[Federal Register: January 28, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 18)]
[Notices]               
[Page 4461]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28ja99-116]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-020-1220-00]

 
Closure of Public Lands to Camping and Off-Road Vehicle Use; 
Modification of Maximum Camping Stay Limit; and Exemption From Visitor 
Use Fees for Native Americans; Phoenix Field Office, Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of closure, modification of maximum camping stay limit, 
and fee exemption for Native Americans.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to inform the public that the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) intends to close certain public lands in the Painted 
Rock Mountains in Maricopa County to camping and off-road vehicle use 
except designated/signed open roads. The closure will be year-round and 
will remain in effect until rescinded or modified by the Phoenix Field 
Office Manager. The public lands affected by this closure are 
specifically identified as follows:
    All BLM administered lands in,

T. 4 S., R. 7 W.,
    Sections 30, 31, 32.
T. 4 S., R. 8 W.,
    Sections 13, 14, 24, 25,
T. 5 S., R. 7 W.,
    Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 20.
T. 5 S., R. 8 W.,
    Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12.

    The designated area will be posted with signs. This closure will go 
into effect upon completion of signing, approximately April 15, 1999.
    The following persons, operating within the scope of their official 
duties, are exempt from the provisions of this closure: Employees of 
the BLM, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and local and federal law 
enforcement and fire protection personnel. Access by additional parties 
may be allowed, but must be approved in advance in writing by the 
Phoenix Field Office Manager.
    This closure is in accordance with the provisions of the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 USC 1701), and 43 CFR, 
Subpart 8364.1. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of 
this closure may be subject to penalties outlined in 43 CFR Subpart 
8360.0-7. In accordance with 43 CFR 8364.1 and Subpart 8365, a maximum 
camping stay of seven (7) months per party is established at designated 
sites within the limits of Petroglyph Campground, T. 5 S., R. 8 W, 
section 1, lot 4 and W\1/2\NW\1/4\; and section 2, lots 1, 2, 5, 6, and 
NE\1/4\. Persons may continuously occupy any one site during the period 
October 1 through April 30. During the period May 1 through September 
30, the existing 14-day camping limit will remain in effect at 
Petroglyph Campground. On all other public lands administered by 
Phoenix Field Office, the existing 14-day camping limit, as published 
in the Federal Register Vol. 54, No. 215, November 8, 1989, will remain 
in effect year-round.
    This closure and camping stay limit is being established to assist 
the BLM in reducing the incidence of unauthorized long-term occupancy 
on public lands, protect vegetation and soil resources, eliminate the 
potential for health hazards associated with indiscriminate dumping of 
litter and waste, and to address Native American concerns regarding 
proper etiquette by visitors to a petroglyph site.
    Pursuant to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, and 
Executive Orders 13007 and 13084, visitor use fees at Painted Rock 
Petroglyph Site and Campground will be waived upon request for Native 
Americans visiting the site for the purpose of engaging in activities 
of traditional cultural importance. Application for such waiver of fees 
may be obtained by contacting the Phoenix Field Office Manager. 
Applicants must demonstrate a tribal affiliation and identify the 
period of time during which the waiver will be used.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael A. Taylor, Field Manager, Phoenix Field Office, 2015 West Deer 
Valley Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027; (602) 580-5500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Petroglyph Campground has sanitation and 
other facilities adequate to support additional visitor use demands 
caused by the closure. Painted Rock Petroglyph Site is listed on the 
National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a place of 
traditional cultural importance by the Tohono O'odham Nation and other 
Native American tribes. BLM cannot restrict access by other visitors to 
Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground during such times that 
activities of traditional cultural importance may be undertaken.

    Dated: January 22, 1999.
Michael A. Taylor,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-1990 Filed 1-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-M