[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12176-12177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6034]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CA-010-1220-01]
Special Recreation Use Permit (SRUP) for Events Involving More
Than Fifty Persons
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed supplementary rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bakersfield (California)
Field Office proposes a
[[Page 12177]]
supplementary rule requiring groups to obtain a Special Recreation Use
Permit (SRUP) to conduct an event involving more than 50 persons. The
purpose of this action is to protect natural and cultural resources;
prevent wildfires, maintain public health, safety, and sanitation; and
address occupancy and recreational use of BLM land managed by the
Bakersfield Field Office .
DATES: Send your comments to reach BLM by April 15, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver comments to Bureau of Land Management,
Bakersfield Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308. You may
send comments via e-mail to: mayers@ca.blm.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Ayers at the Bureau of Land
Management, Bakersfield Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA
93308; telephone (805) 391-6120.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLM's visitor services regulations allow it
to establish supplementary rules for the protection of persons,
property, and public lands and resources. See 43 CFR 8365.1-6. BLM must
publish the rules in the Federal Register and in a newspaper of general
circulation in the affected vicinity, or make them available to the
public by other appropriate means. Once BLM adopts a supplementary
rule, it will be available for inspection in the local office having
jurisdiction over the lands, sites, or facilities affected. BLM will
also post each supplementary rule near and/or within the lands, sites,
or facilities affected.
The policy of the Department of the Interior is, whenever
practicable, to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the
rulemaking process. Accordingly, BLM invites interested persons to
submit written comments, suggestions, or objections regarding the
proposed rule to the location identified in the ADDRESSES section of
this preamble. This supplementary rule will take effect after review of
public comment.
BLM is proposing this supplementary rule to manage environmental
and public health and safety issues associated with large groups
wishing to conduct outdoor concerts or gatherings on BLM land. This
supplementary rule would affect only public land under the management
of the BLM, Bakersfield Field Office, Bakersfield, California, and is
in conformation with the May 1997 Caliente Resource Management Plan.
Supplementary Rule
The following rule is in effect on land managed by the Bureau of
Land Management, Bakersfield Office:
(a) Any organization, group, club, or formal or informal
association of persons that proposes to conduct any event, rally,
meeting, party, bazaar, flea market, swap meet, outdoor concert,
festival, jamboree, encounter, or similar gathering of more than 50
persons in part or in full on land managed by the BLM Bakersfield Field
Office must file an application for a Special Recreation Use Permit
(SRUP) with the Bakersfield Field Office. The group must obtain a SRUP
regardless of the commercial or financial status of the group involved
or whether or not a profit is made or intended to be made from the
event. At a minimum, all groups must provide for sanitation, security,
insurance, and take appropriate measures to prevent violations of State
and Federal laws related to the use, possession, distribution, or sale
of Federally controlled substances. The group must apply for the SRUP
as early as possible prior to the intended use, but no later than 120
days before the event, unless a shorter time is authorized by the
Bakersfield Field Office Manager or his designated representative.
(b) This supplementary rule does not in any way restrict or prevent
access to or use of private property within the designated area. Public
officers or employees in the performance of their official duties are
exempt from this supplementary rule. BLM will not use this
supplementary rule to hinder or curtail any valid existing right,
permit, or authorization.
(c) This supplementary rule does not replace or modify the
requirements of BLM's Special Recreation Permits regulations at 43 CFR
part 8372. BLM will not use this supplementary rule to discourage or
restrict family gatherings for casual use recreation. BLM will not
allow gatherings of adolescents without onsite adult supervision. The
approval and subsequent issuance of a SRUP is discretionary with the
Bakersfield Field Office Manager or his designated representative and
may be replaced with a letter of authorization if BLM deems such action
appropriate.
(d) If you knowingly and willfully violate this supplementary rule,
you may be subject to arrest and a fine of not more than $1,000 or
imprisonment of not more than 12 months as provided by 43 CFR 8360.0-7.
Dated: March 3, 1999.
Ron Fellows,
Bakersfield Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-6034 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M
