Sprawl Is Threatening National Security

Incompatible residential and commercial development of land close to military installations can affect the ability of an installation to carry out its mission. Such development also threatens public safety because accidents sometimes occur in the areas surrounding an installation. The economic health of a community is affected if military operations and missions must relocate because of urban encroachment. States and local governments have begun to take actions to prevent encroachment and more measures are likely with heightened concerns about national security and economic health.Some states are encouraging compatible land use around their military installations by having local governments anticipate future urban growth patterns and create a strategic land-use plan that prevents encroachment near military installations. States have also established high noise and accident potential zones near military installations and developed zoning codes that support compatible development of land located within these zones.

Thanks to Joel Hirschhorn