Light Bites
Keep Long Valley Green On CBS This Morning!
The Jan 21 court hearing was continued to Feb 11. The tentative ruling was in our favor, but the final ruling isn't out yet. Watch CBS This Morning's piece on the issue.
You can help by writing the Los Angeles mayor, Mayor Garcetti and ask him to stop looking for new ways to extract water from the Eastern Sierra and to leave some behind for the ranchers, wildlife, nature, and those that live and visit here.
 Campaign to Protect 30% of Lands and Waters by 2030
 OHVs on Death Valley Road?
In December the Inyo National Forest Supervisor signed the Record of Decision to give Inyo County an easement for 13 miles of Death Valley Road. Once Inyo County owns the road, they can change the usage to allow OHV access. This would bring OHVs up to the Park boundary increasing potential impacts to the surrounding public lands and OHV trespass into Death Valley National Park. The easement still needs approval from the Regional Forester. ROLG is asking for a full environmental review of a change in use.
Provide Input on OHV Grants
The BLM is asking for public input on what their Green Sticker grant application should ask for in support of OHV recreation in the Bishop Field Office's jurisdiction. What's needed is prevention of illegal trespass and public education on the impacts to public lands and wildlife from off-roading. Submit comments by email to: BLM_CA_Web_BI@blm.gov or Jeremy.decell@usda.gov.
 Sierra Club's Wild Horse and Burro Policy Revisited
I know two things about wild horses and burros. It's thrilling to see them in the wild and their presence in the wild is causing problems. Read on...
Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Plant Power Going to CA Community Choice Aggregates
The final supplemental EIR for a new geothermal plant at Casa Diablo was released 1/27/21 that addresses issues raised about leaks. This 4 th plant at Casa Diablo will generate 30MW of power and will be sold to 3 community choice aggregates: Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Monterey Bay Community Power, and Southern CA Public Power Authority (for the City of Colton). Up to 16 wells are proposed with 14 to be located in Basalt Canyon and two will be to the SE of the plants. The new plant will be operational by the end of 2021.
West-Wide Energy Corridor Through the Eastern Sierra Still in the Plan
A section of potential energy corridors is planned to run through the Eastern Sierra between Yerington and Ridgecrest (Corridor 18-23). Bishop is also being proposed as a hub for energy generated in Nevada for a Los Angeles market. FOI and the ROLG submitted joint comments opposing this.
 Lower Owens River Project Annual Report Describes Declining Riverine Ecosystem
ROLG reviewed and commented on the 2020 LORP annual report. ROLG has asked for meetings with Inyo County Water Department and LADWP to prepare an adaptive management plan for the riverine system to address the problems. Adaptive management planning is underway to change how the Blackrock Waterfowl Management Area (BWMA) will be managed to reduce the amount of cattails and increase the amount of open water to improve habitat for water birds. The goal is to implement the new BWMA management plan starting this fall.
 Eastern Sierra Dispersed Camping Forum Created
On February 11th a coalition of government agencies, non-profits, business and concerned citizens was formed to quickly come up with a plan to deal with this summer's anticipated high volume of visitors. Five task forces were formed: educations, map, stewardship, infrastructure, and enforcement. The ROLG will be part of the stewardship committee.
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