Public Lands in the Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction and Kremmling Field Offices, and the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, CO, 4872-4880 [2024-01399]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4872-4880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01399]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

43 CFR Part 8360

[BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500172299]


Public Lands in the Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction and 
Kremmling Field Offices, and the Dominguez-Escalante National 
Conservation Area, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed supplementary rule.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a 
supplementary rule to protect natural resources and public health and 
safety. The proposed supplementary rule would apply to public lands and 
BLM facilities managed by the Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, 
and Kremmling Field Offices, and the Dominguez-Escalante National 
Conservation Area (NCA) in Colorado managed by the Grand Junction and 
Uncompahgre Field Offices.

DATES: Please submit comments by March 25, 2024. Comments received 
after this date may not be considered in the development of the final 
supplementary rule.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following methods: ePlanning 
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/90071/510, mail or hand 
deliver to Proposed Supplementary Rule, Attention: Erin Jones, Upper 
Colorado

[[Page 4873]]

River District, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO, 81506.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Jones, Upper Colorado River 
District Associate District Manager (see address listed earlier), or by 
phone: (970) 244-3008; or email: [email protected]. 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:

I. Public Comment Procedures

    Written comments on the proposed supplementary rule should be 
specific, confined to issues pertinent to the proposed supplementary 
rule, and explain the reason for any recommended change. Where 
possible, comments should reference the specific section or paragraph 
of the proposed supplementary rule that the comments are addressing. 
The BLM will consider comments received before the end of the comment 
period (see DATES), including those that are postmarked before the 
deadline and delivered to the address listed earlier (see ADDRESSES). 
Comments, including names, street addresses, and other contact 
information of respondents will be available for public review during 
regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 
except on Federal holidays) in the Colorado River Valley, Grand 
Junction, Kremmling, and Uncompahgre Field Offices. Before including 
your address, phone number, email address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be 
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment 
to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, 
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

II. Background

    The Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, and Kremmling Field 
Offices, and Dominguez-Escalante NCA completed new resource management 
plans (RMPs) in recent years. Supplementary rules are necessary to 
implement the decisions in the RMPs, which would facilitate enforcement 
of these decisions and protect natural resources and public health and 
safety.
    The field offices completed their RMP processes and issued Records 
of Decision (RODs) after inviting the public to comment during scoping 
and public-comment periods. The field offices review each public 
comment received during each step of the process and responded to all 
comments received during the public-comment periods (see the individual 
RMPs for responses to public comments). Some parts of the proposed rule 
have already been in effect under previous RMPs; for example, the 14-
day camping limits and restrictions on mechanized travel. Other 
proposed rule restrictions are from the new RMPs published in 2015, 
such as the restrictions on rock climbing in the Colorado River Valley 
Field Office and on metal detectors and paintball guns in Dominguez-
Escalante NCA.

III. Discussion of the Proposed Supplementary Rule

    This proposed supplementary rule would apply to public lands and 
BLM facilities managed by the Colorado River Valley Field Office, Grand 
Junction Field Office, Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-Escalante 
NCA.
    This proposed supplementary rule would address resource damage, 
public safety, wildland fire, and wildlife disruption concerns. The BLM 
consulted with the Shooting Sports Roundtable while preparing each RMP 
to coordinate on the shooting closures described in this proposed rule.
    We expect that concerns raised over restrictions to recreational 
activities in this proposed supplementary rule will be similar to those 
that the BLM addressed when it developed the supporting RMPs. Issues 
raised during the development of the supporting RMPs included concerns 
over the size and location of areas available for mechanized travel, 
target shooting, and camping in each field office or NCA, and the 
suitability of the areas for those uses. BLM examined the issues and 
comments submitted during the development of each RMP and struck a 
balance between making areas available for these types of activities 
and imposing restrictions where necessary to protect natural resources 
and public health and safety.
    The proposed supplementary rule conforms with management decisions 
contained in the following RMPs:
    [ssquf] Colorado River Valley RMP (2015) as amended by the Sutey 
Ranch and Haines Parcel Approved RMP Amendment (2019);
    [ssquf] Grand Junction RMP (2015);
    [ssquf] Kremmling RMP (2015); and
    [ssquf] Dominguez-Escalante NCA RMP (2017).
    The authority for this supplementary rule is set forth at sections 
303 and 310 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), 43 
U.S.C. 1733 and 1740, as well as 43 CFR 8365.1-6, which authorizes BLM 
State Directors to establish a supplementary rule for the protection of 
persons, property, and public lands and resources.

IV. Procedural Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    The proposed supplementary rule is not a significant regulatory 
action and is not subject to review by the Office of Management and 
Budget under Executive Order 12866 as amended by Executive Order 14094. 
The proposed supplementary rule would not have an effect of $200 
million or more on the economy and would not adversely affect in a 
material way productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public 
health or safety; or State, local, or Tribal governments or 
communities. The proposed supplementary rule would not create a serious 
inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by 
another agency. The proposed supplementary rule would not materially 
alter the budgetary effects of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan 
programs, or the rights or obligations of their recipients, nor does it 
raise novel legal or policy issues. This proposed supplementary rule 
would merely impose limitations on certain activities on certain public 
lands to protect natural resources and human health and safety.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Congress enacted the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), as 
amended, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, to ensure that government regulations do not 
unnecessarily or disproportionately burden small entities. The RFA 
requires a regulatory flexibility analysis if a rule would have a 
significant economic impact, either detrimental or beneficial, on a 
substantial number of small entities. The proposed supplementary rule 
would have no effect on business entities of any size. The proposed 
supplementary rule would merely impose reasonable restrictions on 
certain activities on certain public lands to protect natural resources 
and the environment and human health and safety. Therefore, the BLM 
certifies under the RFA that this proposed supplementary rule would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

