08/12/2008 GAAS:601:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Applauds Early Land Transfer of Fort Ord to Monterey Bay Communities
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following
statement on the early transfer of 3,400 acres of former Fort
Ord to the communities in the Monterey Bay region:
"I've always said that economic development and
environmental protection can go hand-in-hand and this project is a perfect
example. The transfer of this land to
the Monterey
Bay community is yet another victory in our efforts to preserve and protect the
environment, and advance economic recovery," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Not only will this clean-up be completed
ahead of schedule and save millions of dollars, but when completed it will
create new jobs and affordable housing.
We're helping reinvigorate this community and providing thousands of
residents a safe, clean and affordable environment - something all Californians
should enjoy. I commend the work of our
federal, state and local officials who came together to make this possible."
Fort
Ord Reuse Authority
(FORA) has been working with local and state officials to expedite clean up and
minimizing the negative impacts of closing this military installation. The partnership transfers 3,400 acres of land
to the FORA for clean-up and redevelopment which will include affordable
housing, natural habitat preservation, a Veteran's cemetery, enhanced educational
opportunities and infrastructure improvements.
Fort
Ord was formally
established in 1917 by the United States Army and used as an infantry training
center for soldiers heading overseas during both World Wars. It was included on
the Department of Defense's Base Reuse and Closure (BRAC) list in 1991 and
ultimately closed in 1994. Because of Ford Ord's use as a training ground, the
site had significant amounts of unexploded munitions (UXO) and explosives of
concern (MEC). The California Department of Toxic Substances Control became
recognized national experts in exploring and cleaning up UXO - making California a forerunner
in this field. With this early transfer, California
will be the first state to clean up parcels with UXO to the highest possible
level of safety that allows for land use development of individual homes.
