Monday, July 28, 2014

USFWS Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Shooting Range

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comment on a draft environmental assessment (Draft EA) regarding the State of Nebraska's proposed shooting range at Wildcat Hills Outdoor Heritage Center, a facility located on Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period, which starts today and ends August 24, 2014.

The Service is reviewing a grant application for the construction of a shooting range in the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, which is located near Gering, Nebraska in Scotts Bluff County. The proposed shooting range would be constructed on land owned by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and would consist of a 25 - 50 yard rifle range, an indoor 10 meter air rifle range, a trap and skeet range, an outdoor archery range, restroom facilities, a parking area, and an access road. The proposed project would be utilized for educational classes, hunter safety training, shooting sports activities, and other associated shooting range events.

The range would provide a safe and managed facility for the public to participate in shooting sports activities in an area where such opportunities are limited. Shooting sports activities would include the use of handguns, rifles, shotguns, and archery equipment.

The Draft EA, prepared jointly by the Service and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, analyzes the environmental effects of the proposed shooting range construction and operation. The Service concluded that the proposed project would not impact floodplains or wetlands, would not affect historical and cultural resources, would not have any effect on threatened; endangered; or candidate species, and would have minimal impacts on the local fish and wildlife, and their habitats in the area.

Copies of the Draft EA, which includes details of the proposed action and the alternatives considered, are available online by clicking on the title of the document at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/federalassistance/nepa/index.html. Those without internet access may request copies by calling the Services' Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program at 303-236-8156. Comments will be accepted for 30 days until August 24, 2014 and should be sent to:

Chief, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 25486
Denver, CO, 80225

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq

Contacts: Otto Jose, 303-236-8156; otto_jose@fws.gov
David McGillivary, 303-236-4411; david_mcgillivary@fws.gov