Counters report 273 bighorn issue sheep in 42nd annual count R · PDF fileof water the sheep and others animals are ... ter from plants or dew and rarely drink. ... broken water pipe

Colorado Desert District Newsletter T

R

A

C

K

S August

2012

Inside this

issue

Just staring; not smiling, Page 13

Bird’s not smiling either, Page 5

Counters report 273 bighorn

sheep in 42nd annual count

Why isn’t she smiling? Page 4

(Continued on Page 8)

Photo by Steve Bier

Ewes and youngsters look around deciding where they will go next in their never-ending search for food and water.

By ABDSP Ranger Steve Bier Sheep Count Coordinator

The 42nd Annual Sheep Count is in the books and was a big success. Lots of bighorn were observed and all counters re-turned safely.

This year we tallied 273 bighorn, down from last year’s count of 329. A lack of water in part of the range probably contributed to the lower numbers.

We are very thankful to the Anza-Borrego Foundation for its sponsorship of this annual census and for providing the high qual-ity IT’S A DRY HEAT Sheep Count Coolers for our 42nd census.

We extend a special thank you to Evan Jorgensen for supply-ing the art work and to [Retired ABDSP Supervising Ranger] Fred Jee for supplying drinks and snacks for the count.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Steve told volunteers to talk up the event with friends in the

future, as more backpackers and more count volunteers are needed to fill other sites next year.

Former Park and District Superintendent (the term was area manager from 1972 through 1981) Bud Getty participated in this count—the fortieth year for him.

Page 2

Anza-Borrego Desert State

Park The Volunteer Potluck will be held at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, August 21, at the Paroli Homesite in Culp Valley.

Bring a complete place setting, a beverage, a potluck dish to share and a chair. District and ABDSP staff are encouraged to attend these functions—a chance to interact and show ap-preciation to the best volunteers this side of the Rockies!

From the desk of Ranger Steve Bier: This year 52 volunteer sheep counters

braved the heat and humidity to travel into the Borrego backcountry to participate in the 42nd annual Sheep Count (see page 1). While we didn’t break any records at 273, (last year we counted 329—our second highest count in 42 years) we did come in above the 2010 count of 255.

This was only the second year in the history of the count that the eastern tenajas in North Fork Palm Wash and in Smoke Tree Wash were completely dry. The last time that was seen was 1996—another low water year. A lack of rainfall this year meant water levels were down in many areas of the Park; this was most noticeable at Rattlesnake Spring where sheep numbers were down by half.

Thank you to Retired Superintendent and Co-Coordinator Mark Jorgensen for his guid-ance and support, and to the Anza-Borrego Foundation (ABF) for sponsoring the event.

Hydrogeologist John Peterson supplied wa-ter containers for volunteers to use to collect water from springs, tenajas and streams. He will analyze the water to determine the quality of water the sheep and others animals are drinking (see page 10).

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for July 4, 2013, for the 43rd annual event.

Our monsoon season is attempting to begin. A brief thunderstorm, followed by spotty meas-urable rains, gave Borrego an early sky show on the morning of the Fourth of July. Since then, several tropical storms in the Pacific have been steadily throwing clouds and humidity our way. Some of that moisture did manage to trickle into the Palm Wash tenaja, dampening the soil and encouraging red spotted toads out to play.


LOG JAM: Notes from the District, sectors

Photos by Steve Bier

One of the tenajas in North Palm Wash (above) is completely dry during the Fourth of July sheep count. After a monsoon dropped a little rain on the eastern edge of ABDSP, the tenaja (below) has enough water to provide drinks for bighorn sheep.


Page 3

LOG JAM: District, sector notes (cont.)

(Continued from Page 2)


Another monsoon byproduct is the possibil-ity of migrating tropical birds being blown off course and coming into the Salton Basin and Borrego Valley. Wood storks already have been reported out at the Salton Sea with, hopefully, brown- and blue-footed boobys and roseate spoon bills not far behind.

