Arizona: Long-Term Visitor Area Program for 1995-1996 and Subsequent Use Seasons; Revision to Existing Supplementary Rules, Yuma District, Arizona, and California Desert District, California, and Revision of Long-Term Visitor Area Boundaries Within the California Desert District, El Centro Resource Area

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[AZ-050-05-1231-00; 8371]

Arizona: Long-Term Visitor Area Program for 1995-1996 and

Subsequent Use Seasons; Revision to Existing Supplementary Rules, Yuma

District, Arizona, and California Desert District, California, and

Revision of Long-Term Visitor Area Boundaries Within the California

Desert District, El Centro Resource Area

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Publication of supplementary rules and revision of Long-Term

Visitor Area boundaries within the California Desert District, El

Centro Resource Area.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma District and

California Desert District announce revisions to the Long-Term Visitor

Area (LTVA) Program. The program, which was instituted in 1983,

established designated Long-Term Visitor Areas and identified an annual

long-term use season from September 15 to April 15. During the long-

term use season, visitors who wish to camp on public lands in one

location for extended periods must stay in the designated LTVAs and

purchase an LTVA permit.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 15, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Lowans, Outdoor Recreation

Planner, Yuma Resource Area, 3150 Winsor Avenue, Yuma, Arizona 85365,

telephone (520) 726-6300; or John Butz, Outdoor Recreation Planner,

California Desert District, 6221 Box Springs Boulevard, Riverside,

California 92507-0714, telephone (909) 697-5394.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Long-Term Visitor Area

program is to provide areas for long-term winter camping use. The sites

designated as Long-Term Visitor Areas are, in most cases, the

traditional use areas of long-term visitors. Designated sites were

selected using criteria developed during the land management planning

process, and environmental assessments were completed for each site

location.

The program was established to safely and properly accommodate the

increasing demand for long-term winter visitation and to provide

natural resource protection through improved management of this use.

The designation of long-term visitor areas assures that specific

locations are available for long-term use year after year, and that

inappropriate areas are not used for extended periods.

Visitors may camp without an LTVA permit outside of LTVAs, on

public lands not otherwise posted or closed to camping, for up to 14

days in any 28-day period.

Authority for the designation of LTVAs is contained in Title 43,

Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 8372, Sections 0-3 and 0-5(g).

Authority for the establishment of a Long-Term Visitor Area program is

contained in Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 8372,

Section 1, and for the payment of fees in Title 36, Code of Federal

Regulations, Subpart 71.

The Authority for establishing supplementary rules is contained in

Title 43, Subpart 8365, Section 1-6. The LTVA supplementary rules have

been developed to meet the goals of individual resource management

plans. These rules will be available in each local office having

jurisdiction over the lands, sites, or facilities affected, and will be

posted near and/or within the lands, sites, or facilities affected.

Violations of supplementary rules are punishable by a fine not to

exceed $100,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

The following are the supplemental rules for the designated LTVAs

and are in addition to rules of conduct set forth in Title 43, Code of

Federal Regulations, Subpart 8365, Section 1-6.

The following supplemental rules apply year-long to all public land

users who enter the LTVAs.

1. The Permit. A permit is required to camp in a designated LTVA

between September 15 and April 15. The permit authorizes the permittee

to camp within any designated LTVA using those camping or dwelling

unit(s) indicated on the permit between the period from September 15 to

April 15. There are two types of permits: Long-term and short-visit.

The long-term permit fee is $50.00, U.S. funds only, for the entire

season and any part of the season. The short-visit permit is $10.00 for

seven (7) consecutive days. The short-visit permit may be renewed an

unlimited number of times for the cost of $10.00 for seven consecutive

days. No refunds are made on permit fees.

2. The Permit. To be valid, the short-visit permit or long-term

permit decal must be affixed at the time of purchase, with the adhesive

backing, to the bottom right hand corner of the windshield of all

transportation vehicles and in a clearly visible location on all

camping units. A maximum of two (2) secondary vehicles are permitted.

