[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 180 (Friday, September 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 56002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23851]



[[Page 56002]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-925-2810-XU-241E]


Notice of Special Fire Restrictions--Restrictions and Conditions 
of Use in the Miles City, Malta, Billings and Lewistown Field Offices, 
Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 9212.2, the 
following acts are prohibited on all Bureau of Land Management lands in 
Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, 
Choteau, Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Garfield, McCone, Richland, 
Dawson, Prairie, Wibaux, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, 
Yellowstone, Big Horn, Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Powder River, Fallon, 
and Carter counties. These restrictions will become effective at 12:01 
MDT September 12, 2000. They will remain in effect until rescinded or 
revoked. They replace the restrictions enacted on August 31, 2000, 
which are hereby terminated.
    Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire except at a 
developed, designated recreation site or campground (43 CFR 9212.1(h)). 
Gas and liquid-fueled stoves and lanterns are permitted.
    Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building; at an 
improved place of habitation; at a developed, designated recreation 
site or campground; or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in 
diameter that is cleared of all flammable material (43 CFR 9212.1(h)).
    Use of chainsaws or other equipment with internal combustion 
engines for felling, bucking, skidding, wood cutting, road building, 
and other high fire risk operations between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. local 
time. Exceptions are helicopter yarding and earth moving on areas of 
cleared and bare soil. Sawing incidental to loading operations on 
cleared landings is not necessarily restricted (43 CFR 9212.1(h)).
    Using chainsaws or other equipment with internal combustion engines 
for felling, bucking, skidding, wood cutting or any other operation 
within areas having a significant accumulation of dead or down slash or 
timber (43 CFR 9212.1(h)).
    Welding, blasting (except seismic operations confined by ten or 
more feet of soil, sand or cuttings), and other activities with a high 
potential for causing forest fires (43 CFR 9212.1(h)).
    A patrol is required for a period of two hours after any woods 
operations including felling, bucking, skidding, woodcutting, or road 
building cease. A patrol is also required for one hour following the 
cessation of all work activity. The patrolperson's responsibilities 
include checking for compliance with required fire precautions.
    Possessing or using motorized vehicles such as, but not limited to 
cars, trucks, trail bikes, motorcycles and all terrain vehicles off 
existing roads and trails (43 CFR 9212.1(h)) except for persons with a 
grazing, oil and gas or mining permit performing activities in 
accordance with their permit.
    Exemptions to the above prohibitions are allowed only for any 
Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized law 
enforcement, rescue, or firefighting force in the performance of an 
official duty, or persons with a permit or written authorization 
allowing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
    Violation of this order is prohibited by the provisions of the 
regulations cited. Under 43 CFR 9212.4, any violation is subject to 
punishment by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not 
more than 12 months, or both.

DATES: Restrictions go into effect at 12:01 am on Tuesday, September 
12, 2000, and will remain in effect until further notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to BLM Montana State Director, 
Attention: Pat Mullaney, P.O. Box 36800, Billings, Montana 59107-6800.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Mullaney, Fire Management 
Specialist, 406-896-2915.

    Dated: September 12, 2000.
Roberta A. Moltzen,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 00-23851 Filed 9-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P