Seasonal Use Closure for All Motorized Vehicles in the Carter Mountain Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), Park County, WY, Cody Field Office

Résumé

The Cody Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP), dated November 8, 1990, designated vehicular use in the Carter Mountain ACEC as ``limited to designated roads and trails.'' In response to a request from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, a seasonal closure to all motorized vehicles, including over-the-snow vehicles was effective November 10, 1988 (FR Doc. 88-26011). The closure was then extended to April 30, 1992 (FR Doc. 91-23803). The Carter Mountain ACEC Activity Plan made this seasonal closure permanent (11/10/92). The closure will now be in effect each season from November 15 through June 15 or later if unfavorable weather or road conditions exist which could create resource damage. A steel gate at Little Rose Creek establishes the point beyond which the seasonal closure is in effect. The purpose of this closure is to allow wildlife to migrate free of disturbance in their winter range and to allow elk to move throughout the lower reaches of their winter range to mitigate the impacts of concentrated grazing use. This seasonal closure will allow the BLM to assess the road conditions prior to opening the road in order to prevent resource damage caused b