Improvements to Farragut Shooting Range Under Way

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has begun construction of earthen berms and backstops at the Farragut Shooting Range near Coeur d'Alene to meet noise and safety requirements. Fish and Game is working through a contractor to reduce noise and safety concerns in response to a 2007 court order and to meet noise standards adopted by the Idaho legislature in 2008. Work is concentrated at the eastern portion of the range to move shooting activity farther away from the closest neighbors. The contractor will excavate the range floor, lowering it by 4 to 8 feet, and will build 12-foot high side berms down range from the firing line. These berms will serve 50, 100 and 200 yard ranges when completed. Lowering the range floor and building up berms that absorb and redirect noise will help reduce noise and improve safety. Officials expect the earthwork to be completed within the next few weeks. They plan to install additional safety measures, required to re-open the range, in 2009. Fish and Game consulted a range design expert and completed an engineering evaluation of the improvements. Money for construction comes from a combination of state, Fish and Game and private grant funds.