[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 14, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71087-71089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26958]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[20X.LLAZC03000.L51050000. EA0000.LVRCA20SA090; AZ-SRP-030-15-01]


Notice of Temporary Closure and Temporary Restrictions of 
Selected Public Lands in La Paz County, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of temporary closure and restrictions.

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SUMMARY: As authorized under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976, as amended, notice is hereby given that 
temporary closures and temporary restrictions of activities will be in 
effect on public lands administered by the Lake Havasu Field Office, 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to minimize the risk of potential 
collisions with spectators and racers during the annual Best in the 
Desert (BITD) off-highway vehicle (OHV) race events, Parker 250 and 
Parker 425, authorized under a Special Recreation Permit (SRP).

DATES: This notice is effective upon publication. The temporary 
restrictions for the Parker 250 take effect at 11:59 p.m., January 4, 
2022, through 11:59 p.m., January 9, 2022. The temporary closure for 
the Parker 250 takes effect at 11:59 p.m., January 5, 2022, through 
11:59 p.m., January 9, 2022. The temporary restrictions for the Parker 
425 take effect at 11:59 p.m., January 18, 2022, through 11:59 p.m., 
January 23, 2022. The temporary closure for the Parker 425 takes effect 
at 11:59 p.m., January 19, 2022, through 11:59 p.m., January 23, 2022. 
All times are listed in local time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason West, Field Manager, BLM Lake 
Havasu Field Office, 1785 Kiowa Avenue, Lake Havasu City, Arizona 
86403, telephone: (928) 505-1200; email: [email protected]. Also see the 
Lake Havasu Field Office website: https://www.blm.gov/office/lake-havasu-field-office. Persons who use a telecommunications device for 
hearing impaired (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 
(800) 877-8339 to contact Mr. West during normal business hours. FRS is 
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or 
question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 6, 2015, the Decision Record 
authorizing the BITD Parker Races SRP was signed. This permit 
authorizes the BITD to utilize the Parker 400 course for the Parker 250 
race event on January 6 through 9, 2022, and for the Parker 425 race 
event on January 20 through 23, 2022. The permit is authorized from 
2015 through 2024. The Environmental Assessment analyzing these routes 
(EA #DOI-BLM-AZ-C030-2014-0040) concluded that allowing permitted 
motorized racers exclusive use of the Lake Havasu Field Office Record 
of Decision/Approved Resource Management Plan (2007) designated Parker 
400 course would mitigate safety concerns. These routes receive the 
most intense and concentrated high-speed use during the two annual 
permitted events.
    These temporary closures and restrictions affect public lands in 
and around the Parker 400 course near the communities of Parker and 
Bouse in La Paz County, Arizona. The temporary closure applies to all 
public use, including pedestrian and vehicles, unless excepted. The 
temporary closure area follows the Parker 400 course as designated in 
the 2007 Lake Havasu Resource Management Plan.
    Within the temporary restriction area, the temporary restrictions 
apply in addition to all existing regulations. The temporary 
restriction area begins on public lands east of the eastern boundary of 
the Colorado River Indian Tribe (CRIT) Reservation, along Shea Road, 
then east into Osborne Wash onto the Parker-Swansea Road to the Central 
Arizona Project (CAP) Canal, then north on the west side of the CAP 
Canal, crossing the canal on the county-maintained road, running 
northeast into Mineral Wash Canyon, then southeast on the county-
maintained road, through the four-corners intersection to the Midway 
(Pit) intersection, then east on Transmission Pass Road, through State 
Trust Land located in Butler Valley, turning north into Cunningham Wash 
to North Tank, continuing south to Transmission Pass Road and east 
(reentering public land) within two miles of Alamo Dam Road. The 
temporary restriction area boundary turns south and west onto the 
wooden power line road, onto the State Trust Land in Butler Valley, 
turning southwest into Cunningham Wash to the Graham Well, intersecting 
Butler Valley Road, then north and west on the county-maintained road 
to the ``Bouse Y'' intersection, two miles north of Bouse, Arizona. The 
temporary restriction area boundary proceeds north, paralleling the 
Bouse-Swansea Road to the Midway (Pit) intersection, then west along 
the north boundary (power line) road of the East Cactus Plain 
Wilderness Area to Parker-

[[Page 71088]]

