PCEOC Position Unchanged

De-authorization language needed - funding ban needs to be continued 

For immediate release

Contact:             Steve Wooten 719-384-5813 or Lon Robertson 719-980-5114  

KIM, Colorado (April 6, 2011)- PCEOC extends our heartfelt thanks to Senators Udall and Bennett for their efforts on behalf of the citizens in Southeast Colorado.   While the statement of Army Secretary McHugh is positive in that he states there are no 'plans' currently to expand Pinon Canyon, the PCEOC position on expansion remains that the land acquisition process needs to be rewound to point zero.  This entails nullification of the DoD waiver that allows for acquisition of large land parcels and de-authorization of expansion by Congress ("Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Defense shall not carry out any construction or acquisition of real property at Pi�on Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado; all other provisions of law enabling expansion are hereby nullified.").   

Dept. of the Army statements about their intentions reflects current Army policy.  Since 1983 we have learned that Army policies are subject to change with every change of command.  Hence, it is important to reinstitute all possible government checks and balances regarding PCMS expansion.  The process of large land acquisition by the Dept. of Defense (DoD) involves a number of steps.  Some of these include: a waiver to the DoD moratorium on large land acquisition, authorization by congress, appropriation of funds by congress, and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) clearance.  In the case of Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS) the Army has completed approximately 50% of these steps, and they are primarily only waiting on funding approval.  The NEPA process has never stopped or significantly altered any proposal by the DoD thus we believe that they are only waiting on funding to be approved, then they will go forward with expansion.  

Until the waiver is nullified and congress de-authorizes expansion, the "no funding" amendment on the annual military appropriation legislation is the only check and balance still in place.  This entire struggle is evidence that our representative government can work. Bureaucracy can be reined-in when citizens build a platform from county commissioners through state representation and on to the federal level.  Unfortunately, Secretary McHugh's letter is not the end of the struggle.  

We argue, and the Government Accounting Office agrees, that the DoD waiver was flawed.  Specifically, the application for the waiver stated that the people of Southeast Colorado favored expansion.  The political process over the last 5 years clearly says otherwise.  Hence, the Dept. of Defense would not set an unwarranted precedent if they nullified a flawed waiver.  Instead, they would take an important step toward re-building a positive relationship with the citizens of Southeast Colorado.  

A five year hiatus from expansion does little if anything to relieve the economic stress on the regions' agricultural and urban businesses. Banks are still not willing to lend money for projects on ranches that require 15 to 20 year return on investment, supporting businesses will see little from ranches purchases for capital investment and potential purchasers of ranches for sale will find it difficult to be comforted by only a five year non expansion offer.  

The Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition (PCEOC) understands that there is no permanent solution to the PCMS issue.  We also understand that the impetus for expansion is still in place.  That is, El Paso County is committed to an economy driven by federal input through military installations.  As witnessed by the rhetoric of community leaders and elected official when announcing the assignment of a Combat Aviation Brigade to Fort Carson, all the talk was about what a great economic boom the unit will be and not any comments about how better trained the troops will be.  However, they lack the land resources for indefinite growth.  Hence, the land of Southeast Colorado citizens is still in play.   

We do not feel that private lands should be nationalized to benefit local economies, our own economy included.  Instead, we see only two criteria that justify the conversion of private lands to the DoD: First, all other Department of Defense owned/managed lands are effectively and efficiently used to train our military, and second the federalization of private lands is irrefutably proven needed in response to a national crisis and a resultant immediate military need condition.  

The Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition is a broad-based coalition representing communities across Southern Colorado in their opposition to the proposed military expansion. PCEOC members include business owners, teachers, students, elected officials, ranchers, environmentalists and many others.  

The coalition is united in its opposition to any expansion of PCMS.  No funding, no expansion.   

For more information, please see www.pinoncanyon.com.

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