How the base closure commission will decide
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dl...439/1013/NEWS03

ere is a brief description of the final selection criteria that will be used in making recommendations for the closure or realignment of military installations, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Priority consideration is to be given to the first four criteria, which involve military value:

1. The current and future mission capabilities and the impact on operational readiness of the Department of Defense's total force, including their fighting, training and readiness.

2. The availability and condition of land, facilities and associated airspace (including training areas suitable for maneuver by ground, naval or air forces throughout a diversity of climate and terrain areas and staging areas for the use of the Armed Forces in homeland defense missions) at both existing and potential receiving locations.

3. The ability to accommodate contingency, mobilization and future total force requirements at both existing and potential receiving locations to support operations and training.

4. The cost of operations and the manpower implications.
Other considerations:

5. The extent and timing of potential costs and savings, including the number of years, beginning with the date of completion of the closure or realignment, for the savings to exceed the costs.

6. The economic impact on existing communities near military installations.

7. The ability of both the existing and potential receiving communities' infrastructure to support forces, missions and military personnel.

8. The environmental impact, including the impact of costs related to potential environmental restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities.