ATKINS SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN EFFORT TO PRESERVE LUKE AIR FORCE BASE
Seeks to 'Jump Start' Discussions under the new federal Cooperative Buffer Zone Acquisition Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Atkins 623-535-0809
Maria Baier 602-909-2669

AVONDALE, AZ (August 13, 2002) -- Lisa Atkins, candidate for Arizona's Second Congressional District, today announced her plans to immediately pursue federal funding to address encroachment concerns around Luke Air Force Base under a newly proposed federal program.

Speaking at the Estrella Rotary Club in the West Valley, Atkins said she has initiated discussions with the Trust for Public Lands to use new authority that is included in the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 to allow the Department of Defense to be a partner in addressing encroachment at military installations. This new program is called the 'Cooperative Buffer Zone Acquisition Program.'

"Although the final language still needs to be conferenced and sent to the President for his approval, I believe it is important to begin laying the groundwork sooner rather than later to insure that Luke is among the first Air Force installations to become a partner in the efforts to preserve its training mission," Atkins told the Rotarians.

Atkins cited the importance of Luke Air Force Base and the Goldwater Range to not only our national defenses and the ability of the Air Force to train F-16 pilots, but also the contributions Luke makes to the area's economy.

"The State of Arizona is in the forefront in addressing encroachment through the development of an Agricultural Preserve District and defining compatible development around military air bases such as Luke," Atkins said. "Cities such as Goodyear are working hard to do their part to insure that the Southern Departure Corridor remains viable so that pilots can get from Luke to the Goldwater Range."

"With the Bob Stump Authorization Act, we have a new opportunity to bring the Air Force in as a major partner in the efforts that have been made to date by the landowners, local governments and the State. The Act gives a green light to the Air Force to work in partnership with a conservation group to address just the types of encroachment issues we have in the West Valley. The Trust for Public Lands is the ideal group to work with Luke, our West Valley communities such as Goodyear and private landowners on this matter."

"The Trust for Public Land is delighted to be a partner in helping to conserve these important agricultural lands," said Maria Baier, conservation finance and marketing director for the Trust for Public Land. "We very much respect the efforts of Congressman Stump and Lisa Atkins in this pursuit and look forward to working with them."

Both the Senate and House versions of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 contain the Cooperative Buffer Zone Acquisition Program that addresses encroachment issues on property not held by the Department of Defense.

As proposed by the DoD, the Secretary of a military department may enter into agreements with private conservation organizations to acquire and accept real property in the vicinity of military installations in order to (1) limit incompatible development of such property, or (2) to preserve habitat in which environmental restrictions interfere directly, or indirectly, with current or future military training.

As proposed, an agreement under this program may "provide for the private organization to acquire, on a cost-shared basis, all right, title, and interest in real property" and, with respect to any real property estate or interest acquired, shall provide "for the private organization to transfer to the United States an estate or interest in such real property." Interest in the property is limited to that interest necessary to permit the United States to ensure that the property is used and managed in a manner that addresses constraints on military training, testing and operations. Only the property of willing sellers may be acquired under the program.

Funds appropriated for the operations and maintenance of the DoD or of any military department may be made available to execute the agreement. The Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 is now in conference committee, which is expected to be concluded in October and sent to President Bush.

<<< Back