96-13761. Recreation Management; Visitor Use Restrictions and Travel Restrictions for the Potholes Recreation Site

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 107 (Monday, June 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27934-27935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13761]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CO-076-1230-00-257D]


Recreation Management; Visitor Use Restrictions and Travel 
Restrictions for the Potholes Recreation Site

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of supplementary visitor use restrictions and travel 
restrictions.

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SUMMARY: This order, issued under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1, and 
8342, limits motorized vehicle travel on identified public lands in the 
vicinity of the Potholes Recreation Site. The only authorized route 
will be the main access route into the recreation site itself. This 
order also prohibits any open campfires, overnight camping or shooting 
of firearms on public lands in the vicinity of the Potholes Recreation 
Site.
    The identified public land is in Colorado, Mesa County, under the 
management jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, Grand 
Junction Resource Area, Grand Junction District. The area is located in 
T. 12 S., R. 103 W., Section 35.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The restrictions shall be in effect year round 
beginning June 15, 1996 and shall remain in effect until rescinded or 
modified by the Authorized Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Potholes Recreation Site has for many 
years experienced undirected and uncontrolled recreational use. 
Dominant recreational pursuits include picnicking, camping and swimming 
and diving into the Little Dolores River. The unrestricted nature of 
the use has caused severe resource damage in many areas. Problems 
include frequent unattended campfires and frequent unsafe discharge of 
firearms. The number of nearby year round residents has increased in 
recent years and is causing frequent conflicts between recreationists 
and landowners. This order implements visitor use restrictions mandated 
in the Potholes Recreation Site Action Plan, with the Decision

[[Page 27935]]

Record signed on January 31, 1996. The restrictions consist of:
    1. The site will be limited to day use only. No overnight camping 
will be allowed.
    2. Open campfires will be prohibited. Charcoal fires contained 
within grills will still be allowed.
    3. No shooting zone to include all of section 35.
    4. Motorized vehicle use limited to the main access road into the 
site only. No vehicle use allowed within 450 feet of the Potholes. 
Persons who are exempt from the restrictions include: (1) Any Federal, 
State, or local officers engaged in fire, emergency and law enforcement 
activities; and (2) BLM employees engaged in official duties.
    The area affected by this order will be posted with appropriate 
regulatory signs.
    Penalties: Violations of this order are punishable by fines not to 
exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Robertson, Area Manager, 
Grand Junction Resource Area, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 
81506; [phone].
Elizabeth J. Sullivan,
Acting Grand Junction District Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-13761 Filed 5-31-96; 8:45 am]
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