For Release: June 22, 2006
Contact: John Scull (916) 985-4474
CA-CC-06-56

BLM Land Closed to Shooting to Protect Public Safety

Approximately 240 acres of public land in Amador County in the vicinity of Black Prince Mine Road overlooking the Mokelumne River has been closed to target shooting to protect public health and safety by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

James Eicher, acting manager for BLM's Folsom Field Office, says the emergency closure is needed because target shooters were aiming in a southerly direction at targets set on a berm. The residential area at Skull Flat in Calaveras County on the other side of the Mokelumne River is in the line of fire and well within the maximum range of the firearms used. The BLM received complaints from local residents in Skull Flat as well as the Calaveras County sheriff's office.

"Indiscriminate and thoughtless use of firearms has created a dangerous and uncomfortable situation for other people in the area," Eicher said, "The BLM cannot allow public lands to be used in this way."

The Black Prince Mine area will be posted with signs. Persons guilty of violating the emergency closure may be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for up to 12 months or both.

For more information, please contact the Bureau of Land Management, Folsom Field Office, 63 Natoma Street, Folsom CA 95630, or call (916) 985-4474.

-BLM-