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Better communication, compatible land use planning to be explored by newly formed community relations council Date published: 3/1/2009
By RUSTY DENNEN A weapons test a few weeks ago at the Dahlgren naval base ignited a brush fire that could have threatened workers and buildings. But that didn't happen. That's because the King George County base has a good relationship with surrounding communities, according to Capt. Catherine Hanft, commander of the Naval Support Activity South Potomac. That's the host command of the Navy's Dahlgren and Indian Head, Md., support facilities. Firefighters from jurisdictions on both sides of the Potomac River responded to assist the Dahlgren fire department, she said. Hanft made the point at the inaugural meeting Wednesday of the South Potomac Civilian-Military Community Relations Council in Waldorf, Md., adding that the council's mission in coming months will be to make that link even closer. "We are keenly aware that clear and open communication with our neighbors is vitally important to the health of our military bases, as well as the communities where they reside," Hanft told about 140 local government, Navy, conservation and community representatives at the Jaycees Community Center. Hanft chairs the council's executive committee. Other members include King George County Supervisor Joe Grzeika, Colonial Beach Mayor Frederick Rummage, Indian Head Mayor Dennis Scheessele and Charles County, Md., Commissioner Wayne Cooper. One of Hanft's first decisions after taking command last year was to set up the council, which spans Navy operations along the Potomac River. "The deep connections between the bases and their communities represent an invaluable asset that we in the military can never take for granted," she said. Another focus of the council, Hanft said, is compatible land-use planning to head off development outside the installations' gates that could conflict with their missions. Hanft noted that when Indian Head and Dahlgren were established--in 1890 and 1918, respectively--both were in isolated, undeveloped areas. "But today, Charles County and King George County represent two of the fastest-growing jurisdictions" in the region, she said. "As commercial and residential development increases outside the fencelines and along the shoreline that borders the Potomac River Test Range, the potential for encroachment between our bases and our neighbors can increase." The test range runs from Dahlgren more than 30 miles down river. The Navy recently funded a study on encroachment issues, identifying five as having potentially high impact for one or both bases--urban development, maritime issues, safety, threatened and endangered species, and competition for air, land and sea lanes. Hanft said the Navy would like to work with local planning boards on land-use issues, is seeking funding for a joint land-use study with localities and will work with conservation groups on protecting surrounding land from development. King George County is hosting the next quarterly council meeting in May. Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
There's no listing in the phone book. What if someone needed to contact this 'neighbor'?
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