Public Land Closed After Unsafe Target Shooting

Amador County, CA — In the interest of public safety the Bureau of Land Management has closed roughly 240 acres in Amador County.

The closure affects target shooters in the area of Black Prince Mine Road overlooking the Mokelumne River.

It seems that targets have been set up on berms across the Mokelumne River putting homes on the Calaveras County side in the line of fire.

BLM´s Folsom Field Office says it received complaints from residents in Skull Flat and the Calaveras County Sheriff´s Department.

The BLM concluded the homes were well within the maximum range of the firearms being used.

Folsom´s Acting Manager James Eicher says the thoughtless use of firearms has created a dangerous situation and BLM cannot allow public lands to be used in this way.

The Black Prince Mine area will be posted with signs. Persons guilty of violating the emergency closure may be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for up to one year or both.

For more information, contact BLM´s Folsom Field Office at (916) 985-4474.

Written by Vanessa Turner.