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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 103672-103677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30059]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

43 CFR Part 8360

[BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500180623]

Notice of Final Supplementary Rule for Public Lands Administered 
by the Tres Rios Field Office in Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma, 
Dolores, San Miguel, and Montrose Counties, and by the Gunnison Field 
Office in Gunnison, Ouray, San Juan, and Hinsdale Counties, Colorado

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Final supplementary rule.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is finalizing a 
supplementary rule for BLM-administered public lands in the Tres Rios 
Field Office (TRFO) and Gunnison Field Office (GFO). The final 
supplementary rule will allow the BLM to implement and enforce 
decisions related to motorized and non-motorized vehicles, day-use 
areas, seasonal wildlife habitat protection, camping, and campfires.

DATES: The final supplementary rule is effective on January 18, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Inquiries may be directed to the BLM TRFO, 29211 Highway 
184, Dolores, CO 81323, or at (970) 882-1120; or to the BLM GFO, 2500 
E. New York Ave, Gunnison, CO 81230 or at (970) 642-4940.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tyler Fouss, Field Staff Ranger, BLM 
TRFO, 29211 Highway 184, Dolores, CO 81323; telephone 970-882-1131; 
email: [email protected]. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, 
deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 
(TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. 
Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services 
offered within their country to make international calls to the point-
of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Discussion of Public Comments
III. Discussion of Final Supplementary Rule
IV. Procedural Matters
V. Final Supplementary Rule

I. Background

    The BLM is establishing this supplementary rule under the authority 
of 43 CFR 8365.1-6, which authorizes BLM State Directors to establish 
supplementary rules for the protection of persons, property, and public 
lands and resources.
    In 2015, the TRFO approved a Resource Management Plan (RMP) to 
replace portions of the San Juan/San Miguel RMP that are within the 
jurisdiction of the TRFO (previously known as the San Juan Resource 
Area). The two approved RMPs and Records of Decision provide direction 
on how the BLM will manage public lands in Archuleta, La Plata, 
Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel, Montrose, Gunnison, San Juan, Ouray, 
and Hinsdale counties, Colorado, except for public lands that are 
within the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, which is managed 
under a separate RMP approved in 2010. During the public planning and 
analysis processes for the TRFO RMP, the BLM identified the need to 
establish a supplementary rule to provide for visitor health and safety 
and to protect cultural, wildlife, and natural resources on public 
lands managed by the BLM.
    The TRFO RMP carries forward decisions in the Dolores River 
Corridor Management Plan (CMP) and the Alpine Triangle Recreation Area 
Management Plan (RAMP), which were approved in 1990 and 2010, 
respectively. The Silverton Travel Management Plan (TMP) and the TRFO 
Transportation and Access Plan for Travel Area 1 (TAP1) were both 
approved in 2020.
    Over the past 10 years, the BLM has recorded increases in 
visitation numbers and subsequent pressures to Special Recreation 
Management Areas (SRMAs), critical winter wildlife habitat areas, and 
archaeological sites throughout the TRFO and GFO. To address the 
growing concerns, the BLM is establishing this supplementary rule to 
implement decisions in the five management plans to protect visitor 
health and safety and prevent natural and cultural resource 
degradation.
    When the BLM adopted the TRFO RMP, the plan included BLM-managed 
lands that are now under the jurisdiction of the GFO due to changes in 
the TRFO and GFO boundaries. Neither the TRFO RMP nor the GFO RMP have 
been updated to reflect these changes; thus, the rule will also apply 
to BLM-managed lands now administered by the GFO in parts of Hinsdale, 
San Juan, and Ouray counties.
    Several sections of the rule will implement decisions spanning all 
public lands managed by the BLM in the TRFO and GFO. Other sections 
will apply only to specific types of BLM-managed lands, such as SRMAs 
or critical winter wildlife habitat areas experiencing the most 
visitation. The rule will only address land use limitations and 
restrictions previously proposed, analyzed, and approved as part of the 
public planning processes for the TRFO RMP, Dolores River CMP, Alpine 
Triangle RAMP, Silverton TMP, and TRFO TAP1, and their associated 
environmental impact statements (EIS) or environmental assessments 
(EA). The BLM developed the five management plans with extensive input 
from the public, Tribes, and elected officials through scoping, 
opportunities for public comment, and resource advisory committee 
meetings. The BLM took the following steps to involve the public in 
developing the plans that are the basis for this final supplementary 
rule:
    1. The TRFO RMP was initially a joint agency planning effort by the 
BLM and U.S. Forest Service, which included extensive public 
participation in determining appropriate uses in the planning area. 
Public comments and input received during all planning stages resulted 
in the BLM fine-tuning the TRFO RMP, which applies only to public lands 
managed by the BLM.
    2. Public participation for the Dolores River CMP was a coordinated 
effort consisting of a task force of people representing diverse 
interests, including local governments, private landowners, wildlife 
and fishing enthusiasts, resource conservationists, and private and 
commercial boaters. In addition, the BLM hosted several public meetings 
in local communities surrounding the planning area to consider options 
for managing the river canyon.
    3. Public participation was vital to developing the Alpine Triangle 
RAMP. The BLM developed and implemented a public involvement strategy 
to obtain input from a diverse group of stakeholders and set the stage 
for community support.
    4. The public involvement effort for the Silverton TMP included 
opportunities for the public to provide feedback during scoping and 
review of the EA and a BLM open house public meeting at Kendall 
Mountain in Silverton, Colorado.
    5. To develop the TRFO TAP1, the BLM met with various individuals, 
organizations, and interest groups representing motorized, equestrian, 
and mechanized users as well as conservation organizations. The BLM

