[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