study areas, (3) the ways these activities and uses affect the areas, and (4) agency actions to monitor and restrict these uses and to repair damage resulting from them. Appendixes I and II provide data on the number, acreage, and locations of wilderness study areas managed by BLM and the Forest Service, as well as data on the types of uses occurring in the areas. -
Sustainable Transit Feasibility Study for the Mojave National Preserve
2009 Sustainable Transit Feasibility Study for the Mojave National Preserve Project Team: Joseph Chow, P.E.* Ankoor Bhagat Sarah Hernandez Advisor: Dr. Michael McNally Institute of Transportation Studies Sponsored by National Parks University of California,i | PIrvine a g e Conservation Association Irvine, CA *Corresponding investigator: [email protected] Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 Study Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 1 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 2 EXISTING SCENARIO ................................................................................................................. 4 Study Area ................................................................................................................................... 4 Emissions Inventory .................................................................................................................... 6 Visitor Demographics ................................................................................................................. 7 Intra-Preserve Shuttle Service ................................................................................................... 12 DEMAND ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................... -
Breeding Avifaunas of the New York Mountains and Kingston Range: Islands of Conifers in the Mojave Desert of California
BREEDING AVIFAUNAS OF THE NEW YORK MOUNTAINS AND KINGSTON RANGE: ISLANDS OF CONIFERS IN THE MOJAVE DESERT OF CALIFORNIA STEVEN W. CARDIFF and J.V. REMSEN, Jr., Museum of Zoologyand Depart- ment of Zoology,Louisiana State University,Baton Rouge, Louisiana70893-3216 Quantificationof speciesturnover rates on islandsin the context of the equilibriumtheory of island biogeography(MacArthur and Wilson 1967) dependson accurateinventories of the biotataken at appropriateintervals in time. Inaccuratehistorical data concerningspecies composition is a sourceof error that must be avoided when calculatingturnover rates (Lynch and Johnson1974). Johnson's(1974) analysisof historicalchanges in species compositionand abundanceexemplifies the importanceof sound avifaunal inventoriesfor later comparison. In this paper, we present data to provide future researchers with a baseline from which to calculate turnover rates for the breeding avifaunas of two conifer "islands" in the Mojave Desert in California. Islandbiogeography of isolatedmountain ranges forming conifer "islands" in the Great Basin has been studiedby Brown (1971, 1978) for mammals and Johnson(1975) for birds.An analysisof breedingbird turnoverrates for a coniferisland in the Mojave Desert(Clark Mountain, California)is in prog- ress (N.K. Johnson pers. comm.). Detailed and accurate surveysof the breedingavifaunas of the Sheep and Springranges of southwesternNevada (Johnson 1965) and the Providence Mountains, San Bernardino Co., California (Johnson et al. 1948) provide data from other Mojave Desert rangesfor comparisonwith data we presentbelow. STUDY AREAS New York Mountains. The New York Mountains extend from about 14 km west of Cima east to the Nevada border in extreme eastern San Bernardino Co., California. The highestpoint, New York Peak (7532 ft--2296 m), is 39.5 km southeastof Clark Mountain (7929 ft = 2417 m) and 118 km south of CharlestonPeak (11,919 ft=3633 m) in the Spring Mountainsof Nevada. -
Mojave National Preserve Management Plan for Developed
Mojave National Preserve—Management Plan for Developed Water Resources CHAPTER 3: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT Introduction This chapter describes the unique factors that influence water resource management in the Preserve and the resources that could be affected by the implementation of any of the alternatives described in Chapter 2: Alternatives. The resource descriptions provided in this chapter serve as a baseline to compare the potential effects of the management actions proposed in the alternatives. The following resource topics are described in this chapter: • Environmental Setting • Cultural Resources • Water Resources • Wilderness Character • Wildlife Environmental setting and water resources are important for context and are foundational for water resource management, but are not resources that are analyzed for effects. Resource issues that were considered and dismissed from further analysis are listed in Chapter 1: Purpose of and Need for Action and are not discussed further in this EA. A description of the effects of the proposed alternatives on wildlife, cultural resources, and wilderness