Safety improvements to Koko Head Rifle Range, required before the planned re-opening, have begun. 

Reports of bullet strikes in October on the other side of Koko Head Crater first led to limiting the Rifle Range to 100 yards, and most steel targets beyond were taken down.  Ricochets from recumbent steel were thought to be the possible cause.   

After two more bullet strikes were reported Friday, December 6, the Rifle Range was closed.  Honolulu Mayor Caldwell held a press conference on the range Saturday December 7 to announce City and County plans.  Now the focus is on possible ricochets from the 100 yard rifle range.  A mitigation program to resurface the 100 yard backstop with sand and level the range floor that slopes uphill from the 50 yard target line to the 100 yard backstop is planned.  Some grading, a strip about 10 yards wide, in front of the 100 yard significantly eroded backstop has been done (see photo below).  Two large sand piles are on site, and coarse crushed rock was added to the road access to the Silhouette Range to allow heavy equipment to enter.  An "eyebrow" is planned extending from the roof of the rifle range as a reminder.  Building of that had not yet begun as of Wednesday, December 19.

The Silhouette Range has voluntarily shut down for now.  The Skeet Range was not open last weekend.  The Bulls-Eye pistol range remains open, usual hours.   Law enforcement personnel are still shooting in the action bays.    Apparently air testing done for lead during the soil disturbance by grading was not positive, or the whole range would be closed.

The range cleanup day, previously scheduled for December 29, is postponed because of lead concerns until 2014.

HRA is working with the favorable administration we now have.  The immediate focus is on re-opening the 100 yard range to the public as soon as the Range Master, Parks Director, and the Mayor believe it is safe.  Then HRA plans to work with them, the clubs and individual shooters involved, the public users, and City Council,  to bring Koko Head into the 21st Century of range design, including placement of some 200+ yard targets.

HRA suggests for now that range supporters send Mayor Caldwell and Parks Director Toni Robinson Holiday Cards thanking them for their concern and positive action to date.

KIRK CALDWELL, MAYOR
530 S. King Street, Rm. 300
Honolulu, HI 96813

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Toni P. Robinson, Director
1000 Uluohia Street, Suite 309
Kapolei, HI 96707

Dr. Maxwell Cooper
HRA Legislative Liaison

Looks like I'll be adding Mayor Caldwell and the parks director Toni Robinson to my Christmas / Thank You card list this year.   

Sources told me that the lead concerns were brought to certain federal agencies by persistent individual(s). In other words these individual(s) want a permanent closure of the range. These person(s) have expressed his/her desire to close the range before based on errant projectiles and environmental concerns.

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Ren,

Can you get a positive confirmation on this? Thanks.

I don't have a letter or memo but from conversation with people who work at the range.

That is awesome, thanks for the heads up! We felt like we needed an upgrade!

Just had a talk with the mayor at the manoa parade. Asked him on the status of the range his words " not good"  EPA not so good but he says they are working on correcting the issue. He is hopeful it will open up in the new year.

Just had a talk with the mayor at the manoa parade. Asked him on the status of the range his words " not good"  EPA not so good but he says they are working on correcting the issue. He is hopeful it will open up in the new year.

sheeit

More like when next year?

The EPA specifically is prohibited from enforcing any type of action against firearm related issues.

Under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976.

The EPA specifically is prohibited from enforcing any type of action against firearm related issues.

So what is the hold up?  Seems everyone crapped on knutsack but he is having the current laugh.  Bummer.

Under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976.

until its just lead on the ground.which it is now

The lead is gone, guys collect it all to melt down...

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Hate to say I told you so but...

Yep.  I brought this up in passing conversation offline too, knew it was coming with that guy.  He will use any and all tricks to screw the entire shooting community for his own personal agenda.  Imagine when it's found his claims are all lying b.s.

Judge Janet B. Arterton of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut disagreed............

The judge dismissed one of the group's RCRA claims, which asserted that Metacon disposed of hazardous waste without a permit. In so ruling, Judge Arterton relied on a January 2001 EPA publication in which the agency concluded that lead shot is not hazardous waste subject to the RCRA at the time it is discharged from a firearm because it is being used for its intended purpose.

wish it was that simple because Id like to shoot my rifles.

The EPA specifically is prohibited from enforcing any type of action against firearm related issues.

That may be true in regards to prosecution, but, there are still REGULATIONS which must be followed in regards to exposure to contaminated soil.
While mitigation doesn't seem to be that big of a deal, the fact that they intend to dig up the area means that some of the contaminates could become airborne.
That will cause the risk of exposure to the workers, meaning they will require hazmat certifications and equipment. It also means risk of exposure to people living AROUND the area, mandating risk abatement measures to protect the community.

All of this will cost money, and time. Compliance is not optional.

That's probably why there are companies dedicated to this type of work on the mainland. This is all based on things I read this evening after checking out this thread.
While this shouldn't be "the end" it's definitely a large bump in the road. Anti gunners on the mainland are using this against ranges over there, particularly in respect to lead leaching into ground water sources.

Sorry to be even more of a bummer guys.