[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 39970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16843]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Closure Order Establishing Prohibitions at Ridges Basin, La Plata 
County, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of closure.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation is prohibiting public access and 
activities on Reclamation land in Ridges Basin, La Plata County, 
Colorado.

DATES: The closure is effective June 30, 2003, and will remain in 
effect indefinitely.

ADDRESSES: A map is available for inspection at the Bureau of 
Reclamation's Western Colorado Area Office located at 835 East Second 
Avenue, Durango, Colorado. The map may be viewed between 8 a.m. and 4 
p.m. Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Walsh, Bureau of Reclamation, 
Western Colorado Area Office, (970) 385-6554, or Doug Hendrix, Bureau 
of Reclamation, Office of Public Affairs, (801) 524-3837.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action is being taken under 43 CFR 
423.3 to improve facility security and public safety. Reclamation will 
be prohibiting all public access on Reclamation lands in and around 
Ridges Basin during construction of the Animas-La Plata Project. This 
is being done to protect the public from construction activities and to 
protect the construction workforce from public activities such as 
discharging weapons. The following acts are prohibited within the 
Ridges Basin closure area:
    (a) Trespassing, entering, or remaining in or upon property or real 
property not open to the public (closed areas). Exceptions: 
Construction contractor personnel that have authorization from 
Reclamation, law enforcement and fire department personnel and 
Reclamation employees acting within the scope of their employment, and 
any others who have received expressed written authorization from 
Reclamation to enter the closure area.
    (b) Vandalizing, destroying, manipulating, injuring, contaminating, 
defacing, depositing, abandoning, dumping, damaging, taking, or 
occupying property and real property of the United States, or other 
property, not under one's lawful control and possession.

This order is posted in accordance with 43 CFR 423.3(b). Violation of 
this prohibition or any prohibition listed in 43 CFR 423 is punishable 
by fine, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.

    Dated: June 23, 2003.
Carol DeAngelis,
Area Manager, Western Colorado Area Office, Bureau of Reclamation--
Upper Colorado Region.
[FR Doc. 03-16843 Filed 7-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P