Grand Opening Celebration of Regional Law Enforcement Training Range

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Knife River Corporation, and a host of local, state, and federal law enforcement partners joined with business and community leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Columbia County Range Complex on Friday.

“The partnerships we have built with this training facility are incredible,” said Sheriff Phil Derby. “I can’t say enough how fortunate we are to have the FBI’s federal resources as well as the support of the people at Knife River. This government-business partnership proves that by working together, we can work smarter, harder and more efficiently for the people we serve.”

The range will operate as a premier law enforcement training facility, serving agencies throughout Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. Phase I will have four ranges: a 50-yard, 20-position turning target range; a 200-yard rifle range with turning targets; and two dedicated tactical ranges. Multiple classrooms will allow more than one agency to train at the same time. Phase II will eventually expand the Range Complex to 40 acres.

“The FBI is celebrating its 100th anniversary at the same time we are opening this wonderful training range,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge David Ian Miller. “The key to the FBI’s success in the next century will be the partnerships we build today – like the ones being showcased with Columbia County and Knife River.”

The planning process began ten years ago when Columbia County Undersheriff Gerry Simmons and Morse Brothers’ Brian Gray first talked about the possibilities. The Sheriff’s Office needed a new range in a better location; Morse Brothers wanted to mine the rock at the old range.

In 2004, when FBI Portland began looking for land for its new training facility, it decided to partner with Columbia County. In September 2006, FBIHQ provided the initial funding to build the new range. Columbia County Commission Chair Tony Hyde assisted with the planning and administration throughout the process.

“The Columbia County Range Complex is another great example of Knife River’s commitment of “Building Strong Communities” in which we operate,” said Brian Gray, Vice President, Knife River – Western Oregon Division. “This unique private – public partnership was truly a win-win for all parties involved.”

The initial step required Morse Brothers to mine the area that we are using today. Over time, Morse Brothers (now Knife River) moved one million cubic yards of material to create this 60-foot bowl in which the facility sits.

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