Committee hears support of LV-area shooting range

Thursday, March 15, 2001 | 10:56 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Creating a $15 million regional shooting range in Clark County would help preserve the environment and benefit the Las Vegas tourist economy, witnesses told the Assembly Ways and Means Committee Wednesday.

Renny Ashleman, a lobbyist for Clark County, said the range has the potential to draw more tourists than the National Finals Rodeo, one of the major visitor events in Southern Nevada.

Charles Musser, a member of the Las Vegas Parks, Leisure and Recreation Board, said the range would improve safety and help the environment.

The 3,000-acre range site is northwest of Las Vegas in the foothills of the Sheep Mountains.

He said a target shooter apparently shot out the windshield of his truck. "It hurts me to see somebody haul a refrigerator (into the desert) for target practice, he said."

Ashleman and Musser testified in support of Assembly Bill 2, a measure by Assemblyman John Lee, D-Las Vegas. Lee is asking for $500,000 in each of the next two years to develop the 2,800-acre project in the northwest area.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, vice chairwoman of the committee, said there was merit in the request, but there also is a dire need for money for other projects, such as $1 million for Nevada parks. She suggested supporters look elsewhere, to places such as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Glenn Trowbridge, director of parks and recreation for Clark County, said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., intends to introduce a bill in October to get the Bureau of Land Management to turn over the 2,800 acres to Clark County.

Growing development has moved into areas used by target shooters in the desert. The proposed shooting range -- to be used by the public, competitive shooters and law enforcement -- is supported by environmental groups in an effort to keep the desert pristine, said Trowbridge.

He suggested national competitive events could draw 125,000 tourists to Southern Nevada.