[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 40398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13787]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY-070-1232-DA]


Notice of Temporary Closure of Public Lands to Motorized Vehicle 
Use

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of temporary closure of certain public lands to all 
types of motor vehicle use in Sheridan County, Wyoming.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subpart 8364, 
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its intentions to 
temporarily close certain BLM-administered public lands to all types of 
motor vehicle use during the period of time the Buffalo Field Office 
develops, completes, and approves a management plan for recently 
acquired lands. These lands are hereafter referred to as ``Welch 
Management Area.'' This temporary closure is needed to protect public 
lands and resources from the effects of unauthorized use and motorized 
vehicle use of existing roads and two-track trails that were present 
when the land was transferred to the United States Government.

DATES: This temporary closure will be effective the date this notice is 
published in the Federal Register and will continue to either December 
31, 2006, or when a management plan for the Welch Management Area is 
completed and approved, whichever comes first.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Hanson, Buffalo Field Manager, 
or Jim Sparks, Assistant Field Manager, Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort 
Street, Buffalo, Wyoming 82834. Mr. Hanson and Mr. Sparks may also be 
contacted by telephone: (307) 684-1100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM-administered public lands affected 
by this closure include approximately 1,745 acres, more or less, in 
Sheridan County, Wyoming. These lands are:

    T. 57 N., R. 84 W., 6th PM, Wyoming section 1, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, 
SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\; section 2, lots 2, 3, 
S\1/2\N\1/2\, S\1/2\; section 3, lots 3, 4, S\1/2\N\1/2\, N\1/2\S\1/
2\, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\; section 4, lots 1 through 4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, 
SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\.

    This area was known as ``the Welch lands'' and is further described 
in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Pittsburg and 
Midway Coal Mining Company Coal Exchange Proposal; (July 2003) and it's 
Record of Decision (November 2004). In exchange for Federal coal and 
other lands, the Welch lands were transferred to the United States 
Government from private ownership. Prior to the completion of the 
transfer, the area was subject to limited and controlled motorized 
vehicle use. The existing roads were neither constructed nor designed 
for unlimited vehicular traffic in all types of weather conditions.
    Excessive use of the roads by motorized vehicles during wet weather 
conditions would be detrimental to the area and its associated natural 
resources. Soils in the area are highly erodible. Any motorized 
vehicular travel during certain conditions could greatly increase soil 
erosion and potentially increase sedimentation into the Tongue River, 
especially when off-road vehicles are used as the means of transport.
    The BLM is in the process of developing a management plan for the 
area hereafter referred to as the Welch Management Area. The use of 
these lands; including use by motorized vehicles, will be addressed in 
the plan. During development of the management plan, the public will be 
invited to participate in its formation through their provision of 
comments and resource information.
    Upon completion of the management plan, actions addressed in the 
plan will be implemented and the temporary closure will no longer be 
necessary. Maps of the planning area and information on land-use 
planning progress may be obtained from the Buffalo Field Office.
    Main entry points to the area will be signed and posted as closed 
to travel by all types of motorized vehicles used by the public (i.e. 
any motorized vehicle including cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, 
motorcycles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, etc.).
    Information as to when the area would no longer be closed to 
motorized vehicular travel would be posted at the Buffalo Field Office. 
In addition, the BLM plans to announce the lifting of the closure 
through the media including but not limited to, announcement in local 
newspapers.
    Temporary closure orders may be implemented as provided in 43 CFR, 
subparts 8341.2 and 8364.1. Violations of this closure are punishable 
by a fine not to exceed $1,000, and/or imprisonment; not to exceed 12 
months.
    Persons who are administratively exempt from this closure include: 
Any Federal, State or local officer or employee acting within the scope 
of their duties, members of any organized rescue or fire-fighting force 
in performance of an official duty, and any person holding written 
authorization from the Bureau of Land Management.

    Dated: March 25, 2005.
Robert A. Bennett,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 05-13787 Filed 7-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P