Amodei Celebrates Inclusion of Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization in FY23 NDAA

Press Release

U.S. Representative Mark Amodei (NV-02) today announced that after over five years of collaboration between the Navy, Churchill County, City of Fallon, Native Nations, the State of Nevada, the Congressional Delegation, and other stakeholders, the Nevada-generated solution to the Navy's proposed Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) Modernization has been included in the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"This measure represents one of the most significant pieces of Nevada lands legislation in our State's history. The Nevada Delegation's community-generated process to address both Naval aviation and SEAL training capabilities, as well as the needs of Churchill County, the Walker River Paiute Tribe, and the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, ultimately led to the successful inclusion in this year's NDAA," said Congressman Mark Amodei. "A few months ago, several interest groups prematurely celebrated their misplaced belief that this proposal had failed in the 117th Congress. As it turns out, the inclusion of significant benefits for Tribal communities, conservationists, national defense interests, and local municipal governments, led to rare, overwhelming, bipartisan consensus that action is appropriate immediately. This is a clear recognition that there are such things as legitimate, responsible uses of public lands.

"I am sorry to report that several other pieces of consensus public lands legislation, initially included in this measure, were omitted due to Democrat committee staff resistance in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. They included over 148,000 acres of wilderness designations, 2,600 acres of land transferred to the Washoe Tribe, a prohibition on oil and gas production in nearly 350,000 acres of the Ruby Mountains, and various county lands bill components, including for Douglas County, Pershing County, and Carson City -- all consensus measures in these localities -- were left behind, and will be priorities for the 118th Congress. I'm grateful for House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), and their staffs, for their diligent commitment to and steadfast support of Nevada's interests, and I look forward to continued collaboration next Congress."

Through working with the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction, the Nevada Delegation was able to reach this final agreement on the Fallon compromise, which will expand the Fallon Range Training Complex with an additional 558,535 acres, the majority of which are buffer zones, to ensure naval warfighters are equipped with the best training resources possible to fulfill their missions. A large swath of this land in Dixie Valley will remain under the primary control of the Department of Interior. Further, this agreement designates over 573,000 acres of conservation, wilderness areas, and other protected areas, and holds a total of 18,353 acres of land in trust for the Walker River Paiute and Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribes. The bill also transfers $20 million to the Walker River Paiute Tribe in recognition of historical contamination of their Tribal lands. Additionally, the agreement will allow Churchill County to access land for economic growth.

Key stakeholders speak in support of the Fallon Modernization:

"The Silver State should be proud that when Churchill County's future was challenged by the Navy's proposed expansion, Nevadans stood together, worked together, and created an exciting plan for the future. Over time, Governors Sandoval and Sisolak, Congressman Amodei, Senator Cortez Masto, and Senator Rosen fought shoulder to shoulder with Churchill County to ensure the prosperous future we see for the County," said Churchill County Chairman Pete Olsen. "When this bill becomes law, we will commence a new chapter focused on ensuring that Congressional intent translates into real world progress. Churchill County looks forward to continuing its strong relationship with the Navy in support of their important mission and partnering with Nevada's Congressional delegation to ensure the Administration's implementation accounts for the realities of day-to-day life in Northern Nevada."

"Rep. Amodei has supported the City of Fallon and other local stakeholders tirelessly to ensure that our voices were heard and our priorities included, since Day 1 of the Navy's proposal," said City of Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford. "Were it not for Rep. Amodei's efforts, this monumental legislation would not have been possible. He is a true champion for Nevada."

"The Fallon Range Training Complex is the Navy's premier training environment and vital to ensuring tactical aviation readiness and improved ground forces training that can meet the demands of today and the threats of tomorrow," said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. "This critical legislation enhances our Nation's security by allowing our Carrier Air Wings and Naval Special Warfare Teams to train in a more realistic environment and better prepare for strategic competition. I am grateful to Congressional leadership, especially Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV), and the tribal stakeholders, local and state government leaders, and the people of Nevada who worked together to support this modernization for our Navy and our Nation."

"The inclusion of Nevada's plan for the Fallon Naval Air Station expansion in the National Defense Authorization reflects the best in bipartisan collaboration between the Nevada Congressional delegation, the United States Navy, the Department of Interior, the Walker River Paiute Tribe, the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, Churchill County, conservation advocates, sportsmen and many, many other Nevadans," said Governor Steve Sisolak. "I salute Congressman Amodei and Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen for their hard work on the frontlines and behind the scenes to deliver this great win for the Silver State."

"We are grateful for the inclusion of three new Wilderness areas, the Clan Alpine, Cain Mountain and Desatoya Mountains along with a new National Conservation Area in Churchill and Lander Counties as part of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)," said Friends of Nevada Wilderness Executive Director Shaaron Netherton. "We thank Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen and Congressman Amodei for their dedication in working through a difficult process with a wide range of stakeholders in order to reach a complex compromise for the state of Nevada within the NDAA. While we are disappointed there is not more conservation in this bill, we look forward to continuing to work with the delegation next year to advance on-going conservation efforts around the state."

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