[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 87 (Monday, May 6, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30393-30394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11087]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-200-1220-MA]


Change to Shooting Closure Order and Closure Order for Motor 
Vehicle Travel on Public Lands in Fremont County, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Change to shooting closure order, and closure order.

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SUMMARY: The BLM Royal Gorge Field Office (BLM or ``we'') is adjusting 
the boundary of the recreational target shooting closure established in 
1995 in the Garden Park Fossil Area, located in Fremont County, 
Colorado (60 FR 26452). The boundary adjustment is necessary to enhance 
public safety, to protect a power line right-of-way, and to protect a 
range improvement. Approximately 150 acres will be added to the closure 
area and approximately 20 acres will be excluded from the original 
recreational target shooting closure area and opened to recreational 
target shooting.
    Also, we are making the following closures: We are temporarily 
closing approximately 40 acres to all types of motor vehicle travel to 
allow for reclamation of damaged soils and vegetation. We are 
permanently closing approximately two miles of two track roads to all 
types of motor vehicle travel to enhance public safety in areas 
adjacent to recreational target shooting activity in the Garden Park 
Fossil Area.

DATES: The shooting closure change and motor vehicle travel closure 
will be effective upon publication. The temporary motor vehicle travel 
closure will remain in effect until April 1, 2005, to allow for 
successful reclamation.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of the map and details of the boundary 
adjustment and closure from the Field Manager, BLM Royal Gorge Field 
Office, 3170 East Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212; telephone (719) 
269-8500.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leah Quesenberry, Interpretive 
Specialist, or Diana Kossnar, Outdoor Recreation Planner, at the 
address and phone number listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    BLM administers approximately 3,000 acres of public land in the 
Garden Park Fossil Area, located 5 miles north of Canon City, CO. 
Target shooting is one of many public uses in the area. The area 
includes nationally significant paleontological and historic sites and 
the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway. Private lands with 
residential and agricultural developments adjoin the area. In 1995, 
approximately 1,840 acres of public land in this area were closed to 
recreational target shooting to enhance public safety. This closure was 
accomplished through an extensive public process. Public meetings were 
held to address public safety and resource protection concerns. 
Stakeholders involved in developing the closure proposal included 
Fremont County Commissioners, target shooting enthusiasts, residents of 
the adjoining private lands, public land grazing permit holders, and 
the Garden Park Paleontology Society.

[[Page 30394]]


    Authority: BLM issues this order under the authority of 43 CFR 
8364.1, Closure and restriction orders, and 43 CFR 8341.2 (a), 
Special rules.

Reasons for Closures

    This notice adjusts the boundary of the closure area established in 
1995, to address additional public safety concerns. The primary public 
safety concern is the on-going vandalism of an existing high voltage 
power line by recreational target shooters. The power line, owned by 
WestPlains Energy Corporation, provides power to Cripple Creek and 
Victor, Colorado. Specific concerns include the cost of repairing 
damage to the power line caused by recreational target shooting, the 
possibility that this vandalism will result in a major power outage in 
Cripple Creek and Victor, and the dangers (electrocution, fire) posed 
by vandalism of live high voltage power lines in an area that is 
heavily used by the public.

Affected Lands

    The public lands affected by this boundary adjustment and 
containing the closed areas and roads are identified as follows:

Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado

T.17S., R.70W., Sections 28, 33, & 34.

Map

    Notice of this closure and a detailed map will be posted at the 
Royal Gorge Field Office.

Exceptions

    This closure does not apply to emergency, law enforcement, and 
Federal or other government vehicles while being used for official or 
emergency purposes, or to any other vehicle whose use is expressly 
authorized or otherwise officially approved by BLM.

Penalties

    Violation of this order is punishable by imprisonment for up to 12 
months and/or a fine as defined in 18 U.S.C. 3571.

Roy L. Masinton,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 02-11087 Filed 5-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P