[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 139 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43158-43159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18436]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-030-1231-00]


Notice of Emergency Closure of Trails and Establishment of 
Visitor Restrictions for Acquired Land in Barr Canyon and Nichol's 
Canyon Special Recreation Management Areas, Las Cruces, NM

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Emergency closure of trails and establishment of visitor 
restrictions.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective immediately, the Las 
Cruces Field Office is implementing the following closure of existing 
vehicle trails to use by any motorized vehicles and equipment, and 
establishing visitor restrictions. The closures and restrictions are 
implemented in order to prevent resource degradation and protect the 
natural resource values of Barr Canyon (also known as Soledad 
property), Dona Ana County, and Nichol's Canyon, Grant County, New 
Mexico. The authority for these emergency closures and restrictions is 
43 CFR 8364.1, Closure and Restriction Orders. The following rules will 
apply to public land users unless authorized by written permit or for 
administrative use.
    1. Public land in T. 23 S., R. 3 E., Section 13, Barr Canyon (also 
known as Soledad property), Dona Ana County NM, totaling 423 acres.
    [sbull] Parking is limited to the designated parking areas only. 
The normal restriction against parking within 300 yards of a manmade 
water source is waived. Parking along the BLM portion of Soledad Canyon 
Road is prohibited.
    [sbull] Vehicle use is limited to the designated roads and parking 
lot. Vehicle speeds shall not exceed 15 miles per hour.
    [sbull] The trail system east of the parking lot is limited to non-
motorized uses only.
    [sbull] The Barr Canyon area (also known as Soledad property) is 
limited to day use only. The entrance gate will be open from 8 a.m. to 
5 p.m. daily.
    [sbull] Campfires, fireworks, and discharge of firearms are 
prohibited.
    [sbull] Pets are allowed, but must be leashed and restrained at all 
times. Livestock must be controlled by bridles, halters, and lead 
ropes.
    2. Public land in T. 19 S., R 19 W., Section 18, Nichol's Canyon, 
Grant County, NM, totaling 360 acres.
    [sbull] Vehicle use is limited to designated roads and trails to 
protect threatened and endangered species habitat, riparian, and other 
wildlife and recreational values, as well as the wilderness values of 
the Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area.
    [sbull] Vehicles will be limited to the main road from the 
northwest to the BLM barn, and to the main road from the south to the 
bench under the cottonwood trees. Vehicles will be prohibited from the 
floodplain of the Gila River.

DATES: This closure is effective on the day that this notice is 
published in the Federal Register, and shall remain in effect until 
rescinded or modified by the authorized officer.

ADDRESSES: BLM, Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, New 
Mexico 88005

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Talent, Recreation/Cultural Team

[[Page 43159]]

Leader at (505) 525-4400 or Mark Hakkila, Natural Resource Specialist, 
at (505) 525-4341.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Violations of these closures and 
restrictions are punishable by fines not to exceed $1,000 and/or 
imprisonment not to exceed 1 year. These actions are taken to prevent 
impacts to soils, native vegetative resources, wildlife habitat, 
cultural resources, and scenic values, and to protect public health and 
safety.
    Copies of this closure order and maps showing the location of the 
routes are available from the Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 Marquess, 
Las Cruces, NM 88005.

    Dated: June 12, 2003.
Amy L. Lueders,
Field Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. 03-18436 Filed 7-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P