The Proposed Mt Diablo Drilling!

Yes, the headline reflects a real proposal, but no drilling has been approved or started at

 Mount Diablo yet. Current concern is about a federal leasing plan that could allow future 

oil and gas development on and around the Diablo Range, including areas in or near 

Mount Diablo State Park.

What’s actually happening

• The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), under the Trump administration, has 

  proposed opening about 1.6–2 million acres of federal public lands and mineral 

  rights in California to oil and gas leasing and development, as part of a renewed 

  push that revives earlier 2019 plans.

• News outlets report that this leasing area includes lands adjacent to, and in some 

  cases potentially within, parks such as Mount Diablo State Park, Black Diamond 

  Mines, Henry W. Coe, and Pinnacles.

• Local conservation groups like Save Mount Diablo and national groups such as

   the Center for Biological Diversity say this effectively puts “large portions of 

  the Diablo Range in the crosshairs,” and they are mobilizing public comments

   and legal challenges.

How far along the plan is

• The BLM recently released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

   (DSEIS) and held a public comment period, which has just closed; final decisions 

  have not yet been issued.

• Earlier attempts to advance similar leasing plans in this region were delayed or

   suspended by lawsuits and settlement agreements that required new environmental

   review, which is what this new analysis is meant to satisfy.

• California state agencies and several cities (for example, Berkeley) are on record 

  opposing the proposal, citing climate, air-quality, and public health concerns.

What “targeted” means here

In this context, “Mount Diablo faces oil drilling threat” means:

• Federal mineral rights in and around the Diablo Range, including areas near or

   under Mount Diablo State Park, are being considered for future oil and gas leasing 

  if the plan is finalized.

• It does not mean drilling is approved, permitted, or imminent on specific sites 

  inside the park right now; that would still require lease sales and separate

   project-level approvals and reviews, all of which could face further legal and

   political challenges.

The plans are still proposed and under review in 2026; the public comment period 

just closed, and BLM has not issued a final decision or started any new leasing in the 

Diablo Range yet.

Where things stand in 2026

• In January 2026, BLM formally released draft updates (Draft Supplemental EIS 

  and plan amendments) to allow oil and gas leasing and development on 

  about 1.6 million acres of public land in central and coastal California, including 

  the Diablo Range and areas adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park.

• These plans come out of BLM’s Central Coast and Bakersfield field offices 

  and explicitly cover counties like Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, 

  San Benito, and others that include the Diablo Range.

Public comment and opposition

• BLM opened a public comment period on the draft supplemental EIS 

  documents in January 2026 and closed it in mid‑March 2026; tens or

   hundreds of thousands of comments were submitted, largely opposing

   new leasing.

• Environmental groups (Center for Biological Diversity, Save Mount Diablo, 

  ForestWatch, etc.) and local governments such as the City of Berkeley 

  have issued formal objections and resolutions urging BLM to withdraw the 

  draft and halt new leasing.

No final decision or leases yet

• As of mid‑March 2026, BLM is reviewing comments and has not published 

  a Final Supplemental EIS or Record of Decision, which are required before 

  any lease sales can proceed.

• Current legal settlements still require BLM to complete adequate environmental 

  review before resuming leasing in much of this region, and environmental

   organizations argue that the current draft analyses remain legally vulnerable.

What this means for the Diablo Range

• Portions of the Diablo Range, including federal mineral estates under or 

  near parks such as Mount Diablo, Henry W. Coe, Pinnacles, and Black Diamond

   Mines, remain on the table in the proposal, but no specific drilling projects 

  have been approved.

• The practical next steps are: BLM processes comments, issues a Final EIS 

  and Record of Decision (or withdraws/revises the proposal), and only after

   that could lease sales be scheduled and then challenged in court again.

  What's the history of Mount Diablo?

  Meanwhile, Here's a short History of Mt Diablo:

  Mount Diablo, located in the Diablo Range of Northern California, has a rich and diverse history spanning thousands of years. Here's a brief overview:

  Indigenous Peoples (Pre-European Settlement)
  The mountain was originally inhabited by the Bay Miwok Native American tribe, who considered Mount Diablo a sacred site. They believed the mountain was a meeting place for spirits and a source of spiritual power.

  Spanish Era (1769-1821)
  In 1797, Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza led an expedition through the region, and Mount Diablo was likely named after the "devil" or a Native American mythical figure. During this period, the area was part of the Spanish Empire.

  Mexican Era (1821-1848)
  Following Mexico's independence from Spain, Mount Diablo and surrounding areas became part of the Mexican Republic. The mountain's flanks were used for ranching and mining.

  American Era (1848-Present)
  In 1848, Mexico ceded California to the United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The mountain's summit became a reference point for land surveys, and its flanks were used for mining, logging, and ranching. In 1851, a summit monument was built to mark the mountain's peak.

  Conservation Efforts ( Late 20th Century-Present)
  In the mid-20th century, concerns about development and mining led to efforts to preserve the mountain's natural and cultural resources. Today, Mount Diablo State Park encompasses over 20,000 acres, protecting its unique ecosystems and offering recreational opportunities.

  Mount Diablo's complex geology, diverse wildlife, and varied ecosystems make it a unique and fascinating region, with a rich history that spans thousands of years

  . My Reel of the Day:

  https://www.facebook.com/reel/1109139231396661

Finally, Do You Know what is the third state is?

The "third state" refers to a recently identified state of being that exists between life and death. In this state, cells continue to function in unexpected ways even after an organism has perished. This challenges traditional understandings of life and death, as cells can repair themselves, adapt, and exhibit behaviors that raise questions about cellular consciousness. 
Researchers have found that with the right conditions, such as nutrients,oxygen, and bioelectric signals, certain cells can reorganize and develop into multicellular structures with new functions, even after death.