MEMORANDUM

TO: Pete Sprague, Assembly President

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Members

THRU: Dale Bagley, Mayor

Max Best, Planning Director

Paul C. Ostrander, Land Management Officer

FROM: Marcus A. Mueller, Land Management Agent

DATE: June 26, 2003

SUBJECT: Ordinance 2003-29, Authorizing the lease of Borough land to the Kachemak Gun Club, Inc. for shooting range activities

The Kachemak Gun Club, Inc. (KGC) has filed an application with the Kenai Peninsula Borough for the lease of borough land near mile 160 Sterling Hwy south of Anchor Point for the purpose of developing firing range improvements and conducting firing range activities.

Establishment of the KPB South Peninsula Recreation Service Area failed under a 2000 ballot proposition leaving the promotion of recreational activities to fall upon the shoulders of volunteer organizations such as the KGC. Since 1975 this organization, under different names, has invested a significant amount of time and resources to identify a suitable location for operating a firearms range to service the lower Kenai Peninsula. KGC has, in the process, gathered considerable support, demonstrated a public need and shown a commitment to develop a controlled shooting facility at this location.

Through Resolution 2003-062 the KPB assembly classified the subject land as recreational; this classification specifies gun ranges and archery ranges as allowable uses. Additionally, the State of Alaska Division of Mining Land and Water has recognized the potential of this site to be developed into a shooting center and has accounted for "downrange" effects in its planning of adjoining land. The Anchor Point Advisory Planning Commission has discussed this project on several occasions and is in support of the development of a gun range at this site.

In the past, a considerable amount of uncontrolled shooting has taken place in the area. The range operated by KGC will be a controlled facility with a rangemaster on site, established shooting hours, gated access, fencing and built to certification standards. Beneficiaries of the facility will be the general public, hunters, and law enforcement agencies such State Troopers, local police, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

This ordinance authorizes the Kenai Peninsula Borough to lease the subject 21.926 acres at less than market value to the Kachemak Gun Club, Inc. for the purpose of developing and operating a shooting range.