CITY NEWS
BLM APPROVES PHOENIX-AREA RECREATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS PROJECT THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT’S (BLM) PHOENIX DISTRICT HAS PUBLISHED A FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) AND DECISION RECORD APPROVING THE RECREATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS PROJECT, CLEARING THE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF FIVE RECREATIONAL SHOOTING SITES TO BE BUILT ON PUBLIC LANDS NEAR THE PHOENIX METRO AREA. The sites will provide active management, enhanced access and increased safety for shooting sports enthusiasts and other public land users near one of the most populated metro areas in the nation. The project is consistent with Secretary’s Order 3356, and the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.
“Under the BLM’s multiple-use mission, we work to strike a balance in land use and resource management,” said BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs William Perry Pendley. “Phoenix is one of the most populated and fastest growing metro areas in the nation. This growth has spurred increased demand for recreation access on adjacent public lands. We listened to feedback from Valley residents and the shooting sports community while developing this project, which provides active management options to enhance recreation access and safety for all public land users.” “Recreational shooting is one of the most popular and rapidly growing pastimes in America, and sales of firearms and ammunition generated more than $650 million in the past fiscal year alone to support habitat acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management and public recreation areas in all 50 states,” said Casey Hammond, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management. “We’re proud to provide innovative new ways for all Americans to safely enjoy recreational shooting on public lands.” A 2018 report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation found a 28 percent increase in target shooting participation since 2001 and an 80 percent increase among women and girls. More people participate in target shooting than play tennis, soccer or baseball, according to the report.
Based on environmental analysis and public input received through the planning process, the BLM determined there would be no significant impacts with the construction, maintenance and operation of the five sites. These sites-- Baldy Mountain, Church Camp Road, and Saddleback Mountain sites in North Phoenix; Narramore Road site in West Phoenix; and Box Canyon site near Maricopa--were selected because they are located in easily accessible areas and have minimal conflicts with other recreation activities and land uses, or natural and cultural resources. Construction of the first site, Baldy Mountain, is anticipated to begin this spring. The BLM will complete plans addressing operations, safety, environmental stewardship and monitoring at the sites prior to construction. Several documents associated with this project, including maps of the five shooting sports sites, are available online at the BLM’s ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xmfVv. During the planning process, the BLM held a 15-day public comment period and received 23 comments to consider. A summary of those comments is also available at the ePlanning website. This project will not change existing dispersed recreational shooting access, with approximately 97 percent of BLM-managed public lands in Arizona remaining open to shooting sports. This effort will also not affect licensed hunting on public lands.
MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVE 229 VOTING LOCATIONS TO REDUCE WAIT TIMES AND IMPROVE THE VOTER EXPERIENCE, THE MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT IS MORE THAN TRIPLING THE NUMBER OF VOTING LOCATIONS FOR THE MARCH 17, 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE ELECTION. On Election Day, voters will have 229 voting locations, including 40 locations that will serve as vote anywhere locations. The Elections Department reviewed historic turnout models, mapped voting patterns and worked with community partners to increase polling locations from 60 in 2016 to 229 this election. In addition to increased polling locations, under the new joint management structure with the Board of Supervisor and Recorder Adrian Fontes, the Elections Department has purchased new tabulation equipment, nearly 8 • March 2020 • DEER VALLEY TIMES
doubled the amount of full-time staff and invested in the voter education campaign BeBallotReady.vote. The Presidential Preference Election is the voter’s chance to select their party’s nominee for President of the United States. Unlike Arizona’s traditional primaries, the Presidential Preference Election is not an open primary. Only the Democratic Party has chosen to participate in the election on March 17, 2020. Only Democrats who registered by February 18, 2020 are eligible to vote in this election. The Republican and Libertarian parties opted out of this election. Those registered without a party, commonly referred to as independents, are not eligible. Find the full list of polling places and office addresses at Locations.Maricopa.Vote. deervalleytimes.com
