[CPEO-MEF] Ft. Custer (MI) encroachment

[Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>]

Military importance of the Harts Lake area

Opinion by SANDY NORDMARK
Battle Creek Enquirer (MI)
August 5, 2007

Regarding the proposed sale of the lower two-thirds of the 445-acre 
Harts Lake property, decision-makers should keep in mind the importance 
of this sale to the future of the Fort Custer Training Center (FCTC) , 
home to multiple branches of the military, including the largest user, 
the Michigan Army National Guard.

FCTC faces two major threats to its continuing operation: the potential 
for listing in a future round of base closings (BRAC funding is in the 
new federal budget), and encroachment by development at its unprotected 
east boundary, Harts Lake, which is incompatible with its expanding 
training mission. Base closures elsewhere and expanded global military 
action have contributed to a significant increase in demand for training 
opportunities at Fort Custer from all branches of the service - active, 
reserve and guard. Last year, over 100,000 trainees from five states 
took part in military readiness exercises. That number will have shown 
considerable growth by the end of this year and is estimated to be 
exceeded by another 20,000 next year. In addition, various state and 
local police units utilize the firing ranges for their ongoing training.

...

For the entire column, see
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070805/OPINION02/708050302/1014/OPINION

--


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org


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