YUMA — Congressman Paul Gosar introduced legislation Friday to permanently reserve about 22,000 acres of federal land in western Arizona for military testing and training at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground.
H.R. 8686 would authorize the withdrawal and reservation of federal land in Yuma and La Paz counties to support the proving ground’s national security mission, including advanced air delivery system testing.
Gosar, R-Ariz., said the measure is intended to protect military readiness while maintaining public land management, utility access and regional infrastructure needs.
“The Yuma Proving Ground plays a vital role in America’s national defense and military readiness,” Gosar said. “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.”
The legislation would withdraw approximately 21,783 acres adjacent to Highway 95, creating a larger safety buffer for air delivery system testing. According to the Army, the additional land would allow higher-altitude testing, longer glide distances for guided parachute systems and more complex tactical training scenarios that cannot safely be conducted under current land limitations.
The bill also would formally withdraw and reserve about 249 acres within the Howard Cantonment area, which has been used by the Army since 1955 under authorities that have since expired.
Yuma Proving Ground is one of the Army’s major test centers, supporting testing of ground combat systems, aviation systems, artillery, munitions, parachute systems and other military equipment in desert conditions.
Gosar said the issue should not be viewed through a partisan lens.
“This is not a partisan issue,” he said. “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 proposal traces back to the Biden administration and went through environmental review before being formally approved under the Trump administration, according to Gosar’s office.
Under the bill, the Department of the Interior would continue managing the withdrawn lands under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The legislation also allows for conservation work, wildlife habitat protection, cultural resource preservation, wildfire management, recreation, hunting access and management of wild horses and burros.
The measure preserves the Parker-Blaisdell Utility Corridor and authorizes continued rights-of-way for regional utility infrastructure, including transmission lines.
Gosar said the bill is meant to balance military and regional needs.
“The Yuma Proving Ground is a cornerstone of Arizona’s economy and our nation’s defense infrastructure,” he said. “This legislation strikes the right balance between military readiness, responsible land management, public access, and regional infrastructure needs.”
The bill would amend the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 by adding a new subtitle specific to the Yuma Proving Ground withdrawal area.
