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HANDOUT 06-28-2010l~hd~-f ~o -z~ iv ~ Crty of El -,.-_~ River Police Department MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Jeffrey A. Beahen, Chief of Police DATE: June 25, 2010 SUBJECT: Elk River Sportsman Club Just over a year ago we had several complaints concerning the Elk River Sportsman Club- outdoor gun range. The primary complaints were concerning bullets that had left the range and landed north of the range in a residential area. One home was damaged. The Council was made aware of those complaints when they first came in. Initially the KD Range (Know Distance Range) was shut down by myself, and improvements were made to that range before it could be opened again. I also requested that the range be inspected by the NRA (National Rifle Association) or the State Department of Natural Resources. The NRA was contacted and an inspection of the range was done and a copy of their report is attached to this memo. I have previously provided a copy of a letter to the Council that was given to the Club-listing a long series of either changes or improvements that needed to be done to satisfy the City and the conditions that meet the guidelines for the Club that were established back in 1982. Part of the 1982 conditions require that I inspect the facility annually to make certain that range is operating safely. On June 23, 2010 I preformed my annual inspection and I am pleased to report that the range is safe and clear for continued operations. My inspection in June of 2009 resulted in the letter that I mentioned. In reviewing the conditions that were noted and changes requested, the following observation were made: *The easterly firing points on the KD range have been closed, firing points 14-22 are no longer used. *The KD range shooting benches on all firing lines have been relocated as fax east as possible to orient points of fire toward the west, away from neighbors and keeping the drop zones on club property only. *Firing points 12 and 13 are used only from the 200 and 300 yard firing lines. *No open shooting is allowed at the 600 yard line. *Metal locking gates have been installed at the KD range to prevent unauthorized access. *The buried and exposed telephone poles have been removed. *New, detailed safety procedures, safety requirements, and supervision of all shooters has been implemented on the KD range. *These include safety officers, spotters and target verifiers for all lanes. *All rounds on the KD range are accounted for. Rounds that do not impact the target are recorded and the shooters misses the target, they are removed from the range. ('T'hese rounds still impact the safety berm, they are just not on target) *The KD range backstop has been mined and repaired. *The secondary backstop has been squared off and raised. *Blackpowder shoots are no longer allowed at the KD range. *Electronic gates and card controlled access has been installed at the main entrance. That is now the only way to access the club. Members only are issued card access-but only after they have attended the new safety training. A computer record is kept of who enters and when they leave. *Two club members are on site every day to supervise and monitor anyone who shoots at the range, *Members must check in at the clubhouse when they arrive, they must wear an ID card while on the property and they must report in again when they leave. . *The NRA inspection has been completed. These above findings resolve all requests to address concerns made by myself last year. In addition to those changes, the following steps have also been completed or are in progress right now. This work would have been completed already but wetlands inspection by our City Environmental Staff had to be completed prior to grading permits being issued. ^Additional work at the KD range, including extensive restructuring of the north side of the back berm, adding additional berm height and leveling off the top of the berms making the top equal from right to left. ^On the Ed Hassig smallbore range, adding a 12' tall berm on the right side, and adding 12' in height to the backstop bringing it to 20' in height. ^On the 100 yard range, raising the back berm up 12' and bringing the side berms up to 14'- 15' ^On the 25-50 yard ranges, the berm will brought up 14' ^The pistol range side berms will be raised 3'-4' New enclosures have been installed on most of the ranges that provide shelter for members during inclement weather. Wood shooting benches are being replaced with concrete pad supported brick and concrete shooting stations. The clubhouse has been remodeled and brought up to current City code. I have to commend the current Club President Scott Olson for his leadership and guidance of the club members who followed the new guidelines and did the work to bring this facility up to these new standards. The work that has been completed at the club is simply put- nothing short of amazing. All improvements requested have been completed. The new look and feel at the club is clean, professional and in my experience, has resulted not only in a very safe shooting facility, but a very professional looking range at the same time. There are very few of the caliber in the upper mid-west. I would encourage the Council to schedule a tour of this impressive sporting location sometime this summer or early fall to view themselves the work that has been completed by this dedicated group of sportspersons. I have included for your review my original letter to the club in 2009, their initial response, and the NRA Range evaluation report. Last, a former member of the club has expressed a concern that the club does not have liability insurance. He has voiced his opinion that this should be a requirement set forth in the conditions laid out by the City. The club does have their own self-insured liability policy in the amount of one million dollars. The member, who fell on the club property during the winter months, has tried to file a claim against the club. Per their by-laws