Notice of Final Supplementary Rule for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Dolores and Montezuma Counties, CO, 89933-89937 [2024-26396]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 89933-89937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26396]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

43 CFR Part 8360

[BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500177561]


Notice of Final Supplementary Rule for Canyons of the Ancients 
National Monument in Dolores and Montezuma Counties, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Final supplementary rule.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is finalizing a 
supplementary rule to regulate conduct on public lands within Canyons 
of the Ancients National Monument (CANM or Monument). This final 
supplementary rule will implement planning decisions in the 2010 CANM 
Resource Management Plan (RMP). The final supplementary rule will 
provide for the protection of persons, property, and public-land 
resources administered by the BLM's Tres Rios Field Office and CANM, 
located in Dolores and Montezuma Counties, Colorado.

DATES: The final supplementary rule is effective on December 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Inquiries may be directed to the BLM CANM at (970) 882-5600 
or 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO 81323. The final supplementary rule 
and accompanying environmental documents are available for inspection 
at the BLM CANM. A map of the management area and boundaries can be 
obtained by contacting the CANM.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tyler Fouss, Field Staff Ranger, 
Bureau of Land Management, Tres Rios Field Office, 29211 Hwy. 184, 
Dolores, CO 81323; telephone (970) 882-1131; 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. Background
II. Discussion of Public Comments
III. Discussion of Final Supplementary Rule
IV. Procedural Matters
V. Final Supplementary Rule

I. Background

    The BLM is establishing this supplementary rule under the authority 
of 43 CFR 8365.1-6, which authorizes BLM state directors to establish 
supplementary rules for the protection of persons, property, and public 
lands and resources.
    CANM is part of the BLM's National Conservation Lands system and 
consists of approximately 174,881 acres of BLM-administered public 
lands. The monument is located in Dolores and Montezuma counties in the 
Four Corners region of southwestern Colorado. President Clinton 
established CANM on June 9, 2000, by Presidential Proclamation Number 
7317, pursuant to the Antiquities Act of 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 54 U.S.C. 
320301), to preserve the cultural and natural objects of the Monument. 
Prior to the issuance of Proclamation 7317, CANM was managed as the 
Anasazi Culture Multiple Use Area of Critical Environmental Concern, 
established through the 1985 San Juan-San Miguel RMP Record of Decision 
(ROD).
    The BLM developed the CANM RMP with extensive input from the 
public, Tribes, and elected officials through scoping, opportunities 
for public comment, and advisory committee meetings.
    The BLM signed the CANM RMP and ROD in June 2010, replacing 
portions of the San Juan-San Miguel RMP/ROD and incorporating 
management direction from the Presidential Proclamation establishing 
CANM. The CANM RMP identifies specific management actions that restrict 
certain activities and define allowable uses within CANM. This final 
supplementary rule will facilitate the implementation and enforcement 
of those management actions.
    This final supplementary rule implements management decisions in 
the CANM RMP related to recreational sporting activities, camping, 
travel management, and collecting geological and biological materials. 
Within the Sand Canyon-Rock Creek Special Recreation Management Area 
(SRMA), activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback 
riding and packing will be allowed only on designated travel routes, as 
provided in the CANM RMP.

