Shooting range approved

Sharon McLeay

Times Contributor

 

Wheatland Conservation and Wildlife shooting range has moved its range and clubhouse locations. The new site will re-designate five acres of Agriculture General land to a Recreational designation, off of Range Road 252 and 1.9 miles northeast of Ardenode for use by the gun club.
The designation is allowed under Wheatland County’s discretionary use in the minor recreational designations. The previous landowner passed away and the club decided to move locations.
Construction had begun in the spring of 2016, but the required permits were not in place. When considering permits for this designation, County staff said consideration should be paid to noise, traffic, building use, environmental concerns and safety issues. The owner had no problems meeting those requirements.
“We do a lot of work in the community and it is an important part of the community,” said Carl Carlson, applicant and spokesman for the Wildlife Conservation Association. “With the amount of work we have done in the county … this all rolls together and is part of our youth program. We hope council is with us on this.”
It was pointed out that private owners hunting or shooting on their own property differs from a concentrated activity that takes place in a shooting range, and the county has the ability to place restrictions on concentrated activity.
There is a wetland on one end of the property and Alberta Environment had concerns that perhaps the lead pollution through airborne dust and residual casings may be a concern to wildlife and in runoff water from the property. However, the range is situated where cleanup could be done and the wetland is further than the 200-metre range that shooting would reach. Coun. Don Vander Velde said that lead shot has not been used as ammunition for a number of years, and most shot is made from steel.
Staff suggested spot zoning might be a solution to accommodate the range and clubhouse; however, subdivision would be the preferable condition. There were three letters of support by neighbouring landowners and one present in council. He pointed out there is a lot of hunters in the community who support the club.
A site evaluation was done by the province and Carlson needed council to approve the first reading, so that applications can be made to the provincial firearm officer and the project can move forward. Second and third reading was passed by council with consideration of the proposed map options put forward by Wheatland County planning staff.