[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 62 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14158-14159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7712]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 14159]]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WY-010-1220-00]
Emergency Seasonal Closure of Public Land in the Bald Ridge Area,
Park County, WY
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Emergency Seasonal Closure of Public Land in the Bald
Ridge Area, Park County, Wyoming.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective March 18, 1996, the Bald
Ridge area located south of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River
and west and north of Hogan Reservoir of Park County, Wyoming on public
land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Worland
District, Cody Resource Area, was closed from December 15 through April
30 to all use (such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike riding,
crosscountry skiing, and all motorized use) except permitted
activities. This action is being taken for resource protection of
essential wintering habitat of elk and mule deer. No access into this
area will be allowed unless permitted by the Authorized Officer (BLM
Cody Resource Area Manager).
EFFECTIVE DATE: This emergency seasonal closure was effective March 18,
1996 and will remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the
Authorized Officer.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Dieli, Recreation Planner or Duane
Whitmer, Area Manager, Cody Resource Area, P.O. Box 518, 1002 Blackburn
Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414-0518. Telephone (307) 587-2216.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cody Resource Area is responsible for
the management of essential wildlife habitat in the Bald Ridge area of
the Absaroka Front and other crucial habitat areas located throughout
the Bighorn Basin. These essential habitat areas and management thereof
are covered under the Cody Resource Management Plan (RMP), which was
signed on November 8, 1990. ``Seasonal restrictions will be applied as
appropriate to surface-disturbing and disruptive activities and land
uses on big game crucial habitat, including winter ranges and elk
calving areas.'' (Cody RMP, p. 40)
The Bald Ridge area is crucial wintering habitat for big game.
Increasing visitor activity, such as horseback riding, hiking, and
antler hunters are causing unacceptable impacts to the wintering elk
and deer herds. These activities are causing anxiety during a period
when the animals are most susceptible to stress-related health affects
that could cause death. These activities also force the herds to be
displaced from their winter habitat. The Cody Resource Area will
analyze a proposal for facility development at Hogan Reservoir as well
as travel management of the Bald Ridge area to be investigated in the
near future. This emergency seasonal closure is needed to address an
immediate concern.
The following described BLM-administered lands south of the Clarks
Fork of the Yellowstone River and west of Hogan Reservoir are included
in this seasonal closure: T. 56 N., R. 103 W., sections 7, 8, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 from the west
end of Hogan Reservoir. Hogan Reservoir remains open for fishing and
nonmotorized travel within 100 yards of the reservoir's high-water
line. Authority for closure and restriction orders is provided under 43
CFR subpart 8341.2 (a and b), 8364.1, 8372.0-7, 8372.1-2. Violations of
this closure are punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and (or)
imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
Dated: March 15, 1996.
Duane Whitmer,
Cody Resource Area Manager, Worland District.
[FR Doc. 96-7712 Filed 3-28-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
