blarby
Member
First off, let me be very apologetic in the length of this post.
It has come to my attention on reasonable( yet undisclosable, due to my not wanting to jeopardize anyone) authority that BLM/forestry in Eugene is very seriously considering closing "shooting pits" in my area.
The reason for this is that many of the areas we use as informal shooting sites are also "rock dumps", as in areas they use for crushed rock storage used to maintain logging roads.
Of particular concern to the BLM/forestry is that some of these sites appear to have become contaminated with things such as , but not limited to :
Paint cans
Motor oil containers
Fuel containers
Accelerant containers ( spray paint cans, lithium grease, carb cleaners, etc)
Which have caused "rainbow sheens" in the surface puddles contained at these sites.
They are particularly concerned that using the rock contained at these sites may distribute these contaminants along the roads they are destined to maintain with them.
In addition, many sites have debris such as MATTRESSES AND TELEVISIONS, MANNEQUINS, LARGE BOARDS AND PLYWOOD, AND BROKEN GLASS that make traversing these sites hazardous for the crews that must regularly access them.
In the discussions that spurred me to action, the individual seemed more personally concerned with the noticeable hazardous debris that his crews were having to circumvent, than the "rainbow sheens"...however he has bosses too, and they've noticed.
I was not surprised by these "revelations". Nor should anyone who frequents informal shooting sites.
I was however horrified to learn that some of my new favorite haunts were in jeopardy of being lost, possibly forever.
I could not do nothing.
Over the past several days, I have begun to attempt cleanup at the largest of these rock sites ( my favorite ).
I have attached a few photos snapped by my wife to document my progress....I refused to take pictures....it was/is really bad. I didn't want any showing the very beginning for fear of them floating around to the wrong folks ( small world, ya know) She refuses to go to the end of the site, due to the amount of very dangerous stuff down there. There are literally piles of stuff making that embankment at the end you could fall in to...I have
. Once I'm done, I will attach a few clicks of the pile.
I have come to the realization, however, that this undertaking is more than I can handle alone. Particularly the disposal of debris.
Hidden behind the end of that rock pile is a rapidly growing pile of refuse I can't clear on my own, nor can I obscure any longer. Its contents include, ( but sadly arent limited to) about 150/200 gallon jug sized plastic bottles, 5 mattresses ( very heavy and hard to move when cold and wet, and covered in dunes of broken glass.....especially the king sized one, although at least that one had handles...
..) enough broken plywood to originally build a few outhouses, 3 televisions, the remains of a leagues worth of bowling balls, two truck beds full of assorted cans ( paint, oil, and beer) a mannequin or two, two arm casts ( this was amusing), a pile of clothing about knee high...riddled with holes, a large assortment of shoes and boots, a refrigerator, 2 stoves ( whats left of them) a heap of vacuum cleaner and coffeemaker pieces, and approx 10k shotgun hulls.
I'm wondering what I can do with this pile.
I no longer have the ability or the materials to sufficiently permanently obscure this debris. I have been told in no uncertain terms that the rocks adjacent to this pit ( for obvious reasons) can't be used to bury the material.
I am ashamed that I can't do more, faster. I'm also distressed to learn that there are many more sites subject to review as the spring thaw approaches, I am only one man.
With this said..........
The individual who has brought this to my attention has stated that he himself uses ares such as this pit, and that he has no problem with the activity that occurs there. He does however have a serious problem with the remains, and is running out of ways to explain its ( and many more sites like it) existence and resultant complications. He said in so many words that if folks would take some ownership of these sites, his end would be a lot easier........ and that these sites would draw far less scrutiny from his superiors if they weren't allowed to exist in such a state.
So my questions are :
1. How would you dispose of this pile ?
2. How ( if even possible) would you prevent it from recurring.
3. Do you think its even worthwhile to attempt this ( even though its a little late to NOT attempt it) given the circumstances.
My requests are :
1. If you live in Oregon, and frequent any of the Cougar Road ( near Eugene) and its extensions' shooting sites, please make note of this very true plea and remove as much material as you can.
2. If you shoot at these sites, please refrain from bringing petrochem items to the sites...I can't rake that stuff up !
3. If you happen upon one of these sites and I'm there....please offer a bottle of water, not a middle finger and curses that I'm blocking your weekends' shooting. ( ya, this did actually happen)
4. If you know of any of these sites that I dont ( very likely ) please PM me their location. If you arent or don't want to assist in their cleanup, thats fine- I'll do what I can with the two hands god gave me.
5. If you have any ability to assist in any of this, please PM me.... I would take ANY support in this endeavor. I specifically need a new metal rake....some of my tools are faltering.
And last but not least..........
Please forward this information to any other persons you may know, on any forums, in any gun store, or to anyone that will or would care.... we are in VERY SERIOUS jeopardy of losing the Cougar Road sites and many more.... I don't want that to happen.
