[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 244 (Monday, December 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70415-70416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33682]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-070-09-7122-00-56-36, SRP-99-01]


Closure of Public Lands; Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, DOI.

ACTION: Temporary Closure of Selected Public Lands in La Paz County, 
Arizona, during the operation of the 1999 Whiplash Parker 400K 
(kilometer) Desert Race.

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SUMMARY: The Lake Havasu Field Office Manager announces the temporary 
closure of selected public lands under its administration in La Paz 
County, Arizona. This action is being taken to help ensure public 
safety and prevent unnecessary environmental degradation during the 
official permitted running of the 1999 Whiplash Parker 400K Desert 
Race.

DATES: January 8, 1999, through January 10, 1999.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Specific restrictions and closure periods 
are as follows:.

Designated Course

    1. The portion of the race course comprised of BLM lands, roads and 
ways located 2 miles either side of:
    (a) Shea Road from the eastern boundary of the Colorado River 
Indian Tribes Reservation to the unction with Swansea Road and 2 miles 
either side of Swansea Road from its junction with Shea Road to the 
eastern bank of the Central Arizona Project Canal.
    (b) Swansea Road from its junction with Shea Road to the Four 
Corners intersection.
    (c) The unpaved road that runs from ``Midway'', north to Mineral 
Wash and then west to the CAP Canal is closed to public use from 6:00 
a.m. Friday morning, January 8, 1999, to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 10, 
1999.
    2. The entire designated race course is closed to all vehicles 
except authorized and emergency vehicles.
    3. Vehicle parking or stopping in areas affected by the closure is 
prohibited except in the designated spectator areas. Emergency parking 
for brief periods of time is permitted on roads open for public use.
    4. Spectator viewing (on public land) is limited to the designated 
spectator areas located South and North of Shea Road, as signed, app. 7 
miles east of Parker, Arizona.
    5. The following regulations will be in effect for the duration of 
the closure: Unless otherwise authorized, no person shall:
    a. Camp in any area outside of the designated spectator areas.
    b. Enter any portion of the race course or any wash located within 
the race course, including all portions of Osborne Wash.
    c. Spectate or otherwise be located outside of the designated 
spectator areas.
    d. Cut or collect firewood of any kind, including dead and down 
wood or other vegetative material.
    e. Firearms must be unloaded and cased, and are not to be used 
during the closure.
    f. Fireworks are prohibited.
    g. Operate any vehicle (other than registered event vehicles), 
including an off-highway vehicle (OHV), which is not legally registered 
for street and highway operation, including operation of such a vehicle 
in spectator viewing areas, along the race course, and in designated 
pit areas.
    j. Park any vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in such 
a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement 
or the parking of other vehicles, create a safety hazard, or endanger 
any person, property or feature. Vehicles so parked are subject to 
citation, removal and impoundment at the owner's expense.
    k. Take any vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, 
recognizable barricade, fence or traffic control barrier.
    l. Fail to keep their site free of trash and litter during the 
period of occupancy or fail to remove all personal equipment, trash, 
and litter upon departure.
    m. Violate quiet hours by causing an unreasonable noise as 
determined by the authorized officer between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 
a.m Mountain Standard Time.
    n. Allow any pet or other animal in their care to be unrestrained 
at any time. Signs and maps directing the public to the designated 
spectator areas will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management and/
or the event sponsor. The above restrictions do not apply to emergency 
vehicles and vehicles owned by the United States, the State of Arizona 
or to La Paz County, Vehicles under permit for operation by event 
participants must follow the race permit stipulations. Operators of 
permitted vehicles shall maintain a maximum speed limit of 35 mph on 
all La Paz County and BLM roads and ways. Authority for closure of 
public land is found in 43 CFR 8340, Subpart 8341; 43 CFR 8360, Subpart 
8364.1, and 43 CFR 8372. Persons who violate this closure order are 
subject to arrest and, upon conviction, may be fined not more than

[[Page 70416]]

$100,000 and/or imprisoned for not more than 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Pittman, District Law 
Enforcement Ranger, or Myron McCoy, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Lake 
Havasu Field Office, 2610 Sweetwater Avenue, Lake Havasu City, Arizona 
86406, (520) 505-1200.

    Dated: December 9, 1998.
Robert M. Henderson,
(Acting) Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-33682 Filed 12-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-M