[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16603-16604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8828]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-330-1220-00]


Notice of Proposed Supplementary Rules for King Range National 
Conservation Area

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of proposed establishment of supplementary rules.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Arcata Resource Area is proposing the establishment of the 
following Supplementary Rules for the King Range National Conservation 
Area as provided for under Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations Subpart 
8365.1-6:
    A. Parking Restriction, Black Sands Beach: Busses, camping trailers 
or motor homes, or any other vehicles larger than a full-sized pickup 
truck, are prohibited from parking in the Black Sands Beach Parking 
Area at the terminus of Beach Road.
    B. Parking Restriction, Developed Camping and Picnic Sites: Parking 
any vehicle on a developed camp/picnic site is allowed only during 
occupancy of the site. ``Occupancy of the site'' is defined as that 
period of time when the vehicles occupants are using facilities at the 
site for the primary purpose of camping or picnicking. All vehicles not 
directly associated with use of the camp/picnic site must be placed at 
other parking locations. This includes any vehicle left parked 
unattended for the primary purpose of allowing the occupants to

[[Page 16604]]

participate in recreation activities away from the camping/picnic site 
including, but not limited to, backpacking, hiking, beachcombing, 
hunting, surfing etc. The following developed camping and picnic sites 
are covered under this restriction: Mattole, Tolkan, Horse Mountain, 
Honeydew Creek, and Wailaki.
    C. Vehicle Barriers: Taking any vehicle through, around, or beyond 
any structure, restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence, gate, 
or traffic control barrier is prohibited.
    D. Camping Closure: BLM administered lands within the following 
areas are closed to camping (overnight occupancy) outside of developed 
campgrounds: Public Lands within 500 feet of Chemise Mountain Road; 
Public Lands within 500 feet of Shelter Cove Road between milepost 5 
and the intersection with Chemise Mountain Road; Public Lands adjacent 
to Lower Pacific Drive including Mal Coombs Park, Seal Rock Picnic 
Area, Abalone Point, and all other BLM managed oceanfront lots within 
the Shelter Cove Subdivision; Public Lands south of Telegraph Creek and 
north of Humboldt Creek known as the Black Sands Beach Parking Area; 
Public Lands within Township 3 South, Range 1 East, Sections 6 and 7 
known as the Honeydew Creek parcel; and Public Lands within 500 feet of 
King Peak Road between milepost 2 and 7.

EFFECTIVE DATE: These Supplementary Rules will be effective on May 20, 
1997.

COMMENT PERIOD: The BLM is requesting comments concerning these 
supplemental rules. The comment period will be open for 30 days from 
the date of publication of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The above supplementary rules are being 
proposed for the following purposes:
    A. Parking, Black Sands Beach: Wave erosion of the existing parking 
area has severely reduced its size to the point that larger vehicles 
and trailers cannot safely park or turn around, especially since the 
lot is often filled to capacity. Enlargement of the existing lot is not 
feasible, and efforts are being made to acquire an alternate parking 
area to accomodate larger vehicles.
    B. Parking, Developed Camping and Picnic Sites: This rule is 
intended to be used in conjunction with an improved information program 
to increase the efficiency of use at developed camping/picnic areas. 
Presently, visitors often park in camp/picnic sites to hike, backpack 
or pursue other activities that do not require use of the site. 
Comparable access for these activities is available from nearby parking 
locations. Often, all campsites are full, denying use to additional 
campers/picnickers, while these nearby parking areas have spots 
available.
    C. Vehicle Barriers: Self explanatory.
    D. Camping Closure: The closure along segments of Chemise Mountain 
and Shelter Cove Roads is intended to protect critical salmon spawning 
and rearing habitat along the Bear Creek corridor from impacts. The 
oceanfront lots and parks (Seal Rock, Abalone Point and Mal Coombs) 
along Lower Pacific Drive are in a residential area and are not 
designed to accommodate overnight use. The closure along King Peak Road 
and of the Honeydew Creek Parcel is intended to reduce resource damage 
and maintenance costs from increased numbers of visitors camping in 
undeveloped sites adjacent to developed campgrounds so that they can 
use the facilities without paying fees. Because of extensive wave 
erosion, the Black Sands Beach Parking Area no longer has the capacity 
to accomodate any tent or vehicle camping. Violation of any of the 
above supplementary rules is punishable by a fine not to exceed 
$100,000, and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months (43 CFR 8360.0-
7).

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Lynda J. Roush, Bureau of Land Management, Arcata 
Resource Area Manager, 1695 Heindon Rd., Arcata, CA 95521, phone (707) 
825-2300.
Daniel E. Averill,
Acting Arcata Resource Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-8828 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P