Preventing soil contamination at an outdoor shooting range

Do you own or run an outdoor shooting range or a clay pigeon range? You must follow the rules to prevent soil contamination at the shooting range. You must also make a notification through the online service counter Omgevingsloket.

Applying for a permit and doing a permit check

You do not need a permit for most shooting ranges. However, you must give at least 4 weeks' notice of your activities.

Do you want to know if you need an environmental and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning)? Or whether you need to file a notification? Take the permit check via the Omgevingsloket (in Dutch). In the Omgevingsloket you can see which rules apply in your municipality, province, or water authority. And you can apply directly for a permit or make a notification.

Soil protection at an outdoor shooting range

You must prevent bullet residue, gunpowder, and cartridge cases from getting into the soil. These contaminate the soil. Shooting is only allowed above a continuous protective surface. For example, an asphalt or concrete floor.

You must cover the area where the bullets fall (bullet stop). This prevents metals from the bullets reaching the soil. You must also place shields at the top and side of the shooting range (in Dutch). It is not necessary to build a sand bullet stop if the soil protection facility (floor or pavement) (in Dutch) temporarily retains substances with any breaks or seams sealed.

Soil protection at a clay pigeon shooting range

The rules to protect the soil at clay pigeon shooting ranges differ, depending on the type of shot and clay pigeon being used.

Shooting with lead or zinc cartridges releases substances that contaminate the soil. You may only shoot with these above a contiguous protective surface. For example:

• artificial grass
• concrete slabs
• asphalt

You must also place netting or shields around the shooting range.

If you use clay pigeons that contain harmful substances, such as mercury or cobalt, you must also solidify the surface. Cartridges made of iron, steel, or bismuth do not contaminate the soil. You do not have to take protective measures when shooting with these cartridges.