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By Chuck N. Baker 
(North Las Vegas) The Air Force would like to expand its vast training range in southern Nevada and close off more of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. But many of the area‚Äôs residents are not happy with expansion.  
 
Nellis held a series of five public hearings last month and heard mostly negative feedback from professional conservationists and other citizens. Several military spokesmen explained the range is designed to test and evaluate Department of Defense systems and ensure combat readiness. They also said the area under consideration is one of the few locations that will provide the nation with dedicated military restricted airspace on a scale capable of supporting major combat operations training and testing. 
 
The Air Force presentation began with a short film and Power Point show, detailing what the entire project and explaining the reasons the expansion is needed. Some of the 200 attendees were not impressed, saying they would have preferred hearing about the plans from an individual, not from a film.  
 
Two officers were present: Colonel Chris Zuhlke, commander of the test range, and Colonel Christopher Schumann, a military judge from Travis AFB. Schumann was there to ensure all legal issues were covered concerning the presentation. When the film began, Major General Peter Gersten, commander of the USAF War Center at Nellis, appeared on the screen and explained expansion of the test site would ‚Äúallow us to go forth and defend America.‚Äù  
 
Attendee Nora Cooper said she felt the narration in the video came across as insensitive because it was not delivered by a (live) person adding, “it‚Äôs almost disrespectful.‚Äù In some cases the information was repetitive and the sound was not always clear, although the majority of the details came across. 
 
After the video, individuals who had submitted written comments were asked to come to a microphone and be heard. That sound quality was also poor, in some cases because those talking did not stand close enough to the microphone. About 50 individuals came forward, and the comments were negative.  
 
Conservationist Terri Robertson was adamant the range should not be expanded. She said, ‚ÄúThis request is a travesty that must be stopped.” She noted it was in 1936 the refuge for wildlife and natural resources was created and she said it should not be further eroded explaining, ‚ÄúNot now, not in another 82 years, not ever!‚Äù Her comments were well received by the audience. 
 
Another attendee, Narcico Calderon-Walker, a member of the Moapa Band of Paiutes, explained the mountains of Southern Nevada are considered scared lands to the tribe. He said modern development takes away land from mountain sheep and causes harm to the tribe and the area.  
 
Other individuals agreed that the area contains some of the most critical sheep habitat in the world and must be protected. Another man said at least one road in the area should be left open for recreation, and yet another speaker quoted former President and conservationist Teddy Roosevelt. He explained it was Roosevelt who said since wildlife cannot speak, we must speak for them.  
 
Helen Mortensen, president of the Ice Age Park Foundation and a member of Citizens for Active Management for the Sunrise Mountain Area, wants to be assured that fossils located in the Southern Nevada area will not be impacted by the Nellis expansion.  
 
In segments of the slide show, the Air Force did address concerns of Indigenes  
Peoples by stating that avoidance around cultural areas, sacred sites, specific traditional locales and tribal events would be observed. In addition, some of the expansion areas were presented with alternative plans by the Air Force. While larger parcels were preferred, alternative designs were noted as being acceptable if the public agreed.  
 
The military noted it had explored pros and cons of effects that would come to bear on wildlife habitat, archeological resources, biological diversity of plant species and recreational and economic values. It admitted that there would be some permanent displacement of some ecosystems. One speaker said that the public appreciates the Air Force, but ‚Äúwe must manage the existing resource.”  
 
The public may continue to comment no later than March 8, 2018, by leaving comments on the project website here:  
 
www.NTTRLEIS.com. 
 
Photo Courtesy of Las Vegas Review-Journal