[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 141 (Thursday, July 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39593-39594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19209]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-050-08-1230-00; 8371]


Arizona: Long-Term Visitor Area Program for 1998-1999 and 
Subsequent Use Seasons; Revision to Existing Supplementary Rules, Yuma 
Field Office, Arizona, and California Desert District, California

Agency: Bureai of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Publication of supplementary rules for Long-Term Visitor Areas 
within the California Desert District, El Centro Resource Area.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma Field Office and 
California Desert District announce revisions to the Long-Term Visitor 
Area (LTVA) Program. The program, which was instituted in 1983, 
established designated LTVAs and identified an annual long-term use 
season from September 15 to April 15. During the long-term season, 
visitors who wish to camp on public lands in one location for extended 
periods must stay in the designated LTVAs and purchase an LTVA permit.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Lowans, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, Yuma Field Office, 2555 East Gila Ridge Road, Yuma, Arizona 
85365, telephone (520) 317-3210; or Anna Atkinson, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, Palm Springs-South Coast Resource Area, 690 West Garnet 
Avenue, North Palm Springs, California 92258, telephone (760) 251-4800; 
or Kelly Bubolz, Outdoor Recreation Planner, El Centro Resource Area, 
1661 South Fourth Street, El Centro, California 92243, telephone (760) 
337-4400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the LTVA program is to 
provide areas for long-term winter camping use. The sites designated as 
LTVAs are, in most cases, the traditional use areas of long-term 
visitors. Designated sites were selected using criteria developed 
during the land management planning process, and environmental 
assessments were completed for each site location.
    The program was established to safely and properly accommodate the 
increasing demand for long-term winter visitation and to provide 
natural resource protection through improved management of this use. 
The designation of LTVAs assures that specific locations are available 
for long-term use year after year, and that inappropriate areas are not 
used for extended periods.
    Visitors may camp without an LTVA permit outside of LTVAs, on 
public lands not otherwise posted or closed to camping, for up to 14 
days in any 28-day period.
    Authority for the designation of LTVAs is contained in Title 43, 
Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 8372, Sections 0-3 and 0-5(g). 
Authority for the establishment of an LTVA program is contained in 
Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 8372, Section 1, and for 
the payment of fees in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 
71. The authority for establishing supplementary rules is contained in 
Title 43, Subpart 8365, Section 1-6. The LTVA supplementary rules have 
been developed to meet the goals of individuals resource management 
plans. These rules will be available in each local office having 
jurisdiction over the lands, sites, or facilities affected, and will be 
posted near and/or within the lands, sites, or facilities affected. 
Violations of supplementary rules are punished by a fine not to exceed 
$100,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
    The following are the supplemental rules for the designated LTVAs 
and are in addition to rules of conduct set forth in Title 43, Code of 
Federal Regulations, Subpart 8365. 0-1 through 1-7.
    The following supplemental rules apply year-long to all public land 
users who enter the LTVAS.
    1. The permit. A permit is required to camp in a designated LTVA 
between September 15 and April 15. The permit authorizes the permittee 
to camp within any designated LTVA using the camping or dwelling 
unit(s) indicated on the permit between the period from September 15 to 
April 15. There are two types of permits: Long-term and short-visit. 
The long-term permit fee is $100.00, U.S. funds only, for the entire 
season and any part of the season. The short-term permit is $20.00 for 
seven (7) consecutive days. The short-visit permit may be renewed an 
unlimited number of times for the cost of $20.00 for seven consecutive 
days. No refunds are made on permit fees.
    2. The Permit. To be valid, the short-visit permit decal or long-
term permit decal must be affixed at the time of purchase, with the 
adhesive backing, to the bottom right-hand corner of the windshield of 
all transportation vehicles and in a clearly visible location on all 
camping units. A maximum of two (2) secondary vehicles is permitted.
    3. Permit Transfers. The permit may not be reassigned or 
transferred by the permittee.
    4. Permit Revocation. An authorized BLM officer may revoke, without 
reimbursement, any LTVA permit issued to any person when the permittee 
violates any BLM rule or regulation, or when the permittee, permittee's 
family, or guest's conduct is inconsistent with the goal of BLM's LTVA 
Program. Failure to return any LTVA permit to an authorized BLM officer 
upon demand is a violation of this supplemental rule. Any permittee 
whose permit is revoked must remove all property and leave the LTVA 
system within 12 hours of notice. The revoked permittee will not be 
allowed into any other LTVA in Arizona or California for the remainder 
of the LTVA season.
    5. Unoccupied Camping Units. Camping units or campsites must not be 
left unoccupied within any LTVA for periods of greater than 5 days 
unless approved in advance by an authorized BLM officer.
    6. Parking. For your safety and privacy, you must maintain a 
minimum of 15 feet of space between dwelling units.
    7. Removal of Wheels and Campers. Campers, trailers, and other 
dwelling units must remain mobile. Wheels must remain on all wheeled 
vehicles. Pickup campers may be set on jacks manufactured for that 
purpose.
    8. Quiet Hours. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in 
accordance with applicable state time zone standards, or as otherwise 
posted.
    9. Noise. Operation of audio devices or motorized equipment, 
including generators, in a manner that makes unreasonable noise as 
determined by the authorized BLM officer is prohibited. Amplified music 
is allowed

