[Federal Register: July 28, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 144)]
[Notices]
[Page 43712-43713]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jy05-47]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CA-668-05-1220-PM]
Restrictions on Recreational Use of Public Lands
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice, Issuance of Restriction Orders.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management has
issued orders pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1 that restrict the launching and
landing of hang gliders and similar aircraft, the discharge of gas- and
air-powered weapons and simulated weapons, recreational shooting, and
entry with pets on all or certain public lands in the Santa Rosa and
San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Riverside County, California,
to protect resources and enhance visitor safety.
DATES: The hang gliding restriction became effective February 2, 2005.
Restrictions pertaining to the discharge of gas- and air-propelled
weapons, recreational shooting, and entry with pets became effective
March 24, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Palm
Springs-South Coast Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 690 West
Garnet Ave., P.O. Box 581260, North Palm Springs, CA 92258-1260.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Foote, Outdoor Recreation Planner,
telephone 760-251-4800, e-mail jfoote@ca.blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Hang Gliding. Launches of hang gliders,
paragliders, ultralights, and similar aircraft from, and landing on,
public lands within and adjacent to essential habitat for Peninsular
Ranges bighorn sheep in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains
National Monument are prohibited.
The purpose of the prohibition is to protect the distinct
vertebrate population segment of bighorn sheep occupying the Peninsular
Ranges of southern California from potential adverse impacts that may
result from the launching and landing of hang gliders and similar
aircraft. This population of bighorn sheep was listed as endangered by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on March 18, 1998 (63 FR 13134),
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
This prohibition includes launches from public lands at the Vista
Point roadside pullout on California Highway 74, as well as landings on
public lands at or near the National Monument Visitor Center, also on
California Highway 74.
The use of mechanical transport, including hang gliders, is already
prohibited in wilderness managed by BLM (43 CFR 6302.20(d) and (e);
6301.5). The prohibition of hang gliders on public lands in wilderness
within the National Monument is, therefore, applicable throughout the
Santa Rosa Wilderness, whether inside or outside essential habitat for
Peninsular Ranges bighorn sheep.
Launches and landings of hang gliders and similar aircraft are
prohibited on the following public lands:
Santa Rosa Mountains--All public lands within the National Monument
in southeast \1/4\ Township 4 South, Range 4 East; Township 5 South,
Range 5 East; Township 6 South, Range 5 East; south \1/2\ Township 5
South, Range 6 East; Township 6 South, Range 6 East outside the Santa
Rosa Wilderness; west \1/2\ Township 6 South, Range 7 East outside the
Santa Rosa Wilderness; and Township 7 South, Range 7 East outside the
Santa Rosa Wilderness, San Bernardino Meridian.
San Jacinto Mountains--All public lands within the National
Monument in south \1/2\ Township 3 South, Range 3 East; southwest \1/4\
Township 3 South, Range 4 East; west \1/2\ Township 4 South, Range 4
East; and Township 5 South, Range 4 East, San Bernardino Meridian.
Discharge of Gas- and Air-powered Weapons. The discharge of gas-
and air-propelled weapons and simulated weapons, including paintball
and paintball-like weapons, is prohibited on public lands in the Santa
Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
The purpose of the prohibition is to protect cultural, biological,
and geological resources from defacement and damage resulting from the
discharge of gas- and air-propelled and simulated weapons. Potential
adverse impacts include the staining of cultural artifacts, plant
materials, and exposed rock with paint from paint ball projectiles.
Recreational Shooting. Recreational shooting, except for hunting,
but including target shooting, is prohibited on public lands in the
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
The purpose of the prohibition is to protect cultural resources
from damage resulting from their use as targets; protect wildlife from
disruption of feeding, breeding, and other important behaviors; protect
wildlife from direct mortality, and temporary or permanent abandonment
of habitat, especially with regard to the endangered Peninsular Ranges
bighorn sheep; and enhance visitor safety by minimizing potential for
accidental shootings.
Hunting will continue to be permitted in accordance with California
Department of Fish and Game regulations. Possession of firearms,
however, is not permitted on Federal and nonfederal lands within the
Santa Rosa Mountains State Game Refuge in accordance with state
regulations.
Entry with Pets. All pets must be restrained by leashes not
exceeding 10 feet in length while on public lands in the Santa Rosa and
San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Owners of pets are required to
collect and properly dispose of their pet's fecal matter. Pets are
allowed in designated areas only within essential habitat for
Peninsular Ranges bighorn sheep.
The purpose of the leash and fecal collection requirements, and
restriction of pets to designated areas in bighorn sheep habitat is to
protect wildlife and enhance visitor enjoyment of the National
Monument. The leash requirement reduces potential for harassment,
chasing, and predation of wildlife by pets. It also protects visitors
from unleashed aggressive pets, thereby enhancing visitor safety and
enjoyment. Collection of a pet's fecal matter enhances visitor
enjoyment by providing for an aesthetically pleasing setting. Persons
using dogs to facilitate official search and rescue or law enforcement
operations are exempt from these restrictions.
Designated pet areas will be identified through the Santa Rosa and
San Jacinto Mountains Trails Plan element of the Coachella Valley
Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Pending completion of the
Habitat Conservation
[[Page 43713]]
Plan, dogs are prohibited on public lands in the National Monument,
with exceptions (65 FR 3473-3474, January 21, 2000).
The discharge of gas- and air-propelled weapons, recreational
shooting, and entry with pets are prohibited or restricted on the
following public lands:
Santa Rosa Mountains--All public lands within the National Monument
in southeast \1/4\ Township 4 South, Range 4 East; Township 5 South,
Range 5 East; Township 6 South, Range 5 East; east \1/2\ Township 8
South, Range 5 East; south \1/2\ Township 5 South, Range 6 East;
Township 6 South, Range 6 East; Township 7 South, Range 6 East;
Township 8 South, Range 6 East; west \1/2\ Township 6 South, Range 7
East; Township 7 South, Range 7 East; Township 8 South, Range 7 East;
and west \1/2\ Township 8 South, Range 8 East, San Bernardino Meridian.
San Jacinto Mountains--All public lands within the National
Monument in south \1/2\ Township 3 South, Range 3 East; southwest 1/4
Township 3 South, Range 4 East; west \1/2\ Township 4 South, Range 4
East; and Township 5 South, Range 4 East, San Bernardino Meridian.
The decision to prohibit hang gliding and similar activities,
prohibit the discharge of gas- and air-propelled weapons and simulated
weapons, prohibit recreational shooting, and restrict entry with pets
was approved by BLM and U.S. Forest Service on February 5, 2004, in the
Record of Decision for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains
National Monument Management Plan. The order prohibiting hang gliding
activities was signed by the Field Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast
Field Office, on February 2, 2005. The order prohibiting discharges of
gas- and air-propelled weapons, prohibiting recreational shooting, and
restricting entry with pets was signed by the Field Manager on March
24, 2005. Any person who fails to comply with these orders may be
subject to the penalties provided in 43 CFR 8360.0-7, or the enhanced
penalties provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.
Gail Acheson,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 05-14937 Filed 7-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P