II. Discussion of Public Comments

    The BLM published a proposed supplementary rule on April 6, 2023 
(88 FR 20449), and received 116 comment submissions during the 60-day 
public comment period. Three commenters expressed support for the 
supplementary rule.
    One comment submitted by 112 individuals through a form email 
expressed opposition to the proposed rule prohibiting camping within 
300 feet of riparian areas and indicated that the BLM should instead 
implement a 100-foot buffer between campsites and riparian areas. The 
300-foot restriction is set forth in the RMP and cannot be changed 
without a plan amendment. The prohibition on camping within 300 feet of 
springs, seeps, or streams affects approximately 2,785 acres (roughly 
1.6 percent of the monument) within CANM. Most of the acreage is not 
conducive to camping and has few established campsites. The areas most 
impacted are in lower Yellowjacket Creek and McElmo Creek, where some 
roads are close to streams. The definition of riparian area has been 
refined to match the definition in the RMP, and the final rule has been 
updated to clarify areas where the rule applies. The definition in the 
proposed rule was too broad and did not properly identify the area 
where the rule will apply.
    A second comment in the form email expressed the view that the BLM 
should create additional routes and remove wilderness study areas 
(WSAs). Designating new routes is beyond the scope of this 
supplementary rulemaking process, which is focused solely on 
implementing existing decisions that the BLM has already analyzed in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 
Designated routes identified in the CANM transportation management plan 
(TMP) are intended to avoid sensitive cultural resources and other 
resource concerns. Removal of WSAs identified under section 603 of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) would require Congress 
to release them from WSA status.
    One individual commented that the NEPA process was flawed and the 
RMP was deficient in providing a range of alternatives. The commenter 
outlined several recommendations for producing alternatives. The 
commenter also expressed the view that WSAs should be removed and that 
camping restrictions, geocaching, and gathering of pine nuts should be 
analyzed. This supplementary rule is not a planning document but 
implements decisions already analyzed through the CANM RMP planning 
process. Compliance with NEPA is documented in Section IV. Procedural 
Matters, later in this preamble. The restriction on camping, 
geocaching, and pine nut collecting is

[[Page 89934]]

set forth in the RMP and cannot be changed without a plan amendment. 
Removal of WSAs identified under section 603 of FLPMA would require 
Congress to release them from WSA status.
    In response to public comments, the BLM revised the definition for 
``riparian area'' and clarified where the riparian area rule applies in 
the final rule. The remainder of the proposed supplementary rules have 
been incorporated into this final rule.

