DENVER—Sen. Wayne Allard asked the Army’s top civilian officer Thursday if the military had alternatives to a controversial plan to expand its Pinon Canyon maneuver site in southeast Colorado.
Allard, a Republican, also asked what the economic and environmental impacts would be to Fort Carson, whose soldiers use the site, if Pinon Canyon is not expanded.
Allard said he posed the questions to Pete Geren, President Bush’s nominee for Army secretary who is now serving as interim secretary. Allard asked for a response by July 9, when the Senate takes up an appropriations bill.
The Army wants to expand the maneuver site from 368 square miles to more than 1,000 square miles as Fort Carson grows. Many private land owners fear the Army would use eminent domain to acquire their property, and some worry about the economic impact of losing so much land from agricultural production.
The Army has said it hopes to acquire the land it needs from willing sellers.
A proposal to block spending for the expansion, sponsored by Colorado Reps. Marilyn Musgrave, a Republican, and John Salazar, a Democrat, passed in the U.S. House on Friday but has to make it through the Senate.
Allard said he also asked Geren whether the Army is funding an environment impact statement for the area south and west of the existing site, where commanders said this month they hope to expand.
Allard also asked about what specific alternatives the Army would consider if money for an environmental impact statement is available.
