MWR PATRONS

Concerned MWR PATRONS
P.O. Box 57, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

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PROGRESS REPORTS & INFORMATION

April 2010	Concerned MWR Patrons sent a Letter to the new Commander of the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) outlining the current conflict between the NMUSA and the Golf Course Recongiguration Project. We requested his support to insure a minimum disruption on the 36-hole Golf Course. Click for referenced Congressional Letter and Timeline.
Jan 2010	The 2010 MILCON Project for Infrastructure Construction was not included in the Army Budget. Therefore, there should be no construction impact on the Fort Belvoir Golf Course in 2010. The draft Environmental Assessment has been delayed. When published, we will comment to insure any Construction Plan includes funded replacement holes with a timeline which minimizes the impact on the MWR Program and the Military Family.
Oct 2009	Response from SecArmy (I&E) stated the Army's intent to retain 36 holes at Fort Belvoir. This intent was confirmed by DPW Response regarding the draft Environmental Assessment. We would caution MWR Patrons that there is a long administrative process between "intent" and the "actual funding and construction". We applaud the Army's intent and committment to the MWR Program, We look forward to the Army's environmentally approved and funded plan. However, we will not cheer until we see the actual replacement holes.
Sep 2009	Concerned MWR Patrons requested in the attached Letter to included as an "Interested Party" in the development of the current draft Environmental Assessment
20 Aug 2009	We requested clarification of key points in the Memorandum of Agreement from Acting Secretary of the Army (Installations & Environment) in the attached Letter.
1 Aug 2009	One of our Concerned MWR Patrons received the attached Letter from the Corps of Engineers regarding the NMUSA design. The attached diagram which shows a barracks/mess hall and encampment area next to Gunston 11 and 12 is an addition to the Initial Design. We forwarded this letter to the Installation Commander expressing our concern and recommending actions necessary to prevent encroachment on Gunston 12.
14 July 2009	Press Release announces House passage of 2010 MILCON Project. We are still waiting for any response from our letter to your Congressmen.
19 June 2009	A Letter was sent to Northern Virginia Congressmen which outlined that the approval of the 2010 MILCON Project for "Road and Infrastructure Improvements" without adequate "private funding" to start vertical construction of the NMUSA in 2011 would close indefitinely a portion of the MWR Golf Courses.
15 Jun 2009	The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was received under the FOIA.
22 May 2009	In January the Army and Army Historical Foundation signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of responsibility for funding the NMUSA. We requested a copy of the MOA under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
21 May 2009	We followed up our meetng with the Belvoir PAO and DFMWR with a Letter to the Installation Commander, Col Jerry Blixt. We continue to believe that Beloir must insure the NMUSA footprint minimzes impact on the Golf Course and that replacement holes retaining course quality and length are funded and construction.
17 May 2009	AUSA Resolution 09-6 which recommends the Adminsitration and Congress fund the NMUSA is attached for your information. We are trying to get more information on this resolution and its impact on NMUSA fund raising.
16 May 2009	Attached is the packet discussed with the Belvoir PAO and DFMWR on 11 May. The PAO will brief the Installation Commander. The DFMWR believes Belvoir has a plan with NAF funding to get Replacement Holes using the A-36 Scheme. Belvoir will provide more detail as the plan develops. The DFMWR does not believe the NMUSA will impact the Golf Course until AHF funds are available for vertical construction. Concerned MWR Patrons want more detail on the impact of the "Site Preparation and Infrastructure", the status of the draft Environamental Assessment, and we will continue to lobby for the "Natural Tree and Ravine Terrain Demarcation Line". At this time we plan to continue our dialog at the Belvoir level.
30 Apr 2009	Your Steering Committee continues to monitor the impact of the NMUSA construction on the Golf Course. The Army’s lack of transparency hampers our ability to provide you accurate data. We have a meeting with Fort Belvoir officials on March 8th; however, the NMUSA Program appears to be directed by the ASA (I&E) through the New England District (NAE) Corps of Engineer (COE) to the contractors. There is no information on the NAE Web Site about the Program. The recent drilling on Gunston Front 9 has our concern as it appears that the A-E Design encroaches further on Gunston 12. In our comments to the draft EA, we cited this encroachment and warned that it would reduce the length of the course with probable impact on the Replacement Hole cost. We remain concerned that the Army is continuing to spend Appropriated Funds on the COE Timeline while the Army Historical Foundation (AHF) appears to have only raised $30 mil in 4 years at an expenditure of about $12 mil. The $30 mil is far short of the $160 mil required for the Early Site work and Phase 1 construction scheduled to begin in 2010. We share DFMWR’s concern expressed at the May 2008 review of the NMUSA Program,“ his worst nightmare would be if museum work begins, takes out nine holes, then work stops on the museum project, the MWR would be left with 27 holes and no means to restore the lost 9”. The Army has been directed by Congress to raise private funds to construct the NMUSA; we don’t understand how AHF will improve their demonstrated poor performance in the current economy. We will provide further information after our meeting.
9 Jan 2009	We have confirmed that the Environamental Assessment will be rewritten. Attached is the Project Validation Analysis "Golf Course Market Analysis and Feasibility Study" contracted by MWR to justify the need to retain a 36 hole course. Happy New Year.
24 Dec 2008	We have learned that the Environmental Assessment will be rewritten to include replacement holes. The process will probably take about 5 to 6 months. We will continue to track the status and keep Concerned MWR Patrons informed. Merry Christmas.
