Letter from Shelley Berkley to David R. Obey, ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations, requesting $19.2 million for land acqusition at Nellis Air Force Base, March 15, 2001 (1 page)

SHELLEY BERKLEY 1ST DISTRICT, NEVADA T R A N S P O R T A T I O N A N D I N F R A S T R U C T U R E COMMITTEES: V E T E R A N S ' A F F A I R S 4 3 9 C A N N O N B U I L D I NG W A S H I N G T O N , D C 2 0 5 1 5 2 0 2 - 2 2 5 - 5 9 6 5 Congress of the United States Washington, DC 20515-2801 I N T E R N A T I O N A L R E L A T I O N S CAUCUS TASK FORCES: EDUCATION HEALTHCARE 2 3 4 0 P A S E O D E L P R A D O S U I T E D 1 0 6 L A S V E G A S , N E V A D A 8 9 1 0 2 7 0 2 - 2 2 0 - 9 8 2 3 March 15,2001 The Honorable David R. Obey Ranking Member Committee on Appropriations 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-0001 Dear Congressman Obey, I am writing to request $19.2 million in the FY2002 Military Construction Appropriations Bill for land acquisition at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada. Nellis AFB is faced with serious encroachment threats resulting from changes in zoning and proposed development of land areas surrounding the base. The requested funds would assist in the acquisition of 220 acres of privately-owned land adjacent to the Accident Potential Zones (APZs) at the northern end of the dual runway system. The acquisition is required to assure the operational integrity of the base and its mission. Forecast population growth in the Las Vegas Valley is expected to continue unabated. Therefore, local planning commissions are receiving increasing pressure to change compatible use zoning to commercial and/or manufacturing. This growth surrounding Nellis threatens to stifle the base's most sensitive flying operations, specifically, live ordnance mission. Additionally, I am requesting $9 million in the FY2002 Military Construction Appropriations Bill for a vehicle maintenance complex at Nellis Air Force Base. With the requested funds, the base would construct a complex including facilities for lubrication, inspection, general repair and replacement of major assemblies. The current structure does not meet the minimal spatial requirements necessary to support functional requirements based upon the number of assigned vehicles. Currently, Nellis only has 58% of the vehicle maintenance space it requires to adequately maintain its vehicle maintenance fleet. This forces personnel to perform vehicle maintenance in extreme heat and other inclement conditions. Also, the lack of space causes many vehicles to have delayed preventative procedures and thereby, leading to more costly repairs at a later date. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, SHELLEY BERKLEY Member of Congress PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER