[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53689-53690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25658]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-020-1040-00]
Seasonal Use Closure for All Motorized Vehicles in the Carter
Mountain Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), Park County,
WY, Cody Field Office
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of seasonal closure.
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SUMMARY: The Cody Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management
Plan (RMP), dated November 8, 1990, designated vehicular use in the
Carter Mountain ACEC as ``limited to designated roads and trails.'' In
response to a request from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, a
seasonal closure to all motorized vehicles, including over-the-snow
vehicles was effective November 10, 1988 (FR Doc. 88-26011). The
closure was then extended to April 30, 1992 (FR Doc. 91-23803). The
Carter Mountain ACEC Activity Plan made this seasonal closure permanent
(11/10/92). The closure will now be in effect each season from November
15 through June 15 or later if unfavorable weather or road conditions
exist which could create resource damage. A steel gate at Little Rose
Creek establishes the point beyond which the seasonal closure is in
effect. The purpose of this closure is to allow wildlife to migrate
free of disturbance in their winter range and to allow elk to move
throughout the lower reaches of their winter range to mitigate the
impacts of concentrated grazing use. This seasonal closure will allow
the BLM to assess the road conditions prior to opening the road in
order to prevent resource damage caused by motorized vehicle travel on
poor road conditions.
EFFECTIVE DATES: This closure will be effective November 15, 1999. The
seasonal closure will be in effect each season from November 15 through
June 15 or later if unfavorable weather or road conditions exist which
could create resource damage. This closure will remain in effect until
modified or rescinded by the Authorized Officer, (BLM Cody Field
Manager).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Mononi, Range Management
Specialist or Michael Blymyer, Field Manager, Cody Field Office, P.O.
Box 518, 1002 Blackburn Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414. Telephone (307)-
587-2216.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Carter Mountain area (about 7,819 acres)
is designated an ACEC. The objective for management of the Carter
Mountain ACEC is to protect areas of unique alpine tundra and fragile
soils. According to the Carter Mountain ACEC Activity Plan, motorized
vehicle use in the ACEC is limited to designated roads and trails. The
roads that are open for motorized vehicle use are designated with the
white arrow system. Roads, trails and gently sloping areas that are not
marked with the white arrow designator are closed to motorized vehicle
use at all times. The seasonal closure will close the ACEC to all
motorized use, including over-the-snow vehicles from November 15
through June 15 of each season. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department
feels that motorized vehicle use can disrupt the migration patterns of
all wildlife; however, elk are particularly affected by such use. By
restricting motorized vehicle use, the elk will migrate freely in the
Carter Mountain area, and remain undisturbed by motorized vehicles in
their crucial wintering and calving habitat. This closure will also
help in meeting the overall objectives to protect areas of unique
alpine tundra and fragile soils in the Carter Mountain ACEC by reducing
resource damage that is caused by motorized vehicle use on poor road
conditions.
This seasonal use closure applies to public lands in Park County,
Wyoming, located approximately 20 miles west of Meeteetse, Wyoming. The
designation affects all public lands above 10,000 feet elevation in T.
49., R. 103 W., Sixth Principle Meridian. Motorized vehicle use
designations apply to all motorized vehicles with the exceptions of:
(1) Any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle when used
for emergency purposes or any combat support vehicle when used for
national defense purposes; (2) any vehicle whose use is expressly
authorized by the Bureau of Land Management under permit, lease,
license, or contract; and (3) any government vehicle on official
business.
Authority for closure orders is provided under 43 CFR subpart
8364.1. Violations of this closure are punishable by a fine not to
exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
[[Page 53690]]
Dated: September 23, 1999.
Michael Blymyer,
Cody Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-25658 Filed 10-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
