Senate approves funding for Test Site anti-terrorism training

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004 | 9:40 a.m.

SUN WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Monday approved $20 million for next year for counter-terrorism training at the Nevada Test Site.

The money was part of the final version of a Homeland Security spending bill that will now go President Bush for signing.

Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., worked together to secure money for the training at the Test Site. The former nuclear weapons proving ground has found a more modern purpose as a weapons of mass destruction training facility.

Congress approved $20 million for the training at the Test Site last year, too.

"Nevada has always played a key role in our national defense," Reid said. "Now we're leading the way in the war on terror, too."

The Senate also approved the final version of a military construction spending bill that included $12.8 million for a Nevada Army National Guard Readiness Center. The 90,000-square-foot center would be a new home for the new 22-member Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team for Nevada.

Congress last year created similar teams in 12 states to prepare for terrorist threats. A 54-acre site is available for the center near Decatur Boulevard and Serene Avenue.

The military construction bill also contains $4.7 million for new storage for high explosives at Fallon Naval Air Station in Northern Nevada.