[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 62 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14158-14159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7712]



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[[Page 14159]]


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WY-010-1220-00]


Emergency Seasonal Closure of Public Land in the Bald Ridge Area, 
Park County, WY

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Emergency Seasonal Closure of Public Land in the Bald 
Ridge Area, Park County, Wyoming.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective March 18, 1996, the Bald 
Ridge area located south of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River 
and west and north of Hogan Reservoir of Park County, Wyoming on public 
land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Worland 
District, Cody Resource Area, was closed from December 15 through April 
30 to all use (such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, 
crosscountry skiing, and all motorized use) except permitted 
activities. This action is being taken for resource protection of 
essential wintering habitat of elk and mule deer. No access into this 
area will be allowed unless permitted by the Authorized Officer (BLM 
Cody Resource Area Manager).

EFFECTIVE DATE: This emergency seasonal closure was effective March 18, 
1996 and will remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the 
Authorized Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Dieli, Recreation Planner or Duane 
Whitmer, Area Manager, Cody Resource Area, P.O. Box 518, 1002 Blackburn 
Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414-0518. Telephone (307) 587-2216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cody Resource Area is responsible for 
the management of essential wildlife habitat in the Bald Ridge area of 
the Absaroka Front and other crucial habitat areas located throughout 
the Bighorn Basin. These essential habitat areas and management thereof 
are covered under the Cody Resource Management Plan (RMP), which was 
signed on November 8, 1990. ``Seasonal restrictions will be applied as 
appropriate to surface-disturbing and disruptive activities and land 
uses on big game crucial habitat, including winter ranges and elk 
calving areas.'' (Cody RMP, p. 40)
    The Bald Ridge area is crucial wintering habitat for big game. 
Increasing visitor activity, such as horseback riding, hiking, and 
antler hunters are causing unacceptable impacts to the wintering elk 
and deer herds. These activities are causing anxiety during a period 
when the animals are most susceptible to stress-related health affects 
that could cause death. These activities also force the herds to be 
displaced from their winter habitat. The Cody Resource Area will 
analyze a proposal for facility development at Hogan Reservoir as well 
as travel management of the Bald Ridge area to be investigated in the 
near future. This emergency seasonal closure is needed to address an 
immediate concern.
    The following described BLM-administered lands south of the Clarks 
Fork of the Yellowstone River and west of Hogan Reservoir are included 
in this seasonal closure: T. 56 N., R. 103 W., sections 7, 8, 15, 16, 
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 from the west 
end of Hogan Reservoir. Hogan Reservoir remains open for fishing and 
nonmotorized travel within 100 yards of the reservoir's high-water 
line. Authority for closure and restriction orders is provided under 43 
CFR subpart 8341.2 (a and b), 8364.1, 8372.0-7, 8372.1-2. Violations of 
this closure are punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and (or) 
imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

    Dated: March 15, 1996.
Duane Whitmer,
Cody Resource Area Manager, Worland District.
[FR Doc. 96-7712 Filed 3-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P