[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 110 (Monday, June 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 31452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14502]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NM-030-1110-00]


Visitor Restrictions for Designated Recreation Sites in the Las 
Cruces District, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Proposed Supplementary Rules; Visitor Restrictions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The BLM New Mexico State Director is proposing supplementary 
rules, which are necessary for the protection of persons, property, and 
public land and resources currently under the Bureau's administration 
within the Las Cruces District, New Mexico and those lands acquired for 
inclusion within the administrative jurisdiction of the BLM as provided 
for in 43 CFR part 8365.1-6.

DATES: Submit written comments by July 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: New Mexico State 
Director (933), BLM, P.O. Box 27115, Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

     Mark Hakkila, Outdoor Recreation Planner, BLM Mimbres 
Resource Area, 1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, NM 88005, (505) 525-4341.
     Kevin Carson, Outdoor Recreation Planner, BLM Socorro 
Resource Area, 198 Neel Ave. NW, Socorro, NM 87801, (505) 835-0412.
     Wes Anderson, Wildlife Biologist, BLM Socorro Resource 
Area, 198 Neel Ave. NW, Socorro, NM 87801, (505) 835-0412.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These visitor restrictions are necessary for 
the management of actions, activities, and uses on public land 
including land that is acquired or conveyed to the BLM. Supplementary 
rulemaking is provided for under Title 43 CFR Subpart 8365. These 
regulations establish rules of conduct for the protection of persons, 
property, and public land resources. As a visitor to public land, the 
user is required to follow certain rules designed to protect the land 
and the natural environment, to ensure the health and safety of 
visitors, and to promote a pleasant and rewarding outdoor experience.
    Exceptions to these visitor restrictions may be permitted by the 
authorized officer subject to limits and restrictions of controlling 
Federal and State law. Persons granted use exemptions must possess 
written authorization from the BLM Office having jurisdiction over the 
area. Users must further comply with the zoning, permitting, rules, or 
regulatory requirements of other agencies, where applicable.
    Under the authority of 43 CFR 8365.1-6, the BLM proposes the 
following supplementary rules, to be applied on public land in the Las 
Cruces District, New Mexico:

Proposed Supplementary Rules

Supplementary Rules--Developed Recreation Sites/Areas and Special 
Recreation Management Areas

    In addition to the regulations contained in 43 CFR 4100.0-5, 
8365.1, 8365.2, and supplementary rules published in the Federal 
Register, Volume 60, No. 218, page 57015 (FR document 95-27596), the 
following rules will be applied in accordance with 43 CFR 8365.2:

    1. Public land in T. 2 S., R. 1 E., NMPM, section 7, lot 26; T. 
2 S., R. 1 W., NMPM, section 1, lots 23, 26 and 49; and section 12, 
lots 21 and 60, aggregating 119.83 acres in Socorro County, shall be 
known as the Socorro Nature Area.

     Casual, non-vehicular access is allowed but limited to 
daylight hours, unless otherwise permitted. Vehicular access through 
locked gates shall be by permit only. Gates shall be kept closed at all 
times, even when the area is in use.
     The Socorro Nature Area will be managed as a day-use area. 
Overnight camping shall be limited to permitted educational or other 
formally organized groups in designated areas.
     Motorized vehicles including motorcycles and ATVs (four 
wheelers) shall be limited to existing access road and parking areas. 
Motorized wheel-chairs and maintenance and emergency vehicles are 
excepted.
     Permitted visitors must have a copy of their authorization 
and site regulations with them during use.
    Individual picnicking sites are available on a first-come, first-
serve basis. Use of any group shelter/picnic area or group camp site 
shall be by permit only.
     Fires are allowed only in designated fire pits or in other 
approved cooking devices.
     The following activities are prohibited unless authorized 
by written permit or for administrative use:

--Straying off of established foot trails;
--Swimming, wading or bathing in any aquatic facilities;
--Failure to maintain quiet between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 
a.m. or other posted hours;
--Operating or using a public address system.

     Users shall pack out their trash for disposal off-site to 
an authorized disposal facility.
     The area is not adjudicated for livestock grazing and has 
been devoted to a public purpose that precludes livestock grazing.
    2. Supplemental Restrictions in the Organ Mountains:
     Dogs are prohibited outside of vehicles within the fenced 
boundary of the Dripping Springs Natural Area (T. 23 S., R. 3 E., 
Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 1; and T. 23 S., R. 4 E., Sections 6 and 
7, NMPM), except dogs assisting physically handicapped people.
     Shooting is prohibited within \1/4\ mile of developed 
hiking trails in the Organ Mountains (T. 22-26 S., R. 3-4 E., NMPM).
     The area fenced and posted for administrative use only, 
north and east of the A.B. Cox Visitor Center, is restricted to 
authorized public entry. Use of this area, including the residences, 
shop, storage buildings, historic outbuildings, and arroyo site, is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the BLM.
    3. Supplemental Restrictions in the Box Special Management Area (T. 
3 S., R. 1 W., Section 31, NMPM). Camping is permitted in designated 
campsites only.
    4. Supplemental Restrictions in the Datil Well Campground (T. 2 S., 
R. 10 W., Sections 10 and 11, NMPM). The trail is open to hiking only. 
Bicycle and equestrian uses are prohibited.

Penalties

    These supplementary rules apply to all persons using public land in 
the Las Cruces District. Violations of these rules may be punishable by 
a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 
months.

    Dated: May 5, 1997.
William C. Calkins,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 97-14502 Filed 6-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P