Les Blumenthal - The News Tribune, May 4 2006

WASHINGTON – A House defense bill provides funding the Air Force could tap to help acquire property where development is encroaching on McChord Air Force Base and other installations, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, said Wednesday.

The House version of the Defense Authorization Bill includes $50 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative. The money would be available to all military branches. While none of it is earmarked for McChord, the bill specifically mentions the base and three others where the funding might be used.

The House Armed Services Committee was expected to approve the bill late Wednesday. Smith, a member of the committee, had worked to get the funding and reference to McChord in the measure.

“It could really help us solve this problem,” Smith said, adding the Air Force needed to work with the state, Pierce County and the City of Lakewood.

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