Marine Corps Plan to Expand Training Range Area

Darlen, Georgia The Marine Corps issued a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the modernization and expansion of its Townsend Bombing Range (TBR) in southeast Georgia. The 5,100 acre range is owned by the Marine Corps but is managed by the Georgia Air National Guard. Currently more than 3,000 training flights are conducted over the range per year. Details of the size of the proposed expansion have not been released but reportedly only practice munitions with spotting charges will be authorized for use.

The Department of the Navy is initiating public meetings including open houses on 24 August and 26 August to identify community issues to be addressed in the EIS. The EIS is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Although the Marines want to expand the TBR, they should do so knowing that the range at one time (in 1944) was over 22,000 acres when the Army Air Corps proposed to add an additional 27,000 acres. After the war, much of this land was declared excess with the exception of a small portion of the land that was used by various aviation units until 1972. The range was re-opened in 1982 by the Marine Corps and in the late 1980's, the Marines started to purchase land previously held by lease. What this means is that the Marine Corps may be increasing their future UXO cleanup liability by purchasing lands that may contain UXO that are potentially eligible for FUDS funding.