DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Analysis Of Two Shooting Range Grant Funded Projects

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed issuance of two grant awards through the DNR Shooting Range Grant Program.

One grant is for a project at the Langlade County Gun and Bow Range for a variety of range improvements. The other grant is for a sporting clays expansion project at the Wausau Skeet and Trap Club.

Subject grant funds originate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pittman-Robertson Basic Hunter Education and Safety Subprogram.

The project at the Langlade County Gun and Bow Range will replace electrical overhead service with underground service, construct a restroom building, paths to ranges and parking pads that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project will also replace 250 feet of security fencing and install a security camera system, information kiosk, shooting benches, backstops and targets at the handgun range; backstops at the archery range; and rule signage.

The expansion project at the Wausau Skeet and Trap Club includes purchasing ten additional trap machines and necessary accessories for those machines and creating three new shooting stations for sporting clays. The three new shooting stations will include approximately half an acre of land clearing.

The DNR is dedicated to promoting hunter safety, hunting and shooting sports. To meet these objectives, the DNR has developed the Shooting Range Grant Program to assist with the development of new ranges and improvements to existing ranges who make their facilities available to the public. The DNR’s vision for shooting ranges in Wisconsin is to increase opportunities for shooting in a safe environment. Doing so will maintain Wisconsin's hunting heritage and the economic impact those activities have.

According to the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 4321-4347, as amended), the DNR developed an environmental assessment for the proposed projects.

The public can review the draft environmental assessments for the Langlade County Gun and Bow Range – Improvement Projects and the Wausau Skeet and Trap Club – Sporting Clays Course Expansion.

The public is encouraged to submit comments on the draft environmental assessments. Submit comments by Oct. 19, 2023 to:

Department of Natural Resources
C/O Sarah Brenner, DNR Grant Manger
1300 W Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI, 54701
Sarah.Brenner@wisconsin.gov

To request a hard copy of the draft environmental assessment or to receive the draft environmental assessment in an alternate format, please contact Sarah Brenner at Sarah.Brenner@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0928.