The Navy has prepared its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts of its proposed range modernization project at NAS Fallon.
An informational meeting for anyone interested in hearing a presentation by the Navy and providing additional comments on the EIS will be held on Jan. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fallon Convention Center. The Navy will make its presentation at 6 p.m.
The meeting will include poster stations staffed by Navy representatives to help explain its process for requesting additional land for training purposes and is intended to update the public concerning the Navy’s proposal, its analysis in the final EIS, and its planned monitoring and mitigation measures. Churchill County officials also will be in attendance.
According to Navy officials, the proposed modernization would provide training capabilities that are more realistic and are needed to meet changing aviation and ground training requirements, while maintaining the safety of local communities and would, if approved by Congressional action, include:
- Renewal of the Navy’s current public land withdrawal
- Land range expansion through the additional withdrawal of public lands and acquisition of non-federal land
- Airspace expansion and modifications
- Upgrades to range infrastructure
The Navy held seven scoping meetings in 2016 and seven public meetings following the release of the draft EIS in 2018 to provide information and obtain public input. The final EIS includes the Navy’s responses to public comments received during the draft EIS public review and comment period.
The final EIS is available for public viewing online and at the Churchill County library.
Prior to the Navy's meeting on Jan. 28, Churchill County residents are invited to attend the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting on Jan. 15 at 1:15 p.m. in Chambers, 155 N. Taylor Street, to hear an update about the county’s response to the Navy’s proposed action.