character is presented in Chapter 4: Environmental Consequences. Environmental Setting The Preserve includes an ecologically diverse yet fragile desert ecosystem consisting of vegetative attributes that are unique to the Mojave Desert, as well as components of the Great Basin and Sonoran Deserts. Topography The topography of the Preserve is characteristic of the mountain and basin physiographic pattern, with tall mountain ranges separated by corresponding valleys filled with alluvial sediments. Primary mountain ranges in the Preserve, from west to east, include the Granite, Kelso, Providence, Clark, New York, and Piute Mountains. Major alluvial valleys include Soda Lake (dry lake bed), Shadow Valley, Ivanpah Valley, Lanfair Valley, and Fenner Valley. -
The California Desert CONSERVATION AREA PLAN 1980 As Amended
the California Desert CONSERVATION AREA PLAN 1980 as amended U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Desert District Riverside, California the California Desert CONSERVATION AREA PLAN 1980 as Amended IN REPLY REFER TO United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT STATE OFFICE Federal Office Building 2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, California 95825 Dear Reader: Thank you.You and many other interested citizens like you have made this California Desert Conservation Area Plan. It was conceived of your interests and concerns, born into law through your elected representatives, molded by your direct personal involvement, matured and refined through public conflict, interaction, and compromise, and completed as a result of your review, comment and advice. It is a good plan. You have reason to be proud. Perhaps, as individuals, we may say, “This is not exactly the plan I would like,” but together we can say, “This is a plan we can agree on, it is fair, and it is possible.” This is the most important part of all, because this Plan is only a beginning. A plan is a piece of paper-what counts is what happens on the ground. The California Desert Plan encompasses a tremendous area and many different resources and uses. The decisions in the Plan are major and important, but they are only general guides to site—specific actions. The job ahead of us now involves three tasks: —Site-specific plans, such as grazing allotment management plans or vehicle route designation; —On-the-ground actions, such as granting mineral leases, developing water sources for wildlife, building fences for livestock pastures or for protecting petroglyphs; and —Keeping people informed of and involved in putting the Plan to work on the ground, and in changing the Plan to meet future needs. -
2021 D17 Zone Hunt Info
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE DEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Wildlife Branch 1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605 ZONE D17 2021 General Deer Hunting Information (No Additional Hunts Scheduled) GENERAL INFORMATION This information sheet has been prepared to assist deer hunters applying for, or planning to hunt in, Zone D-17 located in portions of Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. The following information should be useful to hunters for archery and general seasons as well as any “additional hunts” within this geographic area. For more specific information or additional questions regarding this area, contact the following Department office(s): • Inland Deserts Region Office (Region 6), 3602 Inland Empire Boulevard, Suite C-220, Ontario, CA 91764 (909-484-0167) encompassing Imperial, Inyo, Mono, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. REGULATIONS Laws and regulations are designed to conserve wildlife and to provide for an equitable distribution of game mammals. All hunters should read and be familiar with the Current Hunting Regulations. Remember, if you are hunting on private property you must obtain, and have in your possession written permission to hunt on private property. Hunter trespass laws are strictly enforced. NON-LEAD RESTRICTIONS As of July 1, 2019, all hunters must use nonlead ammunition when taking any wildlife in California, except when hunting with a pellet rifle for approved species. • CCR T14 250.1(d)(3) Effective July 1, 2019, it shall be unlawful to use, or possess with any firearm capable of firing, any projectile(s) not certified as nonlead when taking any wildlife for any purpose in this state. -
Mineral Resources of the Providence Mountains Wilderness Study Area, San Bernardino County, California
