Awesome the resorts have things to do for vacationers in the summer! I am all for it! Summer is one of the busiest times in Canaan Valley when visitors flock here from memorial day to labor day. Businesses are often overwhelemed by the influx of vistors, which is a good thing since there are many days where business is non-existent in the spring and late fall. 

However, there is one very sore subject for the residents of Canaan Valley, WV that started last year and is continuing this year. That would be the "sporting clay" shooting range at Canaan Valley state park. The way the range is positioned, residents of Canaan Valley can hear the gun blasts echoing up the valley for miles and miles. Not a big deal to hear some shots you may think? Well, on most weekends, it is ALL day non-stop! Most of us live here in a rural setting for the peace and quiet and enjoying being able to hear every bird, cricket and peep frog. On weekends all we hear is blam!, blam!, blam! Imagine kicking back on your porch in the middle of no where expecting to have some peace and quiet with the nature around you, only to be graced with non-stop gun blasts...all.....day....long!  The park says they have recieved no complaints apparently, which is not correct. The problem is, they did not do a noise polution evaluation based on where it would be best placed. I think it would be better suited over where the old tubing park was, facing south, instead of where the new park is, facing north. There is basically minor infrastructure involved in moving it. But most likely they just want it to be close to the new lodge which happens to be at the bottom of the new tubing park. Perhaps the new concessionaires will be more receptive to the local residents of Canaan Valley, but I suspect the WVDNR has a lot to do with it also. A petition has started to circulate, and I plan to help bring as much awareness about the problem as possible, so hopefully it will gain some needed traction!

Ideas and thoughts most welcome!

I would say supressors but they dont work for shotguns.  Facing the range a different direction may reduce some noise but you may end up with the echo reverberating as well.  Could ask for a cap on the bore size maybe, nuthin over 20 ga?  Possiblity of putting up sound baffles on either side of the range?

Sounds like you will need to go a step higher in the complaint department. 

If I recall correctly there is a website that you can start a petition on and circulate it electronically via email and such.  I forget what it is called but I have seen it bee4.

I could trade you places and you can listen to the harleyheads drive in and out of the park all summer?

Squeeky wheel gets the grease.

While I understand your frustrations, I suspect the shooting facility brings in customers for the valley businesses.  Some other vacation spots such as VA Beach that has considerable noise from Navy jets, Reedville, VA which can suffer from odors from the Fish processing plants, etc. have had to accept the fact that the causes of their type of "pollution" involves income producing activities and have accepted their fate and call the problem they have the noise, smell, etc the 'sound/smell/ of money'".

Near where I have a 2nd home there is fairly new industry where civilians are trained for quasi military guard/etc ops overseas.  Here the gunfire and other similar training areas were essentially built below ground level with tall surrounding berms of dirt.  It seems to work.  While not possible for a skeet shooting area, it might be possible to create sound berms on the back and sides of the actual shooting positions, and a lower sound deflecting berm/wall out a bit in front of the shooters position.  Point being, there might be room for compromise that works for all!

Good luck, The Colonel

PS;  Has the new consessionaire for the park been named?  If so, anyone know what changes and improvements are included in the multi-year contract - especially for the winter sport areas?!

That sounds like a normal day here in Hardy Co with my neighbors!  Just part of WV appalachain life.  Heck if anything, rather than complain I'd break out my AR rifle and join in. :)

Since its a shotgun range I think the AR will not be allowed but you could bring sumpin like dis.

Ultimetly theys may not be much you can do about the noise except live with it.