The Valley Partnership Joint Development Authority is launching a regionally coordinated effort to prepare the Chattahoochee Valley for expected growth related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision. Over the next few years, the Chattahoochee Valley Region will receive over 11,000 new jobs and an initial $1,300,000,000 in investment on Fort Benning, Alabama and Fort Benning, Georgia.A critical concern within the Chattahoochee Valley Region is encroachment around Fort Benning and Lawson Army Airfield. Encroachment occurs when development in proximity to a military installation interferes with the safe and effective performance of training and readiness activities. Similarly, military installations can affect surrounding communities by generating operational impacts, such as noise.
To address the increasing risk of encroachment, the counties of Chattahoochee, Marion, Muscogee, Russell, Harris, Stewart and Talbot have joined the U.S. Army and other stakeholders in conducting a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS).The purpose of the JLUS is to protect the military mission, coordinate land use planning policies between the civilian communities and military installation, foster increased communication between the post and local governments and promote local economic development without reducing national defense readiness. The JLUS planning process is intended to be very community-driven and will include a series of public meetings during the summer and fall to gather feedback from residents, local businesses and regional stakeholders.
This web site will serve as the central clearinghouse for information about upcoming public participation activities and meetings, study findings, maps and draft recommendations. The JLUS is scheduled to conclude in October of 2007 and the final report will provide various recommendations to help promote compatible growth around Fort Benning and Lawson Army Airfield.
The planning team is led by EDAW, Inc, along with SAIC and ENSR. If you have any questions regarding the JLUS,please contact Liz Drake at liz.drake@edaw.com or at 404-870-5339.