By Wesley P. Hester
Media General News Service

The FBI’s decision to pull out of a planned law-enforcement shooting range in Powhatan County stemmed chiefly from residents’ opposition, according to a letter sent by the FBI to Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-4th.

The project, being led by state police, is now under final review by the state’s Secretary of Administration Lisa Hicks-Thomas, with a decision expected in a matter of days.

The FBI—which was to provide the vast majority of the funds for the $1.9 million range planned off Old River Trail—withdrew in July, providing no explanation until the letter received Monday by Forbes, whose district includes Powhatan.

“This decision was made largely as a result of the surrounding community’s overwhelming opposition to the project,” writes Janet L. Kamerman, assistant director for the FBI Richmond office’s training division.

Kamerman writes that the FBI does have crucial training needs, “however, it is our hope to balance those requirements with the needs of local residents.”

The state’s Department of Environmental Quality noted no objections to the Powhatan site in an environmental review but labeled the project “not routine” because of opposition from Powhatan and Goochland County leaders and residents.

State police said yesterday that they continue to explore other options while the review process continues at the Powhatan site.

Meanwhile, Brian L. Buniva, an attorney representing landowners near the proposed site, has asked to meet with Hicks-Thomas to discuss the project before she makes a decision.

A report prepared by Buniva, with a study by engineering firm Balzer & Associates Inc., shows the range to be unsafe and a noise nuisance to surrounding homes.

In his letter, Buniva says that the objections are “grounded upon the demonstrable and sincere belief that this project is decidedly inappropriate for this proposed location, and will be a nuisance and a safety hazard for the residents of Powhatan County and Goochland County.”

Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or whester@timesdispatch.com.