[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16353]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

 

Shooting Closure on Public Lands in San Diego County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management.

ACTION: Closure order.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is closing part of the 
public lands on Otay Mountain, located in San Diego County, California, 
to recreational target shooting. The closure is permanent and covers 
all public lands located on and within 300 feet of the Otay Mountain 
Truck Trail, communication sites, historic bunkers, and water tank 
structures. The closure does not apply to hunters in lawful pursuit of 
game. It is BLM's intent to protect public users on the road, eliminate 
shooting damage occurring to numerous structures, and reduce the litter 
occurring near wilderness study areas. The closure will affect all of 
the current, popular shooting areas being accessed by vehicle, thus 
eliminating target shooting from most of the public lands on Otay 
Mountain.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 7, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Julia Dougan, Area Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Resource Area at 
(619) 251-0812.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLM administers 16,675 acres of public lands 
in the Otay Mountain area. The area includes two wilderness study 
areas, one area of critical environmental concern, four communication 
tower sites, three historic military bunker structures, and five water 
storage tanks. Although there are several existing roads, the general 
public's only access through the area is on the Otay Mountain Truck 
Trail, which connects Otay Mesa Road on the West to Marron Valley Road 
on the East. This primitive road, with the adjacent communication 
sites, bunker structures, and water tanks, is where most public users 
concentrate on the mountain. It is used by four-wheelers, off-highway 
vehicles, mountain bikers, hikers, hang gliders, remote control 
airplane operators, target shooters, hunters, and law enforcement 
personnel. Three problems exist from the target shooters that this 
closure will address: First, most of the popular shooting areas are 
located so that individuals are shooting from, down, or across the 
roadway, or are shooting from ridge lines offering no backstop. This 
creates a safety hazard for all recreationists using the road and, more 
than once, has jeopardized law enforcement officers in the field not 
visible from the road. Second, most of the communication, bunker, and 
water tank structures are being used as backstops or targets by target 
shooters. This has result in damaged communications equipment, cracked 
concrete water tanks, and scarred bunker structures. Finally, all of 
the shooting areas were trashed, seriously impacting the wilderness 
values of the area. Over 3 tons of trash were removed from the mountain 
in December, 1993, and most of it was debris left from target shooters. 
By closing this area to one type of recreational activity, the health 
and safety of all other recreationists using the mountain will be 
protected, the man-made structures will be protected, and the natural 
resource values of the public lands will be enhanced. The closure does 
not limit hunters in lawful pursuit of game, nor address other BLM 
lands in San Diego County where target shooting is still legal.
    Authority for this permanent closure is established by 43 CFR 
8364.1. Violation of the closure is punishable by a fine not to exceed 
$1000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

    Dated: June 16, 1994.
Lucia Kuizon,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 94-16353 Filed 7-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-M