[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 109 (Monday, June 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 31838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12752]



[[Page 31838]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-070-04-1232-EA]


Temporary Closure and Restrictions on Use of Public Lands--
Recreation Special Events: New Mexico, Farmington Field Office

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The BLM, Farmington Field Office, announces the temporary 
closure of selected public lands under its administration in San Juan 
County. This action is taken to provide for public and participant 
safety and to protect adjacent natural and cultural resources during 
the conduct of permitted special recreation events.
    The State Director, New Mexico State Office, announces the 
temporary closure of selected public lands under the BLM 
administration. This action is taken to provide for public and 
participant safety and to protect adjacent natural and cultural 
resources during the conduct of permitted special recreation events.

DATES: This order will become effective on June 7, 2004 and shall be in 
effect continuously for the next 2 years. At that time, this closure 
order shall be reviewed and a determination shall be made whether to 
reinstate, amend, modify, or change the order by similar notification. 
This closure order may be rescinded at anytime if in the judgment of 
the authorized officer it is not effective or not needed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Simmons, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, Farmington Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 1235 La 
Plata Hwy, Suite A, Farmington, New Mexico 87410, telephone number 
(505) 599-6345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice applies to closures on and 
adjacent to permitted special events including but not limited to: 
motorized off-highway-vehicle (OHV) events, mountain-bike races, and 
horse-endurance competitive event sites and routes. Competitive events 
are conducted along dirt roads, trails, washes, and areas approved for 
such use through the Special Recreation Permit application process. 
Events occur throughout the year. Closure period is from 6 a.m. event 
day until the event finishes, or until the event has cleared between 
affected check point locations; approximately 2 to 48-hour periods. The 
general public will be advised of each event and closure specifics via 
local newspapers and radio ads within seven (7) to thirty (30) days 
prior to the running of an event. Event maps and information will be 
posted at the Farmington Field Office.
    Locations most commonly used for permitted events include, but are 
not limited to:

1. Glade Recreation Area--San Juan Co.: T. 30-31 N., R. 12-13 W.
2. Alien Run Mountain Bike Trail--San Juan Co.: T. 31 N., R. 10 W.
3. The Rock Garden--San Juan Co.: T. 30-31 N., R. 9 W.
4. Pinon Mesa--San Juan Co.: T. 30 N., R. 13-14 W.
5. Navajo Lake Horse Trails--San Juan Co.: T. 30 N., R. 7-8 W.
6. The Dunes OHV Area--San Juan Co.: T. 29 N., R. 13 W.
7. Head Canyon Motocross Track--San Juan Co.: T. 30 N., R. 13 W.
8. Simon Canyon--San Juan Co.: T. 30-31 N., R. 8 W.
9. Angel Peak Recreation Area--San Juan Co.: T. 26-27 N., R. 10 W.

    Marking and effect of closure: The BLM lands to be temporarily 
closed to public use include the width and length of those roads, 
trails, and routes identified as the route for the permitted event, 
identified by colored flagging, chalk arrows in the dirt, traffic 
cones, temporary barricades, and/or directional arrows attached to 
wooden stakes; vehicle closures for the public in vendor areas and 
spectator viewing areas, identified with colored ribbon and signs; 
camping closures, except in such areas designated for camping by the 
BLM, identified with signs and colored ribbon and/or barricades, gates, 
cones, and fences; vehicle speeds restricted within the closure area, 
identified with speed limit signs; alcoholic beverage closure, 
identified with signs at entrances to the event. The authorized 
applicants or their representatives are required to post warning signs, 
control access to, and clearly mark the event routes and area during 
closure periods.
    Public uses generally affected by a Temporary Closure include: road 
and trail uses, camping, picnicking, alcoholic beverage consumption, 
parking, cross-country travel, and public-land exploration. Spectator 
and support vehicles may be driven in designated areas and routes only. 
Spectators may observe the races from specified locations as directed 
by event and agency officials.
    This closure is an intermittent closure of event sites. Closures 
would only last for the period of the event. Most would only last one 
day, the maximum closure would last two days.
    You may obtain a map and schedule of each closure area at the 
contact address.
    Exceptions: Closure restrictions do not apply to permittees, their 
employees, competitors, medical/rescue, law enforcement, oil and gas 
industry employees doing day-to-day necessary service, and BLM 
personnel monitoring the event.
    Penalty: Any person failing to comply with the closure orders may 
be subject to imprisonment for not more than 12 months, or a fine in 
accordance with the applicable provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3571, or both.

    Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1 and 43 CFR part 2930.

    Dated: March 31, 2004.
Linda S.C. Rundell,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 04-12752 Filed 6-4-04; 8:45 am]
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