8,223 MILITARY MEMBERS EXPECTED FROM EGLIN BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE

Are we ready? Is the community supportive? Can we meet the need for the military? I believe the answer is yes, but we must start now. The military families are counting on us and it is time to rise to the occasion. This is a great time to show our support.


Eglin growth panel meets
By MONA MOORE monam@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH — After a two-year wait, the Eglin Installation Growth Committee held its kickoff meeting Wednesday. Project Growth Coordinator Jeff Fanto said the twoyear delay was because the group needs Eglin Air Force Base’s Impact Assessment Report. “Eglin tells you where they’ll bed down and where groups will train,” said Fanto. “All of that is tentative.” The Eglin report is expected in September, but the installation committee had enough general information to anticipate the affect of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) on surrounding communities. According to reports from the committee, BRAC-related growth will bring 8,223 military members and 4,960 family members to the area. Fanto said another part of the delay was lining up the right team. He introduced HDR Engineering Vice President Bob Kellner. The Pensacola-based firm will spearhead the effort in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties, but Fanto assured committee members at the meeting that the project will remain a local one. “This is our study,” he said. “This is a special opportunity for this region and we’ve got one shot to do this right,” said Kellner. HDR’s Joseph Ehardt will serve as project manager. He discussed issues related to the BRAC and sources of data for the assessment report. Rather than launching its own studies, consultants will compile data from other sources. “There’s a lot of data in the area,” Ehardt said. “We don’t want to reinvent the wheel.” Ehardt announced a tentative schedule that included meetings on alternatives analysis, public workshops and a final hearing in September 2009. The group will compile an impact assessment that will include roads and transportation, land use, housing, infrastructure, utilities, economy, health services, education and quality of life issues. The final assessment will be presented to Walton, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County commissions and city councils. “It’s very important for representatives from each of the cities to have members of the subcommittee,” said Fort Walton Beach Mayor Mike Anderson. “You have to be a part of it if you want to get your voices heard.” “This has been a long time coming but we’re finally beginning,” Fanto said. “We’re very anxious to start.” Some subcommittees have been meeting for the last 18 months, but have room for new members. Fanto encouraged people interested in the growth project to contact him at 609-3014 or at jfanto@co.okaloosa.fl.us. Daily News Staff Writer Mona Moore can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 1443.