A migrant we will be searching for is due to arrive very soon: the yellow-billed cuckoo! This endangered bird is found only in large tracts of mature riparian woodlands.

For several years a single bird has been re-turning to the San Felipe Valley in search of a mate. Then last year two birds were sighted. Though an extensive effort was put forth by vol-unteers, lead by the late Paul Jorgensen, no nest site could be located.

Volunteers again will be heading into the area this year to seek out the elusive cuckoo in hopes of finding a nesting pair or young. The last record of nesting yellow-billed cuckoos in San Diego County occurred in 1934! Stay tuned!

From the desk of Retired Superintendent

Mark Jorgensen: Damon Jorgensen and I spotted 20 brown

pelicans flying off the boulders on the rim of the canyon overlooking the lower bridge of High-way 78 in Sentenac Canyon, within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. All appeared to be perched on boulders several hundred feet above the highway and, as we drove down-canyon, they all took flight and circled. Strange sight for mid-summer in Borrego.

Photo by Steve Bier

A cottontail rabbit rests in partial sunlight. Desert cottontails are seen in early morning or late afternoon. They get most of their wa-ter from plants or dew and rarely drink. Cot-tontails’ normal anti-predator behavior is to run away in evasive zigzags, reaching speeds of more than 19 miles per hour.

Photo by Steve Bier

Red spotted toads line up to investigate their world after a passing monsoon storm left a little moisture in their habitat. These toads need seasonal pools or rain puddles to use for breeding. They spend dry periods in burrows or beneath rocks or moist plant debris and become active when it rains.

Page 4


(Continued on Page 5) This follows the capture of a weak brown

pelican off the roof of the Borrego Springs Ele-mentary School by Evan and Damon Jorgensen in late May and the observation of a single brown pelican over Paul and Kathy Jorgensen's home in Borrego Springs June 9.

We've never seen this frequency of the Cali-fornia brown pelican here in Borrego that I know of, and I thought it would be of interest to you all (see pages 5 and 6).

Picacho State Recreation

Area From the desk of Ranger Sue Barney: July 4 at 9:15 p.m.: six campers at Picacho

State Recreation Area were lighting fireworks at

the upper dock. The fireworks ignited two fires and burned 350 acres of recreational water-shed before they were controlled July 8.

If you thought you missed the email on this one, it’s because the incident happened back in 1987. Ranger Owen noted in the logbook that 17 campsites were occupied and she warned them all that no fireworks were allowed. Six campers from site #8 went to the upper dock to set off fireworks.

According to a friend of the suspect, “He ignited the firecrackers and a fire immediately erupted in the dry vegetation. We all left the recreation area and spent the night in a Yuma motel.”

Per witnesses, immediately after the fire started, the suspect and his friends returned to campsite #8, “quietly packed up and quickly left.” In their haste, they left behind a Sears camp stove, small barbeque grill, a pair of white pants and fireworks. The vehicles also left the campsite so quickly that two friends of the sus-pects were left behind and one was heard la-menting, “Man, they took my vehicle.”

In the midst of the evacuation of the entire campground, an upset camper confronted the


Photos by Sue Barney

Storm clouds look as menacing as they really were when they dumped enough rain on Picacho State Recreation Area to flood the rain gauge. This photo was taken as Ranger Sue Barney and Park Maintenance Assistant Georgia Schneider returned from their days off and had to race the storm back to the Park. They were going to drive through the campground to check on campers, but didn't have time before the storm unleashed. They barely made it up the hill to the resi-dence area.

A vehicle stops at the beginning of what’s left of the road to Picacho’s lower dock after a storm wrecked havoc on the Park.

Page 5



two individuals and told them, “Thanks for your fireworks, because of what you did the campground is going to burn down!”

A registration check on the vehicle license plate from campsite #8 led the investigator to a business and two individuals who had taken their work truck camping. While the suspect who lit the fireworks that sparked the blaze initially denied any knowledge, one of his friends quickly implicated him and charges were later filed against him.