[[Page 103673]]

also hosted open-house meetings to solicit initial public input.

II. Discussion of Public Comments

    The BLM published a proposed supplementary rule on February 28, 
2024 (89 FR 14606) and received 24 comments during the 60-day public 
comment period. Five commenters expressed support for the supplementary 
rule.
    One commenter expressed opposition to proposed rules restricting 
mechanized travel and indicated that the rule is an affront to 
accessibility for people unable to walk or bike. Under proposed Rules 
1, 4, 8, and 12, mechanized travel is allowed on designated routes. 
Proposed Rules 5 and 7 prohibit all mechanized travel within the Perins 
Peak Wildlife Management Area, designated Wilderness Study Areas, and 
the Coyote Wash and Snaggletooth lands with wilderness characteristics. 
Proposed Rule 4 prohibits mechanized vehicles within the Willow Creek 
Wildlife Management Area from December 1 through June 30 each year. The 
proposed rule's definition of mechanized travel exempts wheelchairs 
from mechanized-travel restrictions. Any change to the mechanized 
travel restrictions would require the BLM to amend the underlying RMP. 
The BLM did not revise the final supplementary rule in response to this 
comment.
    One commenter indicated that proposed rule 24, which states that 
``You must register at a developed BLM river launch point prior to 
watercraft use from Bradfield Bridge to Bedrock,'' is unclear. In 
response, the BLM is clarifying the language in the final rule to read 
that the rule applies only to river trips. The same commenter stated 
that the rule cannot apply to private lands. The proposed rule already 
stipulates that it applies only to specified BLM public lands as does 
the final rule, so no change is needed.
    One commenter stated that the TRFO RMP does not have a Phil's World 
Recreation Management Zone (RMZ), does not specify that wildlife 
closures are to be lifted on April 15 of each year, and does not have 
restrictions for domestic animals in the Cortez SRMA, Durango SRMA, or 
Silverton SRMA. In response to this comment, the final rule changes the 
reference to ``Phil's World RMZ'' in proposed Rule 16 to the ``Phil's 
World Area.'' Lifting wildlife closures on April 15 is specific to the 
annual Durango area wildlife closures as set forth in the TRFO RMP. 
Restrictions pertaining to domestic animals are detailed in Appendix E 
of the TRFO RMP.
    One commenter disputed the proposed requirement in Rule 15 that, 
particularly within the Silverton SRMA, domestic animals such as dogs 
must be controlled by leash or voice command to prevent negative 
interactions between recreationalists and sheep herds, including the 
dogs used to protect them. The commenter indicated that the rule should 
apply to the dogs used to protect the sheep as well and that 
sheepherders should consider using less aggressive dog breeds. Any 
change to the decisions that domestic animals be leashed and under 
voice control in the Silverton SRMA would require the BLM to amend the 
underlying RMP. The BLM did not revise the final rule in response to 
this comment.
    A form email received from 14 individuals expressed general 
concerns with what they view as arbitrary dates for closures, group 
size limits, and camping limitations and indicated that they do not 
want to see additional restrictions in the Dolores River corridor. The 
commenters further indicated that, if a certain amount of acreage is 
restricted to overnight camping, the BLM needs to open additional 
acreage somewhere else to accommodate the growing number of recreation 
users on public lands.
    Rules that have user-restriction dates are for winter wildlife 
closures, which are needed to reduce stress and impacts on wildlife. 
The restricted dates were analyzed as part of the Tres Rios RMP and 
correspond with the dates set by Colorado Parks and Wildlife for winter 
wildlife closures on State-managed public lands. Rules that have group-
size limits are for river trips within the Dolores River corridor and 
were analyzed in the Dolores River CMP. Rules that have camping 
limitations are in place in the Cortez SRMA, the Durango SRMA, and 
within the Alpine Triangle. In the Cortez SRMA, the Phil's World and 
Mud Springs areas are designated as day-use areas. Camping is available 
elsewhere within the Cortez SRMA. The Durango SRMA is in the urban 
interface with the City of Durango, and dispersed camping is available 
on BLM-managed public lands within a short distance from the Durango 
SRMA. In the Alpine Triangle, camping is only restricted around 
historic sites, and dispersed camping is allowed throughout the rest of 
the area and in developed campgrounds. Rules stipulating wildlife 
closure dates, group size limits, and camping restrictions were 
established in the five management plans and cannot be changed without 
plan amendments.
    One commenter indicated that proposed rule number 27, which states 
that ``You must not gather dead or down wood,'' should be clearer. In 
response to this comment, the BLM has revised the final rule to clarify 
that only the collection and burning of driftwood during river trips is 
prohibited, as specified in the Dolores River CMP.

