[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11873-11874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5837]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NV-033-03-1232-EA-NV04; NV05]


Temporary Closure of Public Lands--Recreation Special Events: 
Nevada, Carson City Field Office

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Temporary closure of affected public lands in Lyon, Storey, 
Churchill, Carson, Douglas, Mineral, Washoe, Nye, Esmeralda and Lincoln 
Counties.

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[[Page 11874]]

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management, Carson City Field Office (BLM), 
announces the temporary closure of selected public lands under its 
administration in Lyon, Storey, Churchill, Carson, Douglas, Mineral, 
Washoe and Nye Counties. By agreement with Ely Field Office and Tonopah 
Field Station, those lands affected by the Vegas to Reno OHV Race in 
Nye, Lincoln and Esmeralda Counties are included in this closure. This 
action is taken to provide for public and participant safety and to 
protect adjacent natural and cultural resources during the conduct of 
permitted special recreation events.

SUMMARY: The Manager, Carson City Field Office, announces the temporary 
closure of selected public lands under BLM administration. This action 
is taken to provide for public and participant safety and to protect 
adjacent natural and cultural resources during the conduct of permitted 
special recreation events.

EFFECTIVE DATES: March through November 2003. Events may be canceled or 
rescheduled at short notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fran Hull, Outdoor Recreation Planner, 
Carson City Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 5665 Morgan Mill 
Road, Carson City, Nevada 89701, Telephone: (775) 885-6161.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice applies to closures on and 
adjacent to permitted special events such as: Motorized Off Highway 
Vehicle, Mountain Bike, Horse Endurance competitive event sites and 
routes. Competitive events (races) are conducted along dirt roads, 
trails, washes, and areas approved for such use through the Special 
Recreation Permit application process. Events occur from March through 
November, 2003. Closure period is from 6 a.m. race day until race 
finish or until the event has cleared between affected Check Point 
locations; approximately 2 to 24 hour periods. The general public will 
be advised of each event and closure specifics via local newspapers and 
mailed public letters within seven (7) to thirty (30) days prior to the 
running of an event. Event maps and information will be posted at the 
Carson City Field Office.
    Locations most commonly used for permitted events include, but are 
not limited to:

    1. Lemmon Valley MX Area--Washoe Co., T21N R19E S8.
    2. Hungry Valley Off Highway Vehicle Area--Washoe Co., T21-23N 
R20E.
    3. Pine Nut Mountains--Carson, Douglas & Lyon Counties: T11-16N 
R20-24E.
    4. Virginia City/Jumbo Areas--Washoe & Storey Counties: T16-17N 
R20-21E.
    5. Yerington/Weeks Areas--Lyon Co.: T12-16N R23-27E.
    6. Fallon Area (Including Sand Mtn.)--Churchill Co.: T14-18N R27-
32E.
    7. Hawthorne Area--Mineral County: T5-14N R31\1/2\-36E.
    8. Vegas to Reno OHV Race Route: Nye, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Mineral, 
Churchill, and Lyon Counties: From Alamo to Dayton, Nevada: appx 500 
miles.

    Marking and effect of closure. BLM lands to be temporarily closed 
to public use include the width and length of those roads and trails 
identified as the race route by colorful flagging, chalk arrows in the 
dirt and directional arrows attached to wooden stakes. The authorized 
applicants or their representatives are required to post warning signs, 
control access to, and clearly mark the event routes during closure 
periods.
    Public uses generally affected by a Temporary Closure include: road 
and trail uses, camping, shooting of any kind of weapon including paint 
ball, and public land exploration.
    Spectator and support vehicles may be driven on open roads only. 
Spectators may observe the races from specified locations as directed 
by event and agency officials.
    You may obtain a map and schedule of each closure area at the 
contact address.
    Exceptions. Closure restrictions do not apply to race officials, 
medical/rescue, law enforcement, and BLM personnel monitoring the 
event.

    Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1 and 43 CFR part 2930.

    Penalty. Any person failing to comply with the closure orders may 
be subject to imprisonment for not more than 12 months, or a fine in 
accordance with the applicable provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3571, or both.

    Dated: January 23, 2003.
John O. Singlaub,
Manager, Carson City Field Office.
[FR Doc. 03-5837 Filed 3-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P