[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 8471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4139]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NM-030-1210-00]


Emergency Closure of Vehicle Trails In and Near the Robledo 
Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA), Robledo Mountains Area of 
Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), and the Paleozoic Trackways 
Research Natural Area (RNA) in Dona Ana County, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Emergency closure of vehicle trails.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective immediately, the Las 
Cruces District is implementing emergency closure of existing vehicle 
trails to use by any motorized vehicle or equipment. The closures are 
implemented in order to prevent further resource degradation and 
protect the values of the Robledo Mountains WSA and ACEC, and the 
Paleozoic Trackways RNA. The authority for this emergency closure is 43 
CFR 8364.1: Closure and Restriction Orders. The vehicle trails are 
located within the following public land:

Robledo Mountains WSA and ACEC

T. 22 S., R. 1 E., NMPM
    Secs. 6, 7, 8, 17, and 18.
T. 22 S., R. 1 W.,
    Secs. 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

Paleozoic Trackways RNA

T. 22 S., R. 1 E., NMPM
    Sec. 19, All.
T. 22 S., R. 1 E., NMPM
    Sec. 20, All.

    The subject vehicle trails are further described as follows:
    1. Trails, including branches and side trails, known as the Wolf 
Trail and the Guardian Trail, beginning at a common point in S\1/
2\SW\1/4\, Sec. 20, T. 22 S., R. 1 E., NMPM, and traversing northwest 
to a common exit point in SE\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec. 14, T. 22 S., R. 1 W., 
NMPM. These routes total approximately 6 miles.
    2. Trails in the upper Indian Springs Canyon drainage in the 
western portion of the Robledo Mountains WSA/ACEC. One of these trails 
begins in SE\1/4\, Sec. 10, T. 22 S., R. 1 W., NMPM, near the WSA 
boundary and runs north through Sec. 10 to SE\1/4\, Sec. 3 on the 
Skyline Trail. The other trail begins on the west side of the Skyline 
Trail in SE\1/4\, Sec. 3, T. 22 S., R. 1 W., NMPM, and south through 
Secs. 3 and 10, and west through Secs. 9 and 10 to the WSA boundary in 
the bottom of Indian Springs Canyon. These trails total approximately 3 
miles.

DATES: This closure is effective February 18, 1998 and shall remain in 
effect until rescinded or modified by the Authorized Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Hargrove, Mimbres Resource 
Area Manager, or Mark Hakkila, Outdoor Recreation Planner, 1800 
Marquess, Las Cruces, NM 88005; or call (505) 525-4300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Violations of this closure are punishable by 
fines not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 1 year. 
The action taken is to prevent impacts to wilderness values, soils, 
native vegetative resources, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and 
scenic values.
    Copies of the closure order and maps showing the location of the 
routes are available from the Las Cruces District Office, Mimbres 
Resource Area, 1800 Marquess, Las Cruces NM 88005.

    Dated: February 12, 1998.
Linda S. C. Rundell,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-4139 Filed 2-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P