DOCSLIB.ORG

Inyo National Forest Assessment Topic Paper (November 2013)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Inyo National Forest Assessment Topic Paper (November 2013) INYO NATIONAL FOREST ASSESSMENT TOPIC PAPER (NOVEMBER 2013) Chapter 15: Designated Areas Introduction This chapter will assess current conditions and trends for both statutorily designated and administratively designated areas on the Inyo National Forest, including wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, national scenic areas, national trails, research natural areas, scenic byways, and inventoried roadless areas. While the Inyo NF does have designated critical habitat for the federally endangered species, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (SNBS), this designated habitat for SNBS (as well as proposed critical habitat for other species) will be evaluated in the Chapter 5 topic paper, and the information will not be repeated here in Chapter 15. In addition, this chapter will evaluate the potential need and opportunity for additional designated areas, such as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, or research natural areas. This evaluation will be completed using a framework of questions regarding need and opportunity for additional designated areas on the Forest. This chapter will describe the relative contribution of Inyo NF designated areas within the context of the broader landscape, including geographic connections and coordinated management between designated wilderness national scenic trails, and wild and scenic rivers on adjoining lands managed by other federal agencies. Process and Methods Scale of Assessment This assessment will be focused on the area within the boundaries of the Inyo National Forest (Inyo NF or Forest) for existing designated areas because this is the sphere of influence for Inyo NF management of such areas. The current condition and trend will be assessed individually for each type of designated area. Information Sources The following information sources are used for the assessment of current conditions and trends for designated areas on the Forest: Wild and Scenic River eligibility studies (USDA Forest Service 1993); Inyo NF wilderness permit use numbers (2000 to present); special use permit data for commercial pack stations and other wilderness outfitters and Page 1 of 86 guides; visitor data from the Mono Basin and Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Centers; GIS data for Forest roads and trails; data from the Inyo NF Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory; Forest publications on the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (ABPF), the ABPF Management Plan, and existing assessments of Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva); Bioregional assessment for Research Natural Areas; Ecological Surveys (Keeler-Wolf 1990; Cheng 2004 ); the Special Use Data System (SUDS) database, and other district records for research permits. Abbreviated summaries of the distinctive features of each research natural area (RNA) were based primarily upon the General Technical Report “Forest Service Research Natural Areas in California” (Cheng 2004). The Bioregional Assessment Chapter 15 topic paper provides links to more detailed information on each RNA on the Inyo NF and throughout the Region. Additional information was based upon Inyo NF Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI) and Ecology plots (Chapter 1 – Ecosystems), the latter of which occur in the Harvey Monroe Hall, Indiana Summit, Sentinel Meadow, McAfee, Last Chance Meadow, and White Mt. RNAs. Many published and unpublished reports of research conducted in RNAs are available in the Inyo NF files. This assessment is not a comprehensive review of those documents, and is focused on information that pertains to the management of these designated areas. Indicators The following indicators will be used for assessing designated areas on the Inyo National Forest. Characteristic or Indicator Measure or Unit attribute being measured or assessed Wilderness Allocation of Acreage of Recreation Opportunity Recreation Spectrum (ROS) class within wilderness Opportunities Visitor Use Wilderness visitor, Commercial Pack Outfit and Outfitter-Guide permit data Wilderness Character 1. Untrammeled 2. Natural 3. Undeveloped 4. Solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation Wild and Scenic Rivers Outstandingly Assess ORVs identified for each WSR (WSRs) Remarkable Values (ORVs) for already designated and recommended WSRs Allocation of Acreage of ROS class for designated and Recreation recommended WSRs Opportunities Page 2 of 86 Characteristic or Indicator Measure or Unit attribute being measured or assessed Existing Inventory Evaluation of suitability / eligibility of streams not currently designated or recommended Mono Basin National Scenic Character 1. Scenic Integrity Forest Scenic Area 2. Scenic Stability Visitor use 1. Number of visitors at fee sites and visitor centers; 2. Number of special use permits for research, photography, filming, etc. