[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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