[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 194 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58730-58731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20085]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ES-915-1640-PM]


Notice of Temporary Closure for Maryland Point Property, Charles 
County, MD

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of temporary closure for Maryland Point Property, 
Charles County, Maryland.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management-Eastern States (BLM-ES) is 
temporarily closing the Maryland Point property formerly known as the 
Maryland Point Naval Observatory. This closure complies with the 
requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to provide 
for the safety of the public. The authority for this closure is found 
in 43 CFR 8364.1. The closure is necessary to protect the public from 
hazardous materials and conditions remaining from past military use.

[[Page 58731]]


DATES: This temporary closure will be effective the date this notice is 
published in the Federal Register and will continue until remediation 
of hazards are completed, and an Activity Plan for Maryland Point is 
completed and approved.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Cooper, BLM-ES, Lower Potomac 
Field Station Manager, 10406 Gunston Road, Lorton, Virginia 22079, at 
(703) 339-8009.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM-administered public lands affected 
by this closure total approximately 23 acres, more or less, and include 
the driveway from the gate on Maryland State Highway 224 and the fenced 
portion of the property.
    Information as to when the area will no longer be closed to entry 
will be posted at the Lower Potomac Field Station at the address stated 
above. In addition, the BLM plans to announce the lifting of the 
closure through the media, including announcements in local newspapers. 
This former military installation has not been opened to the public in 
at least the last 30 years. No recreational activities have occurred at 
this property since the BLM acquired the property from the U.S. Navy in 
2002, pending a study of the conditions at the site. This study is 
completed, and the hazards to the public are documented in a BLM 
contractor's report titled ``Maryland Point Removal of Existing 
Structures Design.'' The BLM is now seeking funds to remove hazardous 
materials at the site. Subsequently, an activity plan and Environmental 
Assessment will be completed to determine impacts to sensitive areas, 
habitat, and visitor safety. It is necessary that this area be closed 
until the hazards are remediated, and the activity plan is completed.
    Prohibited Act: Under 43 CFR 8364.1 and 8360.0-7, the Bureau of 
Land Management is providing notice that no entry will be allowed to 
the closure area without risk of penalty.
    Exemptions: Persons who are exempt from these rules include: any 
Federal, State or local office employee or volunteer in the scope of 
his or her duties; members of any organized rescue or fire-fighting 
force in performance of an official duty; contractors and their 
employees while engaged in official duty; and others authorized in 
writing by the Bureau of Land Management.
    Penalties: Penalties for violating this closure notice are found in 
43 CFR 8360.0-7. Any person who fails to comply with a closure order 
may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 
months, or both.

Michael D. Nedd,
State Director, Eastern States.
[FR Doc. 05-20085 Filed 10-6-05; 8:45 am]
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