Notice of Closure to Firearms Target Shooting on Public Lands in Yellowstone County Managed by the Billings Field Office, Bureau of Land Management; Montana, Implementation of Record of Decision for Environmental Assessment MT-010-03-08, 11269-11270 [05-4424]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 8, 2005 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CA–360–04–1770–AL] Notice of Emergency Temporary Closure of Certain Public Lands to Target Shooting, in Tehama County, CA Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of emergency temporary closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 8364.1 notice is hereby given that all the below listed land, administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is closed to the discharge of firearms for the purpose of target shooting. The closure encompasses the Sacramento River Bend Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and nearby scattered parcels, as well as future public land encompassed by the below descriptions. This immediate closure is necessary to protect human health and safety in an area of increasing recreational use and population growth. DATES: This closure is in effect from October 1, 2004 until December 31, 2005. A final determination for the closure will be made as part of the upcoming Bend ACEC Management Plan which is anticipated to be completed by the end of calendar year 2005. ADDRESSES: Copies of the closure and map of the closed areas can be obtained at the BLM, Redding Field Office, 355 Hemsted Drive, Redding, CA 96002, (530) 224–2100. BLM will also announce the closure through local media outlets by posting this notice with a map of the closed areas at key locations that provide access the closure area. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven W. Anderson, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Redding Field Office, 355 Hemsted Drive, Redding, CA 96002. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1986 much of the ACEC vicinity was closed to target shooting through the Sacramento River Area Management Plan (SRAMP) and a subsequent Federal Register (1987). One small exception to the 1986 closure, the ‘‘Paynes Creek Shooting Area,’’ was left open for shooting in the SRAMP but is also closed by this Closure due to a significant increase in recreational use in the Paynes Creek vicinity. The Sacramento River Bend management VerDate jul<14>2003 19:54 Mar 07, 2005 Jkt 205001 unit was designated as an ACEC through the Redding Resource Management Plan in 1993. Since 1993, land acquisitions have created a large consolidated block of public land which is ideally suited to pedestrian, equestrian and mountain bicycle uses. Additionally, the increasing population of the northern California area has put additional management pressures on the Sacramento River Bend ACEC. Hunting of legal game in legal season, and subject to state law, is unaffected by this closure. The only area within the Sacramento River Bend ACEC that remains open to target shooting is T. 29N., R.2W, section 6, S1⁄2. Closure Order 11269 Bend ACEC Management Plan which is anticipated to be completed by the end of calendar year 2005. This management plan will include full public involvement during the planning process. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven W. Anderson, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Redding Field Office, 355 Hemsted Drive, Redding, CA 96002. Dated: September 9, 2004. J. Anthony Danna, Deputy State Director, Natural Resources, California State Office. Editorial Note: This document was received by the Office of the Federal Register on March 3, 2005. [FR Doc. 05–4415 Filed 3–7–05; 8:45 am] Section 1. Closed Lands BILLING CODE 4310–40–P This closure affects all of the public lands located within: T. 27N., R.2W, sections 4 and 8, M.D.M. T. 28N., R.2W, sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, M.D.M. T. 28N., R.3W, section 14 M.D.M. (Paynes Creek shooting area) T. 29N., R.2W, sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (N1⁄2 only), 7, 8, 18, 19, 30, 31, M.D.M. T. 29N., R.3W, sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, M.D.M. T. 30N., R1W, section 30, M.D.M. T. 30N., R.2W, sections 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, M.D.M. A total of approximately 9,500 acres. In a 1987 Federal Register notice the remainder of the ACEC was closed to target shooting. The previous closure remains in effect. Section 2. Exceptions to Closures and Restriction