Where is the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range (CMAGR)?
The CMAGR consists of approximately 459,000 acres located within desert mountain terrain in Riverside and Imperial counties in southern California.

How is the CMAGR used?
The CMAGR supports military aircrew training in air combat maneuvering and tactics; airborne laser system operations; air-to-air gunnery; and air-to-ground bombing, rocketry, and strafing. Artillery, demolitions, small arms and Naval Special Warfare training are also conducted within the range.

Why is a Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (LEIS) being prepared for the CMAGR?
The current military withdrawal for the CMAGR expires in October 2014. Because there is a continuing military need for the range, the Department of the Navy (DoN) is asking Congress to renew the land withdrawal for at least 25 years, although withdrawals of other alternative duration are considered. The renewal request process requires the preparation of a Draft LEIS in accordance with NEPA.

What is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?
NEPA establishes our national environmental policy of promoting a multidisciplinary approach to considering environmental effects in federal government agency decision making. The essential purpose of NEPA is to ensure that environmental consequences of a federal agency’s proposed actions are weighted equally when compared to other factors, and that this information is available to public officials and citizens before decisions are made and actions are taken.

Where can I learn more?
Links on this webpage will take you to pages that provide more information. Please, read through the additional information and check back periodically; new documents and maps will be added as they are developed and released for public review.

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