[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47858-47860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21976]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-050-1230-00; 8371]
Arizona: Long-Term Visitor Area Program for 1999-2000 and
Subsequent Use Seasons; Revision to Existing Supplementary Rules, Yuma
Field Office, Arizona, and California Desert District, California
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Publication of supplementary rules for Long-Term Visitor Areas
within the California Desert District, El Centro Resource Area.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma Field Office and
California Desert District announce revisions to the Long-Term Visitor
Area (LTVA) Program. The program, which was instituted in 1983,
established designated LTVAs and identified an annual long-term use
season from September 15 to April 15. During the long-term season,
visitors who wish to camp on public lands in one location for extended
periods must stay in the designated LTVAs and purchase an LTVA permit.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Lowans, Outdoor Recreation
Planner, Yuma Field Office, 2555 East Gila Ridge Road, Yuma, AZ 85365,
telephone (520) 317-3210; or Anna Atkinson, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
Palm Springs-South Coast Resource Area, 690 West Garnet Avenue, North
Palm Springs, CA 92258, telephone (760) 251-4800; or Kelley Bubolz,
Outdoor Recreation Planner, El Centro Resource Area, 1661 South Fourth
Street, El Centro, CA 92243, telephone (760) 337-4400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the LTVA program is to
provide areas for long-term winter camping use. The sites designated as
[[Page 47859]]
LTVAs are, in most cases, the traditional use area of long-term
visitors. Designated sites were selected using criteria developed
during the land management planning process, and environmental
assessments were completed for each site location.
The program was established to safely and properly accommodate the
increasing demand for long-term winter visitation and to provide
natural resources protection through improved management of this use.
The designation of LTVAs assures that specific locations are available
for long-term use year after year, and that inappropriate areas are not
used for extended periods.
Visitors may camp without an LTVA permit outside of LTVAs, on
public lands not otherwise posted or closed to camping, for up to 14
days in any 28-day period.
Authority for the designation of LTVAs is contained in title 43,
Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 8372, Sections 0-3 and 0-5(g).
Authority for the establishment of an LTVA program is contained in
title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 8372, Section 1, and for
the payment of fees in title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart
71. The authority for establishing supplementary rules is contained in
title 43, Subpart 8365, Section 1-6. The LTVA supplementary rules have
been developed to meet the goals of individual resource management
plans. These rules will be available in each local office having
jurisdiction over the lands, sites, or facilities affected, and will be
posted near and/or within the lands, sites, or facilities affected.
Violations of supplementary rules are punishable by a fine not to
exceed $100,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
The following are the supplementary rules for the designated LTVAs
and are in addition to rules of conduct set forth in Title 43, Code of
Federal Regulations, Subpart 8365, Section 0.1 through 1-7.
The following supplementary rules apply year-long to all public
land users who enter the LTVAs.
1. The Permit. A permit is required to camp in a designated LTVA
between September 15 and April 15. The permit authorizes the permittee
to camp within any designated LTVA using those camping or dwelling
unit(s) indicated on the permit between the period from September 15 to
April 15. There are two types of permits: Long-term and short-visit.
The long-term permit fee is $100.00, U.S. funds only, for the entire
season and any part of the season. The short-term permit is $20.00 for
seven (7) consecutive days. The short-visit permit may be renewed an
unlimited number of times for the cost of $20.00 for seven consecutive
days. No refunds are made on permit fees.
2. The Permit. To be valid, the short-visit permit decal or long-
term permit decal must be affixed at the time of purchase, with the
adhesive backing, to the bottom right-hand corner of the windshield of
all transportation vehicles and in a clearly visible location on all
camping units. A maximum of two (2) secondary vehicles is permitted.
3. Permit Transfers. The permit may not be reassigned or
transferred by the permittee.
4. Permit Revocation. An authorized BLM officer may revoke, without
reimbursement, any LTVA permit issued to any person when the permittee
violates any BLM rule or regulation, or when the permittee, permittee's
family, or guest's conduct is inconsistent with the goal of BLM's LTVA
Program. Failure to return any LTVA permit to an authorized BLM officer
upon demand is a violation of this supplementary rule. Any permittee
whose permit is revoked must remove all property and leave the LTVA
system within 12 hours of notice. The revoked permittee will not be
allowed into any other LTVA in Arizona or California for the remainder
of the LTVA season.
5. Unoccupied Camping Units. Camping units or campsites must not be
left unoccupied within any LTVA for periods of greater than 5 days
unless approved in advance by an authorized BLM officer.
6. Parking. For your safety and privacy, you must maintain a
minimum of 15 feet of space between dwelling units.
7. Removal of Wheels and Campers. Campers, trailers, and other
dwelling units must remain mobile. Wheels must remain on all wheeled
vehicles. Pickup campers may be set on jacks manufactured for that
purpose.
8. Quiet Hours. Quite hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in
accordance with applicable state time zone standards, or as otherwise
posted.
9. Noise. Operation of audio devices or motorized equipment,
including generators, in a manner that makes unreasonable noise as
determined by the authorized BLM officer is prohibited. Amplified music
is allowed only within La Posa and Imperial Dam LTVAs and only in
locations designated by BLM or when approved in advance by an
authorized BLM officer.
