[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54449-54450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21401]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AK-040-1430-ER; A-059905]


Public Land Closure; Prohibition of Certain Activities; AK

AGENCY: Anchorage Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, DOI.

ACTION: Notice to the public of temporary public lands closure and 
prohibition of certain activities on public lands administered by the 
Anchorage Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska; withdrawal 
of Supplementary Rule.

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SUMMARY: This notice closes certain public lands in Alaska administered 
by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the use of fireworks and to 
the use of firearms for purposes other than licensed hunting. It also 
prohibits the use of lead shot for hunting. This closure notice is 
necessary for the management of actions, activities, and use on public 
lands which may have, or are having, adverse impacts on persons using 
public lands, on property, and on resources located on public lands. 
The subject lands are utilized for a public boat launch, lawful hunting 
and boating, and are adjacent to the heavily traveled Glenn Highway.
    This notice also withdraws a previously published notice of 
Supplementary Rules on the same subject matter.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This closure notice is effective August 22, 2002 and 
will remain in effect until such lands are conveyed to the State of 
Alaska.

ADDRESSES: A map showing this closure and prohibitions is available 
from the following BLM office: BLM-Anchorage Field Office, 6881 Abbott 
Loop Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507-2599.
    The map may also be viewed on the Field Office Web site at: http://www.anchorage.ak.blm.gov/knikclose.html

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter J. Ditton, Anchorage Field 
Manager, 907-267-1246.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    While hunters, boaters, and other recreationists can schedule their 
use around published hunting seasons for safety reasons, they are not 
able to avoid random shooting, or ``plinking,'' at makeshift targets 
such as bottles, cans, or natural objects. Motorists on the Glenn 
Highway are not able to schedule their highway travel to avoid such 
shooting. Local conditions such as heavy brush can reduce visibility 
and increase the hazard to other

[[Page 54450]]

recreationists and motorists from shooting.
    Recent incidents involving random target shooting have endangered 
other users of this area, as well as motorists on the adjacent Glenn 
Highway. The discharge of fireworks increases the risk of wildfires. In 
addition, resource damage is occurring from the accumulation of debris 
and lead contamination. To reduce the incidence of future conflicts and 
enhance public safety, this area of public land known as the Knik River 
Access or Gravel Pit Lake, located north of Anchorage, Alaska, is being 
closed to the discharge of fireworks and discharge of firearms. This 
area will remain open to lawful hunting by licensed hunters during 
seasons administered by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Shotgun 
use will be limited to ammunition containing steel or other non-lead 
shot.

Lands Affected

    The affected lands are public lands administered by the Bureau Land 
Management, Anchorage Field Office, and are described as follows:

T. 16 N., R. 1 E., Seward Meridian, Alaska

Sec. 10: Lot 6, West of the Alaska Railroad
Sec. 15: Lot 6

    This closure notice does not apply to other lands, specifically 
State or Federal lands, including State lands in the Palmer Hay Flats 
State Wildlife Refuge.

Withdrawal of Supplementary Rules

    The Supplementary Rules published on May 17, 2002 (67 FR 35133), 
are hereby withdrawn.

Closure Order

    1. Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1.
    2. Closure: The following described lands are closed to discharge 
of fireworks and to the discharge of firearms except by licensed 
hunters during seasons designated and administered by the Alaska 
Department of Fish and Game:

T. 16 N., R. 1 E., Seward Meridian, Alaska

Sec. 10: Lot 6, West of the Alaska Railroad
Sec. 15: Lot 6

    3. Prohibited Acts: The following acts are prohibited in the closed 
areas:
    a. The discharge of fireworks.
    b. The discharge of firearms except by licensed hunters during 
seasons administered by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
    c. The use of shotgun ammunition containing lead shot.
    4. Penalties: Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)), if you knowingly and willfully violate or 
fail to comply with any of the prohibited acts provided in this closure 
notice, you may be subject to a fine under 18 U.S.C. 3571 or other 
penalties in accordance with 43 U.S.C. 1733.

    Dated: August 16, 2002.
June Bailey,
Associate Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 02-21401 Filed 8-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P