and in accordance of law, a person who is part of aself-insured group can not sue themselves. We have typically not been in the business of requiring businesses or organizations to carry insurance polices, and I don't see that this situation is any different. They are self-insured, have an insurance agent and attorney who monitors their rules and facility. I am confident there is no concern here for the City. Please contact me if you have any questions concerning this annual inspection or my observations. liver Police Department 13077 Orono Parkw~ne 11, 2009 Elk River, MN 55330 Jeffrey A. Beahen Chief of Police Robert F. Kluntz Administrative Captain Bradley R. Rolfe Patrol Captain Bryan Vta Investigative Sergeant Jeffrey Mordal Ron Nierenhausen David Dummer Daniel Block Patrol Sergeants Michelle Masica Support Services Supv. Scott Olson Vice President Elk River Sportsman Club 22743 171St Ave Big Lake, MN 55309 Mr. Olson, Thanks for meeting with myself and Captains Rolfe and Kluntz last night. I found that the time we spent with you and the other members of the club was very informative and reassuring. Based on our conversation and review of the Known Distance (KD) Range, and I would formalize our discussion as follows: • All in attendance agreed tha± immediate action needs to be taken to reassure the community that there will be no probability of future stray rounds leaving the KD Range. • The first immediate step to be taken, is that the most easterly firing points on the KD Range will be closed. These are firing points 14-22 and they are the most in line with the neighborhood to the north. '~'fi• Firing points 12 and 13 will be used for bench rest shooting at the 200 and 300 yard points only. '~• Firing points 1-11 will be used for the further distances. ~`• The shooting positions at the 600 yard mark will be moved to the far right/east, to create a slight right to left line of fire as the rounds go down range. This is a shift of 100 feet to the v,~est at 600 yards. This trajectory will keep all line of fire and potential drop zones on the property of the Sportsman Club, and no longer would allow a bullet potentially leave the range and enter a neighborhood. ~'• The 600 yard firing line will be closed until the benches can be relocated. ~• There will be elimination of all open shooting at the 600 yard line. %• This will be accomplished by installing metal gates at that end of the range. (Already done) and placing padlocks on the gates to prevent unauthorized entry. L`• The buried but slightly exposed telephone poles installed for ground stabilization at the 100 yard line will be removed for safety purposes. (Potential ricochets) Phone: 763.635.1260 Fax: 763.635.1250 w~~r.ci.elk-rivermn.us ~ There will be a required safety meeting before any match held at the KD Range. s There will be a safety officer, spotter and target verifier assigned to each shooter on the KD range. ``• All rounds fired must be accounted for, or the range must be shut down until the issue is resolved. /• The backstop/berm will be mined and refaced during summer of 2009. Additional berm material will be supplied for the west side of the KD Range. • The secondary berm will be squared off and raised. ~• The Club will discuss the future involvement of black powder shoots at the t a, KD range and determine the safety of these shoots and determine if they `°~' ~.~-~'`~ should continue. •f• The Club will install an electronically controlled access system for the gates to be able to monitor who comes in the facility and at what times. ~d• The Club will be requiring that two club members be on site each day of operation. These members will monitor all range activity to ensure that club rules and safety precautions are being met. /• Members will be required to check in at the clubhouse when they arrive, and they must wear their member ID when utilizing the range facilities. / • The Club requested assistance from the National Rifle Association (NRA) last year for a range inspection by one of the IvTRA Safety Experts. We would request afollow-up letter to NRA requesting their immediate attention to that request. I will send a letter as well asking for their support and response. ,~ • The club should contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and request that they inspect the range as well to ensure that it is in compliance with the DNR outdoor range regulations. • A report documenting the findings or outcomes of the two inspections would be due to the Police Chief no Iater than 12-31-09. You have reassured me that the majority of these physical safety measures will be started now or have already been implemented. Based on that, I am comfortable with the range reopening under the above guidelines. It would be mutually understood that the electronic gate and staffing of the range will not be until later this summer, as those will take time to implement. I also understand that the berm work and reface of the back area will also not be completed immediately, but will be completed by fall of 2009. I appreciate your immediate attention to these safety issues and the immediate and thorough response to the concerns that the Club and the City share. Your actions are greatly appreciated. Sincerely, J A. Beahen~ Chief of Police The following was approved unanimously by the ERSC board on May 13th. This proposal was then presented to the general membership on May 19th. Items # 1, 3 and 4 were unanimously approved by the general membership. Item #2 (the electronic gate access system) was approved with little opposition. ERSC Security and Safety Proposal The Elk River Sportsman's Club has nearly doubled in size over the past 6 years. This expansion of membership and usage has far exceeded the Club's ability to control activities and range conduct. Very few improvements to the club's security or safety took place during these years of added revenue from new members. Unfortunately, the Club is facing increased scrutiny from the public and from city officials. I believe that in order to preserve the Elk River Sportsman's Club as we now enjoy it, several measures must be taken as soon as possible to control activities on Club property. I respectfully request the Officers and Board review these propose policies and procedures. I, along with many other concerned members, have worked hard on this plan both to protect member access to individual ranges as well as the whole Club. 1) Ask activity chairs to review their ranges and range procedures. Activity chairs would submit a report on their range and any recommended changes for board review at the June meeting. 