[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 222 (Thursday, November 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 69326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29396]



[[Page 69326]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY-010-2822JL]


Emergency Closure to Motorized Vehicle Use on Public Lands 
Administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Worland Field 
Office, Within the Enos Complex Fire area, Hot Springs and Park 
Counties, Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Emergency closure.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Worland Field Office, 
hereby gives notice that, effective immediately, all tracks and other 
areas disturbed by fire-fighting equipment in the Enos Complex Fire 
area are closed to motorized vehicle use. The purpose for this 
emergency closure is to facilitate reclamation of the public lands 
disturbed or damaged during suppression of the 13,664-acre Enos Complex 
Fire.
    An Emergency Fire Rehabilitation Plan has been prepared and 
approved for this burned area. Some of the rehabilitation actions 
include reseeding areas with native vegetation and constructing water 
bars on fire lines. Areas disturbed by fire-fighting equipment will be 
signed as ``Closed to Motor Vehicle Use.'' Motorized vehicle travel on 
these disturbed areas and other areas affected by the fire could 
increase soil erosion, impair wildlife habitat, damage cultural 
resources, and jeopardize the rehabilitation efforts.
    This emergency closure includes some roads and trails which existed 
before the fire.

EFFECTIVE DATES: This closure to motorized vehicle use is effective 
immediately and will remain in effect until modified or rescinded by 
the authorized officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darrell Barnes, Field Manager, Worland 
Field Office, P.O. Box 119, 101 South 23th Street, Worland, Wyoming 
82401-0119. Telephone (307)347-5100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Enos Creek Complex Fire began with 
lightning strikes on July 27, 2000. The fires encompassed 13,664 acres 
of federal, state, and private lands. The purpose of this emergency 
closure is to eliminate unnecessary vehicle use while providing a 
minimum amount of access into the area for recreation. This order will 
help facilitate the area's rehabilitation from the fire. Vehicles 
traveling off-road in a burned area may damage reemerging plants, 
increase erosion, and spread noxious weeds.
    The management of off-road vehicles is addressed in the Grass Creek 
Resource Management Plan (BLM, Sept. 1998).
    The Enos Creek area is an important wildlife habitat and hunting 
area. The recent fire burned more then 90 percent of the area, leaving 
very little in the way of security cover for wildlife. Keeping vehicle 
traffic away from some areas for one or two growing seasons will help 
in the rehabilitation. There is also a need to allow some vehicle 
access so hunters can harvest big game animals. The Worland Field 
Office specialists will analyze the effects of this closure in the 
summer of 2001 and extend, modify, or rescind this order as deemed 
necessary by the authorized officer.
    The following described BLM-administered lands are included in this 
Emergency Road Closure.

6th Principal Meridian

T. 46 N., R. 99 W., sec. 15, 17, and 18;
T. 45 N., R. 100 W., sec. 1, 2, 3 ,4, 5, 6, and 21;
T. 46 N., R, 100 W., sec. 13 through 29, 33, 34, and 35;
T. 47 N., R. 100 W., sec. 27, 28, 33, 24, and 35.

    Authority for Off-Road Vehicle Management, closure and restriction 
orders is provided under 43 CFR subpart 8341.2 (a and b), and 8364.1. 
Violations of this management plan are punishable by a fine not to 
exceed $1,000 and (or) imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

    Dated: October 13, 2000.
Darrell Barnes,
Worland Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-29396 Filed 11-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P