III. Discussion of Final Supplementary Rule

    The purpose of the final supplementary rule is to protect public 
health and safety and prevent damage to natural and cultural resources, 
as well as other resources, objects, and values identified in the CANM 
Proclamation and the CANM RMP. Certain activities, by their very 
nature, have the potential to adversely impact the objects the Monument 
was established to protect. The CANM RMP contains management actions 
directing how the BLM manages those activities, consistent with the 
Proclamation. Many uses are permissible so long as the objects of the 
Monument are protected. Additionally, the average user is unlikely to 
notice changes resulting from the establishment of this supplementary 
rule implementing the CANM RMP.
    The President established CANM to protect objects of historic and 
scientific interest, including archaeological and geological resources, 
raptors and other bird species, and reptiles. CANM contains the highest 
known density of archaeological sites in the United States, with an 
average of one site eligible for listing on the National Register of 
Historic Places every 6 acres, or an estimated 30,000 sites on this 
landscape. The BLM is responsible for protecting the objects for which 
the Monument was designated and for avoiding or minimizing impacts to 
them.
    The reasoning for each provision is discussed below:
    Final supplementary rule numbers 1 through 4 address collecting 
resources on CANM. The Monument proclamation prohibits appropriating, 
injuring, destroying, or removing Monument features and withdraws the 
lands and interests in lands within the Monument from entry, location, 
and disposition under the public land laws; location, entry, and patent 
under the mining laws; and from disposition under all laws relating to 
mineral leasing, except for certain oil and gas development activities. 
The CANM RMP more specifically prohibits the recreational collection of 
paleontological or geological resources, the scientific collection of 
paleontological or geological resources without a permit, and the 
cutting or gathering of firewood. The CANM RMP restricts pinyon pine 
nut harvesting to 22.5 pounds for personal or traditional use and 
prohibits commercial harvesting.
    Final supplementary rule number 5 addresses recreational target 
shooting within CANM. The RMP prohibits recreational shooting within 
CANM due to the potential for damage to archaeological sites, 
particularly rock art. In the past, shooters have used native 
vegetation, as well as skeet litter and discarded appliances, for 
target practice. This final supplementary rule will prohibit 
recreational shooting. Because the Proclamation does not enlarge or 
diminish the State's jurisdiction over wildlife management, hunting 
with a valid Colorado hunting license is allowed within the Monument, 
to the extent permissible under State law.
    Final supplementary rule number 6 addresses geocaching within CANM. 
The CANM RMP prohibits geocaching due to the potential for irrevocable 
harm to the Monument's archaeological objects. A common problem is 
geocachers using the Monument's archaeological sites to conceal items, 
or caches, as part of a quasi-treasure hunt. Geocachers often 
camouflage their caches by moving rocks or organic material from their 
original site, which can damage the site's archaeological values. The 
large number of potential cache sites within the Monument makes this a 
serious concern.
    Final supplementary rule number 7 addresses rock climbing within 
CANM. The rule prohibits rock climbing, rappelling, and bouldering 
within the Monument except for areas designated as open to climbing 
within the Mockingbird Mesa Recreation Area Management Zone. Climbing 
and bouldering have the potential to adversely affect archaeological 
sites and nesting raptors in certain locations. Climbing to cliff 
dwellings on unstable slopes can be dangerous and undermine 
archaeological features. Scrambling up cliffs also can be a safety 
issue due to unstable geological formations. Natural oils from hands, 
climbing chalk, and permanent fixed hardware on climbing routes can 
cause irreversible impacts to archaeological sites. Furthermore, 
climbing activities are likely to disturb or displace raptor 
populations, especially nesting pairs, that reside in the Monument in 
high densities. Currently, one area within the Mockingbird Mesa 
Recreation Area Management Zone is designated as open to climbing. The 
BLM may, consistent with the CANM RMP, consider establishing additional 
climbing areas within this zone in the future.
    Final supplementary rule numbers 8 through 14 address camping and 
campfires within CANM to provide a more enjoyable experience for 
visitors and to limit impacts from higher visitation in specific 
management zones and developed recreation sites.
    The CANM RMP prohibits camping in or near sensitive resources and 
areas that experience the highest visitor use in the Monument. This 
prohibition is necessary to minimize impacts camping could cause to 
those resources, including the potential for the illegal collecting or 
moving of artifacts, the compromising of scientific research, and the 
contamination of the archaeological record.
    Final supplementary rule number 10 requires campsites to be located 
at least 300 feet away from riparian areas and the Monument's limited 
water sources to reduce stress on the wildlife that rely on them.
    Final supplementary rule numbers 12 and 13 prohibit campfires in 
and near sensitive resources and the Monument's high visitor use areas.
    In areas where campfires are allowed, final supplementary rule 
number 14 requires that fires be built only in firepans, or, if 
available, BLM-provided fire rings.
    Final supplementary rule numbers 15 through 20 address travel 
management and access within CANM, consistent with the CANM RMP and 
TMP. Access restrictions and trail designations in the Monument help 
preserve key scenic, cultural, and wildlife habitat resources that 
attract visitors to these public lands and minimize conflicts among the 
different types of users. Final supplementary rule number 15 restricts 
mechanized travel to designated travel routes.
    BLM policy directs WSAs be managed to prevent the impairment of 
wilderness characteristics, and the CANM RMP and TMP designates no 
routes for motorized or mechanized travel in WSAs.
    Final supplementary rule number 16 prohibits motorized or 
mechanized vehicles in WSAs.
    Final supplementary rule numbers 17 and 18 prohibit parking in 
riparian areas, more than 20 feet from the edge of a designated travel 
route, or in a manner that would damage Monument resources.
    To protect cultural resources in the Sand Canyon-Rock Creek SRMA, 
which is the most highly visited recreation area in the Monument, the 
CANM RMP

[[Page 89935]]

restricts hiking and horseback riding or packing to designated travel 
routes approved for their use.
    Final supplementary rule numbers 19 and 20 will facilitate 
enforcement of these restrictions. Horses, pack animals, and hikers 
will be allowed both on and off designated travel routes on the 
remaining 169,000 acres of the Monument outside of the SRMA.
    The April 6, 2023, Notice of Proposed Supplementary Rule included 
the name Anasazi Heritage Center SRMA, which was changed by RMP Plan 
Maintenance to the Visitor Center and Museum SRMA. The correction has 
been made in this final supplementary rule.

IV. Procedural Matters

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

    This final 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. 
This final supplementary rule will not have an annual effect of $200 
million or more on the economy. It is not intended to affect commercial 
activity, but rather to impose rules of conduct for public use on a 
limited area of public lands. It will not adversely affect, in a 
material way, the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, 
environment, public health or safety, State, local, or Tribal 
governments, or communities. This final supplementary rule will not 
create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action 
taken or planned by another agency.
    The rule will not materially alter the budgetary effects of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or 
obligations of their recipients; nor will it raise novel legal or 
policy issues. It merely strives to protect public safety and the 
environment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Congress enacted the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980, 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. Statistics indicate that CANM 
helps nearby communities diversify economically while increasing 
quality of life and recreational opportunities that make communities 
more attractive for new residents, businesses, and investment. 
Recreation has the potential to result in small, localized impacts to 
the area's economy. According to Headwaters Economics, in 2023 
recreation and tourism-related industries accounted for 20 percent of 
combined total employment in Dolores and Montezuma counties, compared 
with 16 percent statewide in Colorado. Furthermore, recreation and 
tourism generates tax income through sales and lodging taxes. However, 
relative to the overall economy, the BLM expects impacts from this 
final supplementary rule to affect a small number of outfitters and 
have only a minor socioeconomic impact relative to the area's overall 
economy. This rule merely establishes rules of conduct for public use 
of a limited area of public lands. Therefore, the BLM has determined 
that under the RFA this final supplementary rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Congressional Review Act

    This final supplementary rule does not constitute a ``major rule'' 
as defined at 5 U.S.C. 804(2). It will not have an annual effect on the 
economy of $100 million or more. This final supplementary rule merely 
establishes rules of conduct for public use of a limited area of public 
lands.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This final supplementary rule will not impose an unfunded mandate 
on State, local, or Tribal governments in the aggregate, or the private 
sector, of more than $100 million per year, nor will it have a 
significant or unique effect on small governments. This final 
supplementary rule will merely impose reasonable rules of conduct on 
public lands in Colorado to protect natural resources and public 
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.

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

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

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    This final supplementary rule will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. This final 
supplementary rule will not conflict with any State law or regulation. 
Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, the BLM has 
determined this final supplementary rule does not have sufficient 
federalism implications to warrant preparation of a federalism 
assessment.

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform

    Under Executive Order 12988, the BLM has determined this final 
supplementary rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and the 
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of this order are met.

Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175, the BLM has determined 
that the regulations this final supplementary rule establishes will 
have minimal Tribal implications and no bearing on trust lands or on 
lands for which title is held in fee status by American Indian Tribes 
or U.S. Government-owned lands managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 
Since this supplementary rule does not involve Indian reservation lands 
or resources, the BLM has determined government-to-government 
relationships remain unaffected. Traditional Tribal use in CANM will 
continue to be authorized by the CANM Manager. This final supplementary 
rule will merely establish rules of conduct for public use of a limited 
area of public lands.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final supplementary rule does not contain information 
collection requirements 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

    The BLM published its CANM Draft RMP/Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) in October 2007, which incorporated analysis and input 
provided by the public; local, State, and other Federal agencies and 
organizations; Native American Tribes; cooperating agencies; and BLM 
staff. After considering public comments and additional input, 
analysis, and review,

