Customer Reviews

Combat Zoning: Military Land-Use Planning In Nevada

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Just prior to the passage of the Engle Act in 1958, various military services had applied for more than 14 million acres of public land for expansion of their installations nationwide. It's no wonder that California Rep. Clair Engle said that Congressional action was needed because the military had become "awful land hogs." Author David Loomis began this book as a paper written for a geography class at the Univ. of Nevada, Reno in 1987. As a Federal land use planner and economist, he was able to gain insight and perspective that led to this book's publication in 1993. Unfortunately, it focuses primarily on one state (Nevada) while the issue is one of national magnitude and importance. It's important to the military; it's of great concern to the public. Looking more holistically to the issue on a national scale would've been a big task, but it would've helped readers frame the extent of the situation in relation to national security strategy, national military strategy, joint & service-level doctrine. All can generally agree that we need properly equipped and well-trained service members. But, how much land is enough, what are training/testing requirements, how do they change in response to threats and capabilities, and how can efficiencies be achieved? Loomis leaves us with some planning recommendations and a call for more citizen involvement, but there are also many questions left unanswered. As a case study, the book is still a valuable read for stakeholders, public land users, and planners. It accurately documents the situation in one state, primarily at one key decade in time (the 1980s). The proliferation of military land withdrawal calls for a look at the bigger picture. That's why the Office of the Secretary of Defense must approve a waiver to study any military expansion over 1,000 acres. And, since 1958, the Engle Act requires Congressional approval of any military withdrawal over 5,000 acres. (Joe Ross, 29 Palms, CA)