[[Page 4874]]

Congressional Review Act

    This proposed supplementary rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined 
at 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This proposed supplementary rule would merely 
impose reasonable restrictions on certain recreational activities on 
certain public lands to protect natural resources, the environment and 
human health and safety. This proposed supplementary rule would not:
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more.
    (2) Cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers; 
individual industries; Federal, State, or local agencies; or geographic 
regions; or
    (3) Have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, 
investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United 
States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in 
domestic and export markets.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The proposed supplementary rule would not impose an unfunded 
mandate on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector of 
more than $100 million per year; nor would it have a significant or 
unique effect on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private 
sector. The proposed supplementary rule would merely impose reasonable 
restrictions on certain recreational activities on specific public 
lands to protect natural resources, the environment, and human health 
and safety. Therefore, the BLM is not required to prepare a statement 
containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Governmental Actions and Interference With Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights--Takings (Executive Order 12630)

    The proposed supplementary rule does not constitute a government 
action capable of interfering with constitutionally protected property 
rights. The proposed supplementary rule would not address property 
rights in any form and would not cause the impairment of 
constitutionally protected property rights. Therefore, the BLM has 
determined that this proposed supplementary rule would not cause a 
``taking'' of private property or require further discussion of takings 
implications under this Executive order.

Federalism (Executive Order 13132)

    The proposed supplementary rule would not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the National 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 13132, the BLM has determined that this 
proposed supplementary rule does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)

    Under Executive Order 12988, the BLM has determined that this 
proposed supplementary rule would not unduly burden the judicial system 
and that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of 
Executive Order 12988.

Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments (Executive 
Order 13175 and Departmental Policy)

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175, the BLM has found that 
this proposed supplementary rule does not include policies that have 
Tribal implications and would have no bearing on trust lands or on 
lands for which title is held in fee status by Indian Tribes or U.S. 
Government-owned lands managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed supplementary rule does not contain information 
collection requirements that the Office of Management and Budget must 
approve under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This proposed supplementary rule would implement key decisions in 
the following RMPs: Colorado River Valley Field Office, Grand Junction 
Field Office, Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-Escalante NCA. The 
BLM's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for these 
management plans analyzed the effects of implementing the RMP decisions 
through a supplementary rule. The BLM prepared a Determination of NEPA 
Adequacy to confirm that the prior analyses and public comment 
processes were sufficient to inform the decision to establish this 
supplementary rule. Therefore, additional NEPA analysis is not 
required. Copies of the Environmental Impact Statements and RODs for 
each RMP, and the Determination of NEPA Adequacy for this proposed 
supplementary rulemaking, are on file at the BLM offices at the 
addresses specified in the ADDRESSES section and electronic copies are 
available online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/90071/510.

Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution or Use (Executive Order 13211)

    This proposed supplementary rule does not comprise a significant 
energy action. This proposed supplementary rule would not have an 
adverse effect on energy supply, production, or consumption and has no 
connection with energy policy.

Information Quality Act

    In developing this proposed supplementary rule, the BLM did not 
conduct or use a study, experiment, or survey requiring peer review 
under the Information Quality Act (Section 515 of Pub. L. 106-554).

Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation (Executive Order 13352)

    In accordance with Executive Order 13352, the BLM has determined 
that the proposed supplementary rule would not impede facilitating 
cooperative conservation; would take appropriate account of and 
consider the interests of persons with ownership or other legally 
recognized interests in land or other natural resources; would properly 
accommodate local participation in the Federal decision-making process; 
and would provide that the associated programs, projects, and 
activities are consistent with protecting public health and safety.

V. Proposed Rule

Author

    The principal author of this proposed supplementary rule is Erin 
Jones, Associate District Manager BLM Upper Colorado River District 
Office.
    For the reasons stated in the preamble, and under the authority of 
43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 1740, and 43 CFR 8365.1-6, the State Director 
proposes a supplementary rule for public lands and facilities in the 
Colorado River Valley Field Office, Grand Junction Field Office, 
Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-Escalante NCA.

Proposed Supplementary Rule for the Colorado River Valley Field Office, 
Grand Junction Field Office, Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-
Escalante National Conservation Area

Definitions and Acronyms

    (1) As used in this Supplementary Rule, the term:
    Approved Portable Toilet means any non-biodegradable, durable 
container designated to receive and hold human waste, in any container 
position without leaking; and equipped with a dumping

[[Page 4875]]

