On April 6, 2016, BLM held an Open House for the public to comment on its recently released Draft Transportation Management Plan and Environmental Assessment.  
     Approximately 80 people came and listened to introductory comments by Joel Brumm, Assistant Monument Manager. He described the four alternatives about how BLM could handle the management of roads within the Monument while also considering uses of trails, Pacific Crest Trail; trail maintenance, hunting, and snowmobiles. 
   Joel said, “Through this process we will try to find the right combination of road and trail systems to protect the monument features, accommodate resource management, and provide access for community and recreational uses.”
     Participants spoke about their concerns and asked questions about the Transportation Plan at the various stations set up around the room. Each station displayed maps showing the 4 alternative proposals and suggested road treatments. Several longtime sport hunters who have hunted in a proposed closed road area were able to talk with Kathy Minor, one of the Transportation Plan’s planners.
     Information exchange between public and BLM is crucial to be considered before final decisions are made.   
     Lisa Rice, BLM Archeologists, showed historical and Native American objects collected in and around the Monument area. This exhibit highlights the historical importance of the Monument with current efforts to protect biodiversity.

    — Terry Dickey, Friends of CSNM Board Chair

Hunter, resident and volunteer firefighter Mark Flotho writes about road closure in the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument Mail Tribune article (April 10, 2016) 

Our thanks to our partners, SOU Environmental Education graduate student leaders who conduct Fall-in-the-Field environmental education programs at the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument (CSNM)! See the photos and read their comprehensive Final Report of Fall-in-the-Field 2016.

Here’s an excerpt, about the CSNM, from their Final Report:

    “By far the most popular site for Fall in the Field day programs, CSNM is a hotspot for biodiversity. This year, students explored the Monument like never before. Students engaged in “Nature CSI” to discover the truth behind several mysterious objects found on the Monument. They employed their observations skills as they hunted for the elusive habitats of Great Grey Owls, Douglas Squirrels, Western Fence Lizards and Bark Beetles. Students even discovered the overwhelming biodiversity on the Monument for themselves as they were challenged to see who could find the most species with a given amount of time. They were amazed by the fact that they own part of this rich public land and were inspired to care for it after learning what makes it so special. 
     The largest addition to the CSNM program this year was the idea of lesson choice for teachers. Teachers could choose between lessons on weather and climate, geology, or watersheds to best adapt the Program to what they were teaching in the classroom. This added an extra dimension to the experience by giving teachers a say in what they thought would be most valuable for their students.”

–Excerpt from Fall in the Field 2015-16 Final Report

Fall-in-the-Field 2016-17 is open for registration. Teachers can sign up for programs at
Cascade Siskiyou National Monument and two other sites.

The BLM Medford District Office released the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Draft Transportation Management Plan (TMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for a 45-day comment on March 25th. The draft TMP/EA describes and analyzes four alternatives for future management of the monument transportation system. The final decision will be made only after consideration of the comments received. The decision maker may choose one of the alternatives or can select an alternative that blends components of one or more of the alternatives. 
     The planning process will address motorized/mechanized uses of the transportation system including off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, bicycles, and non-motorized/non-mechanized uses including hiking and Nordic skiing. 
     According to Joel Brumm, Assistant Monument Manager, “Through this process we will try to find the right combination of road and trail systems to protect the monument features, accommodate resource management, and provide access for community and recreational uses.”

For additional information, contact
Joel at (541) 618-2256 or jbrumm@blm.gov

The public is encouraged to review the Draft TMP/EA and provide comments. To help people understand the alternatives, the BLM prepared a summary or Reader’s Guide. Both documents are available on BLM’s ePlanning website.
     An informational open house for the CSNM Draft Transportation Management Plan will be held at the

Bellview Grange
1050 Tolman Road, Ashland, OR
Wednesday, April 6, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m.

At the open house, the public will be able to discuss the proposed alternatives, talk to BLM resource specialists, and provide written input.

Assistant Monument Manager Responds to Closing Roads Inquiry

Dear Joel Brumm,
     Someone just told me that they heard on the TV News that the BLM is closing all of its roads in the Monument because it cannot afford to maintain them.
     What do you know????
                                        — Barbara Ann

Dear Barbra Ann,

Well, like most good rumors, there is a kernel of truth buried deep there. We are in the midst of a transportation planning process for the Monument, and we are continuing with work that we identified in the 2008 Resource Management Plan as needing to be completed. Kathy Minor, myself, and several others went before the Jackson County Commissioners in early February to discuss this plan in advance of the draft Environmental Assessment that will be released for public comment on March 25, 2016.
     The BLM is NOT planning on closing all the roads in the Monument. We have one alternative, the one that proposes closing the most roads would close 164 miles of the 412 miles of roads currently in the Monument. As you can see, even this alternative leaves approximately 3/4 of the current Monument roads open. These are largely old logging network roads that are not needed under our Monument designation because we are no longer commercially harvesting timber. Major arterial roads such as Soda Mountain, Emigrant Creek, Jenny Creek, etc. will not be affected. We also are proposing, under one alternative, to close the gate on Skookum Road past the Soda Mountain Lookout road, which would hopefully help address the OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) trespass in the corridor between the power lines going down towards Agate Flats.
     We have very limited funding for road maintenance in the Monument, and that is one factor driving this process. We would prefer to use our limited road maintenance funds for important roads and not to maintain the maze of old logging roads, particularly north of Hwy 66. If left unmaintained, these roads will deteriorate, culverts will clog, roads will eventually wash out, and sediment will end up in the Monument aquatic systems causing significant deleterious impacts. 
     There was a news article about the briefing we had with the Jackson County Commissioners that generated a lot of interest. On March 25, we will release the draft Environmental Assessment followed by a public comment period of at least 45 days. I encourage anyone to comment on the plan.
     In summary, the BLM has no plans to close all the roads, but we also suspect the current transportation system is in excess of our needs going forwards as a National Monument. 
     Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

