[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 20, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 43068-43069] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-21099] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [CA-068-06-1220-00] Final Supplementary Rule and Response to Comments Affecting Public Lands Within the Barstow Resource Area; California AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior. ACTION: This notice establishes a supplementary rule regarding recreational shooting within the Barstow Resource Area, Bureau of Land Management. This supplementary rule requires that, on Public Lands within the Barstow Resource Area, in areas permitted by San Bernardino County Ordinance 22.011 for legal recreational target shooting of rifles, handguns and shotgun slugs, no person shall fire, shoot or discharge a firearm at any object other than a retrievable paper silhouette or bulls-eye target or a firearm target constructed of plate iron or plate steel such as an iron silhouette, knock-down or spinner target. This supplementary rule will become effective and enforceable on August 26, 1996. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with title 43, Code of Federal Regulations Sec. 8365.1-6, the State Director may establish supplementary rules in order to provide for the protection of persons, property, and public lands and resources. This authority was delegated to the District Managers and Area Managers pursuant to BLM Manual 1203, California Supplement. Copies of this supplementary rule would be made available at the local BLM office and affected lands within the Barstow Resource Area would be posted. PENALTIES: Failure to comply with this supplementary rule would be punishable by a fine not to exceed $100,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This supplementary rule was proposed to deter and prevent the accumulation of household refuse and trash which is being deposited on these Public Lands by a significant portion of recreational shooters. Shooters on public lands have used as targets and then discarded old television sets, glass bottles, propane gas cylinders, and other similar items and, as a result, have adversely impacted the quality of these public lands. These types of discarded targets pose a significant public safety threat and cause unsightly litter. This supplementary rule will not infringe upon Constitutional rights of an individual to own or possess lawful firearms. This rule does not impact or effect lawful hunting of wild birds or game. Additionally, this rule does not impact or effect lawful skeet shooting in areas open for the discharging of shotguns. All shooters will be responsible to retrieve and properly dispose of their targets and spent shells upon leaving Public Lands. Response to Comments: The majority of written comments submitted during the thirty day comment period were supportive of this supplementary rule. In response to several concerns, this rule does not prohibit or impact lawful skeet shooting within areas open to shotgun shooting. The BLM does realize that littering and illegal dumping on public lands is [[Page 43069]] a major problem. The BLM realizes that the majority of recreational shooters are responsible and do not leave behind their refuse. However, this supplementary rule was implemented to promote responsible target shooting on public land and to deter the minority of shooters who do contribute to this larger refuse problem. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Maps depicting areas affected by this proposed rule and other pertinent information may be obtained at the BLM Barstow Resource Area office (619-255-8700) or the California Desert Information Center (619-255-8760), both located in Barstow, California. Tim Read, Area Manager. [FR Doc. 96-21099 Filed 8-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-40-P