Game and Fish moves forward on proposed local shooting range near Flagstaff
Directs further evaluation of two potential alternate sites
PHOENIX
– The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has unanimously voted to enter
into agreement with the Coconino National Forest for the proposed land
exchange that would enable the Arizona Game and Fish Department to
acquire a site for the development of a local/community shooting range
in northern Arizona.
At its June 27 meeting in Phoenix, the
commission directed the Game and Fish Department to execute an
Agreement to Initiate (ATI) with the Coconino National Forest for the
proposed Willard Springs property, and to simultaneously investigate
two other potential site locations.
The Cochrane Hill and the
Winona/Telephone Range sites, both Coconino National Forest properties,
will undergo cultural surveys to determine if acquiring either of these
sites would more adequately meet the critical need for a local
recreational public shooting range near Flagstaff, Ariz. Both alternate
sites are located 30 minutes east of Flagstaff, north of I-40.
“While
results from the cultural studies may negate the need to further
consider either of these alternate sites, we want to start engaging
with the citizens that reside near Winona,” said Ty Gray, the
department’s assistant director of information and education.
“Comments, concerns or suggestions may be emailed to nazsr@azgfd.gov.
Additionally, the department will be inviting those neighboring
residents to an open discussion, in late summer to early fall, when we
can provide them with more details and answer any questions.”
The
commission reviewed a total of 23 potential alternate sites that
included public, private, state, and tribal lands in an effort to
identify the most suitable location and possibly reduce the timeline or
costs associated with developing a fully operational local/community
public shooting range.
The commission’s guidelines for a site to
be considered included the size of site (local/community range with the
potential to expand to a regional range), site proximity/location
(within a 30 minute drive from downtown Flagstaff), timeline
(operational in a 3-5 year period if possible), and budget
(consideration given to cost).
Flagstaff is the largest city in
Arizona without a public shooting range, forcing recreational shooters
to use makeshift areas, such as cinder pits in the forest, and causing
law enforcement personnel to travel to other cities with shooting
ranges for training. A local shooting range is approximately 60-80
acres and provides multi-purpose shooting sites that may include rifle
sight-in, pistol, shotgun, clay target, and archery venues.
To
stay updated, or to learn more about the progress on the Northern
Arizona Shooting Range, visit www.azgfd.gov and select “Northern
Arizona Shooting Range” under “In the Spotlight.”
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Game and Fish moves forward on proposed local shooting range near Flagstaff
Posted in:
News Media
Jul 7, 2009
Jul 7, 2009
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