[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 128 (Monday, July 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41081-41082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16780]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-14000-00-1610-00]


Interim Travel Limitations to Motorized and Mechanized Vehicles 
in the Roan Plateau Area; Colorado

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that motorized and mechanized travel, 
except snowmobiles operating on snow,

[[Page 41082]]

are limited to designated routes yearround. The affected public land is 
generally known as the Roan Plateau or the Roan Cliffs. The affected 
public land is located northwest of Rifle, Colorado in Garfield County. 
The travel order specifically encompasses, approximately 53, 916 acres 
public lands in T. 5 S., R. 93 W., Sections 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 
29, 30, 31, 32; T. 5 S., R 94 W., Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 
28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36; T. 5 S., R 95 W., Sections 1, 2, 4, 
11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35, 36; T. 6 S., R 94 W., Sections 2, 
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19; T. 6 S, R. 95 W. Sections 1, 2, 3, 
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 
25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33; T. 6 S. R. 96 W., Sections 25, 26, 
35, 36; T. 7 S., R. 95 W., Section 6; T. 7 S., R. 96 W., Section 1; 6th 
Principal Meridian; Garfield County.
    This action is in accordance with the Glenwood Springs Resource 
Management Plan (RMP), Record of Decision (BLM, 1984). This order, 
issued under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1 and 43 CFR 8341.2(a), is 
established because there are currently no travel designations for the 
area. The interim travel designations are needed as a temporary measure 
to halt and mitigate the proliferation of roads and trails, caused by 
cross-country travel, which results in unacceptable damage to 
vegetation, soils, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources as 
well as creating user conflicts. Any cross-country use of motorized or 
mechanized transport off designated routes is prohibited. This travel 
order does not apply to foot or horseback travel.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The travel limitations become effective immediately 
upon publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will remain 
in effect until the Glenwood Springs Field Office RMP is amended. The 
RMP amendment process is scheduled to begin in October of the year 
2000. The planning process may result in a decision by the authorized 
officer to maintain, rescind or modify these interim travel 
designations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In November, 1997 Public Law 105-85 directed 
the transfer of jurisdiction of the area formally known as the Naval 
Oil Shale Reserve (NOSR) from the Department of Energy (DOE) to the 
BLM. The transfer directed that the lands be managed in accordance with 
laws applicable to public lands. BLM has been providing custodial 
surface management on the NOSR for many years under a Memorandum of 
Understanding with DOE. In fact, the 1984 Glenwood Springs Field Office 
(GSFO), Resource Management Plan (RMP), includes the NOSR lands and 
provides management direction for some activities. However, some major 
land use allocation decisions, like travel management were not included 
in the 1984 RMP.
    Visitors will notice little change in the routes open for travel 
since the existing network of travel routes have been essentially 
designated as open. The area and routes affected by this order will be 
posted with appropriate regulatory signs and information in such a 
manner and location as is reasonable to bring prohibitions to the 
attention of visitors. Information, including an updated map of the 
designated routes (Roan Plateau Visitor Guide and Map), is available 
from the Glenwood Springs Field Office at the addresses shown below.
    Persons who are exempt from the restrictions include: (1) Any 
Federal, State, or local officers engaged in fire, emergency and law 
enforcement activities; (2) BLM employees engaged in official duties; 
(3) Persons authorized to travel off designated routes via travel 
authorizations from the Glenwood Springs Field Office.
    Penalties: Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of 
this order may be subject to penalties outlined in 43 CFR 8360.0-7.

ADDRESSES: Field Office Manager, Glenwood Springs Field Office, Bureau 
of Land Management, 50629 Highway 6 & 24, P.O. Box 1009, Glenwood 
Springs, CO 81602

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Hopkins, (970) 947-2840.

Steve Bennett,
Acting Glenwood Springs Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-16780 Filed 6-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P