[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 176 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48757-48758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24439]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CO-076-1220-00]


Recreation Management; Recreation Visitor Use Restrictions for 
Ruby Canyon/Black Ridge; Colorado

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior.

ACTION: Notice of travel management and recreation visitor use 
restrictions.

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SUMMARY: This order, issued under the authority of 43 CFR 8341.1 and 
8342.1 and 43 CFR 8364.1(d), implements recreation and travel related 
management actions as identified in the Ruby Canyon Black Ridge 
Integrated Resource Management Plan signed in March of 1998 by the 
Colorado State Director and the Grand Junction Resource Area Manager. 
The identified public lands are in Colorado, Mesa County, under the 
management jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, Grand 
Junction Resource Area, Grand Junction District (T 10 S, R 103 & 104 
W.; and T.1 N.,R 2 & 3 W., Ute Dm). The area is bounded by the Colorado 
National Monument and highway 340 on the east, the Colorado/Utah state 
line on the west, private land and M.8 road (old highway 6&50) on the 
north, and private land in Glade Park north of the Little Dolores River 
and BS road. The restrictions and travel management direction consist 
of:
    1. Expand the areas where motorized and and non-motorized travel is 
allowed on designated routes only (no cross country travel) to include 
the area between I-70 and M.8 road, the area north of the Colorado 
River between Salt Creek and Loma and the area south of I.3 road and 
north and east of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Study Area 
boundary in Kodels, Flume, and Devils Canyons (Devils and Kodels 
Canyons to be managed for non-motorized use only, Flume Canyon for 
hiking and equestrian use only).
    2. The Upper Bench and Lower Bench roads on Black Ridge will be the 
primary access routes to the Rattlesnake Arches and will be managed as 
follows:

--The Upper Bench Road will be opened to all motorized vehicles from 
April 15 to August 15 only.
--The Lower Bench Road will be opened to all motorized vehicles from 
August 15 to February 15 only.
--The spur road off of the Lower Bench Road to the Black Ridge 
Communication Site will be closed year round to all motorized vehicle 
use (located in T.11 S., R 102 W., SW\1/4\, Sec. 25).
--Both routes will be closed to motorized vehicles from February 15 to 
April 15 and will be open year round to hikers, mountain bikers and 
horseback riders.
--Both roads may be closed at any time to prevent resource damage.

    3. Overnight camping in the Rabbit Valley Special Recreation 
Management Area will be limited to no more than 7 consecutive nights 
within a 30 day period.
    4. The number of commercial float outfitters allowed to operate on 
the Colorado River, Lomo to Westwater stretch will be limited to 
existing levels (34).
    5. Motorized and mechanized access to the river bottom via the east 
and west Horsethief Benches is prohibited.
    6. Overnight camping is prohibited on the bench below and the mesa 
top above the Rattlesnake Arches.
    7. The size of the groups travelling to the Rattlesnake Arches will 
be limited to no more than 12 people.
    8. Overnight parking is prohibited on either side of the cherry 
stem road to the Rattlesnake Arches and at the Rattlesnake Arches 
Trailhead.
    9. The size of the groups hiking in the lower one and one-half 
miles of Knowles, Mee, and Rattlesnake Canyons in the Black Ridge 
Canyons Wilderness Study Area will be limited to no more than 25 
people.
    10. Portions of the river shoreline may be closed to recreational 
use on a seasonal or other temporary basis to minimize disruption of 
bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and other sensitive species.
    11. To maintain its suitability for nesting bald eagles, overnight 
camping will be prohibited on Chow Doggone Island.
    12. For the purpose of enhancing public safety, recreational target 
shooting will be prohibited on BLM lands southwest of Fruita, Colorado. 
The area closed to target shooting is approximately 2900 acres and is 
bounded on the north by the Colorado River (includes Skippers Island), 
the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Study Area boundary on the west, the 
Colorado National Monument on the south, and the boundary between BLM 
and private lands on the east. For this closure order, shooting is 
defined as discharge of any weapon for the purpose of recreational 
target shooting. Bow & arrows, pellet guns and BB guns are included in 
this definition.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The restrictions shall be in effect year round 
beginning September 15, 1998 and shall remain in effect until rescinded 
or modified by the Authorized Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLM administers approximately 118,700 acres 
in the Black Ridge/Ruby Canyon planning area. This area has become 
increasingly popular for river floating, hiking, mountain biking, 
horseback riding and OHV use due to its close proximity to Fruita and 
Grand Junction. Public lands in this area contain important fragile 
resource values along with providing a variety of recreational 
opportunities. Changes in the current travel and recreation 
restrictions in the Black Ridge area are needed to protect desirable 
receational opportunites and benefits as well protect erosive soils, 
wildlife habitat, cultural resources, important scenic values, 
wilderness values and semi-primitive motorized and non-motorized 
settings. Growing recreational use in the area is expected to continue, 
and these travel

[[Page 48758]]

management and recreation use restrictions are needed to prevent 
conflicts between users and unacceptable impacts on resource values, 
while continuing to provide a variety of recreational opportunities.
    Notice of these regulations will be posted on-the-ground at the 
entrance to the Black Ridge Road network, at the beginning of the 
cherry stemm road to the arches, at the Rattlesnake Arches, Devils 
Canyon and Pollock Bench Trailheads, at the Loma Boat Launch, at the 
main staging area in Rabbit Valley, and at the Grand Junction Resource 
Area office.
    Persons who may be exempted from the restrictions include: (a) Any 
federal, state, or local officers engaged in fire, emergency and law 
enforcement activities; (b) BLM employees engaged on official duties; ( 
c) other persons authorized to operate motorized vehicles within the 
restricted areas.

PENALTIES: Violations of this restriction order are punishable by fines 
not to exceed $100,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Robertson, Area Manager, 
Grand Junction Resource Area, 2815 H Road Grand Junction, Colorado 
81506; (303) 244-3000. Mark Morse, District Manager, Grand Junction 
District, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506; (970) 244-3000.
Rich Arcand,
Grand Junction Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-24439 Filed 9-10-98; 8:45 am]
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