[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14417-14418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5707]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLIDT03000 LF20000ES.JS0000 LFESFTF60000]


Notice of Temporary Closure on Public Lands in Gooding and Elmore 
Counties, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of temporary closure.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Blair Fire closure to 
motorized vehicle use is in effect on public lands administered by the 
Four Rivers and Shoshone Field Offices, Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM).

DATES: The closure will be in effect on the date this notice is 
published in the Federal Register and will remain in effect until 
September 5, 2013, or until rescinded or modified by an authorized 
officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Humphrey, Four Rivers Field 
Manager, at 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705, via email at 
[email protected], or phone (208) 384-3430 or Ruth Miller, Shoshone 
Field Manager, at 400 West F St., Shoshone, Idaho 83352, via email at 
[email protected], or phone (208) 732-7227. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339 to contact the above 
individuals during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 
hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the 
above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Blair Fire motorized closure affects 
public lands burned August 15, 2011, by the Blair Fire, 1 mile north of 
King Hill, Idaho. The legal description of the affected public lands 
is:

Boise Meridian, Idaho

T. 3 S., R. 10 E.,
    Sec. 35.
T. 4 S., R. 10 E.,
    Secs. 1 and 2;
    Secs. 12 to 15, inclusive;
    Sec. 17;
    Secs. 20 to 28, inclusive;
    Secs. 33 to 35, inclusive.
T. 5 S., R. 10 E.,
    Secs. 3 and 4.
T. 3 S., R. 11 E.,
    Secs. 31 and 33.
T. 4 S., R. 11 E.,
    Secs. 3 to 15, inclusive;
    Secs. 17 to 35, inclusive.


[[Page 14418]]


    The areas described contain approximately 35,551.84 acres in Elmore 
County.

Boise Meridian, Idaho

T. 4 S., R. 12 E.,
    Secs. 16 to 22, inclusive;
    Secs. 27 to 30, inclusive.
T. 5 S., R. 12 E.,
    Secs. 4 and 6.

    The areas described contain approximately 8,312.02 acres in Gooding 
County. The Blair Fire motorized vehicle closure will support several 
post-fire stabilization and rehabilitation objectives as set forth in 
the environmental assessments for the 2005 Boise District Fire 
Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Plan and the 2005 Shoshone 
and Burley Normal Fire Rehabilitation Plan: (1) Allow burned areas to 
re-establish a vegetative cover, which protects the soil from erosion 
and provides for moisture retention; (2) allow seeded shrub, forb, and 
grass species to become established; (3) allow remaining plants to 
recover from the effects of the fire; and (4) help slow the spread of 
noxious weeds. In addition, the closure will help ensure the long-term 
viability of slickspot peppergrass, a species listed as threatened 
under the Endangered Species Act. Slickspots, which provide potential 
habitat for slickspot peppergrass, are particularly susceptible to 
damage from motorized vehicles under post-fire conditions.
    The closure will also help ensure the long-term viability of 
habitat for wildlife populations in the area by protecting key year-
round sage-grouse habitat and crucial winter habitat for mule deer, 
which suffered significant losses in the Blair Fire. For the duration 
of the closure, cross-country motorized use is prohibited. The BLM, 
Walker Reservoir, and Lower Hog Creek roads that access the burn area 
will be open from June 1 through December 31, 2012, and from June 1 
through September 5, 2013. At all times, the area will be open for 
mechanized vehicles, pedestrians, equestrian riders, and other non-
motorized transport.
    The BLM will post closure signs at main entry points to the closed 
areas and/or other locations on-site. This closure will be posted in 
the Boise District and Twin Falls District BLM offices. Maps of the 
affected area and other documents associated with this closure are 
available at 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705 and 2536 
Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301.
    Under the authority of Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)), 43 CFR 8360.0-7, and 43 
CFR 8364.1, the BLM will enforce the following rules within the Blair 
Fire closure:
    Motorized vehicles may not be used in the closed area except during 
the stated periods and over the designated routes described above.
    Exemptions: The following persons are exempt from this order: 
Federal, State, and local officers and employees in the performance of 
their official duties; members of organized rescue or fire-fighting 
forces in the performance of their official duties; and persons with 
written authorization from the BLM.
    Penalties: Any person who violates the above rule may be tried 
before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $100,000, 
imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Violators may also be 
subject to the enhanced fines provided for in 18 U.S.C. 3571.

     Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1.

Ruth Miller,
Shoshone Field Manager.
Matthew McCoy,
Acting Four Rivers Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2012-5707 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P