[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 237 (Monday, December 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30412]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CO-076-1220-00]

 

Travel Restriction Modifications for the Rabbit Valley Area

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior.

ACTION: Order of Area, Road and Trail Travel Restriction.

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SUMMARY: This order, issued under the authority of 43 CFR 8342.1 and 43 
CFR 8364.1 limits non-motorized mechanized and motorized travel on 
identified public lands in the vicinity of Rabbit Valley. This order 
authorizes single-track travel routes for mechanized vehicles 
(including motorcycles, snowmobiles and bicycles) less than 40 inches 
in width and authorizes two-track travel routes for mechanized vehicles 
(including all-terrain vehicles and four-wheel drives) over 40 inches 
in width. Authorized routes will be identified on recreation area maps 
and designated by on-the-ground white arrow signing.
    The identified public land is in Colorado, Mesa County, under the 
management jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, Grand 
Junction Resource Area, Grand Junction District. The area is bounded by 
the Colorado River on the south, the Colorado-Utah stateline on the 
west, Interstate 70 on the north and Salt Creek on the east. The area 
is located in T. 10 S., R. 103 W. Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 18, 19; T. 10 
S., R. 104 W., Sections 1, 2, and 9 to 33; T. 11 S., R. 104 W., 
Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 6th P.M.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The restriction shall be effective December 15, 1994 or 
until rescinded or modified by the Authorized Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rabbit Valley is experiencing heavy and 
generally undirected recreational use. Dominant recreational pursuits 
include; horse riding, mountain biking, hiking, off-highway vehicle 
(OHV) riding, camping, dinosaur fossil viewing and viewing rock art. 
Current travel designations for the area, established in the Grand 
Junction Resource Area, Resource Management Plan, 1987, allowed 
``motorized use is permitted only on existing roads and trails'' or 
``closed'' areas to motorized use . These travel designations still 
facilitated the expansion of unauthorized routes. The unauthorized 
routes resulted in multiple trailings, unaesthetic landscape 
conditions, and unacceptable impacts to cultural, soil, vegetation and 
wildlife resources.
    The Grand Junction Resource Area, Resource Management Plan, 1987, 
identified the need for to prepare supplemental recreation management 
plans for the Grand Valley which includes Rabbit Valley. The Rabbit 
Valley Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) and Environmental 
Assessment (CO-076-1-16) was prepared, with public participation and 
comment. This order implements the Decision Record signed on May 7, 
1991 by the Grand Junction Resource Area Manager.
    Travel routes that did not negatively affect resources were 
authorized as either single-track routes open to mechanized travel 
under 40 inches in with or as two-track routes open to mechanized 
vehicles 40 inches and over in width. The area affected by this order 
will be posted with appropriate regulatory signs. Travel maps of the 
area are available at the Grand Junction Resource Area Office and Grand 
Junction District Office.
    All motorized vehicle use will be limited year round, including 
snowmobiles operating on snow. Persons who are exempt from the 
restrictions include: (1) Any Federal, State, or local officers engaged 
in fire, emergency and law enforcement activities; (2) BLM employees 
engaged in official duties; (3) Other persons authorized to operate 
motorized vehicles within the restricted area.

PENALTIES: Violations of this restriction order are punishable by fines 
not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Robertson, Area Manager, 
Grand Junction Resource Area, 2815 H Road Grand Junction, Colorado 
81506; (303) 244-3000. Mark Morse, District Manager, Grand Junction 
District, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506; (303) 244-3050.
Mark Morse,
Grand Junction District Manager.
[FR Doc. 94-30412 Filed 12-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P