II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 240 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 31, 2011 Mr. Ensign (for himself, Mr. Begich, Mr. Hatch, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Risch) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require an Air Force study on the threats to, and sustainability of, the test and training range infrastructure.

1.

Study on air force test and training range infrastructure

(a)

Study

(1)

In general

The Secretary of the Air Force shall conduct a study on the ability of the major air test and training range infrastructure, including major military operating area airspace and special use airspace, to support the full spectrum of Air Force operations. The Secretary shall incorporate the results of the study into a master plan for requirements and proposed investments to meet Air Force training and test needs through 2025. The study and the master plan shall be known as the 2025 Air Test and Training Range Enhancement Plan. (2)

Consultation

The Secretary of the Air Force shall, in conducting the study required under paragraph (1), consult with the Secretaries of the other military departments to determine opportunities for joint use and training of the ranges, and to assess the requirements needed to support combined arms training on the ranges. The Secretary shall also consult with the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission, and the Department of Energy to assess the need for transfers of administrative control of certain parcels of airspace and land to the Department of Defense to protect the missions and control of the ranges. (3)

Continuation of range infrastructure improvements

The Secretary of the Air Force shall proceed with all ongoing and scheduled range infrastructure improvements while conducting the study required under paragraph (1). (b)

Reports

(1)

In general

The Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) interim reports and a final report on the plan to meet the requirements under subsection (a) not later than 240 days, 330 days, and 730 days, respectively, after the date of the enactment of this Act. In addition, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees progress reports at 180 day intervals between the second such interim report and the final report. (2)

Content

The plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall— (A)document the current condition and adequacy of the major Air Force test and training range infrastructure in the United States to meet test and training requirements; (B)identify potential areas of concern for maintaining the physical safety, security, and current operating environment of such infrastructure; (C)identify potential issues and threats related to the sustainability of the test and training infrastructure, including electromagnetic spectrum encroachment, overall bandwidth availability, and protection of classified information; (D)assess coordination among ranges and local, state, regional, and Federal entities involved in land use planning, and develop recommendations on how to improve communication and coordination of such entities; (E)propose remedies and actions to manage economic development on private lands on or surrounding the test and training infrastructure to preserve current capabilities; (F)identify critical parcels of land not currently under the control of the Air Force for acquisition of deed or restrictive easements in order to protect current operations, access and egress corridors, and range boundaries, or to expand the capability of the air test and training ranges; (G)identify which parcels identified pursuant to subparagraph (F) could, through the acquisition of conservation easements, serve military interests while also preserving recreational access to public and private lands, protecting wildlife habitat, or preserving opportunities for energy development and energy transmission; (H)prioritize improvements and modernization of the facilities, equipment, and technology supporting the infrastructure in order to provide a test and training environment that accurately simulates and or portrays the full spectrum of threats and targets of likely United States adversaries in 2025; (I)incorporate emerging requirements generated by requirements for virtual training and new weapon systems, including the F–22, the F–35, space and cyber systems, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft; (J)assess the value of State and local legislative initiatives to protect Air Force test and training range infrastructure; (K)identify parcels with no value to future military operations; and (L)propose a list of prioritized projects, easements, acquisitions, or other actions, including estimated costs required to upgrade the test and training range infrastructure, taking into consideration the criteria set forth in this paragraph. (3)

Form

Each report required under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex as necessary. (4)

Rule of construction

The reports submitted under this section shall not be construed as meeting the requirements of section 2815(d) of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Public Law 106–65; 113 Stat. 852).