[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47670-47671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19217]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNML00000 L13300000.EP0000 14XL1109AF]


Notice of Extension of Temporary Closure of Public Land in 
Do[ntilde]a Ana County, NM

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Las Cruces District 
Office is extending a temporary closure of public land in the vicinity 
of the Community Pit No. 1 in Do[ntilde]a Ana County, New Mexico, in 
order to protect persons, property, and public lands and resources.

DATES: This closure will be in effect on September 15, 2014 and shall 
remain in effect for up to 24 months, or until a final decision is made 
in the TriCounty Resource Management Plan (RMP), whichever is sooner.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Seum, Supervisor, Lands and 
Minerals, BLM Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las 
Cruces, NM 88005; or by telephone at 575-525-4300. 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 TriCounty RMP is analyzing a range of 
alternatives, including an alternative that would close the 67.5-acre 
Community Pit No.1 until physical remediation of the high, 
unconsolidated walls has occurred, thereby eliminating the public 
health and safety risk. Pursuant to a temporary closure that published 
in the Federal Register on July 23, 2012 (77 FR 43111), the area was 
closed to casual use to protect persons, property, and public land and 
resources, and generally to provide for public safety. The extension of 
the closure is needed to reduce or prevent the opportunity for damage 
to property, personal injury, or loss of life in the vicinity of the 
Community Pit No. 1 in Do[ntilde]a Ana County, New Mexico. The 
temporary closure and restrictions applicable to the closure are as 
follows:
    1. The public land to be closed under this notice is described as:

New Mexico Principal Meridian, New Mexico

T. 22 S., R. 1 E.,
    Sec. 19, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, E\1/2\E\1/2\SW\1/4\SW\1/4\SE\1/
4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, S\1/2\N\1/2\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\, S\1/2\SE\1/
4\SE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\.

    Containing 67.5 acres. Any area described as a half (1/2) of a 
half (1/2) is based on the proper subdivision of section in 
accordance with the Manual of Surveying Instructions.

    All public use, including casual use, is prohibited on this 67.5-
acre parcel. Casual use is defined as any short-term, non-commercial 
activity which does not noticeably damage or disturb the public land, 
resources, or improvements. Closure of this parcel is a consequence of 
unsafe conditions related to past mining resulting in steep high walls 
in excess of 150 feet, abrupt precipices and ledges, and loose 
unconsolidated walls of rock.
    2. This closure does not affect the ability of local, State, or 
Federal officials in the performance of their duties in the area.
    3. This Notice will be posted along the public roads where this 
closure is in effect.

[[Page 47671]]

    4. The following persons are exempt from this closure order:
    a. Federal, State, or local law enforcement officers, while acting 
within the scope of their official duties; and
    b. Any person who obtains, or currently is in possession of, an 
authorization or permit from the BLM for use of the land identified in 
this closure.
    Violations of this closure and restrictions are punishable by fines 
not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 1 year. These 
actions are taken to protect public health and safety.
    The Las Cruces District Office has completed an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) (DOI-BLM-NM-LCDO-2010-0086-EA) to close the pit to 
public use, evaluating the potential reclamation of the site and 
analyzing the hazards to public health and safety until such time as 
reclamation of the site would be completed.
    Copies of this closure order and maps showing the location are 
available from the Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess Street, 
Las Cruces, NM 88005.

    Authority:  43 CFR 8364.1 and 18 U.S.C. 3551.

Jesse J. Juen,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-19217 Filed 8-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P