III. Discussion of the Final Supplementary Rule

    The final supplementary rule will apply only to public lands and 
facilities managed by the TRFO and the GFO.
    The decisions from the five management plans that this final 
supplementary rule will implement are focused on protecting public 
health and safety and preventing damage to natural and cultural 
resources. The five management plans include decisions concerning 
restrictions, prohibitions, and allowable uses to address identified 
issues or achieve management goals and objectives. For these decisions 
to be effectively implemented, enforcement is needed, first to ensure 
the management decisions are properly understood and followed, and 
second to provide for civil and criminal penalties should these 
restrictions and prohibitions not be followed. Most public land users 
will not notice meaningful changes as many of the sections of the 
supplementary rule have been long-held recommendations that will now 
become regulations.

IV. Procedural Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866 and 
13563)

    The final supplementary rule is not a significant regulatory action 
and is not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget 
under E.O. 12866 as amended by E.O. 14094. The final supplementary rule 
will not have an annual effect of $200 million or more on the economy. 
It will not adversely affect, in a material way, the economy; 
productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public health or 
safety; or State, local, or Tribal governments or communities. The 
final supplementary rule will not create a serious inconsistency or 
otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. 
The final supplementary rule will not materially alter the budgetary 
effects of entitlements, grants, user fees, loan programs, or the 
rights or obligations of their recipients; nor does it raise novel 
legal or policy issues. The final rule merely establishes rules of 
conduct for public use on a limited area of public lands.

[[Page 103674]]

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Congress enacted the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980, as 
amended (5 U.S.C. 601-612), to ensure that Government regulations do 
not unnecessarily or disproportionately burden small entities. The RFA 
requires a regulatory flexibility analysis if a rule would have a 
significant economic impact, either detrimental or beneficial, on a 
substantial number of small entities. The BLM considered economic 
impacts at the time the land use plans were developed and these impacts 
were deemed to be minimal. The BLM expects impacts from this final rule 
to affect a small number of outfitters and have only a minor 
socioeconomic impact relative to the area's overall economy.
    The requirements contained within this final supplementary rule are 
based on decisions the BLM made when it developed five land-use 
management plans between 1990 and 2015. This final rule codifies those 
decisions so that the BLM can ensure the public properly understands 
and follows them. This final rule also provides for civil and criminal 
penalties should the public not follow these restrictions and 
prohibitions. Most public land users, including small businesses that 
operate on BLM-managed public lands, will not notice any meaningful 
changes as many of the sections of the supplementary rule have been 
long-held recommendations that the public has largely been following. 
These recommendations will now become regulations. Therefore, the BLM 
has determined under the RFA the final supplementary rule will not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Congressional Review Act

