Doña Ana County and the City of Las Cruces will host a public meeting on Thursday, June 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Butterfield Community Center, 9350 Berry Patch Ln.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide background to the public regarding the ongoing Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) for Fort Bliss, Holloman Air Force Base, and White Sands Missile Range and surrounding communities, as well as to share findings to date and gather input from residents on local issues, opportunities and priorities.
The Southern New Mexico/El Paso, Texas region is unique among defense communities because of its size, natural, cultural, and recreational resources; growth opportunities; and the value of its military training and testing environment.
The JLUS seeks to create a long-term planning partnership that balances and builds on these strengths by protecting the quality of life in local communities and enhancing the military missions associated with the three military installations.
The study will emphasize ways to promote coordination and land use compatibility; understand the economic impact of the installations; and preserve critical civilian and Department of Defense capabilities.
The JLUS will look at various compatibility factors, including aviation and range noise, airspace, safety, renewable energy, and frequency spectrum management. The study began in December 2012 and is now gathering information on existing conditions.
The study area consists of Doña Ana, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra, and Socorro Counties in New Mexico and El Paso County in Texas, as well as communities throughout the six counties. The meeting in Doña Ana County will be one of six meetings held across the study area in this phase. Future meetings will be held to present the study’s findings and recommendations and to solicit further comments.
The June 6 meeting will include information regarding the JLUS planning process; review of the military, community, and agency missions and strategic goals; exploration of major existing conditions findings; and highlights regarding ongoing opportunities for the public to participate. Public input will help to identify additional issues, concerns, or opportunities and assist in setting priorities for the study.
Light refreshments will be served. Bilingual staff will be available for Spanish speakers. For additional information, visit http://snmepjointlanduse.com or contact Daniel Hortert at (575) 525-6113 or by emails at danielho@donaanacounty.org.