[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75626-75627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32238]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT-020-03-2821-HU-Q157]


Emergency Restriction on Public Lands: Tooele County, UT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Emergency restriction on public land in Tooele County, Utah.

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SUMMARY: The Salt Lake Field Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is 
giving notice it is temporarily restricting a portion of public lands 
from all forms of public use from November 15, 2003, to November 15, 
2005. The restricted area is near Stockton, Tooele County, Utah. The 
affected public lands include:

T. 4 S., R. 4 W., SLM,
    Sec. 18, all public lands in the SW1/4,
    Sec. 19, all public lands in the NW1/4NW1/4;
T. 4 S., R. 5 W.,
    Sec. 13, all public lands east of Highway 36 in the E1/
2SE1/4,
    Sec. 24, all public lands in the NE1/4NE1/4.

[[Page 75627]]

The area closed contains 240 acres, more or less.

    All public use within the above designated area will not be allowed 
during this temporary restriction in order to protect the public health 
and safety, allow for successful rehabilitation activities, 
reestablishment of native vegetation and prevent the spread of noxious 
and invasive weed species. BLM will post signs at all entry points to 
the area. You may obtain maps of the restricted area and information 
from the BLM Salt Lake Field Office.

DATES: This restriction will be in effect from December 31, 2003, until 
November 15, 2005. At the end of this 2 year period, BLM will evaluate 
the level of public health and safety and the success of the 
rehabilitation and determine if the restriction should be continued for 
an additional period of time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Nelson, Realty Specialist at 
2370 S. 2300 W. Salt Lake City, Utah 84119, (801) 977-4355.
    Discussion of the Rules: This restriction to public access and use 
will serve to protect the health and safety of the public from exposure 
to high levels of lead and arsenic present in historic mine tailings 
within the area of the Bauer Fire Q157, a lightning-caused 
wildfire that began on July 25, 2003, and was controlled on July 27, 
2003. The area where the wildfire occurred is within an urban interface 
heavily used for Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) play, target shooting 
activities, and other forms of dispersed recreation. In order to 
protect the public from exposure to hazardous mine tailings recently 
found to occur in the area, prevent the spread of noxious weeds, and 
allow for the successful reestablishment of vegetation on the recently 
burned steep slopes, the area must be temporarily restricted from all 
forms of public use.
    A map depicting the restricted area is available for public 
inspection at the Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office. 
Therefore, we find good cause to make this restriction effective 
immediately, notwithstanding the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553. Under the authority of 43 
CFR 9268.3(d)(1)(I) and 43 CFR 8364.1(a), BLM will enforce the 
following rule on public lands within the restricted area: You must not 
enter the restricted area.
    Exemptions: Persons who are exempt from these rules include: (1) 
Any Federal, State, or local officer or employee in the scope of their 
duties; (2) Members of any organized rescue or fire-fighting force in 
performance of an official duty; and (3) Any person authorized in 
writing by the Bureau of Land Management.
    Penalties: The authorities for this closure are section 303(a) of 
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)) 
and 43 CFR 8360.0-7. Any person who violates this restriction may be 
tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000 
or imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Such violations may 
also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.

    Dated: November 12, 2003.
Glenn A. Carpenter,
Field Office Manager, Salt Lake Field Office.
[FR Doc. 03-32238 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P