Proposed Rule2024-01399
Public Lands in the Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction and Kremmling Field Offices, and the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, CO
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 25, 2024
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentLand Management Bureau
Abstract
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a supplementary rule to protect natural resources and public health and safety. The proposed supplementary rule would apply to public lands and BLM facilities managed by the Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, and Kremmling Field Offices, and the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA) in Colorado managed by the Grand Junction and Uncompahgre Field Offices.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4872-4880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01399]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
43 CFR Part 8360
[BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500172299]
Public Lands in the Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction and
Kremmling Field Offices, and the Dominguez-Escalante National
Conservation Area, CO
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed supplementary rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a
supplementary rule to protect natural resources and public health and
safety. The proposed supplementary rule would apply to public lands and
BLM facilities managed by the Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction,
and Kremmling Field Offices, and the Dominguez-Escalante National
Conservation Area (NCA) in Colorado managed by the Grand Junction and
Uncompahgre Field Offices.
DATES: Please submit comments by March 25, 2024. Comments received
after this date may not be considered in the development of the final
supplementary rule.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following methods: ePlanning
<a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/90071/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/90071/510</a>, mail or hand
deliver to Proposed Supplementary Rule, Attention: Erin Jones, Upper
Colorado
[[Page 4873]]
River District, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO, 81506.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Jones, Upper Colorado River
District Associate District Manager (see address listed earlier), or by
phone: (970) 244-3008; or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ff9a8d9590919a8cbf9d9392d1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d584f575253584e7d5f5150135a524b">[email protected]</span></a>. 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. Public Comment Procedures
Written comments on the proposed supplementary rule should be
specific, confined to issues pertinent to the proposed supplementary
rule, and explain the reason for any recommended change. Where
possible, comments should reference the specific section or paragraph
of the proposed supplementary rule that the comments are addressing.
The BLM will consider comments received before the end of the comment
period (see DATES), including those that are postmarked before the
deadline and delivered to the address listed earlier (see ADDRESSES).
Comments, including names, street addresses, and other contact
information of respondents will be available for public review during
regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday,
except on Federal holidays) in the Colorado River Valley, Grand
Junction, Kremmling, and Uncompahgre Field Offices. Before including
your address, phone number, email address, or other personal
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying information from public review,
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
II. Background
The Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, and Kremmling Field
Offices, and Dominguez-Escalante NCA completed new resource management
plans (RMPs) in recent years. Supplementary rules are necessary to
implement the decisions in the RMPs, which would facilitate enforcement
of these decisions and protect natural resources and public health and
safety.
The field offices completed their RMP processes and issued Records
of Decision (RODs) after inviting the public to comment during scoping
and public-comment periods. The field offices review each public
comment received during each step of the process and responded to all
comments received during the public-comment periods (see the individual
RMPs for responses to public comments). Some parts of the proposed rule
have already been in effect under previous RMPs; for example, the 14-
day camping limits and restrictions on mechanized travel. Other
proposed rule restrictions are from the new RMPs published in 2015,
such as the restrictions on rock climbing in the Colorado River Valley
Field Office and on metal detectors and paintball guns in Dominguez-
Escalante NCA.
III. Discussion of the Proposed Supplementary Rule
This proposed supplementary rule would apply to public lands and
BLM facilities managed by the Colorado River Valley Field Office, Grand
Junction Field Office, Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-Escalante
NCA.
This proposed supplementary rule would address resource damage,
public safety, wildland fire, and wildlife disruption concerns. The BLM
consulted with the Shooting Sports Roundtable while preparing each RMP
to coordinate on the shooting closures described in this proposed rule.
We expect that concerns raised over restrictions to recreational
activities in this proposed supplementary rule will be similar to those
that the BLM addressed when it developed the supporting RMPs. Issues
raised during the development of the supporting RMPs included concerns
over the size and location of areas available for mechanized travel,
target shooting, and camping in each field office or NCA, and the
suitability of the areas for those uses. BLM examined the issues and
comments submitted during the development of each RMP and struck a
balance between making areas available for these types of activities
and imposing restrictions where necessary to protect natural resources
and public health and safety.
The proposed supplementary rule conforms with management decisions
contained in the following RMPs:
[ssquf] Colorado River Valley RMP (2015) as amended by the Sutey
Ranch and Haines Parcel Approved RMP Amendment (2019);
[ssquf] Grand Junction RMP (2015);
[ssquf] Kremmling RMP (2015); and
[ssquf] Dominguez-Escalante NCA RMP (2017).
The authority for this supplementary rule is set forth at sections
303 and 310 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), 43
U.S.C. 1733 and 1740, as well as 43 CFR 8365.1-6, which authorizes BLM
State Directors to establish a supplementary rule for the protection of
persons, property, and public lands and resources.
IV. Procedural Matters
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
The proposed supplementary rule is not a significant regulatory
action and is not subject to review by the Office of Management and
Budget under Executive Order 12866 as amended by Executive Order 14094.
