This is very interesting. The EPIC folks and Marty Fischer have pointed to the steel shot only policy at nearby Blalock Shooting Club as evidence that Foxhall is just like its neighboring development. Turns out Blalock tried to get out of its steel only policy because Orvis refused to run it as a steel only course. Unfortunately, they apparently couldn't get the change past the local zoning board and withdrew the proposal. Interesting to see Orvis arguing that steel is unacceptable to shooters.

Orvis may run Blalock shooting range
The Times-Herald, Published Monday, August 31, 2009

Western Coweta residents who feel their quality of life has been damaged by the sport shooting activities at the Blalock Lakes development hope to convince Coweta County not to allow a change they fear would make things even worse and harm the environment. The Blalock Lakes Homeowners Association wants to turn over management of its controversial hunting and shooting club to Orvis, a well-known outdoor company. Orvis will only agree to the deal if the condition prohibiting the use of lead shot is removed.

.....When plans for the Blalock Lakes community were submitted in 2005, the applicants, Cousins Properties, planned to exclusively use steel shot. Only steel shot can be used for duck and goose hunting -- federal law prohibits even possessing lead shot when hunting waterfowl. When the Blalock Lakes plan was first announced, and afterward, it was much praised by local officials, as a wonderful and unique thing for Coweta, a rural ideal. In early planning department review, though, planners expressed concern that the market would not support the Blalock concept, and worried what would come when the developers sought changes.

The private, gated community consists of almost 3,000 acres and would have a maximum of 399 lots. In addition to the hunting and shooting club, there would be fishing and equestrian facilities. Some lots at Blalock were priced at $1 million -- just for the lot. A lifetime hunt club membership is $10,000. Plans were approved in 2006, and nearby residents began to be impacted by the shooting club noise in 2007. Currently, there are four houses in Blalock Lakes.

The planning department report on the current request states that Blalock is pursuing the Orvis agreement "in an effort to add value to the development." ...

Orvis wants the ability to use lead shot for three reasons, according to the report. Steel shot performs differently than lead shot because of its lower density, and is "an unacceptable alternative with competitive shooters."

Steel shot causes greater damage to guns than lead shot. Because guns can cost up to $100,000, avid shooters will not participate in facilities that do not allow lead.

And, thirdly, alternative sites in Georgia allow lead and "this would place Orvis in a competitive disadvantage if lead shot is not allowed."
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Full Story:
http://www.times-herald.com/Local/Orvis-may-run-Blalock-shooting-range-843511