[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 63 (Friday, March 31, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 17305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8017]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-680-00-1220-HQ]


The Proposal of a Supplemental Rule Restricting Recreational 
Shooting to Protect Human Health and Safety in the Populated Western 
Portion of Wonder Valley California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, Barstow 
Field Office, Desert District, California.

ACTION: This notice proposes that on those public lands administered by 
the BLM and bounded to the west by the corporate limits of the City of 
Twentynine Palms California, the south by Joshua Tree National Park, 
the north by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center and the east by 
Range 11 East, San Bernardino Meridian, it would be prohibited to fire 
any firearm except shotguns with shot shells containing shot no larger 
than one-half the diameter of the bore. This proposed supplemental rule 
would not affect the legitimate and legal pursuit of game or shooting 
at controlled, permitted ranges.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations 
Section 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 Field Managers pursuant to BLM Manual 1203, California 
Supplement. Failure to comply with this proposed supplementary rule 
would be punishable by a fine not to exceed $100,000 and/or 
imprisonment not to exceed twelve months. The environmental effects of 
the proposed rule will be analyzed separately by Environmental 
Assessment CA-680-00-29.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing to the BLM no later than 
thirty days after the publishing of this proposed supplementary rule.

ADDRESSES: Written comments shall be mailed to the following addresses: 
Mr. Tim Read, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field 
Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Uncontrolled recreational shooting on public 
land create a public health and safety hazard by firing solid 
projectile firearms (such as rifles and pistols), that have a long 
range, into and about a populated rural area. The area of concern also 
receives heavy recreational use by equestrians, recreational miners and 
off-highway vehicles. BLM has received complaints from area residents 
and recreationist that have nearly been struck by stray bullets from 
recreational shooting. This proposed supplemental rule would prohibit 
the firing of any firearm except shotguns with shot shells containing 
shot no larger than one-half the diameter of the bore. Rounds of this 
type have less energy and travel considerably shorter distanced than 
solid projectiles (such as those fired from a rifle or pistol). By 
prohibiting all but low energy, short range gunfire a safer environment 
on both public and private lands within this populated area will be 
created. This proposed supplementary rule only affects public lands 
administered by BLM and would not affect the legitimate and legal 
pursuit of game or shooting at controlled, permitted ranges. This 
proposed supplemental rule will not infringe upon Constitutional rights 
of an individual to own or possess a lawful firearm.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: BLM Barstow Field Office, 2601 
Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92231, telephone (760) 252-6000.

Tim Read,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-8017 Filed 3-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P