[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 149 (Friday, August 2, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 47004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18565]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[13X LLWYR02000 L14300000.ER0000 242A.00]


Change in Dates of Seasonal Closure of Public Land in the Bald 
Ridge Area, Park County, WY

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given to change the dates of the seasonal 
closure of public land in the Bald Ridge Area that was published in the 
Federal Register on Thursday, August 5, 1999 (64 FR 42711). The 
previous closure was in effect from December 15 through April 30 each 
winter and spring season to all use, except for specifically authorized 
vehicles. Pursuant to this Notice, the Bald Ridge area located south of 
the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River and west and north of Hogan 
Reservoir of Park County, Wyoming on public land administered by the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cody Field Office, is now closed from 
January 1 through April 30 of each winter and spring season to all use 
(such as human presence, hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike 
riding, cross-country skiing, and all motorized use), except for 
specifically authorized activities. The total acreage of this closure 
is 6,036 acres. This action is being taken for resource protection of 
essential wintering habitat for elk and mule deer. No access into this 
area will be allowed unless permitted by the Authorized Officer (BLM, 
Cody Field Manager).

DATES: This change of seasonal closure dates is effective March 7, 
2013, and will remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the 
Authorized Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Stewart, Field Manager, BLM, 
Cody Field Office at:
     Telephone: 307-578-5900;
     Email: [email protected]
     Address: 1002 Blackburn Street, Cody, WY 82414
    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: The Cody Field Office is responsible for the 
management of essential wildlife habitat in the Bald Ridge area of the 
Absaroka Front and other crucial habitat areas located throughout the 
Bighorn Basin. These essential habitat areas and management thereof are 
covered under the Cody Resource Management Plan (RMP), which was signed 
on November 9, 1990. ``Seasonal restrictions will be applied as 
appropriate to surface-disturbing and disruptive activities and land 
uses on big game crucial habitat, including wintering ranges and elk 
calving areas.'' (Cody RMP, p. 40).
    The Bald Ridge area is crucial wintering habitat for big game. 
Increasing visitor activity such as horseback riding, hiking and antler 
hunting has caused impacts to the wintering herds. These activities are 
stressing game animals during a period when the animals are most 
susceptible to stress-related health effects that could cause death. 
These activities also force the herds to be displaced from their winter 
habitat. The Cody Field Office published a Notice in the Federal 
Register on Friday, March 29, 1996 (61 FR 14159), that closed the Bald 
Ridge area from December 15 through April 30 each winter and spring 
season. The Cody Field Office subsequently extended the seasonal 
closure in a second Notice in the Federal Register on Thursday, August 
5, 1999 (64 FR 42711).
    The December 15 closure date was largely based on the ending date 
of an elk hunting season as established by the Wyoming Game and Fish 
Department. In recent years the Wyoming Game and Fish Department 
determined it was necessary to harvest additional elk in the Bald Ridge 
area and extended the end of the elk hunting season to December 31. At 
the request of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, members of the 
public, and an adjoining private landowner, the Cody Field Office 
determined it was necessary for the seasonal closure of the Bald Ridge 
area to coincide with the December 31 end of the elk hunting season. 
The BLM Cody Field Office analyzed the date change in Environmental 
Assessment WY-020-EA13-20. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) 
was signed on March 7, 2013. Subsequently, a Decision Record was signed 
on March 7, 2013.
    The following described BLM-administered lands south of the Clarks 
Fork of the Yellowstone River and west of Hogan Reservoir are included 
in this seasonal closure:

Sixth Principle Meridian, Wyoming

T. 56 N., R. 103 W.,
    Tracts 81 and 82, tracts 88 to 97, inclusive, tracts 107 to 109, 
inclusive, tracts 113 to 116, inclusive, and tracts 119 to 122, 
inclusive;

    Sec. 7, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 8, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 16, lots 5 and 11;
    Sec. 17, lots 1 to 6, inclusive, and W\1/2\W\1/2\;
    Sec. 18;
    Sec. 19;
    Sec. 20;
    Sec. 21, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, W\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, and 
SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 22, lot 7;
    Sec. 27, lots 1, 2, and 8;
    Sec. 28, lots 1 to 6, inclusive, N\1/2\, and NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, lots 1 to 3, inclusive, N\1/2\, and 
W[frac12]SW[frac14];
    Sec. 30;
    Sec. 31, lots 5 to 7, inclusive, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, 
and NE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, lots 4, 5, 7, and 8, and NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 33, lots 1 to 8, inclusive, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, and E/12SE\1/4\.

    Authority for closure and restriction orders is provided under 43 
CFR subpart 8341.2 (a and b), 8364.1. Violations of this closure are 
punishable by a fine not to exceed $1500 and (or) imprisonment not to 
exceed 12 months.

Larry Claypool,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-18565 Filed 8-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P