Watertown Daily Times - Stefanik Opposes New Military BRAC Push

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By: Gordon Block

As the military continues its push for a new round of Base Realignment and Closure, the plan received strong opposition from Rep. Elise M. Stefanik.
"In the north country, we saw firsthand the devastating effects that BRAC can have on the military and our local community when Plattsburgh Air Force Base was closed and I will continue to fight in Congress against another round of BRAC," she said in a statement.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand expressed similar statements opposing BRAC in March.
The military's continued BRAC push, which has seen little interest in Congress in recent years, comes as it complains of unused spaces.
Previous rounds of BRAC have taken place in 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 2005.
The Department of Defense said in a recently released report that it has approximately 22 percent excess infrastructure, primarily within the Army and the Air Force.
"This level of excess underscores the need for a BRAC round because it is clear that the Department has more infrastructure than force structure plans require," the report said.
The Military Times reported last week that the Pentagon may consider a BRAC round without Congressional approval.
The newspaper noted such an action would still require impact studies that would give Congress time to stop such actions.
Carl A. McLaughlin, executive director of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, said he didn't project a BRAC round happening.
"There's so many open issues here, that I can't expect you'd get approval or agreement," Mr. McLaughlin said.
He said the closure debate comes as Congress calls for the military to add personnel, bucking cuts occurring in recent years. Another hurdle for the military, Mr. McLaughlin said, is the frustration left over in Congress from the 2005 BRAC.
"They're not comfortable with cutting the force structure, much less facilities and infrastructure," he said.

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