Vantage winter 2007 061307

U.S. Department of the InteriorBureau of Land Management-Eastern States

Winter 2007

In this Issue Page State Director’s Message ........................................ 2 BLM-ES Partners with the University of Wisconsin ............................................................. 4 Este Stifel to Lead the Lower Potomac Field Station .................................................................. 4 Jupiter Inlet Barracks in Florida Dedicated ........ 5 Southern States Receive Over $2 Million ............. 5 Iowa Land Records Now Available ....................... 6 Cooperative Control of Exotic Weeds in Florida .. 6 Fuel Reduction at Lathrop Bayou in Florida ........ 7 Midwest Natural Resources Group ....................... 7 MOU Provides Job Learning for Phillips School Students ................................................................ 8 BLM-ES Photos ...................................................... 8 Looking for BLM Gold .......................................... 9 BLM-ES Happenings ............................................. 10 WH&B Adoptions in the East................................. 10 Former STEP Student Lands a Career in Natural Resources ................................................ 11 E-mail Briefs ............................................................ 12 Comings & Goings .................................................. 12

In early January 2007, BLM-Eastern States (BLM-ES) welcomed a new Associate State Director, Alan Barron Bail. A 28-year veteran of BLM, Barron comes from

Prineville, Oregon, where he served as District Manager for the Prineville District Office.

He held previous BLM positions which included stints as Special Assistant to the BLM Deputy Director in Washington, D.C.; Area Manager for the Klamath Falls Resource Area in Oregon; Branch Chief for the Redding Resource Area in California; Supervisor for the Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas Acquired Minerals Project in Oklahoma; Realty Specialist in the Grand Junction Resource Area in Colorado and the Oklahoma Resource Area in Oklahoma; and Range Technician in the Battle Mountain District in Nevada.

New Year Brings a New Associate State Directorto BLM-Eastern States

Story and photo by Peggy Riek, Writer-Editor, BLM-Eastern States

Alan Barron Bail, Associate State Director,BLM-Eastern States

For months BLM-ES’ employees had been preparing for two special events to be held at the Meadowood Special Recreation

Management Area (SRMA), located on the Mason Neck Peninsula in northern Virginia. These events, a wild horse and burro (WH&B) adoption and the opening of a new hiking/equine trail, were bound to draw large crowds to the site from nearby States and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

BLM-ES Draws Crowds to Virginia for a Taste of the West and the Opening of aNew Hiking/Equine Trail

Story and photos by Peggy Riek, Writer-Editor,BLM-Eastern States

Continued on page 3

Continued on page 3

2 Vantage Winter 2007

State Director’s Message

Michael D. NeddState Director, BLM-Eastern States

BLM-ES’ primary program areas include:

* Energy and Mineral Resources; * Wildland Fire; * Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Compliance; * Natural Resources; * Lands and Realty; * Cadastral Survey; and * General Land Office Records Automation.

In my last Vantage message I discussed our natural resources program and various BLM-Eastern States’ (BLM-ES) efforts going on at several of our priority natural areas open to the public in the East. I also briefly mentioned that in 2007 we would be

expanding our efforts at BLM-ES to reconnect the bright youth, our Nation’s most valuable asset, to nature and the environment.

Americans are spending less of their free time outdoors in nature. Reports show a trend in our country toward a loss of connectivity between people, especially children, with the natural environment. This disconnect has resulted in a Nation of people who are experiencing more health-related issues due to inactivity.

Today’s youth experience the outdoors through their schools, youth groups, and families. Beyond these experiences, studies show that much more involvement is needed to spark a greater interest in helping them to learn about nature and the environment, as well

as becoming knowledgeable about recreational opportunities on their public lands. In fact, in many areas of our country, including the East, 85 percent of population who live in urban settings don’t even realize public lands exist outside their backdoor, just waiting to be discovered.

To change this scenario, the BLM is developing a comprehensive strategy that focuses on our programs in three primary areas—environmental stewardship, education, and healthy families. This strategy calls for reconnecting children with nature through schools and educational programs, engaging children in nature and promoting stewardship through structured youth activities, and creating and promoting active participation in the outdoors with opportunities for family-friendly recreation.

As Guardians of the Past and Stewards for the Future, we at BLM-ES are committed to getting the American public, especially our youth, involved in nature and the environment through recreational opportunities and activities provided at various natural areas in the East. We will teach them how to be responsible future stewards while having fun.

