[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 113-114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33418]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-160-1220-AF]


Supplementary Rules for Public Land in Eastern Tulare County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Final supplementary rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bakersfield (California) 
Field Office has established the supplementary 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.

DATES: January 2, 2001.

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

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 specifically designates 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 includes 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. Any vehicle parked in a way which obstructs other passenger 
vehicles, or blocks access to fire road gates may be towed and stored 
at the owners expense.0
    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 requirement. 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 Ranch 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 in such a condition that he or she is unable to 
exercise care for his or her own safety or the safety of others.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The above supplementary rules are being 
implemented for the following purposes:
    The above defined lands contain valuable watershed resources, 
groves of Sequioa 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

[[Page 114]]

low impact recreational activities. The concerns of local residents and 
property 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, having been previously published in the 
Federal Register (65 FR 40124, June 29, 2000) for public comment, will 
take effect upon publication 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.

    Dated: November 22, 2000.
Mike Pool,
California State Director.
[FR Doc. 00-33418 Filed 12-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M