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Public enjoyment Visitor use – Number of visitors Forest annually Scientific study Discussion of research projects conducted in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Fragmentation; Road density - Miles of road within ecosystem condition Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Pacific Crest National Allocation of Acreage of ROS class for the PCT Scenic Trail (PCT) Recreation management corridor Opportunities Setting in PCT 1. Permitted events –type and number Management Corridor 2. Legal motorized roads / trails for Visitor Experience crossings and if there are areas with motorized trespass 3. Legal non-motorized trail crossings and if there are areas with mechanized (bike) trespass 4. Connecting & side trails that should be designated (criteria for determination) 5. Private lands and special use developments National Recreation Trails Trail condition Qualitatively discuss existing use (NRT) Research Natural Areas Scientific study Amount of research – Number of (RNAs) research projects conducted Ecosystem function - Fire return interval departure (FRID) fire Ecosystem function – Number (count) and extent (acres) invasive species invasive species Page 3 of 86 Characteristic or Indicator Measure or Unit attribute being measured or assessed Ecosystem function – Extent of invasive species – acres invasive species occupied Scenic Byways Scenic Character 1. Scenic Integrity 2. Scenic Stability Highway Use Traffic data (from Transportation Study) Inventoried Roadless Proximity to 1. Proximity to designated wilderness Areas (IRAs) designated wilderness 2. Presence of developed sites / and level of Wildland-Urban Interface within development IRAs 3. Density of higher standard roads within IRAs Overview of Geographic Connections The Inyo National Forest shares geographic boundaries with lands managed by many different Federal and State agencies. The Inyo also has strong ties with nearby private lands which are under the jurisdiction of local county governments and communities and held by private owners. The Inyo NF shares geographic boundaries with the following Federal and State- managed public lands which offer recreation opportunities or access to the Forest: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park; Yosemite National Park; Death Valley National Park; Devils Postpile National Monument; Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Sierra National Forest; Sequoia National Forest; Bureau of Land Management Field Offices at Bishop and Ridgecrest, California and Carson City, Nevada; Mono Lake Tufa State Beach; University of California Valentine Reserve and Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab; State Fish Hatcheries at Hot Creek, Fish Springs, and Mt. Whitney; and others. The Inyo National Forest covers multiple counties, including Mono County and Inyo County in California, and Esmeralda County and Mineral County in Nevada. The impact and influence of the Inyo National Forest on the socioeconomic well-being of the local counties is of paramount importance. There are also numerous communities with strong socioeconomic ties to the Forest. Some communities also share an immediate geographic boundary with the Inyo National Forest which fosters strong physiographic connections with the Inyo. The communities include, but are not limited to, the following: Mono City; Lee Vining; June Lake; Mammoth Lakes; Long Valley; McGee Creek; Crowley Lake; Aspen Springs; Toms Place; Sunny Slopes; Swall Meadows; Aspendell; Kennedy Meadows; Bishop; Big Pine; Independence; Lone Pine; Page 4 of 86 Olancha; Cartago; Hawthorne; Dyer; Fish Lake Valley; Chalfant Valley; Hammil Valley; Benton; Rovana; Round Valley; Paradise; and others. The Forest shares boundaries with other large private land owners which sometimes offer public recreation opportunities or access to adjoining public lands. These include the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Southern California Edison, numerous private ranch lands and others. These shared geographic boundaries create opportunities for maximizing use of open space across all lands. Maximum use of open space across multiple land ownerships can alleviate recreation pressure by dispersing visitor use. Conversely, a high demand for or constraints on recreation use in one area can create additional pressure on adjoining lands. Thus, the shared boundaries add complexity and need for coordination between the Forest and adjoining lands when managing recreation. For example, Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks are evaluating potential need for new wilderness use limits to alleviate overcrowding in the parks, particularly in association with the John Muir / Pacific Crest Trail(s). If these National Parks decide to further limit use in the wildernesses, then there may be an increased demand for wilderness use and increased recreation pressure on adjoining
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cottonwood Lakes / New Army Pass Trail
