CHARLOTTETOWN – A shooting range in Prince Edward Island will stay open after the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission denied an appeal by two residents to have it shut down.
Sigrid Rolfe and Green Party Leader Sharon Labchuk filed to have the Big Boot shooting range in South Granville shut down because of environmental concerns and noise complaints.
But the commission found no evidence of an environmental hazard or that noise from the range had a detrimental effect.
In its ruling, the commission said the appeal was filed under the Planning Act, but the appellants didn’t provide any evidence that demonstrated regulations weren’t followed.
The commission also acknowledged that sifting soil at the range, along with soil testing, would be enough to avoid lead contamination and that most bullets are now copper-coated or lead-free.
Angie MacDonald, one of the range’s owners, said she’s happy to have the appeal over with so they can move on with the business.
"I’m just glad we’re able to give the shooters a place to shoot that’s not in their backyard," she said Tuesday.
Labchuk and Rolfe didn’t appear before the commission during the final day of proceedings, which the commission noted in its ruling.
"In the view of the commission, these actions are irresponsible and constitute a deliberate disregard for the appeal process and the parties who responded to the appeal filed by the appellants," the commission said.
The ruling went on to say their absence showed disrespect for the witnesses who appeared during the hearing and diminished the weight of the appellants’ concerns.
Labchuk and Rolfe couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.