2023-21264. Notice of Temporary Closure of Public Lands for the 2023-2027 Laughlin Off-Highway Vehicle Races, Clark County, NV

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary closure.

SUMMARY:

The Las Vegas Field Office announces the temporary closures of certain public lands under its administration for three annual off-highway vehicle (OHV) races that occur in Laughlin, Nevada. This area is used by OHV recreationists, and the temporary closures are needed to limit their access to the race area and to minimize the risk of potential collisions with spectators and racers.

DATES:

One event will take place between January and March and two races will occur between October and December from 2023 through 2027. Each race will span a 2-day period. The closure dates will be listed on www.blm.gov/​nevada 30 days prior to each event.

ADDRESSES:

The temporary closure order, communications plan, and map of the temporary closure area for each event will be posted at the BLM Las Vegas Field Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130, and on the BLM website: www.blm.gov/​nevada. These materials will also be posted at the access point of the Laughlin race area and surrounding areas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Braden Yardley, Outdoor Recreation Planner, (702) 515–5089, or [e-mail]. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This action is being taken to help ensure public safety during the official permitted races in the Laughlin area. The public lands affected by this closure are described as follows:

Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada

T. 32 S., R. 66 E.,

Sec. 8, lots 2 thru 33;

Sec. 9;

Sec. 10, S 1/2 NE 1/4 , S 1/2 NW 1/4 , and S 1/2 ;

Sec. 11, S 1/2 NE 1/4 , S 1/2 NW 1/4 , and S 1/2 ;

Sec. 14;

Sec. 15, E 1/2 ;

Sec. 16, N 1/2 , SW 1/4 , and N 1/2 SE 1/4 ;

Sec. 17, lots 1 thru 8, lots 21 thru 25, and lots 30 thru 44.

The area described contains 4,521.97 acres, according to the official plats of the surveys of the said lands on file with the BLM.

The temporary closures will be posted to roads leading into the public lands to notify the public of the closures for these events. The closure areas include State Route 163 to the north and T. 32 S., R. 66 E sections 8 and 17 to the west and are bracketed by Bruce Woodbury Drive to the south and southwest and Thomas Edison Drive to the east. Under the authority of Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)), 43 CFR 8360.0–7, and 43 CFR 8364.1, the BLM will enforce the following rules in the area described above:

The entire area as listed in the legal description earlier is closed to all vehicles and personnel except law enforcement, emergency vehicles, event personnel, event participants, and spectators. Access routes leading to the closed area will be signed to indicate a closure ahead. No vehicle stopping or parking in the closed area except for designated parking areas will be permitted. Event participants and spectators are required to remain within designated areas only.

The BLM will enforce the following restrictions for the duration of the closure to ensure the safety of participants and spectators. Unless otherwise authorized, the following activities within the closure area are prohibited:

• Camping;
• Possession and/or consuming any alcoholic beverage unless the person has reached the age of 21 years;
• Discharging or use of firearms or other weapons;
• Possession or discharging of fireworks;
• Allowing any pet or other animal in one's care to be unrestrained at any time. Animals must be on a leash or other restraint no longer than 3 feet;

• Operation of any vehicle that is not legally registered for street and highway operation ( e.g., All Terrain Vehicles, motorcycles, Utility Terrain Vehicles, golf carts, and any OHV, including operation of such a vehicle in spectator viewing areas);

• Parking any vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in such a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement or the parking of other vehicles, create a safety hazard, or endanger any person, property, or feature. Vehicles so parked are subject to citation, removal, and impoundment at the owner's expense;
• Operating a vehicle through, around, or beyond a restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence, or traffic control barrier or device;
• Failing to maintain control of a vehicle to avoid danger to persons, property, or wildlife; and
• Operating a motor vehicle without due care or at a speed greater than 25 mph.

Signs and maps directing the public to designated spectator areas will be provided by the event sponsor.

Exceptions: Temporary closure restrictions do not apply to activities conducted under contract with the BLM, agency personnel monitoring the event, or activities conducted under an approved plan of operation. Authorized users must have in their possession a written permit or contract from the BLM, signed by the authorized officer.

Enforcement: Any person who violates this temporary closure may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned no more than 12 months under 43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 43 CFR 8360.0–7, or both. In accordance with 43 CFR 8365.1–7, State or local officials may also impose penalties for violations of Nevada law.

(Authority: 43 CFR 8360.0–7 and 8364.1)

Bruce Sillitoe,

Field Manager—Las Vegas Field Office.