The proposed supplementary rule would not have an effect of $200
million or more on the economy and would not adversely affect in a
material way productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public
health or safety; or State, local, or Tribal governments or
communities. The proposed supplementary rule would not create a serious
inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by
another agency. The proposed supplementary rule would not materially
alter the budgetary effects of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan
programs, or the rights or obligations of their recipients, nor does it
raise novel legal or policy issues. This proposed supplementary rule
would merely impose limitations on certain activities on certain public
lands to protect natural resources and human health and safety.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Congress enacted the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 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 proposed supplementary rule
would have no effect on business entities of any size. The proposed
supplementary rule would merely impose reasonable restrictions on
certain activities on certain public lands to protect natural resources
and the environment and human health and safety. Therefore, the BLM
certifies under the RFA that this proposed supplementary rule would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
[[Page 4874]]
Congressional Review Act
This proposed supplementary rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined
at 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This proposed supplementary rule would merely
impose reasonable restrictions on certain recreational activities on
certain public lands to protect natural resources, the environment and
human health and safety. This proposed supplementary rule would not:
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more.
(2) Cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers;
individual industries; Federal, State, or local agencies; or geographic
regions; or
(3) Have significant adverse effects on competition, employment,
investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United
States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in
domestic and export markets.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The proposed supplementary rule would not impose an unfunded
mandate on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector of
more than $100 million per year; nor would it have a significant or
unique effect on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private
sector. The proposed supplementary rule would merely impose reasonable
restrictions on certain recreational activities on specific public
lands to protect natural resources, the environment, and human health
and safety. 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 (Executive Order 12630)
The proposed supplementary rule does not constitute a government
action capable of interfering with constitutionally protected property
rights. The proposed supplementary rule would not address property
rights in any form and would not cause the impairment of
constitutionally protected property rights. Therefore, the BLM has
determined that this proposed supplementary rule would not cause a
``taking'' of private property or require further discussion of takings
implications under this Executive order.
Federalism (Executive Order 13132)
The proposed supplementary rule would not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between the National
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 13132, the BLM has determined that this
proposed supplementary rule does not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)
Under Executive Order 12988, the BLM has determined that this
proposed supplementary rule would not unduly burden the judicial system
and that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of
Executive Order 12988.
Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments (Executive
Order 13175 and Departmental Policy)
In accordance with Executive Order 13175, the BLM has found that
this proposed supplementary rule does not include policies that have
Tribal implications and would have no bearing on trust lands or on
lands for which title is held in fee status by Indian Tribes or U.S.
Government-owned lands managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed supplementary rule does not contain information
collection requirements that the Office of Management and Budget must
approve under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
National Environmental Policy Act
This proposed supplementary rule would implement key decisions in
the following RMPs: Colorado River Valley Field Office, Grand Junction
Field Office, Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-Escalante NCA. The
BLM's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for these
management plans analyzed the effects of implementing the RMP decisions
through a supplementary rule. 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 Environmental Impact Statements and RODs for
each RMP, and the Determination of NEPA Adequacy for this proposed
supplementary rulemaking, are on file at the BLM offices at the
addresses specified in the ADDRESSES section and electronic copies are
available online at <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/90071/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/90071/510</a>.
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution or Use (Executive Order 13211)
This proposed supplementary rule does not comprise a significant
energy action. This proposed supplementary rule would not have an
adverse effect on energy supply, production, or consumption and has no
connection with energy policy.
Information Quality Act
In developing this proposed 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).
Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation (Executive Order 13352)
In accordance with Executive Order 13352, the BLM has determined
that the proposed supplementary rule would not impede facilitating
cooperative conservation; would take appropriate account of and
consider the interests of persons with ownership or other legally
recognized interests in land or other natural resources; would properly
accommodate local participation in the Federal decision-making process;
and would provide that the associated programs, projects, and
activities are consistent with protecting public health and safety.
V. Proposed Rule
Author
The principal author of this proposed supplementary rule is Erin
Jones, Associate District Manager BLM Upper Colorado River District
Office.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, and under the authority of
43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 1740, and 43 CFR 8365.1-6, the State Director
proposes a supplementary rule for public lands and facilities in the
Colorado River Valley Field Office, Grand Junction Field Office,
Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-Escalante NCA.
Proposed Supplementary Rule for the Colorado River Valley Field Office,
Grand Junction Field Office, Kremmling Field Office, and Dominguez-
Escalante National Conservation Area
Definitions and Acronyms
(1) As used in this Supplementary Rule, the term:
Approved Portable Toilet means any non-biodegradable, durable
container designated to receive and hold human waste, in any container
position without leaking; and equipped with a dumping
[[Page 4875]]
system that allows the container to be emptied into a standard
receiving or dump system designed for that purpose (such as a SCAT
machine or recreational vehicle dump station), in a sanitary manner,
without spills, seepage, or human exposure to human waste; or any
approved biodegradable landfill-approved bag system designed for
landfill or garbage can disposal (such as a ``WAG'' bag, a human waste
disposal bag).
Camp means erecting a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic
material; preparing a sleeping bag or other bedding material; parking a
motor vehicle, motor home, or trailer; or mooring a vessel for the
apparent purpose of overnight occupancy.
Campfire means a controlled fire occurring out of doors, used for
cooking, branding, personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial, or aesthetic
purposes.
Designated campsite means a BLM-designated campsite, marked with a
visible number or identification mounted on a post or placard.
