Artillery Testing Plan in Adirondack Park Sparks Environmental and Community Outcry
An unprecedented proposal to establish an artillery testing range within New York's Adirondack Park has ignited significant controversy, with critics warning it threatens the region's famed tranquility and delicate ecosystems. The plan, put forward by private military contractor Michael Hopmeier, involves test-firing 155mm howitzer barrels on private land in the rural town of Lewis, raising alarms among residents and environmental advocates alike.
The Testing Proposal Details
Under the proposal, steel projectiles would be fired from howitzer barrels measuring 155 millimeters (approximately 6 inches) in diameter. Testing would occur up to 30 times annually, with sessions limited to midday on weekdays and no more than twice daily. The projectiles, which would lack explosive warheads, would travel about two football fields in distance before being captured by a metal shipping container filled with sand and gravel.
Hopmeier, through his company Unconventional Concepts, Inc., argues the testing supports national security by assessing barrel wear and recoil for military applications. He contends the noise reaching nearby homes would be less disruptive than common rural sounds like chainsaws or firearms. The proposed site lies approximately 10 miles west of Lake Champlain and near a Cold War-era nuclear missile silo his business acquired in 2015.
Community Opposition and Environmental Concerns
Opponents fear the howitzer blasts—which can reach roughly 180 decibels at the source, louder than most fireworks and capable of causing hearing damage—would shatter the peaceful character of the Adirondacks. The region is renowned for its forested mountains, wildlife including moose, deer, bears, and birds, and recreational activities like kayaking and camping.
Local resident Dan Canavan, who lives about a mile from the proposed range and describes himself as familiar with firearms, emphasized the disparity between hunting rifles and military artillery. "You can't equate a 155 millimeter howitzer with a hunting rifle," he stated, criticizing how the proposal has been presented.
Environmentalists highlight the proximity to state-owned forest land, worrying the testing could disrupt the patchwork of private and public areas that make up the 6-million-acre park. More than 1,400 public comments have been submitted to regulators, with only 19 expressing support.
Regulatory and Legal Battles
The Adirondack Park Agency has requested additional information multiple times since the initial application in 2021. A public hearing is scheduled for April 22, where an administrative law judge will examine whether the testing aligns with park rules and character. However, Hopmeier has filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify the board's vote to hold the hearing, alleging bias from a member with past ties to an environmental group.
Hopmeier questions the agency's authority to block the testing but acknowledges regulatory approval would streamline the process. He has also faced backlash from previous military exercises on his property, including "Jaded Thunder" last September, which involved helicopters from Fort Drum and prompted complaints about low-flying aircraft and gunfire.
Economic and National Security Arguments
Supporters, including landowner Jim Pulsifer, who offered his property free of charge, argue the testing could provide much-needed employment in the area. Pulsifer, who lives near the site, noted that while many seek peace in the Adirondacks, residents also need livelihoods. "People have to live in the Adirondacks, too—and make a living," he said.
The U.S. Army's DEVCOM Armaments Center has stated it has no current plans for howitzer testing at the site but may consider future artillery experimentation based on Army priorities. Hopmeier's application mentions potential support for research at the Watervliet Arsenal, though no government contract currently exists.
As the debate intensifies, the outcome will hinge on balancing national security interests with the preservation of one of America's most cherished natural landscapes. The scheduled hearing marks a critical juncture in determining whether the boom of howitzers will become a new sound in the Adirondack wild.
