TN State Park Threatened...need help!

#1
AF_VOL

AF_VOL

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#1
I need some help from my fellow Vols. I am currently stationed in Florida, but I grew up in Tennessee and am a land owner next to the Cumberland Trail near Soddy-Daisy, TN. We were recently informed that a proposed shooting range is in the works near the State Park and our land. If this gets approved, the noise from the range will drive away the badly needed ecotourists from the area. Since most homeowners in the area use well water, the lead from spent rounds pose a threat to the ground water as well.

Here is the article from the Times Free Press:
Outdoor advocates say proposed shooting range will be too close to Cumberland Trail | Times Free Press

Although Mr. Whaley stated the range is .68 miles away from the Cumberland Trail, we have actually mapped it out to be approximately .37 miles. Either way, that is well within the audible range of gunfire.

I am a gun owner and frequent user of shooting ranges, but I would never want to jeopardize a State Park or safety of residents in doing so. There is also an existing gun range about 20 minutes away (Montlake Classic Clays). Do we really need another range that close?

If you would please sign our petition so that the range can be moved to a more suitable area and share this information with your friends, it would be greatly appreciated.

Petition Say NO to Shooting Range near TN State Park

You can also join our Facebook group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/509436115894494/?__mref=message_bubble
 
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#3
#3
have you gotten a petition up from the people that actually live around it ? that might go farther than an internet one
 
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#6
#6
governmentmule said:
have you gotten a petition up from the people that actually live around it ? that might go farther than an internet one
Click to expand...

The majority of our neighbors have signed this online petition. If I was in the area I would definitely be going door to door, but unfortunately I can't do that right now. I am going to drive in for the planning commission meeting on 14 March. I'm going to try to get physical signatures from residents a few days before.

Thank you for your feedback!
 
#10
#10
allvol123 said:
Don't see a problem with it.
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Well if you aren't planning on camping or hiking in the area, or having your well water possibly contaminated...then i'm sure you don't. However, the many other residents, tourists, and outdoor enthusiasts do have a problem with listening to gunfire in this serene setting.

Trust me, I love guns and going to the range...but this is not the right place for one. There are plenty of other places to build that will not affect residents and local tourism.
 
#11
#11
AF_VOL said:
Well if you aren't planning on camping or hiking in the area, or having your well water possibly contaminated...then i'm sure you don't. However, the many other residents, tourists, and outdoor enthusiasts do have a problem with listening to gunfire in this serene setting.

Trust me, I love guns and going to the range...but this is not the right place for one. There are plenty of other places to build that will not affect residents and local tourism.
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Even before I joined the military, gunfire didn't bother me. In fact, I can't think of a place where I've been in the remote woods camping, hiking, etc where I didn't at least hear a single gunshot. I can see and relate to how that might not be for everyone though.

Serious question though, is there data out there that specifically outlines the damage it will do to your water? Well water is extremely deep and typically under a layer or so of rock. I'm not doubting you, I'm just a true life nerd and would like to see the data.
 
#12
#12
volfanbill said:
Serious question though, is there data out there that specifically outlines the damage it will do to your water? Well water is extremely deep and typically under a layer or so of rock. I'm not doubting you, I'm just a true life nerd and would like to see the data.
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Not an issue. Just something being perpetuated to drive up outrage. I doubt the op is doing it intentionally. I am sure it is a myth that he has heard and is repeating. Here is an article:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/11/041104005801.htm
 
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#13
#13
AF_VOL said:
Well if you aren't planning on camping or hiking in the area, or having your well water possibly contaminated...then i'm sure you don't. However, the many other residents, tourists, and outdoor enthusiasts do have a problem with listening to gunfire in this serene setting.

Trust me, I love guns and going to the range...but this is not the right place for one. There are plenty of other places to build that will not affect residents and local tourism.
Click to expand...

I enjoy the sound of gunfire.

Sound like you have an agenda given your over dramatization of this matter.
 
#14
#14
volfanhill said:
Not an issue. Just something being perpetuated to drive up outrage. I doubt the op is doing it intentionally. I am sure it is a myth that he has heard and is repeating. Here is an article:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/11/041104005801.htm
Click to expand...

I'm not looking to get in an article war with you, but there have been many studies suggesting lead contamination at ranges is an issue...I guess it just depends on who you ask.

Lead Poisoning: A Hidden Danger at Shooting Ranges - NBC News

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/acclpp/SupplementalOct04/Lead%20Contamination%20in%20Shooting%20Range%20Soils-Hardison.pdf
 
#15
#15
volfanbill said:
Even before I joined the military, gunfire didn't bother me. In fact, I can't think of a place where I've been in the remote woods camping, hiking, etc where I didn't at least hear a single gunshot. I can see and relate to how that might not be for everyone though.

Serious question though, is there data out there that specifically outlines the damage it will do to your water? Well water is extremely deep and typically under a layer or so of rock. I'm not doubting you, I'm just a true life nerd and would like to see the data.
Click to expand...

Occasional gunfire doesn't bother, nor does it when I am at the range. However, having to constantly live around it and expect others to camp/hike around it poses an issue. Read the CDC article I posted, it goes in depth about the possibility of lead contamination of ground water. I would rather not risk it if at all possible.
 
#16
#16
AF_VOL said:
I'm not looking to get in an article war with you, but there have been many studies suggesting lead contamination at ranges is an issue...I guess it just depends on who you ask.

Lead Poisoning: A Hidden Danger at Shooting Ranges - NBC News

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/acclpp/SupplementalOct04/Lead%20Contamination%20in%20Shooting%20Range%20Soils-Hardison.pdf
Click to expand...

No worries man. I don't know if I would want it in my neck of the woods either. Seeing as how this has zero impact on my life I hope my fellow vol fan gets his way. Thanks for your service by the way.
 
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#17
#17
How close is this to your land?

Fwiw, I've never seen an abundance of use at any shooting ranges like these. There's occasional shooters, but I've never noticed one overly crowded. Ever. And it depends what weapons are allowed for the noise variance too.

I'm not knocking you, I just think you are making way too big of an issue out of this.
 
#18
#18
Unless every existing gun range is far away from every home and public area, why should this one not be in somebody's backyard as well?
 
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#19
#19
Your right to fight it but for the life of me I don't see why I should weigh in on a petition for an area I don't live anywhere near.

It is a local issue and IMHO it local voices should determine the outcome. I certainly wouldn't want some out of staters deciding what happens around me.
 
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#20
#20
volfanbill said:
How close is this to your land?

Fwiw, I've never seen an abundance of use at any shooting ranges like these. There's occasional shooters, but I've never noticed one overly crowded. Ever. And it depends what weapons are allowed for the noise variance too.

I'm not knocking you, I just think you are making way too big of an issue out of this.
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The plans show the closest range approximately 800ft from my property, and as close as approximately 500ft from owners. The plans for this range will include a 600 yard range, which will be used for high powered rifles. They are also planning for competition shooting to be held here, which will dramatically increase the noise output.
 
#21
#21
volinbham said:
Your right to fight it but for the life of me I don't see why I should weigh in on a petition for an area I don't live anywhere near.

It is a local issue and IMHO it local voices should determine the outcome. I certainly wouldn't want some out of staters deciding what happens around me.
Click to expand...

I agree, this is a fight for Tennesseans and those who frequent the trail.
 
#22
#22
If some big shot with money wants it - nothing is going to stop him -- sad to say
 
#23
#23
How often are competitions going to be held though?

Again, I guess I'm just not that concernced over gun noise.
 
#25
#25
If you want to fight it and get people to notice, you should go around other gun ranges and ask those neighbors to speak out about the noise levels they experience.
 
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