[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 144 (Thursday, July 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43712-43713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14937]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-668-05-1220-PM]


Restrictions on Recreational Use of Public Lands

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice, Issuance of Restriction Orders.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management has 
issued orders pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1 that restrict the launching and 
landing of hang gliders and similar aircraft, the discharge of gas- and 
air-powered weapons and simulated weapons, recreational shooting, and 
entry with pets on all or certain public lands in the Santa Rosa and 
San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Riverside County, California, 
to protect resources and enhance visitor safety.

DATES: The hang gliding restriction became effective February 2, 2005. 
Restrictions pertaining to the discharge of gas- and air-propelled 
weapons, recreational shooting, and entry with pets became effective 
March 24, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Palm 
Springs-South Coast Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 690 West 
Garnet Ave., P.O. Box 581260, North Palm Springs, CA 92258-1260.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Foote, Outdoor Recreation Planner, 
telephone 760-251-4800, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Hang Gliding. Launches of hang gliders, 
paragliders, ultralights, and similar aircraft from, and landing on, 
public lands within and adjacent to essential habitat for Peninsular 
Ranges bighorn sheep in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains 
National Monument are prohibited.
    The purpose of the prohibition is to protect the distinct 
vertebrate population segment of bighorn sheep occupying the Peninsular 
Ranges of southern California from potential adverse impacts that may 
result from the launching and landing of hang gliders and similar 
aircraft. This population of bighorn sheep was listed as endangered by 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on March 18, 1998 (63 FR 13134), 
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
    This prohibition includes launches from public lands at the Vista 
Point roadside pullout on California Highway 74, as well as landings on 
public lands at or near the National Monument Visitor Center, also on 
California Highway 74.
    The use of mechanical transport, including hang gliders, is already 
prohibited in wilderness managed by BLM (43 CFR 6302.20(d) and (e); 
6301.5). The prohibition of hang gliders on public lands in wilderness 
within the National Monument is, therefore, applicable throughout the 
Santa Rosa Wilderness, whether inside or outside essential habitat for 
Peninsular Ranges bighorn sheep.
    Launches and landings of hang gliders and similar aircraft are 
prohibited on the following public lands:
    Santa Rosa Mountains--All public lands within the National Monument 
in southeast \1/4\ Township 4 South, Range 4 East; Township 5 South, 
Range 5 East; Township 6 South, Range 5 East; south \1/2\ Township 5 
South, Range 6 East; Township 6 South, Range 6 East outside the Santa 
Rosa Wilderness; west \1/2\ Township 6 South, Range 7 East outside the 
Santa Rosa Wilderness; and Township 7 South, Range 7 East outside the 
Santa Rosa Wilderness, San Bernardino Meridian.
    San Jacinto Mountains--All public lands within the National 
Monument in south \1/2\ Township 3 South, Range 3 East; southwest \1/4\ 
Township 3 South, Range 4 East; west \1/2\ Township 4 South, Range 4 
East; and Township 5 South, Range 4 East, San Bernardino Meridian.
    Discharge of Gas- and Air-powered Weapons. The discharge of gas- 
and air-propelled weapons and simulated weapons, including paintball 
and paintball-like weapons, is prohibited on public lands in the Santa 
Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
    The purpose of the prohibition is to protect cultural, biological, 
and geological resources from defacement and damage resulting from the 
discharge of gas- and air-propelled and simulated weapons. Potential 
adverse impacts include the staining of cultural artifacts, plant 
materials, and exposed rock with paint from paint ball projectiles.
    Recreational Shooting. Recreational shooting, except for hunting, 
but including target shooting, is prohibited on public lands in the 
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
    The purpose of the prohibition is to protect cultural resources 
from damage resulting from their use as targets; protect wildlife from 
disruption of feeding, breeding, and other important behaviors; protect 
wildlife from direct mortality, and temporary or permanent abandonment 
of habitat, especially with regard to the endangered Peninsular Ranges 
bighorn sheep; and enhance visitor safety by minimizing potential for 
accidental shootings.
    Hunting will continue to be permitted in accordance with California 
Department of Fish and Game regulations. Possession of firearms, 
however, is not permitted on Federal and nonfederal lands within the 
Santa Rosa Mountains State Game Refuge in accordance with state 
regulations.
    Entry with Pets. All pets must be restrained by leashes not 
exceeding 10 feet in length while on public lands in the Santa Rosa and 
San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Owners of pets are required to 
collect and properly dispose of their pet's fecal matter. Pets are 
allowed in designated areas only within essential habitat for 
Peninsular Ranges bighorn sheep.
    The purpose of the leash and fecal collection requirements, and 
restriction of pets to designated areas in bighorn sheep habitat is to 
protect wildlife and enhance visitor enjoyment of the National 
Monument. The leash requirement reduces potential for harassment, 
chasing, and predation of wildlife by pets. It also protects visitors 
from unleashed aggressive pets, thereby enhancing visitor safety and 
enjoyment. Collection of a pet's fecal matter enhances visitor 
enjoyment by providing for an aesthetically pleasing setting. Persons 
using dogs to facilitate official search and rescue or law enforcement 
operations are exempt from these restrictions.
    Designated pet areas will be identified through the Santa Rosa and 
San Jacinto Mountains Trails Plan element of the Coachella Valley 
Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Pending completion of the 
Habitat Conservation

[[Page 43713]]

Plan, dogs are prohibited on public lands in the National Monument, 
with exceptions (65 FR 3473-3474, January 21, 2000).
    The discharge of gas- and air-propelled weapons, recreational 
shooting, and entry with pets are prohibited or restricted on the 
following public lands:
    Santa Rosa Mountains--All public lands within the National Monument 
in southeast \1/4\ Township 4 South, Range 4 East; Township 5 South, 
Range 5 East; Township 6 South, Range 5 East; east \1/2\ Township 8 
South, Range 5 East; south \1/2\ Township 5 South, Range 6 East; 
Township 6 South, Range 6 East; Township 7 South, Range 6 East; 
Township 8 South, Range 6 East; west \1/2\ Township 6 South, Range 7 
East; Township 7 South, Range 7 East; Township 8 South, Range 7 East; 
and west \1/2\ Township 8 South, Range 8 East, San Bernardino Meridian.
    San Jacinto Mountains--All public lands within the National 
Monument in south \1/2\ Township 3 South, Range 3 East; southwest 1/4 
Township 3 South, Range 4 East; west \1/2\ Township 4 South, Range 4 
East; and Township 5 South, Range 4 East, San Bernardino Meridian.
    The decision to prohibit hang gliding and similar activities, 
prohibit the discharge of gas- and air-propelled weapons and simulated 
weapons, prohibit recreational shooting, and restrict entry with pets 
was approved by BLM and U.S. Forest Service on February 5, 2004, in the 
Record of Decision for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains 
National Monument Management Plan. The order prohibiting hang gliding 
activities was signed by the Field Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast 
Field Office, on February 2, 2005. The order prohibiting discharges of 
gas- and air-propelled weapons, prohibiting recreational shooting, and 
restricting entry with pets was signed by the Field Manager on March 
24, 2005. Any person who fails to comply with these orders may be 
subject to the penalties provided in 43 CFR 8360.0-7, or the enhanced 
penalties provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.

Gail Acheson,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 05-14937 Filed 7-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P