–Joel Brumm, Assistant Monument Manager
Bureau of Land Management
Medford, OR 97504
jbrumm@blm.gov

Our public lands are a place to commune not just with nature but with each other.
     My son and daughter and I have been hiking together since they were old enough to sit in a pack, and backpacking together since they were in their early teens. 
     Because there is a Cascade Siskiyou National Monument, my son and I were able to celebrate the solstice season by snowshoeing around to the south side of Pilot Rock from Old Highway 99.
     The sunlight was filtering through clouds and fog, creating an ever-changing light show on the pristine new snow. Camera in hand, I waited for the clouds to drift into alignment to create this dramatic spotlight on the snow-covered peak.
     I had seen Pilot Rock many times from other vantage points and in other seasons, but never with this grandeur. It was a special treat to be able to share this “peak experience” with my son, and it redoubled our commitment to help protect and expand these sorts of opportunities for more people in America and around the world.

                             Photographer Matt Witt, has contributed photographs of the monument to publish in our Friends of CSNM newsletter, website, and blog during the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument’s 15th anniversary year.

How are rocks and music related to three university students during the Monument’s 15th anniversary? These faculty-supervised research were funded by the Friends Research Fund. The projects enhance an understanding, appreciation, preservation, or protection of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The 2016 Friends Research Fund application is now available.
     Megan Mortimer-Lamb and Spencer Jones, both University of Oregon undergraduate students of geology were supervised by SOU Emeritus Professor of Geology Dr. Jad D’Allura. Megan and Spencer each received $600 for their research investigating general geologic rock unit distribution and geochemistry, fault and fracture distribution, surface and groundwater characteristics, permeability of different rocks and soils, and landslide hazards within the Monument. Both Megan and Spencer plan to present the results of their research at the 2016 FCSNM Research Forum hosted on the SOU campus on March 3, 2016.
     Colin Malloy, an SOU graduate student of music was supervised by SOU Professor of Music, Dr. Terry Longshore. He received $300 for his proposal to compose a percussion score that is produced and performed live as an interpretation of the Monument’s visual landscape. A 3-channel musical soundscape made of natural sounds recorded in the Monument will accompany the live performance. Each channel in the score represents each of the three ranges – Cascade, Siskiyou, and Klamath Mountains – that occur in the Monument. Colin plans to showcase the premiere performance of his composition at the SOU Southern Oregon Arts and Research symposium in May 2016.

March 15, 2016 is the deadline for 2016 Friends Research Fund. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply. Individual grant awards range from $250 – $1500. Download the application.

For additional information:
Peter Schroeder, Chair, Friends Research Fund
pschroeder@sou.edu
Tel. (541) 552-6871

You can donate to make possible these educational programs about the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument!

Although the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was established by Teddy Roosevelt in 1908, The occupation of Malheur teaches us some valuable lessons. As Friends groups who support our local public lands, we need to expand community knowledge and engagement broadly. This heritage of public lands requires all of us—to work together.

Here are two ways you can give to make a difference. 
     Support the Conservation Lands Foundation’s Crowdrise campaign that invites donations “to support veterans, youth, and Native Americans who want to work as conservation stewards on BLM’s National Conservation Lands. The Conservation Lands Foundation also provides support to the Friends Grassroots Network, a group of 58 Friends organizations, like us, who champion our local public lands. 
     If you prefer to help strengthen your local Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, you can renew your membership or make a donation.  Please contact us about volunteering your talents and skills with us!
     Help us educate, advocate and protect the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. For 2016 we are in the process to show the:
•    Need and ways to advocate, protect, and conserve our public lands. 
•    Scientific and cultural benefits of our public lands, including biodiversity, clean air, water, and land.
      

Thank you for your continued support!  

Giving Tuesday is a day dedicated to giving to support the organizations you care about. We invite you to give local–our Friends of the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument, a non-profit dedicated to spreading awareness and educating the public about the biodiversity in the region.
     Launching on Tuesday December 1st, our season of giving is kicking off, and we need your help to reach our goal of $3,000!
     Our thanks go to an anonymous donor for matching all donations that are over $30. We are honored to have your support, and the opportunity to make every dollar go twice as far in our mission to educate, research, and spread awareness about our local National Monument. 
     Cascade—Siskiyou National Monument is located at the crossroads of the Siskiyou, Klamath, and Cascade Mountain ranges in Southern Oregon. The convergence brings together the different rock strata, plant, and animal communities of each region creating an incredibly varied and diverse landscape.

Your donation supports our education, research, and conservation efforts for the Monument. 
     Education: providing learning opportunities for all ages so we can understand the importance of Biodiversity. Education programs include seasonal Hike & Learns for the community, as well as bus funds for Fall in the Field, which focuses on getting local school students between 2nd and 8th grade to explore the Monument.
     Research: expanding our knowledge of sciences, arts, and humanities about the benefits of our monument. Funding supports the Student Research Fund, providing small grants for students to gather data, explore, and learn more about the monument.
     Conservation & Preservation: encouraging awareness and learning about the history and continued evolution of the Monument in relation to climate change, and cultural significance.
     Exploration and Discovery: exploring and appreciating the monument as a citizen scientist to become better stewards of our public lands.  

Give Green! Giving Tuesday, Giving Grateful! 
The Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is a 501-C3 organization,
and your donation is tax deductible.