system that allows the container to be emptied into a standard 
receiving or dump system designed for that purpose (such as a SCAT 
machine or recreational vehicle dump station), in a sanitary manner, 
without spills, seepage, or human exposure to human waste; or any 
approved biodegradable landfill-approved bag system designed for 
landfill or garbage can disposal (such as a ``WAG'' bag, a human waste 
disposal bag).
    Camp means erecting a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic 
material; preparing a sleeping bag or other bedding material; parking a 
motor vehicle, motor home, or trailer; or mooring a vessel for the 
apparent purpose of overnight occupancy.
    Campfire means a controlled fire occurring out of doors, used for 
cooking, branding, personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial, or aesthetic 
purposes.
    Designated campsite means a BLM-designated campsite, marked with a 
visible number or identification mounted on a post or placard. 
Designated sites may be undeveloped or developed with basic amenities.
    Developed recreation site. See definition at 43 CFR 8360.0-5(c).
    Developed toilet facility means a vault-type, pit, or portable 
toilet provided by the BLM or its partners.
    Dispersed campsite means an undesignated campsite not located in a 
campground that is traditionally used for camping.
    Firearm means a weapon, by whatever name known, that is designed to 
expel a projectile by the action of powder; and be readily capable of 
use as a weapon.
    Fire pan means a durable metal fire pan at least 12 inches in 
diameter with at least a 1.5-inch lip around its outer edge and 
sufficient to contain fire and fire remains containing fire, charcoal, 
and ash, while preventing ashes or burning material from spilling onto 
the ground; and that is elevated above the ground.
    Fire ring means a ring designed to contain a fire on the ground and 
can be natural or manmade, constructed of non-flammable materials, and 
is not considered a designated trash receptacle.
    Intent to camp means any off-loading, or preparing for use of 
common overnight equipment, such as tents, sleeping bags or bedding, 
food, cooking or dining equipment, or lighting equipment; or preparing 
common camping equipment for use in or on any boat.
    Mechanized travel means moving by means of a mechanical device, 
such as a bicycle or game retrieval cart; not powered by a motor.
    Over-snow vehicle means a motor vehicle that is designed for use 
over snow and that runs on a track or tracks and/or a ski or skis, 
while in use over snow.
    Public lands means any lands and interests in lands owned by the 
United States and administered by the Secretary of the Interior through 
the Bureau of Land Management without regard to how the United States 
acquired ownership, except:
    1. lands located on the Outer Continental Shelf; and
    2. lands held for the benefit of Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos.
    Recreational Target Shooting means target shooting that uses any 
devices to propel a projectile, including but not limited to firearms, 
bow and arrow, sling shots, paint ball guns, and air guns. Target 
shooting is not considered hunting. Hunting with a valid hunting 
license is allowed in areas that are closed to target shooting.
    Resource damage means impacts to natural resources or public lands 
due to injury, destruction, or loss of natural resources, resulting in 
the necessary restoration or replacement of such natural resources.
    Sport rock climbing means a style of climbing that relies on fixed 
protection against falls, usually bolts and/or top anchors.
    Target means an object constructed of wood, paper, or biodegradable 
materials, or commercially manufactured and designed for target 
shooting, and that may be supported by a target frame (e.g., metal or 
PVC frame).
    Target backstop means an unobstructed earthen mound or bank at 
least 8 feet in height which must stop the progress of and contain all 
projectiles, fragments, and ricochets in a safe manner.
    Vehicle means any motorized transportation conveyance designed and 
licensed for use on roadways, such an automobile, bus, motorcycle, or 
truck, and any motorized conveyance originally equipped with safety 
belts.
    WAG Bag means any approved, commercially engineered, biodegradable, 
landfill-approved bag system containing enzymes, polymers, or waste-
alleviating gelling compounds that is designed for landfill or garbage 
can disposal (such as a ``Waste Alleviation and Gelling'' bag, a human 
waste disposal bag). The double bag system must be made of puncture 
resistant material, must be spill proof, hygienic, and approved for 
disposal in any garbage can.
    (2) As used in this proposed Supplementary Rule, the following 
additional acronyms apply:

    ACEC means Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
    ERMA means Extensive Recreation Management Area.
    OHV means off-highway vehicle.
    NCA means National Conservation Area.
    RMA means Recreation Management Area.
    RMZ means Recreation Management Zone.
    SRMA means Special Recreation Management Area.
    USFS means United States Forest Service.
    WSA means Wilderness Study Area.

Prohibited Acts on Public Lands Managed by the Colorado River Valley 
Field Office, Grand Junction Field Office, and Kremmling Field Office 
and in Dominguez-Escalante NCA

    1. You must not abandon animal carcasses, or any part of an animal 
carcass, within 100 feet of the outer perimeter of any campsite 
(designated or dispersed) or 100 feet from the edge of any roadway or 
any water source.
    2. You must not operate mechanical transport (e.g., bicycles, 
mountain bikes) other than on designated roads and trails allowing such 
use or in designated-open areas and within designated-open timeframes.
    3. You must not have a campfire outside of a designated campsite in 
the following areas:

          Table 1--No Campfires Outside of Designated Campsites
                    [Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Grand Junction Field Office            Dominguez-Escalante NCA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Pyramid Rock Area of Critical       [ssquf] In the Gunnison
 Environmental Concern (ACEC)                River SRMA Corridor and
[ssquf] Unaweep Seep ACEC                    other riparian and wetland
[ssquf] Dolores River Riparian ACEC          areas
[ssquf] Bangs SRMA Recreation Management
 Zone (RMZ) 1
[ssquf] Bangs SRMA RMZ 3

[[Page 4876]]

 
[ssquf] Bangs SRMA RMZ 2 in the portion of
 the RMZ north of the drainage at the
 bottom of Rough Canyon
[ssquf] Palisade Rim SRMA
[ssquf] Grand Valley Shooting Ranges ERMA
[ssquf] Gunnison River Bluffs ERMA
[ssquf] Horse Mountain ERMA RMZ 1
[ssquf] Horse Mountain ERMA RMZ 2
[ssquf] Horse Mountain ERMA RMZ 3
[ssquf] 18 Road Open OHV Area within the
 North Desert ERMA
[ssquf] Within 100 meters (or
 approximately 328 feet) of standing
 historic structures to include, but not
 limited to, Calamity Camp and New Verde
 Mine, unless administratively permitted
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. You must not camp outside of designated campsites and developed 
campgrounds in the following areas:

