An update on the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) was provided during the recent Churchill County Commissioners’ meeting on Jan. 12. The updates focused on range expansions, road relocations, land acquisitions, and agreements. Ongoing negotiations on grazing and mining were discussed, along with progress reports on Sand Canyon Road, Lone Tree Road, State Route 361, and Pole Line Road.
The B16 Range lies in the Sand Canyon Area. For this project, grazing permit negotiations remain unresolved, with offers made but no finalized agreements. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Sand Canyon Road clarified that the Navy would be responsible for maintenance and liability for the road, while the county would maintain right-of-way access.
Fencing and gates along Sand Canyon Road are being repaired, and the Navy has agreed to keep the gate open. Staff clarified that under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), area B16 remains open to the public until Sand Canyon Road is fully completed and all legal requirements are met. Requirements include completing roads, providing grazing compensation, making mining payments, and more. The county is also planning to install educational signage and maps to clarify public access.
The B17 Range, which falls under the Gabbs and State Route 361 Area, is also undergoing expansion. The Navy is currently working on private land acquisitions and has sent out letters notifying landowners of two-year grazing permits. These letters will start the process for grazing compensation negotiations. Mining claim payments are also being discussed, and negotiations are ongoing.
State Route 361 currently passes through the expansion area for the B17 range. The Nevada Department of Transportation has analyzed this issue and selected a preferred relocation route. This will involve about 13-17 miles of highway and is expected to be a significant long-term process.
The B20 range lies within the Pole Line Road area. For this expansion, the Navy must acquire 62,000 acres of private land. Negotiations on grazing permits and discussions on mining compensation have not started yet.
Along with these project updates, an MOU with the Department of the Interior was received. The MOU outlines how the county and federal agencies will work together to address checkerboard landownership, in which public and private lands are mixed. This outlines each party’s responsibilities and the role of private landowners in the process. The agreement still needs to be reviewed before it is finalized.
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