[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 33068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13321]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA 180-1150 JP]


Notice of Emergency Closure of Public Lands in El Dorado County, 
CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that certain access roads and certain 
areas are temporarily closed to all public uses that could result in 
igniting a wildfire and/or damaging or destroying Federally-listed 
threatened or endangered plant species. Prohibited activities include, 
but are not limited to the operation of motorized vehicles or other 
internal combustion engines, camping, campfires, smoking and fireworks 
from March 24, 2004, to March 24, 2005. Non-motorized entry during 
daylight hours will be allowed.
    The closed area is portions of the Cameron Park unit of the Pine 
Hill Preserve, (T10N, R9E, section 34; and T9N, R9E, sections 2 and 3; 
Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian). Entry will be restricted during 
this emergency closure to protect persons, property, public lands and 
resources.
    Closure signs will be posted at main entry points to this area.

DATES: The closure will be in effect between March 24, 2004, and March 
24, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Maps of the closure area may be obtained from the Folsom 
Field Office, 63 Natoma Street, Folsom, California 95630. Phone: (916) 
985-4474.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deane Swickard, Folsom Field Office 
Manager, 63 Natoma Street, Folsom, California 95630, telephone (916) 
985-4474.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the authority of 43 CFR 
9268.3(d)(1)(1), 43 CFR 8364.1(a) and 43 CFR 8341.2, the Bureau of Land 
Management will enforce the following rules within the closed area: No 
operation of motor vehicles or other internal combustion engines, no 
camping, no smoking, and no ignition of any fire, including campfires 
or fireworks will be allowed in the closed area. Non-motorized entry 
during daylight hours will be allowed. Official vehicles, including 
fire or law enforcement, are exempt from the emergency order.
    The authority for this closure is found under section 303(a) of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 CFR 8360.0-7). Any 
person who violates this closure may be tried before a United States 
Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more that 
12 months, or both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced 
fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 8571.
    The risk to lives and property in the event of wildfire at the 
Cameron Park Unit of the Pine Hill Preserve is extreme and justifies 
emergency action. Fuels are mostly old chaparral, with large amounts of 
standing dead material. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees 
Fahrenheit, and relative humidities are consistently low during fire 
season. Two apparently man-caused fires occurred in the Cameron Park 
Unit of the Preserve during the summer of 2003. Approximately 110 
residences ring the perimeter of the Preserve, as well as several 
businesses and a courthouse. Within 1500 feet of the Preserve are 890 
homes, 125 businesses and 40 medical offices. Home values average 
$550,000.
    Four plant species that are listed as threatened or endangered 
under the Endangered Species Act occur at the Cameron Park Unit of the 
Pine Hill Preserve. Listed as endangered species are Stebbins' morning 
glory, (Calystegia stebbinsii); El Dorado bedstraw, (Galium 
californicum sierrae); and Roderick's ceanothus, (Ceanothus 
roderickii). Listed as threatened is Layne's butterweed, (Senecio 
layneae). Although two of these species have been shown to respond 
favorably to fires under certain conditions, a fire that occurs under 
the wrong conditions, or repeated fires, may negatively impact those 
species. The effects of fire on the other two species is not known. To 
conserve these species, unplanned man-caused ignitions must be 
prevented. The use of motor vehicles, especially non-street legal off-
road vehicles, has damaged and killed plants of these listed species at 
the Cameron Park Unit.
    An interagency management plan is being written for the Pine Hill 
Preserve that will address the issues addressed in this closure. The 
closure is an interim measure to address these issues until the plan is 
completed.

    Dated: May 3, 2004.
D.K. Swickard,
Folsom Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. 04-13321 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P