[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 80382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32560]



[[Page 80382]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[L19200000.AL0000.LRORB1518600.LLCAD06000.XXXL1109RM]


Notice of Temporary Closure on Public Lands in Riverside County, 
CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that identified public lands 
administered by the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, Bureau of 
Land Management (BLM), are temporarily closed to all public entry.

DATES: This closure will be in effect beginning on December 24, 2015 
and will remain in effect for 2 years unless rescinded or modified 
before that by the authorized officer or designated Federal officer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John R. Kalish, Field Manager, 1201 
Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, (760) 833-7100. 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: This closure affects public lands north of 
the Bradshaw Trail, a county-maintained roadway in Riverside County, 
California, but does not include the roadway itself. The legal 
description of the affected public lands is:

San Bernardino Meridian

T.7S., R.12E.,
    Sec. 36, lots 3, 4, 6, and 7.
T.8S., R.12E.,
    Sec. 5, lots 6 through 10, 14, 15, 24, and 25.
T.7S., R.13E.,
    Sec. 21, lots 1, 2, and 4.
T.7S., R.14E.,
    Sec. 19, lots 8, 9, 12, and 13;
    Sec. 25, lots 1, 2, 5 through 8, 11, 12, and 13;
    Sec. 27, lots 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11, S\1/2\N\1/2\SE\1/2\, 
and S\1/2\N\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, lots 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 through 11, 13, 14, 17, and 18, 
NW\1/4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, and S\1/2\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 33, lots 2 and 4.
T.7S., R.15E.,
    Sec. 33, lots 4, 5, 7, 8, 23, 24, and 26, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, 
and W\1/2\NW\1/4\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\NW\1/4\.
T.8S., R.15E.,
    Sec. 3, lots 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, and 13;
    Sec. 11, lots 1, 2, and 3.

    The area described aggregates 628.99 acres, more or less, in 
Riverside County, California.

    The closure is necessary because of public health and safety risks 
caused by the potential for encounter with unexploded ordinance and 
other hazardous materials located on the lands. The approximately 
628.99 acres of public lands were until recently part of the Chocolate 
Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range and were used as part of a live bombing 
and training facility. The Department of the Navy is in the process of 
developing a response action plan to clean the contaminated parcels. 
Once the parcels are successfully cleaned, the BLM will reopen the 
lands to the public. All motor vehicles must remain on routes 
designated as open to vehicular use. The lands are closed to all forms 
of public entry, including dispersed camping, or other recreational 
activities on the approximately 628.99 acres.
    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 fire-fighting forces in the 
performance of their official duties; and persons with written 
authorization from the Bureau of Land Management.

Enforcement

    Any person who violates this closure may be tried before a United 
States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, 
imprisoned for 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 California 
law.

    Authority:  43 CFR 8364.1(c)

Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-32560 Filed 12-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P