Northern Nevada Economic Development, Conservation and Military Modernization Act of 2020
A BILL
To modernize the Fallon Range Training Complex in Churchill County, Nevada, through the withdrawal and reservation of additional public lands for military use, to allow for transfer of ownership of certain Federal parcels in Nevada, to allow for disposal of Federal lands in Nevada for economic development, to make technical corrections to existing law, for conservation, and for other purposes.
2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
Since the onset of airborne naval military training in Nevada as early as 1944, residents of the Silver State have coped with the direct and indirect effects of training overflights.
Such effects are heard, seen, and felt most acutely near the bases and bombing ranges dedicated to furthering the United States military’s mission interests, but extend more than 100 miles beyond, for example, Naval Air Station Fallon.
Additionally, Nevadans who live and work beneath dedicated air training routes throughout central, north-central, and northwestern Nevada live with persistent noise and periodic disruptions related to training activities day and night.
Although direct impacts of military training are centered in Churchill County to the north, east, and south of Fallon, adjoining counties also commonly endure both high- and low-level overflights. Pershing, Lander Nye, Mineral, Washoe, and Lyon counties shoulder much of this burden.
Providing for the common sense rationalization of the 19th century checkerboard land-ownership and public interest conveyances of land, for example, for fire stations, airports, and municipal parks, represents reasonable mitigation for ongoing impacts to Nevada’s communities.
The Fallon Range Training Complex and Naval Air Station Fallon’s economic, environmental, and community impacts are seen throughout all of northern Nevada and are not limited to just the Fallon Range Training Complex’s geographic footprint.
On April 15, 2020, the Churchill County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution supporting legislation to address and mitigate the Navy’s Record of Decision through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, as well as allow for conveyances for economic development and public purposes in Churchill County, as depicted by the County’s updated map entitled “Churchill County Proposed Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization and Lands Bill” and dated March 18, 2020, as identified in division A of this Act.
On April 5, 2018, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners requested that the Nevada congressional delegation reintroduce the Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act, included as title I of division B of this Act.
On October 10, 2019, the Lander County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution expressing support for the introduction of legislation promoting certain public safety, public welfare, public parks, and tourism opportunities, included as title IV of division B of this Act.
On November 15, 2018, the Carson City Board of Supervisors passed a resolution expressing support for the introduction of legislation containing certain conveyances and technical corrections, included as title VI of division B of this Act.
On December 9, 2019, the Pershing County Board of Commissioners requested that the Nevada congressional delegation support the Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act, included as title VII of division B of this Act.
On November 13, 2019, the White Pine County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution requesting reintroduction of the technical corrections provided for in the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act, included as title XI of division B of this Act.