Mineral Resources of the Providence Mountains Wilderness Study Area, San Bernardino County, California U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1712-D Chapter D Mineral Resources of the Providence Mountains Wilderness Study Area, San Bernardino County, California By RICHARD J. GOLDFARB, DAVID M. MILLER, ROBERT W. SIMPSON, and DONALD B. HOOVER U.S. Geological Survey PHILLIP R. MOYLE, JERRY E. OLSON, and RICHARD S. GAPS U.S. Bureau of Mines U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1712 MINERAL RESOURCES OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS: CENTRAL CALIFORNIA DESERT CONSERVATION AREA DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DONALD PAUL MODEL, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Dallas L. Peck, Director UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1988 For sale by the Books and Open-File Reports Section U.S. Geological Survey Federal Center, Box 25425 Denver, CO 80225 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Mineral resources of the Providence Mountains Wilderness Study Area, San Bernardino County, California. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1712-D Bibliography Supt. of Docs. No.: I 19.3:1712-D 1. Mines and mineral resources California Providence Mountains Wilderness. 2. Providence Mountains wilderness (Calif.) I. Goldfarb, R.J. II. Series. QE75.B9 No. 1712-D 557.3s 87-600296 [553'.09794'95] STUDIES RELATED TO WILDERNESS Bureau of Land Management Wilderness Study Areas The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (Public Law 94-579, October 21, 1976) requires the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines to conduct mineral surveys on certain areas to determine the mineral values, if any, that may be present. Results must be made available to the public and be submitted to the President and the Congress. -
Mojave National Preserve U.S
National Park Service Mojave National Preserve U.S. Department of the Interior Science Newsletter Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center: an Interview with Director Dr. Jim André James M. André1 and Debra L. Hughson2 A significant factor in the amount of high quality research conducted in Mojave National Preserve is the Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center, part of the University of California Natural Reserve System. In this issue we interview its Director, Dr. Jim André. Dr. André is a research botanist who completed the Preserve’s Vascular Plant Inventory for the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program. The Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center (GMDRC) is one of 37 protected research sites operated by the University of California Natural Reserve System (UC NRS). This system of outdoor classrooms and laboratories The Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center is located in Granite Cove at the base of the Granite Mountains. makes relatively undisturbed examples of the state’s diverse ecosystems available with support facilities for long-term Debra – Some of the people who were to researchers, teachers, and students research projects and multi-week field instrumental in the formation of the UC In this Issue: courses. Established in 1978, the Natural Reserve System, such as Ken Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Norris and Wilbur Mayhew, were very • Page 1. Sweeney Granite Mountains active in this area of the Mojave Desert. Desert Research Center: an Interview with Research Center encompasses 3,496 Director Dr. Jim André hectares (8,639 acres) of the pristine and In fact one of the student camps is called rugged Granite Mountains in the East Norris Camp. -
ROBERT P. SHARP Division of Geological Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
ROBERT P. SHARP Division of Geological Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California Kelso Dunes, Mojave Desert, California Abstract: Kelso Dunes lie in a mountain-rimmed can usually be measured in inches in the crestal zone. basin, 35 miles east of their principal sand source, Lee-slope beds dipping 10-25 degrees pre- where the predominant, sand transporting, westerly dominate within these dunes and are overlain by a wind is locally counterbalanced by strong, orog- thin, well-laminated, windward-slope layer inclined raphically controlled winds from other directions. as much as 16 degrees in the opposite direction. In the sand-mantled source area most grains larger Slip-slope deposits as steep as 30 degrees are only than 1 mm travel principally by creep under salta- scantily preserved. tion impact. The size distribution and sorting The orientation of several hundred lee slopes re- characteristics of eolian sand become well established flects only modestly the influence of prevailing after 10-12 miles of saltation transport. Further western winds. Storm winds from other directions, transport produces greater rounding and more earlier winds with a more southerly component, and mineralogical fractionation but does not greatly local orographic controls complicate the picture. alter other characteristics. This suggests that reliable interpretation of paleo- Fifteen years of measurements along established wind directions from cross-bedding in ancient eolian lines across individual transverse dunes record a sandstones requires a knowledge of the type of high degree of activity but only a hesitating ad- dunes represented and their response to a possibly vance, involving three steps forward and two and a varied wind pattern.