[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 109 (Monday, June 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 31837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12755]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-100-04-1990-00]


Temporary Travel Restriction Order, Moffat County, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This order limits certain public lands to foot and horse back 
use in the areas surrounding the Union Cellular communications facility 
in Browns Park, Moffat County, Colorado. This order modifies the 
current Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) classification of ``open'' in this 
area. The restriction includes an emergency limitation that prohibits 
the use of any motorized or non-motorized wheeled vehicles within the 
identified area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Maps of the designated area will be available at the Little 
Snake Field Office, 455 Emerson Street, Craig, Colorado.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John E. Husband, Field Manager, Little 
Snake Field Office, 455 Emerson Street, Craig, Colorado 81625; 
Telephone (970) 826-5000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This order is issued under the authority of 
43 CFR 8364.1 and 43 CFR 8341.2(a) as a temporary measure while the 
off-highway vehicle (OHV) management portion of the Little Snake Field 
Office Resource Management Plan is reviewed and modified as needed to 
address public issues, concerns and needs, as well as resource uses, 
development, impacts, and protection.
    This order affects public lands in Moffat County, Colorado thus 
described:

(1) Public Lands within:
    T.9N., R.101W., Sections 18 and 19;
    T.9N., R102W., Sections 13, 14, 23, and 24;
    Approximately: 582 acres of Public Lands

    This restriction order shall be effective May 1, 2004, and shall 
remain in effect until rescinded or modified by the Authorized Officer.
    Current OHV use designation for public land in the area is ``open'' 
and was established in the Little Snake Resource Area Management Plan, 
Record of Decision (ROD) 1989. Increased OHV use in this area and on a 
prominent mesa top overlook have exposed a significant cultural 
resource and a Bureau of Land Management Special Status Species, 
Duchesne Milkvetch (Astragalus duchensensis), Colorado Rare Plant Field 
Guide, Colorado Natural Heritage Program, 1997, to unacceptable 
impacts.
    The modification of the current OHV use designation is necessary to 
adequately protect natural resources and cultural resources on public 
land. This modification is a temporary travel restriction that 
prohibits the use of motorized and non motorized vehicles in the 
designated area. These issues will be thoroughly addressed during Land 
Use Planning for this area to start in 2004.
    The designated area affected by this order will be posted with 
appropriate regulatory signs. Persons who are exempt from the 
restriction contained in this notice include:
    1. Any Federal, State, or local Officers engaged in fire, 
emergency, and law enforcement activities.
    2. Persons or agencies holding a special use permit or right-of-way 
for access to maintain and operate authorized facilities within the 
restricted area, for purposes related to access for maintenance and 
operation of said authorized facilities, and provided such motorized 
use is limited to the routes specifically identified in the special use 
permit or right-of-way.
    3. Grazing permittees holding a valid grazing permit for the 
restricted area will contact the Authorized Officer for emergency 
grazing situations with the exact location of the emergency. The 
Authorized Officer will issue verbal instructions as needed to avoid 
the areas of concern within the designated area. All verbal 
instructions will be followed by the grazing permittee. Sick or injured 
animal(s) and the recovery of the animal(s) will be completed with as 
little resource damage as possible. Further, grazing permittees will 
notify the Authorized Officer, within 10 working days, of such actions 
in a letter describing the location and reason for the action. BLM 
mitigative measures related to the plant community and/or cultural 
resource will be developed to address any damages caused by the 
emergency situation.
    Penalities: Violations of this restriction order are punishable by 
fines as specified in 43 CFR 8360.0-7 not to exceed $1,000 and/or 
imprisonment not to exceed 12 months. Further, the Archaeological 
Resource Protection Act of 1979 and amendments (16 U.S.C. 470) at 470ee 
and 470ff provide for prohibited acts, Criminal and Civil penalties, 
respectively.

    Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1 and 43 CFR 8341.2(a).

    Dated: April 16, 2004.
John E. Husband,
Field Manager, Little Snake Field Office.
[FR Doc. 04-12755 Filed 6-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P