Obama's Changes to Public Land Use

I came across this article on my Facebook feed today. 
Obama Pushing Shooters of Public Land

Granted, it doesn't affect me as yet since so far all my shooting is on private property or at a range.  But I know this will affect a lot of people and if this goes through, what's next?

Here is the important paragraph:

"When the authorized officer determines that a site or area on BLM-managed lands used on a regular basis for recreational shooting is creating public disturbance, or is creating risk to other persons on public lands; is contributing to the defacement, removal or destruction of natural features, native plants, cultural resources, historic structures or government and/or private property; is facilitating or creating a condition of littering, refuse accumulation and abandoned personal property is violating existing use restrictions, closure and restriction orders, or supplementary rules notices, and reasonable attempts to reduce or eliminate the violations by the BLM have been unsuccessful, the authorized officer will close the affected area to recreational shooting." 

I love that the issue of litter, plant destruction etc is apparently limited to shooters.  No chance that these issues may arise from hikers or ATVs going off trail?   I'm more likely to pick up trash when I'm out.  Most gun enthusiast I've met are also concerned about the environment, especially impacts on wildlife.  We aren't likely to do anything that would seriously harm the animals and thier habitat.  And we definitely aren't out to scare people.

"Officials say the administration is concerned about the potential clash between gun owners and encroaching urban populations who like to use same land for hiking and dog walking.  'It's not so much a safety issue. It's a social conflict issue,' said Frank Jenks, a natural resource specialist with Interior's Bureau of Land Management, which oversees 245 million acres. He adds that urbanites "freak out" when they hear shooting on public lands."

Is banning shooting on public lands really the best solution here?  If the 'urbanites' (love that term BTW)  can't handle the idea or sound of shooting, perhaps they need a basic gun safety course, or a different place to walk dogs and hike?  There are lots of areas that are designated for those areas that are already gun free.  As opposed to removal of another person's hobby, perhaps we can find a way to work together?


What do you think?  Anyone readers shoot on public lands regularly?