[Federal Register: August 6, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 151)] [Notices] [Page 42063] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr06au98-82] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CA-069-1220-00] Supplementary Rules for the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark/Area of Critical Environmental Concern AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Publication of supplementary rules for the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark/Area of Critical Environmental Concern. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: To implement decisions regarding the management of valuable, fragile and limited natural resources and to provide for public enjoyment and the safety of visitors to such resources, located at the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark/Area of Critical Environmental Concern. EFFECTIVE DATE: August 1, 1998. To remain in effect until the completion of Land Use, Recreation and Route Designation plans. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael S. Dodson, Ranger, at (760) 326-7027 or Lesly Smith, Outdoor Recreation Planner, at (760) 326-7031, Needles Field Office, 101 West Spikes Road, Needles, CA 92363. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To protect valuable, sensitive and fragile natural resources and to provide for public enjoyment and safety, the following supplementary rules are established for the area described: Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark San Bernardino Base Meridian T. 5 N, R. 11 E, Sections. 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Vehicles It is prohibited to take any vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence or traffic control barrier. Vehicle operation is prohibited within the cinder cone and on the slopes of the cinder cone. Vehicle operation within the lava flow area is only authorized on established routes. This includes any vehicle, motorcycle, off highway vehicle, bicycle or any other means of wheeled or tracked conveyance, whether motorized or manually operated. The use of vehicles in the bowl/lava flow area south of the cinder cone is restricted. Only employees of the Federal, State or Local government, who are responding to an emergency or have official business requiring them do so, are authorized to operate vehicles in this area. Vehicle parking is restricted to already disturbed areas. Vehicles shall not be parked in such a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement, create a safety hazard or endanger any person, property or feature. Vehicles so parked will be removed and impounded at the owner's expense. Hiking Due to increased visitor usage and natural erosion, any use of the north hiking trail is prohibited. This trail is being closed to allow restoration and cone stabilization. Hiking off established trails or upon the slopes of the crater is prohibited. The west trail will remain open for the purposes of crater access and hiking. Firearms Discharge or use of firearms, other weapons, or fireworks is prohibited within the boundaries of the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark/Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Hunting Due to the extremely limited and fragile nature of all life forms within the lava flow ecosystem, the hunting, take, possession or harassment of any mammal, bird or reptile is strictly prohibited. This also includes any taking or disturbing of any form of plant life. This rule will not only serve to protect limited natural resources within this ecosystem, but will complement an already existing rule under the California Fish and Game Code (Title 14, Section 42.5(E)(1)), relating to the take of any reptile from ecological reserves, State parks, national parks or monuments. Camping Camping is restricted to already disturbed areas. Authority The authority for closure and restriction orders to protect persons, property, public lands and resources, is contained in Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations, subpart 8364, subparts a through d. The authority for establishing supplementary rules is contained in Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations, subpart 8365, section 1-6. These rules will be available in the Needles Field Office, which manages these lands. A violation of a supplementary rule is punishable as a class A misdemeanor. Molly S. Brady, Field Manager. [FR Doc. 98-21049 Filed 8-5-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-84-P