installation impacts on surrounding communities, as well as local government
protocols that reduce community impacts on military operations. The proactive
strategies help decision makers resolve current issues and prioritize future
projects within annual budgeting cycles.
1.2
Why Prepare a Joint Land Use Study?
Although military installations and nearby communities may be separated by a fenceline,
they often share natural and manmade resources such as land, airspace, water, and
infrastructure. Despite the many positive interactions among local jurisdictions,
agencies, and the military and because so many resources are shared, the activities or
actions of one entity can unintentionally impact another, thus, resulting in conflicts. As
communities develop and expand in response to growth and market demands, they can
potentially locate incompatible development closer to military installations and
operational / training areas. Examples of incompatible development include residential
development near firing ranges being impacted by noise and tall structures, such as cell
towers, being located within helicopter flight routes and causing vertical obstructions.
Uncoordinated incompatible development can generate new or exacerbate existing land
use conflicts and other compatibility issues, often referred to as encroachment.
Encroachment can have negative impacts on community safety, economic development,
and the sustainability of military activities and readiness. These issues and their potential
impacts can pose a significant threat to military readiness activities, and identifying and
addressing them is currently one of the military’s greatest operational challenges.
Collaborative planning among military installations, local communities, agencies, and
other stakeholders should occur to protect the long‐term viability of existing and future
military missions. Working together also enhances the health of economies in the
communities before incompatible uses become an issue. Recognizing the close
relationship that should exist between installations and adjacent communities, the OEA
implemented the JLUS program to mitigate existing and future conflicts and to enhance
communication and coordination among all affected stakeholders. This program aims to
preserve the economic viability and quality of life within a JLUS Project Area while
protecting current and future operations and missions at military installations.
1-6
Introduction