[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 13190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6776]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ-020-034-1010-02]


Closure of Public Lands to Camping and Off-Highway Vehicle Use

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of closure of public lands to camping and off-highway 
vehicle use.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following described lands are 
temporarily closed until further notice to camping and off-highway 
vehicle use for the protection of public health and safety under the 
provisions of 43 CFR 8364.1 and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701). Persons with authorization to utilize the 
area by BLM regulations, contracts, leases or permits, may use the area 
described in accordance with those authorizations. Nothing in this 
closure effects the exercise of valid existing rights created by a 
contract, right-of-way, lease, permit or mining claim that is carried 
out in accordance with the regulations under which the rights were 
established. The closure will remain in effect until rescinded or 
modified by the Phoenix Field Manager.

Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona

T. 1 N., R. 7 E.,
    Sec. 18, Lots 6, 13, 15-19, 21, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\.
T. 2 N., R. 1 W.,
    Sec. 13, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This order is effective upon the signature of the 
authorized officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public lands involved (approximately 301 
acres), located at University Drive/Sossman Road and Camelback Road/
Agua Fria River, are adjacent to areas of expanding urban development. 
Unregulated and extended overnight camping and off-highway vehicle use 
is not consistent with the orderly growth of the communities and 
presents health, safety and law enforcement problems.
    Fugitive dust resulting from operation of off-highway vehicles in 
air quality non-attainment areas is a growing and continuing problem. 
Landowner compliance with Maricopa County and State of Arizona dust 
abatement and management regulations is becoming critical in the urban 
areas of Maricopa County. BLM is subject to these rules, especially 
Maricopa County Rules 301, 302, and 310.01. Air quality issues include 
considerable PM10 dust from the operation of off-highway vehicles, 
extensive PM10 accumulations from OHV activities during late afternoons 
and on weekends, and significant numbers of complaints from concerned 
citizens.
    Increasing levels of local law enforcement time have been allocated 
to answering disturbance calls from residents and property owners 
adjacent to these public lands. Law enforcement service calls included 
OHV-related dust, noise, trespass, random gunfire, drug and alcohol 
violation arrests, fireworks use, suspicious circumstance calls, 
illegal dumping of dirt, debris and trash and other illicit activities.
    This closure will be monitored and enforced by BLM, the Maricopa 
County Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies. The 
following persons, operating within the scope of their official duties, 
are exempt from the provisions of these closures: BLM employees, state 
or federal law enforcement and fire protection personnel.
    Because of prior existing rights, the following parties (and their 
representatives) will be allowed access to the above described lands:

(1) USDI, Bureau of Reclamation--(AZA-453, AZA-18823, AZA-19991, 
AZPHX-086506, AZPHX-86777and Secretarial Orders dated July 2, 1902 
and August 21, 1909)
    U.S. West--(AZA-10994, AZAR-035574)
    City of Mesa--(AZA-17277, AZA-31058)
    Maricopa County DOT--(AZAR-035348)
(2) Salt River Project--(AZA-166)
    Tucson Electric Power Co.--(AZA-7274, AZA-7872)
    Arizona Public Service Co.--(AZA-18635)
    Maricopa County DOT--(AZA-19098)
    Maricopa County FCD--(AZA-23639)

    Order: Notice is hereby given that effective the date of a 
signature by the authorized officer of this notice, the above 
described lands are closed to camping and off-highway vehicle use 
until further notice. Any person who fails to comply with a closure 
or restriction order issued under 43 CFR 8364 is subject to the 
penalties provided in 43 CFR Subpart 8360.0-7.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Taylor, Field Manager, 
Phoenix Field Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027, 
(623) 580-5500.

    Dated: December 19, 2001.
Michael A. Taylor,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 02-6776 Filed 3-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-31-P