[Federal Register: May 8, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 89)]
[Notices]               
[Page 25519-25520]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08my98-78]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[OR-050-1150-00:G8-0170]

 
Prineville District; Cave Closure; Oregon

May 1, 1998.
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice is hereby given that Stout Cave, Deschutes County, 
Oregon, is closed yearlong to all visitor use for a three-year period 
ending on May 1, 2001.

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    Effective immediately, Stout Cave, in Deschutes County, Oregon, is 
closed to all visitor use (caving, sport climbing, etc.) for a three-
year period ending on May 1, 2001. The term ``cave'' applies to any 
naturally occurring void, cavity, recess, or system of interconnected 
passages which occurs beneath the surface of the earth and to any 
natural pit, sinkhole, or other feature which is an extension of the 
entrance. The term ``sinkhole'' applies to the area below the rim and 
extending to the cave's entrance. The purpose of this closure is to 
protect roosting western big-eared bats from human disturbance. This 
Special Status species is extremely sensitive to human disturbance. 
Also, this closure is necessary in order to determine the specific type 
and location of bat use in the absence of human disturbance. Current 
levels of human disturbance prevent further evaluation of bat use. 
Without this information, impacts to biota from current and proposed 
human uses at the cave cannot be analyzed. BLM cave management policy 
directs that protective measures, including cave closures, be 
implemented where known or potential adverse impacts to sensitive 
animals is present. Closure needs will be re-evaluated at the end of 
the three-year closure period. Exemptions to this closure will apply to 
administrative personnel for monitoring purposes; other exemptions to 
this restriction may be made on a case-by-case basis by the authorized 
officer. Exemptions could include approved research, essential search 
and rescue, and other emergency actions or administrative operations 
for the protection of cave resources. The authority for this closure is 
43 CFR 8364.1: Closure and restriction orders.
    A more specific location of public lands under this closure order 
is not provided in order to protect sensitive cave resources. Cave 
locations are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act under the 
Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988.


[[Page 25520]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Nichols, Cave Protection 
Specialist, BLM Prineville District, P.O. Box 550, Prineville, Oregon 
97754, telephone (541) 416-6725.

SUPPLEMENTAY INFORMATION: Violation of this closure order is punishable 
by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 
months as provided in 43 CFR 8360.0-7.

    Dated: May 1, 1998.
James G. Kenna,
Deschutes Area Manager, Prineville District Office.
[FR Doc. 98-12194 Filed 5-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-M