Nevada Temporary Closure of Certain Public Lands Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Las Vegas Field Office

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior.

ACTION:

Temporary Closure of Selected Public Lands in Clark County, Nevada, during the operation of the Score International 2000 Las Vegas Primm 300 Desert Race.

SUMMARY:

The District Manager of the Las Vegas District announces the temporary closure of selected public lands under its administration. This action is being taken to help ensure public safety, prevent unnecessary environmental degradation during the official permitted running of the Score International 2000 Las Vegas Primm 300 Desert Race and to comply with provisions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Biological Opinion for Speed Based Off-Highway Vehicle Events (1-5-95-F-237).

DATES:

From 6:00 am August 4, 2000 through 9:00 pm August 5, 2000 Pacific Standard Time.

Closure Area: Public lands within as described below, an area with T. 23 S. to T. 27 S.R. 59 E. to R. 61 E.

1. The closure is a triangle shaped area bound by Interstate I-15 (between Sloan and State line) on the west; the crest of the McCullough Mountains on the east; and the California/Nevada State line on the south.

Exceptions to the closure area are: State Route 163, Old Las Vegas Blvd.

2. The entire area encompassed by the designated course and all areas outside the designated course as listed in the legal description above are closed to all vehicles except Law Enforcement, Emergency Vehicles, and Official Race Vehicles. Access routes leading to the course are closed to vehicles.

3. No vehicle stopping or parking.

4. Spectators are required to remain within designated spectator area only.

5. The following regulations will be in effect for the duration of the closure:

Unless otherwise authorized no person shall:

a. Camp in any area outside of the designated spectator areas.

b. Enter any portion of the race course or any wash located within the race course.

c. Spectate or otherwise be located outside of the designated spectator area.

d. Cut or collect firewood of any kind, including dead and down wood or other vegetative material.

e. Possess and or consume any alcoholic beverage unless the person has reached the age of 21 years.

f. Discharge, or use firearms, other weapons or fireworks.

g. Park, stop, or stand any vehicle outside of the designated spectator area.

h. Operate any vehicle including an off-highway vehicle (OHV), which is not legally registered for street and highway operation, including operation of such a vehicle in spectator viewing areas, along the race course, and in designated pit area.

i. Park any vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in such a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement or the parking of other vehicles, create a safety hazard, or endanger any person, property or feature. Vehicles so parked are subject to citation, removal and impoundment at owner's expense.

j. Take a vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence or traffic control barrier or device.

k. Fail to keep their site free of trash and litter during the period of occupancy, or fail to remove all personal equipment, trash, and litter upon departure.

l. Violate quiet hours by causing an unreasonable noise as determined by the authorized officer between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

m. Allow any pet or other animal in their care to be unrestrained at any time.

n. Fail to follow orders or directions of an authorized officer.

o. Obstruct, resist, or attempt to elude a Law Enforcement Officer or fail to follow their orders or direction.

Signs and maps directing the public to designated spectator areas will be provided by the Bureau of Land Management and the event sponsor. Maps are available at the Las Vegas Field Office.

The above restrictions do not apply to emergency vehicles and vehicles owned by the United States, the State of Nevada or Clark County. Vehicles under permit for operation by event participants must follow the race permit stipulations.

Operators of permitted vehicles shall maintain a maximum speed limit of 25 mph on all BLM roads and ways. Authority for closure of public lands is found in 43 CFR 8340 subpart 8341; 43 CFR 8360, subpart 8364.1 and 43 CFR 8372. Persons who violate this closure order are subject to fines and or arrest as prescribed by law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donn Siebert, Acting Recreation Manager or Ron Crayton, BLM Law Enforcement Ranger, BLM Las Vegas Field Office 4765 Vegas Dr. Las Vegas, Nevada 89108, (702) 647-5000.