TUCSON, Arizona – Effective April 19, 2023, the Sierra Vista Ranger District, part of the Coronado National Forest, will be permanently closed to recreational shooting east of the Huachuca Mountains along the densely populated Wildlands Urban Interface (WUI). to implement. A temporary closure has been in place since July 2014 with continued support from the community-based Collaborative Alternative Team (CAT).
While safe and responsible recreational shooting is a good use of land in the National Forest System, shooting at Ash, Lutz, Stump, Hunter, Miller, Carr and Brown Canyon poses a serious threat to the health and safety of forest users. is causing Problems include shooting down hiking trails and crossing hiking trails. Shoot across the road. Shooting close to homes, or inadvertently shooting onto private property. Shooting at the trailhead. Use household items on abandoned targets. Deposition of lead and other soil contaminants from spent bullets. All of these activities are prohibited pursuant to 36 CFR 261.10 (d) and 36 CFR 261.11 (d,e).
This will result in the closure of approximately 5,090 acres, or 1.7% of the Ranger District. This will result in approximately 98.3% of Ranger Districts remaining open for recreational shooting in accordance with federal and state recreational shooting laws and regulations. The size of the proposed enclosed area is limited to the minimum size necessary to meet the objective of protecting public health and safety.
The closure met all necessary legal requirements outlined in the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act (the Act). Title IV, Subtitle B, Section 4103, “Closed Federal Land to Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting,” provides for temporary and permanent closure of recreational shooting on Federal land.
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