[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30957-30958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11439]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ID-074-1210-PA-241E]


Final Recreation Use Restrictions, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Final Supplementary Rules: Restrictions adjacent to 
and within the Sand Mountain WSA, Idaho.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 43 CFR 8341.1 and 8365.1-6, the Bureau of 
Land Management (BLM) proposes to make permanent the temporary 
restrictions currently in place within the

[[Page 30958]]

Sand Mountain Wilderness Study Area. The temporary restrictions have 
been in place since 1992 for motor vehicle use, and since 1999 for uses 
at Egin Lakes Access and Red Road Recreation sites.

DATES: Comments on the direct final rule must be received or postmarked 
by June 7, 2002 to be assured consideration. If the BLM does not 
receive any substantive comments in opposition (i.e., comments showing 
that the regulatory revisions will adversely impact an individual or 
entity, the environment, or the public interest), the proposed 
revisions will become a final rule at the end of the designated comment 
period on June 7, 2002 without further notice. If we receive any 
adverse comments, BLM will review the comments, make any appropriate 
changes and republish the revisions as a proposed rule.

ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Falls Field Office, 1405 
Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401. Telephone (208) 524-7500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A direct final rule means the rule will be a 
final rule at the end of the published comment period, unless we 
receive substantive comment during the comment period indicating that 
the direct final rule will adversely affect an individual or entity, 
the environment, or the public interest (5 U.S.C. 553). If we receive 
any substantive adverse comments, this rule will not become final. BLM 
will respond to all such comments in a further rulemaking and make a 
decision regarding the contentious parts of the rule at a later time. 
Otherwise, this rule will become effective without further notice on 
June 7, 2002. These rules have been in place for several years, with 
ample opportunity for the public to raise concerns to BLM about them.
    The Sand Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA) includes 21,000 acres 
of public land that is part of the larger St. Anthony Sand Dunes 
Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) in Fremont and Jefferson 
Counties, ID. BLM established various restrictions within the WSA and 
SRMA by publishing several Federal Register notices, as listed below. 
The temporary restrictions were extended in July 2001 (66 FR 35661). 
They include the following notices:
     Notice of restricted motor vehicle use (57 FR 36405)
     Notice of Recreation Use Restrictions and Regulations for 
Egin Lakes Access and Red Road Recreation Sites Adjacent and Within the 
Sand Mountain Wilderness Study Area, Idaho (64 FR 27804)
     Notice of Recreation Use Restrictions and Regulations for 
Egin Lakes Access and Red Road Recreation Sites Adjacent and Within the 
Sand Mountain Wilderness Study Area, Idaho (64 FR 46935)

Supplementary Rules for the Sand Mountain Wilderness Study Area 
(WSA)

    The following supplementary rules apply within the WSA:
    1. Lands within the WSA are restricted to unlicenced off-road 
vehicles, including ATVs (3 and 4-wheelers), off-road motorcycles, off-
road jeeps, sand dune buggies/rails and other off-road sand vehicles. 
All licensed vehicles are prohibited, including passenger automobiles, 
passenger pick-ups, pick-up campers, camp trailers, self-contained 
campers and similar vehicles.
    2. All permitted use must occur on the open sand areas or on 
designated roads or trails.
    3. Glass containers for food and beverages are prohibited within 
the WSA boundaries.
    4. Safety equipment such as helmets, boots, and protective 
clothing, are strongly recommended.
    5. Each vehicle is required to have a ``whip flag'' not less than 6 
feet in length with brightly colored material on the end of the flag.
    6. Open campfires are prohibited within the WSA, except in the 
designated Red Road Open Sand Campfire Area. Within the Red Road Open 
Sand Campfire Area, burning any foreign material other than wood in all 
campfires is prohibited. This prohibition includes, but is not limited 
to pallets, treated lumber, tires, glass, aluminum, etc.
    7. Use of personal water craft or other motorized vehicle or craft 
is prohibited on any body of water within the WSA.
    The following supplementary rules apply within the SRMA:
    1. Quiet hours will be observed within the Egin Lakes Access Site 
and Red Road Recreation Area from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. nightly.
    2. Burning any foreign material other than wood in all campfires is 
prohibited. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to pallets, 
treated lumber, tires, glass, aluminum, etc.
    3. Engaging in fighting is prohibited.
    4. Addressing any offensive, derisive, or annoying communication 
that has a direct tendency to cause acts of violence by the person to 
whom, individually, the remark is addressed, is prohibited.
    5. No person under the age of twenty-one (21) shall possess or 
consume any alcoholic beverage, as defined by Idaho Code Title 23-105.
    These restrictions are intended to reduce the possibility of injury 
to individuals, or damage to the natural resources within the WSA and 
the SRMA. Recreational use on the St. Anthony Sand Dunes has increased 
more than 1000 percent since 1984, with an estimated 150,000 visitors 
last season. The restrictions will be cited under Title 43 CFR 8364.1, 
Access Restrictions; and 8365.1-6, Visitors Services, Rules of Conduct, 
Supplementary Rules. Violations of these restrictions is punishable by 
a fine not to exceed $1000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
    Maps of the areas where the restrictions and regulations apply are 
available at the Idaho Falls Field Office. Signs with the rules and 
regulations are posted at all entrances into the WSA as well as at the 
recreation sites and areas. For more complete information on these 
restrictions, please refer to the previously mentioned Federal Register 
notices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Boggs, Bureau of Land Management, 
Upper Snake River District, Idaho Falls Field Office, 1405 Hollipark 
Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401, (208) 524-7527.

    Dated: December 19, 2001.
Joe Kraayenbrink,
Idaho Falls Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 02-11439 Filed 5-7-02; 8:45 am]
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