[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51092-51093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25593]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[UT-080-1430-00]
Temporary Emergency Closure of Public Land in Uintah County, Utah
summary: Notice is hereby given that the Vernal Field Office herewith
issues a temporary emergency closure of public land in Uintah County,
Utah, effective October 1, 1998. This order temporarily closes 1,320
acres of public land to public use and entry. This temporary closure
area encompasses the following public land:
Salt Lake Meridian, Utah
T.10. S., R. 24 E.,
Sec. 22. E\1/2\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\;
Sec. 23, W\1/2\;
Sec. 26, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
Sec. 27, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/
4\.
The authorized officer, has determined that the underground methane
generation occurring at the abandoned White River Oil Shale Mine is a
safety hazard making the facility and surrounding area unsafe for human
occupation or activity. The closure area affects the above described
public land presently encumbered by the abandoned White River Oil Shale
Mine, ancillary support facilities, and associated ventilation shafts.
The closure prohibits all use, entry, or access onto the affected
public lands; however, the access restriction may be waived under
extraordinary circumstances where limited, short, term, emergency
access is warranted and appropriate clearances and authorization are
obtained from the authorized officer.
Where emergency access is authorized by the authorized officer, it
would be conditioned on the following provisions;
All persons entering and leaving the closure area shall be
accompanied by personnel from the BLM's Vernal Field Office and only
after said BLM staff have determined that the area is safe for site
visitation purposes.
All persons allowed emergency access into the closure area shall
waive and release all direct and indirect claims that may occur against
the United States for liability for any loss, damage,
[[Page 51093]]
personal injury, or death that may occur as a result of their access to
the closure area and will indemnify and hold harmless the United
States. All such incidents shall immediately be reported to the BLM
Field Office.
The purpose of this closure is to protect human life, ensure public
safety, and to prevent human contact with a known hazardous situation.
A map of the area affected by this closure is on file and may be viewed
at the Venal Field Office of the BLM.
effective date: The closure order is effective from September 1, 1998,
through December 31, 2000, unless, prior thereto, it is rescinded or
modified by the authorized officer.
supplemental information: This closure is under the authority of 43 CFR
8364.1. Persons violating this closure shall be subject to the
penalties provided in 43 CFR 8360.0-7, including a fine not to exceed
$1,000.00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed one year.
for further information contact: The BLM Vernal Field office, 170 South
500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078, (435) 781-4400.
Dated: September 17, 1998.
David E. Howell,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-25593 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-M