Ranger Owen also noted that 70 people were evacuated from the campground and 60 firefighters from five agencies responded. The Park lost four chemical toilets, two shade ramadas, a storage shed and cement tools at a total loss of $3,916.

We were fortunate not to repeat the 1987

fire incident, but July did bring a significant thunderstorm that dumped more than two

inches of rain in a very short time, causing a ma-jor flash flood to roar through camp. The exact rainfall is not known as the rain gauge over-flowed.

We only had one registered campsite in the Park. The couple had been camped at Taylor Lake, a safe distance from the heavy flow of wa-ter that came through the main campground, Picacho Wash and the lower dock.

They sought refuge overnight in their vehicle, but ran into trouble when they tried to drive out the following morning. Picacho Road no longer existed and they took a wrong turn up a wash and got their new car stuck in the mud. We got their vehicle back to camp and the cou-ple safely to town. Picacho Road remained closed for several days and there was a consid-erable amount of roadwork to do in the Park as well.

District Heavy Equipment Operator Gregg Johnson and SSSRA Maintenance Chief Chad Rowan came out to get roads and launch ramps

Photos by Sue Barney

Rocks that were put in place when SSSRA Maintenance Chief Chad Rowan and District Heavy Equipment Operator Gregg Johnson repaired the lower dock launch ramp still hold tight. However, the earth around the ramp has been washed into the river at Pi-

cacho State Recreation Area.


A beautiful brown pelican appears pensive after being rebuffed by Ranger Sue Barney and Park Maintenance Assistant Georgia Schneider after it came at them, wings out, ignoring their waving arms. It seemed intent on making them leave their

work.


Page 6



back in shape. Park Maintenance Assistant Georgia Schneider worked overtime, helping with the repairs.

I saw on the news that quite a few brown

pelicans got off course from the storms (see page 3). We had one visit us the Fourth of July at the Upper Dock. We don't get them very often.

Georgia and I were working on repairing a broken water pipe. While we were on our knees, digging in the mud, a pelican snuck up behind us. Georgia saw it when it was about six feet behind me, wings out, coming at us. We jumped up and waved our arms and the bird didn't flinch. It just kept coming, so I put the shovel between us and it attacked the shovel. I switched to a broom because I didn't want to hurt it, but the pelican was stubborn.

Of course, just as this was going on, two carloads of visitors drove up. I was finally able

to shoo it away and it left us alone. We kept one eye over our shoulder while we finished working.

Palomar Mountain State From the desk of Ranger Jessica Murany: PMSP had a "Trail Blitz" trail maintenance

work weekend on June 30. Trail maintenance volunteers from both PMSP and CRSP worked on several trails here at Palomar performing chainsaw, pruning, cutting, tread work and brushing along the trails. The work day went smoothly until we had one minor medical which delayed the hot dog lunch that I was supposed to cook. Park Maintenance Worker Randy Burt, Senior Park Aid Daniel Minshew, Volunteers Deborah Goyochea and Debbie Greenlee took over the lunch preparation and all the volun-

teers were fed. After round two of trail work in the after-

noon, volunteers relaxed underneath the cool incense cedar trees at Silvercrest and enjoyed a

Photo by Alan Schmidt PMSP Ranger Jessica Murany carefully ex-amines a mountain king snake.

Photo by Robin Halford While surveying for flat tail horned lizards in ABDSP, Environmental Scientist Joe Hop-kins and Volunteer Robin Halford encounter a young sidewinder, coiled as tightly as a braided rug.

Page 7


Footprints ABDSP Ranger Nicole Van Doren

and her husband OWSVRA’s Mainte-nance Mechanic Chad Van Doren have announced the birth of their son, Tyler, at 5:22 p.m. July 16. Tyler weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces when he was born.

The District’s Senior Environmental Scientist Jim Dice officially retired July 31. Although his retirement party was May 5, the end of July was his last working day. Jim has accepted the position of manager for the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Re-search Center.

