AFSPC Hosts Front Range Regional Encroachment Management Project Efforts

Release Number: 130202

2/26/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo -- Air Force Space Command hosted a series of joint military/community subject matter expert workshops last week in downtown Colorado Springs to discuss topics of common importance along the Front Range. The meetings, which were held as part of the first-ever regional level, multi-installation encroachment planning analysis by the Air Force, convened a broad mix of installation personnel, regional planners, and other community stakeholders from the Colorado Springs and Denver-Aurora metropolitan areas.

As part of its Air Force Encroachment Management (AFEM) Program, Headquarters U.S. Air Force selected AFSPC to lead this effort to develop the first prototype Regional Encroachment Management Action Plan (REMAP).

Encroachment is defined as the impacts of community actions on military activities as well as the impact of the military's actions on the surrounding community. In addition, encroachment impacts from natural factors (such as climate) are considered in the analyses. The REMAP involves military installations along the Front Range --Buckley AFB, Cheyenne Mountain AFS, Fort Carson, Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB and the U.S. Air Force Academy-- as well as a broad range of community stakeholders from the Colorado Springs and Denver-Aurora metropolitan areas.

Colonel Joseph Schwarz, AFSPC Deputy Director for Installations and Mission Support, said, "HQ AFSPC has advocated for a regional approach to encroachment planning, and this prototype project is an opportunity to move forward on key regional interests and challenges of the Peterson, Schriever, Fort Carson, Buckley, and USAFA military and civilian communities."

The purpose of the workshops was to help provide an enhanced understanding of the military's regional mission and operational requirements, as well as common interests shared between the military and Front Range communities. Topics covered included urban growth, climate and water supply, energy, airspace, and the radio frequency spectrum. Ultimately, the goal of the REMAP is to foster compatible mission and community growth through targeted initiatives, many of which will require ongoing

coordination between military installations and community stakeholders.

"Developing a Regional Encroachment Management Action Plan for the Front Range offers a unique opportunity to identify and address common challenges and mission constraints across our military installations," said Lynne Neuman, the AFSPC program lead. "By collaboratively working with our community partners, we can ensure the long-term sustainment of local DoD installations and adjoining communities. Additionally, we can capitalize on symbiotic interests and find smarter, more cost-efficient ways of doing business."

The AFEM Program was created to address encroachment and sustainment challenges Air Force-wide.

The AFEM Program office in Washington D.C. is the lead for the program, and is developing policy, guidance and tools to help Air Force major commands and installations address encroachment and sustainment challenges. Towards this end, the Air Force is completing Encroachment Management Action Plans for its domestic and international installations.

A mid-term review is planned in May and a formal presentation to installation and community leaders is currently scheduled for July.