BRAC 1995 Quick Reference Guide: Community and Environmental Activities

The purpose of this brochure is to:

• Provide a quick reference to environmental and community milestones for use in planning

• Emphasize the importance of early, frequent, and consistent dialogue between environmental officials and reuse authorities

• Explain how Fast-Track Cleanup expedites property transfer and economic redevelopment

The Department of Defense (DoD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the states strive to support local communities affected by the closure of DoD installations under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program in their efforts to quickly develop reuse plans to revitalize the local economy. Under the Fast-Track Cleanup Program, DoD, in partnership with EPA and states, works with Local Redevelopment Authorities (LRA) and Restoration Advisory Boards (RAB) to set priorities for the environmental cleanup of military bases. These efforts are carried out in a manner that accommodates local redevelopment needs, while protecting human health and the environment.

Successful BRAC cleanup teams (BCT) form strong working relationships with LRAs, RABs, and DoD base transition coordinators (BTC). As this brochure shows, it is important to establish cleanup and redevelopment plans as joint effort with all of these stakeholders.

Office of the Deputy Under the Secretary of Defense (Environmental Security)

RESOURCES

• BRAC ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR (BEC)

  Single point of contact for environmental cleanup issues at closing bases.

• BRAC CLEANUP TEAM (BCT)

  Team of environmental cleanup managers, including the BEC, and state and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulators.

BCTs should keep communities and their LRAs informed about areas requiring cleanup, the available options for conducting cleanup, and the approximate time that cleanup will be complete. This information will help the LRA make informed decisions regarding achievable redevelopment plans.

• BASE TRANSITION COORDINATOR (BTC)

  A local DoD liason that helps coordinate closure, cleanup, and reuse actions (such as property inventory, environmental cleanup, community needs) to speed the transition of the base for civilian reuse.

• OFFICE OF ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT (OEA) PROJECT MANAGER (PM)

  Provides assistance and support to the local community for redevelopment planning.

• LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (LRA)

  Represents the community in developing a plan for base reuse. The LRA is the entity recognized by DoD that is responsible for developing or implementing the community's redevelopment plan.

The LRA should work closely with the BCT and BTC. They should all exchange information on cleanup and redevelopment plans, priorities, and decisions.

• RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD (RAB)

  Community's voice on cleanup plans and priorities.

A member of the LRA should participate in the RAB

• GENERAL PUBLIC

  Members of communities in the vicinity of the closing installation.

Text color corresponds to timeframes on the time line.

KEY SOURCES of INFORMATION

• OEA OUTREACH CAMPAIGN

• MEETINGS OF THE LOCAL RAB

• MEETINGS OF THE LRA

• BASE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

  A comprehensive plan developed by the LRA that provides for the redevelopment of the real property and personal property of the closing base.

• LAND USE PLAN

  An element of the redevelopment plan that proposes land use, including zoning, and supports community redevelopment goals.

Many environmental activities will occur during the development of land use and redevelopment plans. It should be noted that the land use plan may be available several months prior to completion of the redevelopment plan. The LRA should communicate its land use concepts to the BCT as soon as possible.

• BRAC CLEANUP PLAN (BCP)

  The BCP describes the status of the base environmental program and identifies strategies and schedules that integrate environmental cleanup with community reuse.

The military departments have had ongoing environmental cleanup programs for many years.

When a base is selected for closure, the cleanup program is emphasized and expedited to meet local redevelopment needs.

Environmental cleanup activities may continue throughout the reuse planning and redevelopment process.

• CERFA (UNCONTAMINATED PROPERTY) REPORT

The LRA should not wait for the final BCP or CERFA (uncontaminated property) report to get information on the cleanup.

• DRAFT NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) DOCUMENTS

LATER ACTIONS

• FINALIZED NEPA DOCUMENTS

• UPDATE THE BCP AS NEEDED

• IMPLEMENT THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

• CONTINUE TO CONDUCT CLEANUP ACTIONS AS REQUIRED

INFORMATION EXCHANGE IS CRUCIAL

Early communication between the LRA, the BCT, and the RAB is key to successful revitalization of the base. The BTC is available to facilitate this information exchange.

Close working relationships and information sharing will result in faster cleanup and early reuse.

Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
(Environmental Security)
3400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-3400

Note: Any future revisions/publications of this brochure will be provided by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.