[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 8111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3977]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[MT-020-09-1220-00]


Notice of Camping Limit on Public Land; Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Miles City and Billings Field 
Offices, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice establishes camping stay limits for public land 
administered by the BLM within the Miles City and Billings Field Office 
areas, Montana. Camping is defined as ``occupancy or holding for 
occupancy by placing private property used in connection with camping; 
such as but not limited to vehicles, trailers, structures, tents, 
stoves, chairs, notes or other personal items''. Persons may occupy for 
the purpose of camping any one site or multiple sites within a five 
mile radius on public lands not specifically closed to camping or 
otherwise restricted in writing for a period of fourteen (14) days 
within any 30 day period and also not to exceed 28 days in any period 
of one year. Following the 14 day continuous occupancy or 28 day 
maximum allowable use, the person(s) involved will have to relocate 
their camp beyond the five mile radius boundary. The 14 day limit may 
be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 
continuous occupancy of the site. Under special circumstances and upon 
written request, the authorized officer may give written permission for 
an extension to the 14 day limit. Exempted from this camping limit are 
administratively authorized personnel, law enforcement officers and 
fire/emergency personnel.
    In addition, no person shall leave personal property unattended on 
public lands for a period of more than 72 hours without written 
permission from the authorized officer. Unattended personal property 
will be counted towards the 14 day continuous camp limit and/or the 28 
day maximum camp limit. Any property left on public land beyond the 
camping or hours limit may be impounded by the authorized officer 
pending disposition in court.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 22, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to either of the 
following addresses: Miles City Field Office, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles 
City, MT 59301 or Billings Field Office, 810 East Main, Billings, MT 
59105.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Murphy, Miles City Field Office 
Manager, phone (406) 233-2800 or Sandra Brooks, Billings Field Office 
Manager, phone (406) 238-1540.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This camping stay limit is being established 
in order to assist the BLM in reducing the incidence of long term 
occupancy trespass being conducted under the appearance of camping on 
public land within the Miles City Field Office. Of equal importance is 
the problem of exclusion, whereby long term camping at a given location 
will deny equal opportunities for other members of the public to camp 
in the same area/location. Authority for this action is contained in 43 
CFR, Chapter II, Subpart 8365, 8365.1-2, 8365.1-6, and 8365.2-3.

    Dated: February 5, 1999.
Sandra Brooks,
Billings Field Manager.
Timothy M. Murphy,
Miles City Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-3977 Filed 2-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P