[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 30535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14445]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-010-1210-00; WYW-147234]


Notice of Availability of the Decision Record and Notice of Off-
Road Vehicle Designations for the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, Big 
Horn County, WY; and Notice of Amendment to the Washakie Resource 
Management Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Worland Field Office, 
Wyoming, announces the availability of the decision record and off-road 
vehicle designations for management of the Red Gulch Dinosaur 
Tracksite.
    The decision record amends the 1988 Washakie Resource Management 
Plan (RMP). The amendment, contained in a general management plan for 
the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite: (1) Designates an area of critical 
environmental concern (ACEC) on 1,800 acres, (2) expands an existing 
special recreation management area, (3) calls for the pursuit of a 
mineral withdrawal to prohibit the staking and development of mining 
claims, (4) prohibits most other surface-disturbing activities, and (5) 
modifies off-road vehicle designations for the tracksite area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Ross, field office planning 
coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 101 South 23rd Street, P.O. Box 
119, Worland, Wyoming 82401-0119, 307-347-5100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is the 
largest tracksite in Wyoming, and one of only a few worldwide from the 
Middle Jurassic Period (160 million to 180 million years old). The 
tracksite suggests that a large and diverse population of dinosaurs 
once existed in the area. Scientists believe these rare Middle Jurassic 
dinosaur tracks shed new light on the past because the formation in 
which they were found (the Sundance Formation) was previously thought 
to be at the bottom of a sea.
    The management emphasis within the 1,800-acre tracksite ACEC will 
be for protection of the fossil resources, as well as for scientific 
research, public education, and recreation. The area has been included 
in the West Slope of the Bighorn Mountains Special Recreation 
Management Area. The BLM will also pursue a withdrawal of the public 
lands from entry under the mining laws to prohibit the staking and 
development of mining claims where dinosaur tracks are known or 
anticipated to exist. Most other surface-disturbing activities will be 
prohibited as well. The area is identified as ``limited to designated 
roads and trails'' for motorized vehicle use, representing a change 
from the former off-road vehicle designation of ``limited to existing 
roads and trails'' for motorized vehicle use.
    As required, further environmental analyses will be conducted on 
any future site-specific activity or implementation planning to be done 
in the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite ACEC. This would include 
opportunities for public comment.
    Any detailed activity planning that may be conducted in the ACEC 
area will consider needs for site-specific mitigation of surface-
disturbing activities for things like locating trails, roads, exhibits, 
and facilities to enhance public education and recreation.

    Dated: June 2, 1999.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 99-14445 Filed 6-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P