2) Electronically controlled access through the club's main gate. Budget estimate of $15,000 for a complete system. 3) Members and their guests would be required to check in and out at the clubhouse. Members would wear their card in a badge holder or lanyard. Guests would be issued Guest ID's. (Members and guests using a specific range for an organized activity would be excluded from this requirement as there is an Activity Chair responsible for the event. If the member wished to use other ranges, they would then be required to check in and out.) 4) Two Range Attendants on site each day of the year to monitor range activity. The duties shared between these attendants would be checking in/out members and guests, monitoring range activity and generally encouraging a safe environment for all ranges. The presence of an attendant will prevent most range rule and safety violations from occurring. If not, the Range Attendant would politely advise the member of the infraction, and suggest a correction. In the unlikely event further action would be necessary, the Range Attendant would then write up a report to be submitted to the Board for further action. If the Range Attendant believes the situation requires immediate action, they would call the Elk River Police Dept. and have the member or guest removed. Each member of the ERSC would be required to serve as a Range Attendant once per calendar year in addition to fulfilling their required work credit. During summer months when range hours are very long, the day would be divided into two 7 hour shifts. Members would be assigned their Range Attendant Day as far in advance as possible. Members can request special dates or shifts for their duty to be scheduled. It would be the member's responsibility to find a replacement if unable to fulfill the scheduled day. Any member not fulfilling their Range Attendant duty will not be allowed to renew their membership. I firmly believe that each and every member of the Elk River Sportsman's Club needs to be more aware and involved in the safe operation of the Club and its ranges. If we all don't protect this Club, we will lose it. Safety and security is every member's duty. Many members have had input into this plan over a long period of time. This plan is the best plan possible to safeguard the future of the ERSC with the least inconvenience to the members. Like any plan, small details will be worked out as the plan is implemented completely. Please be patient, and help the club move forward. Respectfully, Scott Olson, Vice President 1-tiver Police Department 13077 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 Jeffrey A. Beahen Chief of Police Robert F. I{luntz Administrative Captain Bradley R. Rolfe Patrol Captain Bryan vita Detective Sergeant Jeffrey Mordal Ron Nierenhausen David Dummer Daniel Block Patrol Sergeants Michelle Masica Support Services Supv. May 13, 2010 Scott Olson Vice President Elk River Sportsman Club 22743 171St Ave Big Lake, MN 55309 Mr. Olson, Almost one year has passed since I had the opportunity to review and inspect the Elk River Sportsman's Club facilities. Per the City permit issued in 1982 for the range, an annual inspection of the facilities by myself is required. I would like to arrange a time to meet with representatives of the club to inspect and tour the range. I am particularly interested in inspecting the improvements that were outlined in a letter sent to you by myself on June 11, 2009. With that correspondence, Ihad requested documentation of the range inspection(s) done by either the NRA or the DNR. If neither inspection has been completed, then correspondence documenting if they will be done in the future is required as soon as possible. If the inspection(s) have been done, please forward copies of those reports to me as well. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation with these requests. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Sincerely, ~1 J A. Beahen Chief of Police CC: Lori Johnson, City Administrator Phone: 763.635.1260 Fax: 763.635.1250 www.ci.elk-rivermn.us Page 1 of 2 Beahen, Jeff From: pullbanger@aol.com Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 1:09 PM To: Beahen, Jeff Cc: mtrowst76@aol.com; dlgranlund@msn.com; dar53@izoom.net; BStevens@alerusmail.com; chadlem@connections-etc.net; bighig6202@gmail.com; reason1941@msn.com; pobrien@cdicurbs.com; tthole@gmail.com; russ6645@msn.com; Mmmatcher@aol.com; m.donarski@att.net; jnhein@comcast.net; dan.whalen@remmele.com; srraz@charter.net; halfdollqueen@aol.com; JHThompson@opportunities.org; rsgear@charter.net; blstevens@isp.com; tlish@charter.net; JoyceMickelson@edinarealty.com; pullbanger@aol.com; erscinfo4u@aol.com; nnaig16@aol.com; leo.huhta@remmele.com; ECH116@aol.com; cathy_hagen@msn.com; gary@force-options.com; rghensel@sherbtel.net; mmkratzke@hotmail.com; hdstevens1@juno.com Subject: Elk River Sportsman's Club Hello Chief Beahen, Here is a quick update regarding the Elk River Sportsman's Club. The Elk River Sportsman's Club looks forward to showing you all that we have accomplished since your last visit. The requested NRA Range Evaluation was completed this winter. The report from the NRA took along time to get back. The club is currently seeking revised bids on doing all of the recommended impact and side berm height improvements. The plan is to complete all berm improvements this summer. The club has worked hard at getting the membership focused on safety. Every