Marines Looking To Expand Range Area

Twentynine Palms, California The Department of the Navy (DON) submitted a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the potential expansion of the training ranges at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. The EIS also covers the expansion of military airspace in the area. The goal is to establish a large-scale training range to accommodate sustained, combined-arms, live-fire and maneuver training exercises for all elements of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB).

At just over 921 square miles, the Combat Center is the largest training complex in the states. The EIS examined five study areas which potentially could be acquired to accommodate the new training requirements.

The issuance of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register initiates a 90-day public comment period. The DON is also planning to hold three public open house meetings to receive oral and written comments on the Draft EIS.