[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 231 (Thursday, November 30, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 71332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30510]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ID-077-1220-PA]


Notice of Seasonal Road/Trail Closures on Public Lands in Cassia 
and Twin Falls Counties, Idaho.

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management announces seasonal closure of 
roads and trails in Twin Falls and Cassia Counties. Each year roads and 
trails shall have a seasonal closure in crucial wildlife winter range 
and/or may have temporary conditional closures to minimize resource 
damage and reduce public safety hazards when traveled by motorized 
vehicles during wet/muddy conditions. All trails leading from the road 
identified below shall have seasonal closures consistent with the road 
closures. Conditional closures are to be activated by the Authorized 
Officer during wet/muddy conditions. Several requests for the seasonal 
road/trail closures were received from the public during the comment 
period on the Indian Springs/North Cottonwood Road Upgrade 
Environmental Assessment (EA #ID-077-00-031).

Time Periods

    Conditional closure for all motorized vehicles during wet/muddy 
conditions to minimize damage to roads/trails and natural resources 
will be from December 1 through January 15 and March 16 through May 15. 
During this time period, roads and trails will remain open if the 
entire area is dry or frozen.
    Firm closure for all motorized vehicles to protect mule deer and 
sage grouse from disturbance in crucial winter range will be from 
January 16 through March 15.
    Closures, including time periods, will be posted at the entrance to 
each road.

The Legal Land Descriptions for the Road Closure Are as Follows

    The North Cottonwood Creek Road (BLM road #4221), has two 
entrances, one on the east side and one on the west. There is also an 
alternate road (BLM road #42163) located between the two entrances to 
the North Cottonwood Creek Road that starts at the Foothill Road and 
ties in with the North Cottonwood Creek Road, a distance of 
approximately 3 miles. The east entrance of North Cottonwood Creek Road 
closure starts 0.25 miles south of the Foothill Road and goes to the 
junction at the U. S. Forest Service boundary, a distance of 
approximately 7 miles. The west entrance to North Cottonwood Road 
starts at the Foothill Road and goes to the U.S. Forest Service 
boundary, a distance of approximately 6 miles, and back to the Foothill 
Road, a loop of approximately 13 miles total. The legal descriptions 
for the road entrances are T. 12 S., R. 17 E., Section 11 (west 
entrance), and T. 12 S., R. 18 E., Section 06 (east entrance), and T. 
12 S., R. 17 E., Section 02 (alternate road), in Twin Falls County.
    The Indian Springs Road (BLM road #4214) closure starts 1.5 miles 
south of the Foothill Road and goes to the U.S. Forest Service 
boundary, a distance of approximately 5.5 miles. The road closure 
starts at T. 12 S., R. 18 E., Section 9 in Twin Falls County. The first 
1.5 miles of the Indian Springs Road will remain open, allowing non-
motorized trail users access to the two lower parking areas during 
periods in which closures for motorized vehicles are activated.
    The Cherry Springs Road (BLM road #4213), from the Rock Creek Road 
southwest to its intersection with the Indian Springs Road, just north 
of the U.S. Forest Service boundary. This is a distance of 
approximately 6 miles. The road starts at T. 12 S., R. 18 E., Section 
02 in Twin Falls County.
    Dry Creek Road (BLM road #1610), from the Tugaw Ranch southwest to 
the U.S. Forest Service boundary, a distance of approximately 7 miles. 
The road closure starts in T. 12 S., R. 19 E., Section 12, in Cassia 
County.
    No person may use, drive, move, transport, let stand, park, or have 
charge or control over any type of motorized vehicle on closed routes.

Exceptions to This Order Are Granted to the Following

    Law enforcement patrol and emergency services and administratively 
approved access for actions such as monitoring, research studies, 
grazing activity, and access to private lands.
    Employees of valid right-of-way holders in the course of duties 
associated with the right-of-way.
    Holders of valid lease(s) and/or permit(s) and their employees in 
the course of duties associated with the lease and/or permit.
    Other actions would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This closure is effective December 1, 2000, and shall 
remain effective until rescinded by the Authorized Officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Theresa M. Hanley, Burley Field 
Manager, 200 South 15 East, Burley, ID. 83318. Telephone (208) 677-
6641. A map showing vehicle routes of travel is available from the 
Burley BLM Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority for this closure and restriction 
order may be found in 43 CFR 8364.1. Violation of this closure is 
punishable by a fine not to exceed $1000.00 and/or imprisonment not to 
exceed 12 months.

    Dated: November 20, 2000.
Theresa M. Hanley,
Burley Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-30510 Filed 11-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P