WASHINGTON—States are using a range of existing, new and innovative strategies to address transportation issues associated with significant growth in the missions at many military bases across the country, according to a new Issue Brief from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center).

State Transportation Activities to Support Mission Growth examines the transportation challenges states face in conjunction with the shifting priorities of U.S. military bases—known as "mission growth." It also highlights actions states can take to respond effectively to these challenges, including establishing collaborative approaches that coordinate transportation responses and represent diverse stakeholders; developing transportation plans that reduce demand and encourage increased use of transit options; and tackling projects in phases and undertaking interim transportation improvements.

"On average, mission growth could account for a population increase of 35 percent in and around affected military bases—a rate not seen since World War II," said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center. "States are leading the way in developing a host of approaches to address the unique and significant transportation demands created by mission growth."

While states are making considerable progress in meeting these transportation challenges, their efforts need to be complemented with federal action. In the Issue Brief, the NGA Center's Mission Growth Working Group offers recommendations the federal government can take to help affected states. These include:

• Providing clear and timely Department of Defense (DoD) military personnel migration data;
• Directing federal agencies to afford priority consideration to mission growth communities;
• Creating specific "mission growth" federal program assistance to ensure states have adequate resources for planning, integrating and implementing successful projects and strategies;
• Incorporating mission growth transportation projects into new infrastructure investments;
• Promoting federal interoperational collaboration and partnerships;
• Linking federal funding to DoD's transition timetable and budget cycle to ensure federal support for the duration of the impact of DoD-related growth;
• Adjusting the Defense Access Road Program;
• Making the National Environmental Policy Act review process more efficient and timely;
• Expanding shuttle bus capacity to meet transit demands of mission growth; and
• Establishing a federal clearinghouse of mission growth strategies.

To learn more about states' efforts to adapt to mission growth, please visit www.nga.org/center/eenr.

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Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation's governors and one of Washington, D.C.'s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit www.nga.org.