Some ‘seriously opposed’ to rifle range expansion The Yukon Handgun Association has taken its first steps in applying to extend the lease of its existing handgun shooting range in the Ibex Valley Hamlet. By Aimee O'Connor on May 20, 2015

The Yukon Handgun Association has taken its first steps in applying to extend the lease of its existing handgun shooting range in the Ibex Valley Hamlet.

The extension applied for includes a 1,000-metre long-gun range and an archery range.

According to the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources’ (EMR’s) land management branch, the association’s application was received a couple of days ago.

The lease application has begun an initial review, which could take a couple of months to process.

Residents of the Ibex Valley Hamlet will be receiving a mailout in the coming weeks, providing them the opportunity to comment on the application.

According to EMR Minister Scott Kent, the association has been operating its handgun shooting range on the leased land in the Ibex Valley since 1986.

NDP MLA Kevin Barr raised concerns about the association’s intent to extend its activities at both last week’s and yesterday’s question period in the legislature.

Barr quoted a letter from a constituent in Lake Laberge stating, “We are seriously opposed to the proposal for a 1,000-metre rifle range expansion in our residential area in the Ibex Valley.”

“This range isn’t like the one on Grey Mountain Road, where it is already generally isolated from accidental public interaction,” Barr said last Wednesday.

“This one is on the Alaska Highway, and is surrounded by private homes, high-traffic tourism destinations and other private spaces.”

Along with the proposed extension’s proximity to private land that is downhill from the firing line, Barr noted that local residents are concerned about more noise and the size of the berm at the end of the range; that is, whether it would provide enough safety.

When processing the application, the land management branch told the Star, it will simply be determining whether the land is applicable and zoned properly for an extension – and it’s up to the federal government to decide whether the range is a viable option.

In addition to the opportunity for public comment that will be provided in the coming weeks, the application is expected to trigger a Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act review.

The Ibex Valley Local Advisory Council could not be reached for comment on residents’ concerns about the gun range extension.