[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 140 (Thursday, July 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 39521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18753]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CO-200-1220-00]


Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Designation Decisions for the Royal 
Gorge Field Office

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) designation decisions for 
the Royal Gorge Field Office.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective July 15, 1999 the use of 
OHVs on public lands will be in accordance with the ``Open'', 
``Limited'' or ``Closed'' designations outlined in the Royal Gorge 
Resource Management Plan, record of decision signed on May 13, 1996. 
OHV use and designations are with the authority and requirements of 43 
CFR part 8340, including subparts and Federal Land Policy Management 
Act of 1976.
    These OHV use designations will involve all the BLM-administered 
lands in the Royal Gorge Field Office located within Baca, Bent, 
Crowley, Chaffee, Custer, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Kiowa, Lake, Las 
Animas, Otero, Park, Powers, Pueblo, and Teller Counties. The 
designations are a result of resource management decisions made in the 
Royal Gorge Resource Management Plan. Public comments concerning OHV 
designations and other resource issues were accepted during a 90 day 
comment period.

EFFECTIVE DATES: This order is in effect July 15, 1999, and is 
permanent until canceled, amended or replaced by the Authorized 
Officer.

ADDRESSES: Royal Gorge Field Office Manager, 3170 East Main Street, 
Canon City, Co 81212; Telephone (719) 269-8500; TDD (719) 269-8597.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Levi Deike, Area Manager or Diana 
Kossnar, Outdoor Recreation Planner,

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of these OHV designations and a map 
will be posted at the Royal Gorge Field Office. OHV area designations 
are as follows:
    A. Approximately 16,355 acres are Open--OHV use will be allowed in 
the following areas: Grand Canyon Hills (2,012 acres, 4 miles west of 
Canon City, CO), Texas Creek Gulch (9,720 acres, immediately north of 
Texas Creek, CO), Sand Gulch (1,449 acres, immediately east of Howard, 
CO, and Penrose Chaining Area (3,174 acres, 4 miles north of Penrose, 
CO).
    B. Approximately 560,595 acres are Limited--OHV use will be limited 
to existing roads and trails (existing as of April 1, 1999) until 
future planning identifies designated roads and trails and/or seasonal 
limitations on 560,595 acres within the Royal Gorge Resource Area.
    C. Approximately 79,863 acres are Closed--OHV use will be 
prohibited year-round in the following areas: Browns Canyon Wilderness 
Study Area (WSA) (6,614 acres, 10 miles north of Salida, CO), McIntyre 
Hills WSA (16,800 acres 10 miles west of Canon City, CO), Beaver Creek 
WSA (26,150 acres, 10 miles north of Penrose,CO), Upper Grape Creek WSA 
(10,200 acres, 10 miles northeast of Westcliffe, CO), Lower Grape Creek 
WSA (11,220 acres, 7 miles southwest of Canon City, CO), 31-Mile Ranch 
(1,971 acres, 4 miles southwest of Guffey, CO) and Deer Haven Ranch 
(6909 acres, 12 miles northwest of Canon City, CO).
    Specific roads within the Royal Gorge Field Office may be 
temporarily closed due to wet weather conditions according to Federal 
Register Notice dated December 30, 1997, Volume 62, Number 249, Page 
67889. Area designations do not apply to military, fire, emergency, or 
law enforcement vehicles while being used for emergency purposes; any 
vehicle whose use is expressly approved by the authorized officer, or 
otherwise officially approved; and vehicles in official use. Any person 
who violates or fails to comply with these regulations is subject to 
arrest, conviction, and punishment pursuant to appropriate laws and 
regulations. Such punishment may be a fine of not more than $1,000, 
imprisonment for not longer than 12 months, or both.
Adrian Neisius,
Associate Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-18753 Filed 7-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P