Navy conducts environmental study

Monday, Dec. 1, 1997 | 3:20 a.m.

Bravo 20, located just north of the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge in Fallon, is the only range authorized for the dropping of the largest bombs at Fallon Naval Air Station.

Federal law requires the base to evaluate bombing ranges every 15 years. Bravo 20 has been in use since the 1940s. The impact statement will consider the range's effects on wildlife, pollution and noise problems.

But environmentalists and a military watchdog group say the impact statement should consider all of the Navy's activities at Fallon.

"What we'd like to see is a full cumulative analysis of all the Navy's activities at Fallon," said Grace Potorti, director of the watchdog group Rural Alliance for Military Accountability.

A base spokeswoman said while other base operations will be included, the document will focus on Bravo 20 because its use is up for renewal.

Congress will make a decision on the range in 2001.

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