[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modified or rescinded by the Bighorn Basin Resource Area Manager.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