Designated sites may be undeveloped or developed with basic amenities.
Developed recreation site. See definition at 43 CFR 8360.0-5(c).
Developed toilet facility means a vault-type, pit, or portable
toilet provided by the BLM or its partners.
Dispersed campsite means an undesignated campsite not located in a
campground that is traditionally used for camping.
Firearm means a weapon, by whatever name known, that is designed to
expel a projectile by the action of powder; and be readily capable of
use as a weapon.
Fire pan means a durable metal fire pan at least 12 inches in
diameter with at least a 1.5-inch lip around its outer edge and
sufficient to contain fire and fire remains containing fire, charcoal,
and ash, while preventing ashes or burning material from spilling onto
the ground; and that is elevated above the ground.
Fire ring means a ring designed to contain a fire on the ground and
can be natural or manmade, constructed of non-flammable materials, and
is not considered a designated trash receptacle.
Intent to camp means any off-loading, or preparing for use of
common overnight equipment, such as tents, sleeping bags or bedding,
food, cooking or dining equipment, or lighting equipment; or preparing
common camping equipment for use in or on any boat.
Mechanized travel means moving by means of a mechanical device,
such as a bicycle or game retrieval cart; not powered by a motor.
Over-snow vehicle means a motor vehicle that is designed for use
over snow and that runs on a track or tracks and/or a ski or skis,
while in use over snow.
Public lands means any lands and interests in lands owned by the
United States and administered by the Secretary of the Interior through
the Bureau of Land Management without regard to how the United States
acquired ownership, except:
1. lands located on the Outer Continental Shelf; and
2. lands held for the benefit of Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos.
Recreational Target Shooting means target shooting that uses any
devices to propel a projectile, including but not limited to firearms,
bow and arrow, sling shots, paint ball guns, and air guns. Target
shooting is not considered hunting. Hunting with a valid hunting
license is allowed in areas that are closed to target shooting.
Resource damage means impacts to natural resources or public lands
due to injury, destruction, or loss of natural resources, resulting in
the necessary restoration or replacement of such natural resources.
Sport rock climbing means a style of climbing that relies on fixed
protection against falls, usually bolts and/or top anchors.
Target means an object constructed of wood, paper, or biodegradable
materials, or commercially manufactured and designed for target
shooting, and that may be supported by a target frame (e.g., metal or
PVC frame).
Target backstop means an unobstructed earthen mound or bank at
least 8 feet in height which must stop the progress of and contain all
projectiles, fragments, and ricochets in a safe manner.
Vehicle means any motorized transportation conveyance designed and
licensed for use on roadways, such an automobile, bus, motorcycle, or
truck, and any motorized conveyance originally equipped with safety
belts.
WAG Bag means any approved, commercially engineered, biodegradable,
landfill-approved bag system containing enzymes, polymers, or waste-
alleviating gelling compounds that is designed for landfill or garbage
can disposal (such as a ``Waste Alleviation and Gelling'' bag, a human
waste disposal bag). The double bag system must be made of puncture
resistant material, must be spill proof, hygienic, and approved for
disposal in any garbage can.
(2) As used in this proposed Supplementary Rule, the following
additional acronyms apply:
ACEC means Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
ERMA means Extensive Recreation Management Area.
OHV means off-highway vehicle.
NCA means National Conservation Area.
RMA means Recreation Management Area.
RMZ means Recreation Management Zone.
SRMA means Special Recreation Management Area.
USFS means United States Forest Service.
WSA means Wilderness Study Area.
Prohibited Acts on Public Lands Managed by the Colorado River Valley
Field Office, Grand Junction Field Office, and Kremmling Field Office
and in Dominguez-Escalante NCA
1. You must not abandon animal carcasses, or any part of an animal
carcass, within 100 feet of the outer perimeter of any campsite
(designated or dispersed) or 100 feet from the edge of any roadway or
any water source.
2. You must not operate mechanical transport (e.g., bicycles,
mountain bikes) other than on designated roads and trails allowing such
use or in designated-open areas and within designated-open timeframes.