    Inyo National Forest Cottonwood Lakes / New Army Pass Trail Named for the cottonwood trees which were located at the original trailhead in the Owens Valley, the Cottonwood Lakes are home to California's state fish, the Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita). The lakes are located in an alpine basin at the southern end of the John Muir Wilder- ness. They are surrounded by high peaks of the Sierra Nevada, including Cirque Peak and Mt. Lang- ley. The New Army Pass Trail provides access to Sequoia National Park and the Pacific Crest Trail. Trailhead Facilities: Water: Yes Bear Resistant Food Storage Lockers: Yes Campgrounds: Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground is located at the trailhead. Visitors with stock may use Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian Camp, located nearby. On The Trail: Food Storage: Food, trash and scented items must be stored in bear-resistant containers. Camping: Use existing campsites. Camping is prohibited within 25 feet of the trail, and within 100 feet of water. Human Waste: Bury human waste 6”-8” deep in soil, at least 100 feet from campsites, trails, and water. Access: Campfires: Campfires are prohibited above 10,400 ft. The trailhead is located approximately 24 miles southwest of Lone Pine, CA. From Highway Pets: Pets must be under control at all times. 395 in Lone Pine, turn west onto Whitney Portal Additional Regulations: Information about Kings Road. Drive 3.5 miles and turn south (left) onto Canyon National Park regulations is available at Horseshoe Meadow Road. Travel approximately www.nps.gov/seki, www.fs.usda.gov/goto/inyo/ 20 miles, turn right and follow signs to the cottonwoodlakestrail or at Inyo National Forest Cottonwood LAKES Trailhead.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Nevada Areas of Heavy Use December 14, 2013 Trish Swain
    Nevada Areas of Heavy Use December 14, 2013 Trish Swain, Co-Ordinator TrailSafe Nevada 1285 Baring Blvd. Sparks, NV 89434 [email protected] Nev. Dept. of Cons. & Natural Resources | NV.gov | Governor Brian Sandoval | Nev. Maps NEVADA STATE PARKS http://parks.nv.gov/parks/parks-by-name/ Beaver Dam State Park Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area Cathedral Gorge State Park Cave Lake State Park Dayton State Park Echo Canyon State Park Elgin Schoolhouse State Historic Site Fort Churchill State Historic Park Kershaw-Ryan State Park Lahontan State Recreation Area Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park Sand Harbor Spooner Backcountry Cave Rock Mormon Station State Historic Park Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park Rye Patch State Recreation Area South Fork State Recreation Area Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Spring Valley State Park Valley of Fire State Park Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park Washoe Lake State Park Wild Horse State Recreation Area A SOURCE OF INFORMATION http://www.nvtrailmaps.com/ Great Basin Institute 16750 Mt. Rose Hwy. Reno, NV 89511 Phone: 775.674.5475 Fax: 775.674.5499 NEVADA TRAILS Top Searched Trails: Jumbo Grade Logandale Trails Hunter Lake Trail Whites Canyon route Prison Hill 1 TOURISM AND TRAVEL GUIDES – ALL ONLINE http://travelnevada.com/travel-guides/ For instance: Rides, Scenic Byways, Indian Territory, skiing, museums, Highway 50, Silver Trails, Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, Eastern Nevada, Southern Nevada, Southeast95 Adventure, I 80 and I50 NEVADA SCENIC BYWAYS Lake
    [Show full text]
  • Interest and the Panamint Shoshone (E.G., Voegelin 1938; Zigmond 1938; and Kelly 1934)
    109 VyI. NOTES ON BOUNDARIES AND CULTURE OF THE PANAMINT SHOSHONE AND OWENS VALLEY PAIUTE * Gordon L. Grosscup Boundary of the Panamint The Panamint Shoshone, also referred to as the Panamint, Koso (Coso) and Shoshone of eastern California, lived in that portion of the Basin and Range Province which extends from the Sierra Nevadas on the west to the Amargosa Desert of eastern Nevada on the east, and from Owens Valley and Fish Lake Valley in the north to an ill- defined boundary in the south shared with Southern Paiute groups. These boundaries will be discussed below. Previous attempts to define the Panamint Shoshone boundary have been made by Kroeber (1925), Steward (1933, 1937, 1938, 1939 and 1941) and Driver (1937). Others, who have worked with some of the groups which border the Panamint Shoshone, have something to say about the common boundary between the group of their special interest and the Panamint Shoshone (e.g., Voegelin 1938; Zigmond 1938; and Kelly 1934). Kroeber (1925: 589-560) wrote: "The territory of the westernmost member of this group [the Shoshone], our Koso, who form as it were the head of a serpent that curves across the map for 1, 500 miles, is one of the largest of any Californian people. It was also perhaps the most thinly populated, and one of the least defined. If there were boundaries, they are not known. To the west the crest of the Sierra has been assumed as the limit of the Koso toward the Tubatulabal. On the north were the eastern Mono of Owens River.
