Air Force is pushing land owners to leave Area 51 surroundings
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Air Force gave an ultimatum to land owners around the secret Area 51 to take $5.2 million or the government will seize their property.
The owners have had troubles with their properties in the area since the Air Force moved in during the 1940s, including nuclear tests that began in 1951 and a mysterious explosion that took out their mine mill in 1954. The owners spent all their money trying to get reparations form the government.
So far, the families have not accepted the offer, and they wish the price was set considering also what they have been going through in the previous decades. As Joseph Sheahan commented to AP:
"We prefer to keep our property, but it's for sale under the right price at the right conditions. Why don't they ask themselves what it cost my family over the years in blood, sweat, tears and money?"
The government surrounded the mine property, making it accessible only by going through armed guards. The surrounding area has been used for nuclear testing and military training. For now, the price remains set at $5.2 million to meet what an Air Force official defines a price that is reasonable, prudent and in the public interest.
