Haley Stevens: “This amendment would reduce Army operation and maintenance funding by $2 million to eliminate an add-on for Readiness…”

“This amendment would reduce Army operation and maintenance funding by $2 million to eliminate an add-on for Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA. During Senate consideration of the fiscal year 1997 Defense authorization bill, an amendment was adopted which would authorize the transfer of additional acreage from the Forest Service to the Army at Fort Polk. This transfer would increase the training area at Fort Polk to ensure adequate acreage to conduct realistic land forces training. I had no objection to this amendment and believe it will serve the needs of the Army and the other Services. However, at the same time, it is unclear that an additional $2 million will be required in fiscal year 1997 to adequately protect the land and facilities in this additional area.”