[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8262-8263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4392]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[NM-060-07-1110-(00) (0002)]
Intent of Seasonal Road Closure; Caprock Wildlife Habitat Area,
Mescalero Sands, NM
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent of Seasonal Road Closure within the Caprock
Wildlife Habitat Area at Mescalero Sands.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR Part 8364, the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) will annually close a BLM-maintained road designated as Mathers
TT329 to public access at State Highway 380 from March 1 through June
1. This period may be extended earlier or later, or with additional
closure periods imposed during the year, for Lesser prairie chicken
research needs.
DATE: This action is effective March 1, 1997, and will remain in effect
until the cessation of Lesser prairie chicken studies projected through
the year 2001.
ADDRESSES: Maps showing the location of the access point from State
Highway 380 that will be closed will be available at the BLM District
Office, 2909 West 2nd Street, Roswell, New Mexico.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
T.R. Kreager, Area Manager, Roswell Resource Area, 2909 West 2nd
Street, Roswell, New Mexico 88201-2019, Telephone (505) 627-0272.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Approximately six miles of caliche-surfaced
road maintained by the BLM will be seasonally closed to the general
public by the physical restriction of access from State Highway 380 at
the following location:
New Mexico Principal Meridian
Caprock Wildlife Habitat Area, Mescalero Sands
T. 10 S., R. 31 E., Section 30: SWNE
The access point is at State Highway 380, across from the Waldrop
Rest Area (Mile Marker 196), approximately forty-two miles east of
Roswell, New Mexico. The area restricted to public access is north of
the highway.
This temporary road and are closure will be in effect annually from
March 1, 1997, until the cessation of Lesser prairie chicken studies in
the year 2001. The purpose of the closure is to restrict currently open
public access into important Lesser prairie chicken habitat targeted
for long-term ecological studies. Specifically, to prevent disturbance
to prairie chicken booming grounds (leks) and trapping efforts at the
grounds for
[[Page 8263]]
radio-telemetry work conducted to determine movement and habitat use.
Unrestricted access to the area may compromise or jeopardize prairie
chicken research efforts in this portion of the Caprock Wildlife
Habitat Area.
Vehicle access for administrative purposes, and those activities
authorized by the BLM, will continue to be allowed. Only the road and
general area serviced by the road is affected by this action.
Dated: February 12, 1997.
Edwin L. Roberson,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-4392 Filed 2-21-97; 8:45 am]
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