Military Bases: Revised Cost and Savings Estimates for 1988 and 1991 Closures and Realignments
Abstract
The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 permits the BRAC accounts to pay for environmental cleanup at closing base. Before fiscal year 1992, cleanup at these bases covered by the 1988 act was funded by other sources. This act was changed in 1990 to preclude funding from other sources such as the Defense Environmental Restoration Account to clean up closing bases. DOD estimated environmental cleanup costs for BRAC-I and BRAC-II at $1.6 billion in its fiscal year 1993 base realignment and closure budget justification. The estimate may be conservative because the BRAC-II estimate of $744 million was preliminary and additional studies and tests were underway to determine how much cleanup was needed. Experience with BRAC-I bases has shown that estimates increase significantly once more detailed studies and tests are completed. For example, when Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, was recommended for closure in 1988, the preliminary environmental cleanup estimate was $11 million. In fiscal year 1992, the Air Force increased the estimated cleanup to over $63 million and to over $102 million in fiscal year 1993 when it had the benefit of studies and tests that were not previously available. By December 1992, the estimate had increased to over $114 million.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA267354
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office