Notice of Intent To Issue Forest Order Closing Areas Near Beattie Gulch Trailhead and McConnell Fishing Access North and West of Gardiner, Montana to the Discharge of Firearms, 36527 [2020-13080]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 17, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 36527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13080]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 117 / Wednesday, June 17, 2020 / 
Notices

[[Page 36527]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Intent To Issue Forest Order Closing Areas Near Beattie 
Gulch Trailhead and McConnell Fishing Access North and West of 
Gardiner, Montana to the Discharge of Firearms

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is giving 
notice of intent to issue an order closing the Beattie Gulch Trailhead 
and McConnell Fishing Access areas north and west of Gardiner, Montana 
to the discharge of firearms in advance of the public comment period 
for the proposed closure. At the end of the notice of intent period, 
the Forest Service will solicit public comments, as specified in this 
notice, on the proposed forest order.

DATES: The public comment period will begin June 24, 2020. The Forest 
Service will accept comments on the proposed forest order for 60 days. 
The notice of the opportunity for public comment, including directions 
on how to submit comments, will be posted at www.fs.usda.gov/main/custergallatin and www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies.

ADDRESSES: The proposed forest order and the justification for the 
forest order are available on the Forest Service's website at 
www.fs.usda.gov/main/custergallatin and www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Thom, District Ranger, 406-848-
7375, extension 22, [email protected].
    Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 
1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Advance Notice and Public Comment Procedures

    Section 4103 of the John D. Dingell, Jr., Conservation, Management, 
and Recreation Act (Pub. L. 116-9) requires that the Secretary of 
Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, provide 
public notice and comment before permanently or temporarily closing any 
National Forest System lands to hunting, fishing, or recreational 
shooting. Section 4103 applies to the proposed forest order closing 
areas near Beattie Gulch and McConnell Fishing Access north and west of 
Gardiner, Montana to the discharge of firearms. The public notice and 
comment process in section 4103(b)(2) requires the Secretary to publish 
a notice of intent, in the Federal Register, of the proposed closure in 
advance of the public comment period for the closure. This notice meets 
the requirement to publish a notice of intent in the Federal Register 
in advance of the public comment period.
    Following the notice of intent, section 4103(b)(2) requires an 
opportunity for public comment. Because the proposed forest order would 
permanently close areas near Beattie Gulch and McConnell Fishing 
Access, north and west of Gardiner, Montana to the discharge of 
firearms, the public comment period must be not less than 60 days. The 
solicitation for public comment will be posted on www.fs.usda.gov/main/custergallatin and www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies.
    Section 4103(b)(2) requires the Secretary to respond to public 
comments received on the proposed forest order, explain how the 
Secretary resolved any significant issues raised by the comments, and 
show how the resolution led to the closure. The response to comments on 
the proposed order, justification for the final order, and the issuance 
of the final forest order will all be posted on the following website: 
www.fs.usda.gov/main/custergallatin and www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies.

II. Background and Need for Forest Order

    This permanent shooting closure is needed to address potentially 
imminent harm to human health and safety resulting from the discharge 
of firearms in these small areas. Bow hunting/shooting would still be 
allowed. These areas total 23 acres in size collectively, Beattie Gulch 
is 18 acres and McConnell Fishing access totals 5 acres. The size of 
both areas has been limited to the minimum necessary to protect public 
health and safety. The Beattie Gulch area and McConnell Fishing Access 
permanent closures are needed to address concerns resulting from the 
discharge of firearms toward developed facilities including the Old 
Yellowstone Trail South, private property and residences, the 
Yellowstone River, a powerline, and Montana State Highway 89.
    The proposed forest order and the justification for the forest 
order are available on the Forest Service's websites at 
www.fs.usda.gov/main/custergallatin and www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies.

Lisa A Northrop,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-13080 Filed 6-16-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P