Gosar Introduces Bill to Strengthen Yuma Proving Ground and Support Military Readiness

Yuma, Arizona - Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-09) issued the following statement in response to introducing H.R. 8686, legislation authorizing the withdrawal and reservation of approximately 22,000 acres of federal land in Yuma and La Paz Counties to support the critical national security mission of the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground:

"The Yuma Proving Ground plays a vital role in America's national defense and military readiness. This legislation ensures our service members can safely conduct advanced testing and training operations while protecting the long-term mission of one of the most important military installations in the country. Arizona is proud to support the men and women who defend our nation, and this bill strengthens that mission for decades to come.

This is not a partisan issue. This is about military readiness, national security, and protecting the safety of the troops training at Yuma Proving Ground. Our military must have the tools, land, and operational flexibility necessary to prepare for modern threats and evolving battlefield conditions.

The Yuma Proving Ground is a cornerstone of Arizona's economy and our nation's defense infrastructure. This legislation strikes the right balance between military readiness, responsible land management, public access, and regional infrastructure needs," stated Congressman Paul Gosar.

Background:

The legislation would establish a permanent withdrawal for lands necessary to safely conduct military testing, training, and advanced air delivery operations while preserving existing public land management responsibilities and utility access.

Specifically, H.R. 8686 authorizes the withdrawal of approximately 21,783 acres adjacent to Highway 95 to create a larger safety buffer zone for military air delivery system testing. According to Army analysis, the additional land is necessary to allow higher-altitude testing, longer glide distances for guided parachute systems, and more complex tactical training scenarios that cannot safely occur under current land limitations.

The bill also formally withdraws and reserves approximately 249 acres within the Howard Cantonment area that has been continuously used by the Army since 1955 under authorities that have since expired.

Importantly, the proposal originated during the Biden Administration and received environmental review and approval across multiple agencies before ultimately being formally approved under the Trump Administration, underscoring the nonpartisan nature of the military's operational need.

Under the legislation, the Department of the Interior would continue managing the withdrawn lands pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act while allowing for ongoing conservation activities, protection of wildlife habitat, preservation of cultural resources, wildfire management, recreation, hunting access, and management of wild horses and burros.

Additionally, the legislation preserves the Parker-Blaisdell Utility Corridor and authorizes continued rights-of-way for critical regional utility infrastructure, including transmission lines, ensuring the proposal does not interfere with regional energy reliability or future utility needs.

The bill amends the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 by adding a new subtitle pertaining specifically to the Yuma Proving Ground withdrawal area.

A copy of the legislation can be found by clicking here.