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Department of Navy Transfers Vieques Property

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030430-22
Release Date: 4/30/2003 4:00:00 PM

Special release from the U.S. Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy (DoN) has transferred all real property on the eastern end of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, to the administrative jurisdiction of the Department of Interior (DoI) as required under the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law 106-398), as amended by Section 1049 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107-107).

Under the law, DoI is required to develop the land for use as a wildlife refuge, with the former live impact area to be designated a wilderness area and closed to the public. $2.3 million has been designated this year for DoI to protect and conserve these natural resources. Additionally, DoN is demolishing and removing all temporary facilities and structures.

DoN will retain responsibility for the environmental cleanup of this property. The final extent and cost of the cleanup is linked to land use plans being developed by DoI in compliance with the National Wildlife Refuge Act. DoN will participate in future decisions and actions regarding the long-term environmental cleanup at Vieques.