[CPEO-MEF] EXPANSION: Ft. Benning (GA) concerns

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Concerns about post expansion can’t be ignored

Editorial
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA)
June 15, 2011


We're beginning to deal with some of the impacts of BRAC that didn't  
get talked about very much.
For years Columbus and the surrounding area were hoping for, planning  
for and aggressively lobbying for Fort Benning to be a major winner  
in the "lottery" process of Base Realignment and Closure. As the  
nation's defense apparatus reconfigured for changing military and  
economic realities, some communities faced devastating negative  
impacts as installations closed or packed up and moved away. Here, on  
the other hand, growth of our "hometown" Army post, and the influx of  
people and business that growth would bring, offered the promise of a  
major boost to the area's population, talent pool and economy.
We are getting all of those things, and there are more ahead.

But like most large-scale changes, this one doesn’t come without its  
complications, stresses and costs
The post is now looking at the possibility of major land expansion to  
go along with the expansion of its personnel and mission. Post  
officials have held public meetings in Harris, Marion and Stewart  
counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama to talk about a  
plan to add some 82,800 acres to Uncle Sam's already enormous  
training ground.
...

For the entire editorial, see
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/06/15/1618496/concerns-about-post- 
expansion.html
--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
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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