PCEOC supports findings in GAO Reports
 
President Obama emphasizes intent to restore vital trust between people and government
 

For immediate release
Contact:            Steve Wooten 719-384-5813
Lon Robertson 719-980-5114
 
KIM, Colorado (January 22, 2009)-
 
The recently completed Government Accountability Office, or GAO, reports state the Army has again failed to explain why even the one hundred thousand acres is needed to expand Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS).  And even more importantly those reports also re-state the GAO position that the Department of Defense (DOD) has no up to date training lands inventory and strategy.  A comprehensive, top down DOD inventory of all training range capacities and capabilities has never been completed by the DOD even though it has been required since 2003 (Section 366 of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act of 2003).
 
"After full review of these reports it is readily apparent that the military hasn't just tried to put the cart before the horse - they don't have a horse at all!" said PCEOC president Lon Robertson.  "These reports were completed by an objective, independent, and non-partisan government agency the GAO.  We are pleased the GAO shares our desire to correct a process that does little to instill trust between people and government. Something our new president is intent on correcting" Robertson said.
 
President Obama's inaugural address had a number of points in common with the GAO report.  The President's remarks relative to this issue were: "the question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small but whether it works...when the answer is no, programs will end.  Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government."
 
PCEOC vice President Steve Wooten commented that "Considering the President's desire to revive trust between people and government and to right the wrongs; the unnecessary expansion of PCMS would be one of the best places to start."  "The DOD should reinstate the moratorium on land acquisitions and review and update strategies and land use needs before ever trying to take land again." Wooten added.
 
The Coalition also agrees with the GAO recommendation that the DOD and the Army should review their practice of communicating potential major land acquisitions.  Further the Coalition fully supports our new president's desire to re-instill trust of government and that the DOD, in association with congressional oversight, should implement a common practice which includes early disclosure and public engagement.  This public engagement should occur prior to the submission of any application (or re-application) for a waiver for land acquisition.  No large -scale land acquisition effort by the government should be attempted without first securing the support of the public, including stakeholders and their representatives. 
 
PCEOC encourages everyone to continue to ask their state and US congressional representatives to exert the principle of civilian control and oversight of the military by continuing the spending ban on PCMS expansion and to support the GAO recommendations requiring the Army start over at 'square one'.
 
The Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition is a broad-based coalition representing communities across Southern Colorado in their opposition to the proposed military expansion. PCEOC members include business owners, teachers, students, elected officials, ranchers, environmentalists and many others.

The coalition is united in its opposition to any expansion of PCMS.  No funding, no expansion.

For more information, please see www.pinoncanyon.com.
 

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