[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26769]
[Federal Register: October 28, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CA-050-1150-00]
Proposed Closure Order for Vehicle Use; California
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
SUMMARY: In cooperation with the California Department of Fish & Game,
and under authority of 43 CFR 8364.1, the Clear Lake Resource Area of
the Bureau of Land Management is designating emergency vehicular
closures on three parcels of recently-acquired public lands. These
parcels are known as the Leal, Kerwin, and Johnson acquisitions. All
vehicular use except for that associated with administrative access,
emergencies, and valid existing rights (mining claims, pre-existing
public access, rights-of-ways/easements, etc.) will be prohibited year-
round. These closures are consistent with the Clear Lake Resource Area
Management Framework Plan (MFP) Update, as well as the Cache Creek Area
of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Management Plan and the Cache
Creek Tule Elk Habitat Management Plan (HMP). These closures will be in
effect until the Cache Creek Coordinated Resource Management Plan
(CRMP) is completed, at which time a final determination will be made
to rescind, modify, or continue with the closures as is.
These three closures are included within the Cache Creek Management
Area, a unit managed primarily for wildlife and primitive recreational
values. Detailed maps of these three areas are available upon request
from the Clear Lake Resource Area office of the BLM in Ukiah,
California.
EFFECTIVE DATE: These closures will become effective on October 28,
1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Snyder or Gregg Mangan at 707-
468-4000.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Leal acquisition includes 1,475.92 acres
acquired by the BLM in October 1993. These lands are located in
portions of Sections 28, 29, 32, 33, and 34 of T. 14N., R. 5W., MDM,
and Sections 3 and 4 of T 13N., R. 5W, MDM. along the Lake and Colusa
county line. Prior to acquisition by the BLM, there was no public
access on or through this property. These lands were acquired primarily
for wildlife and primitive recreational values. The habitats here
support tule elk, blacktail deer, wild turkey, feral pig, mountain
lion, and many other species. Some key habitat improvements have been
completed and others will be implemented in the near future. These
projects will further improve this area for the tule elk and many of
the other species found here. In the absence of a closure, unrestricted
public vehicular use here would negate the success and intended purpose
of these projects.
The Kerwin acquisition includes 948.72 acres acquired in January
1994. These lands are located in portions of Sections 30 and 31 of T.
14N., R. 5W., MDM (referred to as the Northern Unit), and all of
Section 36 of T. 14N, R. 6W., MDM. (referred to as the Southern Unit),
all in Lake County and bisected by State Highway 20. Prior to
acquisition by the BLM, an easement granted to Lake County for public
vehicular access across private lands (in the Northern Unit) was in
existence along the Walker Ridge Road, beginning at the turnoff from
State Highway 20 and continuing for approximately one mile northwest to
the beginning of public lands. The Southern Unit had no previous public
access available. The Kerwin property was acquired for wildlife
habitat, rare plants, and primitive recreational values. The acquired
lands along the first mile of the Walker Ridge Road (in the Northern
Unit) pass through open oak-grassland and meadow habitats supporting
known populations of special status plant species. Currently vehicular
access off the first mile of the Walker Ridge Road is unrestricted for
the most part, due to the open nature of the habitat. This use has
resulted in documented damage to the special status plants found here.
In the Southern Unit year-round use by the tule elk has been
documented. Unrestricted vehicular use by adjacent landowners has
resulted in disturbance to the elk herd, special status plants, and to
soils. Without a closure, unrestricted public vehicular use would
result in further disturbance and damage to resource values.
The Johnson acquisition includes 2,032.06 acres acquired in January
1994. These lands are located in portions of Sections 8, 9, 16, 17, 21,
and 28 of T. 12N., R. 4W. MDM, all in Yolo County. Prior to acquisition
an easement for public vehicular access through 3.2 miles of this
property existed on Yolo County Road 40. This access was limited to
Road 40 only and did not allow for any use off the road. Because this
property is now public land, there are no restrictions in place to
prohibit vehicular use off the road. Much of the habitat found here is
open oak-grassland and is easily accessed from Road 40. Soils here are
fragile and easily damaged by vehicle use. This property was acquired
primarily for wildlife values (including endangered species habitat)
and non-motorized recreational use. In the absence of a closure,
unrestricted public vehicular use here would result in serious soils
damage in the sensitive oak-grassland habitats.
Renee Snyder,
Clear Lake Resource Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 94-26769 Filed 10-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P