Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti Wednesday announced the shooting range at Little Pine State Park in Lycoming County will reopen on October 10.

The shooting range closed in June 2012 for a major rehabilitation project.

“This project aligns with a nationwide effort to address the impacts of lead bullets and their accumulation in concentrated areas at shooting ranges,” Ferretti said. “We chose to be proactive by taking on this project in an effort to prevent lead from building up in the environment, and now have a much-improved range as a result of that process.”

The remediation was completed in two phases. The first phase, cleanup and removal of spent lead shot from the rifles and handguns, was completed by MT2 of Arvada, Colorado, a contractor that specializes in lead remediation.

Phase two encompassed reconstruction of the range. Improvements include earthen embankments around the range; new backstops; new shooting benches partially covered by a pavilion; improved parking and restroom facilities.

“The newly redesigned range incorporates best management practices established by the shooting industry that are used in state of the art shooting ranges across the country.  These practices allow for safe and environmentally sustainable shooting and range maintenance while allowing the user to fully enjoy the range experience,” Ferretti said.

Beginning in January 2015, individuals and groups interested in using the new shooting range facilities must purchase an annual range permit.

Range permits will be issued to individuals 16 years of age or older for $15 per year.  Family permits will be offered for $20 annually. Permits will be available at the park office and there also will be honor envelopes for self-registration at the shooting range starting in January of 2015.

The shooting range at Little Pine is located on a 6-acre site at the north end of the park.  It was first opened to the public in the 1970s and has served as a popular location for sportsman to practice with rifles and pistols.

The 2,158-acre Little Pine State Park is in a rugged mountain section of Tiadaghton State Forest in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The 94-acre Little Pine Lake, hiking trails and a campground are prime attractions at the park.

10/13/2014