BLM-ES’ Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area’s (SRMA) partnership with Gunston Elementary School in Virginia is a prime example of our commitment to getting more youth outdoors. At the end of the school day, students in grades 2-4 leave the school property and walk through the wooded area that connects the school to the SRMA. On site at the SRMA, the students enjoy an after-school environmental education program and learn about the watershed, reptiles and amphibians, and plants and bird identification through “hands-on” activities. In other areas in the East, connecting children with nature programs is being conducted through the efforts of our highly trained staff, partners, and volunteers in Jackson, MS, and Milwaukee, WI. These programs include learning about teamwork, survival skills in the woods, forestry, pollution, protecting the environment and engaging in physical activities such as canoeing, camping, fishing, hiking, and soil/water monitoring.

By encouraging children to be healthy and informed, we will be helping to create healthy adults who will one day be active in their communities and knowledgeable about their public lands and the environment. And with recreation and education leading to increased physical outdoor activities, we will look forward to seeing an improvement in the overall health of our Nation’s families, children, and communities.

� Vantage Winter 2007

Barron is most proud of his work leading the Klamath Falls Resource Area for 7 ½ years, where he helped to acquire and begin the restoration of the Wood River Wetlands and develop several innovative forest health projects. His non-BLM jobs included working as an assistant foreman at a building materials store in Kailua, Hawaii, and as a ranch hand on a ranch near Elizabeth, Colorado.

Barron was born in Wichita, Kansas. He holds a B.S. degree in Range and Forest Management from the Colorado State University. He also attended the University of Hawaii and the University of Northern Colorado.

Barron is married to Kristin Bail, who works for the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System.

New Associate State Director...continued from page 1

At sunrise on October 14, 2006, BLMers from the Lower Potomac Field Station, the Milwaukee Field Office, and the State Office were hard at work getting ready for the throng of people eager to adopt one of America’s “Living Legends” gathered from the western rangelands, or to take part in the formal opening ceremony of the newest hiking/equine trail, Meadowood West.

Adoption and Trail Opening...continued from page 1 The excitement then moved to another area of the Meadowood SRMA, where local residents and BLMers listened to remarks made by Virginia Congressman Tom Davis, one of the key individuals who assisted with BLM’s acquisition of the 800-acre property formerly known as Meadowood Farm on October 18, 2001. BLM-ES State Director Michael Nedd remarked, “Acquiring this beautiful area was the first opportunity for BLM to manage surface lands in the national capitol region and play a key role in providing public recreational opportunities and open spaces in areas which are threatened by urban sprawl.” The new Meadowood West Trail sign was unveiled to conclude the ceremony. Other activities for the day included a nature and bird walk led by representatives from the Audubon Society, a control-line model airplane flying demonstration, and a fundraiser provided by representatives from Simple Changes, Inc., a non-profit therapeutic riding program which provides riding services for physically, emotionally and mentally challenged children and adults at the Meadowood SRMA.

(At center) Virginia Congressman Tom Davis, BLM-ES’ State Director Mike Nedd (left), and EnvironmentalEducation Specialist Theresa Jefferson, help students from Washington, D.C. and Virginia schools plant a tree during the formal opening ceremony of the new hiking/equinetrail, Meadowood West, in Lorton, VA.

The crowds spent the early hours before the adoption studying the animals. Then at the designated hour, Acting BLM Deputy Director for Operations Mike Ferguson, BLM-ES’ State Director Mike Nedd, and Lower Potomac Field Station (LPFS) Manager Este Stifel, began the day’s activities with opening remarks, leading right to the kick-off of the wild horse and burro adoption. As the auctioneer presented information about the 34 horses (including geldings, mares, and yearling horses) and 8 burros, potential adopters quickly shouted outtheir bids. Of the 42 available animals, 28 horses and 6 burros were adopted to good homes. An extra feature at the adoption was the presence of previous adopters who came with their adopted, gentled animals to share their experiences.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4, Jeremy Light, shows off Lonesome, an adopted Caisson horse, while visiting with Acting BLM Deputy DirectorMike Ferguson and BLM-ES’ Lower Potomac Field Station Manager Este Stifel at the Meadowood SRMA in Lorton, VA.