member was required to complete Re-Orientation which consisted of an hour long Power Point presentation and a 20 question exam afterwards. Over 93% of the members have completed this. The remaining members have their access cards disabled until they complete the Re-Orientation. The gate and access system works well. The club has Range Attendants on site every day supervising activities. This program has made the members more aware of all range procedures. Believe it or not, most members have actually enjoyed their time serving as RA's despite the grumbling last summer when it was first proposed. The club continues to review the procedures on the KD range for more safety. The club is currently adopting more clearly defined policies regarding the operation of the KD range. On behalf of the club, I'd like to thank you for your support. I can assure you that we take the safety of the club and more importantly, the community, very seriously. The membership as a whole is proud of the activities that the 05/28/2010 Page 2 of 2 club sponsors for youth, law enforcement, and the community. Feel free to contact me at anytime to schedule your visit. Sincerely, Scott Olson President, ERSC 763-263-0015 05/28/2010 NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA RANGE TECHNICAL TEAM RANGE DEPARTMENT FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION Range Evaluation Report Case #: RCN MN-1555-09 Subject: Elk River Sportsman's Club . Date: December 30, 2009 STATEMENT REGARDING INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT Nothing in the information that follows should be considered "requirements" of the NRA. The informational items are "suggestions". The range operator may or may not chose to act upon any or all of these suggestions. It should not be interpreted by anyone that a failure on any part of the range operator to accept and/or implement any of the suggestions set forth herein as evidence of a "cavalier attitude" rega~•ding heat#h and/or safety. A range operator may ather<vise be very safety and heal#h conscious without having to resort to any oral[ of these suggestions. Report prepared by Stuart C. Anderson, P.E. NRA Range Techiucal Team Advisor State of Minnesota Page 1 of 10 THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Page 2 of 10 NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA RANGE TECHNICAL TEAM RANGE DEPARTMENT FIELD OPERATIONS DIVISION Stuart C. Anderson NRA RANGE TECHNICAL TEAM ADVISOR 358G0 Co. Rd. 23$ Deer River, MN. 56636 2I 8-2~I6-2396 sanders o @pa utbunyan. net Range Evaluation Repot Case #: RCN MN- I555-09 Date: Decembel• 30, 2009 Subject: Elk River Sportsman's Club Index: Opening Statement . Page 3 Summary Page 4 Background Page 4 Observations Page 4 - 8 Suggestions Page 8 - 9 Conclusions Page 9 - 10 Appendix A Aerial Photo & Site iocafion map Page Al - A2 Appendix B Club supplied documentation Page B1 - B8 Excerpts from Members Manual Appendix C Field Notes (Site descriptions) Page 1 - 10 Appendix P l.ayou# Plan study & Site Photos Page P1 - P4 Opening Statement: On December 18, 2009, I visited the Efk 12iver Sportsman's Glub shooting range facility located within the City Limits of Elk River, MN. at 20309 Meadowvaie Rd. The purpose of our site visit was to review the club's range facilities and provide safety and range layout advice in regard to the same. The range evaluation was conducted at the request of the Elk River Sportsman's Cfub, at the direction of Mr. Scott S. Olson, our contact and the Vice President of the Elk River Sportsman's Club, herein after referred to as the ERSC. Page 3 of 10 SUMMARY: The ERSC has constructed and maintains a shooting range facility That includes a pistol range, a mul#i-use (rifle, pistol and black powder} range, four separate rifle ranges and four shotgun ranges on their property. It is located 3 miles north of the center of the town of Elk River, MN., within the corpora#e city limits. From the junction of US Hwy 10 and Proctor Ave., proceed north an Proctor to Elk Lake Rd. (also Co. Rd. i). Go left on Elk Lake Road to Go. Rd. 32 (also signed as Meadowvale Rd.}. go left one mile to the Elk River Sportsman Cfub on the right. The adjacent power pose is flagged with three yellow stripes. We met with Mr. Scoi# Olson, our con#act and the Club's Vice President and Mr. Gary 8oham, ERSC Director, at their clubhouse on the morning of December 18, 2009. By "we", means t was accompanied by my wife, Phyllis, who is a certified range sa#ety officer, competitive shooter and engineering assistanf, experienced in range design and valued assistant. The purpose of our site visit was to review the ERSC shooting range facilities and the ERSC documentation to evaluate them in terms of function and operational safety in comparison to the standards published in the NRA Range Source Book and as given in my training as an NRA Range Technical Team Advisor. ]n general, we found the ERSC a very wi11 planned and constructed series of shooting ranges that are managed in a very well documented operational procedure. The following sections descr[be the ERSC operational procedures and each shooting range with our comments in regard to suggested improvements or alternate procedures, if any are deemed worthy of note. Attached in Appendix C, is a summary of the Field Note information that was reviewed on our site visit of 12/18!09. Appendix A inctudes a general map of the site, and an Aerial Photo of the site. Appendix P includes some of the photos taken at the site on that day. BACKGROUND: The ERSC was established in the 1946, and re-chartered in 1997 when it was relacafed to the present site. The present membership is 570. The membership number is limited, and there is a waiting list of applicants to join. The ERSC is never open to the public except for special events when the activity is under ERSC supervisory control. Starting in January 2010, the facility will be under ERSC Range Attendant supervisory contro[ at all times the range is open, whe#her open to the public or even when restricted #o membership only activities. The ERSC has regularly scheduled trap and skeet shooting with two trap field stations and one skeet station; twice a week. during the spring, summer and fail seasons. This shotgun spoofing is open to the public, as well as to members. The range is also open to public use for firearms safe#y training, both adult and youth, with several classes each year, for an annual Youth Activity Day, for Deer Hunting Site-In days and some other special events. It is also open for Elk River PD and Sherburne County Law Enforcement Personnel training and proficiency activities. Otherwise, it is open only to members and (heir guests from 8:00 AM (8:00 A.M. Sunday) to sunset. In addition to the firearm shooting facilities, the ERSC has a Large area designated for perimeter camping. There is also a series of archery trails for field hunting exercise activity. There are no current safety or projectile containment complaints, sound complaints, ar other problems. A minor, possible containment event, did occur last June, but it was resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. The club wants to be pro-active in efforts to prevent incidents that could jeopardize the continual range functions, due to the increasing encroachment of housing around their perimeter. The ERSC does have a copy of the NRA Range Source Book for their range development reference, and in the writer's opinion, has been adhering to its recommendations quite closely. OBSERVATl4NS: The gated entry is a well signed attractive electronic computerized key card controlled gate. An adjacent padlock keyed gate provides an alternate access for utility work and special public open house activities. We observed, what were described as "alder" signs that had the term "DANGER" printed on them. We also later noted similar signs along the outer boundary fences. Page 4 of 10 The ERSC owns 304.71 acres with the club house located near the sou#h boundary, about a thousand feet from the entry gate at a south west property corner. (see Appendix A).The Club House is a large (approx. 38' x 80'), metal clad #ormer ufility and s#orage building, that has been recently remodeled to the ERSC Cfub House. It houses a 60 ft. indoor archery range and an air rifle range, as well as a large open area for meetings and classroom activities. Kitchen facilities also exist, as weft as a small storage secure roam with a gun safe for limited firearms storage. The Glub House is equipped wi#h telephone, portable radios for range control; computer and printer with entry gate control; video with cassette, DVD and power point for training and supply of folding tables and chairs for large group meetings or fraining classes. Ail ranges areas have picnic tables and "comfort stations" of commercial type satellite Porta- Potty chemical toilets. Each range has adequate parking areas immediately adjacent to each respective range. DOCUMENT OBSERVATIONS: Extensive documentation was furnished us far review. The subject of our meeting was in regard to the present range facilities and to evaluate the safety functions of the physical facilities and fhe range operations. Mr. Olson and Mr. Soham spent considerable time showing us the extensive training procedures and documentation the club has instituted. The club has a 44 page Member's Manual booklet that is issued each member, along with a four hour orients#ion course. It is kept up to date and re-issued periodically. In addition, each member will now, starting January first, be assigned a minimum of one day a year when he or she will #ill the duty of Range Attendant. There will always be two range supervisors, denoted as Range Attendants (as opposed to the term Range Officer, who need special training) on the site every hour the Club is open for use. That way there will be a contact in the club house with radio contact wl#h the other, able to check on range usage. SHOTGUN RANGES: The single skeet range, with a combination trap house plus a five station sporting clay stand, is loco#ed adjacent to the club house, but slightly fo the north west. The two trap house ranges are also adjacent to the skeet range, one just to the north and the other to the north-eas#. A!I shotgun shooting is oriented to the north east. The shooting range layout, stations and the target thrower enclosures appear to conform to convenficnal layouts of the NSSA and ATA standards. The closest property boundary is 2,000 feet from the closesk shooting station. This is welt beyond the maximum shotfall range, so containment cannot be a problem. Shotgun firing is limited to #6 shot and smaller only. Shooting "booths" or restrictive enclosures limit the shooter's angle of fire at the five station sporting clay stand and also at the Crazy Quail range (see below). There is a "Crazy Quail" shotgun shoo#ing range slightly over 900 feet to the north of the skeet range. This range consists of about five fixed traps firing clay pigeons at various vertical and horizontal angles, as wet! as a place for members to use a hand trap exercises. This range is slightly more than 900 feet from the closest boundary corner, beyond containment limitations. Thts range is also located about 250 feet easterly adjacent to and slightly ahead {north) of the Known Distance {KD} 400 yard firing line. it is well ahead of fhe 600 yard KD firing line. When the KD range is being used, activity on this shotgun range is prohibited. All shotgun ranges had parking areas adjacent to them. There are also comfort facilities and targe# storage structures convenient to the ranges. PISTOL RANGE: The 20 post#ion, 25 yard Pistol Range is oriented to the NNE direction, and is located about a half mile WNW of the Ciub House (see Appendix A and Appendix P, page P4}. It is bermed on three sides, with the impact berm estimated to be almost 20 feet in height, and the side berms about 7 feet. The firing line location is about 1,400 feet from the north property line and 600 feet from the west (closest) property line. The covered firing line has some permanent, and some movable benches at the individual firing points. The firing has a cover over part of the line. The target lines are mulfi range with individual target boards that are placed in embedded pipes at the 25 yard line and individually anchored into the ground for intermediate ranges. Signs are Page5of10 placed warning that multi-range target placement shall be placed to insure bullets impact into the backs#op berm. Shooting on this range, as listed in the Member's Manual, is limited to ail caliber hand guns, rimfire and air rifles, carbines and rifles (except 50 cal.