The public is encouraged to respond to an Army assessment that could cut as many as 5,400 civilian and military positions by 2020 at Fort Leonard Wood.
The Sustainable Ozarks Partnership (SOP) has received and analyzed the Army’s Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA, which analyzes the socioeconomic impact of possible future cuts at Army installations, including Fort Leonard Wood.
“We know cuts are coming, but we are also continuing to advocate for new missions and to find ways to show the Army that Fort Leonard Wood is the best place to continue to train the warfighter and to do business,” said executive director Joe Driskill.
The SOP believes that Fort Leonard Wood and the surrounding area offer great resources and a strong tradition of military training. The SOP has spent the past two years focusing on sustainability projects that specifically appeal to the Army and showcase the region’s strengths.
Since the community listening session during the spring of 2013, the SOP has been steadily communicating with state and national leaders and has coordinated visits to the area by Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, as well as Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.
The SOP will be urging citizens to contact the Army in support of Fort Leonard Wood during the current public comment period regarding the SPEA findings, and will provide a briefing at the Army-sponsored, public listening session when it occurs in the near future.
“The overwhelming attendance by the public and SOP’s briefing at the listening session last year had a positive impact on the Army’s decision; it is imperative that community members voice their support for the Fort Leonard Wood mission. We will be urging the community to participate in large numbers when the Army hosts such a session in the near future,” said Driskill.
Citizens are urged to respond by Aug. 25. Public comments can be submitted directly to the Army using the SOP website at www.sustainableozarks.org. The official Army address for public comments and example letters pertaining to Fort Leonard Wood can also be found on the SOP website. Community members can also send email comments directly to the Army using the following email address: usarmy.jbsa.aec.nepa@mail.mil.
The Sustainable Ozarks Partnership is a nonprofit organization working to bring all of the region’s stakeholders to the table to drive regional development and advocate for new or expanded military and federal missions.