Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990 TAG: 9006280088
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The guard's proposal includes training for foot patrols using small arms with blank ammunition. No off-road or tracked vehicles would be used.
"It's fairly routine for us to go out there and do tactical training," said Maj. Stewart D. MacInnis, a spokesman for the guard in Richmond. "It's definitely a policy that we never use live ammunition out there."
MacInnis said the guard would abide by any rules set by the Forest Service if the special-use permit is granted.
Blacksburg District Ranger Dave Collins said his agency is taking public comment on the proposal until June 30. A study examining recreational, environmental and other impacts likely will be complete by August.
The guard has used portions of the Blacksburg District for training before, Collins said, including last year. The special-use permits generally expire after one year.
Some citizens have expressed concern that military training would be conducted at Pandapas Pond, a favorite recreation spot near U.S. 460 north of Blacksburg.
Collins said the guard excluded the area surrounding the pond in its proposal for training.
"Other areas could be excluded," he said, depending on the results of the environmental analysis. Another area of concern is where the Appalachian Trail lies adjacent to the area marked for training ground, he said.
The proposal includes a 15-mile stretch of forest land along the boundary of Montgomery and Giles counties, not including a 4-mile portion in the middle where some land is privately owned.
Collins said the Forest Service could modify the proposal before granting the permit, which requires final approval from the Jefferson National Forest supervisor.
He said other groups similarly use the national forest for training, including military reserve units stationed in Christiansburg and Virginia Tech cadets.
MacInnis said the forest offers guard members a chance to train on different terrain. Fort Pickett and Camp A.P. Hill in the eastern part of the state are the only other training areas for infantry, and both are relatively flat.
Also, local training areas for guard members in Southwest Virginia help keep travel time and costs to a minimum.
Any comments can be sent to the Blacksburg Ranger District, Route 5, Box 15, Blacksburg, Va. 24060. The telephone number is 552-4641.
by CNB