3. Permit Transfers. If you sell, trade, or exchange camping

vehicles during the use season, remove the permit from your old vehicle

before turning it over to the new owner. Present your permit to a BLM

officer authorized to sell permits, or a BLM office which administers

an LTVA. The permit will be revised to cover the new camping unit or

you will receive a replacement permit for your new vehicle at no cost.

The permit may not be reassigned or transferred by the permittee.

4. Permit Revocation. An authorized BLM officer may revoke, without

reimbursement, any LTVA permit issued to any person when the permittee

violates any BLM rule or regulation, or when the permittee, permittee's

family, or guests conduct is inconsistent with the goals of BLM's LTVA

Program. Failure to return any LTVA permit to any authorized BLM

officer upon demand is a violation of this supplemental rule. Any

permittee

[[Page 44044]]

whose permit is revoked must remove all property and leave the LTVA

system within 12 hours of notice. The revoked permittee will not be

allowed into any other LTVA in Arizona or California for the remainder

of the LTVA season.

5. Unoccupied Camping Units. Camping or dwelling unit(s) must not

be left unoccupied within any LTVA for periods of greater than 5 days

unless approved in advance by an authorized BLM officer.

6. Parking. For your safety and privacy, maintain a minimum of 15

feet of space between dwelling units.

7. Removal of Wheels and Campers. Campers, trailers, and other

dwelling units must remain mobile. Wheels must remain on all wheeled

vehicles. Pickup campers may be set on jacks manufactured for that

purpose.

8. Quiet Hours. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in

accordance with applicable state time zone standards.

9. Noise. Operation of audio devices or motorized equipment,

including generators, in a manner that makes unreasonable noise that

disturbs other visitors is prohibited. Within La Posa and Imperial Dam

LTVAs, amplified music is allowed only in locations designated by BLM

or when approved in advance by an authorized BLM officer.

10. Access. Do not block roads or trails commonly in public use

with your parked vehicles, stones, wooden barricades, or by any other

means.

11. Structures and Landscaping. Fixed structures of any type are

restricted and must conform to posted policies. This includes, but is

not limited to fences, dog runs, storage units, and windbreaks.

Alterations to the natural landscape are not allowed. Painting rocks or

defacing or damaging any natural or archaeological feature is

prohibited.

12. Livestock. Boarding of livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, goats,

etc.) within LTVA boundaries is permitted only when approved in advance

by an authorized BLM officer.

13. Pets. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Keep an eye on

your pets. Unattended and unwatched pets may fall prey to coyotes or

other desert predators. Pet owners are responsible for cleanup and

sanitary disposal of pet waste.

14. Cultural Resources. Do not disturb any archaeological or

historical values including, but not limited to, petroglyphs, ruins,

historic buildings, and artifacts that may occur on public lands.

15. Trash. Place all trash in designated receptacles. Public trash

facilities are shown in the LTVA brochure. Depositing trash or holding-

tank sewage in vault toilets is prohibited. An LTVA permit is required

for trash disposal within all LTVA campgrounds except for the Imperial

Dam and Mule Mountain LTVAs.

16. Dumping. Absolutely no dumping of sewage, gray water, or

garbage on the ground. This includes motor oil and any other waste

products. The changing of motor oil, vehicular fluids, or disposal and

possession of these used substances within an LTVA is strictly

prohibited. Federal, state, and county sanitation laws and county

ordinances specifically prohibit these practices. Sanitary dump station

locations are shown in the LTVA brochure. LTVA permits are required for

dumping within all LTVA campgrounds except for the Imperial Dam and

Midland LTVAs.

17. Self-Contained Vehicles. In Pilot Knob, Dunes Vista, Midland,

Tamarisk, and Hot Springs LTVAs, camping is restricted to self-

contained camping units only. Self-contained units must have a

permanent affixed waste water holding tank of 10-gallon minimum

capacity. Port-a-potty systems, or systems which utilize portable

holding tanks, or permanent holding tanks of less than 10-gallon

capacity are not considered to be self-contained. The La Posa, Imperial

Dam, and Mule Mountain LTVAs are restricted to self-contained camping

units, except within 500 feet of a vault or restroom.

18. Campfires. Campfires are permitted in LTVAs subject to all

local, state and federal regulations. Comply with posted rules.