16 Dec 2008	Fort Belvoir DPW was to answer the comments and complete the Environmental Assessment by mid-December. We are still waiting to see what action Fort Belvoir will take before we take further action.
7 Nov 2008	Comments to draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) were sent to Fort Belvoir DPW today. This is a 67 page document so it may take time to download.
30 Oct 2008	Fort Belvoir held a public information meeting on 30 Oct. Ted Cummings and Ron Snyder attended for Concerned MWR Patrons. The most significant finding was that the Army in 2007 made the decision that "27 holes were enough". All planning documents released on 9 October were based on impacts on only 27 holes and did not consider restoration to the current 36 hole configuration. In March, the Fort Belvoir MWR expressed concern and in May the MWR started action to restore the courses to 36 holes using NAF funding. However, there is "NO" Army commitment to 36 holes. Comments to the draft EA/FNSI will be based on our Position Paper.
9 Oct 2008	Fort Belvoir published a Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) supported by a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for construction and operation of the NMUSA. Concerned MWR Patrons Study Group is reviewing the documents and will submit written comments before 7 November. Documents can be reviewed by clicking on:- draft EA;- draft FNSI.
17 Sep 2008	FMWRCommand is conducting a Project Validation Assessment on the Fort Belvoir request for replacement holes. They contracted with ICF International to do a Market Analysis and Feasibility Study. Your representatives attended the Focus Groups on 16 Sep which discussed the South 9, need for 36 holes at the North Facilities, and the Army Museum. In addition to the Focus Group coordinators, the contractor has 2 members from the National Golf Foundation who are surveying the area golf courses. We would expect that the contractor would validate the Impact Study prepared by Concerned MWR Patrons and therefore, the need to retain 36 holes and replacement of the South 9.
10 Sep 2008	Environmental Assessment should be published for 30 day review later this month.
1 August 2008	Fort Belvoir Eagle article on status of National Museum of the US Army can be seen at http://www.belvoireagle.com/index.php/news-articles/environmental_assessment_underway_for_army_museum// . Enviornmental Assessment has been delayed until mid-August.
21 July 2008	Museum Support Center contract award announced in Mt Vernon Gazette and design contract for National Museum award announced in Army Times. Environmental Assessment on NMUSA expected this month with decision for final location to be made in September or October.
4 July 2008	Happy 4th of July. We remain optimistic that there will be "replacement" of holes "displaced" to the NMUSA.
22 June 2008	DC Examiner article of 22 June. Although there were some misquotes, the key phrase is "Both sides say they’re working together toward a mutually beneficial resolution that could involve moving the lost 9 holes at Gunston to an adjacent spot." We look forward to the draft Environmental Assessment.
13 June 2008	Congressman Tom Davis's office informed us that the Public Hearing on theEnvironmental Assessment for the NMUSA will be announced for July with a decision on the NMUSA in the early fall. Representative Davis will wait until he hears the Army proposal on restitution. The Army is working on the issue according to the discussion. We told him we would get back to him if the EA does not include a provision for the timely replacement of lost holes.
11 June 2008	Email sent to Virginia Senators and Delegates, Supervisors from Fairfax and Prince William County.
10 June 2008	Ted Cummings and Ron Snyder briefed Staffer from Supervisor Pat Herrity on Impact Study
6 June 2008	Ted Cummings and Ron Snyder briefed Staffers from Senator Warner and Senator Webb on Impact Study
14 May 2008	Ted Cummings and Ron Snyder briefed Staffers from Armed Services Committee on Impact Study
13 May 2008	Letters sent to political leaders on Fort Belvoir BRAC Board of Advisors, Letters sent Virginia Congressional Delegation, Letters sent to Northern Virginia state leaders, and Letters sent to local political leaders not on BRAC Board. Letters advised 22 political leaders of potential erosion of military benfits unless Army decides to support Restitution.
28 Apr 2008	Letter to Secretary Eastin, Letter to Genral Hartzog and Letter to BG Johnson forwarded our Impact Study to the Army. Letters recommended Restitution as win-win solution. Executive Summary extracted for patrons using dial up as Impact Study is 112 pages (6MB).
26 Mar 2008	A survey of MWR patrons of the Fort Belvoir Golf Facility (FBGF) North-36 was conducted between February 15 and March 16, 2008. The survey was designed to obtain an objective assessment of the patrons' views concerning the impact of reducing the 36-hole layout to 27 holes due to siting the NMUSA on the golf course. The questionnaire was made available to all FBGF golfers. We had limited responses because we did not have access to Army mailing lists. The responses provided anonymous input as the data was reported only in the aggregate. The views of the 215 respondents for each of the 25 surveyed questions are provided here. Thank you to all who participated.
29 Feb 2008	Letter received from Secretary Eastin in response to our 28 Jan Letter to Army Historial Foundation which they forwarded.
28 Feb 2008	Ted Cumming's Summary of Public Information meeting with map.
21 Feb 2008	Thank you Letter to Commander, FMWRC informing him of Impact Study being developed by Concerned MWR Patrons.

15 Feb 2008	MWR Patron Survey to support Impact Study.
7 Feb 2008	Telephone call from General Hartzog, Board Chairman AHF stating our letter was forwarded to ASA (I&E) Mr. Keith Eastin. AHF was not involved in site decision.
7 Feb 2008	Letter received from FMWRC indicating support for retaining 36 holes.
28 Jan 2008	Letter sent to Army Historical Foundation announcing Impact Study by Concerned MWR Patrons.
3 Jan 2008	Master Planning is on-going, A&E firm is doing feasiblilty of musuem site, no timelines/schedules for either.
18 Dec 2007	Summary of meeting with Director, MWR Bill Parsons on MWR Master Plan (2030)
15 Nov 2007	Letter sent to CG, IMCOM; CG, FMWR; and Installation Commander, Fort Belvoir requesting support.
13 Nov 2007	Concerned MWR PATRONS Web Site established
16 Oct 2007	Commander, Fort Belvoir's briefing to Community leaders http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mountvernon/BRAC_2007.htm
16 Oct 2007	Concerned MWR PATRONS founded.