Army back to square one on Pinon Canyon

Keith Eastin, the Army assistant secretary for installations, is retiring from his job next week after having failed to expand the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site over the past three years. Colorado Reps. John Salazar and Betsy Markey, both Democrats, announced Eastin's departure Tuesday afternoon after Eastin briefed them and staff from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about the stalled effort to expand the 238,000-acre training site northeast of Trinidad. The Army still wants to acquire 100,000 acres directly south of Pinon Canyon, but Eastin told the committee staff Tuesday they have no offers to buy or lease land and are pursuing none at this time. Ranchers and other opponents have fought the Army's expansion plans since early 2006, both in Congress and the General Assembly in Denver. "This is great news today," Markey said in a telephone press conference after the meeting. She requested the House oversight panel intervene in the Pinon Canyon dispute in March after The Chieftain reported the Army intended to announce a lease agreement with Denver businessman Craig Walker for his 70,000 acres south of the training area. Salazar, whose 3rd Congressional District includes Pinon Canyon, said he will join with Markey in asking the House Armed Service Committee for legislation this year that would permanently block any expansion at Pinon Canyon in the future...Pueblo Chieftain

A permanent block is the way to go. Otherwise, the acquisition will be hanging over the heads of the landowners for years to come. It would short circuit what will surely be additional attemps in the future to acquire all or parts of the property. Congress would then have to amend the law to allow acquisition, rather than the other way around. It will be interesting to see if Salazar can get this done. Landowners should keep the pressure on, and not relax because the immediate threat is gone. The feds never sleep.