Air Force Wants Area 51 to Remain Enlarged Past 2001; Public Hearings Scheduled by Paul B. Thompson Nebula Editor pscppol@aol.com Everybody's favorite secret base, Area 51 (a.k.a. Nellis Air Force Base), was for many years just a dusty desert hideout in the outback of Nevada. As black budgets for secret aircraft grew in the mid 1980s, so did Area 51. The Nellis Air Force Range, an area of some 2.9 million acres, was added to the reserve by expropriation in 1986. Two years later, a further 90,000 acres were taken in the Groom Mountains area. Most recently, the Air Force annexed 4,000 acres at "Freedom Ridge," an overlook made popular by UFO and conspiracy buffs wanting to get a look at America's most unsecret secret base. (Click here to view a map of the area.) These land grabs provoked a lot of controversy, especially the "Freedom Ridge" annexation, which was obviously motivated by the government's desire to keep civilian observers as far from Area 51 as possible. On September 21, 1998, the U.S. Air Force filed papers to extend its occupation of the expropriated land by the original deadline of November 5, 2001. The Federal Register (2 October 1998, LXIII-191, pp. 53096-53097) notes the Air Force's intent to renew their claim, asserting that "there is a continuing military need for the land... the Range is used as a national test and training facility for military equipment and personnel. The Range provides for realistic, secure, simulation of a battle area, complete with surface to air defense systems, command/control systems, and targets. These activities need to be performed in a secure area to ensure public safety." Public Hearings: Voice Your Opinion Because the renewal of claims to the land requires Congressional action, by law public hearings must be held on the Air Force's proposal. A ninety day period (dating from the posting of information in the Federal Register) is required for the public to register their opinions on the Air Force's claims. Seven local meetings will be held in Nevada:    11-09-98: Indian Springs Community Center, Indian Springs    11-10-98: El Dorado High School, Las Vegas    11-11-98: Caliente Youth Center, Caliente    11-12-98: Pahrump Valley High School, Pahrump    11-13-98: Beatty High School, Beatty    11-16-98: Tonopah Convention Center, Tonopah    11-17-98: Airport Plaza Hotel, Reno All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. on the date indicated. Written statements can be submitted through the Nevada Bureau of Land Management at:    Nevada State Director, BLM    1340 Financial Boulevard    PO Box 12000    Reno, NV 89520 Whether or not you are concerned about extraterrestrial craft being tested at Area 51, the military's seizure of public land should always be closely monitored. In addition, the government has failed to provide a satisfactory response to allegations that former Area 51 employees were subjected to dangerous, toxic materials while working there. Aerial photos have shown smoking pits on the base where toxic substances have been openly burned, in direct contravention of EPA and OSHA regulations. Area 51 researcher Norio Hayakawa wants the government to "construct a clearly marked new fence or other substantial border structure all along the restricted boundary line, particularly on both sides of Groom Lake Road, instead of vague, thin, orange posts" that currently constitute the only markers now. Interested citizens can also take this opportunity to request a government acknowledgment of the existence of Area 51, and establish a Public Affairs Office for Nellis AFB. Odd as it sounds, the federal government and the USAF both still pretend not to know much about what goes on at Nellis, and persist in using euphemisms like "the operating base by Groom Lake" when everybody in the world knows the base is there. What's the matter with these people? Didn't they see "Independence Day?" © 1998 ParaScope, Inc. More Articles on Area 51 Area 51 Photo Gallery Road Trip to Area 51 The ParaStore: Books on UFOs & Aliens