U.S. Army Has Major Expansion Plans in 12 States

The potentially affected facilities are:

AZ: Yuma Proving Ground
CA: Fort Hunter-Liggett and Fort Irwin
CO: Fort Carson
GA: Fort Benning and Fort Stewart
KS: Fort Riley
KY: Fort Campbell and Fort Knox
LA: Fort Polk
NC: Fort Bragg
NM: White Sands Missile Range
NY: Fort Drum
TX: Fort Bliss and Fort Hood
WA: Fort Lewis and Yakima Training Center

Each would be home to at least 1,000 more people, and some would host a brigade combat team, which includes about 3,500 to 4,000 people.

The Army says the expansion plans, which address functions such as firing ranges, training grounds, housing, and support facilities such as hospitals and shopping areas, could have significant, long-term impacts at nearly every facility, such as air, water, and noise pollution, habitat degradation, air traffic congestion, energy consumption, and drinking water depletion. However, the expansions would occur on land already under Army jurisdiction, so don't involve new lands.

The 45-day public comment period ended Oct. 8, 2007. The final PEIS is expected to be finalized in about 30 days, after which there will be a 30-day review, followed by the final Record of Decision expected before the end of 2007.

From that point, each facility would undergo site-specific environmental analysis deemed appropriate for the scope of work, such as an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. All planning processes for the facilities are expected to be completed no later than 2013. Construction would follow.

In separate actions, the Army is trying to obtain hundreds of thousands of acres from other landowners southeast of Fort Carson in Colorado and near Yuma in Arizona for large-scale training purposes. Those plans are meeting with stiff resistance by some, and avid support by others. Along with environmental effects, there are major issues of national security, the future nature of warfare, states' rights vs. federal rights, eminent domain, and other economic, social, and cultural impacts. Tangible plans for each site are in the very early stages.

• Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, CO: A few of the basics of the planned expansion are laid out in Mike McPhee's Feb. 14, 2007, article for the Denver Post. Since then, media in nearby cities such as Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Denver have been routinely covering numerous developments as various interests negotiate. The Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition is here.
• Yuma Proving Ground, AZ: Some of the basics of the current facility are here and here. One starting point for expansion plans that includes a wide range of potential sources is Corinne Purtill's June 5, 2007, Arizona Republic article.