[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 11269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4415]



[[Page 11269]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-360-04-1770-AL]


Notice of Emergency Temporary Closure of Certain Public Lands to 
Target Shooting, in Tehama County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of emergency temporary closure.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, 
Section 8364.1 notice is hereby given that all the below listed land, 
administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is closed to the 
discharge of firearms for the purpose of target shooting. The closure 
encompasses the Sacramento River Bend Area of Critical Environmental 
Concern (ACEC) and nearby scattered parcels, as well as future public 
land encompassed by the below descriptions. This immediate closure is 
necessary to protect human health and safety in an area of increasing 
recreational use and population growth.

DATES: This closure is in effect from October 1, 2004 until December 
31, 2005. A final determination for the closure will be made as part of 
the upcoming Bend ACEC Management Plan which is anticipated to be 
completed by the end of calendar year 2005.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the closure and map of the closed areas can be 
obtained at the BLM, Redding Field Office, 355 Hemsted Drive, Redding, 
CA 96002, (530) 224-2100. BLM will also announce the closure through 
local media outlets by posting this notice with a map of the closed 
areas at key locations that provide access the closure area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven W. Anderson, Field Manager, 
Bureau of Land Management, Redding Field Office, 355 Hemsted Drive, 
Redding, CA 96002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1986 much of the ACEC vicinity was closed 
to target shooting through the Sacramento River Area Management Plan 
(SRAMP) and a subsequent Federal Register (1987). One small exception 
to the 1986 closure, the ``Paynes Creek Shooting Area,'' was left open 
for shooting in the SRAMP but is also closed by this Closure due to a 
significant increase in recreational use in the Paynes Creek vicinity. 
The Sacramento River Bend management unit was designated as an ACEC 
through the Redding Resource Management Plan in 1993. Since 1993, land 
acquisitions have created a large consolidated block of public land 
which is ideally suited to pedestrian, equestrian and mountain bicycle 
uses. Additionally, the increasing population of the northern 
California area has put additional management pressures on the 
Sacramento River Bend ACEC. Hunting of legal game in legal season, and 
subject to state law, is unaffected by this closure.
    The only area within the Sacramento River Bend ACEC that remains 
open to target shooting is T. 29N., R.2W, section 6, S\1/2\.

Closure Order

Section 1. Closed Lands

    This closure affects all of the public lands located within:

T. 27N., R.2W, sections 4 and 8, M.D.M.
T. 28N., R.2W, sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, M.D.M.
T. 28N., R.3W, section 14 M.D.M. (Paynes Creek shooting area)
T. 29N., R.2W, sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (N\1/2\ only), 7, 8, 18, 19, 
30, 31, M.D.M.
T. 29N., R.3W, sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, M.D.M.
T. 30N., R1W, section 30, M.D.M.
T. 30N., R.2W, sections 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 
M.D.M.
    A total of approximately 9,500 acres.

    In a 1987 Federal Register notice the remainder of the ACEC was 
closed to target shooting. The previous closure remains in effect.

Section 2. Exceptions to Closures and Restriction Orders

    This closure does not apply to the following:

 T. 29 N., R.2W, section 6, S\1/2\.
 Nothing in this closure is intended to affect legal hunting 
as consistent with California Department of Fish and Game 
regulations.

Section 3. Penalties

    Under section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 43 CFR 8360-7), if you violate these 
closures or restrictions on public lands within the boundaries 
established, you may be tried before a United States Magistrate and 
fined no more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or 
both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines 
provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.

Section 4. Conditions for Ending Closures and Restrictions

    A final determination for the closure will be made as part of the 
upcoming Bend ACEC Management Plan which is anticipated to be completed 
by the end of calendar year 2005. This management plan will include 
full public involvement during the planning process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven W. Anderson, Field Manager, 
Bureau of Land Management, Redding Field Office, 355 Hemsted Drive, 
Redding, CA 96002.

    Dated: September 9, 2004.
J. Anthony Danna,
Deputy State Director, Natural Resources, California State Office.

    Editorial Note: This document was received by the Office of the 
Federal Register on March 3, 2005.

[FR Doc. 05-4415 Filed 3-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P