Image via Wikipedia
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a plan for the future management of nearly 1.4 million acres located southwest of Phoenix in parts of Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, Gila and Yuma Counties. Of that total, over 486,000 acres are within the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDMN) which the BLM proposes to close to target shooters. Presently, some 63 sites in the national monument are used by shooters for their recreational activity. The planning area outside of the SDNM will remain open to target shooting. The plan also addresses other issues of importance to shooters and hunters including the designation of roads and trails for motorized vehicles and areas that could be managed as wilderness.
If you recreate in the SDNM, especially if you enjoy recreational shooting, getting involved in this planning process is of paramount importance. This is not the first time that the BLM has attempted to close an entire national monument to shooters, making no attempt to provide places for and access to shooting sites. One-half million acres closed to one segment of the recreating public is unacceptable. The plan proposes four management alternatives in addition to Alternative A which is the “No Action” (or present conditions) alternative. Alternative B is the most recreation-friendly and like Alternative C, it will leave open some areas of the SDNM to target shooting. Alternatives D and E close the SDNM permanently.
The public comment period is open through November 25. Comments can be faxed to (623) 580-5580 or mailed to BLM, Phoenix District Office, ATTN: LS-SDNM RMP, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027. The draft plan can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/planning/son_des.html.
Below is the schedule of public meetings and contact information for the BLM. Please take the time to attend one of the scheduled meetings to show support for keeping public lands open for all the public, including target shooters, and to learn more about how this plan will affect your future enjoyment of these lands.
Schedule of Public Meetings:
October 4, 2-4 p.m.
Government Agency Briefing
BLM National Training Center
9828 North 31st Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85051
*Must present photo ID/Driver’s License
October 4, 6-9 p.m.
Phoenix Public Meeting
BLM National Training Center
9828 North 31st Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85051
*Must present photo ID/Driver’s License
October 5, 6-9 p.m.
Public Meeting – Grazing Compatibility on Sonoran Desert National Monument
BLM National Training Center
9828 North 31st Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85051
*Must present photo ID/Driver’s License
October 12, 6-9 p.m.
Mesa Public Meeting
Red Mountain Multigenerational Center
7550 E. Adobe Road
Mesa, AZ 85207
October 13, 6-9 p.m.
Casa Grande Public Meeting
Vista Grande High School cafeteria
1556 N. Arizola Road
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
October 25, 6-9 p.m.
Buckeye Public Meeting
Youngker High School
3000 South Apache Road
Buckeye, AZ 85326
October 26, 6-9 p.m.
Gila Bend Public Meeting
Unified School District Auditorium
308 N. Martin Avenue
Gila Bend, AZ 85337
October 27, 6-9 p.m.
Ajo Public Meeting
Ajo Community Center
290 W. 5th Street
Ajo, AZ 85321
Related articles
- Is this Triple B or Antelope? Here we go again… (artandhorseslauraleigh.wordpress.com)
- BLM Impotently Attempts to Dilute Judges Order (rtfitch.wordpress.com)
- Wild Horse Advocate Dismisses Drivel from BLM’s Abbey (rtfitch.wordpress.com)
- Fixed Wing Aircraft Disrupts BLM Wild Horse Helicopter Stampede (rtfitch.wordpress.com)
- Day One: Barren Valley BLM Wild Horse Stampede (rtfitch.wordpress.com)
- Interior’s New Wild Horse Chief Confronts Growing Herds, Ballooning Costs (nytimes.com)
- 2 Utahns indicted for alleged role in horse slaughter operation ()
- Editorial: NY Times, shame on you (artandhorseslauraleigh.wordpress.com)
- BLM releases draft plan for Upper Colorado River (summitcountyvoice.com)
Tom Tancredo 
Please remember the best way to keep target shooting areas open is to clean up your mess when you are done! I can’t say this enough!! Do not blame the BLM for the closures that have happened or may happen, blame those who haul out their trash, shoot it up and leave it until the area looks like a landfill. This is why areas are being closed. I know, I have been cleaning them up for years. Clean up and educate those that don’t. That is the only way. It is all about personal responsibility.