94-8396. Seasonal Visitation Restriction Order for the Carrizo Plain Natural Area

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8396]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CA-010-03-4350-03]

 

Seasonal Visitation Restriction Order for the Carrizo Plain 
Natural Area

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Establishment of a Seasonal Visitation Restriction Order on 
Public Lands within the Carrizo Plain Natural Area, Kern and San Luis 
Obispo Counties, in the Caliente Resource Area, Bakersfield District, 
California.

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SUMMARY: This emergency action seasonally restricts public visitation 
on BLM-administered rock outcrops within the Carrizo Plain Natural Area 
due to the presence of sensitive species of birds of prey during a 
critical part of their life cycle and restricts vehicular use of 
certain roads due to fire hazard and seasonal storms. The public lands 
affected by this restriction are located within Kern and San Luis 
Obispo Counties, California.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective on the date of publication, and 
pursuant to 43 CFR part 8360 and 43 CFR 8364.1(a), all visitation 
within 0.25 miles of any rock outcrop in the vicinity of and including 
Painted Rock is unlawful. This prohibition includes all outcrops within 
public lands in T32S, R20E, Sections 8, 16, and 17, Mount Diablo Base 
and Meridian. Access shall be limited to persons carrying written 
permission from the Authorized Officer or those participating in an 
authorized guided tour. Unauthorized individuals within 0.25 miles of 
the base of a rock outcrop or climbing on a rock outcrop within the 
above described area will be in violation of this Seasonal Visitation 
Restriction Order.
    Effective on the date of publication, and pursuant to 43 CFR part 
8360 and 43 CFR 8364.1(a), roads presenting a fire hazard due to 
vegetative growth will be closed to vehicular travel during the dry 
fire season. Roads may also be closed seasonally after heavy rains to 
prevent road damage and provide for public safety. All such roads will 
be posted with appropriate signs to advise of the closures.
    This Seasonal Visitation Restriction Order will be in effect from 
the date of publication in the Federal Register until June 30, 1994, 
for the Painted Rock Area and on an as needed basis for the road 
closures. Until the Resource Management Plan is approved similar use 
restrictions may be enforced in subsequent years if the Authorized 
Officer determines that sensitive resources need seasonal protection. 
Use restrictions intended to protect nesting raptors will generally 
occur from April 1 to June 30 and road closures will occur from June 1 
to September 30 for fire restrictions and December 1 to April 15 for 
storm damage. Maps of the affected area and information concerning 
guided tours are available from the Caliente Resource Area Office, 3801 
Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, California 93308-6837. This emergency 
visitation restriction has three purposes: to limit visitor-caused 
disturbance to nesting birds of prey to a level compatible with 
successful nesting while allowing for educational and recreational use; 
to reduce accidental fires caused by vehicular travel on roads heavily 
overgrown with annual grasses; and to reduce damage to roads after 
seasonal storms while promoting public safety on these roads.
    Bureau of Land Management employees and Carrizo Plain cooperators 
are exempt from this order while in the course of their official 
duties.
    Any person who fails to comply with this restriction order may be 
subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to 
exceed 12 months. Penalties are contained in 43 CFR 8360.0-7.

    Dated: March 29, 1994.
James Wesley Abbott,
Caliente Resource Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 94-8396 Filed 4-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M