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Uwharrie Flintlock Rifle Range: CLOSED
It was closed back in the late spring, but I did not see a post here about it so I thought I would throw it up. I know some of us had discussed in the past about meeting in Uwharrie, and with the range and open camping in most of the forest, it was a win-win. I called today and they still do not have a timetable for reopening or relocating the range. I was given an "honest" assessment that it will probably be next summer before any action is taken. RLTW! LH
5/17/2010
For Immediate Release
U.S. Forest Service Temporarily Closes Flintlock Valley Shooting Range
ASHEVILLE, NC ….The US Forest Service announced today a temporary emergency closure of the Flintlock Valley Shooting Range on the Uwharrie National Forest, while the agency evaluates the range’s future management. Recent incidents near the range have impacted forest visitors who were recreating in the area, prompting the temporary closure. District Ranger Deborah Walker states, “We will do everything within our authority to protect forest visitors, and will not compromise public safety.” The range will remain closed while analysis of alternatives is conducted. This may take up to a year, and the public will have opportunities for input before a final decision is made.
The popular shooting range has been open since 1996, averaging 1000 visitors per month. Various safety modifications have been made over the years, including raising the height of the berms behind the rifle and pistol ranges, loosening the soil on the range to reduce ricochet, and staffing the site with volunteers to assist with public safety. The recent incidents have caused the Forest Service to take additional steps to protect the public. Visitors who have already purchased annual passes for use of the range may contact the Uwharrie National Forest at 910-576-6391 for instructions on how to obtain a refund.
Flintlock Valley Shooting Range Temporary Closure
Questions and Answers
May 14, 2010
1. What additional measures has the District completed to improve public safety?
The District has increased the back berm on three separate occasions. Volunteers have been used to provide oversight on high use weekends. Most recently the District used equipment to rip the range to reduce soil compaction and the possibility of ricochet. Trash cans are available for the collection of debris, which keeps the range free from hazards. Recycling containers are also available for spent casings, thus reducing hazards around the benches.
2. Since 1996 when the range was opened, how many incidents have occurred off site? How many have occurred on site?
There have been two incidents on record that occurred off site, one in July 2009 and one in April 2010. There have been numerous reports in the past of bullet sounds through the tree tops along the Sawmill trail. There have been no documented reports of injury at the range.
3. Will the District consider other locations for a new range?
Other locations were evaluated in 1996 in the Badin Lake recreation area, but were dismissed for various reasons pertaining to location. The best alternative site is in the southern end of the District, far removed from the recreation area. Other locations in the vicinity of Badin Lake recreation area may also be considered depending on site conditions.
4. Is a shooting range an appropriate use of National Forest System lands?
The Forest Service has a number of outdoor shooting ranges across the country. There are four shooting ranges on the National Forests in North Carolina, one on the Tusquitee Ranger District, one on the Cheoah Ranger district, and two on the Nantahala Ranger District.
5. How does the District currently monitor use and provide for public safety?
Range volunteers serve on high use weekends to monitor use and they have access to radio equipment for contact with Forest Service officials in the event of a problem. District personnel also patrol the area on weekends and there is one Law Enforcement officer on the unit who patrols the area during the week.
6. Has use changed since the District instituted a fee program?
Users of the range seem more interested in keeping the range clean and using the range in a safe manner since a fee system was applied.
7. What other opportunities are there for public shooting ranges in central North Carolina?
There are four private shooting ranges available to the public for a fee within an hour of Uwharrie Ranger District. Memberships range from $15 per day to $35 per month. Many of the sites require a membership in addition to the use fee.
8. How much does the District currently acquire from the fee program?
A fee structure was implemented in the fall of 2007. Since that time the District has collected on average $25,000 per year in pass sales.
9. How many people currently use the range?
Based on the number of passes sold at either the daily rate or yearly rate, the range use is an estimated 1,000 people per month.
10. What impact will the closure have to the local community?
There are a couple stores in the area that sell range passes and shooting supplies. Vendors receive a small percentage (10%) of the pass sales from the Forest Service. The demand for shooting range supplies would be significantly reduced and the number of visitors to the stores would reduce.
11. Was safety addressed in the 1996 analysis when the site was evaluated for impacts?
The Environmental Assessment considered the proximity of the OHV trails and horse trails to the proposed location. That analysis determined that there would be little safety risk from the facility if mitigation techniques were followed. That analysis did recognize that horses could be spooked by noise from the range, but the use of those trails was minimal at the time of this analysis. Mitigation measures identified in the EA included layout to limit the trajectory angle of overhead fire and horizontal angle of fire, designed to minimize noise disturbance, prevent the off-site movement of soil, adherence to State water quality standards, soil testing for pH and the addition of lime if needed, and construction of a back berm to allow for easy removal of lead concentrations.
12. How long will it take to find a new location or reopen the existing site with modifications?
Analysis of a new site could take a year or more, modifications of the existing site could take 6 months.
13. Can volunteers help with this problem?
Volunteers have been a part of the success of this facility, but they can only help in limited capacity. They can serve as eyes and ears for the agency and assist in site cleanup. However, it is not reasonable to expect them to be present for all hours of operation.
14. How can I get a refund of my annual pass fee, now that the range is being closed?
Anyone with an annual pass will be eligible for a full refund for that pass. The pass holder needs to bring the pass into one of the vendors to request a refund. Refunds cannot be obtained from the District office, only from the vendor. Vendors who can provide refunds are the Mountain Market at Uwharrie and the Eldorado Outpost in Eldorado. The pass must be surrender to the vendor for a refund. It is up to the vendor to decide if refunds can be provided by mail.