    This final supplementary rule is not ``major'' as defined under 5 
U.S.C. 804(2). This rule:
    (a) Will not have an annual effect on the economy of $200 million 
or more.
    (b) Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions.
    (c) Will not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This final supplementary rule will not impose an unfunded mandate 
on State, local, or Tribal governments in the aggregate, or the private 
sector, of more than $100 million per year, nor will it have a 
significant or unique effect on small governments. Therefore, the BLM 
is not required to prepare a statement containing the information 
required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Governmental Actions, and Interference With Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights (Takings) (E.O. 12630)

    The final supplementary rule is not a government action capable of 
interfering with constitutionally protected property rights. The final 
supplementary rule does not address property rights in any form and 
will not cause the impairment of constitutionally protected property 
rights. Therefore, the BLM has determined the final supplementary rule 
will not cause a ``taking'' of private property or require further 
discussion of takings implications under this Executive order.

Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    The final supplementary rule will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. The final 
supplementary rule does not conflict with any State law or regulation. 
Therefore, in accordance with E.O. 13132, the BLM has determined the 
supplementary rule does not have sufficient Federalism implications to 
warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    Under E.O. 12988, the BLM has determined the final supplementary 
rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and the requirements of 
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order are met.

Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments (E.O. 
13175 and Departmental Policy)

    In accordance with E.O. 13175, the BLM has determined the final 
supplementary rule does not include policies that have Tribal 
implications and will have no bearing on trust lands or on lands for 
which title is held in fee status by American Indian Tribes or U.S. 
Government-owned lands managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Since 
the supplementary rule does not involve Indian reservation lands or 
resources, the BLM has determined government-to-government 
relationships remain unaffected.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The final supplementary rule does not contain information 
collection requirements the Office of Management and Budget must 
approve under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 
through 3521.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    The final supplementary rule will allow the BLM to implement and 
enforce key decisions in the TRFO RMP, the Dolores River CMP, the 
Alpine Triangle RAMP, the Silverton TMP, and the TRFO TAP1 within TRFO 
and GFO. The supplementary rule will not change the NEPA analysis or 
decisions set forth in each of the plans. During the NEPA review for 
each of these planning efforts, the BLM fully analyzed the effects of 
this final supplementary rule in their respective NEPA documents:

 TRFO RMP EIS (DOI-BLM-CO-S010-2011-0067-EIS)
 Dolores River CMP EA (DOI-BLM-CO-030-SJ-90-46)
 Alpine Triangle RAMP EA (DOI-BLM-CO-160-2008-023-EA)
 Silverton TMP EA (DOI-BLM-CO-F070-2019-0008-EA)
 TRFO TAP1 EA (DOI-BLM-CO-S010-2018-0013)

    The BLM prepared a Determination of NEPA Adequacy to confirm that 
the prior analyses and public comment processes were sufficient to 
inform the decision to establish this supplementary rule. Therefore, 
additional NEPA analysis is not required. Copies of the NEPA analysis 
and relevant decision document for each of the aforementioned plans, 
and the Determination of NEPA Adequacy for this supplementary 
rulemaking, are on file at the BLM offices at the addresses specified 
in the ADDRESSES section and electronic copies are available online at 
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/96401/510.

Information Quality Act

    In developing the final supplementary rule, the BLM did not conduct 
or use a study, experiment or survey requiring peer review under the 
Information Quality Act (section 515 of Pub. L. 106-554).

Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use (E.O. 13211)

    The final supplementary rule does not comprise a significant energy 
action. The final supplementary rule will not have an adverse effect on 
energy supply, production, or consumption and have no connection with 
energy policy.

[[Page 103675]]

Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation (E.O. 13352)

    In accordance with E.O. 13352, the BLM has determined the final 
supplementary rule will not impede facilitating cooperative 
conservation; will take appropriate account of and consider the 
interests of persons with ownership or other legally recognized 
interests in land or other natural resources; will properly accommodate 
local participation in the Federal decision-making process; and will 
provide that the programs, projects, and activities are consistent with 
protecting public health and safety.