3. You must not have a campfire outside of a designated campsite in
the following areas:
Table 1--No Campfires Outside of Designated Campsites
[Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Junction Field Office Dominguez-Escalante NCA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Pyramid Rock Area of Critical [ssquf] In the Gunnison
Environmental Concern (ACEC) River SRMA Corridor and
[ssquf] Unaweep Seep ACEC other riparian and wetland
[ssquf] Dolores River Riparian ACEC areas
[ssquf] Bangs SRMA Recreation Management
Zone (RMZ) 1
[ssquf] Bangs SRMA RMZ 3
[[Page 4876]]
[ssquf] Bangs SRMA RMZ 2 in the portion of
the RMZ north of the drainage at the
bottom of Rough Canyon
[ssquf] Palisade Rim SRMA
[ssquf] Grand Valley Shooting Ranges ERMA
[ssquf] Gunnison River Bluffs ERMA
[ssquf] Horse Mountain ERMA RMZ 1
[ssquf] Horse Mountain ERMA RMZ 2
[ssquf] Horse Mountain ERMA RMZ 3
[ssquf] 18 Road Open OHV Area within the
North Desert ERMA
[ssquf] Within 100 meters (or
approximately 328 feet) of standing
historic structures to include, but not
limited to, Calamity Camp and New Verde
Mine, unless administratively permitted
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. You must not camp outside of designated campsites and developed
campgrounds in the following areas:
Table 2--Camping Restricted to Designated Campsites and Developed
Campgrounds Only
[Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado River
Valley Field Grand Junction Kremmling Field Dominguez-
Office Field Office Office Escalante NCA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Within [ssquf] Pyramid [ssquf] Within [ssquf] Cactus
0.25-mile of the Rock ACEC 0.25-mile of the Park SRMA
Fisher Creek [ssquf] Unaweep Colorado River [ssquf]
Cemetery Road Seep ACEC of the Upper Gunnison River
[ssquf] Within [ssquf] Dolores Colorado River SRMA
300 feet from River Riparian SRMA [ssquf]
the centerline ACEC [ssquf] The open Escalante
of North [ssquf] Bangs OHV area south Canyon SRMA,
Hardscrabble SRMA RMZ 1 and east of including the
Access Road [ssquf] Bangs Wolford Mountain Escalante
(Spring Creek) SRMA RMZ 2 in [ssquf] Wolford Potholes
[ssquf] Glenwood the portion of SRMA Recreation Recreation
Canyon in the the RMZ north of Management Zone Site
Horseshoe Canyon the drainage at 3--Lands west of [ssquf] RMZ 2
(Bend) area the bottom of Grand County Sawmill Mesa/
[ssquf] Within Rough Canyon Road 224, south Wagon Park
0.25-mile of [ssquf] Bangs of Wolford ERMA
Prince Creek SRMA RMZ 3 Mountain, west
Road (Pitkin [ssquf] Dolores of Wolford
County Road 7), River SRMA Reservoir, and
including the [ssquf] North east of U.S. Hwy
Haines Parcel Fruita Desert 40
[ssquf] Eagle SRMA [ssquf]
River ERMA [ssquf] Palisade Confluence
[ssquf] Garfield Rim SRMA Recreation Site,
Creek Colorado [ssquf] Grand and adjacent BLM-
River Access Valley Shooting managed public
Site and on Ranges ERMA lands
surrounding BLM [ssquf] Gunnison [ssquf] Reeder
lands River Bluffs Creek Fishing
[ssquf] Silt Mesa ERMA Access, and
ERMA (BLM lands [ssquf] Horse adjacent BLM-
south of the Mountain ERMA managed public
crest of the (all RMZs) lands
Grand Hogback [ssquf] 18 Road [ssquf] Sunset
mountain) Open OHV Area Fishing Access,
[ssquf] Thompson within the North and adjacent BLM
Creek area Desert ERMA managed public
within 0.25-mile [ssquf] Miracle lands
of USFS Road 305 Rock Recreation [ssquf] Windy Gap
[ssquf] Red Hill Site Fishing Access
SRMA (north of [ssquf] Mud Parking Area
Carbondale, Springs [ssquf] Fraser
Colorado) Campground River Fishing
[ssquf] East [ssquf] Within Access Parking
Glenwood Canyon 100 meters (or Area
Trailhead area approximately [ssquf]
north of the 328 feet) of Sidewinder Jeep
Colorado River standing Trail Parking
[ssquf] South historic Area
Canyon structures to [ssquf] Kremmling
Recreation Site include, but not Cretaceous
and surrounding limited to, Ammonite Site
area Calamity Camp [ssquf] Barger
[ssquf] Ute and New Verde Gulch Paleo-
Trailhead (near Mine, unless Indian Site
Dotsero) west administratively [ssquf] Yarmony
and north of the permitted Pit House Site
Colorado River [ssquf] Upper CO
[ssquf] Sutey River SRMA
Ranch Yarmony Jeep
Trail Recreation
Management Zone
4
[ssquf]
Independence
Mountain Tipi
Site
[ssquf] Junction
Butte Wetlands
[ssquf] Upper CO
River SRMA Gore
Canyon Ranch
Recreation
Management Zone
5
[ssquf] Hurd Peak
and Tab Rock
staging areas
[ssquf]
Headwaters RMA
Jacques staging
area, and
adjacent BLM-
managed public
lands
[ssquf] North
Sand Hills
Instant Study
Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Equestrian travel is prohibited on/in the following trails/
areas:
[[Page 4877]]
Table 3--Areas Closed to Equestrian Travel
[Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado River Valley Grand Junction Field Kremmling Field
Field Office Office Office
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Storm King Trail [ssquf] Pyramid Rock ACEC [ssquf]
[ssquf] Sutey Ranch from [ssquf] Mica Mine Trail Kremmling
December 1 through April [ssquf] Rough Canyon Trail Cretaceous
15 [ssquf] Free Lunch Trail Ammonite ACEC/
[ssquf] Pucker Up Trail Resource
Natural Area
(RNA)
[ssquf] Fraser
River Canyon
Access Trail
[ssquf] Gore
Canyon Trail
[ssquf]
Argentine Trail
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Recreational target shooting is prohibited on the following BLM-
managed lands to protect visitor safety (discharge of firearms, other
weapons, and fireworks on developed recreation sites and areas is
prohibited under 43 CFR 8365.2-5(a)).
