The Colonel said from the outset that there would be many questions that he could not answer, and he skillfully avoided most. The military lands withdrawal act of 1986, with an amendment in 1988, withdrew the land currently in the Nellis Range Complex. Certain elevations on the east side of the range were not included in the withdrawn area. Due to the increasing visits by people to this area, the Air Force determined that something had to be done to ensure public safety and the safety and security of operations in the Nellis Range Complex. When someone is on White Sides and other nearby areas, altitude and route changes have to be made by aircraft to avoid harming people and to prevent disclosure of operational matters.
Some missions have to be delayed or canceled.
This impacts the effective use of the Nellis Range Complex. The area proposed to be withdrawn was looked at very carefully and, in discussions with BLM, we were told to keep the amount to be withdrawn to an absolute minimum. We eventually did so, selecting several thousand acres less than originally was roughed out. That was it for informational content. The only other data the Colonel leaked out was in response to a question at the end of the meeting.