BLM Releases Proposed Amendment for Recreational Target Shooting in the Sonoran Desert National Monument
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PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for recreational target shooting on the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM).
The proposal analyzes five different alternatives for managing recreational target shooting within the SDNM boundaries. These alternatives range from making the entire monument available for target shooting to making the entire monument unavailable for target shooting.
The BLM-proposed alternative would preserve access for recreational target shooting on nearly 90 percent of the Monument while ensuring public safety in the most heavily visited areas. This alternative would ensure appropriate resource protection while providing an adaptive management framework for addressing impacts in areas where shooting would be allowed. The plan includes mitigation measures for monitoring and managing cumulative impacts.
The proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS can be viewed on the web at http://1.usa.gov/1ZPyFSA. Printed copies are also available for public inspection at Lower Sonoran Field Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027.
The publication of this Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on October 20, 2017, begins a 30-day public protest period.
After the protest period, the Governor’s Consistency Review and in consideration of the environmental analysis, the BLM Arizona State Director will decide whether to approve the BLM-proposed alternative, another alternative, or any combination of alternatives analyzed.
All protests must be in writing and mailed to one of the following addresses:
Regular Mail:
BLM Director (210)
Attention: Protest Coordinator
20 M Street SE, Room 2134LM
Washington, D.C. 20003
Overnight Delivery:
BLM Director (210)
Attention: Protest Coordinator
P.O. Box 71383
Washington, D.C. 20024-1383
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.