Table 4--Areas Where Recreational Target Shooting Is Prohibited
[Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado River
Valley Field Grand Junction Kremmling Field Dominguez-
Office Field Office Office Escalante NCA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Within [ssquf] Bangs [ssquf] Upper [ssquf]
300 feet from SRMA RMZs 1, 2, Colorado River Dominguez
the centerline and 3 SRMA Canyon
of North [ssquf] Coal [ssquf] Barger Wilderness
Hardscrabble Canyon and Main Gulch fishing Zone 1
Access Road Canyon areas access [ssquf]
(Spring Creek) [ssquf] Grand [ssquf] Highway 9 Gunnison River
[ssquf] Silt Mesa Valley OHV SRMA fishing access SRMA
ERMA (BLM lands [ssquf] Gunnison [ssquf] Reeder [ssquf]
south of the River Bluffs Creek fishing Escalante
crest of the ERMA area Canyon SRMA
Grand Hogback [ssquf] Horse [ssquf] Reeder [ssquf] East
Mountain) Mountain ERMA, Creek parking/ Creek ERMA
including RMZ 1 access Sunset
west of Sink fishing access
Creek, RMZ 2, [ssquf] Upper
and areas Colorado River
adjacent to corridor and
residences at Scenic Byway
the end of C [ssquf] Hebron
Road Watchable
[ssquf] Mt. Wildlife Area
Garfield ACEC [ssquf] Wolford
[ssquf] North SRMA, south
Desert ERMA18 portion
Road Open OHV [ssquf]
area Strawberry SRMA,
[ssquf] North Strawberry/Hurd
Fruita Desert Peak Area
SRMA [ssquf] North
[ssquf] Palisade Sand Hills SRMA
Rim SRMA and Cooperative
[ssquf] Pyramid Management Area
Rock ACEC [ssquf]
Headwaters ERMA
[ssquf] Kinney
Creek trailhead
[ssquf] Jacques
parking area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Overnight use is prohibited in the following areas (day-use
allowed only):
Table 5--Day Use Only--Overnight Use Prohibited
[Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado River
Valley Field Grand Junction Kremmling Field Dominguez-
Office (use Field Office (use Office (use Escalante NCA
prohibited from prohibited from prohibited from (use prohibited
10:00 p.m.-6:00 sunset-sunrise) sunset-sunrise) from sunset-
a.m.) sunrise)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] BLM [ssquf] 34 and C [ssquf] BLM [ssquf] Rambo/
recreation sites Roads (areas recreation Little
where camping adjacent to the sites where Dominguez
facilities are Horse Mountain camping Canyon Heritage
not provided ERMA) facilities are Area
[ssquf] Deep [ssquf] Grand not provided [ssquf] The
Creek Canyon-- Valley Shooting Wilderness
within 0.25- Ranges ERMA portion of Big
miles of Deep (with an Dominguez
Creek accessible exception for Heritage Area
from the Coffee authorized [ssquf] The
Pot Road training Wilderness
exercises) portion of
Leonard's Basin
Heritage Area
[ssquf] Sutey [ssquf] Horse ................ [ssquf]
Ranch Mountain ERMA Wilderness Zone
(RMZ 1 (portion 1
of the RMZ west
of Sink Creek),
RMZ 2 and RMZ 3)
[ssquf] Redlands ................ [ssquf]
Dam area along Wilderness
the Gunnison portion of the
River Leonards Basin
[ssquf] The Heritage Area
Potholes on the [ssquf] East
Little Dolores Creek ERMA
River off of 9.8
Road in the
Glade Park area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. The following areas are closed to mechanized travel during the
specified timeframes to protect wintering big game species.
Table 6--Areas Closed to Mechanized Travel During Winter/Spring
[Accompanying maps in Appendix A]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado River Dominguez-
Valley Field Grand Junction Kremmling Field Escalante NCA
Office (December Field Office Office (December (December 1
1 through April (December 1 15 through April through April
15) through May 1) 15) 30)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ssquf] Basalt [ssquf] Little [ssquf] [ssquf] Gibbler
Mountain (south Book Cliffs Wild Strawberry SRMA Gulch
portion--1,300 Horse Range Wolford [ssquf] Wagon
acres) [ssquf] Beehive Mountain Travel Park
[ssquf] Boiler- Wildlife Management Area [ssquf] Sowbelly
East Elk Creek- Emphasis Area and SRMA [ssquf] Upper
New Castle (WEA) [ssquf] North Sawmill Mesa
(4,400 acres) [ssquf] Blue Mesa Sand Hills SRMA
WEA
[[Page 4878]]
[ssquf] [ssquf] East Salt [ssquf] Dry Mesa
Cottonwood Creek Creek WEA
(13,800 acres) [ssquf] Rapid
[ssquf] Dry Rifle Creek WEA
Creek (2,200 [ssquf] Chalk
acres) Mountain
[ssquf] East [ssquf] Coal ................ ................
