Firing range moves forward

BUTTE — The state has decided it will go ahead with plans to build a rifle range at the end of Maud Road.

According to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the gun range is part of its wider plan to bring rules to the formerly lawless Knik River Public Use Area. The public use area encompasses 260,000 acres and includes Jim Creek and a number of other popular weekend destinations.

When DNR finally decided to do something about the area, among the concerns about burned cars, trash and illegal camping were concerns about target shooting near trails and in other unsafe areas.

“Recently adopted enforcement regulations specific to state-owned land within the KRPUA have put in place target shooting restrictions in areas commonly used by the public for target shooting,” the final decision on the rifle range states. “A formal location (for a shooting range) is intended to increase public safety by concentrating the use in a specific area.”

By putting target shooters in one spot, the decision argues, law enforcement can easily find them to make sure they’re being safe and lawful. Concentrating the activity will also ensure bullets and spent casings won’t wind up scattered up and down the public-use area.

The decision says public support for restricting shooting in the public-use area seemed to be contingent upon the state giving shooters a place to practice their sport.

“There is substantial public interest in protecting trailheads, lake shores, wetlands, trees and parking areas from indiscriminate target shooting,” the decision states.

But at least one community group isn’t so sure.

The Butte Area Community Organization opposed the range, complaining it was within earshot of local homes and would disturb waterfowl and moose-calving areas.

Brit Lively, a member of BARCO, added to those complaints that DNR did not consider any alternative locations for the range.

“No alternative sites were given, no others were solicited,” Lively says on the BARCO website.

Lively said she hopes multiple residents will file appeals to the decision by the July 6 appeals deadline.

“If there are enough people appealing this decision, maybe there’s a chance to reverse this,” she says.

According to DNR, comments on the shooting range plan were something of a mixed bag. The department noted the noise worries as well as concerns about lead contamination. But there were also comments favorable to the range since it would be a safe place in the area to target shoot.

The shooting range is planned for five acres of state land. Diagrams attached to the decision show a shooting range with earthen berms and firing line benches, as well as restrooms and a parking lot.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.