[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 18 (Friday, January 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 4142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1603]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-070-05-1220-AL]


Notice to Rescind Seasonal Area Closure of Public Lands Along 
Hauser Lake, MT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to rescind the annual October 15 
to December 31 closure of all public lands lying in the 2.5 mile 
stretch from Canyon Ferry Dam downstream to Brown's Gulch Road and 
between the east shore of Hauser Lake and Johnny's Gulch Road. The 
public lands affected by this notice are all lands administered by the 
Bureau of Land Management in Sections 5 and 6, T. 10 N., R.1 W., and 
Section 32, T. 11N., R. 1 W. Principle Meridian, Montana. The closure 
area that we are rescinding totals 769 acres.

DATES: This Notice will take affect upon publication in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this rescindment and a map are available from the 
Butte Field Office, 106 N. Parkmont, Butte, Montana 59701.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Hartmann, Assistant Field 
Manager, Butte Field Office at (406) 533-7600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Kokanee Salmon were introduced into Hauser 
Reservoir in the 1970's to provide a fishery for local anglers. The 
salmon population thrived and bald eagles migrating from Canada to 
their wintering grounds in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming began to 
congregate around Hauser Reservoir to feed on spawning salmon. When the 
numbers of eagles began to steadily increase, the Bureau of 
Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and Montana 
Fish, Wildlife and Parks closed the area to public access to protect 
bald eagles from human disturbance.
    From 1991 to 1996, 100-300 migrating eagles were identified 
congregating at Hauser Reservoir. By 1997, however, the number of bald 
eagles had dropped to fewer than 65, the lowest number of bald eagles 
counted over the seven year period. Declining angler success, reduced 
captures in Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks gill nets, and extremely 
low carcass counts from 1995-1997 showed a decline in the Kokanee 
salmon population. Migrating bald eagles responded to the reduction in 
food supply. By 2000, fewer than 20 bald eagles were identified at 
Hauser Reservoir and the closure is no longer necessary.

    Dated: December 1, 2004.
Richard M. Hotaling,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 05-1603 Filed 1-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P