Neighbors objected to target shooting, ATVs at Foothills site. This is the result
Last August, the city of Eagle set out to solve an argument between two groups by doing what government officials often do: appointing a committee.
Eagle Mayor Jason Pierce established a working group to consider objections from neighbors and equestrians to target shooting and ATV use on federal land in the Foothills that the city annexed 12 years ago.
But try as it might, the committee wasn’t able to spare the council from a dilemma. One side would not be pleased.
After hours of testimony from people opposed and in favor of the committee’s work product, a new recreation plan for the land, the City Council approved the plan on Aug. 24. But that’s not the end of the story.
This is what happened:
People have been walking, driving motor vehicles and target shooting for years on the 2,200 acres, though not without conflict.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which controls the property, allows recreational shooting. Eagle does not allow firearms to be discharged in city limits, but Eagle police don’t enforce the prohibition on the BLM land.
The committee met with users and developed a concept plan. The plan proposed trails for ATVs and separate areas for non-motorized users. To satisfy the target shooters, the plan also proposed a gun range in the eastern portion of the BLM land.
When the concept plan was presented to City Council in July, many neighbors opposed it. The disputes ended up back in the City Council’s lap.
Some Eagle Foothill residents, whose homes back up to the BLM land, said they didn’t want a shooting range near their homes and didn’t want motorized vehicle trails near their backyards.
But not everyone was unhappy: Equestrians and other users were in favor of the proposal, saying that it accommodates all user groups.
After hours of public testimony, Steve Noyes, the city’s trails superintendent, reminded the council that the concept plan was just a step. The city must submit its proposal for the land to the BLM. Then the BLM would determine whether to accept the plan.
If it accepts, the BLM would conduct a traffic study that would takes three years, Noyes said. The city would then accept the traffic study, and it could conduct studies of its own.
Noyes said the process would include residents at every step.
“I encourage you to move forward, and to keep the big picture in mind,” Noyes said.
A representative from the BLM attended the work group meetings, but only to listen and answer land- use questions, Noyes said by phone on Tuesday.
Only after the studies are accepted would the city fund the project, which could include trail construction, equestrian facilities, signs and parking.
“Nothing is going to happen quickly,” Noyes said.
Councilman Charlie Baun, who helped lead the committee, made a motion Aug. 24 to approve the plan on condition that the city consider an alternative with no shooting and no motorized-vehicle users.
Councilman Kenny Pittman opposed that idea, saying the city has also heard from target shooters and ATV users and an alternative that excludes them would not be appropriate.
Baun then amended his motion to say the city would allow for a full range of alternatives in the planning process. That means the BLM could say it wanted a plan that excludes any user group.
The council unanimously approved the plan with that condition. Now it goes to the BLM.
“I just want the citizens of Eagle to know that their needs are driving this project,” Noyes told the Idaho Statesman. “Safety and fire prevention are our chief responsibility with the growth that is expected out there. There isn’t any way the area will remain as it is now. It has to be managed in a responsible way for the good of the residents of Eagle.”
Rachel Spacek covers western Ada and eastern Canyon counties. Have a story suggestion or a question? Email Spacek at rspacek@idahostatesman.com.
This story was originally published September 1, 2021 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Neighbors objected to target shooting, ATVs at Foothills site. This is the result."
