[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 27586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12517]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ID-074-1654-HB DA5V]


Temporary Closure of Egin Lakes Access Recreation Site to 
Overnight Camping, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of closure.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following described lands are 
temporarily closed to overnight camping until further notice during the 
construction of Egin Lakes Access Recreation Site overnight and day use 
facilities. The temporary closure is for the protection of public 
users' health and safety under the provisions of 43 CFR 8364.1 and the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701). Day 
use access will still be permitted with the possible exception of days 
where there is heavy construction activity. Persons with authorizations 
to utilize the area by BLM regulations, contracts, leases or permits, 
may use the area described in accordance with those authorizations. 
This temporary closure will remain in effect for up to three years or 
until rescinded or modified by the Idaho Falls Field Manager.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This order is effective when published in the Federal 
Register.
    Legal Description:

Boise Meridian, Idaho

Township 7 N, Range 39 E, Section 3: N \1/2\, NW \1/4\ SW \1/4\

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: About 20 acres of public land are involved 
in the construction project, which is adjacent to the Sand Mountain 
Wilderness Study Area (WSA) and the 36,900 acre St. Anthony Sand Dunes 
Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) in Fremont and Jefferson 
Counties. Modifications to the site are in accordance with the BLM's 
overall Recreation Project Site Plan that was approved in August 2001. 
This project plan involves three phases of development as part of BLM's 
Deferred Maintenance Program. All three phases are planned to be 
completed by 2006. The project is to accommodate the current number of 
users who use the site for dispersed camping and day use parking for 
access onto the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. Visitor use to the existing 
four-acre site has increased dramatically during the past two decades. 
The site received over 88,000 visits in FY2000. The majority of use is 
from April through October. On most spring and summer weekends and 
holidays the site with its facilities is over utilized beyond its 
capacity.
    The first phase of the project is to upgrade the existing access 
road and prepare the surface for a 50-unit campground, visitor contact 
area, and additional day use parking areas. This phase started last 
fall and will be completed sometime in the summer of 2003. The site 
will be posted: Closed to Overnight Camping.
    During the construction of the recreation site, the public can camp 
and access the sand dunes from the nearby private campgrounds or off 
public land along the Red Road where allowed.
    This closure will be monitored and enforced by the BLM and Fremont 
County Sheriff's Department. Authority for this temporary closure order 
may be found in 43 CFR 8364.1. Violation of this closure is punishable 
by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 
months.

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. A map showing the 
available overnight camping and the closure area will be available from 
the BLM, Idaho Falls Field Office.

    Dated: April 14, 2003.
Carol McCoy Brown,
Idaho Falls Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 03-12517 Filed 5-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-AG-P