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Riparian corridors are complex ecosystems that provide an avenue for plant and wildlife movement, protection of natural resources, and

green space buffers for human recreation. Islands located within river corridors coalesce to form forest patches that serve as habitat “stepping-stones” for species establishment and migration. The BLM-Eastern States (BLM-ES) has administrative authority for 11 public islands located in the Washington, Ozaukee, and Milwaukee County areas of the Milwaukee River in Wisconsin. Urban development is rapidly taking place in the Milwaukee River watershed, and conservation of the watershed is a high priority of the public as well as State and local governments.

In 2006, volunteers from the University of Wisconsin assisted Milwaukee Field Office (MFO) staff to complete a plant inventory on each island. More than170 plant species were observed and identified as a result of this initial effort. Collected plant specimens are currently being mounted by students and deposited in the University of Wisconsin-Field Station Herbarium, where students and faculty will use the specimens for botanical identification for generations to come.

Fieldwork has also revealed wide variation in vegetation composition between the islands, most notably with the presence and extent of exotic invasive plant species. Non-native plants displace native plants and can spread quickly into natural areas, monopolize resources, and exclude native flora and fauna. The MFO staff intends to continue working with the University to map the extent of invasive species. The resulting information will aid with environmental planning and management effortsof BLM-ES and many organizations within the

BLM-Eastern States Partners with University of WisconsinVolunteers to Examine Milwaukee River Public Domain IslandsStory by Jill Hapner, Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP), BLM-Eastern States, Milwaukee Field Office

BLM-ES Milwaukee Field Office STEP student Jill Hapner and Dr. James Reinartz, from the University of Wisconsin, identify and record plant species colonizing the Milwaukee River Public Domain islands in WI.

Milwaukee River Basin, efforts which were recently endorsed by the BLM Director’s 2007-2012 emphasis to manage forests to achieve healthy, productive watersheds.

BLM’s presence on the islands has alsopromoted island stewardship with adjacent private landowners and fostered agency participation with the Milwaukee River Basin Partnership, a group of more than 40 local conservation government agencies, non-profit organizations, and individuals. BLM-ES MFO Resource Specialist June Wendlandt is coordinating stewardship activities and encouraging community involvement with these partners and local agencies to remove debris and control invasive species on the islands. A stewardship project is underway for September of 2008.

In early September 2006, Lower Potomac Field Station Manager Este Stifel reported for duty at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area in Lorton, VA.

Prior to BLM, Este worked as a Project Director for the Southern Blue Ridge Project with The Nature Conservancy. Este earned a B.S. degree from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, majoring in environmental studies. She also holds Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Environmental Management from Duke University inNorth Carolina.

Este Stifel to Lead the BLM-ES Lower Potomac Field Station

Este Stifel, BLM-ES Lower Potomac Field Station Manager

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On December 7, 2006, the old U.S. Navy Jupiter Inlet Barracks, located at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Park in Florida, was dedicated as a

museum in a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The 7,000-square foot, World War II Era U. S. Naval housing building was recently renovated by the Town of Jupiter and the Loxahatchie River Historical Society. The Barracks building is the only remaining building from the complex called Station J, whose primary function was to help locate German submarines that were torpedoing ships off the Florida Coast.

In 2004, the BLM issued the patent for Lighthouse Park to the Town of Jupiter, allowing them to pursue grant money for the much needed renovations. The building will be home to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, as part of Lighthouse Park. About 100 individuals were in attendance including several veterans who had survived the Pearl Harbor attack.

Jupiter Inlet Barracks in Florida Officially DedicatedStory and photo by Shayne Banks, Public Affairs Specialist, BLM-Eastern States, Jackson Field Office

On December 7, 2006, BLM-Eastern States Jackson Field Manager Bruce Dawson spoke to attendees at the U.S. Naval Jupiter Inlet Barracks dedication ceremony in Florida about the partnership between the BLM and several local entities involved in the renovations of the barracks.

Southern States of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi to Receive Over $2 Million from Federal Oil and Gas Lease SaleBy Michelle McClanahan, Public Affairs Specialist, BLM-Eastern States

BLM-Eastern States (BLM-ES) brought in over $7.8 million through the Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale held at its Springfield, Virginia,

office on December 14, 2006. Of the 192 parcels offered, 153 parcels of Federal subsurface mineral estate were sold within the Ouachita, Ozark, and St. Francis National Forests in Arkansas; the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana; and the Bienville, DeSoto, and Homochitto National Forests in Mississippi. Over $2 million will go to the States of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi from the sale.