}, and police and self-defense shotguns with no slugs. A large parking area is adjacent to the firing line. Also adjacent is a target storage building and comfort sta#ion. Though the site was snow covered, it appeared to be relatively level and well drained. I# was well posted with safety and procedure signage. MULTI-USE RANGE: The 25 and 50 yard Multi-Use Range is also frequently referred to as the Black Powder Range. !t is located adjacent to the south east side of the Pisto! range and is also oriented to the same NNE direc#ion. The firing line is about 50 yards behind (SSW} from that of the Pistol Range. It is also bermed on three sides, with the left side berm common with that of the Pistol Range's right side berm. The impact berm estimated to be only about 12 to 15 feet in height, and the side berms about 7 fee#. This firing fine location is about 1,650 feet from the north property line and 800 feet from fhe west property line. The firing line has some permanent concrete block, and some permanent embedded post shooting bench rests, spaced along the entire 15 point range. There is a cover over two thirds of fhe fring fine. The target lines are fixed at 25 yards and 50 yards with targets placed in embedded pipes in fhe ground at staggered locations. Shoaling on this range, as fisted in the Member's Manual, is limited to all caliber hand guns, rimfire and air rifles, center fire rifles (except 50 cal.), Black Powder rifles and pistols and shotguns with slugs only. A large parking area is adjacent to the firing line. Also adjacent is a target storage building and comfort s#ation that are shared with the adjacent 100 yd. Rifle Range. Though fhe site was snow covered, it appeared to be relatively level and well drained. It too was well posted with safety and procedural signage. 100 Yt}. RANGE: The 100 yard Rifle Range is also oriented to the NNE direction, It is located adjacenf to fhe south east side of the Multi-Use Range and is also oriented to the same NNE direction. The firing line is aligned wi#h that of the Multi-Use Range, it is also bermed on three sides, with the left side berm common with that of the Multi-Use's right side berm. The impact berm is estimated to be only about 12 to 15 feel in height, and the side berms are about 7 feet. Thls firing line location is about 1,750 feet from the north property tine and 900 feet from the west property line. The firing line has same permanent concrete black, and some permanen# embedded post shooting bench rests, spaced along the entire 20 point range. There is a cover aver two thirds of the firing line. The target lines are fixed at 100 yards with targets placed in embedded pipes in the ground at that location. Shooting on this range, as listed in the Member's Manual, is limited to Appropriate PistolslRevolvers {at targets 1-4 only- left side), center fire rifles (except 50 cal.), .22 and other rimfire rifles {except center fire rifles have priority if space is limited); Black Powder rifles and shotguns with slugs only, left side targets 1 - 4. A large parking area is also adjacent to the firing line and there is the adjacent target storage building and comfort station that are shared with the adjacent Multi-Use Rifle Range. Though the site was snow covered, it appeared to qe relatively level and well drained. It too was well posted with safety and procedural signage. SMALLBORE RANGE : The 50 and 100 Smailbore Range is Located adjacent to the south east side of the 100 yard Rifle Range and is also oriented to the same NNE direction. The firing line is aligned with the adjacent 100 Yard Range on the left (NW) side. It is bermed on #wo sides. The left side berm that is common with that of the 100 yard Rifle Range's right side berm. The impact berm is estimated to be only about 12 to 15 feet in height, and fhe side berm about 7 feet. The Pack of berm on the SE side is compensated for by the heavily wooded and undeveloped area beyond those range limits. The Known Distance (Kt]) range is located about 600 feet further to the righ#, and that range is fenced around its perimeter. This firing tine location is about 1,850 feet from the north property line and 1100 feet from the west property line. The firing line is uncovered Page 6 of 10 The target lines are fixed at 50 and 100 yards with targets placed in embedded pipes in fhe ground.. Shooting on this range, as fisted in the Member's Manual, is limi#ed to .22 and other rimfire rifles and air-guns. A Large parking area is adjacent to the firing line. Also adjacent is a target storage building and an equipment building located down range on the right. Though fhe site was snow covered, if appeared to be reiafive(y level and well drained. It too was well posted with safety and procedural signage. KNOWN DISTANCE RANGE: The KD Range, also frequently referred to as the Long Distance Range, is located slightly over 500 feet to the ESE of the Smallbore range. It is also oriented to the same NNE direction as the other rifle ranges. The KD range has14 point firing lines that are 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600 yards from fhe target line. The 400 yard firing line is aligned with those of the previously noted rifle ranges. The impact berm height was measured with a Hand Level to be 20 feet above the target line base. There are no side berms. The 600 yard firing line #ocation is about 1950 feet from the closest NE property corner, 200 feet from the closest west property line and 