    Table 2--Camping Restricted to Designated Campsites and Developed
                            Campgrounds Only
                    [Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Colorado River
   Valley Field      Grand Junction    Kremmling Field      Dominguez-
      Office          Field Office          Office        Escalante NCA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Within     [ssquf] Pyramid    [ssquf] Within     [ssquf] Cactus
 0.25-mile of the   Rock ACEC          0.25-mile of the   Park SRMA
 Fisher Creek      [ssquf] Unaweep     Colorado River    [ssquf]
 Cemetery Road      Seep ACEC          of the Upper       Gunnison River
[ssquf] Within     [ssquf] Dolores     Colorado River     SRMA
 300 feet from      River Riparian     SRMA              [ssquf]
 the centerline     ACEC              [ssquf] The open    Escalante
 of North          [ssquf] Bangs       OHV area south     Canyon SRMA,
 Hardscrabble       SRMA RMZ 1         and east of        including the
 Access Road       [ssquf] Bangs       Wolford Mountain   Escalante
 (Spring Creek)     SRMA RMZ 2 in     [ssquf] Wolford     Potholes
[ssquf] Glenwood    the portion of     SRMA Recreation    Recreation
 Canyon in the      the RMZ north of   Management Zone    Site
 Horseshoe Canyon   the drainage at    3--Lands west of  [ssquf] RMZ 2
 (Bend) area        the bottom of      Grand County       Sawmill Mesa/
[ssquf] Within      Rough Canyon       Road 224, south    Wagon Park
 0.25-mile of      [ssquf] Bangs       of Wolford         ERMA
 Prince Creek       SRMA RMZ 3         Mountain, west
 Road (Pitkin      [ssquf] Dolores     of Wolford
 County Road 7),    River SRMA         Reservoir, and
 including the     [ssquf] North       east of U.S. Hwy
 Haines Parcel      Fruita Desert      40
[ssquf] Eagle       SRMA              [ssquf]
 River ERMA        [ssquf] Palisade    Confluence
[ssquf] Garfield    Rim SRMA           Recreation Site,
 Creek Colorado    [ssquf] Grand       and adjacent BLM-
 River Access       Valley Shooting    managed public
 Site and on        Ranges ERMA        lands
 surrounding BLM   [ssquf] Gunnison   [ssquf] Reeder
 lands              River Bluffs       Creek Fishing
[ssquf] Silt Mesa   ERMA               Access, and
 ERMA (BLM lands   [ssquf] Horse       adjacent BLM-
 south of the       Mountain ERMA      managed public
 crest of the       (all RMZs)         lands
 Grand Hogback     [ssquf] 18 Road    [ssquf] Sunset
 mountain)          Open OHV Area      Fishing Access,
[ssquf] Thompson    within the North   and adjacent BLM
 Creek area         Desert ERMA        managed public
 within 0.25-mile  [ssquf] Miracle     lands
 of USFS Road 305   Rock Recreation   [ssquf] Windy Gap
[ssquf] Red Hill    Site               Fishing Access
 SRMA (north of    [ssquf] Mud         Parking Area
 Carbondale,        Springs           [ssquf] Fraser
 Colorado)          Campground         River Fishing
[ssquf] East       [ssquf] Within      Access Parking
 Glenwood Canyon    100 meters (or     Area
 Trailhead area     approximately     [ssquf]
 north of the       328 feet) of       Sidewinder Jeep
 Colorado River     standing           Trail Parking
[ssquf] South       historic           Area
 Canyon             structures to     [ssquf] Kremmling
 Recreation Site    include, but not   Cretaceous
 and surrounding    limited to,        Ammonite Site
 area               Calamity Camp     [ssquf] Barger
[ssquf] Ute         and New Verde      Gulch Paleo-
 Trailhead (near    Mine, unless       Indian Site
 Dotsero) west      administratively  [ssquf] Yarmony
 and north of the   permitted          Pit House Site
 Colorado River                       [ssquf] Upper CO
[ssquf] Sutey                          River SRMA
 Ranch                                 Yarmony Jeep
                                       Trail Recreation
                                       Management Zone
                                       4
                                      [ssquf]
                                       Independence
                                       Mountain Tipi
                                       Site
                                      [ssquf] Junction
                                       Butte Wetlands
                                      [ssquf] Upper CO
                                       River SRMA Gore
                                       Canyon Ranch
                                       Recreation
                                       Management Zone
                                       5
                                      [ssquf] Hurd Peak
                                       and Tab Rock
                                       staging areas
                                      [ssquf]
                                       Headwaters RMA
                                       Jacques staging
                                       area, and
                                       adjacent BLM-
                                       managed public
                                       lands
                                      [ssquf] North
                                       Sand Hills
                                       Instant Study
                                       Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5. Equestrian travel is prohibited on/in the following trails/
areas:

[[Page 4877]]



               Table 3--Areas Closed to Equestrian Travel
                    [Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Colorado River Valley       Grand Junction Field      Kremmling Field
       Field Office                   Office                 Office
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Storm King Trail    [ssquf] Pyramid Rock ACEC   [ssquf]
[ssquf] Sutey Ranch from    [ssquf] Mica Mine Trail      Kremmling
 December 1 through April   [ssquf] Rough Canyon Trail   Cretaceous
 15                         [ssquf] Free Lunch Trail     Ammonite ACEC/
                            [ssquf] Pucker Up Trail      Resource
                                                         Natural Area
                                                         (RNA)
                                                        [ssquf] Fraser
                                                         River Canyon
                                                         Access Trail
                                                        [ssquf] Gore
                                                         Canyon Trail
                                                        [ssquf]
                                                         Argentine Trail
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    6. Recreational target shooting is prohibited on the following BLM-
managed lands to protect visitor safety (discharge of firearms, other 
weapons, and fireworks on developed recreation sites and areas is 
prohibited under 43 CFR 8365.2-5(a)).

