[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 7070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2420]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-330-1220-MA]


Notice of Temporary Restriction Order

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM), Arcata Field Office will establish temporary restrictions 
pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR 8341.2 and 8364.1, 
to implement interim management guidelines for certain BLM-administered 
public lands hereafter referred to as ``Lost Coast Headlands,'' located 
in Township 2 North, Range 3 West, portions of Sections 13 and 24, 
Humboldt County, California. Lost Coast Headlands consists of 
approximately 400 acres and is located along the coastal bluffs 
approximately 6 miles southwest of Ferndale, CA. These restrictions are 
needed on a temporary basis until a Resource Management Plan (RMP) 
Amendment, which will be initiated in 2007, is completed for the area. 
The area is now open to dispersed recreation with an emphasis on 
accommodating pedestrian and equestrian access to the coastline. The 
temporary restrictions are as follows:
    The area will be open to day use, from one hour before sunrise to 
one hour after sunset; overnight camping, campfires, firearms use, and 
archery use will not be allowed; and motorized vehicle use off 
maintained roads and parking areas will not be allowed.
    Employees, agents, and permitees of the BLM may be exempt from 
these restrictions for administrative and emergency purposes only.
    Penalties include a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment 
not to exceed 12 months, and violators may be subject to the enhanced 
penalties under 18 U.S.C. 3571 and 18 U.S.C. 3581.
    These restrictions are necessary to (1) Protect aquatic and 
terrestrial species from the effects of unregulated impacts, (2) ensure 
public safety, (3) reduce the potential for wildfires in this wildland 
urban interface, and (4) minimize inadvertent trespass onto adjoining 
private property. They will remain in effect until the RMP Amendment, 
with full public participation, is completed.

DATES: These temporary restrictions will be effective on March 16, 2007 
and once they are posted at the designated site location and the BLM 
Arcata Field Office.

ADDRESSES: Maps and supporting documentation are available for review 
at the following location: Bureau of Land Management, Arcata Field 
Office, 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA, 95521.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynda J. Roush, BLM, Arcata Field 
Manager, 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521. Ms. Roush may also be 
contacted by telephone: (707) 825-2300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM recently acquired two parcels, 
totaling approximately 400 acres, thanks to the cooperative effort and 
funding by the California Coastal Conservancy and The Conservation Fund 
as a third party cooperator. The parcels cover approximately 3 miles of 
rugged coastal bluffs and include 2 small beach areas at the mouths of 
Guthrie Creek and Fleener Creek. Located at the south end of the area 
is a small parking area and hiking/equestrian trail that provides 
access to the beach. At the north end of the area, another parking area 
exists with a beach access trail to be constructed during the summer of 
2006.
    A considerable amount of public scoping occurred during the 
acquisition process. During the scoping, adjoining residents and 
ranchers and other members of the public expressed concerns regarding 
trespassing onto private property, safety of the public and adjacent 
residents related to firearms use, and the increased fire danger that 
would occur from overnight camping and associated campfires. The BLM 
assured these neighboring owners that their concerns would be addressed 
in a comprehensive plan for the area that incorporated full public 
involvement.
    The BLM will limit use of the Lost Coast Headlands to daytime 
access, that is, beginning one hour before sunrise and ending one hour 
after sunset. Motorized vehicles will be limited to use along the 
county road and designated parking areas. These two temporary 
restrictions will provide interim protection for a threatened species, 
the Northern California Steelhead, and its aquatic habitat and 
associated riparian vegetation. By taking this interim action, the BLM 
contributes to the conservation of a threatened species in accordance 
with Section 7(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 
1536(a)(1). The camping and campfire restriction will also reduce the 
potential for wildfires, which could otherwise occur in this area of 
flashy fuels (dry grass). The temporary firearms and archery use 
restrictions are needed to prevent accidents and ensure public safety 
in this relatively small public land area, due to the proximity of 
these lands to residences and cattle pastures. Inadvertent trespass 
onto adjoining private lands will be reduced.
    These temporary restrictions will be posted in the BLM Arcata Field 
Office and at places near and/or within the affected public lands.

    Dated: December 18, 2006.
Donald Holmstrom,
Assistant Arcata Field Manager.
 [FR Doc. E7-2420 Filed 2-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P