2,750 feet to the east property tine. The 140 yard firing sine location is about 600 feet from the closest NE property corner and 1,900 feet from the closest west property line and 1,600 feet from the east property line. All firing lines are grass covered without overhead cover structure. . The 14 point target line is a pit type with manually operated pulley and counterweighted target carriers that raise and lower the wood framed target frames above the pit wolf. The pit retaining wall is a series of large diameter telephone poles, spaced 2 to 4 feet on center, embedded deep into the ground and cantilevered above the pit floor about eight feet, which is the pit welt height. Deep fluted galvanized sheet metal decking spans between fhe poles to retain the earth up to the target line height. The layout of the former 20 point firing lines and 20 poinf targe# line were changed this past summer when a ricochet sound was heard and reported by a resident in fhe recently developed housing area, down range about a thousand feet from the target line (see Appendix P, page P1) . The City of Elk River, which governs the locality of fhe ERSC range, ordered the KD range closed while the incident was investigated. Following the Elk River PD and ERSC investigation the ERSC proposed skewing the KD range shooting Ilne towards the North from the NNE farmer orientation. To do this, they abandoned the use of #arget carrier numbers 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20, leaving the operation in the pits of target carrier 1 through 14. To achieve the shooting alignment more towards the north, all firing position were shifted to the east (ESE) 6 paints, so #iring point 14 would now be on the former firing paint 20, no. 1 on the €ormer no. 7, 2 on former 6 etc.. This satisfied the City of Elk River and was compatible with the ERSC, so the KD range was re- opened under those restrictions. Also additional restrictions were piaced on shooters regimen for sighting in and adjusting their sights at range changes. Shooting on this range, as listed in the Member's Manual, is limited to "Firearms appropriate for tong range shooting and not prohibited by KD range rules....The firing of .50 f3MG rifles requires certification and they are allowed only on the KD range..." Parking areas are located adjacent to each firing line and also in the pit area . A service road runs along the east side, but is separated from the range by a wooded area distance of 80 feet to 400 feet. A large target storage building is built into the pit embankment a# the east pit end. There is a pit toilet at the west end of the pit. Though the site was snow covered, it appeared to befitted well into the natural topography and apparently well drained. 1f too was well posted with safety and procedural signage. The entire KD range perimeter was fenced and posted: The access road was outside of the fencing line and tacked gates were located at each firing line. in addition, the road itself was gated with chains and appropria#e signs denoting access limitations when firing was being done on different firing lines. Page 7 of 10 RANGE SIGNAGE: The signs on the ranges appeared very adequate and complete in stressing safety and the proper operational procedures of each facili#y The main entry sign was a low key simple sign appropriate for a priva#e club. The main entry gate was attractive and appeared wet{ maintained. On the uiiliiy gate, there were two signs noting the word "DANGER". FENCING AND SECURITY: The property is posted and fenced all around the perimeter of the ERSC property except for a short segment on the west part of the NW corner that is barriered by a swamp and dense vegetation. A vehicle trait is cleared all around the interior fenced perimeter for regular checks on the fencing condition. The KD range is also totally fenced around it's perimeter with padlocked gated access at each firing pain#, pit point and at some other access points. SUGGESTIONS: GENERAL: The apparent 45 year track record of the functioning ERSC shooting range, with no significant problems in safety, opera#ion and neighbor relations speaks we[[ for the management of the club. The documentation we reviewed and the member orientation training the re- orientation of a!I members now instifuted indicate the ERSC is a very pro-active shoo#ing club. In general, the ERSC seems to have followed the intent of the NRA Range Source Book very diligently. The NRA Range Source Book (Section 9, Chapter 2, pa€agraph 2.02} stresses the need to conform to the "4E's", Engineering, Evaluation, Education and Enforcemen# for a prape€ly functioning range. 1n a private range, all four E's can be readily controlled by actions of the officers and directors, parficularly regarding the Education item. To overcome the poteniiai for deficiencies in member actions in a private club, it is imperative to stress Education to insure safe gun handling on the range and also to have a strict Enforcement procedure for failures to meet those safety standards. A grope€ly developed safety plan developed in accordance wikh the Range Source Book's procedures will insure a high level of care in the operation of a private club. The ERSC is in conformance with these 4 E's. The Source Book also covers a Range Safe#y Plan, Planning and Design of the range, Organization Management, Operations and Maintenance, Sound Abe#ement and last but far from feast, Public Relations. Each of these functions is critical for the continued success of your €ange operation. Even if the club's documentation is Curren#ly welt ordered, those secfions of the latest edition of the Source Book gives up to date information of thought provoking value regarding those items. They should be reviewed and studied periodically to insure the present ERSC documentation and procedures are up fo date and valid #o meet current conditions. SHOTGUN: We have no comments or suggestions to add in regard to the shotgun ranges. The fields are well laid out and the shotfall containment area is well within the ERSC