10. Access. Do not block roads or trails commonly in public use
with your parked vehicles, stones, wooden barricades, or by any other
means.
11. Structures and Landscaping. Fixed structures of any type are
prohibited and temporary structures must conform to posted policies.
This includes, but is not limited to fences, dog runs, storage units,
and windbreaks. Alterations to the natural landscape are not allowed.
Painting rocks or defacing or damaging any natural or archaeological
feature is prohibited.
12. Livestock. Boarding of livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, goats,
etc.) within LTVA boundaries is permitted only when approved in advance
by an authorized BLM officer.
13. Pets. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Keep an eye on
your pets. Unattended and unwatched pets may fall prey to coyotes or
other desert predators. Pet owners are responsible for clean-up and
sanitary disposal of pet waste.
14. Cultural Resources. Do not disturb any archaeological or
historical values including, but not limited to, petroglyphs, ruins,
historic buildings, and artifacts that may occur on public lands.
15. Trash. Place all trash in designated receptacles. Public trash
facilities are shown in the LTVA brochure. Depositing trash or holding-
tank sewage in vault toilets is prohibited. An LTVA permit is required
for trash disposal within all LTVA campgrounds except for the Mule
Mountain LTVA. The changing of motor oil, vehicular fluids, or disposal
and possession of these used substances within the LTVA is strictly
prohibited.
16. Dumping. Absolutely no dumping of sewage, gray water, or
garbage on the ground. This includes motor oil and any other waste
products: Federal, State, and county sanitation laws and county
ordinances specifically prohibit these practices. Sanitary dump station
locations are shown in the LTVA brochure. LTVA permits are required for
dumping within all LTVA campgrounds except for the Midland LTVA.
17. Self-Contained Vehicles. In Pilot Knob, Midland, Tamarisk, and
Hot Springs LTVAs, camping is restricted to self-contained camping
units only. Self-contained units must have a permanent affixed waste
water holding tank of 10-gallon minimum capacity. Port-a-potty systems,
or systems which utilize portable holding tanks, or permanent holding
tanks of less than 10-gallon capacity are not considered to be self-
contained. The La Posa, Imperial Dam, and Mule Mountain LTVAs are
restricted to self-contained camping units, except within 500 feet of a
vault or rest room.
18. Campfires. Campfires are permitted in LTVAs subject to all
local,
[[Page 47860]]
state, and Federal regulations. Comply with posted rules.
19. Wood Collection. No wood collection is permitted within the
LTVAs. Possession of native firewood is prohibited. Please contact the
nearest BLM office for current regulations concerning wood collection.
20. Speed Limit. The speed limit in LTVAs is 15 mph or as otherwise
posted.
21. Off-Highway Vehicle use. Motorized vehicles must remain on
existing roads, trails, and washes.
22. Vehicle use. It is prohibited to operate any vehicle in
violation of state or local laws and regulations relating to use,
standards, registration, operation, and inspection.
23. Firearms. The discharge or use of firearms or weapons is
prohibited inside or within \1/2\ mile of the LTVAs.
24. Vending Permits. Any commercial activity requires a vending
permit. Please contact the nearest BLM office for information on
vending or concession permits.
25. Aircraft use. Landing or taking off of aircraft, including
ultralights and hot air balloons, is prohibited in LTVAs.
26. Perimeter Camping. No camping is allowed within 1 mile of Hot
Spring, Tamarisk, Pilot Knob LTVAs and within 2 miles of Midland LTVA.
27. Hot Spring Spa and Day Use Area. Food, beverages, glass
containers, soap, and pets are prohibited within the fenced-in area at
the Hot Springs Spa. Day use hours are 5 a.m. to midnight.
28. Mule Mountain LTVA. All camping within Wiley's Well and Coon
Hollow Campgrounds is restricted to designated sites only and is
limited to one (1) camping or dwelling unit per site.
29. Imperial Dam and La Posa LTVAs. Overnight occupancy is
prohibited in desert washes in Imperial Dam and La Posa LTVAs.
30. La Posa LTVA. Access to La Posa LTVA is restricted to legal
access roads along U.S. Highway 95. Construction and use of other
access points are prohibited. This includes removal or modification of
barricades, such as fences, ditches, and berms.
31. Posted Rules. Observe all posted rules. Individual ITVAs may
have additional specific rules. If posted rules differ from these
supplemental rules, the posted rules take precedence.
32. Other Laws. LTVA permit holders are required to observe all
Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the LTVA
and shall keep the LTVA and, specifically, their campsite, in a neat,
orderly, and sanitary condition.
33. Length of Stay. Length of stay in a LTVA between April 16 and
September 14 is limited to 14 days in a 28-day period. After the 14th
day of occupation campers must move outside of a 25-mile radius of the
previous location.
Violation of these supplementary rules may result in revocation of
the LTVA permit, issuance of a citation, and/or arrest which may
require appearance before a U.S. Magistrate or penalties up to $100,000
and/or one-year imprisonment.
This notice is published under the authority of Title 43, Code of
Federal Regulations, Subpart 8365, Section 1-6.
Dated: August 16, 1999.
Gail Acheson,
Field Manager, Yuma Field Office.
James G. Kenna,
Field Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office.
Greg Thomsen,
Field Manager, El Centro Field Office.
[FR Doc. 99-21976 Filed 8-31-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-M