[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42711-42712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20165]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-020-1220-00-0208]
Closure of Certain Roads and Trails on Public Land in the
Rattlesnake Mountain Area, Park County, Wyoming, Cody Field Office,
Wyoming
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of closure.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective July 20, 1999, some
roads and trails on public land administered by the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), Cody Field Office, will be closed to all motorized
travel. These roads and trails are located in the Rattlesnake Mountain
area south and west of Trail Creek. As of the effective date, only
designated roads are available for use. All roads and trails not
designated are closed to motorized use. Designated access roads include
the main trunk road on top of Rattlesnake Mountain (BLM #1207) and the
BLM portion of the existing trail on the southeast face of Rattlesnake
Mountain. Access to the Rattlesnake main trunk road from Monument Hill
road (County 7UH) is subject to an easement through private lands which
provides public access for timber related purposes only (such as
firewood removal or timber harvest). A BLM firewood cutting permit
allows motorized vehicle access to this area for firewood removal only.
Motorized travel on the southeast face trail is restricted to All
Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) with wheelbase lengths less than 60 inches, 6
inches or more tread width on each tire, and 5 pounds or less air
pressure in each tire. All other roads and trails are open to foot and
horseback travel and other forms of nonmotorized travel (such as
mountain bike riding). Additional roads and trails may be temporarily
opened to motorized travel for timber and firewood sales. This
motorized vehicle use will be managed as stated in 43 CFR 8341.1(a-h).
Limited motorized use of nondesignated roads may be allowed for certain
permitted uses (such as Right-of-Way [ROW] holders and grazing
permittees). Travel by snow machines will be allowed whenever there is
adequate snow cover. This applies to all public land administered by
the BLM on Rattlesnake Mountain, unless administratively restricted for
the protection of wintering big game herds. As stated in the decision
record of the Rattlesnake Mountain Travel Management Environmental
Assessment (WY-017-EA6-038). ``This decision can be modified within the
original scope of this analysis, without further notice if determined
by the authorized officer that changes in adjacent land ownership, new
data acquisition, or public access needs dictate a revision of this
decision.''
EFFECTIVE DATES: This closure will be effective July 20, 1999 and will
remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Authorized Officer.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Hare, Cody Assistant Field Manager
or Michael Blymyer, Cody Field Manager, P.O. Box 518, 1002 Blackburn
Avenue,
[[Page 42712]]
Cody, Wyoming 82414-0518. Telephone (307) 587-2216.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cody Field Office is responsible for
off-road vehicle management which includes designation of roads for
vehicular use and seasonal travel restrictions as described in the Cody
Resource Management Plan (RMP), signed November 8, 1990. The
Rattlesnake Mountain area has suffered resource damage due to
uncontrolled motorized vehicle use of temporary logging roads. The
purpose of this closure is to reduce resource damage to both public and
private lands in the area. This order will aid in the rehabilitation of
the logging roads and reduce resource damage caused by motorized
vehicles.
The Rattlesnake Mountain area provides habitat for both summering
and wintering deer and elk. Unrestricted motorized vehicle use has
historically pushed both species onto the steeper side slopes of the
mountain. Motorized vehicle use limited to designated roads will reduce
the negative impacts on the wildlife.
The main trunk road on Rattlesnake Mountain (BLM #1207) passes
through the following described BLM-administered public lands south and
west of Trail Creek: Sixth Principal Meridian, Township 53 North, Range
103 West, sections 8, 9, 17, 21, 22, 23, 26, 35, and 36. The trail on
the southeast face of Rattlesnake Mountain passes through Township 53
North, Range 102 West, sections 32, 33 and also Township 52 North Range
102 West, West section 6. Authority to close roads and trails to
motorized vehicle use is provided under 43 CFR 8341.2 (a and b), and
8364.1. Violations 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. 99-20165 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-M
