[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28496-28497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13554]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[OR-128-6332-00; Gp7-0180]


Establishment of Supplementary Rules

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Establishment of Supplementary Rules for the Sixes River 
Recreation Area.

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SUMMARY: The Coos Bay District proposes new supplementary rules to 
regulate recreational placer mining activities at the Sixes River 
Recreation Site in Curry County, Oregon and further describe penalties 
for violation of these proposed rules. The rules are designed to 
implement the existing Code of Federal Regulations and ensure 
consistency with recently adopted Oregon State rules and regulations 
governing the same activities. The supplementary rules apply only to 
the Sixes River Recreation Site.
    The Sixes River, which passes through the Sixes River Recreation 
Area, has been designated as essential indigenous anadromous salmonid 
fish habitat by the Oregon Division of Fish & Wildlife (ODF&W). In 
accordance with this designation, the ODF&W, the Oregon Department of 
Environmental Quality, and the Oregon Division of State Lands, adopted 
rules requiring authorization and permitting of mining and recreational 
placer mining activities, limitations on equipment size, and the 
establishment of in-water work periods governing these activities.
    The Bureau of Land Management administers the public land the Sixes 
River crosses and has an interest in the protection of the water 
related resources, the adjoining riparian and terrestrial resources, 
and the protection of the physical developments existing at the 
recreation site.

Supplementary Rules

    1. To ensure consistency with Oregon State rules and regulations 
governing placer mining activities at the Sixes Recreation Site, the 
following acts are prohibited.
    a. Panning (manual or motorized), sluicing (manual or motorized), 
or dredging in streambed without the required general authorization or 
permit issued by the appropriate State
Agency (ies).
    b. Operating a motorized dredge rated over 10 horsepower, or having 
an intake suction hose over 4 inches in diameter.
    c. Conducting panning, sluicing, or dredging outside the seasonal 
in-water work period specified by the ODF&W.
    2. In order to enhance recreational opportunities and protect 
public resources at Sixes River Recreation site the following acts are 
prohibited:
    a. Excavating and processing materials outside the existing wet 
perimeter. ``Wet Perimeter'' as defined in State rules and regulations 
is that area of the streambed which is under water, or exposed as a 
non-vegetated gravel bar surrounded on all sides by actively moving 
water, at the time the mining activity occurs.
    b. Impounding of water or excavating to extend the natural wet 
perimeter existing at the time mining activity occurs.
    c. Removing, disturbing, or excavating of any soil or vegetation 
within the area outside of the wet perimeter.

Comment Period

    The BLM requests comments from the public concerning the above 
supplemental rules and prohibited acts. The comment period will be open 
for 30 days from the date of publication of this notice. Comments 
received or postmarked after this 30-day period may not be considered.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Unless substantive changes are made to the proposed 
Supplementary Rules for the Sixes River Recreation Area as a result of 
public comments received in response to this

[[Page 28497]]

Federal Register notice, these supplementary rules and prohibited acts 
will become effect July 7, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neal Middlebrook, Area Manager, 
Myrtlewood Resource Area, Bureau of Land Management, 1300 Airport Lane, 
North Bend, Oregon 97459 (541) 756-0100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority for the establishment of these 
proposed Supplementary Rules for the Sixes River Recreation Area and 
Prohibited Acts is contained in 43 CFR, Chapter II, subpart 8360-3 and 
8365.1-6. Person or persons violating or failing to comply with these 
rules may be subject to penalties provided for in 43 CFR 8360.0-7 and 
43 CFR 9262.1, which include a fine not to exceed $1000.00 and/or 
imprisonment not to exceed twelve (12) months.

    Dated: May 6, 1997.
Edward W. Shepard,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-13554 Filed 5-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P