[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42797-42798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16011]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-056-01-1120-JG; H5AC GP2-0058]


Notice of Seasonal Motor Vehicle Closure on Selected Public Lands 
East of Prineville Reservoir, Crook County, OR

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Prineville District, Deschutes 
Resource Area, Oregon, Interior.

ACTION: A proposed seasonal closure to motorized vehicle use on certain 
public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 
Deschutes Resource Area, Prineville District, Oregon.

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SUMMARY: The BLM is proposing the seasonal closure of certain public 
lands east of Prineville Reservoir in Crook County from December 1 to 
May 1 to the use of motorized vehicles.
    The purpose of this seasonal closure is to provide safe habitat and 
forage for wildlife. The area has been identified as crucial mule deer 
winter range by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), who 
estimates the wintering population at approximately 300-500 deer. The 
resident deer population is estimated at approximately 300 head. 
Present habitat conditions for wintering mule deer are considered fair 
to good. Elk also inhabit the area in fairly large numbers. 
Additionally, poaching of big game has been a problem within the area 
in part due to the road density and limited restrictions on vehicle 
travel.
    Road improvements along with the posting of signs along the 
designated travel route and the public's observance of traveling only 
on the designated travel route will reduce soil erosion, improve water 
quality, improve stream channel and riparian vegetative conditions, 
improve wildlife habitat, and reduce disturbance to wildlife within the 
Sand Creek, Sanford Creek, and Deer Creek subwatersheds in accordance 
with the Upper Prineville Reservoir Activity Plan Environmental 
Assessment (EA No. OR-056-2-010) and the Brothers/La Pine Resource 
Management Plan (1989). The soils in the area are known to be steep, 
shallow, and well-drained yielding medium runoff with a moderate 
erosion hazard. Current use of motorized vehicles within the area 
causes increased erosion and soil loss on unstable roads and vehicle 
trails within the subwatersheds. Compaction of soil by these vehicles 
inhibits growth of vegetation and also increases runoff. Sand Creek, 
Sanford Creek, and Deer Creek flow to the northwest through the subject 
site thereby transporting a large quantity of this eroded soil to 
Prineville Reservoir ultimately reducing the effectiveness of 
Prineville Reservoir.

DATES: This closure will take effect upon the published date of this 
notice or December 1, 2001, whichever is later. The closure is 
effective annually from December 1 to May 1.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Towne, Deschutes Resource Area 
Field Manager, 3050 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, Oregon 97754, telephone 
(541) 416-6700. The maps and Environmental Assessment pertaining to 
this closure can be viewed on the Internet at: www.or.blm.gov/Prineville/planning/EAs/ea_00_095.pdf.
    Discussion of the Rules: A gate has been installed at the junction 
of Doubtful Dirt Road and the unnamed road that provides access to the 
seasonally closed lands. This junction is located approximately at the 
center of Section 10, Township 17 South, Range 17 East. A public 
information kiosk displaying a detailed map of the affected area has 
also been installed at this junction. Handout maps of the same are also 
available at the kiosk. In addition, signs have been placed along the 
designated travel route within the affected area to aid in route 
navigation during the open season The designated travel route has had 
some construction improvements for the same purpose.
    The public lands affected by this closure are all lands 
administered by the BLM in Sections 25, 26, 34, 35, and 36 of Township 
16 South, Range 17 East; Section 30 of Township 16 South, Range 18 
East; Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of Township 17 
South, Range 17 East; Sections 6, 7, and 18 of Township 17 South, Range 
18 East Willamette Meridian, Oregon. Doubtful Dirt Road will remain 
open continuously. This area is known as Deer Creek, Sanford Creek, and 
Sand Creek Watersheds. Closure signs will be posted at all road entry 
points. Maps of the closure area may be obtained from the Prineville 
District Office or the public information kiosk at the east end of 
Doubtful Dirt Road.
    Prohibited Act: Under 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of Land Management 
will enforce the following rule within the Deer Creek, Sanford Creek, 
and Sand Creek closure area:
    i. Operation of motorized vehicles is prohibited December 1 to May 
1.
    ii. Cutting and/or removal of firewood is not allowed.
    Exemptions: Persons who are exempt from this rule include any 
Federal, State, or local officer or employee in the scope of their 
duties, members of any

[[Page 42798]]

organized rescue or fire-fighting force in performance of an official 
duty, and any person authorized in writing by the Bureau of Land 
Management.
    Penalties: The authority for this closure is found under 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 violates this closure may 
be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than 
$1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Such 
violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 
U.S.C. 3571.

    Dated: December 17, 2001.
A. Barron Bail,
District Manager.
    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on June 21, 2002.
[FR Doc. 02-16011 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P