50400 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Notices

plan. Substantive comments regarding

recovery plan implementation may not

necessarily result in changes to the

recovery plan, but will be forwarded to

appropriate Federal or other entities so

that they can take these comments into

account during the course of

implementing recovery actions.

Individualized responses to comments

will not be provided.

The subspecies being considered in

this recovery plan is the Hawaiian hoary

bat, Lasiurus cinereus semotus. It is

known from the islands of Hawaii,

Maui, Oahu Kauai, and Molokai.

Population numbers are not known, but

Hawaiian hoary bats are observed

regularly only on Hawaii, Kauai, and

Maui, and the bat is apparently

restricted in distribution on the latter

two islands. There is a general lack of

historic and current data on this

subspecies, and its present status is not

well understood. Habitat requirements

for the Hawaiian hoary bat are not well

known. Bats are most often observed

foraging in open areas, near the edges of

native forests, or over open water.

Hawaiian hoary bats roost solitarily in

trees. Habitat requirements may vary

seasonally, but this is not clear. Threats

to this subspecies include habitat

destruction (elimination of roosting

sites), and possibly direct and indirect

effects of predation, pesticides,

introduced insects, and disease.

The objective of the actions proposed

by this recovery plan is to delist the

Hawaiian hoary bat. Interim goals

include determining the abundance,

distribution, and habitat needs of this

subspecies. Interim criteria for

downlisting the Hawaiian hoary bat to

threatened status are also identified.

Delisting and downlisting decisions

cannot be made without a basic

understanding of the Hawaiian hoary

bat’s distribution, abundance, and

habitat needs. Research addressing these

questions must be undertaken prior to

consideration of delisting or

downlisting.

Downlisting Objectives

A widespread population of Hawaiian

hoary bats must be naturally

reproducing and stable or increasing in

size on the island of Hawaii for a

minimum of 5 consecutive years before

downlisting is considered.

Delisting Objectives

Hawaiian hoary bat populations on

Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui must be welldistributed, naturally reproducing, and

stable or increasing in size for at least

5 consecutive years before delisting is

considered.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service solicits written comments

on the recovery plan described. All

comments received by the date specified

above will be considered prior to

approval of this plan.

Authority

The authority for this action is section

4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16

U.S.C. 1533(f).

Dated: September 15, 1997.

Thomas J. Dwyer,

Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Region 1.

[FR Doc. 97–25424 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO–050–1220–00]

Closure of Public Lands

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management.

ACTION: Closure of public lands, roads

and trails in Fremont County, CO.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that

effective October 1, 1997 that certain

public lands, including all existing

roads and trails, east of Badger Creek in

Fremont County are closed to all types

of motor vehicle (including but not

limited to 4x4, ATVs, and motorcycles)

travel. The purpose of this closure is to

prevent further disturbance to soils and

vegetation in and near the riparian area,

reduce sedimentation into Badger Creek,

and stop the expansion of user-created

trails in the area. This closure is made

under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1.

The public lands affected by this

emergency closure are specifically

identified as follows: Fremont County,

Colorado.

New Mexico Principal Meridian

T. 49 N., R. 10 E.,

Sec. 22 east of Badger Creek

Sec. 23 N1⁄2

Sec. 24 N1⁄2 west of BLM Road 5980

Sec. 13 S1⁄2 west of BLM Road 5980

Sec. 14 SE1⁄4 (locally known as Bloody

Gulch and/or Rattlesnake Canyon).

DATES: Effective October 1, 1997 and

will remain in effect unless revised,

revoked or amended.

ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land

Management, Canon City District Office,

3170 East Main Street, Canon City,

Colorado 81212; Telephone (719) 269–

8500.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Levi

Deike, Area Manager, Royal Gorge

Resource Area at the above address and

phone number or John Nahomenuk,

Outdoor Recreation Planner, Arkansas

Headwaters Recreation Area, P.O. Box

126, Salida, CO 81201; (719) 539–7289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATI0N: This

closure does not apply to emergency,

law enforcement, and federal or other

government vehicles while being used

for official or emergency purposes, or to

any vehicle whose use is expressly

authorized or otherwise officially

approved by BLM. Violation of this

order is punishable by fine and/or

imprisonment as defined in 18 USC

3571. A copy of this Federal Register

Notice and map showing the closure

area is posted in the Canon City District

Office and in public places in the

affected area.

Stuart L. Freer,

Associate District Manager.

[FR Doc. 97–25475 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO–220–1060–00–24 1A]

Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board;

Re-opening of Public Call for

Nominations

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,

Interior.

ACTION: Re-opening of Public Call for

Nominations for the Wild Horse and

Burro Advisory Board.

SUMMARY: This notice is published in

accordance with Section 9(a)(2) of the

Federal Advisory Committee Act (5

U.S.C. App.). Notice is hereby given that

the public call for nominations for

membership on the Wild Horse and

Burro Advisory Board is being reopened for a 30-day period to ensure

that all interested parties have had an

adequate opportunity to submit

nominations for board membership.

Any individual or organization may

nominate one or more persons to serve

on the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory

Board. Individuals may also nominate

themselves for Board membership.

Nominations that have already been

made do not have to be resubmitted. All

nomination letters should include the

name, address, profession, relevant

biographic data, and reference sources

for each nominee, and should be sent to

the address below.

