A Back Woods Quail Club property in Georgetown County, owned by The Hemingway Family LP, drains into Black Mingo Creek about half a mile upstream of Jordan’s property, the lawsuit states.

Pony Acres, LLC and The Hemingway Family LP are listed as defendants along with Back Woods Quail Club.

The lawsuit accuses the shooting range of allowing lead shot to fall to the ground and into two ponds on the property or into wetlands or uplands. The lead then leeches into the creek and is carried onto Jordan’s property, according to the lawsuit.

“Contaminants from Defendant’s property which have been washed into the waters of the creek, which, upon information and belief, include lead particles from Defendants’ skeet shooting operations, flow along and, at times of monthly extra high tides, over Plaintiff’s property covering it for some distance,” the lawsuit states.

Back Woods Quail Club is owned by Rick Hemingway, according to his LinkedIn profile. Jordan said he’s casually known members of the Hemingway family, including Rick, for many years.

Before taking legal action, Jordan made an effort to reach a compromise with the Hemingway family, according to Stan Barnett, Jordan’s attorney.

Jordan and Barnett met with Rick Hemingway’s brother, Sel Hemingway, a year ago, Barnett said.

Barnett said his client was assured the range's owners would create a lead remediation plan and share it within two weeks, but that plan never materialized.

Rick Hemingway declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Complaints about noise, too

Before approaching the Hemingways about a lead remediation plan, Jordan tried to negotiate with them about the noise emitted from the shooting ranges, Barnett said.

Back Woods holds several annual shooting competitions and offers skeet shooting daily. Rifle and pistol shooting is offered Monday through Friday. Game hunting is also held at the site. Its hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to its website.