The 128,000-acre Ironwood Forest National Monument is under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is generally opened to dispersed recreational shooting. A management plan just released for public review and comment is likely to change that if BLM's preferred management alternative (Alternative C) is adopted. Alternative C would close the Monument to recreational shooting. Hunting would continue to be allowed for the time being.
The plan contains 4 alternatives: (A) is the no-action alternative that would keep current management as is; (B) is the most restrictive management alternative and along with (C), would close the Monument to recreational shooting; and (D) is the most access-oriented and would allow shooting to continue. To review the document go to http://www.blm.gov/az/LUP/ironwood/ironwood_plan.htm.
BLM scheduled five public meetings to present its plan to the public and allow for comment and discussions. The first meeting was held on March 29. The remaining meetings are as follows:
April 10, 2007: Sells, Arizona -- Legislative Council Chambers, Main Street, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
April 12, 2007: Tucson, Arizona 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- Pima County Parks & Recreation, 3500 West River Road, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Comments on the plan are due by May 30 and can be submitted by mail to Mark Lambert, BLM Planner, at 12661 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85748, or sent via email to [email protected].