98-8344. Temporary Designation of Areas Open to Motor Vehicles Within the Keyesville Special Management Area

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 15429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8344]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-010-1220-01]


Temporary Designation of Areas Open to Motor Vehicles Within the 
Keyesville Special Management Area

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Designation of trails open for use by off-highway vehicles and 
areas closed to the operation of motor vehicles within the Keyesville 
Special Management Area of the Bakersfield Field Office, CA.

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SUMMARY: Off-highway vehicles operating on public land within the 
Keyesville Special Management Area may utilize designated trails. Other 
vehicles may access public land using existing roads. All other public 
lands in Keyesville are closed to motorized vehicles.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective May 1, and pursuant to 43 CFR 
8341.2(a) and 43 CFR 8360, all motorized vehicles must remain on 
designated trails, publicly maintained roads or established easement on 
public land within the Keyesville Special Management Area. Except as 
noted below, camping sites and other locations on public land within 
the Keyesville Special Management Area may be accessed by using 
existing roads. Such travel is limited to use as necessary for access.
    Notwithstanding the above, dune buggies, all-terrain vehicles 
(ATVs), all motorcycles designed or equipped for off-highway travel and 
any vehicle registered under Section 38010 of the California Motor 
Vehicle Code, may not be operated off designated trails on public land 
within the Keyesville Special Management Area. Designated trails are 
the Dutch Flat Train, designated segments of the Keyesville Classic 
Trails, Hogeye Ridge Trail, Snake Pit Trail and Kern Canyon Trail.
    Nothing herein will restrict or in any way prevent legitimate 
access to private property within the Keyesville Special Management 
Area or restrict the use of equipment for any purpose approved either 
by the Authorized Officer or authorized through an approved plan of 
operations or unpatented mining claims. This closure does not apply to 
roads or highways maintained by the State of California or Kern County. 
Employees of any governmental jurisdiction are exempt from this 
regulation when employed in the furtherance of their duties.
    This closure includes all public lands in T. 26 S., R. 33 E. 
Section 30 W\1/2\, Sec. 31 W\1/2\; T.26 S., R.32 E. Sec 25, Sec. 35, 
Sec 36; and T. 27 S., R. 32 E. Sec 1 and Sec 2, Mount Diablo Base and 
Meridian.
    Any vehicle operated on public land within the Keyesville Special 
Management Area that is found in violation of any law or regulations 
relating to the use or operation of off-highway vehicles as defined in 
43 CFR 8340.0-5 may be impounded pending an assessment of resource 
damage or court proceedings.
    Trails designated for the use by off-highway vehicles within the 
Keyeville Special Management Area will be designated by ``open'' trail 
signs. A map showing the location of such trails will be made available 
at the Bakersfiled Field Office.
    This order is intended to curtail considerable existing adverse 
effects upon soil, vegetation and wildlife habitat within the 
Keyesville Special Management Area. It is in conformance with the May 
1997 Caliente Resource Management Plan.
    The order will expire upon completion of a special recreation plan 
applicable to the Keyesville Special Management Area.
    Penalties for violation of this order are contained in 43 CFR 
8340.0-7. Such punishment may be a fine of not more than $1,000 or 
imprisonment for not longer than 12 months, or both.

    Dated: March 25, 1998.
Ron Fellows,
Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-8344 Filed 3-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M