[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54126-54127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27615]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-016-1220-00]


Supplementary Rules for Public Lands in the Carrizo Plain Natural 
Area, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Establishment of Supplementary Rules relating to shooting, 
access, vehicle use, camping, and resource protection within the 
Carrizo Plain Natural Area in San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties, 
California.

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

SUMMARY: The Caliente Resource Area hereby gives notice and establishes 
the following closures and Special and Supplementary Rules for the 
Carrizo Plain Natural Area (CPNA) effective as of the date of this 
publication, as provided for under Title 43, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Subparts 8341.2, 8364.1, and 8365.1-6:
    A. Public lands within \1/4\ mile of any campground, Painted Rock, 
administrative facility (including the Washburn, Saucito, Goodwin, and 
MU ranch headquarters), and all developed overlooks, interpretive sites 
or pullouts, are closed to the discharge of firearms. Public lands 
within the Painted Rock ``no shooting zone'' are posted with signs at 
the most prominent points of public access. The boundaries of this 
closure are described in the CPNA Management Plan and are available 
from the Bakersfield District BLM Office. Those exempted from this 
closure order include law enforcement officers in the commission of 
their official duties. These closures are for the purpose of enhancing 
public safety and will also decrease potential conflicts with 
recreational users.
    Recreational target shooting is prohibited within the entire CPNA. 
Hunting is allowed on public within the CPNA where public safety is not 
at risk or that have not been closed to shooting. No person shall 
violate any federal, state or local laws pertaining to use, possession 
or discharge of firearms while on any BLM administered public lands. 
This closure governing the discharge of firearms affects approximately 
5,200 acres of public lands in San Luis Obispo County. The recreational 
target shooting closure affects approximately 200,000 acres of public 
lands in San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties.
    B. Certain public lands in the CPNA are subject to closure to all 
public use, including but not limited to vehicle operation, camping, 
shooting, hiking, and sightseeing. All public lands within \1/4\ mile 
of Sulfur Springs are closed to public access, except under permit from 
the BLM, in order to protect sensitive resources. All public lands 
within \1/4\ mile of Painted Rock are closed to public access from 
March 1 through July 15 each year, except for tours authorized by the 
Bureau of Land Management, in order to protect sensitive resources. The 
Washburn Administrative Site, the Goodwin Education Center, the MU, 
Goodwin, Saucito, and Painted Rock Ranch headquarters, and Painted Rock 
may be closed to public access as needed to protect these resources and 
facilities. This closure affects approximately 250 acres in San Luis 
Obispo County.
    C. Operation of motor vehicles, aircraft, and boats and flotation 
devices of any kind, are prohibited on or within Soda Lake and any 
adjacent stream, channel, dry lake, and body of water. This closure 
affects approximately 4,300 acres in San Luis Obispo County. Exceptions 
may be allowed, but must be approved in advance in writing by the 
Authorized Officer. Law enforcement and fire protection personnel 
operating within the scope of their official duties are exempt from the 
provisions of this closure order.
    D. Off-Highway vehicle use within the CPNA is limited to designated 
routes. Designated routes are defined as existing well traveled roads 
which have been identified and mapped. Maps of these routes will be 
made available to the public. The operation of any motorized vehicle 
off of designated routes of travel is prohibited within the CPNA. Open 
routes are available for use by all vehicle, bicycle, foot and 
equestrian travel. All vehicle use on routes posted or designated as 
closed is prohibited. Except on county roads, or unless otherwise 
posted, the speed limit on such open roads is 25 miles per hour. 
Vehicles parked adjacent to any open road must be parked as close to 
the road as possible without preventing passage of other vehicles. Open 
roads may be closed temporarily at the discretion of the BLM if 
necessary for safety or resource protection.
    Roads or routes designated as being for administrative use only are 
closed to all motor vehicles except those used by employees of the BLM, 
the California Department of Fish and Game, or The Nature Conservancy 
when conducting official business. Other uses require the prior 
approval of the BLM. Roads designated as being for administrative use 
only are open to bicycles and other nonmotorized vehicles, pedestrians, 
and casual horse use unless otherwise posted.

[[Page 54127]]

    This limited use designation does not apply to emergency vehicles, 
fire suppression and rescue vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and 
other motorized vehicles specifically approved by an authorized officer 
of the Bureau of Land Management. The closure affects approximately 
200,000 acres. A map of the open route network is available from the 
Bureau of Land Management, 3801 Pegasus Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93308, 
(805) 391-6000.
    E. Overnight camping is allowed within designated campgrounds and 
designated camping areas in the CPNA. All other public lands within the 
CPNA are closed to overnight parking or camping. Camping or overnight 
parking within all portions of the CPNA is prohibited within 200 yards 
of any natural or artificial water source. Overnight camping is limited 
to 14 days within any 30 day period, for a total of no more than 28 
days within any one year period, except as specified in writing by the 
authorized officer.
    The primary purpose of all corrals, loading chutes, and other 
appurtenant livestock facilities during the authorized grazing season 
will be for livestock management. Camping or parked vehicles may not 
interfere with their use. All litter, waste, and refuse at campsites 
must be kept within a container or receptacle while camping, and 
removed when leaving the CPNA.
    F. Other supplemental rules prescribed by the CPNA Management Plan 
include:

--Property left unattended for more than three days without the prior 
approval of the Authorized Officer will be treated as abandoned and may 
be removed and stored by law enforcement personnel at the owner's 
expense.
--Pets and pack animals must be controlled by the owner at all times. 
Pack animals shall be within corrals, or adequately restrained. Pets 
must be prevented from chasing, harassing, or taking wildlife.
--Organized groups with 20 or more persons or 5 or more vehicles must 
secure a permit for any activities off county roads.
--The use of metal detectors is prohibited, except for approved 
administrative purposes.
--All research and study activities require a permit or written 
authorization from the BLM.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These rules are effective October 17, 1997 and will 
remain in effect until revised, revoked or amended by the Authorized 
Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The above supplementary rules are being 
implemented for the following purposes:
    The BLM administers approximately 200,000 acres in the Carrizo 
Plain Natural Area (CPNA). The CPNA is managed jointly with the 
California Department of Fish and Game and The Nature Conservancy for 
the benefit of indigenous species within a fully functional ecosystem. 
The natural area is important to fifteen species of plants and animals 
that are currently listed, proposed to be listed, or fully protected by 
either the federal or California Endangered Species Acts. In addition, 
the natural area encompasses world-class archaeological sites, and 
continues to be of great importance to native peoples. These values 
have contributed toward making the CPNA an increasingly popular 
destination for sightseeing and outdoor recreation. Use is concentrated 
at certain sites and along trails, but many activities are highly 
dispersed. The purpose of these actions is to protect and efficiently 
manage these special resources, and enhance visitors safety on public 
lands.
    This order is in no way intended to affect the rights of private 
land owners, or their interests within the closure area, with respect 
to private lands. Further, this order does not infer any Bureau of Land 
Management jurisdiction over private or state lands within closure 
areas.
    A copy of this Federal Register notice and maps showing the 
affected areas are available for review in the Bakersfield District 
Office of the Bureau of Land Management.

PENALTIES: The authorities for these closures and supplementary rules 
are 43 CFR 8341.2, 8364.1, and 8365.1-6. Violations of these rules are 
punishable by fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 
12 months as well as the penalties provided under State law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald D. Fellows, Bureau of Land 
Management, Bakersfield District Manager, 3809 Pegasus Dr., Bakersfield 
CA 93308, Phone (805) 391-6000.

    Dated: October 7, 1997.
John Skibinski,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-27615 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M