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Gun Club in Plattsburgh Takes Steps To Protect Local Wetlands

Release Date: 08/25/2006
Contact Information: Richard Cahill (212) 637-3666 or cahill.richard@epa.gov

(New York, NY) In an action aimed at protecting a local wetland, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed an agreement with the Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club in Plattsburgh, New York to stop bullets that contain lead from getting into wetlands near the shooting range. According to the proposed agreement, the gun club will either permanently prohibit shooting ammunition containing lead at the present location or move the range to a less environmentally sensitive area where lead shot will be collected and recycled.

“Local wetlands are very important to the environmental health and beauty of the Plattsburgh area, and this agreement goes a long way to improving their quality,” said EPA Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “Other clubs and firing ranges should follow the lead of the Plattsburgh club and take steps to safely manage lead shot and bullets to reduce their impact on the environment.”

EPA is taking public comment on the agreement until September 8, 2006, and is holding a public information meeting on the proposed agreement at the Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club at 7450 Rt. 9 North in Plattsburgh on August 28 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Copies of the proposed agreement are available at the Plattsburgh Rod and Gun Club and it can be reviewed on the Web by visiting: https://www.epa.gov/region02. Written comments on the proposed agreement can be e-mailed to guster.edward@epa.gov or mailed to EPA on or before September 8, 2006, at the following address:

U.S. EPA, Region 2
Edward J. Guster, III
290 Broadway, 22nd Floor
DECA-RCB
New York, N.Y. 10007

EPA is developing similar agreements with other outdoor shooting ranges in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Outdoor shooting ranges are encouraged to follow the guidelines in EPA’s “Best Management Practices for Lead at Outdoor Shooting Ranges” manual. This publication is available, free of charge, at the EPA Web site: https://www.epa.gov/region02/waste/leadshot or can be obtained by contacting the EPA regional office at (212) 637-4145.

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