LEWIS — The owner of a former Atlas missile silo in Lewis, who wants to test 155mm military howitzers nearby, will get a decision soon on the proposal.
The testing on Hale Hill Lane in Lewis would be done 30 times a year and involve firing a steel projectile into a sandpile on the side of Big Church Mountain.
After four years and six tries at a permit application, Adirondack Park Agency staff determined the application was complete. An APA Board of Commissioners vote is scheduled for the agency’s Thursday meeting in Ray Brook, which starts at 1 p.m. The public comment period ended Oct. 30.
The APA could approve the project or send it to an adjudicatory public hearing with an administrative law judge who would issue a recommendation before the APA board takes a final vote. A project can’t be denied without a public hearing.
APA staff is recommending the project be sent to an adjudicatory public hearing.
The former Atlas F nuclear missile silo is owned by Michael Hopmeier and his company, Unconventional Concepts of Virginia. He has an additional 197 acres around it.
The Town of Lewis does not have local zoning that would regulate the testing project.
Most of the 1,400 public comments received by the APA oppose the project, with one from resident Joseph Gittler calling it a “wacky firing range project.”
Another said the testing should be done where there are fewer neighbors, with some suggesting Fort Drum near Watertown would be better.
“Obviously, the noise of such a project would disturb the peace of neighbors and visitors to the area,” Jane Boxall of Lew wrote. “Lewis is home to many retired people who are at home during the day, children and people who have experienced war zones themselves.
“Unlike other noisy activities, such as logging, mining and transportation, it does not seem that a howitzer firing range would bring any direct benefit, employment or revenue to the people of Lewis.”
The Adirondack Council also opposes the project and wants the APA to send it to an adjudicatory hearing overseen by an administrative law judge.
A few who commented support the project.
“As a nearby homeowner, I have no objection to the installation of a firing range for howitzers on the property of Michael Hopmeier,” Ben Pokon wrote. “I view this as a positive development.”
According to the APA project description, the barrel of the BAE Systems M109 self-propelled howitzer tank would be used for test firing steel projectiles to determine if it could be made from lighter material. The weapons are manufactured at Benét Laboratories in Watervliet.
Each test, which would total 30 a year, would be fire into a large target area weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. No explosive warhead tests are proposed.
Hopmeier is already conducting indoor ballistics testing at the missile silo. He recently hosted military exercises by private contractors with retired and active military personnel participating.
Named Jaded Thunder, the two-week activities in September featured shooting and low-flying Black Hawk helicopters.
Hopmeier’s attorney, Matthew Norfolk of Lake Placid, said he contacted his client and said, “We have no comment to provide.”