Bureau of Land Management February 13, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is establishing supplementary rules to regulate conduct on public lands within the Arkansas River Travel Management Area (ARTMA) in Chaffee, Custer, and Fremont Counties, Colorado. These supplementary rules address decisions found in the Arkansas River Travel Management Plan (ARTMP). Travel management actions and changes to the off-highway vehicle (OHV) designations were detailed and analyzed in an Environmental Assessment (EA). The Royal Gorge Field Office (RGFO) signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on December 18, 2007. The BLM issued two Decision Records following the ARTMP EA: one on April 29, 2008, to amend OHV designations identified in the EA, and a second on May 21, 2008, to implement the travel management actions identified in the EA. The rules were published in the Federal Register as a proposal on July 23, 2010 and public comment was solicited. The Decision Records included revising travel regulations for the area including bicycle use, identifying shooting restrictions, and limiting an area to a certain vehicle type. These travel regulations are designed to provide for public health and safety and to protect natural resources within the ARTMA.

In accordance with the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Ukiah Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is establishing final supplementary rules. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) identified and thoroughly analyzed the effects of land use limitations and restrictions, and specified that supplementary rules would be required for resource protection and visitor safety. Upon publication, these final supplementary rules will supersede the interim final supplementary rules that apply to public lands within the Ukiah Field Office's jurisdiction. The BLM has determined that these final supplementary rules are necessary to enhance visitor safety, protect natural resources, improve recreation opportunities, and protect public health. These rules do not impose or implement any land use limitations and restrictions other than those included within the Ukiah RMP.