Author

    The principal author of the final supplementary rule is Tyler 
Fouss, Field Staff Ranger, Bureau of Land Management, Tres Rios Field 
Office, Colorado.

V. Final Supplementary Rule

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, and under the authorities 
for supplementary rules at 43 U.S.C. 1733, 43 U.S.C. 1740, and 43 CFR 
8365.1-6, the BLM Colorado State Director establishes this 
Supplementary Rule for public lands managed by the BLM in the Tres Rios 
Field Office and the Gunnison Field Office, to read as follows:

FINAL SUPPLEMENTARY RULE FOR THE TRES RIOS FIELD OFFICE AND GUNNISON 
FIELD OFFICE

Definitions

    Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) has the same meaning 
as it does at 43 CFR 1601.0-5(a).
    Campfire has the same meaning as it does at 43 CFR 8360.0-5(b).
    Camping means the erecting of a tent or shelter of natural or 
synthetic material, preparing a sleeping bag or other bedding material 
for use, parking of a motor vehicle, motor home or trailer, or mooring 
of a vessel, for the apparent purpose of recreational overnight 
occupancy.
    Designated travel route means roads and trails open to specified 
modes of travel and identified on a map of designated roads and trails 
available for public inspection at the BLM Tres Rios Field Office, 
Colorado. Designated roads and trails are open to public OHV use in 
accordance with such limits and restrictions as are, or may be, 
specified in the RMP or a Travel Management Plan (TMP), or in future 
decisions implementing the RMP. This definition excludes any road or 
trail with BLM-authorized restrictions preventing use of the road or 
trail. Restrictions may include, but are not limited to, signs or 
physical barriers such as gates, fences, posts, branches, or rocks.
    Fire pan means a metal container capable of containing a campfire 
for purposes of containing all ash and protecting the underlying soils 
from scorching.
    Herd Management Area means those lands under the supervision of the 
Bureau of Land Management managed for the maintenance of wild horse and 
burro herds.
    Historic structure means any prehistoric or historic district, 
site, building, structure, or object included in, or eligible for 
inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places. The term 
includes properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to 
an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization and that meet the 
National Register criteria. The term ``eligible for inclusion in the 
National Register of Historic Places'' includes both properties 
formally determined as such by the Secretary of the Interior and all 
other properties that meet National Register of Historic Places listing 
criteria.
    Lands managed to protect wilderness characteristics means those 
lands that have been:
    (1) Inventoried and determined by the BLM to contain wilderness 
characteristics as defined in section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act; and
    (2) Identified to protect those characteristics through a land use 
planning process and subsequent Record of Decision.
    Mechanized vehicle means any device propelled solely by human 
power, upon which a person, or persons, may ride on land, having any 
wheels, with the exception of a wheelchair.
    Motorized vehicle means any vehicle propelled by a motor or engine, 
capable of, or designed for, travel on or immediately over land, water, 
or other natural terrain, such as a car, truck, off-highway vehicle, 
motorcycle, or snowmobile. Off-highway vehicle has the same meaning as 
it does in 43 CFR 8340.0-5(a).
    Portable toilet means a washable, leak-proof, reusable toilet 
system that allows for the carry-out and disposal of solid human body 
waste in a responsible and lawful manner; the system must be adequate 
for the size of the group and length of the trip. If a Wag Bag system 
is used it must be in a hard-sided, clamped or screw top container--not 
a dry bag.
    Public lands has the same meaning as it does at 43 U.S.C. 1702(e).
    Resource damage means damage to or disturbance of the soil, 
wildlife, wildlife habitat, improvements, cultural, or vegetative 
resources.
    Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) means an administrative 
unit where the existing or proposed recreation opportunities and 
recreation setting characteristics are recognized for their unique 
value, importance and/or distinctiveness, especially as compared to 
other areas used for recreation.
    Wilderness Study Area (WSA) means an area that has been identified 
as a Wilderness Study Area in either the Gunnison or TRFO RMPs.