Orders This closure does not apply to the following: • T. 29 N., R.2W, section 6, S1⁄2. • Nothing in this closure is intended to affect legal hunting as consistent with California Department of Fish and Game regulations. Section 3. Penalties Under section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 43 CFR 8360–7), if you violate these closures or restrictions on public lands within the boundaries established, you may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571. Section 4. Conditions for Ending Closures and Restrictions A final determination for the closure will be made as part of the upcoming PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [MT–010–1220–AD] Notice of Closure to Firearms Target Shooting on Public Lands in Yellowstone County Managed by the Billings Field Office, Bureau of Land Management; Montana, Implementation of Record of Decision for Environmental Assessment MT– 010–03–08 Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice closes certain public lands in Yellowstone County, Montana, to target shooting with firearms. This restriction is necessary for the management of actions, activities, and public use on certain public lands that may have, or are having, adverse impacts on persons using public lands, on property, and on resources located on public lands. Increasing levels of public use are creating conflicts between different user groups. Hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, wildlife observers, hunters, and target shooters all utilize the subject lands. EFFECTIVE DATE: This restriction takes effect on April 7, 2005 and will remain in effect until it is amended or repealed. ADDRESSES: You may mail or handdeliver inquiries or suggestions or comments on the closure to Bureau of Land Management, Billings Field Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, P.O. Box 36800, Billings, Montana 59107–6800. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra S. Brooks, Field Manager, BLM, E:\FR\FM\08MRN1.SGM 08MRN1 11270 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 8, 2005 / Notices Billings Field Office, P.O. Box 36800, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 50107–6800, or call (406) 896–5013. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A complete copy of Environmental Assessment #MT–010–03–08, which supports this restriction, may be viewed at: https://www.mt.blm.gov/bifo/ea/ ShootingEA/FinalShootingEA.pdf. While hikers, horseback riders, mountain bicyclists and other users can schedule their use around published hunting seasons for safety reasons; they are not able to avoid random target shooting. Local conditions, including heavy timber and rough terrain, reduce visibility and increase the hazard to other users from target shooters. Recent incidents involving random target shooting have resulted in endangerment and injury to other users. To reduce the incidence of future conflicts, three areas of public land known as the Acton Area, 21-Mile Area, and Shepherd Ah-Nei, located north of Billings, Montana, are being closed to target shooting with firearms. These areas will remain open to hunting by licensed hunters during seasons administered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. This Restriction does not apply to other lands, specifically the ‘‘17–Mile’’ area located west of Highway 87, north of Billings, Montana, on the Crooked Creek Road. Affected Lands: The affected lands are all public lands administered by the Billings Field Office, and include the following public lands: Sect. 31, all; T. 3 N., R. 28 E., Sect. 6, S1⁄2, W1⁄4NW1⁄4, E1⁄2NE1⁄4, E1⁄2W1⁄2NE1⁄4, all in Yellowstone County, in the State of Montana Principal Meridian, Montana That area of public lands commonly referred to as the ‘‘Acton Area’’ or ‘‘Acton Ah-Nei’’ located at: T. 4 N., R. 25 E., Sect. 31, E1⁄2 T. 3 N, R. 25 E., Sect. 5, all; Sect. 6, NE1⁄4; Sect. 7, N1⁄2; SE1⁄4; E1⁄2; SW1⁄4; Sect. 8, all; Sect. 9, all; Sect. 17, all; Sect. 20, N1⁄2 N1⁄2. That area of public lands commonly referred to the ‘‘21-Mile Area’’ located at T. 4 N., R. 25 E., Sect. 24, all. That area of public lands commonly referred to the ‘‘Shepherd Area,’’ or ‘‘Shepherd Ah Nei’’ located at: T. 4 N., R. 27 E., Sect. 24, NE1⁄4, S1⁄2; Sect. 25, all; Sect. 36, all; T. 3 N., R. 27 E., Sect. 1, all; T. 4 N., R. 28 E., Sect. 19, all; Sect. 20, W1⁄2; Sect. 30, W1⁄2, NW1⁄4, N1⁄2, NE1⁄4. BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P VerDate jul<14>2003 19:54 Mar 07, 2005 Jkt 205001 Restriction 1.0 Restriction of Target Shooting on Affected Public Lands. The following is prohibited: Discharge of firearms for the purpose of target shooting. 