[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 221 (Thursday, November 14, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 58420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29086]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WY-018-1220-00]


Emergency Closure of Certain Roads and Trails; Buffalo Creek 
Area, WY

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of emergency closure of certain roads and trails in the 
Buffalo Creek Area, Washakie County, Wyoming.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective September 27, 1996, some 
roads and trails on public land administered by the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) Worland District, Bighorn Basin Resource Area, will be 
closed to all vehicular use. These roads and trails are located in the 
Buffalo Creek area south and west of the Nowater Stock Drive (BLM road 
1404), in Washakie County, Wyoming. As of the effective date, only 
roads designated by a ``white arrow'' are available for use. All roads 
and trails not designated with a ``white arrow'' are closed to 
motorized use. No off-road travel will be allowed in these areas other 
than by emergency vehicles or as allowed by the Bighorn Basin Resource 
Area Manager.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This emergency vehicle management is effective 
September 27, 1996 and will remain in effect until December 1998 unless 
modified or rescinded by the Bighorn Basin Resource Area Manager.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Baker, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner or Charles F. Wilkie, Area Manager, Bighorn Basin Resource 
Area, P.O. Box 119, 101 South 23rd Street, Worland, Wyoming 82401-0119. 
Telephone (307)347-5100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bighorn Basin Resource Area is 
responsible for off-road vehicle management in the entire resource 
area. The Buffalo Creek area experienced a large fire which began 
August 25, 1996 and burned about 46,000 acres of private, state, and 
federal lands. The purpose of this emergency closure is to eliminate 
unnecessary vehicle use while providing some access into the area for 
recreation. This order will help to aid in the area's rehabilitation 
after the fire. Vehicles traveling off-road in a burned area would 
damage re-emerging plants, increase erosion, and could spread noxious 
weeds.
    The management of off-road vehicles is covered under the Washakie 
Resource Management Plan (RMP), signed September 2, 1988.
    The Buffalo Creek area is an important wildlife habitat and hunting 
area. The recent fire burned more then 90 percent of the area leaving 
very little winter forage for wildlife. Keeping vehicle traffic on 
designated roads and trails for one or two growing seasons will help in 
the rehabilitation of the area. There is also a need to allow some 
vehicle access into the area in order for hunters to harvest big game 
animals that may perish due to a lack of winter forage. The Bighorn 
Basin Resource Area will analyze the effect of this road management in 
the summer of 1997 and the Bighorn Basin Resource Area Manager will 
extend the management until December 1998, if it is deemed necessary.
    The following described BLM-administered lands south and west of 
the Nowater Stock Trail and east of the Sand Point Divide are included 
in this emergency closure: Sixth Principal Meridian, Township 43 North, 
Range 90 West, sections 25 and 36; Township 43 North, Range 89 West, 
sections 8, 9, 10, and 14 through 36; Township 42 North, Range 89 West; 
Township 42 North, Range 90 West, sections 1, 12, and 13. Authority to 
close roads and trail to off-road vehicles is provided under 43 CFR 
subpart 8341.2 (a and b), and 8364.1. Violations are punishable by a 
fine not to exceed $1,000 and(or) imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

    Dated: November 5, 1996.
Charles F. Wilkie,
Bighorn Basin Area Manager, Worland District.
[FR Doc. 96-29086 Filed 11-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P