Army seen backing Ft. Benning armor center eco-study

An environmental study on constructing armor school facilities at Ft. Benning, that would bring a major influx of military personnel to the area has been released to the public.

The study, part of the military's Base Realignment and Closure Commission's recommendations include relocating the Army's armor center, currently based at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.

An estimated 30,000 troops and family, civilian employees and contractors would be relocated to the Columbus area.

Linda Veenstra, environmental counsel for Ft. Benning's Judge Advocate's office says that while the project would cause some negative impact, the army was taking steps to limit the damage.

“We've tried to avoid areas that we know have important resources on them, whether it be federally listed species or wetlands, or historic properties such as archaeological sites.”

Construction could start late this summer, pending army approval, base commander Maj. Gen. Walt Wojdakowski told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper.

The Department of the Army, however, has yet to officially approve the Environmental Impact Statement document.

A public discussion on the study is set for May 10 at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center, and copies are available at several local libraries and online.