[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75186-75187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30571]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLUTW01100-12200000-AL0000]


Notice of Closure, Target Shooting Public Safety Closure on the 
Lake Mountains in Utah County, UT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Closure.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), pursuant to their 
regulations, has closed approximately 900 acres of public land on the 
Lake Mountains in Utah County, Utah, to recreational target shooting to 
protect public safety. This closure does not restrict other public 
activities or access to the Lake Mountains area.

DATES: This target shooting closure within the described area will 
remain in effect no longer than two years from December 19, 2012, or 
earlier if a land use planning decision is completed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Oliver, District Manager, BLM 
West Desert District Office; 2370 South 2300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 
84119; Phone: 801-977-4300; email: [email protected]. Persons 
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact 
the above individuals during normal business hours. The FIRS is 
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or 
question with the above individuals. You will receive a reply during 
normal hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This temporary closure affects public lands 
on the Lake Mountains, Utah County, Utah. The legal description of the 
affected public lands is:

Salt Lake Meridian

T. 7 S., R. 1 E.,
    Sec. 6, lot 1, NE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 7, lot 1.
T. 7 S., R. 1 W.,
    Sec. 13, lots 2, 11, 12, and portions of lots 3, 4, 9, and 10, 
and the SE\1/4\SW\1/4\ lying east of the 345 KV power line\*\;
    Sec. 24, lots 1-3, 10, 13, 17, 18, and portions of lots 11 and 
12, and the NW\1/4\ lying east of the 345 KV power line\*\;
    Sec. 26, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, and portions of the 
N\1/2\NW\1/4\ lying east of the 345 KV power line.\*\

    \*\ BLM right-of-way UTU 0115794.

    The area described contains approximately 900 acres more or 
less.

    The Salt Lake Field Office hereby closes a portion of the Lake 
Mountains, Utah County, Utah to all target shooting

[[Page 75187]]

for public safety reasons. The area will be closed under the authority 
of 43CFR 8364.1--Closures and Restrictions and in conformance with IM 
2010-028 Change 1. Due to unsafe conditions and danger to the public, 
it is imperative for the BLM to close the area immediately. The 
proposed target shooting closure would affect approximately 900 acres 
on the lower slopes of the southeast bench of the Lake Mountains. The 
closure would be in effect for two years or until an analysis of 
impacts is completed through the land use planning process. The Lake 
Mountains are a small mountain range located on the west side of Utah 
Lake. The range is only about 8 miles wide and 12 miles long. The city 
of Saratoga Springs borders the north side of the mountains and the 
city of Eagle Mountain is along the west side. State Highway 68 runs 
along the eastern bench of the Lake Mountains; it is a main arterial 
road and is used by residential, agricultural and recreational traffic. 
There are a number of communications sites on the top of the mountain 
as well as a major power line that runs along a lower elevation ridge. 
There are private residences along the lake shore. Utah Lake is a 
popular area for recreationists, boaters, and anglers. A lake access 
point known as the Knolls is one of the few public access points on the 
western side and is located just off Highway 68. The Lake Mountains are 
comprised of a mixed ownership pattern and includes lands managed by 
the BLM, Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration and 
several private property owners.
    The area is primarily used by residents of Utah and southern Salt 
Lake counties for target shooting. The Lake Mountains receive about 
4,000 visitors each month and on weekends; as many as 400 people 
concentrate into five areas, including other dispersed locations. The 
slopes of the Lake Mountains provide a natural backstop ideal for 
target shooting; however, some shooters choose to target practice in 
the relatively flat terrain on the lower slopes. Given the topography 
of the area and the number of people who visit it, the area subject to 
this Order is not conducive to safe target shooting. Target shooting in 
the area has resulted in near-misses of homes, automobiles, and people. 
Recently, bullets shot from BLM-administered land traveled 
approximately 2,000 feet to neighboring private land and into a home, 
just missing the homeowner. In another case, school children were in 
the line of fire of target shooters.
    This closure would be made under the authority of the regulations 
in 43 CFR 8364.1 (a), which states: ``To protect persons, property, and 
public lands and resources, the authorized officer may issue an order 
to close or restrict use of designated public lands.'' The closure 
would be for target shooting only and would not affect legal hunting. 
Any person who violates the above restriction may be tried before a 
United States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000, 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.

    Authority:  43 CFR 8364.1.

Jenna Whitlock,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-30571 Filed 12-18-12; 8:45 am]
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