PONDS

Résumé du livre

Military installations and surrounding communities have historically functioned as independent entities with separate schools, libraries, parks and transportation systems. This is partly due to the conscious placement of military installations far from cities and towns because of installations need for vast tracks of land for training, airfields, and other specialized uses. Development near and around military installations is occurring at a rapid rate. As a result, communities have a much greater opportunity to share resources such as utilities, schools, and recreational facilities. However, land use conflicts between the installations and surrounding communities are on the rise because urban development near and around military installations can encroach upon the installation and disrupt its functions and training capabilities. Nearby communities often express concerns about safety, noise, night training, flight zones and other military activities that affect them. health of a community is affected if military operations and missions must relocate because of urban encroachment. States and local governments have begun to take actions to prevent encroachment and more measures are likely with heightened concerns about national security and economic health. The Proactive Options with Neighbors for Defense Installation Sustainability (PONDS) web based tool (below) provides resources and case studies to help nurture relationships between military installations and their neighbors by promoting opportunities for planning and partnering. For example, communities can work with the military installations to create regional transportation plans or mass transit systems to mitigate air pollution caused by traffic and congestion.