U.S. Army conducts survey to gauge public interest in a Restoration Advisory Board

Published May 20, 2014

FORT WORTH, Texas- The U.S. Army Fort Wingate Depot Activity is conducting a survey to determine if there is enough public interest to reactivate the FWDA Restoration Advisory Board.  The RAB provides a public venue for citizens to provide input on the decisions that are made by the Army to clean up the installation and meet the permit requirements. 

The New Mexico Environmental Department issued a permit to the Army in December 2005 defining the requirements necessary for the cleanup of environmental contamination, munitions and explosives at FWDA before property can be transferred to the Department of the Interior.  The permit requires extensive consultation with the Pueblo of Zuni and the Navajo Nations as the tribes will ultimately receive any land the Army transfers to DOI. However, federal law also requires the Army to involve other stakeholders from the surrounding communities in the clean-up process. 

If reactivated, the RAB will include community members who reflect the diverse interests of the local community. RAB members will be asked to review and comment on plans and activities relating to the ongoing environmental studies and restoration activities at FWDA.  Members will be expected to serve as a voluntary liaison between the community and the RAB and be available to meet with community members and/or groups. RAB meetings will be open to the public. 

Should this survey determine there is enough public interest to reactivate the FWDA RAB, the Army will ask that each of the government bodies involved in or affected by the clean up and transfer for FWDA property, appoint a representative to the RAB. These individuals will then be responsible for selecting members from the general public based upon the interest surveys the Army receives. 

Community Interest forms can be obtained by contacting: Mark Patterson BRAC Environmental Coordinator, Fort Wingate Depot Activity, P.O. Box 93 Ravenna, OH 44266 or by email mark.c.patterson.civ@mail.mil

The deadline for submitting a community interest form for this survey is July 21. 

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About the Fort Worth District: The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was established in 1950. The District is responsible for water resources development in two-thirds of Texas, and design and construction at military installations in Texas and parts of Louisiana and New Mexico.  Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at: www.swf.usace.army.mil and SWF Face book at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Worth-District-US-Army-Corps-of-Engineers/188083711219308


Contact
Clay Church
817-886-1435

Release no. NR14-028