EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, On November 6, 1986, the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of

1-2 1986 was enacted by Congress as Public Law 99-606; and

1-3 Whereas, Pursuant to the Act, approximately 3 million acres of public

1-4 land located in southern and central Nevada are withdrawn from the public

1-5 domain for use by the United States Air Force in military operations and

1-6 other activities conducted on the Nellis Air Force Range; and

1-7 Whereas, Pursuant to the Act, the land is withdrawn for 15 years and,

1-8 in 2001, Congress may consider whether to renew the withdrawal of the

1-9 land for use by the United States Air Force for a period to be determined by

1-10 Congress; and

1-11 Whereas, The United States Air Force has indicated that it will request

1-12 that the withdrawal of the land be renewed for use by the United States Air

1-13 Force at the Nellis Air Force Range and that the period of withdrawal be for

1-14 25 years or an indefinite period; and

1-15 Whereas, The military operations conducted by the United States Air

1-16 Force on the Nellis Air Force Range often involve the use of live ordnance

1-17 and other materials that are hazardous to the environment of areas within

1-18 the range; and

1-19 Whereas, Approximately 87 percent of the land in Nevada is managed

1-20 and controlled by the Federal Government; and

2-1 Whereas, Nevada has in recent years experienced a tremendous

2-2 increase in population, including areas located near the Nellis Air Force

2-3 Range; and

2-4 Whereas, The increase in population has created a corresponding

2-5 increase in the demand for land for public purposes, including, without

2-6 limitation, land required for expansion and development of cities and towns

2-7 in this state and for hunting, fishing, hiking and other recreational activities;

2-8 and

2-9 Whereas, Approximately 25 mining districts are located partially or

2-10 entirely within the Nellis Air Force Range; and

2-11 Whereas, Because mining and exploration for minerals have been

2-12 conducted in several of those districts since 1860, many valuable deposits

2-13 of minerals and other substances have been identified within or near the

2-14 Nellis Air Force Range, including deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead,

2-15 zinc, mercury, tungsten, turquoise, sodium, potassium, alunite, potash and

2-16 commercial grade sand, gravel and limestone; and

2-17 Whereas, Since approximately 1942, access to those deposits for

2-18 mining or exploration has been limited or prohibited because of the

2-19 withdrawal of the land for use by the United States Air Force; and

2-20 Whereas, The Nellis Air Force Range is vitally important in protecting

2-21 our national security and providing training for military operations and

2-22 other activities conducted by the United States Air Force on the Nellis Air

2-23 Force Range; and

2-24 Whereas, Although the Nellis Air Force Range has contributed

2-25 significantly to the economy of this state, the operations and activities

2-26 conducted on the range must be monitored and reviewed periodically to

2-27 determine whether those operations and activities are necessary, to assess

2-28 any damage to the environment of areas within the Nellis Air Force Range

2-29 and to consider the possibility of authorizing other uses of the public land

2-30 within the range by the residents of this state; now, therefore, be it

2-31 Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada,

2-32 Jointly, That the Nevada Legislature hereby urges Congress to authorize

2-33 the United States Air Force to withdraw the public land located within the

2-34 Nellis Air Force Range for not more than 15 years; and be it further

2-35 Resolved, That if Congress, in considering whether to renew the

2-36 withdrawal of the public land within the Nellis Air Force Range,

2-37 determines that any portion of that land is not required for military

2-38 operations or other activities conducted by the United States Air Force, the

2-39 Nevada Legislature hereby urges Congress to authorize the residents of this

2-40 state to use the land for mining, recreation or any other public purpose; and

2-41 be it further

3-1 Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

3-2 copy of this resolution to the Vice President of the United States as the

3-3 presiding officer of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives

3-4 and each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it

3-5 further

3-6 Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

3-7 approval.