Bureau of Land Management October 11, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to amend the supplementary rules established in 2003 (68 FR 1858, January 14, 2003) for the public lands within the State of Colorado. The rules relate to the illegal use of alcohol and drugs on the public lands. The amended supplementary rules are necessary to protect natural resources and the health and safety of public land users. These amended supplementary rules will allow BLM personnel to continue enforcement of existing public land regulations pertaining to alcohol and drug use in a manner consistent with current state laws as contained in the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease COC68522 from Gunsmoke Production Company for lands in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188 (d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3 (a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease COC68524 from Gunsmoke Production Company for lands in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

Notice is hereby given that certain public lands in Graham County, Arizona are temporarily closed to public use. This Closure Order restricts all public use on a year-round basis on public lands administered by the BLM Safford Field Office in the Watson Wash area. This Order is issued under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1 and affects the following public lands: Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona, T. 6 S., R.25 E., Sec. 14, S\1/2\, SW\1/4\: Sec. 15, S\1/2\ SE\1/4\; Sec. 22, E\1/2\ NE\1/4\; Sec. 23, NW\1/4\. The affected lands contain conditions that compromised public health and safety due to illegal activities at the site that included murder, assaults, fights, disorderly conduct, drugs, under-age drinking, weapon offenses, motor vehicle accidents, vandalism, and littering. Public health and safety hazards have increased substantially and are expected to continue to do so unless immediate management action is taken. The restriction prohibiting public entry and use will help to mitigate public health and safety threats. The BLM's immediate removal of an unauthorized hot tub, which was an attractive nuisance, will reduce the area's appeal as a party spot.