Closure of public lands: Idaho,

[Federal Register: June 1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 104)]

[Notices]

[Page 29335]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr01jn99-91]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ID-010-1220-00]

Notice of Temporary Closure to Off-Highway Vehicle Use Near Grand View, Idaho

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of temporary closure to off-highway vehicle use near Grand View, Idaho.

SUMMARY: This notice closes approximately 1,450 acres to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use to protect rare plants in and around the Mud Flat Oolite Area of Critical Environmental Concern/Research Natural Area (ACEC/RNA). The unique sandstone cliffs that are prominent within the area also provide habitat for wildlife, including nesting raptors. Sometime prior to April 18, 1999, numerous off-highway vehicles traveled cross-country in this area. This off-road vehicle use caused adverse impacts to vegetation, including rare plant communities. BLM reserves the right to use or authorize use of roads and trails or off- road travel for administrative purposes. The closed area falls within the following-described public lands:

Boise Meridian, Idaho

T. 7 S., R. 2 E., section 1: SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;

Section 12: NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/ 4\, N\1/2\S\1/2\SE\1/4\; T. 7 S., R. 3 E., section 4: Lots 2-4, S\1/2\NW\1/4\;

Section 5: Lots 1-4, S\1/2\N\1/2\, SW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, SW\1/ 4\SE\1/4\;

Section 6: Lots 1, 2, 6, 7, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/ 2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\;

Section 7: Lots 1-3, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/ 4\.

To prevent further damage from off-road vehicle use, the boundaries will be fenced and signed identifying the closed area. The legal authority for this action can be found at 43 CFR 8341.2.

DATES: This closure will begin June 1, 1999 and remain in effect pending completion of an amendment to the Bruneau Resource Area Management Framework Plan that addresses OHV use in the Resource Area. This Plan Amendment is expected to be completed by the fall of 2000.

ADDRESSES: Copies of maps that outline the closed area are available at the Bureau of Land Management, Lower Snake River District, 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Connell, Bruneau Resource Area, at (208) 384-3330.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1,450 acre habitat includes the Mud Flat Oolite ACEC/RNA, designated by the 1992 Bruneau Management Framework Plan Amendment. Several BLM sensitive plant species are known to exist within the 1,450 acre area including Packard's buckwheat (Eriogonum shockleyi var. packardae), Mulford's milkvetch (Astragalus mulfordiae), white eatonella (Eatonella nivea), white-margined wax plant (Glyptopleura marginata), rigid threadbush (Nemacladus rigidus), and Snake River milkvetch (Astragalus purshii var. ophiogenes).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the status of Mulford's milkvetch for possible listing as a threatened or endangered species. Most of the area is currently not designated and therefore open to OHV use as documented in the Bruneau Management Framework Plan completed in 1983.

Dated: May 21, 1999. Jamie E. Connell, Acting Bruneau Area Manager.

[FR Doc. 99-13579Filed5-28-99; 8:45 am]

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