[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 72 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18632-18633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9422]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-100-99-1040-00]


Notice of Special Recreation Restrictions, Missoula, MT

AGENCY: Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management.

ACTION: Notice of special recreation restrictions and rules addressing 
camping, motorized vehicle use, public safety, and resource protection 
on public lands.

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SUMMARY: This notice places restrictions on recreation use on public 
lands located within 1/4 mile on either side of the Blackfoot River 
extending from Johnsrud Park upstream for approximately 10 miles. 
Actions are implemented under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1 and 
8372.0-7.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The restricted public lands are part of the 
Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor which was established in the 1970s. 
The Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor is a multi-cooperative 
partnership consisting of private landowners, the Montana Fish, 
Wildlife and Parks, and the Bureau of Land Management. This partnership 
was established to provide protection of the natural resources, private 
property and to provide public safety along 26 miles of free flowing 
Blackfoot River.
    In 1998, the Bureau of Land Management began acquiring land within 
the corridor. When this acquisition is completed, the Bureau of Land 
Management will manage approximately 12,000 acres of land upstream from 
Johnsrud Park. The Bureau of Land Management has started site specific 
planning for this area. Plans should be completed within two years. The 
objective of these emergency restrictions is to have regulations in 
place during the interim planning phase. The Bureau of Land Management 
stated in its June 1997 Lower Blackfoot River Assembled Land Exchange 
Environmental Assessment (MT-074-07-06) that ``recreation along the 
Blackfoot River would continue to be managed under the existing 
Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor Landowner's Agreement.'' 
Implementing the following regulations will establish consistency with 
the existing Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Blackfoot River 
Recreation Corridor rules. To reduce damage to natural and cultural 
resources and to provide for public safety, the Bureau of Land 
Management under 43 CFR 8364.1 prohibits the following on the above 
described public lands:
    1. Camping outside of designated sites or areas.
    2. Lighting or maintaining a fire except in designated areas or 
established government fire rings.
    3. Operating a motor vehicle off of a designated trail, road, or 
route.
    4. Collecting firewood for other than on site use.
    5. Discharging a firearm or projectile except when and where 
specifically allowed.
    6. Lighting a firework.
    7. Violating a posted regulation pertaining to the protection of 
natural resources or public safety.
    8. Occupying or camping at an area longer than seven days during 
any 30-day period.
    Exemptions from these emergency regulations may be authorized by 
the Bureau of Land Management.


[[Page 18633]]


EFFECTIVE DATES: These restrictions will go into effect April 15, 1999. 
The restrictions shall remain in effect pending approval of a site 
specific recreation management plan for these public lands. These 
restrictions can be rescinded or modified by the authorized officer.

PENALTIES: Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the 
regulations under 43 CFR 8364.1 may be subject to a fine or mandatory 
court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Anderson, Missoula Field Office, 
3255 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, Montana 59804, (406) 329-3914.

    Dated: April 9, 1999.
Nancy T. Anderson,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-9422 Filed 4-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P