Proactive Options With Neighbors for Defense-Installation Sustainability

摘要

Military installations and surrounding communities have historically functioned as independent entities with separate schools, libraries, parks and transportation systems. This is partly due to the conscious placement of military installations far from cities and towns because of installations' need for vast tracks of land for training, airfields, and other specialized uses. Development near and around military installations is occurring at a rapid rate. As a result, communities have a much greater opportunity to share resources such as utilities, schools, and recreational facilities. However, land use conflicts between the installations and surrounding communities are on the rise because urban development near and around military installations can encroach upon the installation and disrupt its functions and training capabilities. Nearby communities often express concerns about safety, noise, night training, flight zones and other military activities that affect them. Installation and community planners commonly have a difficult time finding what others have done in response to the problems created by incompatible land use. Regional issues such as quality and availability of water, air quality, and management of habitat for threatened and endangered species can affect the long- term sustainability of both the installation and surrounding communities.