81 FR 3468 - Notice of Enforcement of Temporary Court-Ordered Closure To Target Shooting on Public Lands in the Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 13 (January 21, 2016)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 13 (January 21, 2016)
| Page Range | 3468-3468 | |
| FR Document | 2016-01186 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)] [Notices] [Page 3468] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-01186] [[Page 3468]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AZ-P040-2016-1711-PH-1000-241A] Notice of Enforcement of Temporary Court-Ordered Closure To Target Shooting on Public Lands in the Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Temporary Court-Ordered Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that enforcement of a temporary court- ordered closure to target shooting is in effect on public lands within the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM), administered by the Lower Sonoran Field Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). DATES: Implementation of the temporary court-ordered closure within the described area commenced on September 15, 2015, and will remain in effect and enforced until a land use planning decision(s) regarding recreational target shooting for the SDNM is completed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Scarbrough, Manager; SDNM; Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix District Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027; 623-580-5500. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This temporary closure affects public lands within the SDNM, Maricopa County, Arizona. A map of this closure can be viewed online at http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/az/NLCS/SD_NM/maps.Par.40841.File.dat/AZ_SonoranDesert_NM.pdf. The temporary closure is the result of a Federal Court Order. On March 27, 2015, the Court issued a ruling in the case of National Trust for Historic Preservation et al v. Raymond Suazo, BLM, and Department of the Interior (docket #CV-13-01973-PHX-DGC). The Court found that the BLM violated the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when making its decision to designate the SDNM as open to recreational target shooting. The Court vacated portions of the Record of Decision, Resource Management Plan, and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that permit recreational target shooting throughout the SDNM and remanded the decision to BLM for reconsideration. The Court also required the BLM to ensure the Final EIS's analysis of mitigation measures and cumulative impacts are consistent with the order. On July 17, 2015, the Court granted the plaintiffs' request for injunctive relief and ordered the BLM to close approximately 10,599 acres (2.1%) of the SDNM to recreational target shooting pending compliance with the Court's March 27, 2015, Order. Closure of this area is expected to disperse shooters to other areas and eliminate potential impacts to SDNM resources and monument objects until the land use plan amendment to address recreational target shooting on the SDNM is completed. The July 17, 2015, Order also provided a deadline of September 15, 2015, to implement the closure, and a deadline of September 30, 2017, to address the planning shortfalls discussed in the Court's March 27, 2015, Order. This temporary closure affects the following public lands within the SDNM, Maricopa County, Arizona: Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona T. 3 S., R. 1 W., Sec. 18, lot 4; Sec. 19, lots 1 thru 3, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, NE\1/ 4\SW\1/4\; Sec. 20, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SW\1/4\; Sec. 28, W\1/2\SW\1/4\; Sec. 29, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, SE\1/ 4\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\; Sec. 30, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\; Sec. 32, E\1/2\NE\1/4\ and E\1/2\SE\1/4\; Sec. 33, W\1/2\NW\1/4\ and S\1/2\SE\1/4\; Sec. 34, S\1/2\SW\1/4\. T. 4 S., R. 1 W., Sec. 2, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\ and SW\1/4\; Sec. 3, lots 1 thru 4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, and NE\1/4\SE\1/4\; Sec. 4, lots 1 thru 4; Sec. 5, lot 1; Sec. 11, NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, and NE\1/4\SE\1/4\; Sec. 12, W\1/2\NW\1/4\ and SW\1/4\; Sec. 13, N\1/2\NE\1/4\ and SE\1/4\NE\1/4\. T. 2 S., R. 2 W., Sec. 31, lots 3 and 4, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\. T. 3 S., R. 2 W., Sec. 5, lot 2, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\; Sec. 6, lots 1 thru 7, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/ 2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\; Sec. 8, lots 1 thru 6; Sec. 9, lots 1, 2, 4, and 8, NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, SE\1/ 4\NW\1/4\, and NE\1/4\SE\1/4\; Sec. 10, lot 1, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\; Sec. 11, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\; Sec. 13, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\; Sec. 14, lots 1, 3, and 4, NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\; Sec. 15, lots 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, and 10, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, and SE\1/ 4\NE\1/4\; Sec. 16, lot 4; Sec. 17, lots 2 and 7; Sec. 20, lot 4; Sec. 21, lot 3; Sec. 23, lots 1, 2, and 6, and NE\1/4\NE\1/4\; Sec. 24, lots 1, 2, 3, and 5, NE\1/4\, and NW\1/4\. T. 2 S., R. 3 W., Sec. 33, N\1/2\NE\1/4\; Sec. 34, NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\; Sec. 35; Sec. 36, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\. T. 3 S., R. 3 W., Sec. 1; Sec. 2; Sec. 3, lots 1 and 2, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/ 