According to ADNR staff, the existence or location of the range is not up for discussion since the management plan for the area is already in effect, and it went through a public process. In the planning stage, however, the shooting range alternatives did not include "no shooting range". Also according to ADNR staff, there simply were not many choices for sites. Maybe then it is just a poor idea for a public use area! It appears that the project will proceed, however, with a goal to complete work this spring. The coastal management plan consistency review with agencies and interested parties is in progress.
At this time, there is little information to comment on. The site easement notice gives no particulars, and the coastal management project description describes a small scale rifle range that will be bermed, will have a covered firing line and will have shooting benches.
There is no information about operating hours, degree of supervision, best management practices for lead and other pollution, and a lot of other things that should be considered prior to land clearing and construction. The range will not be staffed.
When I asked ADNR about some of the particulars, such as hours, I was told that more specifics will be developed as the project moves forward. Environmental concerns will apparently be handled through the coastal management review process.
The coastal management process, however, does not ask the necessary questions about lead, noise, additional vehicular traffic and other problems associated with a shooting range- especially one just uphill of lakes and wetlands. ADNR should be working closely with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and other agencies to fully assess environmental and safety concerns. Are they?
Sorry, but these are guns and bullets that make a lot of noise, pollute, disturb wildlife, and have enormous safety and aesthetic concerns for the other users of the public use area. I want more information.
The current process seems analogous to building a jungle gym on a playground, and figuring out the rules after a few broken bones. This site appears to be located very close to the recreational Rippy trail, about a quarter mile from Mud Lake, and it is in the midst of valuable fish and wildlife habitat.
To their credit, ADNR has tried to curb the use of the public use area as a giant shooting range, and there are regulations in place that limit target shooting in parts of the public area. For an area that is mandated to be for public use and the continued protection of fish and wildlife, this is a positive step. Does this mean we should now automatically accept a shooting range in a very public location, with limited knowledge as to how it will be constructed, managed and regulated?
Please take a moment to comment to ADNR, your local legislators, or others who may be able to work out a better solution. Information about the KRPUA and the shooting range easement can be found on the KRPUA website:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/krpua/index.cfm
Lynn Fuller lives near Palmer and has been recreating in the Jim and Mud lakes area for many years.
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