[CPEO-MEF] Base bill clears House

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Lengthy struggle ends with unanimous vote that balances environmental, 
military needs.

By DAVID KIBBE 

Feb. 14 - BOSTON - The end was almost anticlimactic. For years, the Cape 
fought over the future of Camp Edwards. Angry veterans marched on Beacon 
Hill to defend the National Guard. Environmentalists said the military 
couldn't be trusted to protect the water supply from pollution. 

Both sides said it was a matter of life and death.

When the issue was finally resolved on the House floor yesterday, the 
chamber was two-thirds empty. Some of the state representatives who were 
there had their backs turned in private conversation as Cape lawmakers 
made impassioned pleas to turn the base over to a state environmental 
commission.

No matter. Most of the representatives returned when it was time to 
vote. With House Speaker Thomas Finneran's blessing, the bill passed 
unanimously, 149-0.

The bill allows the National Guard to continue to train on the 15,000 
acres. Safeguards will be implemented to protect the Cape's sole-source 
aquifer. An environmental commission will have the power to stop 
training that harms the water or environment.

The complete story can be viewed at:
http://www.msnbc.com/local/cct/m148797.asp