And in Idaho, a federal judge last week approved an agreement between environmentalists and the military for expansion of the training range at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Under the deal, money will be set aside for environmental concerns and supersonic flights will be limited. Military and environmentalists agree that the stakes are high on the Arizona bombing range, which has more than 600 endangered species and where important artifacts abound. The real challenge is how do you conduct military training and testing and still be responsible. That's what we're trying to do.
Environmental groups say the military needs to be watched closely.
They need someone to pull them in if they get off track. Conservationists still back a proposal that gives the National Park Service control of the range lands not used by the military. Six percent currently is used for bombing and other purposes. The plan would create a park preserve that would include Organ Pipe National Monument and the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Environmentalists say the park service would be a better steward of the land, because of its history of running other lands and the military's poor performance here.