[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10058-10059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4758]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-160-1640-HO]


Notice of Emergency Closure in California

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

ACTION: Order.

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SUMMARY: This Emergency Order temporarily closes to public access BLM 
managed land to public access at the Riconda Mine Site in San Luis 
Obispo County, California, in coordination with emergency removal 
actions initiated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA).

DATES: This closure will become effective on March 3, 2004. The closure 
will end upon the termination of EPA

[[Page 10059]]

actions and removal of EPA equipment, facilities, and personnel at the 
Rinconada Mine area.

ADDRESSES: Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field 
Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Varvel, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Bakersfield Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 3801 
Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308, telephone 661-391-6138.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following land is hereby ordered closed 
to public access: All of the BLM managed land on or immediately 
adjacent to the Rinconada Mine and located within Township 30 South, 
Range 14 East, Mount Diablo Meridian, Sections 21 and 28. The mine is 
located on West Pozo Road, in San Luis Obispo County, 11 miles 
southeast of Santa Margarita, California. This closure order is 
established under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1. Violation of the 
closure may result in prosecution under 43 CFR 8360.0-7 and is 
punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to 
exceed 12 months.
    The EPA will shortly begin characterization and removal of 
environmental contaminants at the Rinconada Mine. This is expected to 
include soils and abandoned equipment contaminated by mercury. This 
closure will protect the public from exposure to environmental 
contaminants at the abandoned mine and protect public property and 
employees.
    This closure order applies to all persons except public employees 
acting within the scope of their duties and contractors or individuals 
present to further the objectives of this emergency action. This 
closure does not apply to emergency service personnel, law enforcement 
officers, or other public officials acting in the performance of their 
duties.

    Dated: January 20, 2004.
J. Anthony Danna,
Deputy State Director, Natural Resources (CA-930), California State 
Office.
[FR Doc. 04-4758 Filed 3-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P