Leases are awarded for a term of 10 years and as long thereafter as there is production of oil and gas in paying quantities. The Federal Government receives a royalty of 12 ½ percent of the value of production and each State Government receives a 25-percent minimum share of the bonus bid and royalty revenue from each lease issued in that State. For this Sale, bonus bids, filing fees, and rental revenue amounting to over $5,825,137 will go to the U.S. Treasury and over $2,005,020 will be shared

by the affected States. “Production from these leases could help reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and help reduce our heating bill because of increased domestic gas production,” said Michael Nedd, BLM-ES’ State Director.

BLM-ES held a very successful 4th quarter Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale at the State Office in Springfield, Virginia, on December 14, 2006.

Energy and Minerals

PartnershipsPhoto by Peggy R

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Since mid-December 2006, researchers have been able to visit the General Land Office

(GLO) Records Web site at www.glorecords.blm.gov to view the long-awaited Iowa land patent records. Over 145,000 records have been scanned and posted to the Web site for viewing, completing the 13 Eastern Public Land States (AL, AR, FL, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, OH, and WI).

The January 2007 map shows the progress of the General Land Office Records Automation project, from East to West, for the BLM’s GLO Records Web site images. For more information, contact BLM-ES’ GLO Records Automation Branch Chief Patricia Tyler, at (703) 440-1786, or visit the GLO Web site.

Long-awaited Iowa Land Patent Records Now Available OnlineBy Patricia Tyler, Branch Chief, General Land Office Records Automation, BLM-Eastern States, Division of Land Resources

Cooperative Control of Exotic Weeds Helps Improve Biodiversity and Protected Habitat in South Florida

Story and photos by Faye Winters, Wildlife Biologist, BLM-Eastern States, Jackson Field Office

Now that this initial removal is completed, the area will be added to the annual sweep to pull and treat invasives throughout the Jupiter Inlet Natural Area. Through this project, $12,500 of nonfederal funds, plus over 40 hours of “in-kind” project support from professional and support staff in Palm Beach Countyand the Town of Jupiter were contributed.

At Jupiter Inlet, Florida, the Town of Jupiter, Palm Beach County, and BLM-Eastern States have worked together to complete the initial removal

of woody and herbaceous exotic plants on 9 acres of public domain land. BLM assisted the Town of Jupiter in successfully applying for county grant monies which was matched by the BLM.

In early December, a contractor removed a dense bank of exotic Brazilian pepper growing around the perimeter of the tract. Along Beach Road and Jupiter Lighthouse Park parking area, the trees were cut, stump-treated, and removed from the site. In other portions ofthe tract not accessible to vehicles, the prolific pepperand other trees such as Australian pine and schefflera were girdled and injected with herbicide. These will die in place. Over the next year the plants will drop their branches and become covered by native oaks and sand pine. The crew also pulled and treated invasive vines, particularly rosary pea. This aggressive vine produces poisonous red seeds resembling its namesake. The crew worked around flagged federally- and state-listed plants found in the interior of the tract, where the endemic scrub community remains intact.

(Before, left) and (After, above) – A dense bank of exotic Brazilian pepper was removed around the perimeter of the tract.

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7 Vantage Winter 2007N

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Wildland Fire

Habitat improvement issues continue to be addressed at the Lathrop Bayou tract in Florida following the management plan developed for the tract. This

work is being accomplished through the use of prescribed burning, special status species monitoring, controlling exotic species, and regional coordination in support of federally listed species management. This BLM-Eastern States’ administered tract is already closed to mining, is a rights-of-way avoidance area, and is closed to motorized vehicle use as a result of earlier planning decisions. The first prescribed burn was completed and a second burn is being planned for spring 2007.

In the interim, the Jackson Hotshots have been putting their sawyer skills to good use. They spent several days during the week of November 27, 2006, removing ladder fuels and thinning overly dense slash pine. They also thinned a large portion of the tract in preparation for the spring burn. All their hard work also helps to improve the habitat conditions for the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers known to live on the tract.