2.0 Exceptions (a) This restriction does not apply to the hunting of lawful game by licensed hunters during seasons administered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. (b) This restriction does not apply to archery marksmanship at fixed targets affixed to a backstop sufficient to stop and hold target or broad-head arrows. (c) This restriction does not apply to special target shooting events, which may be authorized by the authorized officer under special permit. Penalties: Violations of this restriction are punishable by a fine in accordance with the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq.), and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months for each offense. The authority for this closure is 43 CFR 8364.1(a). Dated: January 14, 2005. Eddie Bateson, Acting Field Office Manager, Billings Field Office. [FR Doc. 05–4424 Filed 3–7–05; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [UT080–1610–DQ–010J] Call for Coal Resource and Other Resource Information for Public Lands in Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties, UT Vernal Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, Vernal, Utah. ACTION: Call for coal resource and other resource information. AGENCY: SUMMARY: A Notice of Intent to prepare a Resource Management Plan for public lands and resources in Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah counties, Utah was published in the Federal Register, volume 66, No. 48, Monday, March 12, 2001. This supplements that notice with a call for coal resource and other resource information, as required in 43 CFR 3420.1. DATES: The comment period will commence with the publication of this PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 notice in the Federal Register and end 30 days after publication. ADDRESSES: Non-proprietary written comments should be sent to Coal Comments, Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078; Fax 435–781–4410. Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the Vernal Field Office during regular business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday except holidays and may be published as part of the Environmental Impact Statement. Proprietary data marked as confidential may be submitted only to James Kohler, Chief, Branch of Solid Minerals, Utah State Office, Bureau of Land Management, P.O. Box 45155, Salt Lake City, Utah 84145–0155. Data marked as confidential shall be treated in accordance with the laws and regulations governing confidentiality of such information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pete Sokolosky, geologist, BLM Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078, phone: 435–891–4400, e-mail Pete_Sokolosky@ut.blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this call for coal information is to obtain any available coal resource data and any other resource information pertinent to applying the coal unsuitability criteria, and to identify any areas of interest for possible Federal coal leasing. The Resource Management Plan will identify areas acceptable for further consideration for leasing and estimate the amount of recoverable coal. Only those areas that have development potential may be identified as acceptable for further consideration for leasing. Coal companies, State and local governments and the general public are encouraged to submit information on coal geology, economic data and other development potential considerations. Where such information is determined to indicate developmental potential for an area, the area may be included in the land use planning evaluation for coal leasing. The BLM will use the unsuitability criteria and procedures outlined in 43 CFR part 3461 to assess where areas are unsuitable for all or certain stipulated methods of mining. Additionally, multiple use decisions that are not included in the unsuitability criteria may eliminate certain coal deposits from further consideration for leasing to protect other resource values and land uses that are locally, regionally or nationally important or unique. In making these multiple use decisions BLM will place particular emphasis on protecting the E:\FR\FM\08MRN1.SGM 08MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11269-11270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4424]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-010-1220-AD]