    [Show full text]
  • High Adventure Awards
    HIGH ADVENTURE AWARDS FOR SCOUTS AND VENTURERS 2016 HIGH ADVENTURE AWARDS SCOUTS & VENTURES BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - WESTERN REGION APRIL 2016 CHAPTER 1 ORANGE COUNTY AWARD/PROGRAM ACTIVITY AREA AWARD PAGE 3 SAINTS AWARD ANY APPROVED WILDERNESS AREA PATCH 1-15 BACKCOUNTRY LEADERSHIP ANY APPROVED WILDERNESS AREA PATCH 1-3 BOY SCOUT TRAIL BOY SCOUT TRAIL PATCH 1-9 BRON DRAGANOV HONOR AWARD ANYWHERE PATCH 1-1 BSA ROCKETEER SANCTIONED CLUB LAUNCH PATCH 1-11 CHANNEL ISLANDS ADVENTURER CHANNEL ISLANDS PATCH 1-14 CHRISTMAS CONSERVATION CORP ANYWHERE PATCH 1-12 DEATH VALLEY CYCLING 50 MILER DEATH VALLEY PATCH 1-10 EAGLE SCOUT LEADERSHIP SERVICE ANYWHERE PATCH 1-2 EAGLE SCOUT PEAK EAGLE SCOUT PEAK PATCH 1-6 EAGLE SCOUT PEAK POCKET PATCH EAGLE SCOUT PEAK PATCH 1-6 EASTER BREAK SCIENCE TREK ANYWHERE PATCH 1-13 HAT OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD SPECIAL PATCH 1-24 HIGH LOW AWARD MT. WHITNEY/DEATH VALLEY PATCH 1-1 JOHN MUIR TRAIL THROUGH TREK JOHN MUIR TRAIL MEDAL 1-4 MARINE AREA EAGLE PROJECT MARINE PROTECTED AREA PATCH 1-14 MT WHITNEY DAY TREK MOUNT WHITNEY PATCH 1-5 MT WHITNEY FISH HATCHERY FISH HATCHERY PATCH 1-11 NOTHING PEAKBAGGER AWARD ANYWHERE PATCH 1-8 SEVEN LEAGUE BOOT ANYWHERE PATCH 1-2 MILES SEGMENTS ANYWHERE SEGMENT 1-2 TELESCOPE PEAK DAY TREK TELESCOPE PEAK PATCH 1-9 TRAIL BUILDING HONOR AWARD ANY APPROVED WILDERNESS AREA PATCH 1-1 WHITE MOUNTAIN WHITE MOUNTAIN PATCH 1-5 WILDERNESS SLOT CANYONEERING SLOT CANYON SEGMENTS PATCH 1-7 ESCALANTE CANYONEERING ANYWHERE SEGMENT 1-7 PARIA CANYONEERING ANYWHERE SEGMENT 1-7 ZION CANYONEERING ANYWHERE SEGMENT
    [Show full text]
  • SOUTHEASTERN INYO Tt;OUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
    CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE SUPERPOSED MESOZOIC DEFOR~~TIONS~ }) SOUTHEASTERN INYO tt;OUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA A thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of 14aster of Science in Geology by Michael Robert Werner Janu(l.ry 3 i 979 The Thesis of Michael Robert Werner is approved: Or. L. Ehltg}rCSULA) Ca 1i forn i a State Un i vers ·j ty, Northridge ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ~1y respectful thanks to George Dunn£ for suggesting this study and for his helpful comments throughoutthe investigation. I am grateful also to Rick Miller and Perry Eh1ig VJho reviewed the manuscript in various stages of preparation. !'r1y special thanks to my parents for theit~ emotiona1 and 1ogistica·i support, and to Diane Evans who typed the first draft. Calvin Stevens and Duane Cavit, California State University~ San Jose, provided valuable information on stratigraphy; and Jean Ju11iand, geologist of the Desert Plan Staff, BLM, Riverside, made available aerial photographs of the study area.· The Department of Geosciences, California State University. Northridge pi·ovided computer time and financial support. Terry Dunn, CSUN, typed the fina1 manuscript. iii TAaLE OF CONTENTS p~~ ACKNOl~LEDGEHENTS. .. 111 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . vi ABSTRACT ... vii. INTRODUCTION 1 METHOD • 3 ROCK UNITS •. 5 PALEOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY . 5 Perdido Formation 7 Rest Spring Shale . .. 3 Keeler Canyon Formation 10 Owens Vulley Formation 14 MESOZOIC INTRUSIVE ROCKS . 16 • Hunter Mountain batholith 16 Andes 'ite porphyry di kas 17 CENOZOIC UNITS . 18 STRUCTURJl.L GEOLOGY 19 FOLDS • ~ . 19 Introduction 19 Folds in the Nelson Range . 21 F., - The San Lucas Canyon syncline 2"1 j r2 - Northwest-trending folds 31 Folds aajacent to the Hunter Mountain batholith 37 Folds in the Southeastern Inyo r'Jounta·ins 43 Southwest-trending folds 43 Northwest-trending folds .
