Congressman Chris Smith today announced the U.S. Navy plans to suspend its 2009 record of decision (ROD) which would have opened military housing inside Naval Weapons Station Earle to civilians who would not be checked or vetted for security risks.
Congressman Chris Smith today announced the U.S. Navy plans to suspend its 2009 record of decision (ROD) which would have opened military housing inside Naval Weapons Station Earle to civilians who would not be checked or vetted for security risks.
At a press conference at the Colts Neck town hall, Smith said the decision is expected to clear the way for a settlement and enable the Navy to reach a mutually acceptable agreement for the federal government, local communities and the private developer which currently owns and runs the housing.
"I’m pleased to announce that the Navy has suspended the record of decision concerning all matters pertaining to making the Earle Laurelwood housing complex open to unvetted civilians," Smith (NJ-04) said today.
Smith spoke with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Roger Natsuhara Friday afternoon who confirmed the Navy's decision.
Smith has been working with local officials and residents to accurately assess and quantify the risks of the plan.
Legislation written by Smith and passed by Congress last year required a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study of the U.S. Navy’s controversial proposal and its impact on security at the base and in surrounding communities as well as the budgetary burdens local communities and taxpayers would face as a result of the Navy's plan.
Specifically, Smith's amendment directed the Comptroller General to “provide full cost estimates for the impact on local communities (including but not limited to impact costs in the areas of security, education, transportation, environment) resulting from the transfer” and determine “the sufficiency and costs of proposed security measures to the Department of Defense.” The amendment was adopted as part of the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2647), and signed into law in October.
The Navy included limited cost estimates that it will incur when it issued its ROD last year, but failed to take into account any cost estimates to other federal agencies, state and local governments or taxpayers in the surrounding areas. "Opening the largest munitions depot on the East Coast to the general public and giving unfettered access to the housing inside the base perimeter would create enormous and costly security challenges and other costs, not just to the Navy but the larger community," Smith had argued.
GAO officials were in Colts Neck Wednesday, and in Tinton Falls last week to discuss impact on the local community with local officials. Smith said that even with today's announcement, the GAO will continue its investigation and release its final report some time in the summer.
“This multifaceted effort is an example of municipal, county, state and federal officials and area residents working together, staying focused on a public good and accomplishing a goal in the best interest of all, including the Navy,” Smith said. “The base will remain secure from terrorism threats that could have been created by the housing proposal, and the local community will not be imposed upon with education, environmental and transportation impacts. The Navy has decided to be a good neighbor and I welcome the decision.”
In the late 1980s Navy officials entered into a Section 801 Housing agreement to build 300 privatized homes on Earle in exchange for payment to the developer (estimated now to be $3.5 million a year) regardless of occupancy. Because the Navy reduced its personnel at Earle since the agreement was signed, there are currently fewer than 10 Navy families who live in Laurelwood.
At the press conference, Smith was joined by 12th Legislative District Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, who spoke in support of the decision and offered the support of his colleagues Sen. Jennifer Beck and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande. Other key participants included Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry of Colts Neck who has long fought the Navy plan and today also represented Colts Neck Mayor Ken Florek. Tinton Falls Mayor Michael Skudera and members of Neighbors Opposed to Privatization at Earle, or NOPE, also attended the conference and expressed their support for today's decision.
