[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 29 (Monday, February 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7510-7511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2745]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-020-1010-PO]


Notice To Close 2235 Acres of Public Land To Discharge of 
Firearms at the Glendive Short Pine OHV Area

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior, Montana, Miles City Field 
Office.

ACTION: Notice to close 2235 acres of public land administered by the 
Bureau of Land Management in Dawson County, Montana to the discharge of 
firearms.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that 2235 acres of public land is 
closed to the discharge of firearms for public safety concerns. The 
closed property is within the Glendive Short Pine OHV Management Area, 
which is located six

[[Page 7511]]

and a half miles south of the town of Glendive, Montana by way of 
highway 335, commonly known as the Marsh Road. The specific 
land identified for closure includes:

T.14 N., R.55 E., P.M.M.,
    sec 3: all: except E\1/2\SW\1/4\ NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\ 
SW\1/4\--west of highway 335;
    sec 10: all;
    sec 15: all;
    sec 21: E\1/2\.

Closure signs will be posted at the major entry points and on a kiosk 
located in the parking area. Maps and closure information will be 
available from the Miles City Field Office.

DATES: This closure will commence immediately upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David McIlnay, Field Manager, BLM, 
Miles City Field Office, 111 Garryowen Rd., Miles City, Mt. 59301 or 
call 406-233-2827.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This closure is necessary for the management 
of actions, activities, and safe public use on certain Federal lands 
which may have, or is having, adverse impacts on persons using said 
property. This closure notice will be in effect immediately. Increasing 
levels of use are creating conflict situations between different user 
groups. The identified land is currently being used for hiking, 
collecting, horseback riding, wildlife observation, seasonal hunting, 
off road riding, and discharge of firearms. Hikers, horseback riders, 
OHV riders, and other casual users can schedule their activities around 
published hunting seasons for personal safety but they are not able to 
avoid casual discharge of firearms. Existing landscape characteristics 
include moderate timber cover and rough badlands terrain which 
seriously reduces visibility and hence increases the safety concerns of 
recreation users with respect to those who visit the area for the 
discharge of firearms. To reduce this potential safety hazard, 2235 
acres of public land within the area known as the Glendive Short Pine 
OHV Management Area will be closed to discharge of firearms. This area 
will remain open and available to hunting by licensed sportsmen during 
seasons administered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and 
Parks.
    This closure only applies to those lands specifically identified in 
the summary section.
    Closure: 1.0 Closure of certain public lands to discharge of 
firearms.
    The following is prohibited: Discharge of firearms.
    2.0 Exceptions:
    This rule making does not apply to the hunting of lawful game by 
licensed sportsmen during seasons administered by the Montana 
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. This rule making also does not 
apply to a small area designated as open to discharge of firearms.
    The authority for this closure is found under section 303(a) of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 
43 CFR 9268.3(d)(1)(i) and 43 CFR 8364.1(a). Violations of this 
regulation are punishable by a fine in accordance with the Sentencing 
Reform Act of 1984 (18 U.S.C. 3551 et seq.) and/or imprisonment not to 
exceed 12 months for each offense.

    Dated: February 4, 2005.
David McIlnay,
Field Manager, MCFO.
[FR Doc. 05-2745 Filed 2-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P