[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 240 (Friday, December 13, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 76754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31404]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT-080-1430-BG]


Closure of Public Lands: Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Temporary Emergency Closure of Public Land in Uintah County, 
Utah.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Vernal Field Office is re-
issuing a temporary emergency closure of public land in Uintah County, 
Utah, effective January 1, 2003. This order temporarily closes 1,320 
acres of public land to public land to public use and entry. This 
temporary closure area encompasses the following public land:

Salt Lake Meridian, Utah

T.10 S., R. 24 E.,
    Sec. 22, E\1/2\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 23, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 26, NW\1/4\, NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\.

    The authorized officer has determined that the underground 
methane generation occurring at the abandoned White River Oil Shale 
Mine is a safety hazard making the facility and surrounding area 
unsafe for human occupation of activity. The closure area effects 
the above described public land presently encumbered by the 
abandoned White River Oil Shale Mine, ancillary support facilities, 
and associated ventilation shafts. The closure prohibits all use, 
entry, or access onto the affected public lands; however, the access 
restriction may be waived under extraordinary circumstances where 
limited, short term, emergency access is warranted and appropriate 
clearances and authorization are obtained from the authorized 
officer.
    If BLM authorizes emergency access, it will be conditioned on 
the following provisions:
    All persons entering and leaving the closure area must be 
accompanied by personnel from the BLM's Vernal Field Office and only 
after BLM has determined that the area is safe for a site visit.
    All persons allowed emergency access into the closure area must 
waive and release all direct and indirect claims that my occur 
against the United States for liability for any loss, damage, 
personal injury, or death that may occur as a result of their access 
to the closure area and will indemnify and hold harmless the United 
States. All such incidents shall immediately be reported to the BLM 
Vernal Field Office.
    The purpose of this closure is to protect human life, ensure 
public safety, and prevent human contact with a known hazardous 
situation. A map of the area affected by this closure is on file and 
may be viewed at the BLM Vernal Field Office.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure order is effective from January 1, 2003, 
through December 31, 2004, unless it is rescinded or modified by the 
authorized officer before that date.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This closure is done under the authority of 
43 CFR 8364.1. Persons violating this closure shall be subject to the 
penalties provided in 43 CFR 8360.0-7, including a fine not to exceed 
$1,000.00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed one year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The BLM Vernal Field office, 170 South 
500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078, (435) 781-4400.

    Dated: October 2, 2002.
David E. Howell,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 02-31404 Filed 12-12-02; 8:45 am]
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