Nominations may be made for the

following categories of interest:

Wild horse and burro advocacy group

Wild horse and burro research

(especially genetics and population

biology)
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 186 / Thursday, September 25, 1997 / Notices 50401

Veterinary medicine (equine science)

Natural resources management

(especially rangeland science)

Humane organization

Wildlife management

Livestock management

Public-at-large.

The specific category that the

nominee will represent should be

identified in the letter of nomination.

DATES: Nominations should be

submitted to the address listed below no

later than October 27, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim

Fox, Bureau of Land Management, LS

314, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington,

D.C. 20240, telephone (202) 452–7744.

Internet: j1fox@wo.blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

purpose of the Wild Horse and Burro

Advisory Board will be to advise the

Secretary of the Interior, the Director of

the Bureau of Land Management, the

Secretary of Agriculture, and the Chief

of the Forest Service on matters

pertaining to management and

protection of wild free-roaming horses

and burros on the Nation’s public lands.

Board membership shall be balanced

in terms of categories of interest

represented. Each member will be a

person who, as a result of training and

experience, has knowledge or special

expertise that qualifies him or her to

provide advice from among the

categories of interest listed above.

Pursuant to Section 7 of the Wild FreeRoaming Horse and Burro Act, members

of the Board shall not be employees of

Federal or State Government.

Members will serve without salary,

but will be reimbursed for travel and per

diem expenses at current rates for

Government employees.

The Board will meet no less than two

times annually. Additional meetings

may be called by the Director, Bureau of

Land Management, in connection with

special needs for advice.

Dated: September 19, 1997.

Tom Fry,

Acting Director.

[FR Doc. 97–25469 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–84–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT–020–1020–00]

Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management

(BLM), Montana, Miles City District,

Interior.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The Miles City District

Resource Advisory Council will have a

meeting Wednesday, October 22, 1997

at 8:00 a.m. at the Big Horn Restaurant

meeting room in Lovell, Wyoming. On

October 23 the Council will participate

in a field trip to the Pryor Mountains.

Topics of discussion at the meeting

will be an overview of the management

and gather plan for the Pryor Mountain

Wild Horse Range, access, and updates

on current BLM projects including the

alluvial valley floor coal exchange.

The meeting is open to the public and

the public comment period is set for

12:30 p.m. The public may make oral

statements before the Council or file

written statements for the Council to

consider. Depending on the number of

persons wishing to make an oral

statement, a per person time limit may

be established. Summary minutes of the

meeting will be available for public

inspection and copying during regular

business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marilyn Krause, Public Affairs

Specialist, Miles City District, 111

Garryowen Road, Miles City, Montana

59301, telephone (406) 233–2831.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

purpose of the Council is to advise the

Secretary of the Interior, through the

BLM, on a variety of planning and

management issues associated with

public land management. The 15

member Council includes individuals

who have expertise, education, training

or practical experience in the planning

and management of public lands and

their resources and who have a

knowledge of the geographical

jurisdiction of the Council.

Dated: September 17, 1997.

Timothy M. Murphy,

District Manager.

[FR Doc. 97–25472 Filed 9–24–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO–070–1230–00]

Castle Peak Area Travel Management

Designations and Use Restrictions

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,

Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of change in off highway

vehicle use designations, and area

closure and use restrictions.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given on

changes in the off highway vehicle use

designations and travel related rules of

conduct on approximately 119,631 acres

of public land administered by the

Grand Junction District, Glenwood

Springs Resource Area of the Bureau of

Land Management. This order closes

public lands in the Bull Gulch and

Castle Peak Wilderness Study Areas to

use and operation of all motorized and

mechanized vehicles, limits use of said

vehicles to designated routes on all

other public lands in the Castle Peak

planning area, and prohibits use of

motorized vehicles in specified areas

during the fall and winter seasons. The

motorized and mechanized travel

designations and use restrictions are

established pursuant 43 CFR 8341.2(a),

and 43 CFR 8464.1. These designations

and use restrictions modify current

designations established in the

Glenwood Springs Resource Area

Resource Management Plan, record of

decision signed in January 1984, and

supersede general rules of conduct for

recreational use of public lands in the

affected area.

The affected public lands are bounded

by the Colorado River, Eagle River and

Highway 131 and are located in

Townships 2, 3, 4, and 5 South, Ranges

83, 84, 85 and 86 West of the 6th

Principal Meridian, Eagle County,

Colorado.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The designations will

be effective as of the date of approval of

the Castle Peak Travel Management

Plan. The use restrictions shall be

effective as of September 15, 1997 until

rescinded or modified by the

Authorized Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public

lands in the Castle Peak area contain

important and fragile resource values

and provide a variety of outdoor

recreational opportunities. Changes in

the current travel designations are

needed to protect erosive soils,

wintering wildlife habitat, sensitive

water quality management areas,

cultural resources, important scenic

values, semi-primitive non-motorized

settings, and wilderness values.

Growing recreational use in the area is

expected to continue, and travel

management is needed to prevent

conflicts between users and

unacceptable impacts on resource

values, while continuing to provide a

variety of recreational opportunities.

These travel designations and use

restrictions are the result of the Castle

Peak Travel Management Plan. Public

comments were received throughout the

planning process beginning in April

1996, which included scoping of the

issues and potential solutions, review of

alternatives and the plan proposed in

September 1996, and review of the final

plan with record of decision approved