[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 217 (Thursday, November 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67023-67024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27296]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCON03000.LF2200000.JS0000.LFESGZT40000]


Notice of Temporary Closure on Public Lands in Mesa County, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Temporary Closure.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a temporary closure is in effect 
on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 
Grand Junction Field Office, Grand Junction, Colorado.

DATES: This Temporary Closure will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. 
(Mountain Time) on Thursday, July 12, 2012, until 11:59 p.m. (Mountain 
Time) on Friday, July 12, 2013.

[[Page 67024]]


ADDRESSES: The Grand Junction Field Office address is 2815 H Road, 
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Robertson, Grand Junction 
Field Office Manager, at the above address or by phone at 970-244-3000. 
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 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 public lands 
burned in the Pine Ridge Fire northeast of Grand Junction, Mesa County, 
Colorado. The public lands within the temporary closure are 
administered by the BLM, Grand Junction Field Office. The northern 
boundary of the temporary closure is located at Route 7729A; the 
western boundary of the temporary closure is located approximately 8 
miles west of De Beque, Colorado; the eastern boundary of the temporary 
closure is located at Interstate 70 and the Colorado River; and the 
southern boundary of the temporary closure is located at Cottonwood 
Creek. The legal description of the affected lands is:

Colorado, Sixth Principal Meridian

T. 9 S., R. 97 W., Sections 18, 19, and 30;
T. 9 S., R. 98 W., Sections 13 to 36, inclusive;
T. 10 S., R. 98 W., Sections 1 to 3, inclusive;
T. 9 S., R. 99 W., Sections 25 and 36.

    This temporary closure is necessary due to the severe intensity of 
the Pine Ridge Fire. The fire destroyed much of the natural vegetation 
that held soils in place. A temporary closure of public land to vehicle 
and foot traffic within the burned area is necessary to stabilize 
soils, prevent erosion and protect public health and safety. The BLM 
spread a quick germinating, hybrid annual seed and plans to disperse 
native species seeds in the affected area. The dispersed seeds need to 
be left undisturbed to create root structure and stabilize soils. Soil 
erosion prevention, re-seeding operations and damage surveys are 
required for successful stabilization and rehabilitation of the burn 
area. Public use of the burned area will hamper these efforts and delay 
rehabilitation.
    The BLM will post closure signs at main entry points to the 
temporary closure area. The closure notice will be posted in the Grand 
Junction Field Office along with maps of the affected area and other 
documents associated with this closure including the Environmental 
Assessment for the Pine Ridge Fire (DOI-BLM-CO-130-2012-0048-EA). 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 rule on public land affected 
by the Pine Ridge Fire described as follows: You must not enter the 
Pine Ridge Fire Temporary Closure Area by any means of transportation, 
including by vehicle or foot.
    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 firefighting forces in the 
performance of their official duties; and persons with written 
authorization from the BLM.
    Any person who violates the above rule(s) and/or restriction(s) may 
be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than 
$1,000, imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Such violations 
may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 
3571.

Helen M. Hankins,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-27296 Filed 11-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P