PROVO — The Bureau of Land Management has transferred ownership of 160 acres of public land in the Lake Mountains south of Salt Lake City to Utah County for construction of a public shooting range.
The county received the title to the land under the federal Recreation and Public Purposes Act, which allows for such land transfers.
"The county's plan to provide a safe, organized target shooting range in the Lake Mountains area is a great step forward. We will continue to work closely with Utah County and the public as we manage the public lands in the Lake Mountains," Kevin Oliver, the BLM’s West Desert district manager said in a prepared statement.
“We have appreciated the cooperation in working with the BLM to see this come to fruition and are excited for the opportunity to create a facility which will benefit our citizens, Utah County Commission Chairman Larry Ellertson said in a statement. “We expect to begin construction later this spring and hope to have it ready for use within a year.”
The BLM and Utah County will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, May 9, at the shooting range site near Soldier Pass Road.