[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42797-42798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16011]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[OR-056-01-1120-JG; H5AC GP2-0058]
Notice of Seasonal Motor Vehicle Closure on Selected Public Lands
East of Prineville Reservoir, Crook County, OR
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Prineville District, Deschutes
Resource Area, Oregon, Interior.
ACTION: A proposed seasonal closure to motorized vehicle use on certain
public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
Deschutes Resource Area, Prineville District, Oregon.
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SUMMARY: The BLM is proposing the seasonal closure of certain public
lands east of Prineville Reservoir in Crook County from December 1 to
May 1 to the use of motorized vehicles.
The purpose of this seasonal closure is to provide safe habitat and
forage for wildlife. The area has been identified as crucial mule deer
winter range by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), who
estimates the wintering population at approximately 300-500 deer. The
resident deer population is estimated at approximately 300 head.
Present habitat conditions for wintering mule deer are considered fair
to good. Elk also inhabit the area in fairly large numbers.
Additionally, poaching of big game has been a problem within the area
in part due to the road density and limited restrictions on vehicle
travel.
Road improvements along with the posting of signs along the
designated travel route and the public's observance of traveling only
on the designated travel route will reduce soil erosion, improve water
quality, improve stream channel and riparian vegetative conditions,
improve wildlife habitat, and reduce disturbance to wildlife within the
Sand Creek, Sanford Creek, and Deer Creek subwatersheds in accordance
with the Upper Prineville Reservoir Activity Plan Environmental
Assessment (EA No. OR-056-2-010) and the Brothers/La Pine Resource
Management Plan (1989). The soils in the area are known to be steep,
shallow, and well-drained yielding medium runoff with a moderate
erosion hazard. Current use of motorized vehicles within the area
causes increased erosion and soil loss on unstable roads and vehicle
trails within the subwatersheds. Compaction of soil by these vehicles
inhibits growth of vegetation and also increases runoff. Sand Creek,
Sanford Creek, and Deer Creek flow to the northwest through the subject
site thereby transporting a large quantity of this eroded soil to
Prineville Reservoir ultimately reducing the effectiveness of
Prineville Reservoir.
DATES: This closure will take effect upon the published date of this
notice or December 1, 2001, whichever is later. The closure is
effective annually from December 1 to May 1.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Towne, Deschutes Resource Area
Field Manager, 3050 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, Oregon 97754, telephone
(541) 416-6700. The maps and Environmental Assessment pertaining to
this closure can be viewed on the Internet at: www.or.blm.gov/Prineville/planning/EAs/ea_00_095.pdf.
Discussion of the Rules: A gate has been installed at the junction
of Doubtful Dirt Road and the unnamed road that provides access to the
seasonally closed lands. This junction is located approximately at the
center of Section 10, Township 17 South, Range 17 East. A public
information kiosk displaying a detailed map of the affected area has
also been installed at this junction. Handout maps of the same are also
available at the kiosk. In addition, signs have been placed along the
designated travel route within the affected area to aid in route
navigation during the open season The designated travel route has had
some construction improvements for the same purpose.
The public lands affected by this closure are all lands
administered by the BLM in Sections 25, 26, 34, 35, and 36 of Township
16 South, Range 17 East; Section 30 of Township 16 South, Range 18
East; Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of Township 17
South, Range 17 East; Sections 6, 7, and 18 of Township 17 South, Range
18 East Willamette Meridian, Oregon. Doubtful Dirt Road will remain
open continuously. This area is known as Deer Creek, Sanford Creek, and
Sand Creek Watersheds. Closure signs will be posted at all road entry
points. Maps of the closure area may be obtained from the Prineville
District Office or the public information kiosk at the east end of
Doubtful Dirt Road.
Prohibited Act: Under 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of Land Management
will enforce the following rule within the Deer Creek, Sanford Creek,
and Sand Creek closure area:
i. Operation of motorized vehicles is prohibited December 1 to May
1.
ii. Cutting and/or removal of firewood is not allowed.
Exemptions: Persons who are exempt from this rule include any
Federal, State, or local officer or employee in the scope of their
duties, members of any
[[Page 42798]]
organized rescue or fire-fighting force in performance of an official
duty, and any person authorized in writing by the Bureau of Land
Management.
Penalties: The authority for this closure is found under section
303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1733(a)) and 43 CFR 8360.0-7. Any person who violates this closure may
be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than
$1,000 or 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.
Dated: December 17, 2001.
A. Barron Bail,
District Manager.
Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the
Federal Register on June 21, 2002.
[FR Doc. 02-16011 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P