A proposal to triple the size of the Fallon Naval Air Station training grounds in Northern Nevada could gobble up more than 600,000 acres of public land across five counties.

The Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization project would triple the size of restricted areas around the Fallon Naval Air Station in Churchill County and spill into neighboring Lyon, Nye, Mineral and Pershing counties.

It could have ramifications for hunters, ATV riders, backcountry explorers and wildlife, all of which could face access restrictions on public land the Navy would use for newly expanded bombing and training ranges.

“This would blow a hole through the middle of the Great Basin desert, literally,” said Patrick Donnelly, Nevada state director for the Center for Biological Diversity.

The proposal, which has been in planning stages for about two years, passed a milestone earlier this month when the Navy released a draft environmental impact statement outlining alternative configurations for the expansion, which would affect more than 600,000 acres of public land, in addition to the approximately 200,000 acres already under Navy control.

Navy officials say expansion is important because the area dedicated to training is no longer enough for the pilots or the Navy SEALs who train in Nevada.

For example, older Navy aircraft tended to fly missions at an altitude of about 10,000 feet and approached targets from about four to five miles out. Modern aircraft, according to the Navy, fly at about 30,000 feet and approach targets from as far out as 12 miles.

The expansion, Navy officials say, would help pilots and other personnel conduct missions that better simulate realistic conditions.

As part of the environmental review, the Navy proposed four alternatives, including taking no action.

Among the three alternatives for expansion, the level of disruption for existing public land users varies, with one alternative preserving existing access to Fairview Peak. However, that proposal also calls for rerouting State Route 361, the main route to the northern Nye County community of Gabbs.

The other alternatives would envelop Fairview Peak, a popular area for the public, although the levels of access and use restrictions vary, with one alternative more restrictive than the other.

The document with the proposals is more than 1,000 pages and includes maps and other details.

People who are interested in providing comments on the plan can view the document at https://frtcmodernization.com.

People can also provide feedback in person at public meetings, which are scheduled throughout the region:

Hawthorne: Monday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Hawthorne Convention Center, 932 E St. Hawthorne, NV 89415

Gabbs: Monday, Dec. 10, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Gabbs School Gymnasium, 511 E Ave. Gabbs, NV 89409

Austin: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Austin Town Hall, 135 Court St., Austin, NV 89310

Eureka: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Eureka Opera House, Grand Hall 31 S. Main St. Eureka, NV 89316

Fallon: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 5 p.m. – 8bp.m.

Location: Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way Fallon, NV 89406

]Date: Thursday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: C Punch Inn and Casino, Kumiva Room, 1420 Cornell Ave., Lovelock, NV 89419

Reno: Thursday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: West 2nd Events Center, 600 W. 2nd St., Reno, NV 89503

Comments pertaining to the Navy’s proposed modernization or the draft environmental analysis can also be submitted by mail at:

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest

Attention: Code EV21.SG

1220 Pacific Highway

Building 1, 5th Floor

San Diego, CA 92132