Jump to main content.

Notice of Order Closing Public Lands to Human Entry, Idaho

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: March 15, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 50)]
[Notices]
[Page 12187-12188]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15mr07-82]

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[ID-310-1220-PA-241A]

Notice of Order Closing Public Lands to Human Entry, Idaho

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: To protect fragile, wintering mule deer, the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) is closing to human entry seasonally, during each of
three consecutive years starting in 2007, certain public lands near the
South Fork of the Snake River, east of Heise, Idaho. Also, BLM will be
considering a permanent, seasonal closure to protect wintering mule
deer herds.

DATES: The closure for the winter of 2007-2008 will take effect on
December 1, 2007. Closures in 2008 and 2009 will take effect on
December 1 of each year, respectively. Closures will end on April 30 of
the following year, unless sooner terminated by the BLM authorized officer.

ADDRESSES: The address of the BLM Authorized Officer is: Field Manager,
Upper Snake Field Office (USFO), 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls,
Idaho 83401.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Zimmerman, BLM Outdoor
Recreation Planner, (208) 524-7543; or Theresa Mathis, BLM Wildlife
Biologist, (208) 524-7547.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: While monitoring the progress of wintering
wildlife in February of 2006, field personnel of the Idaho Department
of Fish and Game (IDFG), Region 6 office in Idaho Falls, became aware
of an increase in mule deer fawn and adult mortality rates due to
recent cold temperatures and increasing human disturbances. The IDFG,
therefore, requested that BLM order the closure to human entry
seasonally, during 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, of public lands
in the Stinking Springs and Wolf Flat areas near the South Fork of the
Snake River, east of Heise, Idaho. Closure dates are as stated above.
The purpose of the closures is to prevent undue and unnecessary
disturbance and harm to mule deer herds and other big game populations
migrating to crucial winter range habitat. This initiative is being
implemented in partnership with the IDFG Region 6 office. The pertinent
BLM case file is available for public review in the USFO office at the
address stated above. The authority for the requested closures is 43
CFR 8364.1(a), which states ``to protect persons, property, and public
lands and resources, the authorized officer may issue an order to close
or restrict use of designated public lands.'' This notice identifies by
legal land description the precise areas that are closed to human entry.
    Subject to valid existing rights, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Stinking Springs

    Effective immediately, BLM-administered public lands located in the
Stinking Springs area north of the South Fork of the Snake River near
Heise, Idaho, described below, are closed to human entry within the
dates specified above in this notice. Excepted from this closure order
are entries for administrative use by BLM and use by BLM permittees,
IDFG Conservation

[[Page 12188]]

Officers, and local law enforcement, as required. The Stinking Springs
Trail will remain open from May 1 to November 30 of each year. The
Stinking Springs area is a crucial wildlife area lying northeast of
Idaho Falls, Idaho. The area is bounded generally by the South Fork of
the Snake River on the south and west, and the Kelly Canyon Road and
Targhee National Forest on the north and east. The legal description of
the subject lands is as follows:

Boise Meridian, Idaho

T. 4 N., R. 41 E.,
    Sec. 32, SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\ NE\1/4\, and lands east of the Kelly
Canyon Road in the NE\1/4\ NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\ NE\1/4\,
NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 33, All.
T. 3 N., R. 41 E.,
    Sec. 2, SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 3, All;
    Sec. 4, SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\ SW\1/4\, NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\, NW\1/4\ SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 5, NW\1/4\ NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 8, Lots 6 and 8;
    Sec. 9, Lots 2 and 3, NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\, SE\1/4\, NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, NE\1/4\ NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\ NE\1/4\,
SW\1/4\ NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 11, Lot 2, N\1/2\ NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 15, Lots 7 and 8, NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 16, Lots 5 and 6.

South Fork of the Snake River (Wolf Flat)

    Effective immediately, BLM-administered public lands located in the
Stinking Springs area north of the South Fork of the Snake River near
Heise, Idaho, described below, are closed to human entry within the
dates specified above in this notice. Excepted from this closure order
are entries for administrative use by BLM and use by BLM permittees,
IDFG Conservation Officers, and local law enforcement, as required. The
legal description of the subject lands is as follows:
    Wolf Flat: Those portions of the following described lands lying
north of Heise Road, adjacent to the South Fork Snake River, in the
following areas:

Boise Meridian, Idaho

T. 3 N., R. 41 E.,
    Sec. 10, Lots 1 and 2;
    Sec. 11, Lots 3 and 4;
    Sec. 15, Lot 6.

Authority

    This emergency closure notice is issued under the authority of 43
CFR 8364.1(c), 8341.2 and 9268.3. Violations of this closure are
punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed
12 months. Persons who are administratively exempt from the closure
include any Federal, State, or local officer or employee acting within
the scope of their duties, members of any organized rescue or fire-
fighting force in the performance of an official duty, or any person
holding written permission from the BLM.
    Please be further advised that BLM will be considering a permanent,
annual, seasonal closure to protect wintering mule deer herds on a
long-term basis. This proposal and its potential environmental effects
will be studied through a public process and environmental analysis
conducted in accordance with NEPA.

Wendy Reynolds,
Upper Snake Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E7-4690 Filed 3-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P

 
 

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.