[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4973-4974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2055]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY-090-1220-MA]


Notice of Seasonal Closure of Public Lands to Motorized Vehicle 
Use

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of seasonal closure of certain public lands located in 
Lincoln County, Wyoming, to all types of motor vehicle use.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations subpart 8364, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) may issue an order to close the use of 
BLM administered lands to the public to protect those lands and 
resources. The Kemmerer Resource Management Plan (RMP) Record of 
Decision (ROD), April 29, 1986, states that big game winter ranges may 
be closed to minimize stress to wintering animals.
    After consulting with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department the BLM 
Kemmerer Field Manager has decided to close certain BLM-administered 
lands and travel ways including existing roads and two-track trails, to 
all types of motorized vehicle travel (i.e., snowmobiles, all-terrain 
vehicles, any vehicle including trucks, sport utility vehicles and 
cars, motorcycles etc.). Winter range as identified in the Kemmerer RMP 
and as described below in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section will be 
closed from January 1, 2004, through April 30, 2004.
    This seasonal closure affects public lands located within the 
Raymond Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA), Slate Creek, Rock Creek, 
and Bridger Creek winter ranges. This action is necessary for the 
protection of crucial winter range habitat for elk, moose, antelope, 
and mule deer. Except for travel on highways or county roads, motorized 
vehicle travel within these areas will be allowed only by written 
authorization from the Kemmerer Field Manager. When performing official 
duties personnel of the BLM, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture-APHIS & Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife 
Service, and Lincoln and Uinta County Sheriff Offices are exempt from 
this closure.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Kemmerer Field Office is responsible 
for management of crucial winter range habitat located on public lands 
within Lincoln County. The Kemmerer RMP identifies areas of crucial 
winter range and the ROD states that seasonal closures for motorized 
vehicles may be used to protect big game winter range. Closures will 
vary depending on conditions and are to be implemented in coordination 
with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Kemmerer RMP, pages 25 and 
27). The Raymond Mountain WSA, Slate Creek, Rock Creek, and Bridger 
Creek areas are crucial wintering ranges for elk, moose, antelope, and 
mule deer. Because of the effects of 4 years of exceptional drought and 
the health of wintering deer, moose and elk, the BLM has decided to 
implement a seasonal closure to protect the winter range from further 
degradation. Low forage production associated with the drought has 
caused animals to go into winter in very poor

[[Page 4974]]

condition. Additionally, forage production on winter ranges has also 
been reduced. These impacts to wintering wildlife are currently 
compounded by significant human activity, such as day and night 
wildlife observation, still and video photography, snowmobiling, and 
antler gathering. Because of the increased stress that the presence of 
motorized vehicles inflict on wintering big game during difficult 
winter periods, the number of animals that will die on the winter range 
can increase. This would also decrease production of young during the 
following summer. Therefore, by closing crucial winter range to 
motorized vehicles impacts to wintering big game would be reduced.
    By this order the following BLM-administered lands are included in 
this closure:
     The Raymond Mountain WSA is located 
approximately 15 miles north of Cokeville and contains 32,956 acres.
     The Slate Creek area includes all BLM-
administered lands south of Fontenelle Creek, west and north of Route 
189, and east of the crest of Slate Creek Ridge, and contains 111,100 
acres.
     The Rock Creek area includes all BLM-
administered lands south of County Road 204 (Pine Creek Road), west of 
the crest of Dempsey Ridge, west of Fossil Butte National Monument, 
north and east of Highway 30, and contains 105,750 acres.
     The Bridger Creek area includes all BLM-
administered lands south of Highway 30, west of Fossil Ridge, west of 
Bear River Divide, north of the Uinta-Lincoln County line, east of the 
Utah-Wyoming border, and southeast of Highway 89, and contains 98,400 
acres.
    Maps of these seasonal closure areas will be posted with this 
notice at key locations that provide access into the closure areas, as 
well as at the Kemmerer Field Office, 312 Highway 189 North, Kemmerer, 
Wyoming 83101-9710.
    In addition to the exemption of authorized personnel performing 
official duty, under this closure the following may continue:
     Maintenance and pumping of existing oil and gas 
facilities by oil and gas leaseholders and their associated authorized 
operators as approved,
     Conduct of livestock operations by holders of 
grazing permits as approved, and
     Use of these areas by non-motorized means such 
as by foot or horseback.
    After April 30, 2004, motorized vehicle use will be limited to 
existing roads and two-track trails.
    Authority for closure orders is provided in regulation 43 CFR, 
subparts 8341.2 and 8364.1. Violations of this closure are punishable 
by a fine not to exceed $1000, and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 
months.

DATES: This seasonal closure will be effective from January 1, 2004, 
through April 30, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wally Mierzejewski, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner or Jim Wright, Wildlife Biologist, Bureau of Land Management, 
312 Highway 189 North, Kemmerer, Wyoming 83101, or contact by telephone 
at 307-828-4500.

    Dated: December 4, 2003.
Alan L. Kesterke,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 04-2055 Filed 1-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P