[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27844-27845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10814]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ-200-07-5320-PH-1000-241A]


Notice of Temporary Route Closure, Sonoran Desert National 
Monument, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) intends to temporarily close 88 miles of un-maintained, dirt-
surfaced vehicle routes in the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM), 
and one mile on the adjacent public lands managed by the Lower Sonoran 
Field Office to all travel by motor vehicles. A map of this closure 
area, documentation of categorical exclusion of this action from 
further review under provisions of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA), and the administrative decision can be viewed online at 
http://www.blm.gov/az/sonoran/sondes_main.htm.

DATES: The closure will be in effect beginning thirty (30) calendar 
days from publication of this notice and will remain in effect until 
off-highway-vehicle (OHV) damage to the natural and cultural resources 
of SDNM has been restored to the extent possible and when adequate 
measures have been implemented to prevent recurrence of such damage. A 
staged re-opening of the vehicle routes is expected to begin with in 
two to three years from the time that the temporary route closure goes 
into effect, depending on the availability of resources to complete the 
restoration and management actions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manager, Sonoran Desert National 
Monument, Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix District, 21065 North 7th 
Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027; 623-580-5500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since its establishment, certain parts of 
SDNM have experienced increased visitation from growing adjacent 
communities, which in turn has increased the public awareness and 
popularity of these areas for OHV use. Motorized vehicle use off-road 
has led to visible and persistent damage to the soils and vegetation of 
lands adjacent to primary access routes, to degradation of the natural 
and cultural resource objects for which the monument was designated--
including a portion of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic 
Trail--and to degradation of the scenic values of the monument. The 
temporary route closure will prevent further damage to the natural 
resources of SDNM by unauthorized and illegal OHV use. The BLM is 
currently in the process of developing a management plan for restoring 
damaged areas and managing future use of this area. Development of the 
plan will include public involvement and will be completed in summer 
2008. The restoration and management plan could identify specific 
actions to include visitor entry/information points, site, road, and 
information signing, camping and staging site delineation, and road 
repair. During the period of closure, primary access routes will be 
restored and adjacent areas of OHV damage--including vehicle tracks, 
barren cores areas, and other areas of human disturbance--will be 
reclaimed to the extent possible by hand raking, vertical mulching, 
harrowing, and seeding (native plants only). Further, the temporary 
closure of these routes will assure that the reclamation work will not 
be damaged or outpaced by ongoing improper OHV use and will provide for 
the health and safety of BLM staff and volunteers engaged in this work 
by reducing exposure to the high volumes of dust generated by the 
passage of vehicles. In evaluating when to re-open areas or routes 
within the temporary closure area, we will consider the following 
factors: (a) Physical rehabilitation of the damaged areas is 
substantially completed (rehabilitation is the physical obliteration of 
vehicle damage, and includes vertical mulching, such that vehicle 
tracks are not visible to be driven on and the area is prepared for 
natural re-vegetation. Physical rehabilitation does not include 
vegetation restoration and recovery, which will occur over a much 
longer time period); (b) The major components of the management plan 
for that area or route have been implemented to effect a change in user 
behavior and ensure the resource damage does not re-occur; (c) The 
practicality of re-opening an area or route(s) while maintaining the 
temporary closure where the rehabilitation and management actions are 
not yet completed. Prior to and during the closure, primary vehicle 
access points will be blocked to use by vehicles with wire fencing and 
will be posted with signs and public information displays advising of 
the purpose of the closure and of the reclamation project. All other 
vehicle access points will be prominently posted with a closure order 
and map.
    The closure will restrict public access to portions of T. 3 S., R. 
1 W., section 30; T. 3 S., R. 2 W., sections 9-11, 13-15, 24-26, 35, 
and 36; T. 4 S., R. 1 W., sections 2, 3, 10-12, 13-15, 19-24, 26-28, 
34, and 35; T. 4 S., R. 2 W., sections 2, 10, 11, 15, 16, 22-24, 25-29, 
31-33, and 35; T. 4 S., R. 3 W., section 34; T. 5 S., R. 2 W., sections 
2, 3, 6, 7, 11, and 12; and T. 5 S., R. 3 W., sections 1-4, 9-15, and 
23 (Gila and Salt River Meridian). A map of this closure area, 
documentation of categorical exclusion of this action from further 
review under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), and the administrative decision can be viewed online at http://www.blm.gov/az/sonoran/sondes_main.htm. These materials are also 
available at the BLM Phoenix District Office. The following persons, 
operating within the scope of their official duties, are exempt from 
the provisions of this closure: employees of BLM, Arizona Game and Fish 
Department, and local and Federal law enforcement and fire protection 
personnel. Access by additional parties may be allowed, but must be 
approved in advance in writing by the authorized manager.
    This closure is in accordance with the provisions of Presidential 
Proclamation 7397, 66 FR 7354 (Jan. 22, 2001); 43 CFR 8341.2(a); and 43 
CFR 8364.1. On all public lands, 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, any person who violates any closures or restrictions on 
public lands as announced in this order may be tried before a United 
States Magistrate and fined no more than $1000.00 or imprisoned for not 
more than 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).


[[Page 27845]]


    Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1.

Karen Kelleher,
Lower Sonoran Field Office Manager.
 [FR Doc. E8-10814 Filed 5-13-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P