[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 119 (Friday, June 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 33670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16144]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NV-040-1220-00]


Temporary Closure of Certain Roads and Public Lands: Nevada, Ely 
and Las Vegas Districts

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management.

ACTION: Temporary closure of certain roads and public lands in Clark 
and Lincoln County, Nevada, during the operation of the 1997 Silver 
State 300 Off-Highway Vehicle Race.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant District Manager, Nonrenewable Resources of the 
Ely District Office announces the temporary closure of selected roads 
and public lands under the administration of the Ely Field Office and 
the Las Vegas Field Office. Approximately 50 miles of a 300 mile 
vehicle race route are affected by this temporary closure. This action 
is being taken to comply with provisions of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife 
Service's Biological Opinion for this race event (File No. 1-5-97-F-
169), to prevent unnecessary environmental degradation of desert 
tortoise habitat during the official permitted running of the 1997 
Silver State 300 Race, and to provide for public safety.

EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIMES: June 21, 1997 from 4:30 am through 1:00 pm 
Pacific Standard Time. As soon as all race vehicles have completed 
travel along segments of the designated route, the area will be 
progressively opened proceeding in a south to north direction. The area 
may be opened earlier than 1:00 pm if all race vehicles have passed 
beyond the northern boundary of the closure area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Bunker, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Ely District, Bureau of Land 
Management, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely, Nevada 89301-9408. Telephone (702) 
289-1800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Maps of the designated route for this race 
event affected by this closure are available for inspection at the 
Bureau of Land Management Offices in Caliente, Ely and Las Vegas in 
Nevada.
    Closure Areas: The closure affects a designated route and adjoining 
lands, bounded by Interstate Highway 15 on the south and a point west 
of Lyman Crossing in Meadow Valley Wash on the north. The designated 
route is marked with colorful flagging, directional arrows and other 
markers that identify the race route on the ground. The area consists 
of established roads and adjoining lands within the area described 
below--

T. 9 S., R. 67 E.,
    Sec. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 33, 34, and 35
T. 9 S., R. 68 E.,
    Sec. 31, 33, and 34
T. 10 S., R. 67 E.,
    Sec. 1, 2, and 3
T. 10 S., R. 68 E.,
    Sec. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 14
T. 10 S., R. 69 E.,
    Sec. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 23, 26, and 34
T. 11 S., R. 69 E.,
    Sec. 3, 4, 9, 16, 17, 19, 20, 28, and 33
T. 12 S., R. 69 E.,
    Sec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 15, 21, 22, 29, 31, and 32
T. 13 S., R. 69 E.,
    Sec. 5, 8, 16, 17, 20, 28, and 29.

    The entire width and length of the designated route and all lands 
within 300 feet of the edge of the course located within the legal 
description above, are closed to all vehicles except for Law 
Enforcement, Emergency Vehicles, Race Management Vehicles, and Official 
Race Vehicles. Access routes leading to the course are closed to 
vehicle use at a point 300 feet from their intersection with the 
course. Spectators are prohibited from entering the closure area. No 
vehicle stopping or parking is allowed within the closure area.
    The following restrictions will be in effect for the duration of 
the closure. Unless otherwise authorized no person shall:
    1. Park any vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in such 
a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement 
or the parking of other vehicles, creating a safety hazard, or endanger 
any person, property or feature. Vehicles so parked are subject to 
citation, removal and impoundment at owners expense;
    2. Take a vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, 
recognizable barricade, fence, or traffic control barrier or other 
device;
    3. Obstruct, resist, or attempt to elude a Law Enforcement Officer 
of fail to follow their orders or direction.
    The above restrictions do not apply to public highways and roads, 
emergency vehicles, and vehicles owned by the United States, the State 
of Nevada, Lincoln County or Clark County. Vehicles under permit for 
operation by event participants or by race management personnel must 
adhere to the race permit stipulations. Vehicles that are not operated 
by spectators that need to cross through the closure area may be 
specifically authorized to proceed if travel is confined to an access 
road that leads to a checkpoint where crossing of the race route can be 
safely accomplished as directed by race management personnel.
    Authority for closure of public lands is found in 43 CFR part 8360, 
subpart 8364.1 and 43 CFR part 8372. Persons who violate this closure 
order may be subject to imprisonment for not more than 12 months, or a 
fine in accordance with the applicable provisions of 18 USC 3571, or 
both.

    Dated: June 13, 1997.
Gene L. Drais,
Assistant District Manager, Nonrenewable Resources.
[FR Doc. 97-16144 Filed 6-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-M