[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 204 (Monday, October 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 53431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26569]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ES-910-01-1430-HN-LRTN]


Notice of Temporary Closure of Access to Public Lands 
Administered by the Bureau of Land Management; Fairfax County, VA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Eastern States, is 
temporarily closing Meadowood Farm in Fairfax County, Virginia to 
public entry with the exception of those persons who board their horses 
at the boarding facility located on the property. This closure notice 
serves as a follow-up to the Planning Analysis/Environmental Assessment 
(PA/EA) whose Notice of Availability was published in the Federal 
Register on August 6, 2001. Section II(A) of the PA/EA stipulated that 
upon acquisition, Meadowood Farm would be closed to the public on an 
interim basis until a long-term management plan could be completed. 
This closure complies with the requirements of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act, that a land use plan be completed prior to 
acquisition of land. This is to ensure protection of resources, 
protection of structures and facilities, and provide for the safety of 
the public. The authority for this closure is found in 43 CFR 8364.1. 
The closure is necessary to protect soils, vegetation, cultural, 
wildlife and riparian resources, facilities, structure, from potential 
adverse effects. No recreational activities for public use exist 
currently except horseback riding. All new activities must undergo an 
Environmental Assessment to determine their levels of impact to 
sensitive areas, habitat, resources. It is necessary that this be done 
to preclude adverse impacts and unintended degradation of the property 
and to provide for the safety of the public until a plan is completed.
    A horse boarding facility is located on the property and will, 
during the closure period, continue operation under a Special 
Recreation Permit. No new activities will be allowed until completion 
of a PA/EA. The main entrance to the property leading to the office 
will remain open to the general public. All other access will be closed 
except to Federal, State and local officers and bureau employees in the 
scope of his or her duties, contractors, consultants and their 
employees engaged in official duties, members of organized rescue or 
fire-fighting force in performance of official duties, and others with 
written permission from the Bureau of Land Management.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This closure goes into effect upon acquisition of the 
Meadowood Farm, and will remain in effect until the State Director, 
Eastern States determines it is no longer needed.
    Location: The land commonly known as Meadowood Farm, Fairfax 
County, Virginia is closed to the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Bush, Meadowood Project 
Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States, 7450 Boston 
Boulevard, Springfield, Virginia 22153. (703) 440-1745.
    Prohibited Act: Under 43 CFR 8364.1 and 8360.0-7, the Bureau of 
Land Management is providing notice that within the closure area 
described above:
    You must not enter the closed area.
    Exemptions: Persons who are exempt from these rules include any 
Federal, State or local officer or employee in the scope of his or her 
duties, members of any organized rescue or fire-fighting force in 
performance of an official duty, contractors, and their employees while 
engaged in official duty, and others authorized in writing by the 
Bureau of Land Management.
    Penalties: Penalties for violating this closure notice is found in 
section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
(43 U.S.C. 1733(a)) and 43 CFR 8360.0-7. Any person who fails to comply 
with a restriction order may be tried before a United States Magistrate 
and fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 
months, or both.

    Dated: October 4, 2001.
Gayle F. Gordon,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 01-26569 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-P