Official likens new base closings to ‘tsunamis’

On whose authority?
The few questions that were posed early on focused on whether the Pentagon has the authority to close National Guard bases without the consent of governors. With no clear answer, commissioners suggested a legal opinion may be necessary.

The panel — with the help of a staff of roughly 60 people — will spend the next four months reviewing the Pentagon’s list to determine whether each base slated for changes meets criteria outlined in the law that authorized the closures.

Four of the criteria relate to the value the facility provides to the military, and, ultimately, to national security. Potential costs and savings, the economic impact on states and cities, the infrastructure of communities and the environmental ramifications also are considered.

Up or down vote
The commission will eventually vote on whether to accept or deny the Pentagon’s recommendations. It can only remove a facility from the list if it finds that the Pentagon deviated from the criteria.

To add a facility to the list, the commission must give Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld 15 days to explain why the Pentagon hadn’t slated it for closure or downsizing.

Principi said the commission will face many challenges, including trying to keep itself free from political influence. He said sticking to the timeline set forth in the law will probably be the biggest challenge.

The commission must send its report to President Bush by Sept. 8. The president will review the report and order revisions if needed. Congress then has to accept or reject the report in its entirety. The closures and downsizings would occur over five years starting in 2006.

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