Photo by Jessica Murany Volunteer Kathe Lande examines the only lemon lily plant that bloomed on PMSP’s Thundersprings Trail this year.


very nice potluck then an overnight campout. I spotted a beautiful mountain king snake,

with its slender tri-colored body, while hiking up the Meyer Fire Road recently. The San Diego mountain king snake population is listed as potentially threatened. California mountain

kingsnakes can’t be collected in San Diego County due to the habitat decreasing and also because of past reptile hunting efforts for this colorful snake.

We had an improved bloom of lemon lilies

this year with 15 blossoms of lemon lilies over last year's eight blossoms. This plant was ap-proximately five feet tall, hence the reason why we were able to spot it amongst a bog area full of corn lilies.

Lemon lily blossoms are trumpet shaped and have a very seductively sweet fragrance. They are slender plants that grow 24 to 60 inches high. The leaves are arranged in whirls around the stem. They put out a leaf the first or second year after germination.

Lemon lily populations are rare due to horti-cultural collection that started in the early 20th century. Early homesteaders here at Palomar sold and shipped lemon lily bulbs all over the world. Bulbs were dug up by the thousands, causing their populations to diminish.

Lemon lilies are found in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains and Palomar Moun-tain. PMSP has the only known lemon lily popu-lation on Palomar's peninsular range. They also are found in the mountains of Arizona and Northern Mexico.

Photo by Robin Halford A desert horned lizard looks menacing, but they are usually gentle although they have been known to push their cranial spines into a hand while they are being held.

Page 8

Lamb-to-ewe ratios are not high (cont.)

COUNT SITE EWE LAMB YEARLING RAM I.D. TOTAL M F Lower Trail Palm Cyn 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1st Grove Palm Cyn 18 5 1 1 12 0 37 2nd Grove Palm Cyn 6 4 0 2 5 4 21 3rd Grove Palm Cyn 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 4th Grove Palm Cyn 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Middle Sprg-Tubb Cyn 22 8 7 1 16 0 54 Big Spring-Tubb Cyn 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Upper Hellhole 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lower Hellhole 3 1 0 0 4 0 8 Second Crossing 11 2 1 1 7 1 23 Box Cyn.-Lower Willows 18 8 0 1 4 0 31 Cougar Canyon 3 0 1 1 2 0 7 Sheep Canyon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Monkey Hill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Middle Willows 17 4 4 3 6 0 34 Upper Middle Willows 4 2 0 0 1 0 7 N. Fk. Palm Wash Tenajas 5 0 0 0 1 0 6 Yaqui Well-Pinyon Ridge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rattlesnake Spring 19 11 4 1 8 0 43 Montezuma Grade 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 126 45 18 11 68 5 273

The ratios were as follows: ram to ewe, 54 to100; lamb to ewe, 36 to 100, and yearling to ewe, 23 to 100. The count was held July 6 through 8 and the high temperatures each day were 105, 107 and 111 degrees Fahrenheit.

Photo by Steve Bier

A desert bighorn ewe

shows off her agility during

the 42nd annual

sheep count at Anza-Borrego

Desert State Park the

Fourth of July weekend.


Name your favorite

books so we can read

them too!

Page 9

Volunteer sheep counters are a special breed

Sheep Count Volunteers Donna Ghosh (above, left) and Arun Balakrishnan (above, right) keep their binoculars on the mountains where they hope to spot bighorn coming down for water. They and the other counters endured temperatures of 105 degrees Fahrenheit and higher to sit out in the desert for three days. Tired, dirty and happy at the results, the counters (right) gather after their three-day event, to tally the records and com-pare notes. Below, left, a bighorn looks as if it is plunging to its death, but it is only jumping to another rock. Below, right, two youngsters look at something inter-esting, possibly visitors hiking the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail.

Photo by Steve Bier Photo by Steve Bier

Photo by John Peterson

Photo by John Peterson Photo by John Peterson

Library volunteers prepare

for new software for us

Volunteer librarians are learning t There is a self-check out sheet on a shelf on

the west side of the library (619) 318-1126 or and instructions on how to use the computer if no one is there.

