Jan. 8, 2007
by Mary K. Prentice
A. Diana Pietrasanta, representing Bill Dunkleburger, spoke for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the Mono-Inyo Land Tenure Project. BLM is the only public agency that can sell public lands without public input; however, BLM will address public concerns about land disposition in an environmentally conscious way. Land sales will follow guidelines of the 1993 BLM Land Use Plan. BLM asks for input. The web site showing the status of all land including those for sale is http://gis.mono.ca.gov/LandTenure.
The agencies involved in the Land Tenure project have been cooperative except that Los Angeles Dept. of Water & Power (LADWP) has been somewhat less. Pressure from Supervisors of Mono & Inyo would be helpful. Mono & Inyo Counties, Bishop, LADWP and Inyo National Forest compose the Land Tenure Project.
B LORP: A news article reviewing the history & celebration of the Rewatering of the Owen River was distributed.
C. Paul McFarland, Friends of the Inyo, presented their Eastern Sierra Stewardship Program. There are at least 60 projects that need volunteer help. He is seeking group support, from the Sierra Club, etc., rather than just asking for individual participation. He did not have the 60 projects in hand but he will meet with the Sierra Club and others to explore interest in the projects. Todd Vogle is his point man on these projects.
D. Clare Cragan, Mono Lake Committee, stated Prop. 84 passage means more money for environmental projects. Prop. 90's defeat was celebrated with caution. It may be back in worse form, retroactive for 100 years.
E. Vanessa Conrad presented The Sierra Nevada Mining Toxics Initiative, a project of the Sierra Fund. She asked our opinion of a public presentation of the problem of toxic mercury in the ground water from gold mining. Most thought that there is not a significant problem or no data indicating a problem. Before a public presentation, data needs to be collected documenting a problem.
UPDATES:
The Eastern Sierra Land Trust has hired a new development person.
BLM is processing 18 grazing permits. Public input is invited.
USFS OHV road inventory deadline Sept 2008. More volunteers are needed.
Western States Energy Corridor EIS is starting.
P.O. Box 1973, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
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