Shooting complex discussion moves forward

Members of a variety of entities met informally at the County Annex recently to continue discussing the possibility of bringing a world-class shooting complex to Hot Springs County. The representatives were from the Hot Springs County Commissioners, the Bureau of Land Management, the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Thermopolis, the Town of Shoshoni, and other concerned citizens.

Commissioner Paul Galovich led the meeting and presented to the group a series of maps of Hot Springs County and video recordings where he explored a variety of options to consider as a proposed location for a new world-class shooting complex. Galovich drove about 200 miles and covered many roads and terrain through the county, but within distances that would be accessible from the town of Thermopolis.

Also present was Worland’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Manager Mike Phillips. Galovich and the group were interested in BLM’s disposable land as a potential option for the location. Galovich also considered state land and possibly private land, if acquired, to be an option. 

Grazing rights were discussed, however, Phillips said that cultural issues could be a challenge if there are Native American or paleo sites in the area as well as the sage grouse population in the land. 

Other issues discussed were noise disturbance and wind. Regarding noise, the participants of the meeting suggested using acoustic structures or material to dampen down the sound and to have shooting occur during certain times of the day. It was also noted that many users of the complex would be indoors and the firing sound would not be a problem. 

Regarding wind, the participants of the meeting said that Hot Springs County is a prime candidate because the area has recorded low amounts of wind when compared to other locations in the state.

Galovich and the participants continued their discussion of a variety of locations and narrowed them down to their top two options to explore. Chamber of Commerce CEO Meri Ann Dorman reminded the participants of the Wyoming State Shooting Complex Survey she requested them to fill out, which is due September 15. This survey explores the qualifications for the complex.

On September 27, at 8:30 a.m. in Riverton, there will be the 2023 State Shooting Complex Oversight Task Force Meeting. The specific location had not been set at the time of this meeting.