Prohibited Acts

    Unless otherwise authorized, the following acts are prohibited on 
all public lands, roads, trails, and waterways administered by the BLM 
within the areas defined:
    Within the Cortez Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), the 
Dolores River SRMA, the Durango SRMA, the Ancestral Puebloan Area of 
Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), the Gypsum Valley ACEC, the Mesa 
Verde Escarpment ACEC, the Perins Peak and Willow Creek Wildlife 
Management Areas, the Spring Creek Wild Horse Herd Management Area, as 
identified in the TRFO RMP:
    1. You must not operate or possess a mechanized vehicle on any 
route, trail, or area not designated as open to such use, unless you 
are using a mechanized game cart to retrieve a large game animal with a 
valid carcass tag. Game carts are not allowed within the Perins Peak 
Wildlife Management Area.
    2. You must not use vehicles designed for traveling over snow 
unless there is adequate snow cover to protect the underlying 
vegetation and soils from the impact of that use. This use is 
prohibited in designated Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), or 
lands with wilderness characteristics that are managed to protect 
wilderness characteristics, in areas designated by Colorado Parks and 
Wildlife as critical big game winter relief and winter concentration 
areas, or areas designated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife as occupied 
Gunnison sage-grouse habitat.
    3. You must not operate or possess a motorized vehicle beginning 
2.4 miles north of the San Miguel/Dolores County line on the section of 
Road 14F vacated by San Miguel County (road vacated 2.4 miles north of 
the San Miguel/Dolores County line for a distance of 2.4 miles) from 
February 1 through May 1 each year to protect Desert Bighorn Sheep 
lambing, within the Dolores River SRMA.
    4. You must not operate a mechanized vehicle within the Willow 
Creek Wildlife Management Area from

[[Page 103676]]

December 1 through June 30 each year for the protection of Gunnison 
Sage-grouse habitat.
    5. You must not operate a mechanized vehicle within the Perins Peak 
Wildlife Management Area.
    6. You must not hike, ride, or be in possession of horses or other 
pack animals on any route, trail, or area not designated as open to 
such use within the Ancestral Puebloan ACEC and Mesa Verde Escarpment 
ACEC. Hiking and horseback riding is allowed both on and off designated 
travel routes throughout the remainder of the area managed by the Tres 
Rios Field Office.

Within Designated WSAs and the Coyote Wash and Snaggletooth Lands With 
Wilderness Characteristics, as Identified in the TRFO RMP

    7. You must not operate or possess a mechanized vehicle.

Within Archuleta County, La Plata County, and Montezuma County, as 
Identified in the TRFO TAP-1

    8. You must not operate or possess a mechanized vehicle on any 
route, trail, or area not designated as open to such use, unless you 
are using a mechanized game cart to retrieve a large game animal with a 
valid carcass tag. Game carts are not allowed within the Perins Peak 
Wildlife Management Area.
    9. You must not park or use a motorized or mechanized vehicle more 
than 100 feet from the edge of a designated travel route (e.g., for 
such uses as camping, picnicking, or firewood cutting) as identified in 
the Travel Management Plan and travel management maps and firewood 
cutting map.
    10. You must not park a motorized vehicle more than 20 feet from 
the edge of a designated travel route or in a manner that causes 
resource damage in the Chutes and Ladders portion of the Cortez SRMA or 
the Mahan area within La Plata County.
    11. You must not use vehicles designed for traveling over snow 
unless there is adequate snow cover to protect the underlying 
vegetation and soils from the impact of that use. This use is 
prohibited in designated Wilderness, WSAs, or other lands managed to 
protect wilderness characteristics, in areas designated by Colorado 
Parks and Wildlife as critical big game winter relief and winter 
concentration areas, or in areas designated by Colorado Parks and 
Wildlife as occupied Gunnison sage-grouse habitat.

Within the Silverton SRMA as Identified in the TRFO RMP and the 
Silverton TMP Administered by the GFO

    12. You must not operate or possess a mechanized vehicle on any 
route, trail, or area not designated as open to such use unless you are 
using a mechanized game cart to retrieve a large game animal with a 
valid carcass tag outside of designated WSAs, or congressionally 
designated Wilderness Areas.
    13. You must not park a motorized vehicle more than 30 feet from 
the edge of a designated travel route or in a manner that causes 
resource damage.
    14. You must not use vehicles designed for traveling over snow 
unless there is adequate snow cover to protect the underlying 
vegetation and soils from the impact of that use. This use is 
prohibited in designated WSAs, congressionally designated Wilderness 
areas, and other lands managed to protect wilderness characteristics. 
This use is also prohibited in areas designated by Colorado Parks and 
Wildlife as critical big game winter relief and winter concentration 
areas or areas designated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife as occupied 
Gunnison sage-grouse habitat.

