Gunnery range's demise may have big effect

woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,344
332
Near Mt. Misery
Great article! Kelly says he thinks the military should relocate to a less populated area. Where? On the middle east coast!? I think Devito's comments from the NJ conservation Foundation are well stated. I am glad the writer of the article presented that opinion.

Jeff
 

GermanG

Piney
Apr 2, 2005
1,146
489
Little Egg Harbor
What Emil said pretty well sums it up for me as well. I've known him for some time and he is a straight shooter (unlike the air guard :)) and tends to cut right through the crap and get to the point. Anyone who knows the slightest bit about the pines knows the ignition source is the most minor of issues when dealing with wildfire. I've spoken to several individuals in the Forest Fire Service who cringe with each new development west of the parkway. That is where the problem rests. Ignition of fires will always occur, from one source or another. Building homes in the historic paths of wildfire is the foolish result of municipalities and developers who place tax ratables and profit above the welfare of those they are luring to the area.

As for the incident with the f-16 letting loose on the school, if the Guard's description of the incident is true, it was a freak accident that did not happen during actual gunnery practice at the range, and could have happened anywhere between the base and the range. The proximity of the school to the range would not be an issue in that case. My daughter was a student at that school at the time (and still is) but I do my best to not let that alone cloud my judgement, and try to take all factors into consideration.
 

Boyd

Administrator
Staff member
Site Administrator
Jul 31, 2004
9,828
3,010
Ben's Branch, Stephen Creek
There are some good points in that article, and I know this is going to be a controversial subject. But personally, I would favor closing down that facility and making it a part of the state forest. I dislike the ugly development that has taken place near there as much as anybody, but it exists and it isn't going away. I don't know that closing the facility will make those homes any safer, but if we can expand the protected part of the pine barrens then I support it, for that reason alone.
 

woodjin

Piney
Nov 8, 2004
4,344
332
Near Mt. Misery
I wouldn't mind seeing that easier (more state forest) but has there been any discussion as to what will become of the land in the event that the base is shut down?
 
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