[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43115-43116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17849]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLAZC02000 LF2200000.DD0000 LFESF3X30000]


Notice of Temporary Closure of Betty's Kitchen Wildlife and 
Interpretive Area, Yuma County, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations, notice is hereby given 
that the Betty's Kitchen Wildlife and Interpretive Area (Betty's 
Kitchen) located on Federal lands administered by the Yuma Field 
Office, BLM, is temporarily closed to motorized vehicle and public use.

DATES: The closure will be enforced immediately and will remain in 
effect for 2 years following the date this notice is published in the 
Federal Register or until rescinded or modified by the authorized 
officer or designated Federal officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: John MacDonald, Yuma Field Manager, 
at 2555 East Gila Ridge Road, Yuma, Arizona 85365, via email at 
[email protected], or telephone 928-317-3200. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual 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 
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Temporary Closure affects Federal lands 
at Betty's Kitchen in Yuma County, Arizona. The legal description of 
the affected Federal lands is:

Arizona

Gila and Salt River Meridian

Township 7 South, Range 22 West,
    Section 14, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\ (within), SW\1/4\SE\1/4\ (within).
    The area described contains approximately 15 acres.
    Closure of Betty's Kitchen is necessary to allow for the 
restoration of the area and avoid exposing the public to safety hazards 
caused by the Laguna Fire.
    The BLM Laguna Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation 
Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOI-BLM-AZ-C020-2011-0018-EA) signed on 
September 28, 2011, states, ``Human health and safety would be greatly 
affected from the remaining hazardous trees throughout the project 
area. Unless hazardous trees are removed, the recreation area would 
need to remain closed to the public.'' In order to implement the EA's 
proposed remediation actions, unscheduled heavy equipment may be 
operating in the area to remove the hazards over the next 2 years as 
funding and scheduling opportunities allow. A temporary closure is 
needed to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of accidents to visitors 
while fishing, picnicking, camping, or pursuing other activities in the 
vicinity of the existing and static hazards before or while work is 
occurring. In addition, improvements to recreational facilities and the 
addition of new bridges will enhance visitor enjoyment and safety when 
completed. Immediately after the

[[Page 43116]]

removal and hazard remediation work is completed, the closure will be 
lifted.
    Exemptions: The following persons are exempt from this order: 
Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers and employees in the 
performance of their official duties; members of organized rescue or 
firefighting 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 $1,000, 
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.

John MacDonald,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2012-17849 Filed 7-20-12; 8:45 am]
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