[[Page 89936]]

the BLM published its CANM Proposed RMP/Final EIS in the Federal 
Register on July 31, 2009 (74 FR 38218). The BLM signed the CANM RMP 
and ROD in June 2010, after full consideration of alternatives and 
analysis of public input. The CANM RMP seeks to provide an optimal 
balance between authorized resource uses and the protection and long-
term sustainability of sensitive cultural and natural resource values 
within the planning area, consistent with Proclamation 7317. This final 
supplementary rule will facilitate the implementation and enforcement 
of the management decisions approved in the CANM RMP to protect public 
health and safety and public lands within CANM. This final 
supplementary rule will not change the decisions set forth in the CANM 
RMP.
    On November 18, 2020, the BLM completed a Determination of NEPA 
Adequacy for the proposed CANM supplementary rule. The BLM confirmed 
the NEPA analysis contained in the Final EIS for the CANM RMP was 
sufficient to inform its consideration of the proposed supplementary 
rule.

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

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

Information Quality Act

    In developing this final 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).

Author

    The principal author of this final supplementary rule is Tyler 
Fouss, Field Staff Ranger, Tres Rios Field Office, Colorado.

V. Final Supplementary Rule

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, and under the authority for 
supplementary rules at 43 U.S.C. 1733, 43 U.S.C. 1740, and 43 CFR 
8365.1-6, the BLM Colorado State Director establishes the following 
supplementary rule for public lands managed by the BLM in Canyons of 
the Ancients National Monument, to read as follows:

Supplementary Rule for the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument 
(CANM)

Definitions
    Archaeological site is a physical context and location containing 
material remains that evince past human activity and allow for its 
interpretation. Within CANM, these material remains may include, but 
are not limited to, historic and prehistoric structures, features, rock 
art, shrines, burials, quarries, artifact concentrations, and occupied 
rock alcoves.
    Bouldering means any style of rock climbing undertaken without a 
rope.
    Campfire has the same meaning as it does at 43 CFR 8360.0-5(b).
    Camping means the erecting of a tent or shelter of natural or 
synthetic material, preparing a sleeping bag or other bedding material 
for use, parking of a motor vehicle, motor home or trailer, or mooring 
of a vessel, for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy.
    Commercial use means use of the public lands and related waters for 
business or financial gain.
    Designated travel route means roads, primitive roads, and trails 
open to specified modes of travel and identified on a map of designated 
roads, primitive roads, and trails that is maintained and available for 
public inspection at the BLM. Designated roads, primitive roads, and 
trails are open to public use in accordance with such limits and 
restrictions as are, or may be, specified in the CANM resource 
management plan (RMP) or travel management plan (TMP), or in future 
decisions implementing the RMP. This definition excludes any road or 
trail with BLM-authorized restrictions that prevent use of the road or 
trail. Restrictions may include signs or physical barriers such as 
gates, fences, posts, branches, or rocks.
    Geocaching means an outdoor recreational activity in which the 
participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or other 
navigational techniques to hide and seek containers called 
``geocaches'' or ``caches.''
    Mechanized vehicle means any device propelled solely by human 
power, upon which a person, or persons, may ride on land, having any 
wheels, with the exception of a wheelchair.
    Motorized vehicle means any vehicle propelled by a motor or engine, 
capable of, or designed for, travel on or immediately over land, water, 
or other natural terrain, such as a car, truck, off-highway vehicle, 
motorcycle, or snowmobile.
    Public lands has the same meaning as it does at 43 U.S.C. 1702(e).
    Riparian area means an area of transition between permanently 
saturated wetlands and upland areas. Riparian areas exhibit vegetation 
or physical characteristics that reflect the influence of permanent 
surface water. Typical riparian areas include lands along, adjacent to, 
or contiguous with perennially and intermittently flowing rivers and 
streams, lands adjacent to seeps and springs, and/or lands along the 
shores of lakes and reservoirs with stable water levels.
    Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) means those areas defined 
as SRMAs in the CANM RMP and any amendments or revisions thereto.
    Target shooting means discharging a weapon for recreational 
purposes when game animals are not being legally hunted.
    Weapon means any firearm, cross bow, bow and arrow, paint gun, 
fireworks, or explosive device capable of propelling a projectile 
either by means of an explosion, compressed gas, or by string or 
spring.
    Wilderness Study Area (WSA) means an area that has been identified 
as a Wilderness Study Area in the CANM RMP.
Prohibited Acts
    Unless otherwise authorized, the following acts are prohibited on 
all public lands, roads, trails, and waterways administered by the BLM 
within CANM:
Collection of Resources
    1. You must not collect fossils of any kind, including vertebrate, 
invertebrate, plant, or trace fossils, unless authorized by permit.
    2. Unless otherwise permitted under applicable law, you must not 
collect or remove any rock, mineral specimen, semiprecious gemstone, or 
petrified wood.
    3. You must not cut or collect live, dead, or downed wood.
    4. You must not harvest more than 22.5 pounds of pinyon pine nuts 
for personal use. You must not harvest pinyon pine nuts for commercial 
use.
Target Shooting
    5. You must not discharge any weapon within the Monument, except in 
accordance with State law when hunting with a valid Colorado hunting 
license.
Geocaching
    6. You must not engage in any cache-type activities (including 
geocaching and earth caching).

