[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 126 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40124-40125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16462]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-160-1220-AF]


Notice of Proposed Supplementary Rules for Public Land in Eastern 
Tulare County

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed supplementary rules.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bakersfield (California) 
Field Office proposes the rules listed below to protect natural 
resources and provide for the safety of visitors, and property on 
public land located in eastern Tulare County adjacent to the towns of 
Three Rivers and Hammond, California. These supplementary rules will be 
posted on public land in the applicable areas and made available at the 
Bakersfield Field Office. The policy of the Department of Interior is, 
whenever practicable, to afford the public an opportunity to 
participate in the rulemaking process. Accordingly, BLM invites 
interested persons to submit written comments, suggestions, or 
objections regarding the proposed supplementary rules to the location 
identified in the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver comments to Field Office Manager, 
Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus 
Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308; telephone (661) 391-6120.

Supplementary Rules

    Pursuant to 43 CFR 8365.1-6 (Supplementary Rules), 43 CFR 8364.1 
(Closure and restriction orders), and 8341.2 (Special rules) the 
following supplementary rules are in effect on public land managed by 
the BLM within Case Mountain/Milk Ranch Peak area defined as: Township 
17 South, Range 29 East, MDB&M and Township 18 South, Range 29 East, 
MDB&M or the North Fork of the Kaweah Special Management Area defined 
as: Township 15 South, Range 28 East, MDB&M Township 16 South, Range 
28 East, MDB&M and, Township 17 South, Range 28 East, MDB&M.
    A. Target shooting is permitted within the Case Mountain/Milk Ranch 
Peak area provided that the firearm is discharged toward a proper 
backstop sufficient to stop the projectile's forward progress beyond 
the intended target. Target shooting may not occur within one mile of 
any private residence or occupied structure. Targets shall be 
constructed of cardboard and paper or similar non-breakable materials. 
All targets must be removed and properly discarded after use. No 
projectile may be intentionally fired into any tree.
    B. All roads, trails, and routes of travel on public land within 
the North Fork of the Kaweah Special Management Area are closed to off-
highway vehicles registered or identified under Section 38020 of the 
California Vehicle Code except as permitted by the Authorized Officer.
    C. All roads, trails, and routes of travel within the Case 
Mountain/Milk Ranch Peak area are closed to the operation of any motor 
vehicle, except for access to private real estate by property owners or 
persons they designate as having access to their property, public 
employees, public agency volunteers in the course of their duties, or 
such access as authorized under permit, easement, or lease by the 
authorized officer.
    D. The operation of motor vehicles within the North Fork of the 
Kaweah Special Management Area is limited to designated roads. 
Designated roads include roads maintained by federal, state, or local 
government, roads leading to parking areas created by the BLM, 
Shepherd's Saddle Road, and Overlook Road. Overlook Road extends west 
from Shepherd's Saddle Road 0.8 miles from the intersection of 
Shepherd's Saddle Road and North Fork Drive. Designated roads may not 
be used for off-highway vehicle free-play. Vehicles may not be parked 
in a way which restricts the flow of traffic through parking areas or 
on roads. Vehicles parked in a way which obstructs other passenger 
vehicles or fire vehicles may be towed and stored at the owner's 
expense.
    E. Within the Case Mountain/Milk Ranch Peak area, and the North 
Fork of the Kaweah Special Management Area, property may not be left 
unattended for more than three days without the prior approval of the 
Authorized Officer. Any such unattended property will be considered 
abandoned, and may be removed and stored by law enforcement personnel 
at the owner's expense.
    F. Within the Case Mountain/Milk Ranch Peak area, and the North 
Fork of the Kaweah Special Management Area, all litter, trash, and 
refuse must be kept within a container or receptacle and removed when 
leaving public land. Litter, waste, or refuse may not be thrown onto or 
stored on the ground.
    G. Within the Case Mountain/Milk Ranch Peak area, and the North 
Fork of the Kaweah Special Management Area, a permit or written 
authorization from BLM shall be required for all research activities 
which involve the taking, or placement of, any natural or man-made 
object, thing, plant, or animal on these lands. A permit or written 
authorization shall also be required if the research involves the 
disturbance of any animal, plant, cultural or historic resource, soil, 
or federal property. Restrictions regarding the disturbance of animal 
and plant resources do not apply to the California Department of Fish 
and Game or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as long as the 
activities are in accordance with their trustee responsibilities for 
managing wildlife resources. Leisure activities such as astronomy, or 
bird watching are not intended to be covered by this supplementary 
rule.
    H. Within the Case Mountain/Milk Ranch Peak area, a state of 
California Fire Permit is required for any camping, cooking, or warming 
fire ignited on these lands. Portable gas or propane stoves are 
exempted from this requirements. If any more restrictive fire 
provisions are established by any governing authority or public officer 
having jurisdiction, then persons must comply with these.
    I. Within the Case Mountain/Milk Ranch Peak area, and the North 
Fork of the Kaweah Special Management Area, all laws of the State of 
California applicable to the possession, use, or distribution of 
controlled substances and/or the protection of persons or property are 
in effect. These laws may not be violated by any person.
    J. Within the Case Mountain/Milk Branch Peak area and the North 
Fork of the Kaweah Special Management Area, no person may be under the 
influence of a controlled substance. No person may be under the 
influence of alcohol to the extent that their ability to be responsible 
for their own safety is impaired.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The above supplementary rules are being 
implemented for the following purposes: The above defined lands contain 
valuable watershed resources, groves of Sequois Trees, and regionally 
significant recreational resources. Improved public access through 
acquired easements has increased visitation. These supplementary rules 
are effected to maintain the area's traditional uses consistent with 
hiking, bicycle riding, equestrian use, and other low impact 
recreational activities. The concerns of local residents and property

[[Page 40125]]

owners are also addressed by these supplementary rules.
    This order is in no way intended to affect the rights or existing 
privileges of private land owners or their interests within the defined 
public land. Existing public easements, county roads, state highways, 
private lanes or driveways, and private real estate is exempt from 
these supplementary rules. Further, this order does not infer any 
Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction over private or state owned 
lands. These supplementary rules will be in effect until replaced by a 
more comprehensive recreational management plan for the areas. These 
supplementary rules are in compliance with the Caliente Resource 
Management Plan of May 1997.
    Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers and California 
peace officers, as defined in Chapter 4.5 of the California Penal Code, 
are exempt from these supplementary rules in the course of their 
official duties. Limitations upon the use of motorized vehicles do not 
apply to emergency vehicles, fire suppression and rescue vehicles, law 
enforcement vehicles, and other vehicles performing official duties, or 
as approved by an authorized officer of the BLM.
    These supplementary rules will take effect following review of 
public comment, and publication as final supplementary rule making in 
the Federal Register.

Penalties

    The authorities for these closures and supplementary rules are 43 
CFR 8341.2, 8364.1, and 8365.1-6. Violations of these supplementary 
rules are punishable by fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment not 
to exceed 12 months as well as the penalties provided under State law.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT. Ronald D. Fellows, Bureau of Land 
Management, Bakersfield Field Officer Manager, 3801 Pegasus Drive, 
Bakersfield, CA 93308

    Dated: June 23, 2000.
Ron Fellows,
Field Office Manager, Bakersfield Field Office.
[FR Doc. 00-16462 Filed 6-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M