Swansea Road. The temporary restriction area boundary turns west into 
Osborne Wash crossing the CAP Canal, along the north boundary of the 
Cactus Plain Wilderness Study Area; it continues west staying in 
Osborne Wash and crossing Shea Road along the southern boundary of 
Gibraltar Wilderness, rejoining Osborne Wash at the CRIT Reservation 
boundary.
    The temporary closures and restrictions are necessary because of 
the high-speed nature of the race event and the added safety concerns 
due to the limited visibility when there is no daylight. Roads leading 
into the public lands under the temporary closure and restrictions will 
be posted with copies of the temporary closure, temporary restrictions, 
and associated maps to notify the public. The temporary closure and 
restriction orders will be posted in the Lake Havasu Field Office and 
online at: https://www.blm.gov/office/lake-havasu-field-office. Maps of 
the affected area and other documents associated with this temporary 
closure and restriction are available at the Lake Havasu Field Office, 
1785 Kiowa Avenue, Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
    The closures and restrictions are issued under the authority of 43 
CFR 8364.1, which allows the BLM to establish closures for the 
protection of persons, property, and public lands and resources. 
Violation of any of the terms, conditions, or restrictions contained 
within this closure order may subject the violator to citation or 
arrest with a penalty of a fine or imprisonment or both as specified by 
law.

Temporary Closure

    a. The designated racecourse as shown in the Lake Havasu Field 
Office approved RMP and Decision Record is closed to public entry 
during the temporary closure, with the following exceptions:
    i. The person is an employee or authorized volunteer with the BLM, 
a law enforcement officer, emergency medical service provider, fire 
protection provider, or another public agency employee working at and 
assigned to the event; or
    ii. The person is working at or attending the event directly on 
behalf of the permit holder.
    b. Motor vehicles may be operated within the temporary closure area 
under the circumstances listed below:
    i. Race participants and support vehicles on designated routes;
    ii. BLM, medical, law enforcement, and firefighting vehicles are 
authorized at all times; and
    iii. Vehicles operated by the permit holder's staff or contractors 
and volunteers are authorized at all times. These vehicles must display 
evidence of event registration at all times in such a manner that it is 
visible on the front of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.

Temporary Restrictions

1. Environmental Resource Management and Protection

    a. Cutting or collecting firewood of any kind, including dead and 
downed wood or other vegetative material, is prohibited.
    b. Grey Water Discharge: The discharge and dumping of grey water 
onto the ground surface is prohibited. Grey water is defined as water 
that has been used for cooking, washing, dishwashing, or bathing and/or 
contains soap, detergent, food scraps, or food residue, regardless of 
whether such products are biodegradable or have been filtered or 
disinfected.
    c. Human Waste: The depositing of human waste (liquid and/or solid) 
on the ground surface is prohibited.

2. Alcohol/Prohibited Substance

    a. Possession of alcohol by minors. Selling, offering to sell, or 
otherwise furnishing or supplying any alcoholic beverage to a person 
under 21 years of age on public lands is prohibited.

3. Drug Paraphernalia

    a. The possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited.

4. Disorderly Conduct

    a. Disorderly conduct is prohibited. Disorderly conduct means that 
an individual, with the intent of recklessly causing public alarm, 
nuisance, jeopardy, or violence, or recklessly creating a risk thereof:
    i. Engages in fighting or violent behavior; or
    ii. Uses language, an utterance or gesture, or engages in a display 
or act that is physically threatening or menacing or done in a manner 
that is likely to inflict injury or incite an immediate breach of the 
peace.

5. Eviction of Persons

    a. The temporary restriction area is closed to any person who:
    i. Has been evicted from the event by the permit holder, whether or 
not the eviction was requested by the BLM;
    ii. Has been evicted from the event by the BLM; or
    iii. Has been ordered by a law enforcement officer to leave the 
area of the permitted event.
    b. Any person evicted from the event forfeits all privileges to be 
present within the temporary restriction area.

6. Motor Vehicles

    a. Motor vehicles must comply with the following requirements:
    i. Motor vehicle operators must possess evidence of valid 
insurance.
    ii. Motor vehicles and trailers must not block a street used for 
vehicular travel or a pedestrian pathway. Parking any off-highway 
vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in such a manner as to 
obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement or the parking 
of other vehicles, creating a safety hazard, or endangering any person, 
property, or feature is prohibited. Vehicles parked in violation are 
subject to citation, removal, and/or impoundment at the owner's 
expense.
    iii. Operating a vehicle through, around, or beyond a restrictive 
sign, barricade, fence, or traffic control barrier or device is 
prohibited.
    iv. Failure to obey any person authorized to direct traffic or 
control access to event area including law enforcement officers, BLM 
officials, and designated race officials is prohibited.

