|
PRESS RELEASE FROM LEGISLATOR KATE M. BROWNING |
|
MEDIA RELEASE MARCH 30, 2009 |
CONTACT:
JOSHUA SLAUGHTER |
|
Committee Chaired by Browning Issues Recommendations for Alternative Sites Mastic, NY - Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) recently submitted a report outlining possible sites for a relocation of Suffolk County’s Trap and Skeet Range, currently located in Southaven Park. The Trap and Skeet Search Committee was commissioned by the Suffolk County Legislature in 2006 and Legislator Browning served as its Chairperson. The search committee was charged with finding suitable alternative locations to operate the range. The range was re-opened in 2006 to the dismay of residents surrounding Southaven Park in Yaphank. Noise from the range has created many quality of life issues for homes in the area, and the Town of Brookhaven has issued violations to the operator of the facility for noise levels that exceed the town’s noise ordinance. The range is challenging the legality of those citations in court. Committee members represented a diverse range of views. They included the sporting community, environmental community, residents living close to the range, and the County Executive’s Office. Over the past 18 months, the committee reviewed all parcels of land that met certain criteria. Among the issues considered were size of the property, accessibility for Suffolk County residents, impacts to surrounding communities, costs associated with relocating and environmental impacts. All parcels in excess of 75 acres were reviewed extensively. Emphasis was placed on County property first, and property located outside of the Core Preservation Area (CPA) of the Pine Barrens. The Southaven Park Shooting range currently lies within the CPA. The committee also stressed the need for the County to continue offering the same level of space or possible expansion of recreational space for the sporting community. The goal was to offer a better location for a shooting range without limiting options for gun range enthusiasts throughout Suffolk County. Most of all, the Trap and Skeet Relocation Committee focused on areas that would not negatively affect any surrounding communities. “The sporting community does not have many venues to legally shoot for sport in Suffolk County,” stated Browning. “We wanted to make sure they will still the have the same if not more space to do so. However, it needs to be clear that no community should have to tolerate the quality of life issues that the residents in and around Yaphank have been living with for the past three years.” A wide variety of parcels have been recommended for further review. These range from privately owned parcels, public land currently operating as shooting ranges, and even sand mining operations that could be converted to trap and skeet facilities. The recommendations do not identify any particular property as the best site. The committee was only charged with finding possible alternative locations, and now these need to be reviewed by the county’s Planning and Parks departments. “The committee worked very hard for the last year and half to find a suitable solution,” concluded Browning. “We determined that it would be viable to relocate the facility, and there are several locations that need to be looked at further. The least costly solution needs to be pursued first. I am hopeful that we can accommodate the sporting community, while at the same time preserving our environment and quality of life for all communities in Suffolk County.” You can find the report on-line at http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/legis/. |
|