[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42711-42712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20165]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-020-1220-00-0208]


Closure of Certain Roads and Trails on Public Land in the 
Rattlesnake Mountain Area, Park County, Wyoming, Cody Field Office, 
Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of closure.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective July 20, 1999, some 
roads and trails on public land administered by the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM), Cody Field Office, will be closed to all motorized 
travel. These roads and trails are located in the Rattlesnake Mountain 
area south and west of Trail Creek. As of the effective date, only 
designated roads are available for use. All roads and trails not 
designated are closed to motorized use. Designated access roads include 
the main trunk road on top of Rattlesnake Mountain (BLM #1207) and the 
BLM portion of the existing trail on the southeast face of Rattlesnake 
Mountain. Access to the Rattlesnake main trunk road from Monument Hill 
road (County 7UH) is subject to an easement through private lands which 
provides public access for timber related purposes only (such as 
firewood removal or timber harvest). A BLM firewood cutting permit 
allows motorized vehicle access to this area for firewood removal only. 
Motorized travel on the southeast face trail is restricted to All 
Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) with wheelbase lengths less than 60 inches, 6 
inches or more tread width on each tire, and 5 pounds or less air 
pressure in each tire. All other roads and trails are open to foot and 
horseback travel and other forms of nonmotorized travel (such as 
mountain bike riding). Additional roads and trails may be temporarily 
opened to motorized travel for timber and firewood sales. This 
motorized vehicle use will be managed as stated in 43 CFR 8341.1(a-h). 
Limited motorized use of nondesignated roads may be allowed for certain 
permitted uses (such as Right-of-Way [ROW] holders and grazing 
permittees). Travel by snow machines will be allowed whenever there is 
adequate snow cover. This applies to all public land administered by 
the BLM on Rattlesnake Mountain, unless administratively restricted for 
the protection of wintering big game herds. As stated in the decision 
record of the Rattlesnake Mountain Travel Management Environmental 
Assessment (WY-017-EA6-038). ``This decision can be modified within the 
original scope of this analysis, without further notice if determined 
by the authorized officer that changes in adjacent land ownership, new 
data acquisition, or public access needs dictate a revision of this 
decision.''

EFFECTIVE DATES: This closure will be effective July 20, 1999 and will 
remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Authorized Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Hare, Cody Assistant Field Manager 
or Michael Blymyer, Cody Field Manager, P.O. Box 518, 1002 Blackburn 
Avenue,

[[Page 42712]]

Cody, Wyoming 82414-0518. Telephone (307) 587-2216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cody Field Office is responsible for 
off-road vehicle management which includes designation of roads for 
vehicular use and seasonal travel restrictions as described in the Cody 
Resource Management Plan (RMP), signed November 8, 1990. The 
Rattlesnake Mountain area has suffered resource damage due to 
uncontrolled motorized vehicle use of temporary logging roads. The 
purpose of this closure is to reduce resource damage to both public and 
private lands in the area. This order will aid in the rehabilitation of 
the logging roads and reduce resource damage caused by motorized 
vehicles.
    The Rattlesnake Mountain area provides habitat for both summering 
and wintering deer and elk. Unrestricted motorized vehicle use has 
historically pushed both species onto the steeper side slopes of the 
mountain. Motorized vehicle use limited to designated roads will reduce 
the negative impacts on the wildlife.
    The main trunk road on Rattlesnake Mountain (BLM #1207) passes 
through the following described BLM-administered public lands south and 
west of Trail Creek: Sixth Principal Meridian, Township 53 North, Range 
103 West, sections 8, 9, 17, 21, 22, 23, 26, 35, and 36. The trail on 
the southeast face of Rattlesnake Mountain passes through Township 53 
North, Range 102 West, sections 32, 33 and also Township 52 North Range 
102 West, West section 6. Authority to close roads and trails to 
motorized vehicle use is provided under 43 CFR 8341.2 (a and b), and 
8364.1. Violations are punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and 
(or) imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

    Dated: July 21, 1999.
Michael Blymyer,
Cody Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-20165 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-M