     Table 4--Areas Where Recreational Target Shooting Is Prohibited
                    [Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Colorado River
   Valley Field      Grand Junction    Kremmling Field      Dominguez-
      Office          Field Office          Office        Escalante NCA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Within     [ssquf] Bangs      [ssquf] Upper      [ssquf]
 300 feet from      SRMA RMZs 1, 2,    Colorado River     Dominguez
 the centerline     and 3              SRMA               Canyon
 of North          [ssquf] Coal       [ssquf] Barger      Wilderness
 Hardscrabble       Canyon and Main    Gulch fishing      Zone 1
 Access Road        Canyon areas       access            [ssquf]
 (Spring Creek)    [ssquf] Grand      [ssquf] Highway 9   Gunnison River
[ssquf] Silt Mesa   Valley OHV SRMA    fishing access     SRMA
 ERMA (BLM lands   [ssquf] Gunnison   [ssquf] Reeder     [ssquf]
 south of the       River Bluffs       Creek fishing      Escalante
 crest of the       ERMA               area               Canyon SRMA
 Grand Hogback     [ssquf] Horse      [ssquf] Reeder     [ssquf] East
 Mountain)          Mountain ERMA,     Creek parking/     Creek ERMA
                    including RMZ 1    access Sunset
                    west of Sink       fishing access
                    Creek, RMZ 2,     [ssquf] Upper
                    and areas          Colorado River
                    adjacent to        corridor and
                    residences at      Scenic Byway
                    the end of C      [ssquf] Hebron
                    Road               Watchable
                   [ssquf] Mt.         Wildlife Area
                    Garfield ACEC     [ssquf] Wolford
                   [ssquf] North       SRMA, south
                    Desert ERMA18      portion
                    Road Open OHV     [ssquf]
                    area               Strawberry SRMA,
                   [ssquf] North       Strawberry/Hurd
                    Fruita Desert      Peak Area
                    SRMA              [ssquf] North
                   [ssquf] Palisade    Sand Hills SRMA
                    Rim SRMA           and Cooperative
                   [ssquf] Pyramid     Management Area
                    Rock ACEC         [ssquf]
                                       Headwaters ERMA
                                      [ssquf] Kinney
                                       Creek trailhead
                                      [ssquf] Jacques
                                       parking area
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    7. Overnight use is prohibited in the following areas (day-use 
allowed only):

             Table 5--Day Use Only--Overnight Use Prohibited
                    [Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Colorado River
   Valley Field      Grand Junction    Kremmling Field     Dominguez-
   Office (use     Field Office (use     Office (use      Escalante NCA
 prohibited from    prohibited from    prohibited from   (use prohibited
 10:00 p.m.-6:00    sunset-sunrise)    sunset-sunrise)    from sunset-
      a.m.)                                                 sunrise)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] BLM        [ssquf] 34 and C   [ssquf] BLM       [ssquf] Rambo/
 recreation sites   Roads (areas       recreation        Little
 where camping      adjacent to the    sites where       Dominguez
 facilities are     Horse Mountain     camping           Canyon Heritage
 not provided       ERMA)              facilities are    Area
[ssquf] Deep       [ssquf] Grand       not provided     [ssquf] The
 Creek Canyon--     Valley Shooting                      Wilderness
 within 0.25-       Ranges ERMA                          portion of Big
 miles of Deep      (with an                             Dominguez
 Creek accessible   exception for                        Heritage Area
 from the Coffee    authorized                          [ssquf] The
 Pot Road           training                             Wilderness
                    exercises)                           portion of
                                                         Leonard's Basin
                                                         Heritage Area
[ssquf] Sutey      [ssquf] Horse      ................  [ssquf]
 Ranch              Mountain ERMA                        Wilderness Zone
                    (RMZ 1 (portion                      1
                    of the RMZ west
                    of Sink Creek),
                    RMZ 2 and RMZ 3)
                   [ssquf] Redlands   ................  [ssquf]
                    Dam area along                       Wilderness
                    the Gunnison                         portion of the
                    River                                Leonards Basin
                   [ssquf] The                           Heritage Area
                    Potholes on the                     [ssquf] East
                    Little Dolores                       Creek ERMA
                    River off of 9.8
                    Road in the
                    Glade Park area
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    8. The following areas are closed to mechanized travel during the 
specified timeframes to protect wintering big game species.

     Table 6--Areas Closed to Mechanized Travel During Winter/Spring
                    [Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Colorado River                                           Dominguez-
   Valley Field      Grand Junction    Kremmling Field    Escalante NCA
 Office (December     Field Office    Office (December     (December 1
 1 through April      (December 1     15 through April    through April
       15)           through May 1)          15)               30)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Basalt     [ssquf] Little     [ssquf]           [ssquf] Gibbler
 Mountain (south    Book Cliffs Wild   Strawberry SRMA   Gulch
 portion--1,300     Horse Range        Wolford          [ssquf] Wagon
 acres)            [ssquf] Beehive     Mountain Travel   Park
[ssquf] Boiler-     Wildlife           Management Area  [ssquf] Sowbelly
 East Elk Creek-    Emphasis Area      and SRMA         [ssquf] Upper
 New Castle         (WEA)             [ssquf] North      Sawmill Mesa
 (4,400 acres)     [ssquf] Blue Mesa   Sand Hills SRMA
                    WEA

[[Page 4878]]

