The Interior Department says Nellis Air Force Base has another 20 years to use over 3.9 square miles of public land northeast of Las Vegas as a safety buffer for the base's operations.
The department announced Friday that Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Rob Wallace approved the extension for land withdrawn from public use in 1999.
The department's announcement said the safety buffer protects populated areas and helps the Air Force comply with Department of Defense standards for ammunition and explosive safety.
The safety buffer includes security patrol roads and a security checkpoint.
