[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 213 (Wednesday, November 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59574-59575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29524]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-660-99-1610-00]


Shooting Closure on Public Lands in San Diego County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, DOI.

ACTION: Closure Order.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is permanently closing 320 
acres of public land near La Posta, southern San Diego County, 
California, to recreational target shooting. The closure is necessary 
due to safety hazards, fire danger, noise nuisance, litter and resource 
degradation and land use conflicts. BLM intends to eliminate these 
safety and environmental problems almost entirely by closing the area 
to target shooting. The closure will affect most of the recreational 
target shooters using BLM public lands in southern San Diego County. It 
will not affect licensed hunters in the pursuit of lawful game or law 
enforcement officers while in the performance of their official duties.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The closure is effective November 4, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Hansen, Acting Field Manager, 
USDI Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 
690 W. Garnet Avenue, P.O. Box 1260, North Palm Springs, CA 92258-1260. 
Telephone: (760) 251-4800.


[[Page 59575]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The legal description for the Federally-
managed lands permanently closed to recreational shooting (herein known 
as the La Posta parcel) is as follows: Township 17 South, Range 5 East, 
Section 25, East \1/2\ SBM. The parcel is east of La Posta Road, 
approximately 4.5 miles south of Old Highway 30. The 320 acres parcel 
is a flat open field with a hill lying to the east.
    On May 6, 1994, BLM held a public meeting on-site at the La Posta 
shooting area. Various safety concerns were expressed by local 
residents, causing BLM to consider better ways to manage the La Posta 
site or close it. Since that time, BLM has held more meetings and 
received numerous comments from the public, both opposing the shooting 
area and supporting it. Due to the growing list of problems associated 
with the shooting area, a temporary emergency closure was executed on 
June 26, 1996. Permanent closure of this area is necessary for the 
following reasons:

1. Safety Hazards

    The eastern hill should serve as an adequate backstop for shooters 
placing their targets near its base. But many shooters place their 
targets high on the hill, trying to get a longer range. When doing 
this, bullets ricochet or carry directly east over the hill. Three 
quarters of a mile of down range on the other side of the hill lies a 
ranch. Investigations by BLM law enforcement indicate that horses, 
cattle and buildings have been hit by bullets and there have been near 
misses with people. There is also concern about the Campo historic 
train that runs through the ranch on Sundays. Immediately south and 
even closer to the shooting area lies another ranch that is frequently 
used by recreational groups and campers. Although shooters are supposed 
to shoot east into the hill, shots have been directed south towards 
this ranch, striking the house and resulting in near misses with 
people.

2. Fire Danger

    From 1986 to 1992, the U.S. Forest Service had 25 fires near the La 
Posta site that were caused by target shooters. In 1994, the BLM La 
Posta site itself half burned by a fire started on the adjacent U.S. 
Navy shooting range. BLM has fire orders prohibiting the use of tracer 
rounds, steel core and incendiary types of ammunition, but evidence 
shows that target shooters are still causing many of the fires in the 
local area. Without the La Posta site being significantly graded, fire 
is a serious threat to the nearby residents.

3. Noise Nuisance

    Prior to the emergency closure, on a busy day as many as 15 groups 
of shooters used the La Posta site at one time. The shooting started at 
dawn and continued nonstop until dark. One could hear the shooting from 
as far as five miles away. For the ranch only 500 feet to the south and 
other nearby residents on La Posta Road, it was a major nuisance.

4. Litter and Resource Degradation

    The La Posta site used to be a natural area that attracted local 
hikers, hunters and dog trainers. Now targets, trash, broken glass and 
shells litter the area. Two major cleanups organized by local gun 
stores helped, but only temporarily. Despite frequent patrols by BLM 
law enforcement, and many concerned shooters and others picking up 
after themselves, the site deteriorated more each year.

5. Land Use Conflicts

    The La Posta site was leased for cattle grazing long before it 
became a popular shooting area. The grazing lease is still valid yet 
the rancher is unable to use the area. BLM has also previously issued 
an apiary permit for the area. The placement of 100 beehives near 
numerous groups of shooters would likely result in injuries. There are 
also two mining claims on the east hill, down range. The grazing lease, 
apiary permit and mining claims are all incompatible land uses with 
target shooting.
    BLM recognizes target shooting as a legitimate recreational use on 
the public lands. Before closing the La Posta site, several alternative 
sites were considered. Thus far, safety, fire, noise, environmental, 
land use, and legal access concerns have prevented the designation of 
any specific alternative shooting area. This closure is not intended to 
prohibit recreational target shooting on other BLM public lands; Nor 
does it affect licensed hunters in the pursuit of lawful game, or law 
enforcement officers while in the performance of their official duties. 
Individuals looking for alternative shooting areas are encouraged to 
obtain a BLM map from the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. 
Authority for this supplementary rule is established by 43 CFR 8364.1. 
Violation of the rule is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1000 and/
or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

    Dated: October 23, 1998.
Chris Roholt,
Acting Field Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office.
[FR Doc. 98-29524 Filed 11-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P