[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54126-54127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27615]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CA-016-1220-00]
Supplementary Rules for Public Lands in the Carrizo Plain Natural
Area, California
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Establishment of Supplementary Rules relating to shooting,
access, vehicle use, camping, and resource protection within the
Carrizo Plain Natural Area in San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties,
California.
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SUMMARY: The Caliente Resource Area hereby gives notice and establishes
the following closures and Special and Supplementary Rules for the
Carrizo Plain Natural Area (CPNA) effective as of the date of this
publication, as provided for under Title 43, Code of Federal
Regulations, Subparts 8341.2, 8364.1, and 8365.1-6:
A. Public lands within \1/4\ mile of any campground, Painted Rock,
administrative facility (including the Washburn, Saucito, Goodwin, and
MU ranch headquarters), and all developed overlooks, interpretive sites
or pullouts, are closed to the discharge of firearms. Public lands
within the Painted Rock ``no shooting zone'' are posted with signs at
the most prominent points of public access. The boundaries of this
closure are described in the CPNA Management Plan and are available
from the Bakersfield District BLM Office. Those exempted from this
closure order include law enforcement officers in the commission of
their official duties. These closures are for the purpose of enhancing
public safety and will also decrease potential conflicts with
recreational users.
Recreational target shooting is prohibited within the entire CPNA.
Hunting is allowed on public within the CPNA where public safety is not
at risk or that have not been closed to shooting. No person shall
violate any federal, state or local laws pertaining to use, possession
or discharge of firearms while on any BLM administered public lands.
This closure governing the discharge of firearms affects approximately
5,200 acres of public lands in San Luis Obispo County. The recreational
target shooting closure affects approximately 200,000 acres of public
lands in San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties.
B. Certain public lands in the CPNA are subject to closure to all
public use, including but not limited to vehicle operation, camping,
shooting, hiking, and sightseeing. All public lands within \1/4\ mile
of Sulfur Springs are closed to public access, except under permit from
the BLM, in order to protect sensitive resources. All public lands
within \1/4\ mile of Painted Rock are closed to public access from
March 1 through July 15 each year, except for tours authorized by the
Bureau of Land Management, in order to protect sensitive resources. The
Washburn Administrative Site, the Goodwin Education Center, the MU,
Goodwin, Saucito, and Painted Rock Ranch headquarters, and Painted Rock
may be closed to public access as needed to protect these resources and
facilities. This closure affects approximately 250 acres in San Luis
Obispo County.
C. Operation of motor vehicles, aircraft, and boats and flotation
devices of any kind, are prohibited on or within Soda Lake and any
adjacent stream, channel, dry lake, and body of water. This closure
affects approximately 4,300 acres in San Luis Obispo County. Exceptions
may be allowed, but must be approved in advance in writing by the
Authorized Officer. Law enforcement and fire protection personnel
operating within the scope of their official duties are exempt from the
provisions of this closure order.
D. Off-Highway vehicle use within the CPNA is limited to designated
routes. Designated routes are defined as existing well traveled roads
which have been identified and mapped. Maps of these routes will be
made available to the public. The operation of any motorized vehicle
off of designated routes of travel is prohibited within the CPNA. Open
routes are available for use by all vehicle, bicycle, foot and
equestrian travel. All vehicle use on routes posted or designated as
closed is prohibited. Except on county roads, or unless otherwise
posted, the speed limit on such open roads is 25 miles per hour.
Vehicles parked adjacent to any open road must be parked as close to
the road as possible without preventing passage of other vehicles. Open
roads may be closed temporarily at the discretion of the BLM if
necessary for safety or resource protection.
Roads or routes designated as being for administrative use only are
closed to all motor vehicles except those used by employees of the BLM,
the California Department of Fish and Game, or The Nature Conservancy
when conducting official business. Other uses require the prior
approval of the BLM. Roads designated as being for administrative use
only are open to bicycles and other nonmotorized vehicles, pedestrians,
and casual horse use unless otherwise posted.
[[Page 54127]]
This limited use designation does not apply to emergency vehicles,
fire suppression and rescue vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and
other motorized vehicles specifically approved by an authorized officer
of the Bureau of Land Management. The closure affects approximately
200,000 acres. A map of the open route network is available from the
Bureau of Land Management, 3801 Pegasus Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93308,
(805) 391-6000.
E. Overnight camping is allowed within designated campgrounds and
designated camping areas in the CPNA. All other public lands within the
CPNA are closed to overnight parking or camping. Camping or overnight
parking within all portions of the CPNA is prohibited within 200 yards
of any natural or artificial water source. Overnight camping is limited
to 14 days within any 30 day period, for a total of no more than 28
days within any one year period, except as specified in writing by the
authorized officer.
The primary purpose of all corrals, loading chutes, and other
appurtenant livestock facilities during the authorized grazing season
will be for livestock management. Camping or parked vehicles may not
interfere with their use. All litter, waste, and refuse at campsites
must be kept within a container or receptacle while camping, and
removed when leaving the CPNA.
F. Other supplemental rules prescribed by the CPNA Management Plan
include:
--Property left unattended for more than three days without the prior
approval of the Authorized Officer will be treated as abandoned and may
be removed and stored by law enforcement personnel at the owner's
expense.
--Pets and pack animals must be controlled by the owner at all times.
Pack animals shall be within corrals, or adequately restrained. Pets
must be prevented from chasing, harassing, or taking wildlife.
--Organized groups with 20 or more persons or 5 or more vehicles must
secure a permit for any activities off county roads.
--The use of metal detectors is prohibited, except for approved
administrative purposes.
--All research and study activities require a permit or written
authorization from the BLM.
EFFECTIVE DATE: These rules are effective October 17, 1997 and will
remain in effect until revised, revoked or amended by the Authorized
Officer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The above supplementary rules are being
implemented for the following purposes:
The BLM administers approximately 200,000 acres in the Carrizo
Plain Natural Area (CPNA). The CPNA is managed jointly with the
California Department of Fish and Game and The Nature Conservancy for
the benefit of indigenous species within a fully functional ecosystem.
The natural area is important to fifteen species of plants and animals
that are currently listed, proposed to be listed, or fully protected by
either the federal or California Endangered Species Acts. In addition,
the natural area encompasses world-class archaeological sites, and
continues to be of great importance to native peoples. These values
have contributed toward making the CPNA an increasingly popular
destination for sightseeing and outdoor recreation. Use is concentrated
at certain sites and along trails, but many activities are highly
dispersed. The purpose of these actions is to protect and efficiently
manage these special resources, and enhance visitors safety on public
lands.
This order is in no way intended to affect the rights of private
land owners, or their interests within the closure area, with respect
to private lands. Further, this order does not infer any Bureau of Land
Management jurisdiction over private or state lands within closure
areas.
A copy of this Federal Register notice and maps showing the
affected areas are available for review in the Bakersfield District
Office of the Bureau of Land Management.
PENALTIES: The authorities for these closures and supplementary rules
are 43 CFR 8341.2, 8364.1, and 8365.1-6. Violations of these rules are
punishable by fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed
12 months as well as the penalties provided under State law.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald D. Fellows, Bureau of Land
Management, Bakersfield District Manager, 3809 Pegasus Dr., Bakersfield
CA 93308, Phone (805) 391-6000.
Dated: October 7, 1997.
John Skibinski,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-27615 Filed 10-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M
