NEWS RELEASE

Date: May 25, 2005 (CDDNews61)

Contact:
Janaye Byergo, San Diego Project Manager
Bureau of Land Management
10845 Rancho Bernardo Road, Ste. 200
San Diego, CA 92127
Phone: (858) 451-1767
Email: Janaye_Byergo@ca.blm.gov

Contact:
Chris Nyce, Recreation and Lands Staff Officer
Palomar Ranger District
Cleveland National Forest
1634 Black Canyon Road
Ramona, CA 92065
Phone: (760) 788-0250 ext. 3325
Email: cnyce@fs.fed.us

San Diego, CA….The Cleveland National Forest, Palomar Ranger District and the Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office will host an open house on June 11, 2005, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Oak Grove Community Center. From Interstate Highway 15 go southeast on State Rt. 79, the community center is located on the east side of State Rt. 79, just north of the Oak Grove Fire Station at 37560 Highway 79, Warner Springs.

The purpose of the Open House is to present information to the public on the proposed permanent closure to recreational target shooting for public lands along and around the High Point area (located east of Temecula, California). Temporary emergency closures in the area were implemented to protect the public from unsafe target shooting practices on May 7, 2004.

The Cleveland National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management seek to protect public health and safety. Target shooting in this area presents a documented risk to local residents due to inadequate back drops for shooters and the growing number of homes in the local area. The increased recreational shooting activity in the area imposed an immediate threat to nearby residents and other public land users. Rounds being discharged (or shot) in this area were striking structures on private property along State Rt. 79.

Shooting rounds are known to have traveled up to two miles or more in distance. The temporary closure was imposed through BLM emergency closure order 43 CFR 8364.1 and Forest Service closure order under 36 CFR 261.58(m).

This permanent closure will prohibit discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun along High Point Road (8S05) and Oak Grove Road (9S09) up to the junction of Palomar Divide Road (9S07) (San Bernardino Meridian, Township 9 South, Range 1 East, Sections 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, and 25). Refer to attached map for reference.

Each agency will be developing required documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to address the proposed permanent closure. The Cleveland National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management anticipate the final documents will be completed before the end of 2005.

Information about existing target shooting opportunities in Southern California may be found at the following website: http://www.socalcamping.com/shooting/shoot_info.html

-CNF-

-BLM-