The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is seeking public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment regarding the WDNR proposed Barron County Maple Plain Shooting Range. The draft EA evaluates several alternatives. Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period, which ends September 3, 2014.
The Service has received a grant application from the WDNR to approve the construction of a shooting range in Barron County, Wisconsin. An existing Barron County Shooting Range located south of Cumberland, Wisconsin lacks appropriate shooting lane protection and berms suitable for safe use. Adjacent land used as a gravel quarry has limited the expansion of the existing shooting range and quarry will be expanding the mining operation into land occupied by the shooting range. The proposed shooting range project will relocate the shooting range to the Barron County owned property in the town of Maple Plain, located approximately 2.6 miles west of US 63 near Barronett, Wisconsin.
The range will consist of four individual shooting lanes: a 50 foot range; a 50 yard range; a 100 yard range; and a 200 yard range. Backstops and separation berms will consist of on?site sand materials. Each backstop will be at least 24’ tall with a top width of 10’ and a base (bottom) width of 48’. These appropriate backstops and longitudinal berms will allow multiple users to occupy and use each shooting lane simultaneously. The new site will include a gravel parking area with an ADA compliant pit toilet.
The purpose of the project is to develop a safe and available public shooting range facility in Barron County. The shooting range will provide a common place for experienced hunters or law enforcement to refine their skills. This range will also provide a place to promote effective training and education for responsible new hunters and their mentors including youth groups and hunter safety courses. The purpose of this EA document is to look at the feasibility and potential for environmental consequences associated with alternatives considered.
The EA was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that applies to the actions of all federal agencies. This project is proposed by the WDNR for funding through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The draft EA is available on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/documents/2014-EA-Barron-County-Range.pdf (4.2 MB PDF). Additionally, copies may be obtained from the Keith Warnke, WDNR Hunting and Shooting Sports Coordinator, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, Phone: 608 576 5243. Written comments should be sent to Mr. Warnke via mail at the above address, via email: Keith.warnke@wi.gov or via fax to 608-266-3696. Comments should be received no later than September 3, 2014.
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