Page 10

By John Peterson Hydrogeologist

A total of 12 water samples were taken dur-ing the 2012 Sheep Count (see page 2) to docu-ment the water quality at water sources used by bighorn sheep. This was completed by asking the volunteer counters to collect a “grab sam-ple” the last day of the count. The data were collected to determine the quality of water that sheep were drinking as well as to document the water quality in various portions of the Park.

The following conditions apply to the sam-pling process:

�All samples were collected in approved laboratory-provided, one pint water sample containers.

�All samples were “grab” samples with no filtering, chemical preservation or refrigeration. (Laboratory procedures do not require filtering, preservation or refrigeration for the test of to-tal dissolved solids (TDS).

�All samples were collected by volunteers who participated in the annual 2012 Sheep Count.

�All samples were collected mid-day July 8. �All samples were tested for TDS using a

hand-held water quality meter. Accuracy is likely to be plus or minus 5 percent of measured value.

�All results are given in parts per million (ppm) or also as milligrams per liter (MG/L).

The measurement of TDS provides an overall evaluation of the dissolved salts/minerals that are contained within the water. This measure-ment does not reflect the particulates within the water nor does it measure bacterial elements or other factors. The measurement only reflects the amount of dissolved salts and minerals within the water.

As a quick reference, distilled water has a TDS of zero, whereas ocean water has a TDS of ~32,000. Domestic drinking water is recom-mended to have a TDS of less than 500, with a

Sheep’s water is analyzed for the first time

maximum allowable of 1,000 and a maximum short term use of 1,500. Imported water into San Diego County has a TDS range of 400 to 650, depending on the source of the water. Drinking water in Borrego Springs provided by Borrego Water District generally has a range of 250 to 600.

Also, water quality measurement for these sampling sites likely varies significantly due to environmental conditions. During winter rains, with surface water flow, the water quality would likely be much better. The samples col-lected for this evaluation reflect low water lev-els and flow qualities and also are impacted by increased evaporation which would concen-trate the salts and increase the measurement of TDS. As such, these measurements only reflect


A magnificent desert bighorn ram is one of 273 sheep that were counted during the an-nual Fourth of July event. Hydrogeologist and Volunteer Counter John Peterson wanted to know what kind of water the sheep were drinking so he asked volunteers to take water samples that he could analyze.


Name your favorite


them too!

Page 11

Bighorn drink a lot of salty water (cont.)

a “snap shot” in time and likely measure the “worst” water quality.

Results are listed below, from best to worst. Sampling Site Results Cougar Canyon 663 2nd Crossing Coyote Canyon 718 North Fork Sheep Canyon 757 Big Springs 799 South Fork Sheep Canyon 848 Lower Hellhole Canyon 855 1st Palm grove Borrego Palm Canyon 993 3rd Palm Grove Borrego Palm Canyon 1,025 Lower middle Willows 1,833 Upper Middle Willows 1,981 Pup Fish Pond Borrego Palm Canyon 3,180 Rattlesnake Spring 4,070 (All results given as mg/l.)

In summary, the data reflect a very large range in water quality from a low of 663 to a high of 4,070. Water quality at the first eight sampling sites (up to 3rd Palm Grove of 1,025) is quite good and is surprising given that the sam-ples were collected during the low flow times. However the remaining four sites (from Lower Middle Willows to Rattlesnake Springs) are quite high. And the last two sites (Pup Fish and Rattlesnake Spring) are very high.

As a geologist I do not have qualifications to discuss the impacts of very poor quality water for consumption by the bighorn sheep. How-ever the values of 3,180 and 4,070 for the Pup Fish Pond and Rattlesnake Spring are quite high. I sent the results to Dr. Esther Rubin (bighorn expert who studied the sheep in ABDSP for her Ph.D.). She found a reference that gave accept-able TDS levels for domestic sheep. This docu-ment reports a “desirable maximum concentra-tion for healthy growth” at 6,000 mg/l and a “maximum concentration at which good condi-tion might be expected” at 13,000 mg/l. Thus it would appear that sheep (at least domesticated


sheep) are quite tolerant of high TDS waters and that the levels seen within the sampling sites should be acceptable to our native sheep. (Although we are currently not aware of any specific research regarding bighorn sheep and tolerance toward high TDS waters.)

