[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 77410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22062]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ID-102-2822-JS-C3MG, DBG-07-1001]


Notice of Two-Year, Temporary Emergency Closure to motorized 
vehicle use on the Cherry and Frenchie Fires in Gem, Payette, and 
Washington Counties, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: 43 CFR Subpart 8364--Closure and Restrictions, 8364.1 (a) 
states: ``To protect persons, property, and public lands and resources, 
the authorized officer may issue an order to close or restrict use of 
designated public lands.'' In coordination with several livestock 
grazing permittees and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, all BLM-
administered roads within the Cherry and Frenchie Fires of 2006 will be 
closed to all motorized vehicle travel (e.g., all-terrain vehicles, 
pickup trucks, motorcycles, sport utility vehicles, snowmobiles, etc.), 
including existing roads and two-tracks within the perimeter. This 
action is necessary for the protection of watershed resources and 
highly erosive soils to allow adequate time to allow for the 
rehabilitation of the burned area. No motorized vehicle travel into 
these areas will be allowed, including motorized travel for purposes of 
retrieval of big game, unless specifically authorized (in writing) by 
the authorized officer (BLM Four Rivers Field Office Manager).
    The following acts are exempt from this action: (1) Access within 
the area by other means (e.g., foot or horseback); (2) persons with a 
BLM permit or contract specifically authorizing motor vehicle use; (3) 
owners or lessees of land in the closed area with written 
authorization; (4) any BLM employee or livestock grazing permittee 
providing maintenance to a structure or facility; and (5) any Federal, 
State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire 
fighting force in the performance of an official duty. Extension of the 
closure order may occur if it is determined that the rehabilitation of 
the burned area has not been successful. Once rehabilitation of the 
burned area is determined to be successful, motorized vehicle access 
will resume in accordance with the 1988 Cascade Resource Management 
Plan (RMP) Record of Decision (ROD), opening the area to off-road 
vehicle use, providing no resource damage occurs. Roads and fire lines 
will be appropriately signed to inform the public of the closure. This 
closure will affect the following areas:

Cherry Fire--29,342 Acres

Township 11N, Range 01E, section 35
Township 10N, Range 01E, sections 01-05, 07-11, 14-23, 27-34
Township 10N, Range 01W, section 36
Township 09N, Range 01E, sections 03-11, 14-22, 27-34
Township 09N, Range 01W, sections 01, 12-14, 21-29, 32-36
Township 08N, Range 01E, sections 03-10, 16-21, 28-32
Township 08N, Range 01W, sections 01-05, 08-29, 34-36

Frenchie Fire--6,547 Acres

Township 11N, Range 01W, sections 14, 15, 22, 23, 26-28, 31-35
Township 10N, Range 01W, sections 02-11, 14-16
Township 10N, Range 02W, section 01


DATES: This emergency closure will be effective immediately and will 
remain in effect until September 12, 2008. Following the 2-year closure 
period, road closures after September 12, 2008, will be revisited and 
decided upon by the authorized officer at that time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Robbins, Rangeland Management 
Specialist/Wild Horse and Burro Specialist (208 384-3348), or Mike 
Barnum, Rangeland Management Specialist (208 384-3218), Bureau of Land 
Management, 3948 Development Ave., Boise, ID 83705.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Four Rivers Field Office is 
responsible for management of public lands within Ada, Adams, Boise, 
Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties. 
The management of these lands is addressed in the Cascade RMP ROD, 
which was signed in 1988. The Cherry Fire started on August 10, 2006, 
and burned 54,350 acres, of which 29,342 acres are public lands. It was 
declared contained on August 16, 2006. The Frenchie Fire started on 
August 21, 2006, and burned 10,610 acres, of which 6,547 acres are 
public lands. The Frenchie Fire was contained on August 23, 2006. This 
Emergency Closure is necessary to protect the watershed and allow 
adequate time for the rehabilitation of the burned area within the 
Cherry and Frenchie Fires.
    Authority for this restriction order is contained in CFR Title 43, 
Subpart 8341.2 and complies with CFR Title 43, Subpart 8364.1 Closure 
and Restriction Orders. In accordance with CFR Title 43, Subpart 
8360.0-7, and is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or 
imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
    Maps of this emergency closure area will be available at the Boise 
District Office, 3948 Development Ave., Boise, ID 83705.

Rosemary Thomas,
Field Office Manager, Four Rivers Field Office.
 [FR Doc. E6-22062 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P