19. Wood Collection. No wood collection is permitted within the

boundaries of Mule Mountain, Imperial Dam, and La Posa LTVAs. In

permitted wood collection areas, only dead, down, and detached wood may

be collected for firewood or hobby purposes. Collection and possession

of ironwood is regulated to three pieces, not to exceed 10 pounds total

in weight. A maximum of 1 cubic yard (3' x 3' x 3') natural firewood

will be allowed per individual or group campfire at any one time.

Please contact the nearest BLM office for current regulations

concerning firewood collection.

20. Speed Limit. The speed limit in LTVAs is 15 m.p.h. or as

otherwise posted.

21. Off-Highway Vehicle Use. Motorized play is prohibited.

Motorized vehicles should be used in LTVAs only for access to and from

campsites.

22. Vehicle Use. It is prohibited to operate any vehicle in

violation of state or local laws and regulations relating to use,

standards, registration, operation, and inspection.

23. Firearms. The discharge or use of firearms or weapons is

prohibited inside or within \1/2\ mile of the LTVAs.

24. Vending Permits. Any commercial activity requires a vending

permit. Please contact the nearest BLM office for information on

vending or concession permits.

25. Aircraft Use. Landing or taking off of aircraft, including

ultralights and hot air ballons, is prohibited in LTVAs.

26. Perimeter Camping. No camping is allowed within 1 mile of the

Hot Spring, Tamarisk, and Pilot Knob LTVA boundaries.

27. Hot Spring LTVA. Food, beverages, glass containers, soap, and

pets are prohibited within the fenced-in area at the Hot Springs Spa.

28. Mule Mountain LTVA. All camping within Wiley's Well and Coon

Hollow campgrounds is restricted to designated sites only and is

limited to one (1) camping or dwelling unit per site.

29. Imperial Dam and La Posa LTVAS. Overnight occupancy is

prohibited in desert washes in Imperial Dam and La Posa LTVAs.

30. La Posa LTVA. Access to La Posa LTVA is restricted to legal

access roads along U.S. Highway 95. Construction and use of other

access points are prohibited. This includes removal and modification of

barricades such as fences, ditches, and berms.

31. Posted Rules. Observe all posted rules. Individual LTVAs may

have additional specific rules. If posted rules differ from these

supplemental rules, the posted rules take precedence.

32. Other Laws. LTVA permit holders are required to observe all

Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the LTVA

and shall keep the LTVA and, specifically, their campsite, in a neat,

orderly, and sanitary condition.

33. Length of Stay. Length of stay in an LTVA between April 16 and

September 14 is limited to 14 days in a 28-day period. After the 14th

day of occupation, campers must move outside of a 25-mile radius of the

previous location.

The following are the revised boundaries for the LTVAs located

within the California Desert District, El Centro Resource Area.

Dunes Vista LTVA

San Bernardino Base Meridian

T. 16 S., R. 20 E.,

Sec. 14, S\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\SW\1/

4\, E\1/2\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\SW\1/4\.

Sec. 23, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\NW\1/

4\, W\1/2\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\.

[[Page 44045]]

17.5 Acres.

Tamarisk LTVA

San Bernardino Base Meridian

T. 17 S., R. 18 E.,

Sec. 4., NW\1/4\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\.

15 Acres.

Pilot Knob LTVA

San Bernardino Base Meridian

T. 16 S., R. 21 E.,

Sec. 28., NE\1/4\.

160 Acres.

Hot Springs LTVA

San Bernardino Base Meridian

T. 16 S., R. 16 E.,

Sec. 12., W\1/2\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\,

E\1/2\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\.

Sec. 13., E\1/2\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\SE\1/4\NW\1/4\NE\1/

4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, E\1/

2\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, E\1/2\W\1/2\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\,

NW\1/4\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\.

355 Acres.

This notice is published under the authority of Title 43, Code of

Federal Regulations, Subpart 8365, Section 1-6.

Ed Hastey,

State Director, California.

Michael R. Ford,

Acting State Director, Arizona.

[FR Doc. 95-21074 Filed 8-23-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-32-P