 
[ssquf]            [ssquf] East Salt  [ssquf] Dry Mesa
 Cottonwood Creek   Creek WEA
 (13,800 acres)    [ssquf] Rapid
[ssquf] Dry Rifle   Creek WEA
 Creek (2,200      [ssquf] Chalk
 acres)             Mountain
[ssquf] East       [ssquf] Coal       ................  ................
 Eagle except for   Canyon
 the following     [ssquf] Demaree
 bike trails: (a)   Canyon outside
 Boneyard Trail;    of the
 (b) Redneck        Wilderness Study
 Ridge Trail; and   Area (WSA)
 (c) Western       [ssquf] Garvey
 portion of Pool    Canyon
 and Ice Trail     [ssquf] Grand
 (6,000 acres)      Mesa Slopes
[ssquf] Fisher     [ssquf] Howard
 Creek-Cattle       Canyon Flats
 Creek (2,800      [ssquf] Indian
 acres)             Point
                   [ssquf] Post
                    Canyon
[ssquf] Flatiron   [ssquf] Lapham     ................  ................
 Mesa (800 acres)   Canyon
[ssquf]            [ssquf] Coal
 Hardscrabble       Gulch
 (24,600 acres)    [ssquf] Fruita
[ssquf] Light       Slopes
 Hill (3,800       [ssquf] Rapid
 acres)             Creek
[ssquf] Red
 Canyon-Hells
 Pocket-Bocco
 Mountain-East
 Castle Peak
 (14,500 acres)
[ssquf] Red Hill   .................  ................  ................
 SRMA (north
 side) (2,600
 acres)
[ssquf] The        .................  ................  ................
 Crown, except
 for the bike
 trail system
 paralleling
 Prince Creek
 Road (9,200
 acres)
[ssquf] Thompson   .................  ................  ................
 Creek/Holgate
 Mesa (9,500
 acres)
[ssquf] West       .................  ................  ................
 Rifle Creek
 (1,100 acres)
[ssquf] Williams   .................  ................  ................
 Hill (1,500
 acres)
[ssquf] Winter     .................  ................  ................
 Ridge, Black
 Mountain, Pisgah
 Mountain,Windy
 Point, Boore
 Flat, and
 Domantle (33,500
 acres)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Restrictions on Activities on Public Lands Managed by the Colorado 
River Valley Field Office

    1. You must not engage in target shooting without a target 
backstop.
    2. You must not build or maintain a fire more than 3 feet in 
diameter, unless otherwise authorized.
    3. Unless the campsite is marked and designated by the BLM, you 
must not camp within 100 feet from any spring, pond, lake, or perennial 
stream.
    4. You must keep dogs and other domesticated animals on a leash or 
other similar constraint (e.g., voice control, shock collar) where 
indicated by a BLM sign, brochure, or map. This regulation does not 
apply to livestock working or hunting dogs engaged in those activities. 
You must remove and properly dispose of all pet waste from developed 
recreation sites and areas.
    5. You must not cut live or dead standing trees unless otherwise 
permitted. You may collect only dead and down wood for campfires.
    6. You must not camp or otherwise occupy any location or site for 
more than 7 consecutive days from April 1 to August 31, unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
    7. You must not camp or otherwise occupy any location or site for 
more than 14 consecutive days between September 1 and March 31, unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
    8. In areas with limited travel designations, mechanized travel is 
limited to designated routes.
    9. In areas with limited travel designations, mechanized and 
motorized travel up to 300 feet from designated motorized/mechanized 
routes is permitted for direct access to dispersed campsites provided 
that: (a) no resource damage occurs; (b) no new routes beyond the 
campsite are created; and (c) such access is not otherwise prohibited 
(such as in WSAs).
    10. In areas open for over-snow travel, travel off designated 
routes is prohibited unless a minimum of 12 inches of snow cover exists 
and no resource damage will occur from over-snow travel.
    11. In the Thompson Creek ERMA,
    (a) You may reestablish old rock-climbing routes and permanent 
fixed climbing anchors (bolts and pitons) only at the BLM-recognized 
sport rock climbing area (rock fins, narrow walls of hard sedimentary 
rock).
    (b) You must not develop additional bolted routes outside of the 
BLM-recognized sport rock climbing area (rock fins).
    (c) You may use mechanical devices (e.g., power drills) only at the 
BLM-recognized sport rock climbing area (rock fins).
    (d) You must not exceed a climbing group size (per route) of four 
people per day, including staff, at the BLM-recognized sport rock 
climbing area (rock fins).
    12. In the Upper Colorado SRMA,
    (a) You must not exceed a group size of 25 people per group 
(including guides) for commercial and private river groups.
    (b) You must not camp or display an intent to camp during an 
overnight river trip without an approved fire pan.
    (c) You must not camp, or display an intent to camp overnight, 
without an approved portable toilet.
    (d) You must carry and use an approved portable toilet on an 
overnight trip. The system must be adequate for the size of the group 
and length of the trip. All solid human bodily waste, including WAG 
bags, must be contained in a leak-proof, hard-sided container with a 
screw-on or ratchet-locking lid.
    (e) You must not fail to set up an approved portable toilet, ready 
for use, as soon as practical upon arriving at the campsite to be 
occupied on an overnight trip if a toilet facility (porta-potty or 
vault toilet) is not provided by the BLM.
    (f) You must not empty an approved portable toilet into a developed 
toilet facility, or any other facility not developed and identified 
especially for that purpose. Leaving solid human waste on public lands 
or dumping it into vault toilets or trash receptacles at BLM-managed 
facilities is prohibited unless using a WAG-bag system that is 
specifically designed for disposal in trash receptacles.

