[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 151 (Thursday, August 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 42059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21011]



[[Page 42059]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management


Order Extending Temporary Closure to Non-Authorized Use of 
Certain Public Lands in Ward Valley, San Bernardino County, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Needles Field Office.

ACTION: Order extending for one year the temporary order of closure to 
non-authorized uses of certain public lands in Ward Valley.

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SUMMARY: BLM is extending for one year the initial temporary closure of 
approximately 2,000 acres within Ward Valley, California, as published 
in the Federal Register on January 29, 1998, 63 FR 4467. The initial 
closure order was effective February 13, 1998, and was effective for a 
period of six months from that date. The lands involved in this 
extension and the scope of the closure are not changed.

EFFECTIVE DATE: By this extension, the closure order will continue in 
effect and will remain effective until August 13, 1999.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This order extending the closure to non-
authorized uses of the Ward Valley lands is necessary to facilitate BLM 
management of authorized activities on the Ward Valley site, protect 
the desert tortoise and its critical habitat, and prevent unnecessary 
damage to sensitive natural resources. In light of questions raised 
regarding the authority of the California Department of Health Services 
to purchase the site, actions to proceed with on-site testing described 
in the initial order of closure will not go forward at present. 
However, lifting the closure would increase the likelihood of greater 
public use and the potential for adverse impacts from uncontrolled day 
and overnight activities. Such uncontrolled activities could generate 
additional traffic and litter; increase risk of fire, dust, and noise; 
adversely affect the desert tortoise and its critical habitat as well 
as other wildlife species and their habitats; damage vegetation; and 
pose additional environmental and safety problems. Therefore, continued 
closure of the affected lands would protect sensitive natural resources 
while allowing authorized users to continue to utilize the site under 
controlled conditions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly Brady, Needles Field Office 
Manager, U.S.D.I., Bureau of Land Management, Needles Resource Area, 
101 West Spikes Road, Needles, California 92363, tel: (760) 326-7000.

    Approved.
Ed Hastey,
BLM State Director, California State Office.
[FR Doc. 98-21011 Filed 8-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P