BLM Seeks Public Comment on First-of-its-Kind Shooting Sports Project
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PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed shooting sports project on public lands within the Arizona State Office’s Phoenix District during National Sport Shooting Month. The EA evaluates a variety of active management options to enhance recreation access and safety on BLM-managed public lands near Phoenix and is the first project of its kind for the BLM. The public has the opportunity to provide input on the draft EA and five proposed sites during a 15-day comment period from Aug. 20 to Sept. 4.
Consistent with Secretary’s Order 3356, the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act and based on environmental data and public input received during scoping, the draft EA analyzes five sites near Phoenix in Maricopa and Pinal counties. In addition to the original four sites identified during public scoping, the BLM decided after further site assessments to analyze a fifth site located in the far North Valley off of Carefree Highway.
“We are proud to work on this innovative approach to actively manage recreational shooting sites,” said Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas. “Feedback from the public, our partners and the shooting sports community has been invaluable as we continue to work through the planning phase of this project. Our proposal not only enhances opportunities for shooting sports enthusiasts, but also increases safety for all public land users.”
The five sites were selected because they are located in easily accessible areas and have minimal conflicts with other recreation activities (such as hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle use or camping), other land uses, or natural or cultural resources. They offer a range of potential options for future site development that would enhance shooting sports access and safety such as firing lines, backstops, side berms, concrete pads and/or restrooms.
The project will not change existing dispersed recreational shooting access, with approximately 97 percent of BLM-managed lands in Arizona remaining open to shooting sports. This effort will also not affect licensed hunting on public lands.
The EA and related documents are available for review on BLM’s ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xmfVv.
Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments directly on the ePlanning website. Comments may also be mailed to the BLM Phoenix District Office at 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027, to the attention of Tyler Lindsey, or sent by fax to (623) 580-5580. Please include “Rec Shooting Sports Project” in the subject line.
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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.