Yaphank residents are fighting to stop the reopening of a trap and skeet range in the Pine Barrens.

Residents brought their case before the commission that overseas the Pine Barrens Wednesday. They say the range, which closed in 2001 after being operational in some fashion since the 1920?s, was abandoned since it was closed for more than one year. That would put it under the jurisdiction of the Pine Barrens Act and forbid the range from reopening. Suffolk County Parks Commissioner Ron Foley says the county immediately went through activities clearly stating its intention to reopen the range after it closed.

Many residents say fear the effect the range will have on property values and the environmental impact of the lead cartridges. They say they will continue to fight, but are not optimistic about their chances for success.