property limits. The tree growth and distance to property boundaries should mitigate the potential sound problems, although a sound survey maybe considered to verify this. PISTOL &'E00 YD. & UNDER RIFLE RANGES: These Rifle and Pistol Ranges are all well oriented and laid out in accordance wifh good planning. Though we did not take field measurements of the berm heights, a close interpre#ation of our photos indicates that the impact berms are less than the 20 feet recommended as a current minimum, and the side berms are also less #han the current recommendation of eight feet. We suggest that an engines€ing ground survey be performed to verify the heights of all of the impact berms above the target [ine base. We suggest a minimum impact berm fop height to be 20 feet above the center of the target at the firing line. The side berms, which are necessary to shield adjacent range shooters when changing targets, should be a minimum of seven feet above the adjacent firing lines, and preferably eight feet in height. if any berms are less than these suggested heig~its, the earth fill to increase the heights should be readily available adjacent to each berm. Construction could be scheduled over an extended period, in o€der to affect the range use only in limited areas, for limited times. Page8of10 KNOWN DISTANCE RANGE: The KD range firing lines and general range layout appear welt planned and were laid out very weft to fit the tapo of the land. The ricochet incident related under "Observations" has required a slight skew for the shooters alignment and the reduction of the number. of firing points and targets to 14 from the former 20. The ERSC has plans to add 6 more firing potnis and target tines to the west of the present to restore the range to the original 20 points, aligned in the northerly skew #hat was instituted for the present 14 paints. There is room to the WNW of the target line to install an additional 6 target carriers. A former pit watt in that area had collapsed, but a retaining wall could be constructed to extend the present retaining structure and accommodate these additional carriers. AEI firing on these new targets would also be a t the same increased northerly skew, complementing the present conditions. We see no problem with Phis planned addition. We checked the west end of the impact berm height and found it was about 20 feet in height above the base of the target line. Viewing the photographs indicates that the impac# berm scopes dawn from the east to the west. We suggest that the berm be bunt up to the height of the eastern section far the full length. This should then equal or exceed the minimum 20 foot berm height as suggested in the Range Source Book. SIGNAG~: Sign should be installed on each range and around the c{ub house, and they should be clear, brief and relatively complete regarding firearms handling and range operation. This may include more signs stressing individual safety and proper gun handling spaced all over each range and in the club house. Some signs with short phrases in larger letters (particularly in regard to safety, gun handling, ear and eye protection) that cannot be missed, should be repeated in various locations. in general, the ERSC is well signed. From my experience on focal ranges, I believe you cannot have too many safety reminder signs on a range. Signs noting the word "DANGER" were common on the utility entry gate and on some of the perimeter property fencing signs. We advised ERSC that these should be replaced with more appropriate warning wordage to avoid the inference that shooting is a dangerous sport, as those signs may infer. Do not use the word "Danger" or Hazard" In any signs, but rather more neutral phrasing such as "Posted, Keep Ou#", "Shooting Range, Keep Out" etc. The NRA has a variety of signs to fit this purpose, as does Voss Signs of Manlius, NY, a source of very economical metal or plastic boundary signs. SOUND: No sound incidents were reported. In view of the closeness of the neighbors and the current MN State Shooting Range fegtslation, it is suggested that the club consider having a sound survey made of the site as apro-active measure fo guard against future complaints and to have a base record. One source for a range noise study I have worked with in the past is Hansen Consulting, 7 Wes#wind Dr., Methuen MA. 01844, hansensd aC~.netzero.net, and another source is a firm that recently did a comprehensive and economical Range Noise Sfudy report on the new Beitrami County Shooting Center; Thalheimer Associates, 27 Peterson Road, Natick MA 01760, thalheimerC)rcn.com . LEAD MANAGEMENT: We really did not discuss this to any depth. ERSC has done some study in the past in regard to recycl(ng the lead in their berms and the shotfatl areas, but no major activity has been done recently. We are advised fhat the EPA is expecting alt shooting ranges to develop, maintain and keep up to date a Best Management Practices {BMP) on this subject. Further information on this can be gotten at www epa govlregion2/waste/leadshot/epa bmz,.cdf CONCLUSION: The pas# track record of the functioning ERSC shooting range, with no significant problems in safety, operation and neighbor relations speaks wel! for the management of the club. The documentation we reviewed and the member orientation training the re- orienta#ion of ail members now instituted indicate the ERSC is a very pro-active shooting club. Page 9 of 14 We made on#y a few suggestions regarding range improvements, such as improving some of the berm heights, replacing "DANGER" signs wi#h more appropriate phrases, considering a sound Level survey and beginning a Best Management Practices plan for lead management. End of Report Questions regarding this document should be directed to the assigned Range Technica# Team Advisor, or may be directed to NRA Range Technical Team Operations at 703-267-1278. Submitted by. Stuart C. Anderson Date NRA Range Technical Team Adviser CC: National Rifle Assocfatio_n, Range Department, SA file N0907 End ofRenort .~., - Page l0 of 10