§7913 Closure of Federal Land to Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting

Summary

Allows the Secretary in charge to close any federal land to hunting, fishing, or recreational shooting when needed for public safety, land management, or to follow other laws. The Secretary must pick the smallest area and the shortest time needed and must act under section 1732(b) of title 43. Except in an emergency, the Secretary must talk with State fish and wildlife agencies and give public notice and a chance to comment before a temporary or permanent closure. The notice must include a notice of intent published in the Federal Register, on the agency and land-unit websites (if available), in at least one local newspaper, and sent in advance to local groups that signed the federal lands hunting and shooting MOU. The notice must describe the proposed closure and why it is needed. Comment time must be at least 60 days for permanent closures and at least 30 days for temporary ones. Final decisions must answer and explain major comments. Temporary closures may not exceed 180 days, may be renewed no more than 3 times after the first (unless an emergency), and each renewal needs a new notice and comment. A temporary closure cannot become permanent without a new notice and comment. Each year the Secretaries must post a public list of closed areas and send Congress a report that lists each closure, its acreage, totals by State, and the percent of Federal land closed. The rules here do not apply to closures under 14 days that are covered by a special use permit.