For Immediate Release

February 6, 2006

PENTAGON BUDGETS $329 MILLION IN CONSTRUCTION
AT WASH. MILITARY BASES NEXT YEAR

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Defense Department is planning to spend another $329 million for construction activities at Washington state military bases in the next fiscal year, including $197 million for housing and headquarters buildings at Fort Lewis, Rep. Norm Dicks said Monday.

            Much of the construction activity at Fort Lewis is associated with the creation of a third Stryker brigade at the base, which will bring the Fort Lewis population up to 25,000 this year, Dicks said.  The Pentagon is funding the construction of two barracks buildings in the current fiscal year as part of the base's housing modernization program.  In the next year, a total of $84 million will pay for the construction of two more barracks structures, and another $102 million will pay for the first phase of construction of the buildings associated with the new brigade.  In the documents released by the Defense Department today, Rep. Dicks said the Army has budgeted $408 million for the brigade complex buildings in four increments, beginning in Fiscal Year 2007.

            In addition to the Army construction activities, the military construction budget for the next fiscal year includes $28 million for weapons and personnel support buildings at Sub Base Bangor, $21 million for a bachelor enlisted quarters building at Naval Station Everett, $58 million for a new aircraft hangar and $26 million for a consolidated fuel facility -- both at Whidbey Island NAS.

            "None of the state's military facilities was recommended for closure during the defense base closing process last year, which is an endorsement of the military value and the geographic importance of these installations," Rep. Dicks said.   "The Defense Department has made a substantial investment in our Army, Navy and Air Force bases, and it will continue in the next year making the steady, incremental improvements that have kept Washington bases modern and efficient," he added.

            The Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Budget contains the following Washington State Military Construction activities:

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