The intent of this web cast was to help states and communities better understand the various military base property disposal and conveyance options which include: public benefit conveyances, homeless assistance conveyances, negotiated sales, public sales, leases, economic development conveyances (at cost and no cost), conservation conveyances, etc. The web cast also provided a federal legislative update on recent and anticipated activities that could affect disposal of military property.

Background
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) uses the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process to reorganize its installation infrastructure which results in the closure and realignment of select military bases around the country. BRAC is important to governors because military installations contribute significantly to state and local economies. Thousands of military and civilian jobs, billions of dollars in economic activity, and millions of dollars in tax revenue are generated through military base operations. When these sites are closed, the host states and surrounding communities are often challenged by the economic loss, particularly under the current ailing economy. Thus, states are interested in opportunities to return the property to productive use as expeditiously as possible, but with assurances that appropriate clean up concerns will be addressed.

DoD is in the midst of implementing the 2005 round of BRAC which will make a large amount of land available for transfer. This acreage is spread throughout the nation as the 2005 BRAC round includes closures and realignments of varying sizes in almost every state and territory. Moreover, there is land still waiting to be conveyed under the four prior rounds of BRAC (1988, 1991, 1993, and 1995).

Introductions

• Tara Butler, Program Director, Federal Facilities, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
• Anne Marie Hoffman, Life Scientist (Biologist), Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office, Environmental Protection Agency

Speakers

• R. Chuck Mason, Legislative Attorney, Congressional Research Service
• George Schlossberg, General Counsel, The Association of Defense Communities
  Presentation

Resources

• EPA Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO)
• NGA Issue Brief: Enhancing States’ Roles in the Early Transfer of Closed Military Bases
• NGA Web page on Environmental Cleanup of Federal Facilities
• NGA Web page on Mission Growth
• Association of Defense Communities (ADC)
• DoD Base Redevelopment and Realignment Manual (BRRM)
• BRAC Act (Amended by FY05 Authorization Act)
• 2005 BRAC Commission Final Report to the President (BRAC List)