[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51092-51093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25593]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[UT-080-1430-00]


Temporary Emergency Closure of Public Land in Uintah County, Utah

summary: Notice is hereby given that the Vernal Field Office herewith 
issues a temporary emergency closure of public land in Uintah County, 
Utah, effective October 1, 1998. This order temporarily closes 1,320 
acres of public land to public use and entry. This temporary closure 
area encompasses the following public land:

Salt Lake Meridian, Utah

T.10. S., R. 24 E.,
    Sec. 22. E\1/2\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 23, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 26, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/
4\.

    The authorized officer, has determined that the underground methane 
generation occurring at the abandoned White River Oil Shale Mine is a 
safety hazard making the facility and surrounding area unsafe for human 
occupation or activity. The closure area affects the above described 
public land presently encumbered by the abandoned White River Oil Shale 
Mine, ancillary support facilities, and associated ventilation shafts. 
The closure prohibits all use, entry, or access onto the affected 
public lands; however, the access restriction may be waived under 
extraordinary circumstances where limited, short, term, emergency 
access is warranted and appropriate clearances and authorization are 
obtained from the authorized officer.
    Where emergency access is authorized by the authorized officer, it 
would be conditioned on the following provisions;
    All persons entering and leaving the closure area shall be 
accompanied by personnel from the BLM's Vernal Field Office and only 
after said BLM staff have determined that the area is safe for site 
visitation purposes.
    All persons allowed emergency access into the closure area shall 
waive and release all direct and indirect claims that may occur against 
the United States for liability for any loss, damage,

[[Page 51093]]

personal injury, or death that may occur as a result of their access to 
the closure area and will indemnify and hold harmless the United 
States. All such incidents shall immediately be reported to the BLM 
Field Office.
    The purpose of this closure is to protect human life, ensure public 
safety, and to prevent human contact with a known hazardous situation. 
A map of the area affected by this closure is on file and may be viewed 
at the Venal Field Office of the BLM.

effective date: The closure order is effective from September 1, 1998, 
through December 31, 2000, unless, prior thereto, it is rescinded or 
modified by the authorized officer.

supplemental information: This closure is under the authority of 43 CFR 
8364.1. Persons violating this closure shall be subject to the 
penalties provided in 43 CFR 8360.0-7, including a fine not to exceed 
$1,000.00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed one year.

for further information contact: The BLM Vernal Field office, 170 South 
500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078, (435) 781-4400.

    Dated: September 17, 1998.
David E. Howell,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-25593 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am]
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