[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8262-8263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4392]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[NM-060-07-1110-(00) (0002)]


Intent of Seasonal Road Closure; Caprock Wildlife Habitat Area, 
Mescalero Sands, NM

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent of Seasonal Road Closure within the Caprock 
Wildlife Habitat Area at Mescalero Sands.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR Part 8364, the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) will annually close a BLM-maintained road designated as Mathers 
TT329 to public access at State Highway 380 from March 1 through June 
1. This period may be extended earlier or later, or with additional 
closure periods imposed during the year, for Lesser prairie chicken 
research needs.

DATE: This action is effective March 1, 1997, and will remain in effect 
until the cessation of Lesser prairie chicken studies projected through 
the year 2001.

ADDRESSES: Maps showing the location of the access point from State 
Highway 380 that will be closed will be available at the BLM District 
Office, 2909 West 2nd Street, Roswell, New Mexico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
T.R. Kreager, Area Manager, Roswell Resource Area, 2909 West 2nd 
Street, Roswell, New Mexico 88201-2019, Telephone (505) 627-0272.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Approximately six miles of caliche-surfaced 
road maintained by the BLM will be seasonally closed to the general 
public by the physical restriction of access from State Highway 380 at 
the following location:

New Mexico Principal Meridian

Caprock Wildlife Habitat Area, Mescalero Sands

T. 10 S., R. 31 E., Section 30: SWNE

    The access point is at State Highway 380, across from the Waldrop 
Rest Area (Mile Marker 196), approximately forty-two miles east of 
Roswell, New Mexico. The area restricted to public access is north of 
the highway.
    This temporary road and are closure will be in effect annually from 
March 1, 1997, until the cessation of Lesser prairie chicken studies in 
the year 2001. The purpose of the closure is to restrict currently open 
public access into important Lesser prairie chicken habitat targeted 
for long-term ecological studies. Specifically, to prevent disturbance 
to prairie chicken booming grounds (leks) and trapping efforts at the 
grounds for

[[Page 8263]]

radio-telemetry work conducted to determine movement and habitat use. 
Unrestricted access to the area may compromise or jeopardize prairie 
chicken research efforts in this portion of the Caprock Wildlife 
Habitat Area.
    Vehicle access for administrative purposes, and those activities 
authorized by the BLM, will continue to be allowed. Only the road and 
general area serviced by the road is affected by this action.

    Dated: February 12, 1997.
Edwin L. Roberson,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-4392 Filed 2-21-97; 8:45 am]
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