[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 64 (Thursday, April 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 15916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8512]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-930-97-1220-00]


Notice of Emergency Closure Along the Oregon/Mormon Pioneer/
California/Pony Express National Historic Trails; Bureau of Land 
Management Administered Lands, Wyoming

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby gives notice that, 
temporary road and trail closures may occur during inclement weather 
conditions or due to excessive erosion, on portions of public lands 
within Wyoming along the Oregon/Mormon Pioneer/California and Pony 
Express National Historic Trails during 1997. The Mormon Trail 
Sesquicentennial event will occur in 1997. Estimates of visitor use 
along the historic trails on public lands is estimated to be 100,000 to 
1,000,000 people. In order to protect trail resources and to prevent 
unacceptable levels of resource degradation, emergency closures for 
vehicles, foot, and horse traffic may be needed.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure may become effective based on the resource 
conditions during the 1997 calendar year. Local authorized officers 
will notify the public through media sources and post closure notices 
along appropriate trail segments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jude Carino, Historic Trails Coordinator, Casper District Office, 1701 
East E. Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601, (307) 261-7600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Historic Trails are fragile, 
nonrenewable resources. Improper use due to wet conditions could cause 
irreparable harm to the resource. Due to the Mormon Church's planned 
celebration of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Mormon-
Pioneer National Historic Trail, protective management actions need to 
be in place. Projections are for record visitation. Due to the fragile 
nature of the trail, combined with projected visitation and historic 
weather patterns, the BLM may find it necessary to temporarily close 
portions of the trail and roads on public lands in the adjoining 
vicinity.
    The emergency closure would apply to segments of BLM-administered 
public lands along the National Historic Trail within Wyoming. The 
closure prohibits the use of all mechanized motorized, non-motorized 
vehicles, foot and horse traffic along particular posted segments of 
the trail, with the exception of:
    (1) Any Federal, State, or local officers engaged in fire, 
military, emergency, or law enforcement activities.
    (2) BLM employees engaged in official duties.
    (3) Private land owners accessing private land.
    (4) Authorized public land users regulated through land use permits 
(i.e., grazing permittees). Authority for closure orders is provided 
under 43 CFR subpart 8364.1.
    Violations of this closure are punishable by a fine not to exceed 
$1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

    Dated: March 25, 1997.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 97-8512 Filed 4-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-M