Emergency Restrictions in Effect for Juniper Dunes

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News Release

For Immediate Release: May 23, 2007
Contact: Kevin Devitt [phone]
Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District
1103 N. Fancher Rd
Spokane Valley, Washington 99212


Emergency Restrictions in Effect for Juniper Dunes

Emergency restrictions are now in effect for use of public lands in the
Juniper Dunes area of Franklin County, northeast of the Tri-Cities,
Washington. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is implementing these
restrictions to provide for public safety, reduce conflicts with
adjoining landowners, reduce damage to adjoining private lands, and
improve the experience of visitors.

The restrictions are:

· Approved Safety Helmets must be worn by all ATV/ORV operators and
riders on all BLM public or leased lands and roads within the Juniper
Dunes area any time the ATV/ORV is being operated. (ATV = All Terrain
Vehicle) (ORV = Off Road Vehicle)

· No operator of an ATV/ORV shall carry a passenger while operating on
BLM public lands and roads, except that a passenger may be carried if
the ATV/ORV is designed by the manufacturer to carry a passenger.

· Safety Flags are required on ALL vehicles operating off road on BLM
lands in the Juniper Dunes. All such vehicles will have a whip mast and
a 6 X 12 inch red/orange flag. Flags may be of pennant, triangle,
square or rectangular shape. Safety flags must be attached within 10
inches of the tip of the whip mast with club or other flags mounted
below the safety flag or on another whip. Masts will be either minimum
of six feet in height/length or industry standard height/length.

· Safety flags are required for all ATV/ORV vehicles on the Peterson
Road, Juniper Road and Wilderness Road but are not required for street
legal four wheeled passenger vehicles on those roads.

· ATV/ORV’s and other off road vehicles must have current and valid
State registration and tabs/stickers visible on the ATV/ORV.

· Wood pallets can not be used for any type of fire on BLM public lands
or roads in the Juniper Dunes area.

· Personal identification including but not limited to driver’s
licenses must be on person at all times for the operator of the ORV
while the ORV is in use.

· The three access roads (Peterson Road, Juniper Road and Wilderness
Road) are for general vehicle access only and are not to be used for
racing, back and forth driving or other unsafe acts.

The emergency restrictions went into effect on May 18, 2007, and will
remain in effect through December 31 2007, or until BLM develops related
supplemental rules. The restrictions are pursuant to the Code of
Federal Regulations 43 CFR 8364.1. Violation of these prohibitions is
punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more
than 12 months, or both.

BLM would also like to remind the public that, in accordance with the
Wilderness Act of 1964, no motorized or mechanized vehicles may be used
at any time within the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area. Exceptions are
authorized only for law enforcement, fire, search & rescue, medical
emergencies and other situations involving extreme conditions.

For more information, contact the BLM Spokane District Office at (509)
536-1200, email [e-mail], or visit the District website
at www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane.