The U.S. Army announced Wednesday that it plans to study the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of stationing a new infantry brigade combat team at Fort Carson.
But critics viewed the announcement as a conflicting Pentagon doctrine to justify expanding the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in southern Colorado.
“I think the average citizen would like a straight answer without the Pentagon bringing stealth technology into play,” said Jim Herrell, board member of the expansion opposition group Not 1 More Acre.
The Notice of Intent to begin an environmental-impact statement process comes two weeks after the opposition group sued the U.S. Army for failing to mention its plans to expand acreage of the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in a previous environmental- impact statement.
The Army first proposed to expand the 368-square-mile site to nearly 1,000 square miles in 2006.
In December, Congress passed a bill prohibiting the Army from spending any money on acquiring acreage for the site in fiscal year 2008.
Joe Brettell, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, said the Army is using leftover funds from fiscal year 2007 for actions at Fort Carson and the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site related to its “Grow the Forces” agenda.
“They claim all reports made come from funds from fiscal year 2007,” Brettell said. “Technically, the Army is not in violation of the moratorium.”
Ranchers say they fear the Army will eventually use eminent domain to take their land rather than pay fair market value for it. Some say they will refuse to sell their ranches, some of which were homesteaded in the 1800s.
“We are just upset the Army will not give the whole picture,” said Mack Louden, a Not 1 More Acre board member. “They are piecemealing this thing. They just need to disclose exactly what their whole plans are.”
Anna Haislip: 303-954-1638 or ahaislip@denverpost.com
