Cleanup fights stall new uses for old bases

[Rose Siding]

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Taking in the million-dollar views of San Francisco Bay from the old Alameda Naval Air Station, it's easy to see why this city staked its future on redeveloping the abandoned base. Its thousands of feet of coastline are prime real estate in one of the nation's most expensive and congested markets.

But looking inland at a maze of empty airplane hangars and rusting warehouses, the promise fades.

The air station accounts for a third of the city's area. By now, more than a decade after the base's closure was announced, the site was supposed to be the thriving heart of a revitalized community, full of new homes, shopping areas, boat slips, and a luxury hotel and golf course. Instead, the redevelopment of the base is mired in a massive environmental cleanup. Groundwater is contaminated with solvents and other chemicals used in aircraft maintenance. The soil is fouled by dumped munitions and fuel spills.

"Every time you turn a spade of dirt, you're likely to find (more pollution) that will drive your cost to clean higher," says David Brandt, Alameda's assistant city attorney.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-10-14-dodmainday2_x.htm

[Maple]

1. Unfortunately it's the same

in every country that hosted a US base, and the host country gets to pay to clean up the mess.

[DELUSIONAL]

2. Ironic -- I know this base well

I learned to drive a stick shift on this base --

I lived on base for several years. This was both an air base and home port to several carriers.

This is where I learned that no civilian laws applied to military installations.

My guess is that this same situation will be found on all military bases -- some bases hold storage tanks for spent nuclear fuel rods -- old door storage in huge swim tank like structure. On another military base a whole structure disappeared -- along with toxic tanks (or so the rumor goes).

And then there were reports just recently that the military wanted to be excused from environmental regulations (as if they complied in the first place?????????).

[sweetheart]

3. defiling the earth

It is no suprise that the american military trashes and poisons
everything it touches. Alls keeping with the character of
this malefic organization.

The total public cost of the cleanup, if it is possible at all, to
clean up the nuclear waste, and such, is in the trillions. Wow that
any public servants have wasted the public trust by destroying
the land, really defies comprehension.

Ain't it ironic that green-thinking sanfrancisco is right across
the bay from the toxic waste. Sounds like the talk has less power
than wishful thinkers might hope.

[saigon68]

4. "Support the Troops"

That phrase is loaded to allow all types of war crimes and defiling of the earth to go on.

It allows weak minded "Troop Supporters" to condone murder and plunder of the earth.

I'm surprised Dyncorp or some other corporate Hoodlum isn't making a $$$ killing cleaning up these messes.

Well maybe--- after they win the War in Iraq-Nam

LOL </Sarcasm>

[DELUSIONAL]

5. Support the Troops = support bush/ask no questions

That's the meaning of the "support the troops" in this highly concentrated military base/retired military.

It's been my experience that the idiots who are putting the yellow ribbon shaped bumper stickers on their cars have no interest in hearing the truth about troop "support".

For instance -- pollution of waterways by the military -- Bangor Sub base is on the Hood Canal in Washington State and the Hood Canal has a dead zone where live is non existent or dying.

Hawaii -- Pearl Harbor -- another toxic mess. Hawaii has one of the highest concentration of military bases of any state in the union. And the military is trying to grab more land.

California -- mentioned in article above. Alameda is probably fairly typical as far as what to expect from ex-military bases -- high industrial area with civilian oversight or watch dogs. Oh yes -- and lots of "secrets".