[Federal Register: December 28, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 248)] [Notices] [Page 71498-71499] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr28de98-83] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [OR-030-09-1220-00: GP9-0065] Restrictions on Public Lands in Leslie Gulch Area of Critical Environmental Concern AGENCY: Vale District, Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of closures and restrictions of use within Leslie Gulch Area of Critical Environmental Concern. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Vale District is initiating certain closures and restrictions as part of the implementation of the approved 1995 Leslie Gulch Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Management Plan. The closures and restrictions are consistent with decisions of the ACEC management plan, and implementation is necessary to protect and enhance the identified relevant and important ACEC values of high quality scenery, California bighorn sheep habitat and special status plant species. The approved ACEC management plan complies with all applicable subparts of Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1610 (Resource Management Planning) and meets all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. Persons exempt from the closures and restrictions include any authorized Federal, State or local officers, or any member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting unit in performance of official duties recognized by the Bureau of Land Management, Vale District, or any person authorized by the Bureau of Land Management, Vale District. In accordance with the authority and requirements of Executive Orders 11644 and 11989, and regulations under Title 43, CFR, part 8340, the Dago Gulch Road south of the northern gate in T. 26 S., R. 45 E., section 19 is designated closed to motorized and mechanical vehicles. Pursuant to Closure and Restriction Orders under Title 43 CFR, part 8364.1, the following acts are prohibited on all public lands within the boundaries of the Leslie Gulch ACEC: 1. Motorized and Mechanized Vehicles. Operating a motorized or mechanized vehicle within the ACEC other than on designated roads, parking areas and campgrounds (currently only Slocum Creek Campground). 2. Camping/Campfires. (a) Camping outside designated campgrounds (currently only Slocum Creek Campground). (b) Use of open fires outside of designated campgrounds (currently only Slocum Creek Campground). 3. Recreational Domestic Livestock. Using or possessing a horse or other domestic livestock for any purpose. 4. Minerals and Vegetation. Collection of living or dead vegetation or any mineral or petrified wood without authorization. 5. Rock Climbing. (a) Placement of permanent anchoring devices. (b) Altering of natural features. (c) Leaving temporary hardware on natural features or at climbing locations for longer than needed for immediate use. (d) Competitive or commercial rock climbing activities. The lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management for which this order applies are within the Maheur Resource Area. The approved management plan and boundary of the Leslie Gulch ACEC can be viewed at the Vale District office. This order remains in effect until further notice. EFFECTIVE DATE: December 28, 1998. PENALTY: Any person failing to comply with this closure and restriction order may be subject to imprisonment for not more than 12 months, or a fine in accordance with the applicable provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3571, or both. [[Page 71499]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy L. Masinton, Malheur Resource Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management, 100 Oregon Street, Vale, Oregon 97918, Telephone (541) 473-3144. Roy L. Masinton, Malheur Resource Area Manager. [FR Doc. 98-34180 Filed 12-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-33-M