[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 46541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15813]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT-110-05-1220-PM]


Notice of Travel Restriction and Seasonal Closure to OHVs

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior

ACTION: Notice of off-highway vehicle (OHV) travel restriction and 
seasonal closure to motorized use in the Hog Canyon and Trail Canyon 
areas, Bureau of Land Management, Kanab Field Office, Utah

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective immediately, the Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM), Kanab Field Office, is restricting OHV travel 
on 7,924 acres of public lands near Kanab, Utah. The public lands 
affected by this restriction are located in portions of T. 43 S., R. 5 
W.; T. 43 S., R. 6 W.; and T. 43 S., R. 7 W., Salt Lake Meridian. The 
purpose of the restriction and seasonal closure is to protect soil, 
vegetation, wildlife, cultural, and riparian area resources that have 
been adversely impacted or are at risk of being adversely impacted by 
OHV use. This restriction and seasonal closure will remain in effect 
until the considerable adverse effects giving rise to the restriction 
and seasonal closure are eliminated and measures are implemented to 
prevent recurrence of these adverse effects.

DATES: This notice is effective immediately and shall remain in effect 
until the adverse effects have been eliminated and measures implemented 
to prevent recurrence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Christensen, Outdoor Recreation 
Planner, BLM Kanab Field Office, 318 North 100 East, Kanab, Utah 84741; 
Phone (435) 644-4600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1981, the Vermilion Management Framework 
Plan (MFP) designated the majority of public lands managed by the BLM 
Kanab Field Office as ``open'' to off-road vehicle (i.e., off-highway 
vehicle) use. Since that time, improvements to OHV and all-terrain 
vehicle design, capability, affordability and popularity have led to 
more numerous and widespread presence of these motorized vehicles. Hog 
Canyon and Trail Canyon are in the immediate vicinity of Kanab, Utah. 
Their proximity to town and highly scenic values have led to increasing 
OHV use in these areas. This increased use is creating adverse impacts 
to riparian, soil, vegetation, wildlife, and cultural resources. These 
impacts are occurring on existing routes as well as on a proliferating 
network of new, user-created routes. Additionally, the recent discovery 
of an active raptor nest in the cliffs of Pugh Canyon, bordering Hog 
Canyon to the southeast, has led to concern over human impacts to this 
nesting pair.

New Travel Restriction and Seasonal Closure for Hog Canyon and Trail 
Canyon

    OHV cross-country travel in this area is prohibited in Hog Canyon 
and Trail Canyon. Trail Canyon will be closed to OHV use. Travel by all 
motorized vehicles in Hog Canyon will be limited to specific identified 
routes (a map showing these routes is available in the BLM Kanab Field 
Office). Both canyons are public lands administered by the BLM's Kanab 
Field Office and are located in Kane County, Utah, north of the town of 
Kanab. This area includes approximately 30.9 miles of routes and 7,924 
acres of public lands in portions of T. 43 S., R. 5 W.; T. 43 S., R. 6 
W.; and T. 43 S., R. 7 W., Salt Lake Meridian.
    An area on the north side of Pugh Canyon is now closed annually to 
motorized use between February 1 and August 31, to protect the 
fecundity of a breeding pair of raptors. To clarify recreation 
opportunities available in the area, the BLM will provide maps 
identifying routes upon which motorized travel is allowed and the 
location of the seasonal closure. The intent of this restriction is to 
protect natural and cultural resources from the adverse effects of OHV 
use.

Implementation

    A map showing both Trail Canyon and the specific identified routes 
where OHV use is allowed in Hog Canyon as well as the location of the 
Hog Canyon seasonal closure area is available for public review at the 
BLM Kanab Field Office. The routes and closure area are also shown on a 
map on the BLM Kanab Field Office's Web site at http://www.ut.blm.gov/kanab_fo. The BLM will also provide public land users with a specific 
map of the identified routes within the Hog Canyon area on this Web 
site. Signs and maps will be posted at kiosks near major entry areas.

    Authority: This restriction and seasonal closure notice is 
issued under the authority of 43 CFR 8341.2.

    Violations of this restriction and seasonal closure are punishable 
by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
    Persons who are administratively exempt from the restriction and 
seasonal closure contained in this notice 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 the 
performance of an official duty, and any person holding written 
authorization from the BLM.

    Dated: July 8, 2005.
Rex Smart,
Field Manager, Kanab Field Office.
[FR Doc. 05-15813 Filed 8-9-05; 8:45 am]
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