[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 204 (Friday, October 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63090-63091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27018]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ-020-1220-HA]


Closure of Public Lands in Yavapai County to Off-Highway Vehicle 
Use; Phoenix Field Office, Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:  Notice of off-road vehicle closure.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to inform the public that the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) intends to close certain lands near Prescott, Arizona 
in Yavapai County to any and all types of off-highway vehicle (OHV) 
use. This closure will be year-round and will remain in effect until 
rescinded or modified by the Phoenix Field Office Manager. The public 
land affected by this closure is specifically identified as follows:

All BLM administered public lands in

Township 14 North, Range 1 West, G&SRM
    Public Lands within Section 33, W\1/2\W\1/2\NW\1/4\

    Containing approximately 40 acres

    This OHV closure will protect public lands from environmental 
damage and to aid in the protection of adjoining state and private 
lands. The closure will eliminate excessive vehicle noise in 
residential neighborhoods, reduce the incidence of fugitive dust 
impacting homeowners, and curtail unattended campfires and fireworks 
use. Trespass across state and private land to reach this parcel of 
BLM-administered lands will be curbed by this closure. Dumping of 
construction debris and litter on the BLM lands will also be halted by 
this action.
    BLM is coordinating this action with adjoining land owners, 
including the Arizona State Land Department, the Arizona Public Service 
utility company, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, private 
residents, and the City of Prescott Police Department. The designated 
closed area will be posted with signs and have barriers and fences 
installed where needed. This closure will be monitored and enforced by 
the BLM, the City of Prescott Police Department, and other law 
enforcement agencies.
    The following persons, operating within the scope of their official 
duties, are exempt from the provisions of the closure: Employees of the 
BLM, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona State Land Department, 
and local or federal law enforcement and fire protection personnel. 
This closure is in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Land 
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 USC 1701) and 43 CFR, Subpart 
8364.1. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this 
closure may be subject to penalties outlined in 43 CFR Subpart 8360.0-
7.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This order will be effective upon publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register and completion of on-the-ground signing 
and posting by BLM, the Arizona State Land Department and local law 
enforcement authorities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Taylor, Field Manager, 
Phoenix Field Office, 2015 West Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, Arizona 
85027; 623-580-5500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 40 acres of public land affected by this 
off-highway vehicle closure order are adjacent to expanding urban and 
residential development. Unregulated and unauthorized off-highway and 
cross-country vehicle travel is not consistent with the orderly growth 
of the community, public health and safety, and the use of adjoining 
private land for residences.
    Loud noise and fugitive dust from off-highway vehicle operation is 
a growing and continuing problem. OHV users have been operating their 
vehicles from early morning till late at night, disturbing nearby 
property owners. Unattended campfires and use of fireworks create 
extreme fire hazards for the community. Target shooting and gunfire 
have disturbed neighborhoods to the north, east and south of this 
public land parcel. Trespass by off-highway vehicle users from public 
land onto adjoining private lands has been documented. Increasing 
levels of local law enforcement personnel and time have been allocated 
to answering disturbance calls from residents due to noise, dust, late 
night activity, unattended campfires, firework use,

[[Page 63091]]

gunfire, and illegal dumping of dirt, debris and trash.

    Dated: October 2, 2000.
Deborah K. Rawhouser,
Assistant Field Manager, Resource Use & Protection.
[FR Doc. 00-27018 Filed 10-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-M