Input deadline on Navy expansion ends Friday

Public comments on the proposed expansion of the Fallon Range Training Complex ends Friday.

All written comments must be postmarked or received online by today to be considered in the Draft EIS.

The first proposal in several decades plans to withdraw land in the Fallon Range Training Complex in Churchill County. Surrounding counties could also be affected.

The Navy conducted seven meetings to accept comments from stakeholders who will be affected by the expansion. An Environment Impact Study will be compiled for the range’s modernization which includes ranges B-16 southwest of Fallon; B-17, the Dixie Valley Training Area, north and south of U.S. Highway 50; and B-20, northeast of Fallon and north of B-17. No plans are proposed for B-19, which is 30 miles south of Fallon and east of U.S. Highway 95.

Capt. David Halloran, commander of Naval Air Station Fallon conducted the scoping meetings. He recently spoke at the business breakfast of the Churchill Economic Development Authority. explaining how the Navy needs to renew existing land and expand through additional land withdrawal and land acquisition, airspace modifications and public land withdrawal renewal.

The public scoping meetings explained what the Navy and Department of Defense are proposing. The Assistant Secretary of the Navy will make a decision in 2020, and if he approves the plan, then it will go to Congress for their action.

Halloran said all carrier air wings train at Fallon, and all carrier tactical training is performed over the desert east of Fallon. Additionally, he said the ranges have not been modernized in 20-30 years. The proposed expansion combined with the existing training land will cover mote than 800,000 acres.

Alex Stone, EIS program manager for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said all collected comments will help the Navy construct a draft impact statement, which cover such factors as air quality and climate, airborne noise, grazing, land use and recreation, minerals and mining, soils and water resources