Fuel Reduction at Lathrop Bayou in FloridaBy Shayne Banks, Public Affairs Specialist, BLM-Eastern States, Jackson Field Office

Jackson Hotshot Crew members remove young slash pine at the Lathrop Bayou Habitat Management Area. Thinning and follow-up prescribed burns help to improve the habitat for endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers and three federally listed endemic plant species, which thrive in fire-maintained, open park-like settings.

From November 28-30, 2006, BLM-ES Milwaukee Associate Field Manager Timothy O’Brien attended the Midwest Natural Resource Group

(MNRG) meeting in Chicago, Illinois, hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, the leadagency for the MNRG.

Meeting topics included a report of the status of implementation of the “Terrestrial Invasive Species Action Plan within the Great Lakes Basin,” Federal agency coordination on Tribal lands, wetland protection issues in and around the Great Lakes, and other issues of concern to Federal agencies in the Midwest.

The Great Lakes Terrestrial Invasive Species Council (GL-TISC) led a 2-hour presentation on action items from each agency’s member. BLM-ES Milwaukee Field Office Resource Specialist June Wendlandt reported on “Education and Public Awareness,” Bureau of Indian Affairs Representative Herb Nelson led a presentation on coordination on Tribal land, and the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, a sister organization to MNRG, presented a

Midwest Natural Resource Group Fosters Joint Collaboration on Invasive Species

Story and photo by June Wendlandt, Natural Resource Specialist, BLM-Eastern States, Milwaukee Field Office

discussion on protection and restoration issues of wetlands in the region.

The annual meeting was highly productive with senior managers committed to addressing invasive species’ actions, signing of a memorandum of understanding, and working on issues and projects throughout the Midwest.

(At left) Carmen Chapin, Chair of the GL-TISC, leads a presentation at the Midwest Natural Resource Group annual meeting held November 28-�0, 2006, in Chicago, IL.

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BLM-ES Photos

BLM-ES’ State Director Mike Nedd andPhillips School Program Director Trudy Bell (seated) signed a memorandum of understanding on January 12, 2007. (At right) Phillips School Career Education Coordinator Karen Steshko works with the young people at the school.

On January 12, 2007, BLM-ES and Phillips School, Annandale Campus, became partners during a formal memorandum of understanding signing

ceremony at the school campus.

Through this partnership, students with special needs will have an opportunity to gain real life work experience working at the BLM-ES office in Springfield, VA. In turn, the students will become an essential part of helping BLM-ES’ employees accomplish their mission.

Phillips School is recognized as a Department of Education School of Excellence. In 1967, Dr. Lakin Phillips, along with a few parents and friends, established the School of Contemporary Education. Later the organization was renamed Phillips Programs for Children and Families. Today, the school provides two special education day schools and vital community service programs, serving

MOU Provides Job Learning for Students at Phillips School in Virginia

Last fall, professional trail builders from Trail Dynamics in North Carolina spent 2 weeks at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) assessing Meadowood’s existing and planned trails and teaching a mechanized trail construction class to SRMA staff from four other area agencies. Trail Dynamics flagged over 5,000 feet of new and rerouted trails as identified in Meadowood’s project plan and provided invaluable advice on how to manage and maintain the trails we currently have at the site. Class attendees began construction of the BLM-ES’ Meadowood trail for the east parcel and built 2,500 feet of 5-foot-wide natural surface trail. The Meadowood trail will connect the Wood Thrush Trail to the West parcel. Most recently, in January, employees and volunteers completed a bridge crossing on the trail.

In late November 2006, the BLM-ES’ Expanded Leadership Team and staff met in Shreveport, LA. While in the area, the group travelled to Barksdale Air Force Base in LA, where they toured an oil and gas operating facility on the site.

children with multiple disabilities such as behavioral problems, and emotional and learning difficulties.

By BLM-Eastern States, External Affairs

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On September �0, 2006, BLM-ESpartnered with the U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, other State agencies, private companies, and volunteers to provide a day in the outdoors for disabled youths. The youngsters learned about boating, fishing, natural resources, wildlife, and building bird houses. This experience gave youths and adults alike an opportunity to appreciate America’s natural resources. (At left) A youngster proudly shows off his “big catch” of the day.

