Mad River shoot-'em-ups concern Blue Lake By Matt Kapko Eye Reporter The Arcata Eye June 17, 2003 At the request of resident Nancy Woodward, the Blue Lake City Council is addressing the use of firearms along the Mad River just outside city limits. Woodward brought her concerns and experiences to share with the council at its meeting on June 10. She complained of recurring gunfire near her home along the river and estimates the proximity between herself and the shooters to be a “couple hundred yards.” However, later in an interview, City Manager Wiley Buck said the gunfire was coming from at least half a mile away from her house. She doesn’t think it’s right to have bullets being fired at rocks and targets in an area enjoyed by cattle grazing, dog walking and two resident bald eagles. “It’s a shame to see bald eagles go,” she said, fearing the worst. She’s been told nothing can be done to stop the use of firearms in the area. Regardless, she wants the city to do what it can to prohibit shooting in the area. “I can’t believe someone is sitting right across the river shooting at rocks. That is very dangerous,” Woodward commented. Mayor Dave Nakamura added his own concerns with the persisting situation. He recalled a recent weekend when he was shocked to see a small cannon being fired off from an area close to the river. Woodward has already taken her battle to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department and said they’ve been most receptive to her anguish. Adjacent ranchers have also been very supportive of her cause, she said. City Attorney Richard Platz reminded that the use of firearms within city limits is already illegal and can be prosecuted, but their use outside of city limits will be harder to restrict. He recommended that the council ask the county to make a no-shooting zone in the area. As the council tried at various phrasings of a motion, it asked Platz for advice on how the motion should be worded. “This is 98 percent political and two percent legal. So don’t ask me,” Platz replied. In the end, the council decided that a letter be written to the county requesting consideration of enforcement and of a no-fire zone along the Mad River. City Councilmember Brian Julian, who will be penning the letter, said, “I’m afraid of guns. I’m completely in fan of doing this.” City Councilmember Sherman Schapiro added, “I don’t think it’s ever safe to be firing guns down there.” In its request for a no-shooting zone, the city is asking for it to be enforced from the Mad River Hatchery to a half mile past city limits downstream. Home