Eagle except for Canyon
the following [ssquf] Demaree
bike trails: (a) Canyon outside
Boneyard Trail; of the
(b) Redneck Wilderness Study
Ridge Trail; and Area (WSA)
(c) Western [ssquf] Garvey
portion of Pool Canyon
and Ice Trail [ssquf] Grand
(6,000 acres) Mesa Slopes
[ssquf] Fisher [ssquf] Howard
Creek-Cattle Canyon Flats
Creek (2,800 [ssquf] Indian
acres) Point
[ssquf] Post
Canyon
[ssquf] Flatiron [ssquf] Lapham ................ ................
Mesa (800 acres) Canyon
[ssquf] [ssquf] Coal
Hardscrabble Gulch
(24,600 acres) [ssquf] Fruita
[ssquf] Light Slopes
Hill (3,800 [ssquf] Rapid
acres) Creek
[ssquf] Red
Canyon-Hells
Pocket-Bocco
Mountain-East
Castle Peak
(14,500 acres)
[ssquf] Red Hill ................. ................ ................
SRMA (north
side) (2,600
acres)
[ssquf] The ................. ................ ................
Crown, except
for the bike
trail system
paralleling
Prince Creek
Road (9,200
acres)
[ssquf] Thompson ................. ................ ................
Creek/Holgate
Mesa (9,500
acres)
[ssquf] West ................. ................ ................
Rifle Creek
(1,100 acres)
[ssquf] Williams ................. ................ ................
Hill (1,500
acres)
[ssquf] Winter ................. ................ ................
Ridge, Black
Mountain, Pisgah
Mountain,Windy
Point, Boore
Flat, and
Domantle (33,500
acres)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restrictions on Activities on Public Lands Managed by the Colorado
River Valley Field Office
1. You must not engage in target shooting without a target
backstop.
2. You must not build or maintain a fire more than 3 feet in
diameter, unless otherwise authorized.
3. Unless the campsite is marked and designated by the BLM, you
must not camp within 100 feet from any spring, pond, lake, or perennial
stream.
4. You must keep dogs and other domesticated animals on a leash or
other similar constraint (e.g., voice control, shock collar) where
indicated by a BLM sign, brochure, or map. This regulation does not
apply to livestock working or hunting dogs engaged in those activities.
You must remove and properly dispose of all pet waste from developed
recreation sites and areas.
5. You must not cut live or dead standing trees unless otherwise
permitted. You may collect only dead and down wood for campfires.
6. You must not camp or otherwise occupy any location or site for
more than 7 consecutive days from April 1 to August 31, unless
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
7. You must not camp or otherwise occupy any location or site for
more than 14 consecutive days between September 1 and March 31, unless
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
8. In areas with limited travel designations, mechanized travel is
limited to designated routes.
9. In areas with limited travel designations, mechanized and
motorized travel up to 300 feet from designated motorized/mechanized
routes is permitted for direct access to dispersed campsites provided
that: (a) no resource damage occurs; (b) no new routes beyond the
campsite are created; and (c) such access is not otherwise prohibited
(such as in WSAs).
10. In areas open for over-snow travel, travel off designated
routes is prohibited unless a minimum of 12 inches of snow cover exists
and no resource damage will occur from over-snow travel.
11. In the Thompson Creek ERMA,
(a) You may reestablish old rock-climbing routes and permanent
fixed climbing anchors (bolts and pitons) only at the BLM-recognized
sport rock climbing area (rock fins, narrow walls of hard sedimentary
rock).
(b) You must not develop additional bolted routes outside of the
BLM-recognized sport rock climbing area (rock fins).
(c) You may use mechanical devices (e.g., power drills) only at the
BLM-recognized sport rock climbing area (rock fins).
(d) You must not exceed a climbing group size (per route) of four
people per day, including staff, at the BLM-recognized sport rock
climbing area (rock fins).
12. In the Upper Colorado SRMA,
(a) You must not exceed a group size of 25 people per group
(including guides) for commercial and private river groups.
(b) You must not camp or display an intent to camp during an
overnight river trip without an approved fire pan.
(c) You must not camp, or display an intent to camp overnight,
without an approved portable toilet.
(d) You must carry and use an approved portable toilet on an
overnight trip. The system must be adequate for the size of the group
and length of the trip. All solid human bodily waste, including WAG
bags, must be contained in a leak-proof, hard-sided container with a
screw-on or ratchet-locking lid.
(e) You must not fail to set up an approved portable toilet, ready
for use, as soon as practical upon arriving at the campsite to be
occupied on an overnight trip if a toilet facility (porta-potty or
vault toilet) is not provided by the BLM.
(f) You must not empty an approved portable toilet into a developed
toilet facility, or any other facility not developed and identified
especially for that purpose. Leaving solid human waste on public lands
or dumping it into vault toilets or trash receptacles at BLM-managed
facilities is prohibited unless using a WAG-bag system that is
specifically designed for disposal in trash receptacles.
[[Page 4879]]
(g) You must remove and properly dispose of all pet waste from
developed recreation sites/areas.
13. On the Sutey Ranch,
(a) You must not enter from December 1 through April 15 when
closure orders are in effect to protect wintering big game, except when
allowed under other applicable laws.
(b) You must not harvest timber, firewood, or special forest
products.
(c) You must not travel by mechanized vehicle from October 1
through May 31.