Within the Cortez SRMA, Durango SRMA and Silverton SRMA, as Identified 
in the TRFO RMP

    15. Domestic animals must be on a leash or under voice command.

Within the Cortez SRMA and the Durango SRMA as Identified in the TRFO 
RMP

    16. You must not enter or use the area within the Phil's World Area 
and Mud Springs RMZ portion of the Cortez SRMA \1/2\ hour after sunset 
to \1/2\ hour before sunrise unless:
    a. You are using the non-motorized trails within the Phil's World 
Area; or
    b. You are a licensed hunter and acting in accordance with all 
rules and regulations as defined by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
    17. You must not enter or use the area \1/2\ hour after sunset to 
\1/2\ hour before sunrise within the Animas City Mountain, Skyline, and 
Grandview Recreation Management Zones of the Durango SRMA, except if 
you are a licensed hunter and acting in accordance with all rules and 
regulations as defined by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
    18. You must not build, ignite, maintain, or attend to a fire or 
campfire within the Animas City Mountain, Skyline, and Grandview 
Recreation Management Zones of the Durango SRMA.

Within the Alpine Triangle as Identified in the TRFO RMP and the Alpine 
Triangle RAMP for the GFO

    19. You must not camp within 300 feet of the Animas Forks district 
boundary and the Gold Prince Mill National Register Districts.
    20. You must not camp within 150 feet of a historic structure.
    21. You must not ignite or maintain a campfire within 150 feet of a 
historic structure.
    22. You must not ignite or maintain a campfire above 12,000 feet 
within the Redcloud Peak ACEC.

Within the Dolores River SRMA as Identified in the TRFO RMP and the 
Dolores River CMP

    23. You must not use motorized watercraft from Bradfield Bridge to 
Bedrock.
    24. During river trips, you must register at a developed BLM river 
launch point or with the Tres Rios Field Office prior to watercraft use 
from Bradfield Bridge to Bedrock.
    25. During river trips, you must not exceed posted group-size 
limits.
    26. During overnight river trips, you must dispose of human waste 
into a portable toilet.
    27. You must not gather or burn driftwood.
    28. You must not have a campfire or charcoal fire without the use 
of a fire pan.
    29. You must pack out all ashes associated with a campfire or 
charcoal fire.

Within the Cortez SRMA, Durango SRMA and Perins Peak Wildlife 
Management Area as Identified in the TRFO RMP

    30. You must not enter the Chutes-n-Ladders, Summit, and Aqueduct 
areas of the Montezuma Triangle Recreation Management Zone within the 
Cortez SRMA from December 1 through April 30 each year for the 
protection of critical winter wildlife habitat. Travel on county roads 
through the areas is allowed.
    31. You must not enter identified closure areas in the Animas City 
Mountain and Grandview Ridge Recreation Management Zones of the Durango 
SRMA from December 1 through April 30 each year for the protection of 
critical winter wildlife habitat. This closure may be opened April 15 
if conditions and wildlife needs warrant.
    32. You must not enter identified closure areas in the Perins Peak 
Wildlife

[[Page 103677]]

Management Area from December 1 through April 30 each year for the 
protection of critical winter wildlife habitat. This closure may be 
opened April 15 if conditions and wildlife needs warrant.
    33. You must not enter identified closure areas in the Perins Peak 
Wildlife Management Area from March 15 through July 31 each year for 
the protection of critical raptor habitat.

Exemptions

    The following persons are exempt from this supplementary rule: any 
Federal, State, or local officers or employees acting within the scope 
of their official duties; members of any organized law enforcement, 
military, rescue, or fire-fighting force performing an official duty; 
and any persons who are expressly authorized or approved by the BLM 
Authorized Officer.

Enforcement

    Any person who violates any part of this supplementary rule may be 
tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 
U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned no more than 12 months under 43 U.S.C. 1733(a) 
and 43 CFR 8360.0-7, or both. In accordance with 43 CFR 8365.1-7, State 
or local officials may also impose penalties for violations of Colorado 
or local law.

(Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1733, 43 U.S.C. 1740; 43 CFR 8365.1-6)

Douglas J. Vilsack,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024-30059 Filed 12-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-16-P
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