BLM proposes closing half-million acres to target shooting

[billrquimby]

Arizona: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Proposes Closing One-Half Million Acres of Public Land to Target Shooting

 

 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a plan for the future management of nearly 1.4 million acres located southwest of Phoenix in parts of Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, Gila and Yuma Counties. Of that total, over 486,000 acres are within the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDMN) which the BLM proposes to close to target shooters. Presently, some 63 sites in the national monument are used by shooters for their recreational activity. The planning area outside of the SDNM will remain open to target shooting. The plan also addresses other issues of importance to shooters and hunters including the designation of roads and trails for motorized vehicles and areas that could be managed as wilderness.

 

If you recreate in the SDNM, especially if you enjoy recreational shooting, getting involved in this planning process is of paramount importance. This is not the first time that the BLM has attempted to close an entire national monument to shooters, making no attempt to provide places for and access to shooting sites. One-half million acres closed to one segment of the recreating public is unacceptable. The plan proposes four management alternatives in addition to Alternative A which is the “No Action” (or present conditions) alternative. Alternative B is the most recreation-friendly and like Alternative C, it will leave open some areas of the SDNM to target shooting. Alternatives D and E close the SDNM permanently.

 

The public comment period is open through November 25. Comments can be faxed to (623) 580-5580 or mailed to BLM, Phoenix District Office, ATTN: LS-SDNM RMP, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027. The draft plan can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/planning/son_des.html.

 

Below is the schedule of public meetings and contact information for the BLM. Please take the time to attend one of the scheduled meetings to show support for keeping public lands open for all the public, including target shooters, and to learn more about how this plan will affect your future enjoyment of these lands.

 

Schedule of Public Meetings:

 

October 4, 2-4 p.m.

Government Agency Briefing

BLM National Training Center

9828 North 31st Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85051

*Must present photo ID/Driver’s License

 

October 4, 6-9 p.m.

Phoenix Public Meeting

BLM National Training Center

9828 North 31st Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85051

*Must present photo ID/Driver’s License

 

October 5, 6-9 p.m.

Public Meeting – Grazing Compatibility on Sonoran Desert National Monument

BLM National Training Center

9828 North 31st Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85051

*Must present photo ID/Driver’s License

 

October 12, 6-9 p.m.

Mesa Public Meeting

Red Mountain Multigenerational Center

7550 E. Adobe Road

Mesa, AZ 85207

 

October 13, 6-9 p.m.

Casa Grande Public Meeting

Vista Grande High School cafeteria

1556 N. Arizola Road

Casa Grande, AZ 85122

 

October 25, 6-9 p.m.

Buckeye Public Meeting

Youngker High School

3000 South Apache Road

Buckeye, AZ 85326

 

October 26, 6-9 p.m.

Gila Bend Public Meeting

Unified School District Auditorium

308 N. Martin Avenue

Gila Bend, AZ 85337

 

October 27, 6-9 p.m.

Ajo Public Meeting

Ajo Community Center

290 W. 5th Street

Ajo, AZ 85321

[.270]

well h e l l, i have to drive over an hour to shoot now and then hafta always go furing the week because of all the action on the weekend. Lark.

[DesertBull]

Then they need to enforce the littering laws instead of just taking everyone's privileges away.

[.270]

yup be easy to do too. folks shoot in the same places all the time. Lark.

[billrquimby]

Step One: Ban target shooting.

 

Step Two: ...

 

 

Bill Quimby

[DesertBull]

Step One: Ban target shooting.

 

Step Two: ...

 

 

Bill Quimby

 

 

Step Two: ...All rise for the President of the United States of America... Raul Grijalva

[ultramag]

I don't know weather or not these people are hunters that trash the desert with make shift shooting ranges I guess it don't matter whats done is done. But I hate to see these places its a real shame. nobody cares anymore about anything. hense the reason why this has happened. I guess the important thing is when you go out and shoot pick up your mess and this won't happen.. same thing when camping if we,me,you don't clean up our trash this will happen more and more look for the days when there is no more camping in our national forests because of this type of behavior.