Future sheep counts should include a water quality component to evaluate any trends within the water system that provides water to bighorn sheep.

I would like to thank all the sheep counters who assisted in this data collection; without their help these samples could not have been collected.


Who is watching whom? A desert bighorn sheep keeps an eye on visitors in Borrego Palm Canyon while they look at the sheep.





Page 12

Good Housekeeping—DPR’s Tailgate Meetings Poor housekeeping contributes to acci-

dents by hiding hazards. If the sight of pa-per, debris, clutter and spills is accepted as normal, then more serious health and safety hazards may be taken for granted. House-keeping includes keeping work areas neat and orderly; maintaining halls and floors free of slip and trip hazards, and removing waste materials and other fire hazards from work areas. It also requires paying attention to important details such as the layout of the whole workplace, aisle marking, the adequacy of storage facilities and mainte-nance. Good housekeeping is also a basic part of accident and fire prevention.

Effective housekeeping is ongoing and "panic" cleanups are costly and ineffective in reducing accidents.

Poor housekeeping can cause accidents, such as:

• Tripping over loose objects on floors, stairs and platforms.

• Being hit by falling objects.

• Slipping on greasy, wet or dirty sur-faces.

• Striking against projecting, poorly stacked items or misplaced material cut-ting, puncturing or tearing the skin of hands or other parts of the body on pro-jecting nails, wire or steel strapping.

Do you know the parks in our district? Find out here

1. What Spanish word means “peak?” 2. Which park is the only one to host Bursera microphylla and what is that? 3. What Spanish word means “dovecote?” 4. Which park has a working project called, “Ah-ha Kwe-ah-mac?” 5. Which park is close to a 1,400-acre pre-

serve that is inside a 20,000-acre area of criti-

cal concern? For the answers to these and many, many

other questions, go to the Stout Research Center Library or check your sector or visi-tor center library. The Stout Library is open during work hours with a self check-out sys-tem.

(Or you can find the answers on page 21.)

Let’s be kind to the Earth: Save water Four easy ways to save water are: 1. Use drip irrigation, releasing water

into the soil as opposed to water-wasting sprayers.

2. Use controllers that monitor local weather conditions to adjust watering to match the soil type and individual plant needs.

3. Use high-tech sprinklers that reduce runoff and wind blow, making watering more efficient.

4. Use rain shut-off devices that auto-matically stop watering when it’s raining.

We welcome input from readers. Please send your earth-saving ideas to [email protected].

Photos by Kerry Hunsinger and Michael Drye

ABDSP’s Maintenance Host Ernie Groves and Maintenance Aide George Lautenschlage (above, left)

Name your favorite


them too!

Page 13

Foxes come out of hiding for photographs

Photos by Steve Bier

ABDSP Ranger Steve Bier has had the good fortune recently to see a number of foxes as he patrols. (1) Is a gray fox, the rest are kit foxes ex-cept for (4) who joins his cousins on this page. All are members of the family Canidae, but foxes are classi-fied in the Vulpini group and coyotes are classified in the Canini. (2) Is a closeup of (3) who has quite a home.

1

4

3

2





Page 14

Ah-ha’-Kwe-ah’-mac’ restoration begins By Sue Wade

Associate State Archaeologist Our California State Parks preserve many

important examples of the state’s history. The physical remains of properties like Chaw’se/Indian Grinding Rock, La Purisima, Old Town San Diego, Sutter’s Fort, Bodie, China Camp and Angel Island provide illumination and con-nection between these Places that Count, as ar-chaeologist Tom King has written, and Califor-nia’s diverse populations of today.

