- In April 1996 Bob Loux, advised the United States Air Force about pending legislation that would authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to construct a heavy haul road from Rachael, Nevada, through the Nellis Range to Area 25 at the Nevada Test Site. The road would be used to transport spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive wastes either to a proposed interim storage facility at NTS or to the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository.
Mr. Loux went on to advised the Air Force that because the State of Nevada has statutory responsibility for overseeing the federal high-level nuclear waste program , State officials would need to "evaluate the proposed route for purposes of safety and risk analysis" [and that] "state personnel [would], therefore, require ongoing access to those sections of the proposed heavy haul route that are within the Nellis Range."
See the following for a complete review of the relevant corresponded prepared by the State and Air force along with a map depicting the proposed route.
- April 18, 1996 — Letter from Robert R. Loux (NWPO) to Major General Marvin Esmond, Nellis Air Force Base.
- May 6, 1996 — Letter from Marvin R. Esmond (Air Warfare Center, Nellis AFB) to Robert R. Loux. Note: Major General Esmond's letter also includes the Air Force's position on new legislation (HR 1020 and S127) for the High- Level Waste program. The position is defined in a letter from Air Force Secretary Sheila Widnall to Congressman Don Young, Chairman , Committee on Resources.
- July 31, 1997 — Follow up Letter from Robert R. Loux (NWPO) to Major General Marvin Esmond, Nellis Air Force Base.
- September 4, 1997 — Response Letter from Major General Marvin Esmond, Nellis Air Force Base to Robert R. Loux (NWPO) .
- Map depicting the proposed Chalk Mountain Heavy Haul Route.