[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 158 (Friday, August 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43747-43748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21629]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-985-0777-66]


Emergency Closure for All Motorized Vehicles on BLM-Administered 
Public Land Along the Rome Hill Stock Drive in T.47 N, R. 88 W., 
Sections 23, 24, 25 and 26 and T.47 N., R. 87 W., Section 19., Bighorn 
Basin Resource Area, Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective immediately, all public 
lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Worland 
District in T.47 N, R. 88 W., sections 23, 24, 25 and 26 and T.47 N., 
R. 87 W., section 19 are closed to all motorized vehicle use. The 
Worland District BLM has determined that immediate action is needed to 
stop the spread of spotted knapweed.

EFFECTIVE DATES: This emergency closure is effective immediately and 
will remain in effect until rescinded or modified by the authorized 
officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chuck Wilkie, Area Manager, Bighorn

[[Page 43748]]

Basin Resource Area, P.O. Box 119, 101 South 23rd Street, 82401-0119. 
Telephone (307) 347-5100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This closure is in response to a request 
from the Washakie County Weed and Pest District to control the spread 
of spotted knapweed, a designated noxious weed. Spotted knapweed is 
highly competitive and readily establishes on any disturbed soil. Once 
established, knapweed releases chemical substances which inhibit growth 
of surrounding vegetation. Knapweed is easily caught up in the 
undercarriage of motorized vehicles, allowing seed to be spread for 
miles.
    This emergency closure applies to approximately 1,520 acres of 
public lands along the Rome Hill Stock Drive in T. 47 N., R. 88 W., 
sections 23, 24, 25 and 26 and T. 47 N., R. 87 W., section 19, Sixth 
Principal Meridian, Washakie County, Wyoming. Off-road use designations 
apply to all motorized vehicles with the exceptions of: (1) Any fire, 
military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle when used for emergency 
purposes or any combat support vehicle when used for national defense 
purposes; (2) Any vehicle whose use is expressly authorized by the 
Bureau of Land Management under permit, license, or contract; and (3) 
Any government vehicle on business.
    Authority for closure order is provided under 43 CFR subpart 8341.2 
(a and b), 8364.1, 8372.0-7, 8372.1-2. Violations of this closure are 
punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and (or) imprisonment not to 
exceed 12 months.

    Dated: July 31, 1997.
David Atkins,
Acting Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-21629 Filed 8-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P