An emergency recreational shooting closure was issued last week in Cottonwood by the Verde Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest. A portion of the Black Canyon Recreation Area had developed into a popular shooting area. However, the growing danger posed to the health and safety of residents and visitors has resulted in an immediate halt to all recreational shooting.
Todd Willard, district ranger for the Verde Ranger District, describes the issue:
This order may have a potential ripple effect. According to Willard, the Prescott National Forest plans to conduct a comprehensive analysis on the effect of recreational shooting throughout the entire forest:
Violations of the no-shooting order currently in effect in Cottonwood are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.