[Federal Register: September 25, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 186)]
[Notices]               
[Page 49039]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25se01-78]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-090-01-9922-EK]

 
Supplemental Rule Restricting Recreational and Sport Shooting To 
Protect Human Health and Safety in the Vicinity of the BLM Lands in 
Potter County, TX

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, Amarillo 
Field Office, Amarillo, Texas.

ACTION: Public Lands Restrictions.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations 
Section 8365.1-6, the State Director may establish supplementary rules 
in order to provide for the protection of persons, property and public 
lands and resources. Failure to comply with this supplementary rule 
will be punishable by a fine not to exceed $100,000 and/or imprisonment 
not to exceed 12 months. The environmental effects of the proposed rule 
have been analyzed separately by Environmental Assessment 090-2001-002.

DATES: The supplemental rule will take effect with the publication of 
this Notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This supplemental rule was proposed to 
create a safer environment for the public utilizing the area in and 
around the public lands in Potter County, Texas. Uncontrolled shooting 
on the subject public lands in Potter County, Texas, creates a public 
health and safety hazard by firing solid projectile firearms, that have 
a long range, into and about a populated rural area. Portions of the 
area of concern receive heavy use by ranchers, oil and gas development 
personnel and BLM employees. This supplemental rule will prohibit the 
firing of any firearm. On those public lands administered by the BLM in 
Potter County, Texas, (Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 
43, 45, and 48 in Block 5 of G. M. Survey; Sections 1, 3 and 4 in Block 
4 of G.M. Survey; Sections 19, 21, 27, 29 and 35 of Block 21-W of 
G.C.&S.F.R.R. Survey) it is prohibited to fire any handgun, shotgun or 
rifle. Archery hunting (bow and arrow) will be allowed pursuant to 
State of Texas, Parks and Wildlife regulations. By prohibiting all 
gunfire a safer environment on both public and private lands will be 
created. During a thirty-day comment period on the proposal of this 
rule, no suggestions or comments were received. This rule only affects 
public lands administered by BLM. This special rule is in addition to 
existing rules and regulations previously established under Title 43 
Code of Federal Regulations as well as other Federal laws applicable to 
the use of public lands.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Tanner, Natural Resource 
Specialist, BLM Amarillo Field Office, 801 S. Fillmore Street, Suite 
500, Amarillo, Texas 79101-3545, telephone (806) 324-2641.

    Dated: August 13, 2001.
M. J. Chavez,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 01-23883 Filed 9-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P