Underestimating The Costs Of Military Base Cleanups

As the military prepares to close more bases, communities find that cleaning up former military bases is turning out to be a very expensive proposition.

1 minute read

April 10, 2005, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"The last soldiers marched out of Ft. Ord 10 years ago, but so far the Army has cleared just 5% of the base's firing range. The Army has unearthed more than 8,000 live shells, and the job could take another 20 years. Even then, Army officials can't guarantee they will get every last bit of ordnance.

The issues at Ft. Ord, which overlooks Monterey Bay, mirror a long list of environmental and economic disasters at closed bases across the nation, where critics say the Pentagon has badly mismanaged the cleanup and redevelopment process."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Old Bases Battle for New Life

Sunday, April 10, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

Community / Economic Development United States

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