November 13, 2007

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has released a draft Public Health Consultation for the former Elk Rapids Sportsman's Club. The consultation discusses whether lead contamination at the former shooting range could pose a public health hazard. The document is available for public review.

The Elk Rapids Sportsman Club site was used as a small arms firing range for pistols, shotguns, and rifles for more than 70 years. After the shooting range closed in 2006, the Elk Rapids Township proposed plans to develop the site into a public park.

MDCH finds that the site poses a public health hazard in its current condition. Surface soil at the site contains lead at levels that could cause neurological damage to children. MDCH recommends that plans to turn the site into a park should consider provisions to protect public health including lead inspections in all site buildings and additional measures to address lead contamination in soil.

The public comment draft entitled "Former Elk Rapids Sportsman's Club, Elk Rapids, Antrim County, Michigan" is available on the MDCH web page at http://www.michigan.gov/mdch-toxics, or by calling toll free at 1-800-648-6942. MDCH invites the public to review the draft consultation and offer written comments. Copies are available for public review at the Elk Rapids Township Offices located at 315 Bridge Street, Elk Rapids, Michigan.

Information and comments should be addressed to Dr. Linda D. Dykema, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Environmental Health, 201 Townsend Street, P.O. Box 30195, Lansing, Michigan 48909. People may also call the toll-free telephone number, 1 800 648-6942 (1-800-MI TOXIC).

Comments on the Public Health Consultation must be received by January 13, 2008. All comments received will be evaluated and considered and responses will be provided in the final version of the consultation.