[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 248 (Thursday, December 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66917-66918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31756]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ-070-02-1232-EA, SRP-070-02-06&07]


Closure of Selected Public Lands

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Temporary closure of selected public lands in La Paz County, 
Arizona, during the operation of the 2002 Whiplash Parker 200 and 
Parker 400 Desert Races.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management Lake Havasu Field Office 
announces the temporary closure of selected public lands under its 
administration in La Paz County, Arizona. This action is being taken to 
help ensure public safety and prevent unnecessary environmental 
degradation during the official permitted running of the 2002 Whiplash 
Parker 200 & 400 Desert Races.

DATES: Parker 200, January 19, through January 20, 2002; Parker 400, 
January 24, through January 26, 2002.
    Specific restrictions and closure periods are as follows:
    1. The PARKER 200 DESIGNATED COURSE is identical to the Parker 400 
designated course, but limited to the area west of the CAP Canal and 
east of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation boundary. The 
course is closed to public use from 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 18, 2002, 
to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2002.
    2. The PARKER 400 DESIGNATED COURSE is comprised of BLM lands, 
roads and ways located two miles either side of:
    (a) Shea Road from the eastern boundary of the Colorado River 
Indian Tribes Reservation to the junction with Swansea Road, and two 
miles either side of Swansea Road from its junction with Shea Road to 
the eastern bank of the Central Arizona Project Canal.
    (b) Swansea Road from its junction with Shea Road, to the Four 
Corners intersection continuing to the ``Midway'' intersection.
    (c) ``Midway'' intersection on the power line road east to 
Cunningham Wash.
    (d) South on the OHV route paralleling Cunningham Wash to the 
intersection of Graham Well and the unpaved maintained road.
    (e) The unpaved maintained road to the Bouse ``Y''.
    (f) The Bouse ``Y'' paralleling east side of unpaved maintained 
road to the ``Midway'' intersection.
    (g) The power line road west along the East Cactus Plain Wilderness 
Area boundary to Osborne Wash.
    (h) Osborne Wash west, crossing the CAP Canal, following the Cactus 
Plain WSA boundary south of Shea Road and the Shea Road Pit Area.
    (i) Osborne Wash west to the eastern boundary of the Colorado River 
Indian Tribes reservation is closed to public use from 6 a.m. Friday, 
January 25, 2002, to 6 p.m. Sunday, January 27, 2002.
    3. The entire designated race course is closed to all vehicles 
except authorized and emergency vehicles.
    4. Vehicle parking or stopping in areas affected by the closure is 
prohibited except in the designated spectator areas. Emergency parking 
for brief periods of time is permitted on roads open for public use.
    5. Spectator viewing (on public land) is limited to the two 
designated spectator areas located near the Bouse ``Y'', and the east 
side of the unpaved maintained road between the Bouse ``Y'' and the CAP 
crossing, four miles north of Bouse, Arizona.
    6. The following regulations will be in effect for the duration of 
the closure. Unless otherwise authorized, no person shall:
    a. Camp in any area outside of the designated spectator areas.
    b. Enter any portion of the race course or any wash located within 
the race course, including all portions of Osborne Wash.
    c. Spectate or otherwise be located outside of the designated 
spectator or pit areas.
    d. Firearms must be unloaded and cased, and are not to be used 
during the closure.
    e. Fireworks are prohibited.
    f. Operate any vehicle (other than registered event vehicles), 
including an off-highway vehicle (OHV), which is not legally registered 
for street and highway operation, including operation of such a vehicle 
in spectator viewing areas, along the race course, and in designated 
pit areas.
    g. Park any vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in such 
a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement 
or the parking of other vehicles, create a safety hazard, or endanger 
any person, property or feature. Vehicles so parked are subject to 
citation, removal and impoundment at the owner's expense.
    h. Take any vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, 
recognizable barricade, fence or traffic control barrier.
    i. Fail to keep their site free of trash and litter during the 
period of

[[Page 66918]]

occupancy, or fail to remove all personal equipment, trash, and litter 
upon departure.
    j. Violate quiet hours by causing an unreasonable noise as 
determined by the authorized officer between the hours of 10:00 p.m. 
and 6:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.
    k. Allow any pet or other animal in their care to be unrestrained 
at any time.
    Signs and maps directing the public to the designated spectator 
areas will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management or the event 
sponsor. The above restrictions do not apply to emergency vehicles and 
vehicles owned by the United States, the State of Arizona, or La Paz 
County. Vehicles under permit for operation by event participants must 
follow the race permit stipulations. Authority for closure of public 
lands is found in 43 CFR 8340, Subpart 8341; 43 CFR 8360, Subpart 
8364.1; and 43 CFR 8372. Persons who violate this closure order are 
subject to arrest and, upon conviction, may be fined not more than 
$100,000 and/or imprisoned for not more than 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Pittman, District Law 
Enforcement Ranger, or Myron McCoy, Outdoor Recreation Planner, BLM 
Lake Havasu Field Office, 2610 Sweetwater Avenue, Lake Havasu City, 
Arizona 86406, (928) 505-1200.

    Dated: November 30, 2001.
Donald Ellsworth,
Field Manager, Lake Havasu Field Office.
[FR Doc. 01-31756 Filed 12-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P