By September 20th, the Chabot Gun Club located in Anthony Chabot Regional Park will close its doors forever, finally bringing an end to five decades of lead and noise pollution.
Located in the watershed of Lake Chabot, the gun club uses lead ammunition that leaches into streams and poisons wildlife. Raptors and vultures are poisoned by eating lead-tainted prey, while other species may be exposed by drinking or bathing in lead-contaminated puddles and water sources. Even Lake Chabot’s nesting Bald Eagles are at risk from lead contamination.
The loud noise of gunfire deters birds and other wildlife from using otherwise viable habitat, and disturbs what should be peaceful public parkland.
Many thanks to the East Bay Regional Park District for putting an end to the noise and lead pollution. Now the real work begins: the cleanup, expected to cost from $2.5 million to $20 million. We will be watching to ensure the park district does a full clean-up to park standards in the law.
Photo: Great blue heron at Lake Chabot courtesy Lois Elling, via flickr.com/catdancing.