Local committee can proceed

A local committee created to bridge the relationship between Cannon Air Force Base and surrounding land owners is ready to exercise recommendations from their study.

The Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Committee is a sub-committee for the Local Growth Management Committee (LGMC) comprised of leaders from Roosevelt and Curry counties.

The LGMC approved the JLUS consultant's proposal, at a cost of nearly $105,000. The decision allows the JLUS Committee to proceed with their plan, which assesses issues associated with the boundaries of Cannon's new special operations mission.

Claire Burroughes, legislative and community development director of Clovis. said, "(The JLUS plan) addresses encroachment challenges, which have risen as a result of the base's new mission."

Committee members are set to submit the proposal before Sunday so the consulting company can start Jan. 14.

Col. David Piech with Cannon AFB told committee members the proposal did not interfere with their operations.

"I read through it and I didn't see any big issues," Piech said.

Burroughes was pleased that everyone was on the same page about the proposal, adding that it proves the motto, "talk early and talk often," to be right.

Committee members plan to meet Jan. 2 in Clovis to review the proposal.

In addition to JLUS's actions, committee members scheduled a meeting with Cannon's Wing Commander Col. Buck Elton and local land owners to discuss any further questions or concerns regarding wind energy farms and possible interference with the base.

LGMC Chairman Caleb Chandler, who also served at his last meeting before retirement, said Elton wants to make sure area land owners get the answers they need.

Chandler expressed upon his departure from the group that current LGMC members will do a good job in reaching their goals and keeping the interests of Curry and Roosevelt County residents at heart.

"This really is the group that is moving things forward," Chandler said.