Editorial: Air Force land deal is welcome

Monday, Aug. 16, 1999 | 9:59 a.m.

When the Air Force last year asked Congress to lock up 3 million acres of desert land for war games at the Nellis Air Force Range in Southern Nevada for either 25 years or indefinitely, it produced a split between some of the top elected officials from this state. U.S. Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan, both Democrats, opposed the proposal while Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn supported a permanent withdrawal that would prohibit civilian use.

The Air Force said the Nellis range was the only place in the nation with enough land to conduct major air exercises. As an example, the Air Force noted that in the Gulf War it was able to replicate Iraq's air defenses in the training of its pilots. For his part, in addition to citing national defense issues, Guinn also emphasized the economic benefits that Nellis Air Force Base brings to Southern Nevada. If the federal government were to know that the land would be there permanently, Guinn asserted, then it would be more likely to spend money on improving existing buildings and constructing new facilities.

No one disputes how important Nellis is to the preservation of our national security and to our local economy. But it makes no sense to allow an indefinite lock-up for the Air Force's use. Southern Nevada is growing rapidly, so it is difficult to know in advance if in 20 or 30 years the valley might have a need for some of this land. In addition, the international situation easily could change at almost anytime, lessening the military's need, allowing it to be turned over for civilian uses.

Reid, Bryan, miners, environmentalists and military watchdog organizations all wanted a 15-year extension of the existing 15-year withdrawal originally granted by Congress in 1986 and set to expire in 2001. The Air Force has been able to carry out its mission under the existing arrangement and there seemed to be no reason why it couldn't do so with another 15-year extension.

The impasse was recently broken when a compromise was struck that allows the Air Force to continue to keep the land, but only for a 20-year period. The compromise passed by the Senate is reasonable and ensures that this land won't be needlessly tied up forever. It is hoped the House endorses this legislation that strikes the right balance between protecting national security needs and ensuring periodic public reviews to determine the land is still needed by the Air Force.