Emergency Route Restriction Order Within the Upper Hughes Creek Allotment (#4410), Moffat County, CO, 8608-8609 [05-3300]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management
• Land Management Bureau

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8608-8609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3300]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-100-04-1990-00]


Emergency Route Restriction Order Within the Upper Hughes Creek 
Allotment (4410), Moffat County, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of emergency closure.

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SUMMARY: This order closes two unauthorized construction routes on 
public lands to motorized use in the areas within the Upper Hughes 
Creek Allotment, Moffat County, Colorado. This order does not modify 
the current Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) classification of ``open'' in 
this area. The order is an emergency measure that prohibits the use of 
any motorized wheeled vehicles on the identified routes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 22, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Maps of the trespass roads will be available at the Little 
Snake Field Office, 455 Emerson Street, Craig, Colorado.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John E. Husband, Field Manager, Little 
Snake Field Office, 455 Emerson Street, Craig, Colorado 81625; 
Telephone (970) 826-5000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This order is issued under the authority of 
43 CFR 8341.2, 43 CFR 8364.1, and 43 CFR 9268.3(d)(1) as an emergency 
measure. This action qualifies as a Categorical Exclusion under 516 DM 
6, Appendix 5.4, Number: --G--.(--3--) and has been considered in 
Categorical Exclusion CO-100-2005-001CX, which was signed on December 
9, 2004. Further investigation is proceeding and plans for reclamation 
of damaged resources are being developed.
    This order affects public lands in Moffat County, Colorado, thus 
described:
    (1) Public Lands within: T.4N., R.96W., Sections 15 and 22, Sixth 
Principal Meridian;
    (2) Approximately: 3 acres of public lands.
    This restriction order shall be effective on February 22, 2005, and 
shall remain in effect until resource reclamation objectives have been 
achieved and the order is then rescinded by the Authorized Officer.
    During the summer of 2004, an unknown person used heavy 
construction equipment to widen an existing trail and build a new route 
on public lands that accommodates full size pickup truck vehicle use. 
Use of these routes by wheeled motorized vehicles has the potential to 
cause considerable adverse effects to soil, water, and cultural 
resources.
    The designated area affected by this order will be posted with 
appropriate regulatory signs. Persons who are exempt from restriction 
contained in this notice include:
    1. Any Federal, State, or local officers engaged in fire, 
emergency, and law enforcement activities.
    2. Persons or agencies holding a special use permit or right-of-way 
for access to exercise their permit within the restricted area, for 
purposes related to access for maintenance and operation of authorized 
facilities, and provided such motorized use is limited to the routes 
specifically identified in the special use permit or right-of-way.
    3. Grazing permittees holding a valid grazing permit for the 
restricted area. Such permittees will contact the Authorized Officer, 
when possible, prior to motorized vehicle use of the route(s)

[[Page 8609]]

for grazing situations. The Authorized Officer will issue verbal 
instructions as needed to avoid the areas of concern within the 
designated area. All verbal instructions will be followed by the 
grazing permittee. Emergency situations (e.g. recovery of sick or 
injured animal(s) or emergency facility maintenance) will be completed 
with as little resource damage as possible. If prior notification is 
not possible, grazing permittees will notify the Authorized Officer, 
within 10 working days, of actions taken in a letter describing the 
location and reason for the action. BLM mitigation measures related to 
the soil, water, and/or cultural resource will be developed to address 
any damages caused by the emergency situation.
    Penalties: Violations of this restriction order are punishable by 
fines as specified in 43 CFR 8360.0-7, and 18 U.S.C. 3571 of no more 
than $100,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

John E. Husband,
Field Manager, Little Snake Field Office.
[FR Doc. 05-3300 Filed 2-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P