Restrictions on Activities on Public Lands Managed by the Grand
Junction Field Office
1. You must use an approved portable toilet at designated
undeveloped sites in the following areas: North Fruita Desert SRMA,
Bangs SRMA RMZ 2, and Dolores River SRMA.
2. You must not enter the Pyramid Rock ACEC.
3. You must not travel via any mode of transport (including foot
and horse travel) off designated routes in the following areas: Bangs
SRMA RMZ 1 north of Little Park Road and Andy's Loop, and Gunnison
River Bluffs ERMA.
4. You must not collect dead and down wood in the following areas,
except for campfire use: Unaweep lands with wilderness characteristics
area; riparian areas; Pyramid Rock ACEC; Unaweep Seep ACEC; Bangs SRMA
RMZ 2.
5. You must collect only dead and down wood for campfires in the
North Desert ERMA.
6. You must not harvest timber or cut firewood in the following
areas: Bangs SRMA RMZ 1; RMZ 3; RMZ 4; North Fruita Desert SRMA;
Palisade Rim SRMA.
7. You must not exceed the following group-size limits, including
guides and dogs, without written authorization from the BLM: 12 in WSAs
and areas managed to protect wilderness characteristics; 25 for more
than 2 hours in the remaining lands managed by the Grand Junction Field
Office. For groups that exceed these limits, you must contact the BLM
prior to the outing so that the BLM can determine whether an organized
group Special Recreation Permit is required.
8. You must have campfires within agency-provided fire rings or
approved fire pans at designated undeveloped sites in the following
areas: Dolores River SRMA, Bangs SRMA RMZ 2, North Fruita Desert SRMA.
9. You must not install permanent climbing anchors that do not
match the color of the rock surface (fixtures, hardware, and webbing,
etc.).
Restrictions on Activities on Public Lands Managed by the Kremmling
Field Office
1. You must not empty or dispose of sewage and/or gray water held
in a containment tank on public lands or at any facility not
specifically identified for such disposal.
2. You must not build or maintain a fire more than 3 feet in
diameter, unless otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
3. You must not leave, deposit, or scatter human waste, toilet
paper, or items used as toilet paper, when an approved portable toilet
or developed toilet facility is available. Where a developed toilet
facility is not provided, and an approved portable toilet is not
required, all human waste and toilet paper, or material used as toilet
paper, must be buried at least 6 inches below the surface of the ground
in natural soil, and at least 100 feet from the edge of a river or any
other water source.
4. You must not dig in or level the ground at any campsite.
5. In areas open to dispersed camping, you must not camp outside of
designated sites within 50 feet of any spring, pond, lake, or perennial
stream.
6. You must keep dogs and other domesticated animals on a leash or
other similar constraint (e.g., voice control, shock collar). This
regulation does not apply to livestock working or hunting dogs engaged
in those activities. You must remove and properly dispose of all pet
waste from developed recreation sites/areas.
7. Fuel wood collection is prohibited in developed recreation
areas. Fuel wood for recreational campfires outside of developed
recreation areas is limited to dead and downed vegetation, unless
otherwise prohibited.
8. You must not camp or otherwise occupy any location or site for
more than 7 consecutive days from April 1 to August 31, unless
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
9. You must not camp or otherwise occupy any location or site for
more than 14 consecutive days between September 1 and March 31, unless
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
10. In areas open for over-snow travel in the field office, travel
off designated routes is prohibited unless a minimum of 12 inches of
snow cover exists and no resource damage will occur from over-snow
travel.
11. In areas with limited travel designations, mechanized travel is
limited to designated routes.
12. In areas with limited travel designations, motorized and
mechanized travel (bicycles) are allowed up to 300 feet from designated
motorized or mechanized transport routes for direct access to dispersed
campsites or parking provided that: (a) no resource damage occurs; (b)
no new routes are created; and (c) such access is not otherwise
prohibited.
13. In the Wolford Mountain Travel Management Area, motorized and
mechanized travel (bicycles) is allowed up to 50 feet from designated
motorized or mechanized routes for direct access to dispersed campsites
or parking provided that: (a) no resource damage occurs; (b) no new
routes are created; and (c) such access is not otherwise prohibited.
14. In the North Sand Hills SRMA,
(a) You must not park a vehicle in such a manner as to impede or
obstruct the normal flow of traffic or create a hazardous condition.
(b) You must obey posted parking closures or restrictions.
(c) You must not operate a motor vehicle or OHV in excess of the
posted speed limit, or in excess of 15 mph around camping areas, 50
feet from any campsite, parked vehicle(s), person(s), or animal(s).
(d) You must not possess or use any glass container on the open
sand dunes or trails. Persons may possess glass containers within the
confines of their camping area.
(e) You must not cut, collect, or use live, dead, or down wood.
15. In the Wolford Mountain SRMA,
(a) You must possess and use a hazardous materials spill kit if
necessary during travel on the Sidewinder Extreme 4x4 trail.
(b) Travel is allowed on the Sidewinder Extreme 4x4 trail only when
the top 1 inch of soil is dry and there is no rutting.
16. In the Upper Colorado River SRMA,
(a) You must not camp, or display intent to camp overnight, without
an approved portable toilet.
