October 16, 2000
THOMPSON PROVISION ALLOWS FOR
FEDERAL LAND TRANSFERS TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Former Federal Lands to be
Used for Local Public Safety Activities
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator
Fred Thompson (R-TN) today announced passage of his legislation
granting state and local governments the permanent ability to
obtain surplus federal lands and facilities for public safety
uses. Senator Thompson’s amendment, passed as part of the
National Department of Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year
2001, ensures that transfers of federal properties to Tennessee
localities will be possible in the future. The previous authority
to transfer federal lands expired on July 31, 2000.
As Chairman of the Governmental
Affairs Committee, Senator Thompson has worked with his colleagues
to ensure that this federal/local exchange continues.
"Throughout the country and in
Tennessee, there are sections of valuable land that are owned by
the federal government but are not being used," Senator
Thompson said. "Why not convert the land into something
useful that will benefit the residents of the localities in which
this land is located?"
The provision allows for properties
in Chattanooga, and other areas of Tennessee where there is
surplus federal property, to be transferred through this program.
The Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant (VAAP), located in the City of
Chattanooga, is no longer needed by the Department of the Army for
ammunition production. The City has been negotiating with the
General Services Administration for the possible transfer of 81
acres of the former Volunteer site to be used for local law
enforcement and other public safety activities.
The National Department of Defense
Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2001 has been approved by the
House and Senate and sent to the President for his signature.
# # # |