Assembly Joint Resolution No. 1–Assemblyman Bache

FILE NUMBER........

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

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

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

land located in southern and central Nevada are withdrawn from the public

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

other activities conducted on the Nellis Air Force Range; and

Whereas, Pursuant to the Act, the land is withdrawn for 15 years and, in

2001, Congress may consider whether to renew the withdrawal of the land

for use by the United States Air Force for a period to be determined by

Congress; and

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

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

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

25 years or an indefinite period; and

Whereas, The military operations conducted by the United States Air

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

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

range; and

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

and controlled by the Federal Government; and

Whereas, Nevada has in recent years experienced a tremendous

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

Range; and

Whereas, The increase in population has created a corresponding

increase in the demand for land for public purposes, including, without

limitation, land required for expansion and development of cities and towns

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

and

Whereas, Approximately 25 mining districts are located partially or

entirely within the Nellis Air Force Range; and

Whereas, Because mining and exploration for minerals have been

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

minerals and other substances have been identified within or near the Nellis

Air Force Range, including deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc,

mercury, tungsten, turquoise, sodium, potassium, alunite, potash and

commercial grade sand, gravel and limestone; and

Whereas, Since approximately 1942, access to those deposits for

mining or exploration has been limited or prohibited because of the

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

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

our national security and providing training for military operations and other

activities conducted by the United States Air Force on the Nellis Air Force

Range; and

Whereas, The operations and activities conducted on the Nellis Air

Force Range must be monitored and reviewed periodically to determine

whether those operations and activities are necessary, and to consider the

possibility of authorizing other uses of the public land within the range by

residents of this state; and

Whereas, The Nellis Air Force Range has contributed significantly to

the economy of this state, and the State of Nevada supports the use of the

range for purposes directly related to the operation of the Nellis Air Force

Base; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada,

Jointly, That the Nevada Legislature hereby urges Congress to authorize

the United States Air Force to withdraw the public land located within the

Nellis Air Force Range indefinitely, provided that:

1. If the range or any portion thereof ceases to be used for such

purposes, the range or that portion which is no longer used for such

purposes would revert to the State of Nevada for economic development or

other purposes that the state determines are compatible with the character

of the land;

2. The Federal Government will be responsible for any environmental

cleanup of the range that may be required;

3. The United States Air Force will provide periodic reports, every 5

years, to the Congress and the state, with continued public involvement and

input, to:

(a) Determine whether continued operation of the range is necessary;

(b) Assess any damage to the environment of areas within the range; and

(c) Consider the possibility of authorizing other uses of the public land

within the range by residents of this state;

4. Congress reviews the indefinite withdrawal every 15 years without

requiring the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement; and

5. Congress does not authorize high-level radioactive waste to be stored

temporarily or permanently at any location within the Nellis Air Force

Range; and be it further

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

copy of this resolution to the Vice President of the United States as the

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

and each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

approval.

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