![]() ![]() DRN sends DEP multiple letters pointing out the misrepresentations and the law that requires permitting for the PGC's activities. But it is an application that sorely misrepresents the activities of the gun club and the level of shot that hits the water and could hit any boaters who happen to be passing by. The judgment obligates the Philadelphia Gun Club to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection by December 31, 2012, and to pay legal costs incurred by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.ĭecember 31, 2012, the last day of the year, the gun club finally files their application. Septemthe Federal District Court in Philadelphia entered a final judgment against the Philadelphia Gun Club in the Clean Water Act citizen suit brought by the Delaware Riverkeeper, Maya van Rossum, and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. The lawsuit challenges the pigeon shoots as a violation of the Clean Water Act, introducing ongoing pollution into the Delaware River in the form of gun shot and both live and dead birds which rain down on the water during the regularly held events. The complaint was filed in District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mathe Delaware Riverkeeper Network filed a complaint: challenging the pollution caused by the Philadelphia Gun Club’s ongoing live pigeon shoots. During the course of these day-long shooting events, the PGC discharges and allows the discharge of pollutants (including, but not limited to, lead shot and fragments, steel shot and fragments and shot and fragments composed of other metals) into the Delaware River without a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit ("NPDES permit") in violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ("Clean Water Act" or "CWA") and Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law. ![]() The notice letter reads: “The PGC holds live pigeon shoots on its property adjoining the Delaware River at 3051 State Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and has been doing so for well over one hundred years. The Club admitted the danger of personal injury in statements it made to the United States Coast Guard, yet it has done nothing to warn or otherwise protect the public from the Delaware River adjoining its shooting range.įor these reasons, Octothe Delaware Riverkeeper Network sent the Philadelphia Gun Club a notification that if the facility did not stop violating the Clean Water Act with its annual live pigeon shoots that they would file a citizen suit for violation of State and Federal law. The Club’s activity also poses a hazard to the physical safety of those who boat and recreate on the Delaware River and are not aware of the need to take precautions to protect themselves. Initially the Delaware Riverkeeper Network's legal action seeking that the Philadelphia Gun Club comply with the Clean Water Act by seeking all necessary permits was a success until the state responded with a determination that no permit was required despite the ongoing pollution inputs. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network brought a legal action to challenge this unpermitted effort. Despite discharging pollutants into the Delaware River, the Club is operating without any permits. ![]() Also falling into the water are the bodies of the dead and dying pigeons. This activity results in the continuous discharge of pollution to the river including shot, shot fragments and wadding composed of lead, steel and other metals and materials enter the Delaware River. These live pigeon shoots are banned in most places given the animal abuse involved.įor video of what is taking place at the gun club see here.īecause of the configuration of the Club’s shooting range and the layout of its property, all shooting on the outdoor range occurs over and in the direction of the Delaware River. Unlike other gun clubs, the Philadelphia Gun Club uses live pigeons as its targets instead of clay ones. Delaware Riverkeeper Network believes that the Club hosts at least twelve regular, day-long trap shoot meets for its members each and every year. ![]() The Club’s members have used the outdoor range for recreational target shooting of for approximately 132 years. The Club operates an outdoor shooting range on its property adjoining the Delaware River. The Philadelphia Gun Club owns property adjoining the Delaware River in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. ![]()
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