[[Page 4879]]

    (g) You must remove and properly dispose of all pet waste from 
developed recreation sites/areas.
    13. On the Sutey Ranch,
    (a) You must not enter from December 1 through April 15 when 
closure orders are in effect to protect wintering big game, except when 
allowed under other applicable laws.
    (b) You must not harvest timber, firewood, or special forest 
products.
    (c) You must not travel by mechanized vehicle from October 1 
through May 31.

Restrictions on Activities on Public Lands Managed by the Grand 
Junction Field Office

    1. You must use an approved portable toilet at designated 
undeveloped sites in the following areas: North Fruita Desert SRMA, 
Bangs SRMA RMZ 2, and Dolores River SRMA.
    2. You must not enter the Pyramid Rock ACEC.
    3. You must not travel via any mode of transport (including foot 
and horse travel) off designated routes in the following areas: Bangs 
SRMA RMZ 1 north of Little Park Road and Andy's Loop, and Gunnison 
River Bluffs ERMA.
    4. You must not collect dead and down wood in the following areas, 
except for campfire use: Unaweep lands with wilderness characteristics 
area; riparian areas; Pyramid Rock ACEC; Unaweep Seep ACEC; Bangs SRMA 
RMZ 2.
    5. You must collect only dead and down wood for campfires in the 
North Desert ERMA.
    6. You must not harvest timber or cut firewood in the following 
areas: Bangs SRMA RMZ 1; RMZ 3; RMZ 4; North Fruita Desert SRMA; 
Palisade Rim SRMA.
    7. You must not exceed the following group-size limits, including 
guides and dogs, without written authorization from the BLM: 12 in WSAs 
and areas managed to protect wilderness characteristics; 25 for more 
than 2 hours in the remaining lands managed by the Grand Junction Field 
Office. For groups that exceed these limits, you must contact the BLM 
prior to the outing so that the BLM can determine whether an organized 
group Special Recreation Permit is required.
    8. You must have campfires within agency-provided fire rings or 
approved fire pans at designated undeveloped sites in the following 
areas: Dolores River SRMA, Bangs SRMA RMZ 2, North Fruita Desert SRMA.
    9. You must not install permanent climbing anchors that do not 
match the color of the rock surface (fixtures, hardware, and webbing, 
etc.).

Restrictions on Activities on Public Lands Managed by the Kremmling 
Field Office

    1. You must not empty or dispose of sewage and/or gray water held 
in a containment tank on public lands or at any facility not 
specifically identified for such disposal.
    2. You must not build or maintain a fire more than 3 feet in 
diameter, unless otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
    3. You must not leave, deposit, or scatter human waste, toilet 
paper, or items used as toilet paper, when an approved portable toilet 
or developed toilet facility is available. Where a developed toilet 
facility is not provided, and an approved portable toilet is not 
required, all human waste and toilet paper, or material used as toilet 
paper, must be buried at least 6 inches below the surface of the ground 
in natural soil, and at least 100 feet from the edge of a river or any 
other water source.
    4. You must not dig in or level the ground at any campsite.
    5. In areas open to dispersed camping, you must not camp outside of 
designated sites within 50 feet of any spring, pond, lake, or perennial 
stream.
    6. You must keep dogs and other domesticated animals on a leash or 
other similar constraint (e.g., voice control, shock collar). This 
regulation does not apply to livestock working or hunting dogs engaged 
in those activities. You must remove and properly dispose of all pet 
waste from developed recreation sites/areas.
    7. Fuel wood collection is prohibited in developed recreation 
areas. Fuel wood for recreational campfires outside of developed 
recreation areas is limited to dead and downed vegetation, unless 
otherwise prohibited.
    8. You must not camp or otherwise occupy any location or site for 
more than 7 consecutive days from April 1 to August 31, unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
    9. You must not camp or otherwise occupy any location or site for 
more than 14 consecutive days between September 1 and March 31, unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
    10. In areas open for over-snow travel in the field office, travel 
off designated routes is prohibited unless a minimum of 12 inches of 
snow cover exists and no resource damage will occur from over-snow 
travel.
    11. In areas with limited travel designations, mechanized travel is 
limited to designated routes.
    12. In areas with limited travel designations, motorized and 
mechanized travel (bicycles) are allowed up to 300 feet from designated 
motorized or mechanized transport routes for direct access to dispersed 
campsites or parking provided that: (a) no resource damage occurs; (b) 
no new routes are created; and (c) such access is not otherwise 
prohibited.
    13. In the Wolford Mountain Travel Management Area, motorized and 
mechanized travel (bicycles) is allowed up to 50 feet from designated 
motorized or mechanized routes for direct access to dispersed campsites 
or parking provided that: (a) no resource damage occurs; (b) no new 
routes are created; and (c) such access is not otherwise prohibited.
    14. In the North Sand Hills SRMA,
    (a) You must not park a vehicle in such a manner as to impede or 
obstruct the normal flow of traffic or create a hazardous condition.
    (b) You must obey posted parking closures or restrictions.
    (c) You must not operate a motor vehicle or OHV in excess of the 
posted speed limit, or in excess of 15 mph around camping areas, 50 
feet from any campsite, parked vehicle(s), person(s), or animal(s).
    (d) You must not possess or use any glass container on the open 
sand dunes or trails. Persons may possess glass containers within the 
confines of their camping area.
    (e) You must not cut, collect, or use live, dead, or down wood.
    15. In the Wolford Mountain SRMA,
    (a) You must possess and use a hazardous materials spill kit if 
necessary during travel on the Sidewinder Extreme 4x4 trail.
    (b) Travel is allowed on the Sidewinder Extreme 4x4 trail only when 
the top 1 inch of soil is dry and there is no rutting.
    16. In the Upper Colorado River SRMA,
    (a) You must not camp, or display intent to camp overnight, without 
an approved portable toilet.
    (b) You must carry and use an approved portable toilet when on an 
overnight trip. The system must be adequate for the size of the group 
and length of the trip. The toilet system must be a reusable, washable, 
leak-proof toilet system that allows for the carry-out and disposal of 
solid human body waste in a responsible and lawful manner and must be 
accessible during the trip.
    (c) All solid human waste, including WAG bags, must be contained in 
a leak-proof, animal-proof, hard-sided container with a screw-on or 
ratchet-locking lid.