Of recent years, State Parks has come to realize that Places that Count for California In-dian Tribes do not just contain archaeological data, but contain the essence of past inhabi-tants and a connection between today’s Indian people, their ancestors and the landscape.

Such a place is the village of Ah-ha’-Kwe-ah’-mac’ in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The Kumeyaay Indian village name of Ah-ha’-Kwe-ah’-mac’, or Cuyamaca, became the name for the area’s mountain range, the lake and surround-ing valley, the Mexican land grant and the State Park.

The village extends over 55 acres and con-tains more than 200 bedrock milling features, many acres of deep midden soil deposits and

thousands of artifacts reflecting everyday as well as ceremonial activities. The archaeological data document a place where Native peoples from the coast, mountains and desert gathered for trade, games, political negotiations, social inter-actions and religious ceremonies.

The Kumeyaay people confirm that the loca-tion contains immense cultural significance to their people. Largely because of “the ongoing and continuous traditional use of Cuyamaca Vil-lage and the Cuyamaca Mountains by Indian People” the site was nominated by the Kumeyaay tribes to the National Register of Historic Places and listed by the Keeper April 2, 2008.

Because of its beautiful and central location in the Park, a portion of the Ah-ha Kwe-ah-mac’ village site was developed into the Los Caballos Horse Camp in the 1950s. In the 1980s, the Ah-ha Kwe-ah-mac’/Stonewall Mine Cultural Pre-serve was designated in the general plan but, although remains of the Ah-ha Kwe-ah-mac’ vil-lage continued throughout the campground, this portion was left out of the Cultural Preserve.

In 2003, the Cedar Fire burned most of the campground facilities and initiated a nine-year effort to vacate the campground and to pre-


Photos by Bonnie Bruce

The contractor removes pipe corrals from the former Los Caballos Horse Camp.

One of the workers takes the cap off the septic tank so it can be pumped and filled.

Name your favorite


them too!

Page 15

KDLC instrumental in plans, work (cont.)

Page 12’s quiz answers 1. Picacho. 2. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; ele-

phant tree. 3. Palomar. 4. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park—

pronounce Kwe-ah-mac phonetically and you’ll hear the English word in the old Native American one.

5. Salton Sea State Recreation Area is close to the Dos Palmas preserve and if you haven’t been there, you are missing something beautiful.

serve the Ah-ha’-Kwe-ah’-mac’ village in its en-tirety. This month, at last, the work to restore the Ah-ha’-Kwe-ah’-mac’ village and remove the burned campground facilities was begun.

The restoration is being completed by the Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy (KDLC), a group that represents the 13 Kumeyaay bands. Native, archaeological and biological monitors are part of the project. Al-

ready, many Kumeyaay elders, Tribal Council members and other interested Kumeyaay peo-ple have visited the site and ideas for the future of this site have been discussed. Tribal and State Parks project participants are heartened by this groundbreaking project and are looking forward to the prospects of future cooperative projects.


Photos by Bonnie Bruce

A water truck keeps things damp while the machinery is working.

More corrals are removed as part of the res-toration project.

Colorado Desert District 200 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004

TRACKS

TRACKS Colorado Desert District Newsletter

Gail Sevrens, Acting District Superintendent Colorado Desert District Leslie Bellah, TRACKS Editor Borrego Springs, CA 92004 (760) 767-4037 Fax: (760) 767-3427 E-mail: [email protected]

Anza-Borrego Sector……………………………………….....…….....Kathy Dice, Superintendent Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® Montane Sector……………………………………………..……..Nedra Martinez, Superintendent Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Palomar Mountain State Park

Salton Sea Sector……………………………..……...………Paul Reisman, Acting Superintendent Indio Hills Palms Picacho State Recreation Area

Salton Sea State Recreation Area

Documents

Counters report 273 bighorn issue sheep in 42nd annual count R · PDF fileof water the sheep and others animals are ... ter from plants or dew and rarely drink. ... broken water pipe