[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 8209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3980]



[[Page 8209]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-190-98-1220-24-1A]


Emergency Closure of Public Lands in San Benito and Fresno 
Counties, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of emergency closure and restrictions on use of public 
lands in the Clear Creek Management Area, located in San Benito and 
Fresno Counties, California.

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SUMMARY: This notification serves to document an emergency closure 
order which went into effect on February 10, 1998 for all public lands 
(approximately 50,000 acres) within the Clear Creek Management Area. 
This notice supercedes and replaces a 1995 emergency closure order 
(Sec. 5-00161-GP5-010-004) for this area. The authorized officer has 
determined that the flooding, slides and road washouts resulting from 
recent severe rainstorms, have made this area unsafe for recreational 
use, and that additionally, recreational use could result in serious 
damage to natural resources. Public lands in this area are therefore 
temporarily closed to public recreational use, although some exemptions 
apply, as described below. The closure will be lifted as soon as County 
Roads and internal access roads can be repaired and maintained to meet 
a minimum of public safety and access needs. Notice is also served that 
because of environmental sensitivity, the area known as ``Upper 
Hillclimb Canyon'', which is within the Clear Creek Management Area, 
will remain closed to vehicle use until such time as manageable routes 
through this area may be determined. Finally, notice is served that 
because of environmental hazards, several abandoned mine sites commonly 
known as the ``Alpine'', ``Archer'', ``Aurora'', ``Larious Canyon'', 
and ``Molina'' will also remain closed to all public entry, with the 
exception of access routes through these mined areas as demarcated by 
BLM signs. Additional abandoned mines may additionally be closed under 
subsequent Federal Register notices, pending review of water quality 
sampling results.
    The purpose of this closure is to protect human life and safety, to 
protect sensitive resources, including threatened plants and their 
habitat, water quality and aquatic species, and wildlife habitat, and 
to prevent human contact with known hazardous substances.
    A map of the areas affected by these closures is on file and may be 
viewed at the Hollister Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management. 
The area known as ``Upper Hillclimb Canyon'' is further described as 
all areas encompassed by Clear Creek Canyon Road, East Clear Creek 
Ridge Route, South Clear Creek Road, and Reservoir Road except for the 
included portions of Sections 5 and 6 of T.18 S., R.12 E. A map showing 
the Hillclimb Canyon closure is also available for viewing at the 
Hollister Field Office. A map showing the mine site closures is also 
available at the Hollister Field Office.
    The above closures and restrictions are temporary and are intended 
to prevent further resource damage, and/or adverse impacts to public 
health and safety. The following persons are exempt from this closure 
order:
    (1) Federal, State, or Local Law Enforcement Officers, while 
engaged in the execution of their official duties.
    (2) BLM personnel or their representatives while engaged in the 
execution of their official duties.
    (3) Any member of an organized rescue, fire-fighting force, 
Emergency Medical Services organization while in the performance and 
execution of an official duty.
    (4) Any member of a federal, state or local public works department 
while in the performance of an official duty.
    (5) Any person in receipt of a written authorization of exemption 
obtained from the Hollister Field Office.
    (6) Local landowners, persons with valid existing rights or lease 
operations, or representatives thereof, who have a responsibility or 
need to access their property or to continue their operations on public 
land.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The overall closure became effective on February 10, 
1998, and shall remain in effect until rescinded or modified by the 
Authorized Officer after consideration of current weather conditions. 
Emergency closures of Upper Hillclimb Canyon and the above-listed mines 
will remain in effect until further notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These closures and restrictions are under 
the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1 and 43 CFR 8341.2. Persons violating 
this closure shall be subject to the penalties provided in 43 CFR 
8360.0-7 and 8340.0-7, including a fine not to exceed $100,000 and/or 
imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Area Manager, Hollister Field Office, 
20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, CA 95024, (408) 630-5000.

    Dated: February 10, 1998.
Robert E. Beehler,
Hollister Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-3980 Filed 2-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P