Notice of Temporary Closures of Selected Public Lands in La Paz County, Arizona

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary closures.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given that a closure is in effect on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Lake Havasu Field Office.

DATES:

The closure will be in effect from 2 p.m., February 5, 2016, through 11:59 p.m., February 6, 2016, Mountain Standard Time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jonathan Azar, Colorado River District Chief Ranger, or Amanda Deeds, Outdoor Recreation Planner, at BLM Lake Havasu Field Office, 2610 Sweetwater Avenue, Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86406, telephone 928-505-1200. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The closure affects public lands in the Lake Havasu Field Office, under its administration in La Paz County, Arizona. This action is being taken to help ensure public safety, prevent unnecessary environmental degradation, and to protect natural and cultural resources adjacent to the event site during the Best in the Desert (BITD) Racing Association “BlueWater Resort Parker 425” official permitted off-highway vehicle (OHV) events.

The closure order is issued under the authority of 43 CFR part 8340 subpart 8341; 43 CFR part 8360, subpart 8364.1; and 43 CFR part 2932 which allows the BLM to establish closures for the protection of persons; property; and public lands and resources. Violation of any of the terms, conditions, or restrictions contained within this closure order may subject the violator to citation or arrest with a penalty or fine or imprisonment or both as specified by law.

Description of Race Course Closed Area: With the exception of access to designated spectator areas, areas subject to this closure include all public lands situated within the interior of the race course, as well as county-maintained roads and highways located within two miles of the designated course's perimeter. Beginning at the eastern boundary of the Colorado River Indian Tribe (CRIT) Reservation, the closed area runs east along Shea Road, then east into Osborne Wash on the Parker-Swansea Road to the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Canal, then north on the west side of the CAP Canal, crossing the canal on the county-maintained road, running northeast into Mineral Wash Canyon, then southeast on the county-maintained road, through the four-corners intersection to the Midway (Pit) intersection, then east on Transmission Pass Road, through State Trust Land located in Butler Valley, turning north into Cunningham Wash to North Tank; continuing south to Transmission Pass Road and east (reentering public land) within two miles of Alamo Dam Road. The course turns south and west onto the wooden power line road, onto the State Trust Land in Butler Valley, turning southwest into Cunningham Wash to the Graham Well, intersecting Butler Valley Road, then north and west on the county-maintained road to the “Bouse Y” intersection, two miles north of Bouse, Arizona. The course proceeds north, paralleling the Bouse-Swansea Road to the Midway (Pit) intersection, then west along the north boundary (power line) road of the East Cactus Plain Wilderness Area to Parker-Swansea Road. The course turns west into Osborne Wash crossing the CAP Canal, along the north boundary of the Cactus Plain Wilderness Study Area; it continues west staying in Osborne Wash and crossing Shea Road along the southern boundary of Gibraltar Wilderness, rejoining Osborne Wash at the CRIT Reservation boundary.

Closure Restrictions: The following acts are prohibited during the temporary land closures:

1. Being present on or driving on the designated race course or the adjacent lands described above. All spectators must stay within the designated spectator areas. The spectator areas have protective fencing and barriers. This does not apply to race participants, race officials, nor emergency vehicles authorized or operated by local, State, or Federal government agencies. Emergency medical response shall only be conducted by personnel and vehicles operating under the guidance of the La Paz County Emergency Medical Services and Fire, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, or the BLM.

2. Vehicle parking or stopping in areas affected by the closures, except where such is specifically allowed (designated spectator areas).

3. Camping in the closed area described above, except in the designated spectator areas.

4. Discharge of firearms.

5. Possession or use of any fireworks.

6. Cutting or collecting firewood of any kind, including dead and down wood or other vegetative material.

7. Operating any vehicle including all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, utility terrain vehicles, golf carts, rhinos, side by sides, and any OHV which are not legally registered for street and highway operations.

8. Operating any vehicle in the area of the closure or on roads within the event area at a speed of more than 35 mph. This does not apply to registered race vehicles during the race, while on the designated race course.

9. Failure to obey any official sign posted by the BLM, La Paz County, or the race promoter.

10. 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 parked in violation are subject to citation, removal, and/or impoundment at the owner's expense.

11. Failure to obey any person authorized to direct traffic or control access to event area including law enforcement officers, BLM officials, and designated race officials.

12. Failure to observe spectator area quiet hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

13. Failure to keep campsite or race viewing site free of trash and litter.

14. Allowing any pet or other animal to be unrestrained. All pets must be restrained by a leash of not more than six feet in length.

15. Spectator area site reservations. Denying other visitors or parties from utilizing unoccupied portions of the spectator area.

Exceptions to Closure: The restrictions do not apply to emergency or law enforcement vehicles owned by the United States, the State of Arizona, or La Paz County, and designated race officials, participants, pit crews, or persons operating on their behalf. All BITD registered media personnel are permitted access to existing routes 50 feet from the race course per BITD standards.

Penalties: Any person who violates these closures rules 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 Arizona law.

Effect of Closure: The entire area encompassed by the designated course and all areas outside the course as described above and in the time period as described above are closed to all vehicles. The authorized applicant or their representatives are required to post warning signs, control access to, and clearly mark the event route and areas, common access roads, and road crossings during the closure period. Support vehicles under permit for operation by event participants must follow the race permit stipulations.

Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1.