7. Public Camping

    a. The temporary restriction area is closed to public camping with 
the following exceptions:
    i. The permitted event's spectators, who are camped in designated 
spectator areas, as marked by protective fencing, barriers, and 
informational signage provided by the permit holder; and
    ii. The permit holder's authorized staff, contractors, and BLM-
authorized event managers.
    b. Spectator area site reservations, or denying other visitors or 
parties from utilizing unoccupied portions of the spectator area by 
marking with flags, tape, posts, cones, etc. is prohibited. Vehicles 
and trailers may not be left unattended for over 72 hours.
    c. Failure to observe restricted area quiet hours of midnight to 6 
a.m. is prohibited.

8. Weapons

    a. Discharging or use of firearms or other weapons is prohibited.
    b. The prohibition above shall not apply to county, State, tribal, 
and Federal law enforcement personnel who are working in their official 
capacity at the event.

9. Public Use

    a. Failure to obey any official sign posted by the BLM, law 
enforcement, La Paz County, or the permit holder is prohibited.

Existing Regulations

    The following list of existing regulations is not intended to be

[[Page 71089]]

comprehensive. A complete list of laws and regulations applicable to 
public lands in Arizona may be viewed at: http://www.azd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/general-orders/19-14.pdf.

1. Environmental Resource Management and Protection

    a. No person may deface, disturb, remove, or destroy any natural 
object--43 CFR 8365.1-5(a)(1).
    b. Fireworks: The use, sale, or possession of personal fireworks is 
prohibited--43 CFR 9212.1(h).
    c. Black Water Discharge: The discharge and dumping of black water 
onto the ground surface is prohibited. Black water is defined as 
wastewater containing feces, urine, and/or flush water--43 CFR 8365.1-
1(b)(3).
    d. Trash: The discharge of any trash or litter onto the ground 
surface is prohibited. All event participants must pack out or properly 
dispose of all trash at an appropriate disposal facility--43 CFR 
8365.1-1(b)(1).
    e. Hazardous Materials: The dumping or discharge of vehicle oil, 
petroleum products, or other hazardous household, commercial, or 
industrial refuse or waste onto the ground surface is prohibited. This 
applies to all recreational vehicles, trailers, motorhomes, port-a-
potties, generators, and other camp infrastructure--43 CFR 8365.1-
1(b)(3).

2. Alcohol/Prohibited Substance

    a. Possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage by the 
driver or operator of any motorized vehicle, whether or not the vehicle 
is in motion, is prohibited--43 CFR 8365.1-6.
    b. Possession of alcohol by minors. Consumption or possession of 
any alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age on public 
lands is prohibited--43 CFR 8365.1-6 Supplementary Rule 63 FR 43716.
    c. Operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of 
alcohol, marijuana, narcotics, or dangerous drugs is prohibited--43 CFR 
8341.1(f)(3).

3. Disorderly Conduct

    a. Obstructing, resisting, or attempting to elude a law enforcement 
officer, or fails to follow their orders or directions is prohibited--
43 CFR 8365.1-4(a)(4).

4. Motor Vehicles

    a. Motor vehicles must comply with the following requirements:
    i. The operator of a motor vehicle must possess a valid driver's 
license--43 CFR 8341.1(e).
    ii. Motor vehicles and trailers must possess evidence of valid 
registration--43 CFR 8341.1(d).
    iii. Motor vehicles must not exceed the posted speed limit--43 CFR 
8341.1(f)(2).

5. Pets or Other Animals

    a. Allowing any pet or other animal to be unrestrained is 
prohibited. All pets must be restrained by a leash of not more than six 
feet in length--43 CFR 8365.2-1(c).
    Enforcement: Any person who violates these closures or restrictions 
may be tried before a United States magistrate and fined in accordance 
with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned no more than 12 months under 43 U.S.C. 
1733(a) and 43 CFR 8360.0-7, or both. In accordance with 43 CFR 8365.1-
7, State or local officials may also impose penalties for violations of 
Arizona law.

(Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1)

Adam Cochran,
Acting Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2021-26958 Filed 12-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P