A judge has ordered a moratorium on unregulated target shooting in the Los Padres National Forest, in response to a lawsuit by a coalition of non-profit groups concerned about environmental impacts.
The Environmental Defense Center and Earthrise Law Center filed a lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of Los Padres ForestWatch.
The concern is over issues like litter, soil, and water contamination, the threat to endangered wildlife, and the potential to accidentally start wildfires. An agreement reached with the Forest Service over the suit calls for detailed studies to try to address the issues connected with unmanaged target shooting.
The moratorium only applies to unregulated shooting. Legal hunting with a hunting license is unaffected. People can also still shoot at the Ojai Valley and Winchester Canyon gun clubs.
