[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 213 (Wednesday, November 4, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 59574-59575] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-29524] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CA-660-99-1610-00] Shooting Closure on Public Lands in San Diego County, CA AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, DOI. ACTION: Closure Order. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is permanently closing 320 acres of public land near La Posta, southern San Diego County, California, to recreational target shooting. The closure is necessary due to safety hazards, fire danger, noise nuisance, litter and resource degradation and land use conflicts. BLM intends to eliminate these safety and environmental problems almost entirely by closing the area to target shooting. The closure will affect most of the recreational target shooters using BLM public lands in southern San Diego County. It will not affect licensed hunters in the pursuit of lawful game or law enforcement officers while in the performance of their official duties. EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective November 4, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Hansen, Acting Field Manager, USDI Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 690 W. Garnet Avenue, P.O. Box 1260, North Palm Springs, CA 92258-1260. Telephone: (760) 251-4800. [[Page 59575]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The legal description for the Federally- managed lands permanently closed to recreational shooting (herein known as the La Posta parcel) is as follows: Township 17 South, Range 5 East, Section 25, East \1/2\ SBM. The parcel is east of La Posta Road, approximately 4.5 miles south of Old Highway 30. The 320 acres parcel is a flat open field with a hill lying to the east. On May 6, 1994, BLM held a public meeting on-site at the La Posta shooting area. Various safety concerns were expressed by local residents, causing BLM to consider better ways to manage the La Posta site or close it. Since that time, BLM has held more meetings and received numerous comments from the public, both opposing the shooting area and supporting it. Due to the growing list of problems associated with the shooting area, a temporary emergency closure was executed on June 26, 1996. Permanent closure of this area is necessary for the following reasons: 1. Safety Hazards The eastern hill should serve as an adequate backstop for shooters placing their targets near its base. But many shooters place their targets high on the hill, trying to get a longer range. When doing this, bullets ricochet or carry directly east over the hill. Three quarters of a mile of down range on the other side of the hill lies a ranch. Investigations by BLM law enforcement indicate that horses, cattle and buildings have been hit by bullets and there have been near misses with people. There is also concern about the Campo historic train that runs through the ranch on Sundays. Immediately south and even closer to the shooting area lies another ranch that is frequently used by recreational groups and campers. Although shooters are supposed to shoot east into the hill, shots have been directed south towards this ranch, striking the house and resulting in near misses with people. 2. Fire Danger From 1986 to 1992, the U.S. Forest Service had 25 fires near the La Posta site that were caused by target shooters. In 1994, the BLM La Posta site itself half burned by a fire started on the adjacent U.S. Navy shooting range. BLM has fire orders prohibiting the use of tracer rounds, steel core and incendiary types of ammunition, but evidence shows that target shooters are still causing many of the fires in the local area. Without the La Posta site being significantly graded, fire is a serious threat to the nearby residents. 3. Noise Nuisance Prior to the emergency closure, on a busy day as many as 15 groups of shooters used the La Posta site at one time. The shooting started at dawn and continued nonstop until dark. One could hear the shooting from as far as five miles away. For the ranch only 500 feet to the south and other nearby residents on La Posta Road, it was a major nuisance. 4. Litter and Resource Degradation The La Posta site used to be a natural area that attracted local hikers, hunters and dog trainers. Now targets, trash, broken glass and shells litter the area. Two major cleanups organized by local gun stores helped, but only temporarily. Despite frequent patrols by BLM law enforcement, and many concerned shooters and others picking up after themselves, the site deteriorated more each year. 5. Land Use Conflicts The La Posta site was leased for cattle grazing long before it became a popular shooting area. The grazing lease is still valid yet the rancher is unable to use the area. BLM has also previously issued an apiary permit for the area. The placement of 100 beehives near numerous groups of shooters would likely result in injuries. There are also two mining claims on the east hill, down range. The grazing lease, apiary permit and mining claims are all incompatible land uses with target shooting. BLM recognizes target shooting as a legitimate recreational use on the public lands. Before closing the La Posta site, several alternative sites were considered. Thus far, safety, fire, noise, environmental, land use, and legal access concerns have prevented the designation of any specific alternative shooting area. This closure is not intended to prohibit recreational target shooting on other BLM public lands; Nor does it affect licensed hunters in the pursuit of lawful game, or law enforcement officers while in the performance of their official duties. Individuals looking for alternative shooting areas are encouraged to obtain a BLM map from the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. Authority for this supplementary rule is established by 43 CFR 8364.1. Violation of the rule is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1000 and/ or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months. Dated: October 23, 1998. Chris Roholt, Acting Field Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. [FR Doc. 98-29524 Filed 11-3-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-40-P