I attended the "Best Range Management Practices Seminar", in Troy New York,
on June 21st. This special seminar, sponsored by the New York State Rifle and
Pistol Association (NYSRPA), highlighted and presented the practical methods
for managing any firearm range e.g., lead and noise management on civilian,
municipal or military ranges. I must applaud and give much credit to:
Ray Carney, High Power Director of the New York State Rifle and Pistol
Association (NYSRPA);
Tom King, Pres. NYSRPA; Richard Patterson of the National
Shooting Sports Foundation;
George Meyer, Chief, RCRA Compliance Branch, The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA); Ed Guster, USEPA; Ms. Brenda Gregory and
the Staff of NYSRPA.
Jack Giordano, National Rifle Association (NRA), Range Technical Team,
NE Reg. Supervisor
All of the previously mentioned folks must be commended for the work that they
have done in making this seminar a success, and also for taking the initiative
and presenting this important information to the representatives of the NYS
Gun Club Community. The turnout was great and I'm not sure if they could have
fit many more folks into the banquet room of the Best Western Motel of Troy. I
believe that they even ran out of certain technical handout materials.
This seminar was well planned and presented in a manner that was very interesting and easy to understand. I understand that NYSRPA may be making this great seminar available to other regions of NYS. If you see it announced please be sure to attend for your club or municipality. Or contact the NYSRPA at 800-469-7772, 518-272-2644 or email nysrpa@albany.net or visit their web site at www.nysrpa.org
I think that Ray Carney "hit the 20 penny nail on the head" when he asked the attendees (paraphrased) "How many of the guys back at your club would be surprised to hear that you were meeting with the EPA to understand and implement - Best Range Management Practices."
I totally support what Ray and the NYSRPA are doing in this initiative. It
is well known that hunters, fisher-folks and trappers have been long known as
true conservationists. And gun-owners certainly have made it known that we are
faithful defenders of our Constitution and Civil Rights. We are all definitely
concerned about our contaminated waterways, fish and wildlife. So I think that
it is only natural that we as gun-owners now embrace this [NYSRPA] initiative,
and to be a part of a proactive approach. We are making sure that our ranges
are in compliance with this voluntary initiative and proving that we do care
about our environment. I see many positive results coming back to us - as a
good return of our investments to this invaluable program. Without revealing
all of the positive aspects of this seminar - you should personally attend.
One of the important steps, that was emphasized last night, is that your club
believes in the "good neighbor policy" and becomes a positive part of the
overall community - this can only result in positive effects to your club or
group. Other information pointed out that cost effective steps can be
undertaken with relatively little manpower and money. As Ray Carney, NYSRPA
and the others pointed out - it is best to be proactive when it comes to “Best
Range Management Practices.”
* * *
It seems like the United Nations (UN) now wants to get in the gun-control
business - small arms as in your’s and mine - especially in the U.S. This will
be part of the UN’s worldwide agenda when they meet in July at the UN Building
in New York City. It seems that they want to control firearms in the hands of
private citizens. The New York State Tyranny Response Team (TRT-NY) is
planning to protest the UN’s initiative with respect to their small arms
policy. TRT groups and other pro-civil rights groups from around the country
will converge upon NYC for this UN protest. It will be held at the Dag
Hammarskjold Plaza, E. 47th St., 1st to 2nd Aves. There will be many notable
speakers. The event will take place on Saturday July 14th, 2001 from noon to 4
p.m. There will be a special appearance by a well-known band out of Penna.
named “Poker Face.” Locally the TRT-NY will have a bus going to NYC picking
folks up at stops along the NYS Thruway. For more information go to
www.trt-ny.org
* *
*
Pot Shots - Recent reports, both formal, informal, my own personal
observations and that of others, indicate that many of our roads and bridges
are in very poor condition - statewide. Locally, one bridge in particular in
the Town of Newburgh, at the intersection of Route 84 and Taft Avenue. This
particular bridge is crumbling, has been shored-up and in need of repairs for
many years. The reason I bring this up is that at the same time the NYSDOT and
the NYS Thruway Authority is planning to build a new interchange with a new
bridge several miles away on Drury Lane and Route #84, also in the Town of
Newburgh. The current bridge (84 and Drury Lane) is in perfect condition but
it is planned to be demolished and removed for the new interchange. I am
concerned about this particular project because it will create a new major
interchange and at the same time open the eastern end of the 7,000-acre
Stewart Buffer Lands to sale, development, destruction and sprawl. As one
travels the NYS Thruway and if you look up at the condition of many bridges
one has to wonder why they would undertake another project without properly
maintaining what they currently have. And while we’re talking about spending
our money, they seem to be spending a lot of money and manpower cutting the
thousands of acres of grass along the sides of the thruway and in the median -
while possible dangerous conditions are neglected. This is a visible example
of how our tax money is being managed. Who is supposed to be watching the
store? P.S. - The project that I am writing about shouldn't be confused with
another interchange project that is planned (in the Town of Newburgh) at the
intersection of Interstate 84 and NYS Route 87(NYS Thruway).
* *
*
Like many other folks who practice catch and release - I do enjoy making an
occasional meal out of my catch. If you also practice catch and release, like
many others do, please make sure that you return the fish to the water as soon
as possible so that it can fully recover. Please be prepared to snip the line
close to the mouth if it is hooked deep and check the 2000-2001 Fishing
Regulations Guide for more detailed information.
* * *
Have a Safe, Happy 4th of July. I hope to see you at the UN Protest in NYC on
July 14th.