The Sonoran Desert National Monument Recreational Target Shooting Environmental Assessment (EA) and Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) is complete. The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Decision Record (DR) were approved and signed on May 31, 2024 and June 3, 2024, respectively.

The Dingell Act Comment Report for the Sonoran Desert National Monument Recreational Target Shooting Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment is included in the Decision Record as Appendix A.

The documents associated with this project may be accessed via the “Documents” tab on the left side of this webpage. 

The BLM Director’s decisions on the protests are summarized in the Director’s Summary Protest Resolution Report for the Sonoran Desert National Monument Recreational Target Shooting Resource Management Plan Amendment (https://www.blm.gov/arizona/directors-protest-resolutions/protest-resolution-report/directors-summary-protest).

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 30-DAY PROTEST PERIOD: JANUARY 22 TO FEBRUARY 21, 2024 

The BLM is announcing the availability of the Sonoran Desert National Monument Recreational Target Shooting Environmental Assessment (EA) and unsigned Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Proposed Sonoran Desert National Monument Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). The EA considers amending the SDNM Resource Management Plan to change the current management of recreational target shooting within the monument.

The EA, unsigned FONSI and Dear Reader letter can be accessed using the “Documents” tab on the upper left side of this webpage beginning 1/22/2024. The Dear Reader letter contains information on how to file a protest.

All protests must be in writing and filed with the BLM Director, either as a hard copy or electronically via BLM’s ePlanning website by February 21, 2024. 

 60-DAY DINGELL ACT COMMENT PERIOD: JANUARY 22 TO MARCH 22, 2024

Concurrent to the protest period, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 requires that the BLM provide an opportunity for public comment on any proposed closures of public land to recreational target shooting. A notice commencing the 60-day comment period will appear in the Federal Register (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-01063) on 1/22/2024.

The FRN includes instructions on how to file a comment.

All comments specific to the Federal Register Notice (FRN) must be received via email or postmarked by 3/22/2024. 

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Related Projects:

This project would amend the Sonoran Desert National Monument Resource Management Plan (DOI-BLM-AZ-P020-2009-0003-RMP-EIS), completed in 2012.

The Sonoran Desert National Monument Target Shooting Resource Management Plan Amendment (DOI-BLM-AZ-P040-2016-0001-RMP-EIS) was completed in 2018. 

Contact for more information:

Project Manager: Chelsea McKinney

[email protected]

(602)-867-5400

or