    [Show full text]
  • 01.04.21. Inyo NF Q2 SOPA FY2021
    Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 01/01/2021 to 03/31/2021 Inyo National Forest This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact Projects Occurring Nationwide Higgins test - Forest products In Progress: Expected:11/2020 11/2020 Nicholas Vercruysse EA Objection Period Legal Notice Actual: 11/13/2020 703/944-7650 nicholas.vercruysse@u *NEW LISTING* 11/06/2020 sda.gov Description: Test Project Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Test Project. Locatable Mining Rule - 36 CFR - Regulations, Directives, In Progress: Expected:12/2021 12/2021 Nancy Rusho 228, subpart A. Orders DEIS NOA in Federal Register 202-731-9196 EIS 09/13/2018 [email protected] Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2021 Description: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes revisions to its regulations at 36 CFR 228, Subpart A governing locatable minerals operations on National Forest System lands.A draft EIS & proposed rule should be available for review/comment in late 2020 Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57214 Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These regulations apply to all NFS lands open to mineral entry under the US mining laws. More Information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/geology/minerals/locatable-minerals/current-revisions. Test Project TEST - Fuels management Completed Actual: 11/02/2020 04/2021 Kelly Weber EA 801-975-3356 [email protected] *NEW LISTING* Description: test test test Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyrighted Material
    INDEX See also Accommodations and Restaurant indexes, below. GENERAL INDEX American Express emergency Battery Chamberlain (San number, 246 Francisco), 36 America the Beautiful- Bayleaf Trail, 142 AA (American Automobile A National Parks and Federal Bayporter Express (San Fran- Association), 13, 14, 243 Recreational Lands Pass, 19 cisco Bay area), 34 Abalone Point, 115, 117 Amtrak, 14, 15 Beaches. See also specific Abbotts Lagoon, 255 to San Francisco, 34 beaches Access America, 246 Andrew Molera State Park, Lake Tahoe, 212 Accommodations. See also 6, 92–95 north of San Francisco, Accommodations Index Angel Island, 3 102–104, 107, 109, 111, best, 8 Angel Island State Park, 117, 118, 120–122, 126 the coast north of San 46–49 Redwood National and Francisco, 128–129 Ano Nuevo Island, 85 State Parks, 256–257 the coast south of San Ano Nuevo Point, 84, 87 San Francisco Bay area, Francisco, 97–98 Ano Nuevo Point Trail, 85 36, 56, 59, 74, 77 Death Valley National Park, Ano Nuevo State Reserve, south of San Francisco, 240–241 3, 84–87 87, 93 green-friendly, 18 Arch Rock, 68, 70 Bear Valley, 2–3, 68–70 Lake Tahoe, 221–222 Area codes, 243 Bear Valley Trail, 68, 70, 72 San Francisco Bay area, Ash Mountain Entrance Bear Valley Visitor Center, 78–79 (Sequoia National 35, 68 Sequoia & Kings Canyon Park), 186 Beaver Creek, 145 National Parks, 203–204 The Association of British Belgum Trail, 49 tipping, 248–249 Insurers, 245 Ben Johnson Trail, 59–60 toll-free numbers & web- Atwell Mill Campground, 204 Bennett Peak, 240 sites for, 253–254 Australia Berry
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Small Vessel General Permit
    ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PUBLIC NOTICE The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, 77 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois has requested a determination from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources if their Vessel General Permit (VGP) and Small Vessel General Permit (sVGP) are consistent with the enforceable policies of the Illinois Coastal Management Program (ICMP). VGP regulates discharges incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels and non-recreational vessels greater than or equal to 79 ft. in length. sVGP regulates discharges incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels and non- recreational vessels less than 79 ft. in length. VGP and sVGP can be viewed in their entirety at the ICMP web site http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/cmp/Pages/CMPFederalConsistencyRegister.aspx Inquiries concerning this request may be directed to Jim Casey of the Department’s Chicago Office at (312) 793-5947 or [email protected]. You are invited to send written comments regarding this consistency request to the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle Street, Suite S-703, Chicago, Illinois 60601. All comments claiming the proposed actions would not meet federal consistency must cite the state law or laws and how they would be violated. All comments must be received by July 19, 2012. Proposed Small Vessel General Permit (sVGP) United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) SMALL VESSEL GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES INCIDENTAL TO THE NORMAL OPERATION OF VESSELS LESS THAN 79 FEET (sVGP) AUTHORIZATION TO DISCHARGE UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM In compliance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act, as amended (33 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]
