Notice of Temporary Closures of Public Lands for the 2021 Laughlin OHV Races in Clark County, NV

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Temporary closures.

SUMMARY:

The Las Vegas Field Office announces the temporary closures of certain public lands under its administration. The Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) race area in Laughlin, Nevada, is used by OHV recreationists, and the temporary closures are needed to limit their access to the race area and to minimize the risk of potential collisions with spectators and racers during three events: The 2021 UTV Legends Championship, the 2021 Laughlin Desert Classic, and the 2021 SNORE Laughlin Race.

DATES:

The temporary closure for the 2021 UTV Legends Championship will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 11, 2021, and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on September 12, 2021. The temporary closure for the 2021 Laughlin Desert Classic will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 25, 2021, and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on September 26, 2021. The temporary closure for the 2021 SNORE Laughlin Race will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on December 11, 2021, and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on December 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

The temporary closure order, communications plan, and map of the temporary closure area for each event will be posted at the BLM Las Vegas Field Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130, and on the BLM website: www.blm.gov. These materials will also be posted at the access point of the Laughlin race area and surrounding areas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jenna Giddens, Outdoor Recreation Planner, 702-515-5156, or jgiddens@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Las Vegas Field Office announces the temporary closures of certain public lands under its administration. This action is being taken to help ensure public safety during the official permitted running of the 2021 UTV Legends Championship, 2021 Laughlin Desert Classic, and 2021 SNORE Laughlin Off-Highway Vehicle Races. The public lands affected by this closure are described as follows:

Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada

T. 32 S., R. 66 E.,

Sec. 8, lots 2 thru 33;

Sec. 9;

Sec. 10, S1/2NE1/4, S1/2NW1/4, and S1/2;

Sec. 11, S1/2NE1/4, S1/2NW1/4, and S1/2;

Sec. 14;

Sec. 15, E1/2;

Sec. 16, N1/2, SW1/4, and N1/2SE1/4;

Sec. 17, lots 1 thru 8, lots 21 thru 25, and lots 30 thru 44.

The area described contains 4521.97 acres, according to the official plats of the surveys of the said lands on file with the BLM.

The temporary closures will be posted to roads leading into the public lands to notify the public of the closures for these events. The closures area includes State Route 163 to the north, T. 32 S., R. 66 E sections 8 and 17 to the west; private and State land in T. 32 S., R. 6 6E sections 20, 21, 22, and 23; and is bracketed by Bruce Woodbury Drive to the south and southwest and Thomas Edison Drive to the east. Under the authority of Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 733(a)), 43 CFR 8360.0-7 and 43 CFR 8364.1), the BLM will enforce the following rules in the area described above:

The entire area as listed in the legal description above is closed to all vehicles and personnel except law enforcement, emergency vehicles, event personnel, event participants and spectators. Access routes leading to the closed area are closed to vehicles. No vehicle stopping or parking in the closed area except for designated parking areas will be permitted. Event participants and spectators are required to remain within designated areas only.

The following restrictions will be in effect for the duration of the closure to ensure public safety of participants and spectators. Unless otherwise authorized, the following activities within the closure area are prohibited:

• Camping;
• Possession and/or consuming any alcoholic beverage unless the person has reached the age of 21 years;
• Discharging or use of firearms, other weapons;
• Possession and/or discharging of fireworks;
• Allowing any pet or other animal in one's care to be unrestrained at any time. Animals must be on a leash or other restraint no longer than 3 feet;
• Operation of any vehicle which is not legally registered for street and highway operation (e.g., All Terrain Vehicles (ATV), motorcycles, Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), golf carts, and any off-highway vehicle (OHV), including operation of such a vehicle in spectator viewing areas);
• Parking 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 the owner's expense;
• Operating a vehicle through, around or beyond a restrictive sign, recognizable barricade, fence, or traffic control barrier or device;
• Failing to maintain control of a vehicle to avoid danger to persons, property, or wildlife; and
• Operating a motor vehicle without due care or at a speed greater than 25 mph.

Signs and maps directing the public to designated spectator areas will be provided by the event sponsor.

Exceptions: Temporary closure restrictions do not apply to activities conducted under contract with the BLM, agency personnel monitoring the event, or activities conducted under an approved plan of operation. Authorized users must have in their possession a written permit or contract from the BLM, signed by the authorized officer.

Enforcement: Any person who violates this temporary closure 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 Nevada law.

(Authority: 43 CFR 8360.0-7 and 8364.1)