Land Management Bureau December 30, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) subpart(s) 8341, 8364, and 9268, the Bureau of Land management (BLM) announces the seasonal closure of certain BLM-administered public lands under the jurisdiction of the Pinedale, Wyoming Field Office to all types of motor vehicle use (i.e., snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and any other motorized vehicles including trucks, sport-utility vehicles, cars, motorcycles, etc.) each year during the period of January 1 through April 30. Elk feedground areas will be closed each year to any human presence from November 15 through April 30. This seasonal closure is needed to protect public lands and resources and to minimize stress to wintering elk, moose, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer. This seasonal closure affects public lands located within the Mesa, Ryegrass, Bench Corral, Deer Hills, Calpet, and Miller Mountain winter ranges as well as the Franz, Finnegan, Bench Corral, Scab Creek, Fall Creek, Black Butte, and North Piney elk feedgrounds as more particularly described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Except for travel on highways or county roads, motorized vehicle travel within these areas will only be allowed with written authorization from the Pinedale Field Manager. Personnel of the BLM, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture-APHIS and Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and law enforcement personnel are exempt from this closure only when performing official duties. Operators of existing oil and gas facilities may perform maintenance and pumping, as approved, and livestock operators may perform permitted activities.