[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 60454-60455] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-29002] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [OR-090-00-2822-JL-N843; GP0-0024] Closure of Public Lands in Lane County, OR AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Closure of public lands and access road in Lane County, Oregon. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that certain public lands and access road in Lane County, Oregon are indefinitely closed to all public use, including vehicle operation, recreation, hunting, parking, camping, shooting, hiking and sightseeing. The closure is made under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1. The public lands affected by this closure are located within the Austa Fire Unit and are specifically identified as follows: Willamette Meridian, Oregon T. 18 S., R. 8 W. Sec. 9: All lands south of the north right-of-way line of the Bonneville Power Administration Transmission line Sec. 10: BLM Road No. 18-8-10 in the S\1/2\S\1/2\ Sec.15: N\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\ Containing approximately 450 acres. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following persons, operating within the scope of their official duties, are exempt from the provisions of this closure order: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) employees; BLM and BPA contractors and their subcontractors; State of Oregon, local and other federal government employees; State of Oregon, local and other federal contractors and their subcontractors; the holders of BLM road use permits that include roads within the closure area; purchasers of BLM resources within the closure area and their employees and subcontractors. Access by additional parties may be allowed, but must be approved in advance in writing by the Authorized Officer. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this closure order may be subject to, but not limited to, the penalties provided in 43 CFR 8360.0-7, which include a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to [[Page 60455]] exceed 12 months, as well as the penalties provided under Oregon State law. The public lands closed to public use under this order will be posted with signs at points of public access. The purpose of this closure is to protect persons from injury incurred by falling or moving debris and/or conditions which create potential for slips and falls, especially on steep slopes. The recent Austa Fire created extreme hazards. Dead and dying trees were left on unstable, vegetationless ground. Unstable objects are numerous throughout the unit. Weather conditions such as rain and wind will escalate the likelihood that objects will break loose and roll down hill and dead trees will fall unexpectedly. These hazardous conditions are expected to remain for several years as this fire occurred in Late Successional Reserve (LSR) lands which are reserved from intense management practices. Lane County has already closed a segment of its county road (#4386), Stagecoach Road, at the bottom of this unit due to debris falling and rolling onto the road. A gate will be installed on BLM Road No. 18-8-10. DATES: This closure is effective from November 1, 1999 and will continue until further notice. ADDRESSES: Copies of this closure notice and maps showing the location of the closed lands are available from the Eugene District Office, P.O. Box 10226 (2890 Chad Drive), Eugene, Oregon 97440. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Chung, Coast Range Field Manager, Eugene District Office, at (541) 683-6600 or 1-888-442-3061. Dated: November 1, 1999. Dan Howells, Acting Field Manager, Coast Range Resource Area. [FR Doc. 99-29002 Filed 11-4-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-33-P