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BLM-ES’ Land Surveyor Jerry Wahl loves a treasure hunt, but he’s not looking for a chest of gold. He is looking for answers to the past leading

to the discovery of old boundaries.

A land surveyor/litigation specialist for theBLM-ES, Jerry comes equipped with 30 years of experience as a surveyor and a passion for what he calls “unraveling the mystery.” Armed with archival maps of sometimes dubious accuracy (X does not always mark the spot), Jerry dives into the search with a spark in his eye.

“With cadastral surveying, there is not always a black and white. To unravel a case, you have to use math and history. You have to know botany, geography, geology, anthropology—all of the ‘ologies’––to come to a conclusion about where a particular boundary might actually be located,” Jerry said.

“Many of the earliest land surveys in the United States were completed using the Metes and Bounds System; that is, located by reference to landmarks like creeks, trees, roads, or even a barn,” Jerry explained.

In 1785, Congress mandated the surveying and sale of lands in the Northwest Territory using a rectangular grid method, which was a vast improvement over the Metes and Bounds System. This came later to be referred to as the Public Land Survey System, PLSS for short.

Looking for BLM Gold: Jerry Wahl’s Treasure HuntBy Rebecca Snider, Volunteer, BLM-Eastern States, External Affairs

Boundaries under that system were marked with monuments, usually a wooden post stuck in the ground, or whatever material was at hand. “In the Rocky Mountains, they used stones, or earth. In the prairies, surveyors dug pits, and in Kansas, piles of buffalo dung or bones were sometimes used to mark the spot,” Jerry said. The location of a monument was marked with a witness or bearing tree. Where trees existed, a nearby tree was blazed and scribed, or carved, with identifying information to provide a reference and witness to the corner location.

Over time, those types of monuments would decay, be destroyed or just hard to find. Surveyors had to become detectives and look for other indicators to help locate where the original monument had been placed.

The BLM-ES’ archives, another resource for Jerry’s research, date back to 1785. Dim and quiet, with towering rows of books and map files, the archives house records of original land surveys, most written with a quill and ink. Clues can be found in field notes, notes which surveyors used to describe their official surveys. References are made to forts, graves, minerals, timber, water, settlements, and even cattle trails. Another part of the records involves the survey plats which are more like a map showing the results of the survey and are often very detailed. These plats are many times the first maps showing the expansion of the new lands of our young Nation.

Originally a physics major, Jerry has worked surveying residential property as a young man and eventually landed a job with the BLM in 1975, wherehe has been “treasure hunting” for 30 years.

Cadastral Survey

This slender post is part of a monument from the Louisiana Swamps. One end of the post is as smooth as glass from being under water, and the other end has rotted due to being exposed to the elements.

BLM-ES’ Surveyor Jerry Wahl researches fragile documents for clues in field notes to find old boundariesfor surveys.


BLM-ES Happenings

From September 7-10, 2006, BLM-ES Jackson Field Office (JFO) Public Affairs Specialist and several

volunteers staffed a booth at the MS State Championship Horse Show at the MS State Fairgrounds, where over 500,000 people learned about wild horses and other BLM-ES’ programs.

On September 14, Wildlife Biologist Maena Voigt and Archaeologist Kelsey Lowe, who work through the

Environmental Careers Organization and are stationed atthe BLM-ES Jackson Field Office, made presentations to60 5th grade students at an elementary school in Cape Coral, FL, about their careers with the BLM and participated in a number of environmental education activities.

In mid-September, BLM-ES’ State Director Mike Nedd and surveyors, Mike Young, Ken Roy, Jennifer Piper,

and Erica Breton, attended a Cooperative Conservation and Environmental Partnerships Listening Session in Brewer, ME. Participants at the session included DOI Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and other Federal agency personnel. While in ME, State Director Mike Nedd accompaniedMike Young on a site visit to the Cadastral Survey Project Office in Old Towne, ME. During the visit, Mike assisted the survey crew with monumentation of two camp lot corners on South Branch Lake. The State Director’s name will be entered into the official record of survey as a field assistant.

The new Jackson Hotshot exhibit made its debut in mid-October at the Mississippi State Fair, where

over 576,000 people learned about being “Firewise” and BLM-ES.

On October 5, BLM-ES’ JFO personnel participated in the Jackson State University’s Career Fair 2006, where

500 students learned about BLM-ES’ career opportunities.

