(Photo by Paul Atkinson - KJZZ)

Sonoran Desert National Monument.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a plan for target shooting on the Sonoran Desert National Monument.

A small but popular part of the Sonoran Desert National Monument has been closed to target shooting since 2015. That came after groups sued the BLM over its previous plan for the Monument.

The BLM’s new plan would re-open much of the Pipeline Road area to recreational target shooting. But the bureau would ban the sport on a different portion, totaling about 10 percent of the land. That spot is slated to get more campsites and other public areas.

“I think it really just keys on allowing access for people to recreational target shoot while balancing just the general need for public safety,” said Adam Eggers, spokesma for the Bureau of Land Management in Arizona.n

The plan’s now in a public protest period, in which people who commented during earlier planning phases have a chance to submit again. Arizona Gov. Ducey’s administration has to review the plan and then the BLM’s state director will then make the final decision.