[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 11863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6892]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[ID-016-06-1220-00]


Vehicle Management Area Designation and Road Closure Order; Ada, 
Elmore, Canyon, and Owyhee Counties, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Effective immediately, the Snake River Birds of Prey National 
Conservation Area (NCA) is declared a Designated Vehicle Management 
Area except for those portions of the NCA currently included within the 
Owyhee Front Special Recreation Management Area and the Fossil Creek 
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Management Unit. Also excepted from this 
order is military training maneuvers within the Orchard Training Area. 
Operation of motorized vehicles within the Designated Vehicle 
Management Area will be restricted to designated roads and trails. In 
addition, the following described roads and trails are closed to 
motorized vehicles:
    1. The unimproved dirt road extending downstream along the north 
side of the Snake River from the Initial Butte Farms pump station in 
Section 35, T. 1 S., R. 1 W. to where the road enters private land in 
Section 36, T. 1 S., R. 2 W.
    2. The unimproved dirt road, known as Priest Grade, that traverses 
the wall of the Snake River Canyon in Section 33, T. 1 S., R. 1 W.
    3. The trail that extends along the south side of the Snake River 
from near the pump station at the end of Con Shea Basin Road in Section 
6, T. 1 S., R. 1 W. downstream to Guffey Bridge.
    4. The trail on the south side of the Snake River extending 
downstream from the lower end of the old Priest Ranch.
    5. The Cabin Draw road in Section 11, T. 4 S., R. 2 E. Except for 
the above-described road closures, visitors to the NCA may drive on 
existing roads or trails unless or until they are designated as 
``closed''. As road inventories are completed, designated vehicle 
routes will be signed as ``open''. Roads or trails designated as 
``closed'' will be signed, blocked where necessary, and rehabilitated 
as needed to reduce soil erosion and improve wildlife habitat.
    The Bureau of Land Management retains the right to use or authorize 
use of roads and trails, or authorize specific off-road travel for 
administrative or emergency purposes. This vehicle management area 
designation and closure order shall remain in effect until specifically 
revoked or modified.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NCA was established on August 4, 1993 to 
protect and enhance raptors, their habitat, and associated natural and 
scientific resources. The NCA encompasses 484,873 acres of public land 
in southwest Idaho, extending along 80 miles of the Snake River. This 
order is issued pursuant to the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1, and is 
consistent with decisions in the 1995 Snake River Birds of Prey 
National Conservation Area Management Plan, the Bruneau, Kuna, and 
Owyhee Management Framework Plans, and the Jarbidge Resource Management 
Plan. Violation of this order is punishable by a fine not to exceed 
$1000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Sullivan, National Conservation 
Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Lower Snake River District, 
3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705.
Rodger E. Schmitt,
District Resource Coordinator.
[FR Doc. 96-6892 Filed 3-21-96; 8:45 am]
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