Notice of Temporary Closure of the Ash Springs Recreation Site on Public Lands in Lincoln County, NV, 32748 [2014-13180]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 32748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13180]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[L12320000 EA0000 LVRDNV130000 LLNVL00000; MO 4500061864; TAS: 
14X1125]


Notice of Temporary Closure of the Ash Springs Recreation Site on 
Public Lands in Lincoln County, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This is to notify the public that a temporary closure is in 
effect on public lands at the Ash Springs Recreation Site administered 
by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District, Caliente Field 
Office as authorized under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976 and pursuant to BLM regulations for the 
protection of persons, property, and public lands and resources.

DATES: This temporary closure is in effect on July 7, 2014, until March 
1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Barr, Caliente Field Manager, 
775-726-8100, email vbarr@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact Ms. Barr. The FIRS is 
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question 
for Ms. Barr. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Ash Springs Recreation Site is located 
approximately 100 miles north of Las Vegas along U.S. Highway 93 in 
Pahranagat Valley in Lincoln County. The recreation site is defined by 
an existing fence and the closed lands are limited to the fenced area. 
The affected public lands are described as follows:

Mount Diablo Meridian

T. 6 S., R. 61 E. Sec. 6, Lot 8.
    The lands described contain 1.18 acres, more or less, in Lincoln 
County, Nevada.

    A temporary closure of the Ash Springs Recreation Site is necessary 
due to extensive unauthorized modification of a man-made pool and a 
natural pool by public users that is causing a threat to human safety 
and degrading habitat for endangered species. During the temporary-
closure period, the BLM will work collaboratively with stakeholders to 
develop a long-term management plan to determine the type and level of 
use suitable for the area while protecting critical habitat for the 
endangered White River springfish. In addition to the endangered 
springfish, Ash Springs provides habitat for three BLM Nevada sensitive 
species: Pahranagat naucorid bug, Grated tyronia, and Pahranagat 
pebblesnail.
    The BLM analyzed the temporary closure through Environmental 
Assessment (EA) DOI-BLM-NV-L030-0032-EA. A 15-day public comment period 
was provided on the EA which only analyzed the action of temporarily 
closing the public lands of the Ash Spring Recreation Site to public 
uses. The BLM would analyze any actions for repairing/rehabilitating 
the site through a separate decision document in compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act incorporating public comments.
    This temporary closure order is posted at the BLM Ely District 
Office, Ely, Nevada, and at the Caliente Field Office, Caliente, 
Nevada. This temporary closure applies to all members of the public 
except: (1) BLM personnel for administrative purposes; (2) Emergency 
and law enforcement personnel and vehicles while being used for 
emergency or administrative purposes; and (3) Any person authorized in 
writing by the Ely District Manager or the Caliente Field Manager. If 
the BLM is unable to negate the risks to public safety and endangered 
species habitat within the 2-year timeframe, the BLM will consider 
extending the temporary closure order.
    Penalties: Any person who fails to comply with this temporary 
closure order is subject to arrest and, upon conviction, may be fined 
not more than $1,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months.

    Authority: (Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1)

Victoria Barr,
Manager, Caliente Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2014-13180 Filed 6-5-14; 8:45 am]
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