(b) You must carry and use an approved portable toilet when on an
overnight trip. The system must be adequate for the size of the group
and length of the trip. The toilet system must be a reusable, washable,
leak-proof toilet system that allows for the carry-out and disposal of
solid human body waste in a responsible and lawful manner and must be
accessible during the trip.
(c) All solid human waste, including WAG bags, must be contained in
a leak-proof, animal-proof, hard-sided container with a screw-on or
ratchet-locking lid.
[[Page 4880]]
(d) You must set up an approved portable toilet, ready for use, as
soon as practical upon arriving at the campsite to be occupied on an
overnight trip. You must not empty an approved portable toilet into a
developed toilet facility, or any other facility not developed and
identified especially for that purpose. Leaving solid human waste on
public lands or dumping it into vault toilets or trash receptacles at
BLM-managed facilities is prohibited.
(e) You must not camp or display intent to camp during an overnight
river trip without an approved fire pan.
(f) You must not build, ignite, maintain, or use a campfire not
contained in an approved fire pan.
(g) You must not leave fresh fire ash produced from a campfire in a
fire pan or in a constructed, permanently installed metal fire pit
provided by the BLM outside of the Pumphouse, Radium, and State Bridge
Recreation Sites. Fire blankets under fire pans to facilitate total ash
removal are recommended but are not required.
(h) You must remove and properly dispose of all pet waste from
developed recreation sites/areas.
(i) You must not launch or take out a vessel in areas signed as
prohibiting those activities.
(j) You must not cut, collect, or use live, dead, or down wood
except driftwood.
Restrictions on Activities on Public Lands in the Dominguez-Escalante
NCA
1. You must not install permanent climbing anchors in outstanding
geologic features identified on a BLM sign or map.
2. You must not place or maintain permanent climbing anchors inside
the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area without a permit from the BLM.
3. You must not install permanent climbing anchors that do not
match the color of the rock surface (fixtures, hardware, and webbing,
etc.).
4. You must not collect or harvest firewood or native species in
riparian and wetland areas, except for driftwood.
5. You must not possess domestic goats.
6. You must keep all domestic dogs on leashes, except those
actively working on a livestock operation in Wilderness Zone 1 and in
the Escalante Triangle RMZ in the Sawmill Mesa ERMA (after the loop
trail system is constructed).
7. You must not exceed group-size limit of 25 people in Wilderness
Zone 1.
8. You must not exceed a group-size limit of 12 people in
Wilderness Zones 2 and 3.
9. You must pack out all solid human waste in Wilderness Zone 2.
10. You must pack out solid human waste or bury solid human waste
in a cathole more than 100 meters (approximately 383 feet) from natural
water sources (rivers, creeks, springs, and seeps) in Wilderness Zone
3.
11. You must not place recreational geocaches without BLM
authorization prior to placement.
12. You must not use a metal detector.
13. You must not use a paintball gun.
14. You must not use glass containers in the Potholes Recreation
Site (Escalante Canyon) and Gunnison River SRMA.
15. Consistent with Public Law 111-11, you must not remove minerals
from the NCA.
16. You must pack out solid human waste and fire ash. You must use
portable toilet systems and fire pans for all overnight camping in
undeveloped camp sites in the following RMAs: Gunnison River, Cactus
Park, Escalante Canyon.
17. You must not rock climb (e.g., bouldering, scrambling, trad
climbing or sport climbing) in the East Creek RMA or Escalante Canyon
RMA in areas or on routes marked as closed by BLM.
18. You must not ride a horse, donkey, mule, or burro in Wilderness
Zone 1 except on existing routes identified on a BLM sign or map.
19. In the Gunnison River RMA,
(a) Motorized boat use is prohibited at BLM boat ramps and at
campsites from May 1 through Labor Day Weekend.
(b) You must not have your dog off leash at boat ramps and the
mouth of Dominguez Canyon.
(c) Exceeding a group size of 25 on the river (including guides and
dogs) is prohibited.
(d) You must not camp outside of designated campsites.
(e) Non-boating overnight camping is prohibited at the mouth of
Dominguez Canyon from May 1 through Labor Day Weekend.
(f) You must not camp more than 7 consecutive nights, unless
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
20. In the Ninemile Hill Recreation Management Area (RMA),
(a) You must not camp outside of designated campsites. Dispersed
camping is allowed outside of designated campsites, so long as such
camping takes place at least a \1/4\ mile (approximately 1,320 feet)
away from designated motorized routes.
(b) You must not camp for more than 7 consecutive days, unless
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
21. In the Cactus Park RMA,
(a) You must not camp outside of designated campsites.
(b) You must not camp for more than 7 consecutive days from April 1
through Labor Day Weekend unless otherwise authorized by the BLM.
22. In the Hunting Ground RMA
(a) You must not camp for more than 7 consecutive days, unless
otherwise authorized in writing by the BLM.
Exemptions
The following persons are exempt from this proposed supplementary
rule: any Federal, State, local, and/or military employees acting
within the scope of their official duties; members of any organized
rescue or fire fighting force performing an official duty; and persons
who are expressly authorized or approved by the BLM.
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
law.
(Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1733(a), 1740; 43 CFR 8365.1-6).
Douglas Vilsack,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024-01399 Filed 1-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-16-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 25, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.