It has come to my attention on reasonable( yet undisclosable, due to my not wanting to jeopardize anyone) authority that BLM/forestry in Eugene is very seriously considering closing "shooting pits" in my area.
The reason for this is that many of the areas we use as informal shooting sites are also "rock dumps", as in areas they use for crushed rock storage used to maintain logging roads.
Of particular concern to the BLM/forestry is that some of these sites appear to have become contaminated with things such as , but not limited to :
Paint cans
Motor oil containers
Fuel containers
Accelerant containers ( spray paint cans, lithium grease, carb cleaners, etc)
Which have caused "rainbow sheens" in the surface puddles contained at these sites.
They are particularly concerned that using the rock contained at these sites may distribute these contaminants along the roads they are destined to maintain with them.
In addition, many sites have debris such as MATTRESSES AND TELEVISIONS, MANNEQUINS, LARGE BOARDS AND PLYWOOD, AND BROKEN GLASS that make traversing these sites hazardous for the crews that must regularly access them.
In the discussions that spurred me to action, the individual seemed more personally concerned with the noticeable hazardous debris that his crews were having to circumvent, than the "rainbow sheens"...however he has bosses too, and they've noticed.
I was not surprised by these "revelations". Nor should anyone who frequents informal shooting sites.
I was however horrified to learn that some of my new favorite haunts were in jeopardy of being lost, possibly forever.
I could not do nothing.
Over the past several days, I have begun to attempt cleanup at the largest of these rock sites ( my favorite ).
I have attached a few photos snapped by my wife to document my progress....I refused to take pictures....it was/is really bad. I didn't want any showing the very beginning for fear of them floating around to the wrong folks ( small world, ya know) She refuses to go to the end of the site, due to the amount of very dangerous stuff down there. There are literally piles of stuff making that embankment at the end you could fall in to...I have
. Once I'm done, I will attach a few clicks of the pile.I have come to the realization, however, that this undertaking is more than I can handle alone. Particularly the disposal of debris.
Hidden behind the end of that rock pile is a rapidly growing pile of refuse I can't clear on my own, nor can I obscure any longer. Its contents include, ( but sadly arent limited to) about 150/200 gallon jug sized plastic bottles, 5 mattresses ( very heavy and hard to move when cold and wet, and covered in dunes of broken glass.....especially the king sized one, although at least that one had handles...
..) enough broken plywood to originally build a few outhouses, 3 televisions, the remains of a leagues worth of bowling balls, two truck beds full of assorted cans ( paint, oil, and beer) a mannequin or two, two arm casts ( this was amusing), a pile of clothing about knee high...riddled with holes, a large assortment of shoes and boots, a refrigerator, 2 stoves ( whats left of them) a heap of vacuum cleaner and coffeemaker pieces, and approx 10k shotgun hulls.I'm wondering what I can do with this pile.
I no longer have the ability or the materials to sufficiently permanently obscure this debris. I have been told in no uncertain terms that the rocks adjacent to this pit ( for obvious reasons) can't be used to bury the material.
I am ashamed that I can't do more, faster. I'm also distressed to learn that there are many more sites subject to review as the spring thaw approaches, I am only one man.
With this said..........
The individual who has brought this to my attention has stated that he himself uses ares such as this pit, and that he has no problem with the activity that occurs there. He does however have a serious problem with the remains, and is running out of ways to explain its ( and many more sites like it) existence and resultant complications. He said in so many words that if folks would take some ownership of these sites, his end would be a lot easier........ and that these sites would draw far less scrutiny from his superiors if they weren't allowed to exist in such a state.
So my questions are :
1. How would you dispose of this pile ?
2. How ( if even possible) would you prevent it from recurring.
3. Do you think its even worthwhile to attempt this ( even though its a little late to NOT attempt it) given the circumstances.
My requests are :
1. If you live in Oregon, and frequent any of the Cougar Road ( near Eugene) and its extensions' shooting sites, please make note of this very true plea and remove as much material as you can.
2. If you shoot at these sites, please refrain from bringing petrochem items to the sites...I can't rake that stuff up !
3. If you happen upon one of these sites and I'm there....please offer a bottle of water, not a middle finger and curses that I'm blocking your weekends' shooting. ( ya, this did actually happen)
4. If you know of any of these sites that I dont ( very likely ) please PM me their location. If you arent or don't want to assist in their cleanup, thats fine- I'll do what I can with the two hands god gave me.
5. If you have any ability to assist in any of this, please PM me.... I would take ANY support in this endeavor. I specifically need a new metal rake....some of my tools are faltering.
And last but not least..........
Please forward this information to any other persons you may know, on any forums, in any gun store, or to anyone that will or would care.... we are in VERY SERIOUS jeopardy of losing the Cougar Road sites and many more.... I don't want that to happen.
