[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56213-56214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27056]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[OR-130-1220-XU; GP0-0007]


Temporary Restrictions on Public Lands; Escure Ranch (Rock Creek 
Area, Adams and Whitman Counties); Spokane District, Washington

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District.


[[Page 56214]]


ACTION: The announcement of temporary restrictions on recently-acquired 
public lands in Washington known as the Escure Ranch. This action is 
taken to protect ranch buildings, facilities, and sensitive riparian 
and upland resources from vandalism, wildfire, and damage.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management recently completed a land 
exchange which resulted in the transfer of the Escure Ranch along Rock 
Creek in Adams and Whitman Counties into public ownership. The property 
includes buildings, fences, other improvements, and sensitive riparian 
and upland resources. This area is now known as the Escure Ranch (Rock 
Creek Area). Interim action is needed to protect these features until 
permanent measures are implemented to provide long-term management and 
protection. Development of a long-term management plan is underway 
which will provide for management and protection of the improvements 
and natural resources. These recently-acquired lands are open to public 
use with restrictions on overnight use, campfires, and off-highway 
vehicle use.

EFFECTIVE DATES: These restrictions go into effect October 19, 1999 and 
will remain in effect until modified by the Authorized Officer but no 
later than the completion of the management plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clifford Ligons, Border Field Office 
Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District Office, 1103 N. 
Fancher Road, Spokane, Washington, 99212-1275; or call (509) 536-1200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public lands affected by these 
restrictions are described as follows:

Willamette Meridian, Washington

T. 17 N., R. 38 E.,
    Sections 1, 3, & 12, All;
    Section 4, E\1/2\E\1/2\;
    Section 11, All that portion lying North & East of Adams County 
Zornes Road.
T. 18 N., R. 38 E., Section 13, All that portion lying South of 
Adams County Paxton Road, Except that portion conveyed to Adams 
County by Deed recorded January 13, 1911 in Book 42 of Deeds, page 
200;
    Section 15, that portion of the SE\1/4\ lying East of the S.P.& 
S. Railway and South of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific 
Railway rights-of-way as con-
veyed in Deeds, Vol. 23, Pg. 410; Vol. 23, Pg. 467; Vol. 26, Pg. 
331; Vol. 26, Pg. 329; & Vol. 30, Pg. 308;
    Section 22, that portion of the SW\1/4\NE\1/4\ lying East of the 
S.P.& S. Railway Right-of-way; and those portions, if any, of the 
SE\1/4\NW\1/4\ and E\1/2\SW\1/4\ lying East of said Right-of-Way;
    Sections 23, 24, 25, 26, & 35, All;
    Sections 27, 33 & 34, all those portions lying East of the S.P.& 
S. Railway right-of-way, Except those portions conveyed to the 
Portland & Seattle Railway Co. By Deed recorded in Vol. 26 of Deeds, 
Pg. 115.

    Aggregating 7,598 acres, more or less, in Adams County, 
Washington.

Willamette Meridian, Washington

T. 17 N., R. 39 E.,
    Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, All.
T. 18 N., R. 39 E.,
    Section 7, All that portion lying South of Paxton County Road 
No. 4130;
    Section 17, All that portion lying West of the Revere-Winnona 
County Road No. 4010;
    Section 18, All, Except that portion of the N\1/2\N\1/2\ lying 
North of the Paxton County Road No. 4130 conveyed by Deed to John & 
Jacqueline Brown, recorded under Microfilm No. 498387;
    Sections 19, 30, & 31, All.

    Aggregating 5,149 acres, more or less in Whitman County, 
Washington.

    These lands are open to public recreational uses with the following 
exceptions: (1) The lands are closed to overnight use. Day use is 
allowed between the hours of 5 am and 10 pm, Pacific Time; (2) 
Motorized vehicle use is limited to designated roads only. Designated 
roads are marked on the ground with a green dot on a brown post. If a 
road is not posted with this green dot system, it is closed to vehicle 
use under this order. Closed roads are also posted with signs at the 
intersections; (3) Campfires and charcoal fires are not allowed; (4) 
All ranch buildings and their premises are closed to the public.
    The exceptions to these restrictions include emergency, utility or 
law enforcement personnel, BLM personnel, participants in tours or 
events sponsored by the BLM, and others authorized in writing by the 
Authorized Officer of the BLM. The authorities for these restriction 
orders are 43 CFR 8341.2 and 8364.1. Any person violating 43 CFR 
8364.1(d) by failing to comply with any of these restrictions may be 
subject to fines and/or imprisonment in accordance with the applicable 
provisions of 43 CFR 8360.0-7 and 18 U.S.C. 3571.

    Dated: October 12, 1999.
Joseph K. Buesing,
Spokane District Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-27056 Filed 10-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P