5/17/2010
For Immediate Release
U.S. Forest Service Temporarily Closes Flintlock Valley Shooting Range
ASHEVILLE, NC ….The US Forest Service announced today a temporary emergency closure of the Flintlock Valley Shooting Range on the Uwharrie National Forest, while the agency evaluates the range’s future management. Recent incidents near the range have impacted forest visitors who were recreating in the area, prompting the temporary closure. District Ranger Deborah Walker states, “We will do everything within our authority to protect forest visitors, and will not compromise public safety.” The range will remain closed while analysis of alternatives is conducted. This may take up to a year, and the public will have opportunities for input before a final decision is made.
The popular shooting range has been open since 1996, averaging 1000 visitors per month. Various safety modifications have been made over the years, including raising the height of the berms behind the rifle and pistol ranges, loosening the soil on the range to reduce ricochet, and staffing the site with volunteers to assist with public safety. The recent incidents have caused the Forest Service to take additional steps to protect the public. Visitors who have already purchased annual passes for use of the range may contact the Uwharrie National Forest at 910-576-6391 for instructions on how to obtain a refund.
Flintlock Valley Shooting Range Temporary Closure
Questions and Answers
May 14, 2010
1. What additional measures has the District completed to improve public safety?
The District has increased the back berm on three separate occasions. Volunteers have been used to provide oversight on high use weekends. Most recently the District used equipment to rip the range to reduce soil compaction and the possibility of ricochet. Trash cans are available for the collection of debris, which keeps the range free from hazards. Recycling containers are also available for spent casings, thus reducing hazards around the benches.
2. Since 1996 when the range was opened, how many incidents have occurred off site? How many have occurred on site?
There have been two incidents on record that occurred off site, one in July 2009 and one in April 2010. There have been numerous reports in the past of bullet sounds through the tree tops along the Sawmill trail. There have been no documented reports of injury at the range.
3. Will the District consider other locations for a new range?
Other locations were evaluated in 1996 in the Badin Lake recreation area, but were dismissed for various reasons pertaining to location. The best alternative site is in the southern end of the District, far removed from the recreation area. Other locations in the vicinity of Badin Lake recreation area may also be considered depending on site conditions.
4. Is a shooting range an appropriate use of National Forest System lands?
The Forest Service has a number of outdoor shooting ranges across the country. There are four shooting ranges on the National Forests in North Carolina, one on the Tusquitee Ranger District, one on the Cheoah Ranger district, and two on the Nantahala Ranger District.
5. How does the District currently monitor use and provide for public safety?
Range volunteers serve on high use weekends to monitor use and they have access to radio equipment for contact with Forest Service officials in the event of a problem. District personnel also patrol the area on weekends and there is one Law Enforcement officer on the unit who patrols the area during the week.
6. Has use changed since the District instituted a fee program?
Users of the range seem more interested in keeping the range clean and using the range in a safe manner since a fee system was applied.
7. What other opportunities are there for public shooting ranges in central North Carolina?
There are four private shooting ranges available to the public for a fee within an hour of Uwharrie Ranger District. Memberships range from $15 per day to $35 per month. Many of the sites require a membership in addition to the use fee.
8. How much does the District currently acquire from the fee program?
A fee structure was implemented in the fall of 2007. Since that time the District has collected on average $25,000 per year in pass sales.
9. How many people currently use the range?
Based on the number of passes sold at either the daily rate or yearly rate, the range use is an estimated 1,000 people per month.
10. What impact will the closure have to the local community?
There are a couple stores in the area that sell range passes and shooting supplies. Vendors receive a small percentage (10%) of the pass sales from the Forest Service. The demand for shooting range supplies would be significantly reduced and the number of visitors to the stores would reduce.
11. Was safety addressed in the 1996 analysis when the site was evaluated for impacts?
The Environmental Assessment considered the proximity of the OHV trails and horse trails to the proposed location. That analysis determined that there would be little safety risk from the facility if mitigation techniques were followed. That analysis did recognize that horses could be spooked by noise from the range, but the use of those trails was minimal at the time of this analysis. Mitigation measures identified in the EA included layout to limit the trajectory angle of overhead fire and horizontal angle of fire, designed to minimize noise disturbance, prevent the off-site movement of soil, adherence to State water quality standards, soil testing for pH and the addition of lime if needed, and construction of a back berm to allow for easy removal of lead concentrations.
12. How long will it take to find a new location or reopen the existing site with modifications?
Analysis of a new site could take a year or more, modifications of the existing site could take 6 months.
13. Can volunteers help with this problem?
Volunteers have been a part of the success of this facility, but they can only help in limited capacity. They can serve as eyes and ears for the agency and assist in site cleanup. However, it is not reasonable to expect them to be present for all hours of operation.
14. How can I get a refund of my annual pass fee, now that the range is being closed?
Anyone with an annual pass will be eligible for a full refund for that pass. The pass holder needs to bring the pass into one of the vendors to request a refund. Refunds cannot be obtained from the District office, only from the vendor. Vendors who can provide refunds are the Mountain Market at Uwharrie and the Eldorado Outpost in Eldorado. The pass must be surrender to the vendor for a refund. It is up to the vendor to decide if refunds can be provided by mail.
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