  • California Rare & Endagered Birds
    California brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis californicus State Endangered 1971 Fully Protected Federal Endangered 1970 General Habitat: The California brown pelican uses a variety of natural and human-created sites, including offshore islands and rocks, sand spits, sand bars, jetties, and piers, for daytime loafing and nocturnal roosting. Preferred nesting sites provide protection from mammalian predators and sufficient elevation to prevent flooding of nests. The pelican builds a nest of sticks on the ground, typically on islands or offshore rocks. Their nesting range extends from West Anacapa Island and Santa Barbara Island in Channel Islands National Park to Islas Los Coronados, immediately south of and offshore from San Diego, and Isla San Martín in Baja California Norte, Mexico. Description: The brown pelican is one of two species of pelican in North America; the other is the white pelican. The California brown pelican is a large, grayish-brown bird with a long, pouched bill. The adult has a white head and dark body, but immature birds are dark with a white belly. The brown pelican weighs up to eight pounds and may have a wingspan of seven feet. Brown pelicans dive from flight to capture surface-schooling marine fishes. Status: The California brown pelican currently nests on West Anacapa Island and Santa Barbara Island in Channel Islands National Park. West Anacapa Island is the largest breeding population of California. In Mexico, the pelicans nest on Islas Los Coronados and Isla San Martín. Historically, the brown pelican colony on Islas Los Coronados was as large as, or larger than, that of recent years on Anacapa Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Devils Postpile and the Mammoth Lakes Sierra Devils Postpile Formation and Talus
    Nature and History on the Sierra Crest: Devils Postpile and the Mammoth Lakes Sierra Devils Postpile formation and talus. (Devils Postpile National Monument Image Collection) Nature and History on the Sierra Crest Devils Postpile and the Mammoth Lakes Sierra Christopher E. Johnson Historian, PWRO–Seattle National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 2013 Production Project Manager Paul C. Anagnostopoulos Copyeditor Heather Miller Composition Windfall Software Photographs Credit given with each caption Printer Government Printing Office Published by the United States National Park Service, Pacific West Regional Office, Seattle, Washington. Printed on acid-free paper. Printed in the United States of America. 10987654321 As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural and cultural resources. This includes fostering sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Geology of the Panamint Butte Quadrangle, Inyo County, California
    Geology of the Panamint Butte Quadrangle, Inyo County, California By WAYNE E; HALL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1299 Prepared in cooperation with the California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology KhCEIVED JUL161971 u.8.1 teuisfiUt, it UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1971 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ROGERS C. B. MORTON, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY William T. Pecora, Director Library of Congress catalog-card No. 75-610447 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 CONTENTS Page Abstract_________________________________-_.-______-__--_-_--_--- 1 Introduction. ___________-______--_____--_----.--___--__-__--------- 2 Climate.and vegetation._________.__....__.._____-___________-__ 3 Water supply-________________________________________________ 3 Previous work__________________________.___._____._1________ 4 Acknowledgments- _______________._______..____-__-_---------_- 4 General geology.__________________________-__..____--_----_-_--__-- 5 Precambrian(?) rocks._____________.__________.._----___-___-_-_-__- 7 Paleozoic rocks._____.__.___--________-___-____-_-----_---_--.-.-_- 8 Cambrian System_____________________________________________ 8 Carrara Formation.__________________..-_____--____---__-_- 8 Bonanza King Formation___._.______..__._._.....____.____ 10 Nopah Formation._____...____-_-_.....____________-_-_-__- 11 Ordovician System___________________________________________ 13 Pogonip Group_____-__-______-____-_-..----------_--._-_-_- 13 Eureka Quartzite.______________-_____..___-_-_---_-----_--_ 16 Ely Springs Dolomite__---__-______________________________ 18 Silurian and Devonian Systems___________..__-_-__----_-__-___- 21 Hidden Valley Dolomite......._____________________________ 21 Devonian System_____________________________________________ 22 Lost Burro Formation.....__________________________________ 22 Mississippian System.___._____..____._.._..__.___..._._._..__.
    [Show full text]