Special Recreation Use Permit (SRUP) for Events Involving More Than Fifty Persons

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12176-12177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6034]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-010-1220-01]


Special Recreation Use Permit (SRUP) for Events Involving More 
Than Fifty Persons

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed supplementary rule.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bakersfield (California) 
Field Office proposes a

[[Page 12177]]

supplementary rule requiring groups to obtain a Special Recreation Use 
Permit (SRUP) to conduct an event involving more than 50 persons. The 
purpose of this action is to protect natural and cultural resources; 
prevent wildfires, maintain public health, safety, and sanitation; and 
address occupancy and recreational use of BLM land managed by the 
Bakersfield Field Office .

DATES: Send your comments to reach BLM by April 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver comments to Bureau of Land Management, 
Bakersfield Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308. You may 
send comments via e-mail to: mayers@ca.blm.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Ayers at the Bureau of Land 
Management, Bakersfield Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 
93308; telephone (805) 391-6120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLM's visitor services regulations allow it 
to establish supplementary rules for the protection of persons, 
property, and public lands and resources. See 43 CFR 8365.1-6. BLM must 
publish the rules in the Federal Register and in a newspaper of general 
circulation in the affected vicinity, or make them available to the 
public by other appropriate means. Once BLM adopts a supplementary 
rule, it will be available for inspection in the local office having 
jurisdiction over the lands, sites, or facilities affected. BLM will 
also post each supplementary rule near and/or within the lands, sites, 
or facilities affected.
    The policy of the Department of the Interior is, whenever 
practicable, to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the 
rulemaking process. Accordingly, BLM invites interested persons to 
submit written comments, suggestions, or objections regarding the 
proposed rule to the location identified in the ADDRESSES section of 
this preamble. This supplementary rule will take effect after review of 
public comment.
    BLM is proposing this supplementary rule to manage environmental 
and public health and safety issues associated with large groups 
wishing to conduct outdoor concerts or gatherings on BLM land. This 
supplementary rule would affect only public land under the management 
of the BLM, Bakersfield Field Office, Bakersfield, California, and is 
in conformation with the May 1997 Caliente Resource Management Plan.

Supplementary Rule

    The following rule is in effect on land managed by the Bureau of 
Land Management, Bakersfield Office:
    (a) Any organization, group, club, or formal or informal 
association of persons that proposes to conduct any event, rally, 
meeting, party, bazaar, flea market, swap meet, outdoor concert, 
festival, jamboree, encounter, or similar gathering of more than 50 
persons in part or in full on land managed by the BLM Bakersfield Field 
Office must file an application for a Special Recreation Use Permit 
(SRUP) with the Bakersfield Field Office. The group must obtain a SRUP 
regardless of the commercial or financial status of the group involved 
or whether or not a profit is made or intended to be made from the 
event. At a minimum, all groups must provide for sanitation, security, 
insurance, and take appropriate measures to prevent violations of State 
and Federal laws related to the use, possession, distribution, or sale 
of Federally controlled substances. The group must apply for the SRUP 
as early as possible prior to the intended use, but no later than 120 
days before the event, unless a shorter time is authorized by the 
Bakersfield Field Office Manager or his designated representative.
    (b) This supplementary rule does not in any way restrict or prevent 
access to or use of private property within the designated area. Public 
officers or employees in the performance of their official duties are 
exempt from this supplementary rule. BLM will not use this 
supplementary rule to hinder or curtail any valid existing right, 
permit, or authorization.
    (c) This supplementary rule does not replace or modify the 
requirements of BLM's Special Recreation Permits regulations at 43 CFR 
part 8372. BLM will not use this supplementary rule to discourage or 
restrict family gatherings for casual use recreation. BLM will not 
allow gatherings of adolescents without onsite adult supervision. The 
approval and subsequent issuance of a SRUP is discretionary with the 
Bakersfield Field Office Manager or his designated representative and 
may be replaced with a letter of authorization if BLM deems such action 
appropriate.
    (d) If you knowingly and willfully violate this supplementary rule, 
you may be subject to arrest and a fine of not more than $1,000 or 
imprisonment of not more than 12 months as provided by 43 CFR 8360.0-7.

    Dated: March 3, 1999.
Ron Fellows,
Bakersfield Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-6034 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M