[[Page 4880]]

    (d) You must set up an approved portable toilet, ready for use, as 
soon as practical upon arriving at the campsite to be occupied on an 
overnight trip. You must not empty an approved portable toilet into a 
developed toilet facility, or any other facility not developed and 
identified especially for that purpose. Leaving solid human waste on 
public lands or dumping it into vault toilets or trash receptacles at 
BLM-managed facilities is prohibited.
    (e) You must not camp or display intent to camp during an overnight 
river trip without an approved fire pan.
    (f) You must not build, ignite, maintain, or use a campfire not 
contained in an approved fire pan.
    (g) You must not leave fresh fire ash produced from a campfire in a 
fire pan or in a constructed, permanently installed metal fire pit 
provided by the BLM outside of the Pumphouse, Radium, and State Bridge 
Recreation Sites. Fire blankets under fire pans to facilitate total ash 
removal are recommended but are not required.
    (h) You must remove and properly dispose of all pet waste from 
developed recreation sites/areas.
    (i) You must not launch or take out a vessel in areas signed as 
prohibiting those activities.
    (j) You must not cut, collect, or use live, dead, or down wood 
except driftwood.

Restrictions on Activities on Public Lands in the Dominguez-Escalante 
NCA

    1. You must not install permanent climbing anchors in outstanding 
geologic features identified on a BLM sign or map.
    2. You must not place or maintain permanent climbing anchors inside 
the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area without a permit from the BLM.
    3. You must not install permanent climbing anchors that do not 
match the color of the rock surface (fixtures, hardware, and webbing, 
etc.).
    4. You must not collect or harvest firewood or native species in 
riparian and wetland areas, except for driftwood.
    5. You must not possess domestic goats.
    6. You must keep all domestic dogs on leashes, except those 
actively working on a livestock operation in Wilderness Zone 1 and in 
the Escalante Triangle RMZ in the Sawmill Mesa ERMA (after the loop 
trail system is constructed).
    7. You must not exceed group-size limit of 25 people in Wilderness 
Zone 1.
    8. You must not exceed a group-size limit of 12 people in 
Wilderness Zones 2 and 3.
    9. You must pack out all solid human waste in Wilderness Zone 2.
    10. You must pack out solid human waste or bury solid human waste 
in a cathole more than 100 meters (approximately 383 feet) from natural 
water sources (rivers, creeks, springs, and seeps) in Wilderness Zone 
3.
    11. You must not place recreational geocaches without BLM 
authorization prior to placement.
    12. You must not use a metal detector.
    13. You must not use a paintball gun.
    14. You must not use glass containers in the Potholes Recreation 
Site (Escalante Canyon) and Gunnison River SRMA.
    15. Consistent with Public Law 111-11, you must not remove minerals 
from the NCA.
    16. You must pack out solid human waste and fire ash. You must use 
portable toilet systems and fire pans for all overnight camping in 
undeveloped camp sites in the following RMAs: Gunnison River, Cactus 
Park, Escalante Canyon.
    17. You must not rock climb (e.g., bouldering, scrambling, trad 
climbing or sport climbing) in the East Creek RMA or Escalante Canyon 
RMA in areas or on routes marked as closed by BLM.
    18. You must not ride a horse, donkey, mule, or burro in Wilderness 
Zone 1 except on existing routes identified on a BLM sign or map.
    19. In the Gunnison River RMA,
    (a) Motorized boat use is prohibited at BLM boat ramps and at 
campsites from May 1 through Labor Day Weekend.
    (b) You must not have your dog off leash at boat ramps and the 
mouth of Dominguez Canyon.
    (c) Exceeding a group size of 25 on the river (including guides and 
dogs) is prohibited.
    (d) You must not camp outside of designated campsites.
    (e) Non-boating overnight camping is prohibited at the mouth of 
Dominguez Canyon from May 1 through Labor Day Weekend.
    (f) You must not camp more than 7 consecutive nights, unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
    20. In the Ninemile Hill Recreation Management Area (RMA),
    (a) You must not camp outside of designated campsites. Dispersed 
camping is allowed outside of designated campsites, so long as such 
camping takes place at least a \1/4\ mile (approximately 1,320 feet) 
away from designated motorized routes.
    (b) You must not camp for more than 7 consecutive days, unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
    21. In the Cactus Park RMA,
    (a) You must not camp outside of designated campsites.
    (b) You must not camp for more than 7 consecutive days from April 1 
through Labor Day Weekend unless otherwise authorized by the BLM.
    22. In the Hunting Ground RMA
    (a) You must not camp for more than 7 consecutive days, unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.

Exemptions

    The following persons are exempt from this proposed supplementary 
rule: any Federal, State, local, and/or military employees acting 
within the scope of their official duties; members of any organized 
rescue or fire fighting force performing an official duty; and persons 
who are expressly authorized or approved by the BLM.

Enforcement

    Any person who violates any part of this supplementary rule 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 Colorado 
law.

(Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1733(a), 1740; 43 CFR 8365.1-6).

Douglas Vilsack,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024-01399 Filed 1-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-16-P