12-13-2007, 07:10 PM
The Coconino National Forest has accepted an Arizona Game and Fish Department proposal to continue the process for sitting a public shooting range near Willard Springs Road, about 15 miles south of Flagstaff.
Officials from both agencies met on Nov. 27 to discuss activities and timelines, including preparation of a feasibility analysis report that evaluates state and federal properties that would be considered in any proposed land exchange.
The report, which would take an estimated nine months to complete, would then be reviewed by the Regional Forester.
"If the feasibility analysis is accepted by the Regional Forester, an agreement to initiate a land exchange could be completed, and the environmental analysis process under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) could begin," says Josh Avey, habitat branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "Although the environmental analysis can take as much as two years to complete, we're moving forward, and that's what the public expects."
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been working with the Forest Service for several years on a public planning process to provide a location for a safe, modern regional shooting facility to meet the needs of recreational shooters and law enforcement agencies in the Flagstaff region.
"Flagstaff is the largest city in Arizona without a public shooting facility," says Michael Golightly, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. "Recreational shooters often use makeshift areas, such as cinder pits in the forest, while law enforcement personnel sometimes have to travel to other cities with shooting ranges for training. A regional shooting facility would serve their needs and would provide other economic benefits to the area, as well."
The process to locate a range site has incorporated extensive input from potential users and the general public. The Coconino National Forest is a partner in the planning process and has provided guidance and input in the selection of appropriate locations.
The Willard Springs site offers desirable features, such as good freeway and road access and utility availability. The department will continue to work with the Forest Service and communicate with area residents throughout the process.
For more information on the proposed Northern Arizona Regional Shooting Facility, visit www.nazrsf.com.
Officials from both agencies met on Nov. 27 to discuss activities and timelines, including preparation of a feasibility analysis report that evaluates state and federal properties that would be considered in any proposed land exchange.
The report, which would take an estimated nine months to complete, would then be reviewed by the Regional Forester.
"If the feasibility analysis is accepted by the Regional Forester, an agreement to initiate a land exchange could be completed, and the environmental analysis process under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) could begin," says Josh Avey, habitat branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "Although the environmental analysis can take as much as two years to complete, we're moving forward, and that's what the public expects."
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been working with the Forest Service for several years on a public planning process to provide a location for a safe, modern regional shooting facility to meet the needs of recreational shooters and law enforcement agencies in the Flagstaff region.
"Flagstaff is the largest city in Arizona without a public shooting facility," says Michael Golightly, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. "Recreational shooters often use makeshift areas, such as cinder pits in the forest, while law enforcement personnel sometimes have to travel to other cities with shooting ranges for training. A regional shooting facility would serve their needs and would provide other economic benefits to the area, as well."
The process to locate a range site has incorporated extensive input from potential users and the general public. The Coconino National Forest is a partner in the planning process and has provided guidance and input in the selection of appropriate locations.
The Willard Springs site offers desirable features, such as good freeway and road access and utility availability. The department will continue to work with the Forest Service and communicate with area residents throughout the process.
For more information on the proposed Northern Arizona Regional Shooting Facility, visit www.nazrsf.com.