[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34209]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[ID-050-1150-04]


Notice--Bat Hibernation Site (Hibernacula) Closure

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management; Interior.

ACTION: Notice--bat hibernation sites (hibernacula) closure.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1, eleven caves in the Upper Snake 
River Districts are identified as bat hibernation sites (hibernacula) 
are seasonally closed to entry. With the exception of approved 
research, essential search and rescue, or other emergency or 
administrative operations for cave resources protection, eleven caves 
containing hibernation sites are closed during the hibernation season 
to all visitation, from October 15 to May 1.
    Affected caves are listed below:

Bobcat Cave
Kids Cave
Owl Cave
Chalk Cave
Giant Arch Cave
Gypsum Cave
Little Arch Cave
Pot O' Gold Cave
Twin Cave
Will's Cave
The One That Goes Cave

    The purpose of the closure is to protect bat species and their 
habitat during the critical hibernation period. Any person who fails to 
comply with this closure and restriction order, under 43 CFR 8364.1, 
may be subject to the penalties provided in regulations at 43 CFR 
8360.0-7; a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 
12 months.

DATES: This action is effective December 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 prohibits 
disclosure of cave locations. Information pertaining to the above 
closure is available at the Shoshone Resource Area in Shoshone, Idaho, 
and the Idaho Falls District Office in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula Call, BLM Shoshone Resource 
Area, P.O. Box 2-B, Shoshone Idaho 83352, telephone (208) 886-7254, or 
Joe Lowe, BLM Idaho Falls District Office, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho 
Falls, Idaho 83401, telephone (208) 524-7558.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Certain caves in the Upper Snake River 
Districts serve as critical winter habitat for bats because they 
provide a narrow yet optimum range of temperature and other 
microclimatical variables required for successful hibernation. Research 
has indicated that all bat species are extremely susceptible and 
sensitive to human disturbance during hibernation, and that 
recreational caving trips during the hibernation season are detrimental 
to the survival of bat species.

    Dated: December 19, 1997.
Bill Baker,
Shoshone Resource Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-34209 Filed 12-31-97; 8:45 am]
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