The normalization of the abnormal: Early transfer of contaminated base closure property

Abstract

The continuing dialogue on title transfer of military base closure property is representative of the difficult public policy considerations associated with balancing economic and environmental concerns at closed or closing military installations. With the recent announcement by the secretary of defense that the Department of Defense (DOD) would seek two more rounds of base closure, the impediments to reuse of former military property that continue to plague local communities will be subjected to further scrutiny. Mr. Swenson examines the benefits of Section 334 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 with respect to Tooele Army Depot and by implication, the application of those benefits to other base closure property. This analysis addresses that optimistic examination.