Simi Valley’s Sage Ranch Park used to be a recreational gun club shooting range and was open from 1970 to 1980. This park is now very polluted by lead, skeet fragments, and clay pigeon debris which is causing the soil to be very toxic. This is very dangerous and unhealthy for the wildlife living on this land. The article states, “one lead pellet can poison or kill a bird; other animals may eat dead or dying birds and become poisoned or die” (DTSC). Therefore, the state of California is ordering for the toxic soil to be cleaned up. This cleanup will start in August 2022 and take around three months.
This relates to environmental science because the toxic chemicals in this soil are causing major harm to the environment and the animals. It is very important to understand the effects of toxic contamination and how to restore and remove these chemicals. It is very crucial that the state continues to search for, find, and restore land like this that is harming our environment.
I agree with your stance, this issue seems to be putting wildlife at risk. I think it is important that we find a way to still give people the option to have fun with a shooting range but at the same time, make it so they aren’t poisoning wildlife. What do you think is an effective strategy to solve the issue?
This issue seems very concerning and challenging. Assuming that we will not be able to take away the shooting ranges, are there any strategies we can implement to make them environmentally safer? A type of ammunition?
I agree. hopefully they will be able to clean it up in the 3 months period. What should be done current ranges? should they be required to cleanings every once in a while?