SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On Dec. 23, 2022, the BLM issued a decision record to renew Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc.'s, SRP for its annual Easter Jeep Safari organized event for a period of 10 years. This decision record also granted to Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc., exclusive motorized use of seven routes on public lands administered by the Moab Field Office during the event. Finally, the decision record limited two additional routes in this area to one-way travel during the event.

Based on an environmental assessment (DOI-BLM-UT-Y010-2022-0042-EA), the BLM concluded that limiting use of these seven routes exclusively to permitted motorized users and allowing only one-way travel on two additional routes for the nine-day period of the annual Easter Jeep Safari would prevent potential damage to wilderness characteristics, water quality, soils, visual resources, and vegetation by decreasing the amount of traffic concentrated on these narrow dirt routes. Additionally, it would decrease user conflict, while providing for a more-enjoyable experience during the annual Easter Jeep Safari for those motorized users holding an SRP. Similarly, one-way travel of two additional routes would reduce impacts to water quality, soils, visual resources, and vegetation by eliminating passing, which results in road widening. In addition, one-way travel would mitigate crowding along these two narrow routes, lessen user conflicts, and provide for a better experience for those motorized users holding an SRP.

Exclusive Use

During the nine-day restriction period, the Behind the Rocks, Cliff Hanger, Gold Bar Rim, Golden Spike, Moab Rim, Poison Spider Mesa, and Pritchett Canyon routes will be for the exclusive motorized use of Easter Jeep Safari participants and other commercial users with authorized SRPs valid for activities on these routes while official, scheduled event rides are occurring. When these routes are not in use for such rides, they will be open for public motorized use. Non-motorized uses on these routes will not be restricted.

One-Way Travel: During the nine-day restriction period, the Kane Creek Canyon and Steelbender routes will be restricted to one-way travel. On Kane Creek Canyon, motorized use must occur one-way from north to south ( i.e., from the Hurrah Pass/Kane Creek Canyon junction south to the end of the route at U.S. Highway 191). For the Steelbender route, motorized use must occur one-way from north to south ( i.e., from the Moab Golf Club area entry south to the southern end of the route near Flat Pass and Ken's Lake). This restriction applies to all motorized users for the entirety of the event.

Exceptions

Restrictions do not apply to motorized vehicle use by medical and rescue personnel in the performance of their official duties; official United States military and Federal, State, and local law enforcement purposes; Federal, State, and local officers and employees in the performance of their official duties; vendors with a valid BLM SRP; or as otherwise authorized by the BLM. Use of electric wheelchairs is also exempt.

Enforcement

Any person who violates the temporary restrictions may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned 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 Utah law.

(Authority: 43 CFR 8360.0-7 and 43 CFR 8364.1)

88 FR 20549