Blocking PFS through the wilderness designation was only one aspect of the legislation, Bishop said. More importantly, it was designed to protect the Utah Test and Training Range west of Hill Air Force Base.

An above-ground nuclear waste facility would be located in the direct flight path of fighter jets.

"If they had proposed a site anywhere else, it would not have nearly the significance for the future of UTTR and Hill," Bishop said. "Building it where they want to puts Dugway (Proving Ground) at risk, and it makes one-third of the test and training range unusable. It is very much a military issue."

With another round of hearings slated on the closure of additional military bases, Bishop said the viability of the range is critical to making the argument that Hill is essential to the Air Force's live-fire training.

"Hill Air Force Base is a national asset that cannot be understated," he said. "And storing nuclear waste in above-ground canisters is not the way to protect it from encroachment."

Bishop said the bill is dead for this year but he will try the legislation again next year.

---

E-mail: spang@desnews.com