Allard to introduce Pinon Canyon eminent domain legislation

Posted by egable on August 19th, 2008 filed in Military

Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) plans to introduce legislation next month that will prohibit the Army from acquiring land through eminent domain for the expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.

“In spite of the Army’s continued commitment to acquire the land for expansion only from willing sellers, there is still apprehension among the land owners and I want to help ease that concern,” Allard said in a statement. “The Army cannot rescind on their promise and I will seek to pass legislation when the Senate returns in September that will take the possibility of eminent domain completely off the table.”

Last year, as a part of the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization Act, Allard and Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) helped include language that required the Army to submit a report to Congress outlining their justification for the expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.

“I was very pleased with the Army’s findings in the report and I am convinced that there is a critical need for additional training space for the new troops set to arrive at Fort Carson in the near future,” Allard said.