Public hearing in the future regarding BLM land transfer to Bannock County

Bannock County commissioners decided Wednesday to hold a public hearing about a land transfer from the Bureau of Land Management to the county.

The plot of land includes the Oregon Trail Shooting Range, as well as an additional 40 acres of land.

After commissioners were approached about the land transfer, they contacted Sen. Jim Risch’s office to introduce legislation to make the transfer. If transferred, the county wouldn’t own the gun range, only the land on which it sits.

That process was put on hold when landowners adjacent to the gun range asked to meet with commissioners about the land transfer.

At Wednesday’s open hearing, landowners addressed safety concerns that they say the gun range presents. Bob Hart and two others spoke about the gun range’s proximity to their land and instances of bullets “whirring” past them.

Hart asked the county not to make the transfer because he is worried about potential gun range expansion.

Mike Van Brunt, president of the Gate City Sport Shooting Association, said safety is also a concern for the association and gun range users.

After hearing comments and concerns, Bannock County Commission chairman Howard Manwaring said he heard reasons for the transfer to take place, saying it would be easier to address problems if a local entity controlled it.

Manwaring asked the three landowners if the county should proceed with the land transfer. Two recommended killing it and one gave an OK.

He was surprised by the responses.

“It’s very easy to get access to county commissioners,” Manwaring said. “You can walk in the door and see us, you can call and we’ll return your call the same day, we’ll give you our personal cellphone numbers. You won’t get that out of a congressman or senator.”

A date for the public hearing has not been set.