[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17718]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WY-040-94-4350-08]

 

Emergency Closure in the Arabis pusilla Habitat Management Area, 
Green River Resource Area, WY

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Emergency Closure in the Arabis pusilla Habitat 
Management Area, Green River Resource Area, Wyoming.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby gives notice that, 
effective immediately, all public lands within the Arabis pusilla 
Habitat Management Area (HMA) are closed to all mechanized/non-
motorized vehicular use to preserve the habitat of this Candidate plant 
species. This species, commonly called the small rockcress, is being 
proposed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its 
single known population is located at Pine Creek, near South Pass, 
Wyoming, and consists of approximately 1000 individuals. Approximately 
500 acres of land within the Habitat Management Area (HMA) exclosure 
will be closed.
    Vehicular use of the existing roads and trails in the area is 
causing unacceptable levels of damage to these plants and their limited 
habitat adjacent to the roads and trails. Unauthorized vehicular use 
off these roads is also impacting the species. Due to the extremely 
small population number, and the fragile nature of the plant, damage 
from vehicular activity could be causing irreversible impacts to the 
species.
    The Arabis pusilla Habitat Management Plan calls for elimination of 
all motorized vehicle activity within the HMA exclosure.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure will become effective July 21, 1994 and 
will remain in effect until further notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William LeBarron, Area Manager, Green River Resource Area, 1993 Dewar 
Drive, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901. Telephone (307) 362-6422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Monitoring of the Habitat Management Area 
has revealed that violations of the ``existing road and trail'' ORV 
designation commonly occurs and causes adverse impacts to the species.
    The emergency closure applies to all BLM administered public lands 
within the Arabis pusilla Habitat Management Area located approximately 
20 miles southwest of the town of South Pass, Wyoming, in T29N, R101W, 
sections 26, 27 and 35, Sixth Principle Meridian. The closure prohibits 
use of all mechanized motorized and nonmotorized vehicles within the 
habitat management area, with the exception of:
    (1) Any Federal, State, or local officers engaged in fire, 
military, emergency, or law enforcement activities.
    (2) BLM employees engaged in official duties.
    Authority for closure orders is provided under 43 CFR Subpart 
8364.1. Violations of this closure are punishable by a fine not to 
exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
John S. McKee,
Associate District Manager.
[FR Doc. 94-17718 Filed 7-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-M