Today s presentation: Background on the Fort Huachuca 50 Accomplishments of the 50 Quick history of Fort Huachuca area Missions and organizations of Fort Huachuca and their significance to national security Fort impact on the economy Fort and community partnerships Environmental regulations affecting the fort Environmental challengers to the Fort Water conservation accomplishments Answer questions
WHO WE ARE 501(C) 6 CORPORATION FORMED IN 1986 9 BOARD MEMBERS + 3 EX OFFICERS LIMITED TO 75 MEMBERS SUSTAINED THROUGH DONATIONS AND DUES
MISSION SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY PROMOTE THE ECONOMIC WELFARE OF THE SIERRA VISTA AREA BY SUPPORTING THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF FORT HUACHACA.
WHY WE DO IT Maintain the positive social and economic environment in the greater Sierra Vista area Jobs and quality of life Assist our military personnel and the assets needed to complete their mission Only private organization with a sole focus on the forts continued presence. Protect the fort and its missions Base Realignment and closing (BRAC)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE FIFTY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 50 LEGISLATION No state taxes on active duty military stationed in AZ Waived residency requirements on tuition for soldiers and family members DoD education compact to help dependents transition from state to state
ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE 50 EXECUTIVE Governors Military Affairs Commission (Co- Chair) Military Installation Fund ($2 million for Fort Huachuca which funded conservation easements, light shielding for Libby Army Airfield, and additional property)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 50 OTHER Joint land use to define boundaries of electronic range State Legislature mission briefing at the fort Military Day at the capital Naming of the electronic range (Buffalo Soldier Electronic Test Range) Capped Payday loan interest rates Proposition 119 (state land swaps)
QUICK HISTORY OF THE AREA 1877 Camp Huachuca established 1882 designated a fort 1886 survived its first BRAC 1946 Declared surplus and transferred to the state Reopened during Korean War 1954 reopened for electronic testing 1956 Sierra Vista incorporated 1967 STRATCOM 1971 MI School
FORT HUACHUCA FAMILY A total family of 20,500+ Workforce of 14,700+ 16,000 noon time population 50+ organizations Largest employer in Cochise County One of the largest employers in SE AZ
FORT HUACHUCA ORGANIZATIONS U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command - Unmanned Aerial Systems Training Battalion 11 th Signal Brigade U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground Joint Interoperability Test Command U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command
FORT FACTOIDS 157 sq. miles 25 training areas 964 sq. miles of restricted airspace 2,500 sq. miles of electronic ranges Over 300 training days Military Reservation 157 sq. miles Electronic Range 2,500 sq. miles
ELECTRONIC RANGES Integrated with restricted airspace for UAV testing Only U.S. location for aggressive electronic warfare can be conducted San Pedro Valley reduces electromagnetic interference Only test range protected by Federal Mandate Long term spectrum access is irreplaceable.
PROTECTED AIRSPACE TO TRAIN UAS s BENSON 8,000 to 30,000 ft. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Surface to 15,000 ft. AEROSTAT Ft Huachuca TOMBSTONE 15,000 to 30,000 ft. BISBEE R2303 Restricted Airspace 964 sq. miles 4,600 cu. naut. miles
FORT ECONOMIC IMPACT 2008 Maguire Study Sponsored by the state of Arizona Measures the economic impact of military operations in Arizona Direct and indirect economic impacts Military contractors not directly related to the fort excluded 25% of military retirees within 50 miles included
Luke AFB $2.2B 22,374 Jobs MCAS Yuma $531M 7,603 Jobs ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MILITARY IN ARIZONA AZ ANG 161 st ARW $280M 2,947 Jobs Statewide: $9.1 Billion 96,328 Jobs B AZ Army NG $306M 5,955 Jobs Silver Bell Heliport $83M 1,102 Jobs AZ ANG 162 nd FW $280M 2,947 Jobs Davis- Monthan AFB $1.7B 19,179 Jobs Yuma Proving Ground $442M 4,226 Jobs Ft. Huachuca $2.4B 26,921 Jobs
FORT HUACHUCA/COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
SIERRA VISTA Libby Army Airfield/Municipal Airport City Commissions Engineering services Fire Department Law Enforcement Library Services Recreation Transit System Traffic Control
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Military Affairs Committee Legislative Affairs Committee Chamber Website Welcome Packets
COCHISE COUNTY
OTHER GREAT PROSE USSP? Huachuca effluent transfer? BLM? Nature conservancy?
THE FORT, THE RIVER, AND WATER
SIERRA VISTA SUB WATERSHED San Pedro River Sierra Vista Sub-watershed Sonora, Mexico
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND THE FORT Many Federal regulations to follow Most significant is Federal Endangered Species Act
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (ESA) Gives authority to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate threatened and endangered species and to take steps to protect areas as critical habitat for those species.
ESA, THE FORT, AND OUR COMMUNITY San Pedro River designated as a critical habitat for the Huachuca Water Umbel. Fort responsible for protecting this endangered species. Studies indicate water pumping may impact river. Fort obligated to mitigate water use, even off post.
IF THAT WEREN T ENOUGH U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under pressure by environmentalists to add more species to list. Recently avoided another critical habitat designation for two endangered fish. Significant effort made locally to object. No matter what the decisions, environmentalists will continue to press for more restrictions Spike Dace Loach Minnow
PRIMARY ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGER Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) Tucson Headquarters with offices all over the USA Mission is protection of endangered species -- Goal is to use ESA to make a significant portion of the Southwest a critical habitat. Use the Federal Courts and loopholes in the law to add species claims 93% success rate
WHAT ARE WE FACING? Changes to ESA difficult to get through congress Lawsuits are costly and lengthy Reducing the amount of water taken out of the aquifer is key to protecting our Fort, our community, and our way of life for the future
FORT HUACHUCA WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES Technology Water Wise conservation education Irrigation and lawn watering Leak detection/pipe repair and upgrades Evaporative cooler replacement Effluent water for golf course/landscaping Rainwater detention basins Artificial turf Conservation easements
FORT HUACHUCA WATER USE HISTORY 63% Reduction in water usage - Increase in Missions Supported
CITY OF SIERRA VISTA WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES Adopted new codes and ordinances Wastewater treatment plant Detention basins Rebates Water Wise Support Close working relationship with Federal, State, and Local agencies and groups www.sierravistawater.com.
COCHISE COUNTY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES Created conservation subdivision process Adopted adequacy requirements Sierra Vista sub watershed overlay district Waterless urinals, pool covers, no golf courses Regional storm water capture project
PROGRESS BEING MADE Fort, city, and county efforts resulting in significant progress Water levels in Wells around Palominas up Annual aquifer deficit decreasing River is healthy and flowing (BLM)
COCHISE WATER PROJECT Private, non-profit, non-governmental entity partnering with local governments and organizations Grant from the Walton Family Foundation Five year program Water conservation for Residential/commercial Education Subsidizing/grants for water conservation Work with local developers/homebuilders
THE FIFTY The Huachuca 50 has a long list of accomplishments that have helped the fort and our soldiers. Fort Huachuca is a national security treasure The Fort is the economic engine that drives our community, and what affects them, affects everyone The community and the fort have a true partnership The Fort and the Community have worked together to significantly decrease water consumption QUESTIONS?