[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 176 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48756-48757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24440]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-160-1220-00]


Recreation Regulations Temporarily in Effect on Public Land 
Adjacent to the North Fork of the Kaweah River

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

ACTION: Regulations addressing recreational use of BLM land along the 
North Fork of the Kaweah River under the management of the BLM are 
established.

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SUMMARY: To protect natural resources, prevent wildfires, maintain 
public health and sanitation, and address occupancy and recreational 
use of BLM land along the North Fork of the Kaweah River the below 
regulations are established. These regulations are applicable to BLM 
land in Township 16 South, Range 28 East, Section 13, 23, 24 and 26, 
MDM under the management of the BLM, Bakersfield Field Office, 
California.

RULE: Effective September 1, 1998 and pursuant to 43 CFR 8365.1-6 
(Supplementary Rules) the following regulations are in effect on BLM 
land within Township 16 South, Range 28 East, Sections 13, 23, 24, 26 
and 34, MDM under the management of the BLM, Bakersfield Field Office.
    1. Camping, parking of vehicles, occupancy or placing private 
property on BLM land within 500 feet of the North Fork of the Kaweah 
River or within 200 feet of the North Fork Drive is prohibited between 
the hours of 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. However, the Authorized Officer and 
authorized representatives of the BLM may grant organized groups use of 
the area consistent with the regulations listed below.
    2. Only portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized 
liquid fuel or charcoal grills may be used for cooking. Used charcoal 
may not be dumped or discarded onto the ground or into the river. 
Campfires, warming or cooking fires using wood, vegetation or any other 
substance, except as described above, are prohibited. Building, 
maintaining, attending or using any fire other than the above described 
stove or grill is prohibited. Any emergency fire restriction 
established by the authorized officer or any government agency of 
proper jurisdiction will supersede the above upon appropriate signature 
or required publication.
    3. All papers, plastic and paper bags or wrappers must be 
controlled to prevent their being blown away from the immediate control 
of their owner. All garbage or food residue such as egg shells, 
peelings, pits or other waste must be placed in an appropriate 
container pending proper disposal. Picnic sites must be kept free of 
refuse. All refuse must be placed into an appropriate container or 
litter bag pending proper disposal. Refuse means trash, garbage, 
rubbish, waste papers, empty bottles or cans, debris, litter, oil, 
solvents, liquid waste, diapers or other items of personal hygiene, or 
any other discarded materials.
    4. The spilling, placing, pumping or other discharge of 
contaminants, pollutants or other wastes, including human waste, on the 
ground or into the Kaweah River is prohibited. Used diapers must be 
placed into an appropriate receptacle as soon as practical and may not 
be stored or placed within 40 feet of the North Fork of the Kaweah 
River.
    5. The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is 
prohibited on the above defined BLM land. This does not apply to 
unopened containers in vehicles traveling through BLM land on roads 
maintained by Tulare County or the State of California.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These regulations have been effected to 
curtail the considerable accumulation of refuse and waste on public 
land adjacent to the North Fork of the Kaweah River. The area receives 
considerable recreational use in limited accessible locations. Public 
health and safety, sanitation and the pollution of water resources are 
of concern.
    Nothing herein is intended to in any way restrict or prevent access 
to or use of private property within the designated area. Public 
officers or

[[Page 48757]]

employees in the performance of their official duties are exempt from 
these regulations. These regulations do not apply to roads maintained 
by Tulare County or the State of California. These regulations are not 
intended to and will not be enforced to hinder or curtail any valid 
existing right, permit, or authorization. Access and use by owners or 
legitimate occupants of adjacent private property is permitted at all 
times.
    Authority to create this supplementary rule is contained in 43 CFR 
8365.1-6. These regulations affect only public lands within Township 16 
South, Range 28 East, Sections 13, 23, 24, 26 and 34, Mount Diablo Base 
and Meridian. This is in conformance with the May 1997 Caliente 
Resource Management Plan.
    Any violations of the prohibitions of this supplementary rule shall 
be punished by a fine or not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not 
more than 12 months as noted in 43 CFR 8365.0-7.

DATES: This rule will be in effect September 1, 1998 and will expire 
upon completion of a special recreation management plan applicable to 
the Kaweah River area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John Hervey at (805) 391-6121 or at the BLM, Bakersfield field Office, 
3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308.

    Dated: August 31, 1998.
Ron Fellows,
Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-24440 Filed 9-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M