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SALT LAKE CITY— Following coordination with local communities, county and State government, Tribes and other stakeholders, the Bureau of Land Management has established an Interim Final Supplementary Rule (Rule) to implement a 2,004-acre long-term target shooting closure in the Eastern Lake Mountains of Utah County, Utah.  The Rule continues to allow for activities, including lawful hunting, and access to or through the Lake Mountains.

"The BLM strives to be a good neighbor, which starts with listening to local voices in the communities where we live and work.  With the great feedback we received over the course of this effort, I am confident that we've struck a balance that ensures public safety and maintains access to shooting sports enthusiasts," said BLM Deputy Director for Programs and Policy Brian Steed.  

The Rule for the Lake Mountains, which serve as the backyard for the communities of Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain, will improve public safety and collaboratively conserve Native American petroglyphs while continuing to provide for target shooting opportunities on nearby public lands.

Consistent with the goals of Secretarial Order 3356, the BLM transferred 160 acres to Utah County through the Recreation and Public Purposes Act for the development of a public shooting range, which is nearing completion.  The shooting range, located off Soldier Pass Road in the Lake Mountains, is expected to enhance recreational target shooting in this area.  Further, the BLM will continue to allow for approximately 3,179,822 acres out of approximately 3,264,189 acres of public land in the BLM Salt Lake Field Office area to remain open to target shooting.  

“I have always supported the locally driven efforts addressing public safety, preservation of cultural resources, and providing various types of recreational opportunity on public lands in this area,” said U.S. Rep. Mia Love.  “My office became involved in this process to ensure that everyone's voice was heard and taken into consideration for the best solution.  I feel the Utah stakeholders did a good job of balancing all those concerns.”

“Utah County prioritizes public safety and recognizes the value of cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations,” said Utah County Commissioner Bill Lee.  “The new Rule allows us to plan for the future of Utah County development, while maintaining opportunities across the Lake Mountains for recreating, including target shooting.”

The BLM addressed this action in the Eastern Lake Mountains Target Shooting Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment, which concluded with a Decision Record issued on August 30, 2018.

Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration Deputy Director Kim Christy stated: "This decision represents how collaborative planning at the federal, state, and county level can improve public and trust lands management.  This partnership will help provide a consistent and effective management strategy for mixed ownership of BLM-managed lands and State Trust lands in an important urban interface area."

“The BLM is committed to providing a high level of public safety for visitors and communities neighboring the Eastern Lake Mountains,” said BLM Utah State Director Edwin Roberson. “Involving our partners and stakeholders in the planning process balances the need for public health and safety while recognizing the multiple uses of the landscape, including hunting and preservation of American Indian cultural sites.” 

The interim Rule and maps of the long-term closure area are available at:

The Federal Register website: https://go.usa.gov/xPxQd

The BLM NEPA Register: https://go.usa.gov/xXBNF 

The BLM Salt Lake Field Office: 2370 South Decker Lake Blvd, West Valley City, Utah

Written comments can be submitted on the interim rule through November 5, 2018, by sending an email to blm_ut_sl_comments@blm.gov with the subject “Interim Final Supplementary Rule,” or on BLM’s NEPA Register.

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment—including personally identifiable information—may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personally identifiable information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. 

For further information, please contact Pam Schuller at (801) 977-4300. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.