94-26769. Proposed Closure Order for Vehicle Use; California  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page ]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-26769]
    
    
    [Federal Register: October 28, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
    
    Bureau of Land Management
    [CA-050-1150-00]
    
    
    Proposed Closure Order for Vehicle Use; California
    
    AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
    
    SUMMARY: In cooperation with the California Department of Fish & Game, 
    and under authority of 43 CFR 8364.1, the Clear Lake Resource Area of 
    the Bureau of Land Management is designating emergency vehicular 
    closures on three parcels of recently-acquired public lands. These 
    parcels are known as the Leal, Kerwin, and Johnson acquisitions. All 
    vehicular use except for that associated with administrative access, 
    emergencies, and valid existing rights (mining claims, pre-existing 
    public access, rights-of-ways/easements, etc.) will be prohibited year-
    round. These closures are consistent with the Clear Lake Resource Area 
    Management Framework Plan (MFP) Update, as well as the Cache Creek Area 
    of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Management Plan and the Cache 
    Creek Tule Elk Habitat Management Plan (HMP). These closures will be in 
    effect until the Cache Creek Coordinated Resource Management Plan 
    (CRMP) is completed, at which time a final determination will be made 
    to rescind, modify, or continue with the closures as is.
        These three closures are included within the Cache Creek Management 
    Area, a unit managed primarily for wildlife and primitive recreational 
    values. Detailed maps of these three areas are available upon request 
    from the Clear Lake Resource Area office of the BLM in Ukiah, 
    California.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: These closures will become effective on October 28, 
    1994.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Snyder or Gregg Mangan at 707-
    468-4000.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Leal acquisition includes 1,475.92 acres 
    acquired by the BLM in October 1993. These lands are located in 
    portions of Sections 28, 29, 32, 33, and 34 of T. 14N., R. 5W., MDM, 
    and Sections 3 and 4 of T 13N., R. 5W, MDM. along the Lake and Colusa 
    county line. Prior to acquisition by the BLM, there was no public 
    access on or through this property. These lands were acquired primarily 
    for wildlife and primitive recreational values. The habitats here 
    support tule elk, blacktail deer, wild turkey, feral pig, mountain 
    lion, and many other species. Some key habitat improvements have been 
    completed and others will be implemented in the near future. These 
    projects will further improve this area for the tule elk and many of 
    the other species found here. In the absence of a closure, unrestricted 
    public vehicular use here would negate the success and intended purpose 
    of these projects.
        The Kerwin acquisition includes 948.72 acres acquired in January 
    1994. These lands are located in portions of Sections 30 and 31 of T. 
    14N., R. 5W., MDM (referred to as the Northern Unit), and all of 
    Section 36 of T. 14N, R. 6W., MDM. (referred to as the Southern Unit), 
    all in Lake County and bisected by State Highway 20. Prior to 
    acquisition by the BLM, an easement granted to Lake County for public 
    vehicular access across private lands (in the Northern Unit) was in 
    existence along the Walker Ridge Road, beginning at the turnoff from 
    State Highway 20 and continuing for approximately one mile northwest to 
    the beginning of public lands. The Southern Unit had no previous public 
    access available. The Kerwin property was acquired for wildlife 
    habitat, rare plants, and primitive recreational values. The acquired 
    lands along the first mile of the Walker Ridge Road (in the Northern 
    Unit) pass through open oak-grassland and meadow habitats supporting 
    known populations of special status plant species. Currently vehicular 
    access off the first mile of the Walker Ridge Road is unrestricted for 
    the most part, due to the open nature of the habitat. This use has 
    resulted in documented damage to the special status plants found here. 
    In the Southern Unit year-round use by the tule elk has been 
    documented. Unrestricted vehicular use by adjacent landowners has 
    resulted in disturbance to the elk herd, special status plants, and to 
    soils. Without a closure, unrestricted public vehicular use would 
    result in further disturbance and damage to resource values.
        The Johnson acquisition includes 2,032.06 acres acquired in January 
    1994. These lands are located in portions of Sections 8, 9, 16, 17, 21, 
    and 28 of T. 12N., R. 4W. MDM, all in Yolo County. Prior to acquisition 
    an easement for public vehicular access through 3.2 miles of this 
    property existed on Yolo County Road 40. This access was limited to 
    Road 40 only and did not allow for any use off the road. Because this 
    property is now public land, there are no restrictions in place to 
    prohibit vehicular use off the road. Much of the habitat found here is 
    open oak-grassland and is easily accessed from Road 40. Soils here are 
    fragile and easily damaged by vehicle use. This property was acquired 
    primarily for wildlife values (including endangered species habitat) 
    and non-motorized recreational use. In the absence of a closure, 
    unrestricted public vehicular use here would result in serious soils 
    damage in the sensitive oak-grassland habitats.
    Renee Snyder,
    Clear Lake Resource Area Manager.
    [FR Doc. 94-26769 Filed 10-27-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/28/1994
Published:
10/28/1994
Department:
Land Management Bureau
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Document Number:
94-26769
Dates:
These closures will become effective on October 28, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (None pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: October 28, 1994, CA-050-1150-00