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1-4 land located in southern and central Nevada are withdrawn from the public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1-7 Whereas, Pursuant to the Act, the land is withdrawn for 15 years and, in

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

1-9 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 the

1-18 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 of

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

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

2-15 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 other

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

2-23 Range; and

2-24 Whereas, The operations and activities conducted on the Nellis Air

2-25 Force Range must be monitored and reviewed periodically to determine

2-26 whether those operations and activities are necessary, and to consider the

2-27 possibility of authorizing other uses of the public land within the range by

2-28 residents of this state; and

2-29 Whereas, The Nellis Air Force Range has contributed significantly to

2-30 the economy of this state, and the State of Nevada supports the use of the

2-31 range for purposes directly related to the operation of the Nellis Air Force

2-32 Base; now, therefore, be it

2-33 Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada,

2-34 Jointly, That the Nevada Legislature hereby urges Congress to authorize

2-35 the United States Air Force to withdraw the public land located within the

2-36 Nellis Air Force Range indefinitely, provided that:

2-37 1. If the range or any portion thereof ceases to be used for such

2-38 purposes, the range or that portion which is no longer used for such

2-39 purposes would revert to the State of Nevada for economic development or

2-40 other purposes that the state determines are compatible with the character

2-41 of the land;

2-42 2. The Federal Government will be responsible for any environmental

2-43 cleanup of the range that may be required;

3-1 3. The United States Air Force will provide periodic reports, every 5

3-2 years, to the Congress and the state, with continued public involvement and

3-3 input, to:

3-4 (a) Determine whether continued operation of the range is necessary;

3-5 (b) Assess any damage to the environment of areas within the range; and

3-6 (c) Consider the possibility of authorizing other uses of the public land

3-7 within the range by residents of this state;

3-8 4. Congress reviews the indefinite withdrawal every 15 years without

3-9 requiring the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement; and

3-10 5. Congress does not authorize high-level radioactive waste to be stored

3-11 temporarily or permanently at any location within the Nellis Air Force

3-12 Range; and be it further

3-13 Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

3-14 copy of this resolution to the Vice President of the United States as the

3-15 presiding officer of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives

3-16 and each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further

3-17 Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

3-18 approval.