[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 42711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20164]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-020-1220-00-0208]
Seasonal Closure of Public Land in the Bald Ridge Area, Park,
County, Wyoming, Cody Field Office, Wyoming
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of seasonal closure.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given to extend the emergency seasonal
closure of the Bald Ridge area that was published in the Federal
Register Vol. 61 No. 62 on Friday, March 29, 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), Cody Field Office,
is closed from December 15 through April 30 of each winter and spring
season to all use (such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike
riding, crosscountry skiing, and all motorized use) except specifically
authorized activities. This action is being taken for resource
protection of essential wintering habitat for elk and mule deer. No
access into this area will be allowed unless permitted by the
Authorized Officer (BLM Cody Field Manager).
EFFECTIVE DATES: 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18, 1996 and will remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the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: Dennis Saville, Wildlife Biologist or
Michael Blymyer, Field Manager, Cody Field Officer, P.O. Box 518, 1002
Blackburn Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414-0518. Telephone (307)-587-2216.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cody Field Office 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 hunting has caused unacceptable impacts to the wintering elk and
deer herds. These activities are stressing game animals 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 crucial winter habitat. The Cody Field Office has
completed the Travel Management Environmental Assessment for the Bald
Ridge area and has determined that this closure is necessary to address
these concerns.
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: July 21, 1999.
Michael Blymyer,
Cody Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-20164 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-M
