BALLS!

5/17/2010
For Immediate Release
U.S. Forest Service Temporarily Closes Flintlock Valley Shooting Range
ASHEVILLE, NC ….The US Forest Service announced today a temporary emergency closure of the Flintlock Valley Shooting Range on the Uwharrie National Forest, while the agency evaluates the range’s future management. Recent incidents near the range have impacted forest visitors who were recreating in the area, prompting the temporary closure. District Ranger Deborah Walker states, “We will do everything within our authority to protect forest visitors, and will not compromise public safety.” The range will remain closed while analysis of alternatives is conducted. This may take up to a year, and the public will have opportunities for input before a final decision is made.

The popular shooting range has been open since 1996, averaging 1000 visitors per month. Various safety modifications have been made over the years, including raising the height of the berms behind the rifle and pistol ranges, loosening the soil on the range to reduce ricochet, and staffing the site with volunteers to assist with public safety. The recent incidents have caused the Forest Service to take additional steps to protect the public. Visitors who have already purchased annual passes for use of the range may contact the Uwharrie National Forest at 910-576-6391 for instructions on how to obtain a refund.

Copied from the FS:

For the rest of the summer here are the work weekend dates. If for any of these months your club needs to work a different weekend please let me know and coordinate that with me. Remember that any time your folks come up and do volunteer to clean up your trails, put up trail markers, clean out ditches, etc and it isn't on one of the work weekends to please check in with Janet Becker the Arrowhead Campground Host ahead of time and she has tools, supplies, and day passes for volunteers. Sign up with her and we can also count those volunteer hours.

June 19-20
July 17-18
Aug 21-22
Sept 18-19
Oct 16-17
Nov 20-21
Dec is TBD


We'll put together a plan for us to head out to Uwharrie and do our part (especially Dutch John), but our dates don't necessarily have to fall on these scheduled dates. (I know that I can't make May or June's)...