September 10, 2010

Army Plans Indicate Substantial Boost for JBLM Population

The Army has published a plan today that could boost the Joint Base Lewis McChord population by up to 5,700 service people with the anticipated addition of a "combat aviation brigade" (CAB) and an already-planned increase of service support personnel, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said Friday.
 
The congressman, chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said that the Final Environmental Impact Statement that was released today confirms plans that the Army Chief of Staff had discussed earlier with him. He said: "Today’s announcement by the Army of the planned growth at Joint Base Lewis McChord represents a clear signal of the strategic importance of this joint service installation. If the plans outlined in this EIS are ultimately approved, this will be good for the nation’s security because the training capability for ground and air units working together will be significantly improved. It's also a real boost for the Tacoma-Pierce County area because the military payrolls, the civilian employment, and the contracting for construction help drive our local economy, contributing $3.9 billion in payrolls and contracts for Army and Air Force operations at JBLM last year..."
 
The EIS documents released today describe three components: an increase of 1,900 soldiers associated with a nationwide "Grow the Army" initiative, an increase of about 1,000 soldiers in combat service support roles, and an increase of about 2,800 soldiers associated with stationing a combat aviation brigade at JBLM. The congressman noted that only the first increment has final received approval, but all three are described as the Army’s "preferred alternative." The Army has initiated a separate Environmental Impact Statement to specifically examine the impacts of stationing a CAB at JBLM and Fort Carson, CO. Final decisions on that are likely only after this evaluation is complete early next year.
 
"As we think about future growth at JBLM, this also is a good time to remember the service and sacrifices of the soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines and coast guardsmen who already live in our communities. They serve to protect our freedoms and way of life," Congressman Dicks said. He noted that the increase of 5,700 additional soldiers at JBLM would be accompanied by an estimated 8,260 family members. "The additional soldiers, who are associated with these three separate actions described in the EIS would add to the total number of 37,578 Army and Air Force service members already stationed at the Pierce County base, which also employs 10,649 civilians," Rep. Dicks said.
 
Copies of the FEIS are available at local libraries surrounding JBLM. The FEIS is also available at: www.lewis.army.mil/publicworks/sites/envir/EIA_2.htm

Home >> Newsroom