[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 87 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25940-25941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11096]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-680-00-1220-HQ]


Extension of the Comment Period Regarding the Proposal of a 
Supplemental Rule Restricting Recreational Shooting to Protect Human 
Health and Safety in the Populated Western Portion of Wonder Valley 
California, Federal Register Notice 00-8017

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, Barstow 
Field Office, Desert District, California.

ACTION: This notice extends the comment period for Federal Register 
Notice 00-8017 to May 30, 2000. A public information meeting will be 
held May 9, 2000 at the Wonder Valley Community Center located at 
80526\1/2\ Amboy Road in Wonder Valley, California. Bureau of Land 
Management officials will be available from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. to meet 
with concerned citizens and answer questions regarding Federal Register 
Notice 00-8017.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends the comment period for Federal Register 
Notice 00-8017 to May 30, 2000. A public information meeting will be 
held May 9, 2000 at the Wonder Valley Community Center located at 80526 
\1/2\ Amboy Road in Wonder Valley, California. Bureau of Land 
Management officials will be available from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. to meet 
with concerned citizens and answer questions regarding Federal Register 
Notice 00-8017. Federal Register Notice 00-8017 proposes that on those 
public lands administered by the BLM and bounded to the west by the 
corporate limits of the City of Twentynine Palms, California, the south 
by Joshua Tree National Park, the north by the Marine Corps Air Ground 
Combat Center and the east by Range 11 East, San Bernardino Meridian, 
it would be prohibited to fire any firearm except shotguns with shot 
shells containing shot no larger than one-half the diameter of the 
bore. This proposed supplemental rule would not affect the legitimate 
and legal pursuit of game or shooting at controlled, permitted ranges.

DATES: Comments regarding Federal Register Notice 00-8017 must be 
received in writing to the BLM by May 30, 2000. Written comments shall 
be mailed to the following addresses: Mr. Tim Read, Field Manager, 
Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, 
Barstow, CA 92311.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Uncontrolled recreational shooting on public 
land creates a public health and safety hazard by firing solid 
projectile firearms (such as rifles and pistols), that have a long 
range, into and about a populated rural area. The area of concern also 
receives heavy recreational use by equestrians, recreational miners and 
off-highway vehicles. BLM has received complaints from area residents 
and recreationist that have nearly been struck by stray bullets from 
recreational shooting. The proposed supplemental rule would prohibit 
the firing of any firearm except shotguns with shot shells containing 
shot no larger than one-half the diameter of the bore. Rounds of this 
type have less energy and travel considerably shorter distances than 
solid projectiles (such as those fired from a rifle or pistol). By 
prohibiting all but low energy, short range gunfire, a safer 
environment on both public and private lands within this populated area 
will be created. This proposed supplementary rule only affects public 
lands administered by BLM and would not affect the legitimate and legal 
pursuit of game or shooting at controlled, permitted ranges. This 
proposed supplemental rule will not

[[Page 25941]]

infringe upon Constitutional rights of an individual to own or possess 
a lawful firearm. In accordance with Title 43, Code of Federal 
Regulations Section 8365.1-6, the State Director may establish 
supplementary rules in order to provide for the protection of persons, 
property and public lands and resources. This authority was delegated 
to the District Managers and Field Managers pursuant to BLM Manual 
1203, California Supplement. Failure to comply with the proposed 
supplementary rule would be punishable by a fine not to exceed $100,000 
and/or imprisonment not to exceed twelve months. The environmental 
effects of the proposed rule were analyzed separately by Environmental 
Assessment CA-680-00-29.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: BLM Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow 
Road, Barstow, CA 92231, telephone (760) 252-6000.

Tim Read,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-11096 Filed 5-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P