Notice of Closure to Firearms Target Shooting on Public Lands in 
Yellowstone County Managed by the Billings Field Office, Bureau of Land 
Management; Montana, Implementation of Record of Decision for 
Environmental Assessment MT-010-03-08

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice closes certain public lands in Yellowstone County, 
Montana, to target shooting with firearms. This restriction is 
necessary for the management of actions, activities, and public use on 
certain public lands that may have, or are having, adverse impacts on 
persons using public lands, on property, and on resources located on 
public lands. Increasing levels of public use are creating conflicts 
between different user groups. Hikers, horseback riders, mountain 
bikers, wildlife observers, hunters, and target shooters all utilize 
the subject lands.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This restriction takes effect on April 7, 2005 and will 
remain in effect until it is amended or repealed.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand-deliver inquiries or suggestions or 
comments on the closure to Bureau of Land Management, Billings Field 
Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, P.O. Box 36800, Billings, Montana 59107-
6800.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra S. Brooks, Field Manager, BLM,

[[Page 11270]]

Billings Field Office, P.O. Box 36800, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, 
MT 50107-6800, or call (406) 896-5013.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A complete copy of Environmental Assessment 
MT-010-03-08, which supports this restriction, may be viewed 
at: https://www.mt.blm.gov/bifo/ea/ShootingEA/FinalShootingEA.pdf.
    While hikers, horseback riders, mountain bicyclists and other users 
can schedule their use around published hunting seasons for safety 
reasons; they are not able to avoid random target shooting. Local 
conditions, including heavy timber and rough terrain, reduce visibility 
and increase the hazard to other users from target shooters. Recent 
incidents involving random target shooting have resulted in 
endangerment and injury to other users. To reduce the incidence of 
future conflicts, three areas of public land known as the Acton Area, 
21-Mile Area, and Shepherd Ah-Nei, located north of Billings, Montana, 
are being closed to target shooting with firearms. These areas will 
remain open to hunting by licensed hunters during seasons administered 
by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
    This Restriction does not apply to other lands, specifically the 
``17-Mile'' area located west of Highway 87, north of Billings, 
Montana, on the Crooked Creek Road.
    Affected Lands: The affected lands are all public lands 
administered by the Billings Field Office, and include the following 
public lands:

Principal Meridian, Montana

    That area of public lands commonly referred to as the ``Acton 
Area'' or ``Acton Ah-Nei'' located at:

T. 4 N., R. 25 E.,
    Sect. 31, E\1/2\
T. 3 N, R. 25 E.,
    Sect. 5, all;
    Sect. 6, NE\1/4\;
    Sect. 7, N\1/2\; SE\1/4\; E\1/2\; SW\1/4\;
    Sect. 8, all;
    Sect. 9, all;
    Sect. 17, all;
    Sect. 20, N\1/2\ N\1/2\.

    That area of public lands commonly referred to the ``21-Mile 
Area'' located at

T. 4 N., R. 25 E.,
    Sect. 24, all.

    That area of public lands commonly referred to the ``Shepherd 
Area,'' or ``Shepherd Ah Nei'' located at:

T. 4 N., R. 27 E.,
    Sect. 24, NE\1/4\, S\1/2\;
    Sect. 25, all;
    Sect. 36, all;
T. 3 N., R. 27 E.,
    Sect. 1, all;
T. 4 N., R. 28 E.,
    Sect. 19, all;
    Sect. 20, W\1/2\;
    Sect. 30, W\1/2\, NW\1/4\, N\1/2\, NE\1/4\.
    Sect. 31, all;
T. 3 N., R. 28 E.,
    Sect. 6, S\1/2\, W\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\W\1/2\NE\1/
4\, all in Yellowstone County, in the State of Montana

Restriction

1.0 Restriction of Target Shooting on Affected Public Lands.

    The following is prohibited: Discharge of firearms for the purpose 
of target shooting.

2.0 Exceptions

    (a) This restriction does not apply to the hunting of lawful game 
by licensed hunters during seasons administered by the Montana 
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
    (b) This restriction does not apply to archery marksmanship at 
fixed targets affixed to a backstop sufficient to stop and hold target 
or broad-head arrows.
    (c) This restriction does not apply to special target shooting 
events, which may be authorized by the authorized officer under special 
permit.
    Penalties: Violations of this restriction are punishable by a fine 
in accordance with the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (18 U.S.C. 3551 et 
seq.), and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months for each offense. 
The authority for this closure is 43 CFR 8364.1(a).

    Dated: January 14, 2005.
Eddie Bateson,
Acting Field Office Manager, Billings Field Office.
[FR Doc. 05-4424 Filed 3-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P

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