Shooting range development proposal in early stages

An 86-acre parcel of Montana state trust land near Logan will be closed temporarily for a routine site assessment as part of a proposal to develop the parcel into a formal shooting range.

The site includes an existing informal shooting area along 2 Dog Road about 2 miles outside of Logan. It is scheduled to be closed July 7 and 8. This site is near Interstate 90 and is popular with local target shooters. The closure is a normal part of the process to develop a more comprehensive proposal for a shooting range. The land will be closed to all target shooting and access for both days.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will be doing cultural and hazmat surveys as preliminary steps in a proposal to acquire an easement for the property from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. If the easement is approved, FWP would construct a formal shooting range.

The following steps must be completed as part of this process.

• Develop concept for a shooting range
• Apply for easement through the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
• Request early public comment through scoping
• Conduct onsite surveys required for the easement and environmental review (cultural resource survey and HazMat)
• Finish environmental review
• Apply for federal funding
• Complete easement acquisition
• Construct improvements at shooting range

FWP recently completed a public scoping period on the proposal. FWP plans to publish a draft environmental assessment for public review in the coming weeks.