[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 76 (Friday, April 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 21151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8384]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-030-1220-NLCS]


Emergency Closure to Unpermitted Collection of Petrified Wood and 
Plant Fossils in the Robledo Mountains on Federal Land, Dona Ana 
County, NM.

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that certain public land located in the 
southern Robledo Mountains, Dona Ana County, New Mexico, is subject to 
an emergency closure to unpermitted collection (free use) of fossilized 
wood and plant fossils. This closure is necessary in order to prevent 
further adverse impacts to paleontological resources in the area while 
the formal conservation status of the region is under determination. 
Closure will remain in effect for 2 years and may be renewed upon the 
completion of the Tri-County Resource Management Plan. Closure signs 
will be posted at main entry points to this area. Maps of the closure 
area, as well as documents associated with environmental review of this 
closure may be obtained at the Las Cruces District Office.

DATES: This closure is effective upon publication in the Federal 
Register, and will remain in effect for two years from April 18, 2008. 
This closure may be renewed upon the completion of the Tri-County 
Resource Management Plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Sanders, Assistant District 
Manager, Multi-Resources, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 
88005, Telephone (575) 525-4393.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The area has been proposed as an Area of 
Critical Environmental Concern and also is under Congressional 
consideration for National Monument status. A management plan to 
address the long-term management of paleontological resources would be 
initiated upon designation. Resource damage has already taken place and 
the potential for additional adverse effects occurring as a result of 
unrestricted collection within this area is substantial and 
significant. The authorities for this closure may be found at 43 CFR 
Subpart 3622, and 43 CFR Subpart 8364. This order applies to all forms 
of collection of fossilized plant and petrified wood materials; all 
unpermitted collection or free use of fossilized plant and petrified 
wood materials in the location identified in this closure order is 
prohibited.
    On all public land, under section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. 1733(a), 43 CFR 8360.0-7, 
and 43 CFR 9262.1, any person who violates any closures or restriction 
on public land as announced in this order may be tried before a United 
States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000.00 or imprisoned for no 
more that 12 months, or both. Such violations may also be subject to 
enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571 (not to exceed 
$100,000.00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months).
    The public land affected by the closure order is located northwest 
of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and west of Interstate-25, in Dona Ana 
County, New Mexico and is described as follows:

New Mexico Principal Meridian

T., 22 S., R. 1 W.,
    Section 24
    Section 25 and
    Portions of Sections 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 26, 35, 36.
T. 22 S., R. 1 E.,
    Portions of Sections 19, 30, 31.

    The area described contains approximately 5,240 acres, more or 
less, of the Robledo Mountain Range. Maps of the land affected by 
this closure, as well as documents associated with environmental 
review of the closure are available in the Las Cruces District 
Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico. The area 
affected by this order will be posted with appropriate signs 
announcing this closure.

    Authority: 43 CFR 3622.3(a), and 43 CFR 8364.1.

Bill Childress,
District Manager, Las Cruces.
 [FR Doc. E8-8384 Filed 4-17-08; 8:45 am]
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