Due to public safety concerns, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has closed a parcel of state land in Stevens County to target shooting. The closure will take effect Wednesday, March 23.

 

The public safety closure of the state parcel, known locally as “Stonelodge” or “Mile Marker 19,” to target shooting coincides with an increase in local residential development, which has prompted concerns from the community over the safety of shooting sports on the parcel. This land is located off state Route 291 west of Suncrest.

 

“We understand this is a popular place for target shooting and will inconvenience those who use the site, but as residential development in the area continues to grow, the danger posed by shooting is becoming more apparent,” said Pat Ryan, DNR’s Northeast Region Assistant Manager for State Lands.

 

DNR has temporarily closed the area to target shooting in the past due to high fire danger.

 

The majority of DNR parcels allow target shooting, except where prohibited by local ordinance. Shooting on DNR parcels is allowed 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset and requires biodegradable targets and an earthen backstop. Incendiary devices – such as exploding targets, sky lanterns, or tracer ammunition – are illegal on all 13 million acres of DNR-protected lands. Violators of the shooting closure could be subject to fines.

 

DNR manages 1,200 miles of trails and 160-plus recreation sites in 3 million acres of working forest state trust lands and 92 natural areas. DNR trust lands provide clean water, and generate revenue for public services and school construction. DNR also oversees 2.6 million acres of state aquatic lands, rule administration for 12 million forested acres, the Washington Geological Survey and wildland firefighting across 13 million acres of forestland. To learn more about recreation on DNR-managed lands, visit dnr.wa.gov/go.

 

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Communications Manager

360-902-1000