What is a Joint Land Use Study?
The Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a cooperative planning effort among the Air Force, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport and the surrounding communities to examine growth issues around the installation and airfield. Incompatible development that is too close to airfield operations exposes people to noise and air safety risks and can compromise the ability of the military to fulfill its mission. The study’s purpose is to maintain the effectiveness of military and airport operations, safeguard the safety and welfare of nearby residents, and accommodate compatible local growth.
The goals of the study are to:
- Clarify land use compatibility guidance and develop effective tools for assessing development around the base and Airport
- Increase communication among the military, the Airport and surrounding communities;
- Evaluate the potential impacts of current and future military and airport operations on surrounding communities;
- Evaluate the potential impacts of community growth on the long-term viability of Scott AFB and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport; and
- Recommend action items to reduce encroachment and facilitate future collaboration
What Will the JLUS Recommend?
The JLUS is not intended to restrict all growth around the military installation or airport. Instead, the plan seeks to balance development opportunities with the need to protect critical training and readiness activities and civilian aviation activity. The JLUS is an advisory document that will lay out a series of proposed best practices and policies for the military, airport and local governments to consider. Recommendations may relate to land use, communication, habitat and open space conservation, and ongoing coordination among regional partners. Recommendations will focus mainly on those areas shown on the attached map.
Why Is the JLUS Important?
Due to 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) activities, Scott AFB will add over 1,000 new personnel. The base will receive 12 new KC-135R aircraft and a Mobility Logistics Support Center with personnel from Hurlburt Field, Florida; Sembach, Germany; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Altus Airfield Base.
Another major reorganization from BRAC that will increase Scott personnel is the collocation of Surface Deployment and Distribution Command from Newport News, Virginia with the existing Air Force Mobility Command and TRANSCOM on Scott AFB. This move will join common function activities and facilitate large scale transformations as proposed by the TRANSCOM Commander. The JLUS seeks to protect this important economic engine for the region by ensuring that the Air Force can continue to carry out its mission.
How can I participate?
The JLUS effort will continue through June of 2008. Please look for information on upcoming meetings in your community in April.
You can also follow study progress and submit comments by visiting the study web site at: www.co.st-clair.il.us and Click on “Joint Land Use Study” under the letter J or contact Liz Drake at 404-870-5339 or liz.drake@edaw.com
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE MIDAMERICA ST. LOUIS AIRPORT