4\, and SE\1/4\; Sec. 9, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\; Sec. 10, lots 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\; Sec. 15, lots 2, 3, 6 and 7, NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\; Sec. 16, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, and E\1/2\SE\1/4\; Sec. 19, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and S\1/2\SE\1/4\; Sec. 20, S\1/2\SW\1/4\, and S\1/2\SE\1/4\; Sec. 21, lot 1, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\, N\1/ 2\SE\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\; Sec. 22, lots 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10, NW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SW\1/4\; Sec. 23, lot 4; Sec. 26, lot 4; Sec. 28, lots 1, 3, 5, and 7; Sec. 29, lots 1, 2, 3, and 5; Sec. 30, lots 1, 5, 7, 9, and 10; Sec. 32, lots 2, 6, and 9; Sec. 33, lots 1, 4, 5, and 6. T. 3 S., R. 4 W., Sec. 25, lots 1 thru 5, 12, 17, 19, 21, and 24; Sec. 26, lots 1, 8, and 9. The BLM has now posted closure signs at main entry points to the affected area and at approximately 1/10-mile intervals along the closure boundary and road access points. In addition to the signs, a map showing the extent of the closure and a notice from the BLM advising the public of the Court's Order has also been posted at these locations and in the Phoenix District Office. Maps of the affected area and other documents associated with this closure are available at the BLM Phoenix District Office located at 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027. Under the authority of Section 303(a) of the FLPMA of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)), 43 CFR 8360-7, and 43 CFR 8364.1, the BLM will enforce the following rule within the SDNM: You must not target shoot in the closed area. Any person who violates the above rule and/or restriction may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000, 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. Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1. Edward J. Kender, Field Manager. [FR Doc. 2016-01186 Filed 1-20-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-32-P
![3468 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 13 / Thursday, January 21, 2016 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR mitigation measures and cumulative Sec. 23, lots 1, 2, and 6, and NE1⁄4NE1⁄4;
impacts are consistent with the order. Sec. 24, lots 1, 2, 3, and 5, NE1⁄4, and
Bureau of Land Management On July 17, 2015, the Court granted NW1⁄4.
the plaintiffs’ request for injunctive T. 2 S., R. 3 W.,
[AZ–P040–2016–1711–PH–1000–241A] Sec. 33, N1⁄2NE1⁄4;
relief and ordered the BLM to close Sec. 34, NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4;
Notice of Enforcement of Temporary approximately 10,599 acres (2.1%) of Sec. 35;
Court-Ordered Closure To Target the SDNM to recreational target Sec. 36, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2NW1⁄4, SW1⁄4, and
Shooting on Public Lands in the shooting pending compliance with the SE1⁄4.
Sonoran Desert National Monument, Court’s March 27, 2015, Order. Closure T. 3 S., R. 3 W.,
Arizona of this area is expected to disperse Sec. 1;
shooters to other areas and eliminate Sec. 2;
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, potential impacts to SDNM resources Sec. 3, lots 1 and 2, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4,
Interior. E1⁄2SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4;
and monument objects until the land Sec. 9, SE1⁄4SE1⁄4;
ACTION: Notice of Temporary Court- use plan amendment to address Sec. 10, lots 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8, E1⁄2NW1⁄4,
Ordered Closure. recreational target shooting on the and SW1⁄4;
SDNM is completed. The July 17, 2015, Sec. 15, lots 2, 3, 6 and 7, NW1⁄4, and
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Order also provided a deadline of SW1⁄4;
enforcement of a temporary court- September 15, 2015, to implement the Sec. 16, E1⁄2NE1⁄4, and E1⁄2SE1⁄4;
ordered closure to target shooting is in closure, and a deadline of September 30, Sec. 19, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and S1⁄2SE1⁄4;
effect on public lands within the 2017, to address the planning shortfalls Sec. 20, S1⁄2SW1⁄4, and S1⁄2SE1⁄4;
Sonoran Desert National Monument Sec. 21, lot 1, NE1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, SW1⁄4,
discussed in the Court’s March 27, 2015, N1⁄2SE1⁄4, and SW1⁄4SE1⁄4;
(SDNM), administered by the Lower Order. Sec. 22, lots 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10, NW1⁄4, and
Sonoran Field Office, Bureau of Land This temporary closure affects the N1⁄2SW1⁄4;
Management (BLM). following public lands within the Sec. 23, lot 4;
DATES: Implementation of the temporary SDNM, Maricopa County, Arizona: Sec. 26, lot 4;
court-ordered closure within the Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona
Sec. 28, lots 1, 3, 5, and 7;
described area commenced on Sec. 29, lots 1, 2, 3, and 5;
T. 3 S., R. 1 W., Sec. 30, lots 1, 5, 7, 9, and 10;
September 15, 2015, and will remain in
Sec. 18, lot 4; Sec. 32, lots 2, 6, and 9;
effect and enforced until a land use Sec. 19, lots 1 thru 3, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, Sec. 33, lots 1, 4, 5, and 6.
planning decision(s) regarding SW1⁄4NW1⁄4, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4; T. 3 S., R. 4 W.,
recreational target shooting for the Sec. 20, W1⁄2SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4SW1⁄4; Sec. 25, lots 1 thru 5, 12, 17, 19, 21, and
SDNM is completed. Sec. 28, W1⁄2SW1⁄4; 24;
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sec. 29, NW1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, Sec. 26, lots 1, 8, and 9.
SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, N1⁄2SE1⁄4, and SE1⁄4SE1⁄4;
David Scarbrough, Manager; SDNM; Sec. 30, NE1⁄4NE1⁄4; The BLM has now posted closure
Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Sec. 32, E1⁄2NE1⁄4 and E1⁄2SE1⁄4; signs at main entry points to the affected
District Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Sec. 33, W1⁄2NW1⁄4 and S1⁄2SE1⁄4; area and at approximately 1/10-mile
Phoenix, Arizona 85027; 623–580–5500. Sec. 34, S1⁄2SW1⁄4. intervals along the closure boundary
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This T. 4 S., R. 1 W., and road access points. In addition to
temporary closure affects public lands Sec. 2, SW1⁄4NW1⁄4 and SW1⁄4; the signs, a map showing the extent of
Sec. 3, lots 1 thru 4, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, and
within the SDNM, Maricopa County, NE1⁄4SE1⁄4; the closure and a notice from the BLM
Arizona. A map of this closure can be Sec. 4, lots 1 thru 4; advising the public of the Court’s Order
viewed online at http://www.blm.gov/ Sec. 5, lot 1; has also been posted at these locations
style/medialib/blm/az/NLCS/SD_NM/ Sec. 11, NE1⁄4, NE1⁄4NW1⁄4, and NE1⁄4SE1⁄4; and in the Phoenix District Office. Maps
maps.Par.40841.File.dat/AZ_ Sec. 12, W1⁄2NW1⁄4 and SW1⁄4; of the affected area and other documents
SonoranDesert_NM.pdf. Sec. 13, N1⁄2NE1⁄4 and SE1⁄4NE1⁄4. associated with this closure are
The temporary closure is the result of T. 2 S., R. 2 W., available at the BLM Phoenix District
a Federal Court Order. On March 27, Sec. 31, lots 3 and 4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and Office located at 21605 North 7th
SW1⁄4SE1⁄4.
2015, the Court issued a ruling in the T. 3 S., R. 2 W.,
Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027.
case of National Trust for Historic Sec. 5, lot 2, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2NW1⁄4, and Under the authority of Section 303(a)
Preservation et al v. Raymond Suazo, SE1⁄4; of the FLPMA of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
BLM, and Department of the Interior Sec. 6, lots 1 thru 7, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, 1733(a)), 43 CFR 8360–7, and 43 CFR
(docket #CV–13–01973–PHX–DGC). The E1⁄2SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; 8364.1, the BLM will enforce the
Court found that the BLM violated the Sec. 8, lots 1 thru 6; following rule within the SDNM: You
Federal Land Policy and Management Sec. 9, lots 1, 2, 4, and 8, NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, must not target shoot in the closed area.
Act (FLPMA) and National SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, and NE1⁄4SE1⁄4; Any person who violates the above rule
Sec. 10, lot 1, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4, and/or restriction may be tried before a
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when S1⁄2NW1⁄4, N1⁄2SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and
making its decision to designate the SE1⁄4; United States Magistrate and fined no
SDNM as open to recreational target Sec. 11, NW1⁄4SW1⁄4, SW1⁄4SW1⁄4, more than $1,000, imprisoned for no
shooting. SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and SW1⁄4SE1⁄4; more than 12 months, or both. Such
The Court vacated portions of the Sec. 13, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4, violations may also be subject to the
asabaliauskas on DSK9F6TC42PROD with NOTICES
Record of Decision, Resource S1⁄2NW1⁄4, SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; enhanced fines provided for by 18
Management Plan, and Final Sec. 14, lots 1, 3, and 4, NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4, and U.S.C. 3571.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) SE1⁄4;
Sec. 15, lots 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, and 10, N1⁄2NE1⁄4, Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1.
that permit recreational target shooting and SE1⁄4NE1⁄4;
throughout the SDNM and remanded Edward J. Kender,
Sec. 16, lot 4;
the decision to BLM for reconsideration. Field Manager.
Sec. 17, lots 2 and 7;
The Court also required the BLM to Sec. 20, lot 4; [FR Doc. 2016–01186 Filed 1–20–16; 8:45 am]
ensure the Final EIS’s analysis of Sec. 21, lot 3; BILLING CODE 4310–32–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:26 Jan 20, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\21JAN1.SGM 21JAN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_3481/page/1.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:33:25
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:33:25
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Temporary Court-Ordered Closure. | |
| Dates | Implementation of the temporary court-ordered closure within the described area commenced on September 15, 2015, and will remain in effect and enforced until a land use planning decision(s) regarding recreational target shooting for the SDNM is completed. | |
| Contact | David Scarbrough, Manager; SDNM; Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix District Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027; 623-580-5500. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 3468 |
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