Closure of public lands: Utah,

[Federal Register: October 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 192)]

[Notices]

[Page 54053-54054]

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

[DOCID:fr05oc99-107]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT-040-930-1210-00]

Notice of Closure of Public Lands; Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of a temporary closure to off highway vehicle use in the Spring Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

SUMMARY: This notice closes to off highway vehicle (OHV) use approximately 4400 acres of the Spring Creek Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA). An area within the WSA that will remain open to vehicle use is the existing way into Kanarra Creek. Signing and a physical barrier in Spring Creek Canyon will be used as necessary to facilitate this action. The authority for this action is 43 CFR 8341.2.

DATES: This closure will begin immediately and remain in effect

[[Page 54054]]

indefinitely or until action is taken to complete a permanent closure.

ADDRESSES: Copies of maps are available at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Cedar City Field Office, 176 East DL Sargent Drive, Cedar City, Utah 84720 and BLM Utah State Office, 324 South State Street, P.O. Box 45155, Salt Lake City, Utah 84145-0155.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Egerton, Cedar City Field Office, at (435) 586-2401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 4433 acre Spring Creek Canyon WSA was established in 1980.

The WSA is currently designated as open to OHV use as documented in the Off Road Vehicle Designation and Implementation Plan (OHV Plan) for Beaver River Resource Area completed in 1987. The OHV plan also prescribes that BLM monitor ongoing (OHV) activity and, if necessary, adjust the time, location, or quantity of use. The Interim Management Policy for WSA's restricts vehicle travel to existing ways present at the time of WSA designation to prevent impairment of areas with wilderness characteristics. The Spring Creek Canyon WSA has received considerable increase in OHV use, extending of OHV routes, and impairment of wilderness character since designation of this WSA. Further, a recent action of bulldozing in Spring Creek Canyon has occurred which has caused further impairment. Therefore, BLM is temporarily closing to OHV use the area as described above.

Dated: September 23, 1999. Craig Egerton, Acting District Manager.

[FR Doc. 99-25483Filed10-4-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-M