[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 89 (Friday, May 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25519-25520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12194]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[OR-050-1150-00:G8-0170]
Prineville District; Cave Closure; Oregon
May 1, 1998.
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice is hereby given that Stout Cave, Deschutes County,
Oregon, is closed yearlong to all visitor use for a three-year period
ending on May 1, 2001.
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Effective immediately, Stout Cave, in Deschutes County, Oregon, is
closed to all visitor use (caving, sport climbing, etc.) for a three-
year period ending on May 1, 2001. The term ``cave'' applies to any
naturally occurring void, cavity, recess, or system of interconnected
passages which occurs beneath the surface of the earth and to any
natural pit, sinkhole, or other feature which is an extension of the
entrance. The term ``sinkhole'' applies to the area below the rim and
extending to the cave's entrance. The purpose of this closure is to
protect roosting western big-eared bats from human disturbance. This
Special Status species is extremely sensitive to human disturbance.
Also, this closure is necessary in order to determine the specific type
and location of bat use in the absence of human disturbance. Current
levels of human disturbance prevent further evaluation of bat use.
Without this information, impacts to biota from current and proposed
human uses at the cave cannot be analyzed. BLM cave management policy
directs that protective measures, including cave closures, be
implemented where known or potential adverse impacts to sensitive
animals is present. Closure needs will be re-evaluated at the end of
the three-year closure period. Exemptions to this closure will apply to
administrative personnel for monitoring purposes; other exemptions to
this restriction may be made on a case-by-case basis by the authorized
officer. Exemptions could include approved research, essential search
and rescue, and other emergency actions or administrative operations
for the protection of cave resources. The authority for this closure is
43 CFR 8364.1: Closure and restriction orders.
A more specific location of public lands under this closure order
is not provided in order to protect sensitive cave resources. Cave
locations are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act under the
Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988.
[[Page 25520]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Nichols, Cave Protection
Specialist, BLM Prineville District, P.O. Box 550, Prineville, Oregon
97754, telephone (541) 416-6725.
SUPPLEMENTAY INFORMATION: Violation of this closure order is punishable
by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12
months as provided in 43 CFR 8360.0-7.
Dated: May 1, 1998.
James G. Kenna,
Deschutes Area Manager, Prineville District Office.
[FR Doc. 98-12194 Filed 5-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-M