[[Page 89937]]

Climbing and Bouldering
    7. You must not participate in climbing, including rock climbing, 
rappelling, or bouldering, outside of designated climbing areas.
Camping and Campfires
    8. You must not camp in the Pueblo Sites SRMA (Painted Hand Pueblo, 
Lowry Pueblo, and Sand Canyon Pueblo), in the Sand Canyon-Rock Creek 
SRMA, or in the Visitor Center and Museum SRMA.
    9. You must not camp within 300 feet of a developed recreation site 
or area.
    10. You must not camp within 300 feet of riparian areas, including 
riparian areas along perennial or intermittent streams and near seeps 
and springs.
    11. You must not camp in archaeological sites, rock shelters, or 
alcoves.
    12. You must not ignite or maintain a campfire in the Pueblo Sites 
SRMA (Painted Hand Pueblo, Lowry Pueblo, and Sand Canyon Pueblo), Sand 
Canyon-Rock Creek SRMA, or Visitor Center and Museum SRMA.
    13. You must not ignite or maintain a campfire in archaeological 
sites, rock shelters, or alcoves.
    14. You must use a fire pan for campfires or charcoal fires when a 
metal fire ring is not provided unless using a mechanical stove or 
other appliance fueled by gas and equipped with a valve that allows the 
operator to control the flame.
Travel Management
    15. You must not operate or possess a mechanized vehicle on any 
route, trail, or area that is not designated as open to such use by a 
BLM sign, map, or the appropriate travel management plan, unless you 
have specific authorization from the BLM.
    16. You must not operate or possess a motorized or mechanized 
vehicle in any WSA.
    17. You must not park more than 20 feet from the edge of a 
designated travel route or in a manner that causes resource damage.
    18. You must not park in riparian areas.
    19. Within the Sand Canyon-Rock Creek SRMA, you must not ride or be 
in possession of horses or other pack animals on any route, trail, or 
area not designated as open to such use by a BLM sign, map, or the 
appropriate travel management plan. Horses and pack animals are allowed 
both on and off designated travel routes throughout the remainder of 
the Monument.
    20. Within the Sand Canyon-Rock Creek SRMA, you must not hike on 
any route, trail, or area not designated as open to such use by a BLM 
sign, map, or the appropriate travel management plan. Hiking is allowed 
both on and off designated travel routes throughout the remainder of 
the Monument.
Exemptions
    The following persons are exempt from this supplementary rule: 
Federal, State, or local officers or employees acting within the scope 
of their duties; members of any organized law enforcement, military, 
rescue, or fire-fighting force in performance of an official duty; and 
any person whose activities are authorized in writing by the Canyons of 
the Ancients National Monument Manager.
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 
or local law.

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

Douglas J. Vilsack,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024-26396 Filed 11-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-16-P