[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S8135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MURKOWSKI (by request):
  S. 1338. A bill entitled the ``Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 
1999''; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                 military lands withdrawal act of 1999

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I send to the desk the Military Lands 
Withdrawal Act of 1999. I am introducing this legislation on behalf of 
the Administration. At this point I am neither prepared to support nor 
object to any of the specific provisions contained within this 
legislative proposal. It is my intention however, to hold hearings on 
this important legislation and the withdrawal renewals contained within 
it. After those hearings have been held and we have had the benefit of 
input from the parties most effected by the withdrawals, I am prepared 
to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute which makes such 
needed changes as are identified during the hearing process.
  This legislation renews the withdrawals contained within P.L. 99-606, 
enacted by Congress in 1986. This Congressional action withdrew 7.2 
million acres of public land for use by the Department of Defense at 
six installations. The affected bases are the Barry M. Goldwater Air 
Force Range in Arizona, Nellis Air Force Base and Naval Air Station 
Fallon in Nevada, the McGregor Army Range in New Mexico, and Fort 
Wainwright and Fort Greely in my home state of Alaska. These 
withdrawals were for a period of 15 years and expire in 2001.
  I have a deep abiding recognition of the unique and critical role all 
of these military bases play in our national defense strategy and on 
the economies of the states within which they are located. However, I 
also understand that the issues surrounding the renewal of these 
withdrawals are complex and varied. Congress's ability to resolve these 
issues will ultimately define success or failure for this entire round 
of withdrawals. What we do here will have a lasting impact on these 
bases military mission, their local economies, and the environmental 
protection of the public lands. It is my firm belief that only through 
the Congressional hearing process can the concerns of all affected 
parties be recorded and factored into the renewal of these base 
withdrawals.
  I am committed to the prompt consideration of this legislation. 
However, taking into consideration the fact that these withdrawals do 
not expire until 2001, I believe it is prudent that we move this 
legislation at a pace which allows both the public and our colleagues 
the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way and in the proper 
forum.
                                 ______