Shooting range in public-use area needs more public input

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting public comments through Wednesday on a site easement for a shooting range planned between Mud and Jim lakes within the Knik River Public Use Area (KRPUA) near Palmer. The range will be located along the Maud Road extension, on a site just upland of two lakes and associated wetlands. The topography on the north side of the proposed range is very steep. Even when the range is only partly occupied there will be significant echoing and noise pollution.

According to DNR 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 DNR 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.

At this time, there is little information to comment on.

The site easement notice put out by DNR gives few particulars. The coastal management review project description states little more than it will be a small scale rifle range with berms, a covered firing line and 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 DNR for specifics on things such as operating hours, I was told the rules will be further developed as the project moves forward. Environmental concerns will apparently be handled through the coastal management review process. The coastal management review process, however, was not designed for impacts such as those from shooting ranges. There will be residual lead, significant noise, additional vehicular traffic and other potential impacts. Have the potential effects of this range really been evaluated?

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. The public needs more information. The current process is analogous to building a jungle gym on a playground, and figuring out the rules after a few broken bones. This site is very close to the recreational Rippy Trail, looks to be about a quarter mile from Mud Lake, and is in the midst of valuable fish and wildlife habitat.

To their credit, DNR has tried to curb the use of the public use area as a giant shooting range, and there are new regulations in place for that purpose. 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 DNR, 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 spent many years recreating in the Jim and Mud lakes area.