[Federal Register: March 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 44)]
[Notices]               
[Page 11036-11037]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08mr99-95]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[OR-035-1220]

 
Emergency Closure and Restriction on Public Lands in the South 
Fork of the Walla Walla River Area of Critical Environmental Concern 
(ACEC)

January 12, 1999.
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Vale District Office, Baker Resource 
Area, DOI.

ACTION: Notice of Closure and Restriction on Public Lands for the 
protection of resource values identified in South Fork of the Walla 
Walla River Area Plan Amendment, February 1992, for public safety, and 
subsequent listing of the Bull Trout as a federally threatened and 
endangered fish and proposed listing of the Mid-Columbia River Summer 
Steelhead.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the regulations contained in the Title 43 CFR 
8364, the Bureau of Land Management is limiting motorized vehicle 
travel within the ACEC. Motorcycles will continue to be allowed on the 
South Fork of the Walla Walla trail. Motorized vehicles will also 
continue to be allowed at the trailhead parking area and access road. 
All other motorized vehicle use is prohibited within the ACEC. The ACEC 
is closed to overnight camping. Discharging firearms within the road 
corridor between the cattleguard west of the trailhead parking area and 
the trail head gate is prohibited.
    These closure and restriction orders will be in effect on 
approximately 1,955 acres of public land within the South Fork of the 
Walla Walla River corridor. These limitations are located within the 
South Fork of the Walla Walla River ACEC in Umatilla County, Oregon in 
the western foothills of the Blue Mountains, Township 4N., Range 37E, 
sec. 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Range 38E, sec. 6 and 7, Willamette 
Meridian. A map of the area described above may be viewed in the Baker 
Resource Area Office.
    The limitations are necessary to prevent deterioration of the 
area's resource values including soil and water resources and habitat 
for Threatened and Endangered fish. The limitations will also provide 
for public safety and will be consistent with U.S. Forest Service 
regulations for the trail right-of-way connecting to Umatilla National 
Forest lands to the east of the ACEC.
    Personnel that are exempt from the area limitations include any 
Federal, State, or local officer, or member of any organized rescue or 
fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty, or

[[Page 11037]]

any person authorized in writing, in advance by the Bureau of Land 
Management, Baker Resource Area Manager.
    This replaces and rescinds all previous closures including the 
Emergency Closure and Restriction on Public Lands in the South Fork of 
the Walla Walla River Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) 
dated September 28, 1994.

DATES: The closures and restrictions are in effect immediately and 
shall remain in effect until rescinded by the authorized officer.
    Penalties: Violators are subject to imprisonment for not more than 
12 months, or a fine in accordance with the applicable provisions of 
Title 18 U.S.C. 3571, or both.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Penny Dunn-Woods, Baker Resource Area 
Manager, Baker City, OR 97814, Telephone 541-523-1256.
Ed Singleton,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-5317 Filed 3-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-M