Feedback

I have also noticed the noise has had a dramatic effect on the natural wildlife that once inhabited both parks. During the past year the noise has driven the wildlife away from the parks into neighboring subdivisions. West Wind Farms has had exotic birds and many deer, foxes, and the like, take up residence the past year, and although we enjoy their presence, there is not enough food or shelter for their survival. I am sure the DNR would be interested in this disruption to the ecosystem, or at least should be. - Lyon Township

I live 1.6 miles from the Island Lake Range which has been operating since the summer of 2000. I have owned my home since 1976 and so have a number of other residents in the area. I hear the gunshots from the Island Lake Range inside my home, summer & winter with the AC or furnace running. - Brighton Township

We, too were very happy when the gun range was put under injunction. We were amazed to find that it was so quiet around our house! Please keep us abreast of the case - we would like to participate in closing the gun range for good. By the way we are a hunting family and still are opposed to the range. - Brighton Township

My father-in-law uses the gun range and when I began discussing the noise with him he gave me the same responses as the ones I saw in the newspaper recently. But I asked him one question: If you had a range move into your neighborhood without any opportunity to oppose it, would you want it to remain? He agreed that the noise would drive him nuts. Everyone that uses it, wants it, as long as it isn't in their neighborhood. - Brighton Township

Just wanted to touch base. Got your flier. I am interested in helping the cause. [We live] just south of the range. - Green Oak Township

I applaud Judge Burress in closing the shooting range at Island Lake State Recreation Area. Let the state move the range to Waterloo where it should have been in the first place. Now we can again enjoy picnicking here at Kent Lake and walking around the Kensington Nature Center in peace and quiet, without jumping every few seconds. Thank you, Judge Burress, all the citizens involved in documenting and bringing this case, and to the leaders of Green Oak Township for the foresight to have a noise ordinance. - Brighton Township

The Crossroads Group of the Sierra Club has made a financial contribution to Citizens for a Quiet Community for seeking to enforce the noise ordinance of Green Oak Township on the Island Lake Shooting Range. We applaud their steady, reasonable determination to compel the DNR to listen. - Brighton Township

We used to discourage the use of headphones by the people walking in the Nature Center so they could listen to the sounds of all the animals. We don't bother any more because of the gun range. - Kensington Metropark Ranger

The majority of persons using this facility are not from this area. They do not have to live with this problem. If they had a gun range in their backyard, I would bet they would be less than happy. - Brighton Township

The noise is very much like listening to the nightly world news about the Iraq war during which you hear the repeating sounds of gunshots in the background over and over. - Brighton Township

I live in South Lyon so I cannot even imagine living near the range and having to hear it daily. My gripe is that I use Kensington and state lands for my hobbies which are hiking/birding/photograpy. The shooting range has destroyed any peace at walking around out there, IT IS WAY TO LOUD, AND CONSTANT! There is nothing natural about walking the nature trails with gunfire in the background! - South Lyon

We are having the same problems with the Howard Township Conservation Club that is located about 1000 feet from our home that pre-existed the club. It still angers us that the State of Michigan has grandfathered the shooting clubs but have not protected home and properties that pre-exist a shooting club. We have written to the sponsors of SB 220 outlining our strong opposition and stating that we want to testify before the committee. - Niles

Your website is very informative. I think the sound recording is very effective especially when you reference the gun shot noise to the birds chirping in the background. I sympathize with your dilema. I do hope you are able to get somebody to do something. - Hartland