[CPEO-MEF] DEPARTMENT OF NAVY TRANSFERS VIEQUES PROPERTY

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

No. 291-03
IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2003

DEPARTMENT OF NAVY TRANSFERS VIEQUES PROPERTY

The Department of the Navy has transferred all real property on the
eastern end of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico to the administrative
jurisdiction of the Department of Interior as required under the Floyd
D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001
(Public Law 106-398), as amended by Section 1049 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107-107).

Under the law, Department of Interior is required to develop the land
for use as a wildlife refuge, with the former live impact area to be
designated a wilderness area and closed to the public. This year $2.3
million has been designated for the Department of Interior to protect
and conserve these natural resources. Additionally, Department of the
Navy is demolishing and removing all temporary facilities and
structures.

Department of the Navy will retain responsibility for the environmental
cleanup of this property. The final extent and cost of the cleanup is
linked to land use plans being developed by Department of Interior in
compliance with the National Wildlife Refuge Act. The Department of the
Navy will participate in future decisions and actions regarding the
long-term environmental cleanup at Vieques.

This release can be viewed online at:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2003/b04302003_bt291-03.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~