[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 50443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20163]



[[Page 50443]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLORW00000 L12200000.AL0000 13XL1109AF.HAG13-0141]


Notice of Temporary Closure to Target Shooting on Public Lands in 
Yakima County, WA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a closure to target shooting is in 
effect on public lands administered by the Wenatchee Field Office, 
Spokane District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). After review and 
coordination with special interest groups at the local, State, and 
Federal levels, this temporary closure is in response to target 
shooting on public lands that poses immediate, serious risks to the 
safety of nearby residents and participants themselves. The temporary 
closure is enacted to protect public health and safety.

DATES: This closure will be in effect from the date of publication of 
this notice in the Federal Register, until 24 months after publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Coates-Markle, Wenatchee Field 
Manager, 915 Walla Walla Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801; Telephone 509-
665-2100. 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 individual during normal business hours. 
The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message 
or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during 
normal hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Temporary Closure to Target Shooting 
affects approximately 200 acres of public land administered by the BLM 
near Konnowac Pass located in the Rattlesnake Hills in Yakima County, 
Moxee, Washington, T. 12 N., R. 20 E., Section 30, Unnumbered lot in 
NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, Unnumbered lot in SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, Unnumbered lot in 
NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\ and NE\1/4\SW\1/4\. The Federal Lands 
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Sports Roundtable has been contacted and 
engaged several times and does not have a concern with this temporary 
closure after reviewing the proposal. This BLM parcel of land is 
surrounded by private property with no public access. Until the time 
that access can be acquired, the Roundtable does not have an interest 
in assisting with the development of this area for dispersed shooting 
sports.
    The temporary closure is necessary to provide for visitor safety 
and the safety of the nearby residents. The BLM parcel is adjacent to a 
residential area. Among the homes near the shooting area, the closest 
home is 900 feet (1/17 of a mile) away, three homes are within 1,300 
feet (\1/4\ mile), and 28 homes are within a mile radius of the 
shooting area. Bullets from many of the guns used by target shooters 
are capable of traveling distances of over a mile. The level of 
recreational shooting and target shooting practice has increased 
significantly over the past few years and is important to engage these 
groups to assist in resolving this issue. The BLM has received a signed 
petition from neighboring landowners describing how ricocheting bullets 
are landing in their yards, and loud and constant noise from gunfire 
has negatively affected their quality of life. There is also a concern 
that given the topography and the location people are shooting from, 
that users are effectively shooting at each other. In addition, there 
is a considerable amount of debris left behind that is associated with 
shooting activity.
    Despite the efforts of BLM law enforcement officers to educate the 
public about safe shooting practices, Tread Lightly's ``Respected 
Access is Open Access'' campaign, and Leave No Trace principles, the 
behavior of target shooters continues to pose serious public safety 
risks.
    The BLM will post closure signs at the main entry points to this 
area. This closure will be posted at the BLM Wenatchee Field Office and 
online at: http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/index.php. Maps of 
the affected area and other documents associated with this closure 
(e.g., environmental assessment) are available at the Wenatchee Field 
Office, 915 Walla Walla Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801.
    Under the authority of Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)), 43 CFR 8360.0-7, and 43 
CFR 8364.1, the BLM will enforce the following rules at the Konnowac 
Pass Area:
    Recreational Shooting and Target Practice are temporarily 
prohibited in designated areas.
    The use of firearms will continue to be allowed for legal hunting 
activities consistent with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 
regulations and seasons.
    Any person who violates this closure 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.
    This 2-year temporary closure will allow the BLM to utilize public 
input to develop a long-term solution during the ongoing revision of 
the Eastern Washington and San Juan Resource Management Plan.

    Authority:  43 CFR 8364.1.

Daniel C. Picard,
Spokane District Manager.
[FR Doc. 2013-20163 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P