July 21, 2016

Contact: Lori Burford, 989-275-5151, ext. 2100

Draft environmental assessment of proposed Grand Traverse County shooting range available for public review through July 30

Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that an environmental assessment of a proposed shooting range in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, is available for public review and comment. That Union Township shooting range development project was proposed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for funding through the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Act.

Bill Sterrett, the western Lower Peninsula district supervisor in the DNR Forest Resources Division, said the department, after careful consideration and several public information-sharing opportunities with local community members, determined the Union Township site was the option that best met the goals for personal safety, natural setting and broad access to recreation opportunities for the area.

“We’re pleased to continue through the next needed steps toward developing a viable, modern shooting range to serve the needs of Grand Traverse County and the surrounding area,” Sterrett said. “Following completion of the public comment period and, pending approval of the preferred range location and grant request by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we look forward to moving forward with final design work and construction of the new shooting range.”

The DNR evaluated several potential sites to locate the new shooting range.

The draft environmental assessment is available online at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/documents/GT_Shooting_Range_EA.pdf.

Hard copies or additional information regarding the range may be obtained from Lori Burford, Michigan DNR shooting range analyst, at 989-275-5151, ext. 2100.

Comments can be submitted via email to burfordl@michigan.gov or by traditional mail to:

Lori Burford
8717 North Roscommon Road
Roscommon, MI 48653

Comments should be submitted by Saturday, July 30.

Learn more about DNR-managed shooting ranges and learning opportunities at www.michigan.gov/shootingranges.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.