[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51561-51562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20893]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLIDB00100 LF1000000.HT0000 LXSS020D0000 4500034792]


Notice of Temporary Restriction Order for Skinny Dipper Hot 
Springs, Boise County, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Temporary Restriction.

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SUMMARY: This serves as notice of a sunset-to-sunrise recreational use 
restriction of Skinny Dipper Hot Springs is in effect on public lands 
administered by the Four Rivers Field Office, Bureau of Land 
Management.

DATES: The restriction will be in effect on the date this notice is 
published in the Federal Register and will remain in effect for two 
years or until rescinded or modified by the authorized officer or 
designated Federal officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Humphrey, Four Rivers Field 
Manager, at 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705, via email at 
[email protected], or phone 208-384-3430. 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 
individuals during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 
hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the 
above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The parking area adjacent to the Banks-
Lowman Highway near mile post 4, the trail from the parking area to 
Skinny Dipper Hot Springs, and the public lands in Lot 3, Section 25, 
T. 9 N., R.3 E., Boise Meridian, Boise County, Idaho, are closed from 
sunset to sunrise each day. The restriction will help provide for 
public safety, which is currently at high risk. Between 2004 and 
present there have been at least two fatalities, several assaults, and 
numerous injuries associated with nighttime use of the area. Due to its 
location, public safety officers and the public do not have cellular 
phone or radio access, which adds to concerns regarding night-time

[[Page 51562]]

use. In addition, bio-hazardous materials (e.g., discarded hypodermic 
needles, human feces) are commonly found in the area. The hot springs 
flow into the South Fork Payette River, which creates the potential for 
environmental contamination. Many secondary effects associated with the 
primary activities are causing direct resource harm. These impacts 
include trash (glass, cans, food), construction of unauthorized 
structures, and damage/removal of vegetation.
    The BLM will post signs at main entry points to the closed area 
and/or other locations on-site. This restriction will be posted in the 
Four Rivers Field Office, Boise District BLM. Maps of the affected area 
and other documents associated with this restriction are available at 
3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705. Under the authority of 
Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
(43 U.S.C. 1733(a)), 43 CFR 8360.0-7, and 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of 
Land Management will enforce the following rule within the Skinny 
Dipper Hot Springs use restriction:
    You must not be in the closed area between sunset and sunrise.
    Exemptions: The following persons are exempt from this order: 
Federal, State, and local officers and employees in the performance of 
their official duties; members of organized rescue or firefighting 
forces in the performance of their official duties; and persons with 
written authorization from the Bureau of Land Management.
    Penalties: Any person who violates the above rule may be tried 
before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000, 
imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Violators may also be 
subject to the enhanced fines provided for in 18 U.S.C. 3571.

    Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1.

Steven A. Ellis,
Idaho State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-20893 Filed 8-23-12; 8:45 am]
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