[Federal Register: October 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 191)] [Notices] [Page 53688-53689] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr04oc99-63] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY-020-1220-00] Notice of Closure to Camping at the Four Bear Trailhead and the Twin Creek Trailhead and Fishing Access Area and Notice of Seasonal Closure to Public Use Along Twin Creek Trail on Public Land in Park County, WY, Cody Field Office AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of closures. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that effective October 4, 1999 the Four Bear Trailhead and the Twin Creek Trailhead and Fishing Access Areas are closed to camping year round. The trailheads are located on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Cody Field Office. The Four Bear Trailhead is located on the north side of U.S. Highway 14-16-20 approximately 19 miles west of Cody in Park County, Wyoming. The Twin Creek Trailhead and Fishing Access Site is located on the north side of Park County Road 6WX approximately 23 miles west of Cody in Park County, Wyoming. This closure also applies to the public land surrounding the developed sites as described in this notice. Day use is allowed as well as overnight parking of unattended vehicles (including horse trailers). This action is being taken because the sites are small and were designed to serve as trailheads and parking areas for fishermen, hikers, and horseback riders. The sites and immediate surroundings are not designed to provide camping and are not suitable for camping. Camping in the parking lot would fill up the lot and would make parking spots unavailable to persons seeking to use the trailhead. No camping at either location will be allowed unless permitted by the Authorized Officer (BLM Cody Field Manager). In addition, the Twin Creek Trail is subject to a seasonal closure. Easements exist along the west fork of Twin Creek allowing public access through private lands to the Shoshone National Forest. These easements are subject to a seasonal closure. Consistent with that closure, the BLM portion of the trail is closed to all use from January 1 through April 30 of each year. This trail crosses the South Fork of the Shoshone River. The seasonal closure is in effect where the trail begins on the west side of the river. River bank access will remain open on both sides of the South Fork of the Shoshone River for activities such as fishing and sightseeing. The purpose of [[Page 53689]] the seasonal trail closure is to protect wintering elk herds. No access into this area will be allowed during the seasonal closure unless permitted by the Authorized Officer. EFFECTIVE DATES: The camping closure will be effective October 4, 1999. The seasonal trail closure will be effective January 1 through April 30 of each year. The closures will remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Authorized Officer. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirley Bye-Jech, Outdoor Recreation Planner, or Michael Blymyer, Cody Field Manager, Cody Field Office, P.O. Box 518, 1002 Blackburn Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414-0518. Telephone (307) 587-2216. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Four Bear Trailhead was constructed in 1995 to meet access needs for hiking, horseback riding, and hunting. The existing access from the Jim Mountain Trailhead on the Shoshone National Forest was no longer suitable for the increasing visitor use due to vehicle crowding and road safety issues. The trailhead and parking lot capable of holding 13 vehicles with horse trailers was constructed to relieve the access pressure in the area. The Twin Creek Trailhead and Fishing Access Site was constructed during the late summer and fall of 1997. Prior to the construction of the site, the hunting and horseback riding public have used this area as an informal parking area and trailhead for a number of years. There was insufficient room for the pickups and horse trailers using the area. The vehicles and trailers congregated on the side of the road and created a severe safety hazard. Therefore, a site was constructed with a parking lot capable of holding 10 vehicles with horse trailers. The site was designed for day use and overnight parking of unattended vehicles. There is insufficient room at the sites to provide camping facilities. The following described BLM-administered lands are included in this camping closure: For the Four Bear area, all BLM public lands north of U.S. Highway 14-16-20 in section 18, T. 52 N., R. 104 W., for the Twin Creek area, all BLM public lands north of county road 6WX in the northeast quarter of section 7, T. 50 N., R. 104 W. Authority for closure and restriction orders is provided under 43 CFR subpart 8364.1. Violations of this closure are punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and (or) imprisonment not to exceed 12 months. Dated: September 23, 1999. Michael Blymyer, Cody Field Manager. [FR Doc. 99-25657 Filed 10-1-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-22-P