PINON CANYON

I spent several hours today with Jim Vigil, Commissioner, Las Animas County, Ellen Larson, Mayor of Aguilar, Mack Louden and Herman Moltrer touring the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. We visited the cantainment area, drove by several small arms live fire ranges, walked through one of the homesteads being proposed as historic sites, saw the hogsbacks where so many Native American artifacts are being preserved, and received a briefing from range personnel on how the Army seeks to minimize impact in the training area.

This follows the two hour briefing I received at Fort Carson on Monday.

I now have the benefit of hearing the Army side, hearing from elected officials and area residents, and seeing the PCMS first hand. Many of the citizens here are veterans of combat in service to their country. They feel betrayed. I am convinced the Army realizes that its approach to developing the Site in the 80's caused the citizens of this area to lose trust, not just in the government, but in the Armed Forces whose mission it is to protect them. I am also convinced that the Army has ample space in the existing footprint of PCMS to conduct the training so critical to preparing our young warriors to fight and win in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I will oppose any attempt to expand the existing footprint of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.