BLM-ES’ JFO personnel joined staff from the MS Forestry Commission, the MS Museum of Natural

Science, and county Soil and Water Conservation Districts at the Coahoma County, MS, Soil and Water Conservation District’s 20th Annual “Field Day” held on October 6, to help educate over 500 students and teachers about wildlife, forestry, natural resources, and the environment. JFO personnel also provided the Lewis and Clark “Rocks and Minerals” program.

On January 11, 2007, BLM-ES and U.S. Customs employees donated 44 units of blood to help save lives

through the Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Regional Red Cross Blood Drive. Thanks to all who participated.

On October 21, BLM-ES’ MFO Geographic Information Specialist (GIS) James Engstrom conducted the

Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation portion of the “Thinking Spatially – a 4-H GPS/GIS Expedition.” Jim facilitated a “hands-on” exercise collecting location information for parks, sports facilities and cultural structures in the downtown Milwaukee area. Information collected by the students will be used on the 4-H Youth Favorite Place Web site at www.youthfavoriteplaces.org.

In late October, BLM-ES’ Lower Potomac Field Station Environmental Education Specialist Theresa Jefferson

presented “Watershed Non-point Source Model” to60 Nokesville 4-H Club students in Nokesville, VA. Duringthe session, the students investigated the unique properties and characteristics of water and its roles in the natural and human-made environment. They also participated in a fieldtrip to a local waste water treatment plant in the area.

BLM-ES LPFS’ Outdoor Recreation Planner Jeff McCusker led the Potomac Heritage Trial

Association members on an introductory hike onDecember 3 through the Meadowood SRMA, beginning at the Meadowood West trailhead and continuing on to most other Meadowood trails, including some of thePohick Bay Regional Park’s trails.

WH&B Adoptions in the East

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BLM-Eastern States (BLM-ES) Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Compliance program continues to adopt America’s

“Living Legends” to good homes in the East.

Since October 1, 2006, 457 animals (�84 wild horses and 7� burros) have been adopted through the efforts of the BLM-ES Jackson Field Office,Milwaukee Field Office, State Office, and through the January 2007 Internet Adoption.

Internet adoption horses are currently available for pickup from various locations across the country. The next Internet Adoption begins March 7. For details, visit the wild horse and burro Web site at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/index.php.


Christopher Carusona II, grew up in Ruidoso, New Mexico. In 1994, he left New Mexico to attend Eastern Washington University in Cheney,

Washington, where he earned a B.A. degree in Geology. He went on to earn a B.S. degree in Conservation of Wildland Resources (Forestry) from the University of Washington, in Seattle, Washington.

In summer 2000, Chris landed a position in the BLM’s Spokane Field Office in Washington State, working in a Student Temporary Employment Program as a forestry technician. He then became a geologist in the Student Career Experience Program.

Christopher continued his BLM career as a geologist in Lakeview, Oregon, working with locatable minerals such as sunstones and perlite. In 2002, Chris transferred to Lander, Wyoming, to assist with the processing of oil and gas applications for drilling permits (APDs) for the next 4 years for both Federal and Tribal (Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapahoe) minerals on the Wind River Indian Reservation in conjunction with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 2005, Chris worked in Carlsbad, New Mexico, on a 3-month detail processing APDs. He transferred to Vernal, Utah, where he worked as a natural resource specialist, processing numerous oil and gas APDs. Eight months later, he transferred to the BLM-ES Milwaukee Field Office where he now worksas an environmental and planning coordinator.

Chris is the proud father of three children who all like to fish and dance at Pow Wows. “My children enjoy these type of dancing styles beginning with Tilson, age 11, a fancy dancer, Andrew, age 9, a traditional dancer, and Raquel, age 4, is a jingle dress dancer,” said Chris.

What controversial issues have you faced working with the BLM? Shortly after joining the BLM in Vernal, UT, one of my assignments included processing APDs proposed in habitat of the Uinta Basin hookless cactus (Sclerocactus glaucus), a threatened and endangered species. It took a lot of collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), the operator, contractors, and BLM to move the proposed road and/or pad to avoid a taking of the Uinta Basin hookless cactus and to avoid threatened and endangered fish habitat. Each proposed road and pad had to be individually assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure

Former STEP Student, Christopher Carusona, Lands a Career in Natural ResourcesBy Martha Malik, Public Affairs Specialist, BLM-Eastern States, Milwaukee Field Office

that the Uinta Basin hookless cactus and fish habitat were being avoided. I coordinated the field meetings and other logistics to ensure that everyone was given the opportunity to participate in the mitigation measures.

