Washington, Aug 1, 2008 - Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) continues to show effective leadership in seeking a positive solution to the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS) issue.

A provision Congressman Lamborn included in HR 5658, the House-passed Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, would allow willing sellers to work with the military on private land sales, if they so choose.

“This provision differs from the one-year restriction on PCMS expansion included in today’s Military Construction /Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. We will need to work together to reconcile the different perspectives in the bills.  I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the delegation to find a reasonable solution to this issue.

“Now that the Army has shifted from eminent domain to a willing seller approach, the private property rights argument has shifted in favor of the Army and landowners who may want to sell to the Army.  Also, the much reduced footprint and the enhanced economic benefit also argues in favor of a PCMS expansion.  Most of all, the training needs of our soldiers in harms way requires expanded training capability.”  - Congressman Lamborn (CO-05)

Section 2816 of H.R. 5658 protects private property rights during Department of Defense Land acquisitions and reads as follows:

SEC. 2816 PROTECTING PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS DURING DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LAND ACQUISITIONS.

(a) Protection of Private Property- The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments shall make every reasonable effort to acquire real property expeditiously by negotiation. Real property offered shall meet the requirements of Secretary-approved real property acquisition plans.

(b) Willing Sellers- The Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department shall not be precluded from acquiring real property from willing sellers so long as the real property offered meet the requirements of Secretary-approved real property acquisition plans.

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