While no shots have been fired in five years, there have been plenty of verbal assaults hurled by opposing sides locked in a bitter battle regarding the reopening of a skeet shooting range at Southhaven County Park.

Opponents of the range say the lead ammunition is contaminating nearby soil and water. Others disagree, including the Suffolk County parks commissioner who says after two outside studies were conducted, there is no environmental reason to keep the range closed. However, the owner of the range and the county is faced with a legal challenge as well. The Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act prohibits activity resuming in an environmentally protected area once it has been discontinued for more than a year.

Nevertheless, the owner of the skeet shooting range says his contracts are signed with the county and in May he will begin preparations to open the skeet shooting range around the July 4th weekend.