Additionally, I worked closely with the USFWS to ensure we were on the same page and to minimize formal consultations. Sometimes a formal consultation was needed, but was streamlined with the USFWS participating in the mitigation measures onsite.

What did this experience teach you and what do you want to accomplish long term? I have learned that early collaboration with other agencies and industry is essential in moving proposals. This communication allows the parties who are involved to know what is expected, needed, and required to streamline the development of Federal resources in a safe environmental manner.

What are your hobbies? I’m a student of my Tribal Oneida language at the Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services office here in Milwaukee. I enjoy fishing, big game hunting, and off-highway driving in my 4 x 4 pickup with my children. I also enjoy most outdoor sports such as downhill skiing, snowmobiling, and canoeing.

How do you envision your future role with BLM?I look forward to expanding my experiences with the BLM and eventually going into management. I have found that my 6 ½ years’ experience with the BLM has been both enjoyable and rewarding. I would like to develop my leadership skills to participate in strategic planning for the future of BLM prior to retirement. I would also like to continue developing Federal resources in a safe environmentally sound manner for future generations.

Christopher Carusona, Environmental and Planning Coordinator, Milwaukee Field Office

WH

&B

Photo by Jim

Engstrom


Eastern States Vision Statement––As Guardians of the Past, and Stewards for the Future, Eastern States is committed to sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of thepublic lands spanning the 31 states east of and borderingthe Mississippi River for present and future generations.

Vantage is published by the Bureau of Land Management-Eastern States, Office of External Affairs, 7450 Boston Boulevard, Springfield, Virginia 22153. For more informa-tion about our office, please contact us at (703) 440-1713, or visit our Web site at www.es.blm.gov. Editor: M.M. Riek

Field Offices: BLM-ES, Jackson Field Office 411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404 Jackson, Mississippi �9206

BLM-ES, Milwaukee Field Office 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 5�202-4617

BLM-ES, Lower Potomac Field Station 10406 Gunston Road Lorton, Virginia 22079

U.S. Department of the InteriorBureau of Land Management7450 Boston BoulevardSpringfield, Virginia 22153

OFFICIAL BUSINESSPENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $�00

Eastern States –– committed to sustaining the health,diversity, and productivity of the public lands and resources inthe 31 states east of and bordering on the Mississippi River for

present and future generations.

Comings & GoingsE-mail BriefsNew Employees.––Barron Bail, BLM-ES’ AssociateState Director, Velvette Clayton, Procurement Analyst, Colene Gearman, Human Resources Officer, and Thomas Uran, Jr., Surveying Technician, State Office;Denise Coleman, Staff Assistant, Lower Potomac FieldStation; Arlene Lenoir, Management Assistant, JacksonField Office; and Christopher Carusona, Environmentaland Planning Coordinator, Milwaukee Field Office.

Transfers.––Bill Fulcer, Associate Field Manager, Milwaukee Field Office to Budget Officer, State Office; Theresa Coleman, Deputy State Director, Division of Land Resources, and Ruth Welch, Deputy State Director, Division of Business Resources to BLM’s Washington Office; andMichael Young, Cadastral Survey Chief, to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Retirees.––Bob Schoolar, Geographic Information Specialist, Jackson Field Office; and Charles Bush, Outreach & Partnership Coordinator, State Office.

In Memoriam.––Bruce Miner, Survey Technician, Rolla, Missouri, Project Office.

A special thanks to all our Vantage readers who filled out the questionnaire in our Summer 2006 issue.

Your input is very valuable to BLM-ES.

General Land Office.–– “For some time, our fam-ily has searched your records, and we’ve commented to each other how much they have helped us. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, one and all, for mak-ing this information available! From the policymakers to the supervisors to the file clerks to the newest entry-level employees––thank you!” Gene Hyden, Colorado Springs, Colorado

“This website is fabulous. Those old plats are awesome. Magna Cum Laude for all of you heros for making this treasure trove available!!!” Ray Keig, Anchorage, Alaska

Documents

Vantage winter 2007 061307