[[Page 39594]]

only within La Posa and Imperial Dam LTVAs and only in locations 
designated by BLM or when approved in advance by an authorized BLM 
officer.
    10. Access. Do not block roads or trails commonly in public use 
with your parked vehicles, stones, wooden barricades, or by any other 
means.
    11. Structures and Landscaping. Fixed structures of any type are 
prohibited and temporary structures must conform to posted policies. 
This includes, but is not limited to fences, dog runs, storage units, 
and windbreaks. Alterations to the natural landscape are not allowed. 
Painting rocks or defacing or damaging any natural or archaeological 
feature is prohibited.
    12. Livestock. Boarding of livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, goats, 
etc.) within LTVA boundaries is permitted only when approved in advance 
by an authorized BLM officer.
    13. Pets. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Keep an eye on 
your pets. Unattended and unwatched pets may fall prey to coyotes or 
other desert predators. Pet owners are responsible for clean-up and 
sanitary disposal of pet waste.
    14. Cultural Resources. Do not disturb any archaeological or 
historical values including, but not limited to, petroglyphs, ruins, 
historic buildings, and artifacts that may occur on public lands.
    15. Trash. Place all trash in designated receptacles. Public trash 
facilities are shown in the LTVA brochure. Depositing trash or holding-
tank sewage in vault toilets is prohibited. An LTVA permit is required 
for trash disposal within all LTVA campgrounds except for the Mule 
Mountain LTVA. The changing of motor oil, vehicular fluids, or disposal 
and possession of these used substances within an LTVA is strictly 
prohibited.
    16. Dumping. Absolutely no dumping of sewage, gray water, or 
garbage on the ground. This includes motor oil and any other waste 
products: Federal, state, and county sanitation laws and county 
ordinances specifically prohibit these practices. Sanitary dump station 
locations are shown in the LTVA brochure. LTVA permits are required for 
dumping within all LTVA campgrounds except for the Midland LTVA.
    17. Self-Contained Vehicles. In Pilot Knob, Midland, Tamarisk, and 
Hot Springs LTVAs, camping is restricted to self-contained camping 
units only. Self-contained units must have a permanent affixed waste 
water holding tank of 10-gallon minimum capacity. Port-a-potty systems, 
or systems which utilize portable holding tanks, or permanent holding 
tanks of less than 10-gallon capacity are not considered to be self-
contained. The La Posa, Imperial Dam, and Mule Mountain LTVAs are 
restricted to self-contained camping units, except within 500 feet of a 
vault or rest room.
    18. Campfires. Campfires are permitted in LTVAs subject to all 
local, state, and Federal regulations. Comply with posted rules.
    19. Wood Collection. No wood collection is permitted within the 
LTVAs. A maximum of 1 cubic yard (3' x 3' x 3') of firewood will be 
allowed per individual or group campfire at any one time. Please 
contact the nearest BLM office for current regulations concerning wood 
collection.
    20. Speed Limit. The speed limit in LTVAs is 15 mph or as otherwise 
posted.
    21. Off-Highway Vehicle Use. Motorized vehicles must remain on 
existing roads, trails, and washes.
    22. Vehicle Use. It is prohibited to operate any vehicle in 
violation of state or local laws and regulations relating to use, 
standards, registration, operation, and inspection.
    23. Firearms. The discharge or use of firearms or weapons is 
prohibited inside or within \1/2\ mile of the LTVAs.
    24. Vending Permits. Any commercial activity requires a vending 
permit. Please contact the nearest BLM office for information on 
vending or concession permits.
    25. Aircraft Use. Landing or taking off of aircraft, including 
ultralights and hot air balloons, is prohibited in LTVAs.
    26. Perimeter Camping. No camping is allowed within 1 mile of Hot 
Spring, Tamarisk, Pilot Knob LTVAs and within 2 miles of Midland LTVA.
    27. Hot Spring Spa and Day Use Area. Food, beverages, glass 
containers, soap, and pets are prohibited within the fenced-in area at 
the Hot Springs Spa. Day use hours are 5 a.m. to midnight.
    28. Mule Mountain LTVA. All camping within Wiley's Well and Coon 
Hollow campgrounds is restricted to designated sites only and is 
limited to one (1) camping or dwelling unit per site.
    29. Imperial Dam and La Posa LTVAS. Overnight occupancy is 
prohibited in desert washes in Imperial Dam and La Posa LTVAs.
    30. La Posa LTVA. Access to La Posa LTVA is restricted to legal 
access roads along U.S. Highway 95. Construction and use of other 
access points are prohibited. This includes removal or modification of 
barricades, such as fences, ditches, and berms.
    31. Posted Rules. Observe all posted rules. Individual LTVAs may 
have additional specific rules. If posted rules differ from these 
supplemental rules, the posted rules take precedence.
    32. Other Laws. LTVA permit holders are required to observe all 
Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the LTVA 
and shall keep the LTVA and, specifically, their campsite, in a neat, 
orderly, and sanitary condition.
    33. Length of Stay. Length of stay in an LTVA between April 16 and 
September 14 is limited to 14 days in a 28-day period. After the 14th 
day of occupation campers must move outside of a 25-mile radius of the 
previous location.
    Violation of these supplementary rules may result in revocation of 
the LTVA permit, issuance of a citation, and/or arrest which may 
require appearance before a U.S. Magistrate or penalties up to $100,000 
and/or one-year imprisonment.
    This notice is published under the authority of Title 43, Code of 
Federal Regulations, Subpart 8365, Section 1-6.

    Dated: July 9, 1998.
Gail Acheson,
Field Manager, Yuma Field Office.
Julia Dougan,
Area Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Resource Area.
Terry A. Reed,
Area Manager, El Centro Resource Area.
[FR Doc. 98-19209 Filed 7-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-M