Senate Joint Resolution No. 25--Committee on Natural 
    Resources

                FILE NUMBER........


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION--Urging the Secretary of Defense and the 
       Secretary of the Interior to make a certain portion of the 
       Tolicha Mining District available for use by the public.


  WHEREAS, The western portion of the Tolicha 
Mining District is located on the western boundary of the 
Nellis Air Force Range in Nye County, Nevada; and
  WHEREAS, Between 1905 and the 1940s, high 
grade precious metal veins in the western portion of the 
Tolicha Mining District were developed and mined; and
  WHEREAS, Using technology that is now 
antiquated, the Tolicha Mining District produced a record 
amount of gold and silver valued at approximately $750,000, 
based on the value of money during the 1930s; and
  WHEREAS, Pursuant to the Military Lands 
Withdrawal Act of 1986, recent surface and research studies 
of the Nellis Air Force Range show the possibility of high 
mineral potential in the western portion of the Tolicha 
Mining District; and
  WHEREAS, Mining technology has changed 
dramatically over the past 20 years, now providing companies 
the opportunity to develop mines in areas of low-grade 
disseminated gold, such as the world-class gold mines near 
Elko, Nevada; and
  WHEREAS, Extensive exploratory drilling, along 
with other scientific research, is necessary to determine 
the true mineral value of the Tolicha Mining District; and
  WHEREAS, This area was made unavailable to the 
public in 1951 through Public Land Order No. 712, and the 
Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1986 formally withdrew from 
public domain the Nellis Air Force Range, including the 
Tolicha Mining District; and
  WHEREAS, The Tolicha Mining District has a 
high potential for precious metal development, and 
exploratory and mining companies would be interested in 
exploring this area which has been restricted for many 
years; and
  WHEREAS, The Tolicha Mining District is 
located a mere 3 to 4 miles inside the western boundary of 
the Nellis Air Force Range; and
  WHEREAS, In years gone by, mining was the 
cornerstone of Nevada's progressive economy, and the State 
of Nevada has made economic development and diversification 
a priority; and
  WHEREAS, The development of a major precious 
metal mine in the area of the Tolicha Mining District would 
provide positive economic impacts for the State of Nevada 
and local communities; and
  WHEREAS, The State of Nevada encourages the 
development of our mineral resources; now, therefore, be it
  RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF 
NEVADA, JOINTLY, That the Legislature of the State of 
Nevada hereby urges the Secretary of Defense to release to 
the Department of the Interior the western portion of the 
Tolicha Mining District consisting of Township 7 South, 
Range 45 East, Sections 34 and 35 (unsurveyed), and Township 
8 South, Range 45 East, Sections 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 21 
and 22 (unsurveyed), Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, a total 
of approximately 7,040 acres; and be it further
  RESOLVED, That this Legislature also hereby 
urges the Secretary of the Interior to classify any such 
released land as public domain and open to multiple use, 
giving exploration and mining companies the opportunity to 
explore, locate and develop the mineral resources in the 
western portion of the Tolicha Mining District; and be it 
further
  RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate 
prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to the 
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Interior and 
to each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and 
be it further
  RESOLVED, That this resolution becomes 
effective upon passage and approval.

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