Military Bases: Challenges in Identifying and Implementing Closure Recommendations

GAO discussed the Department of Defense's (DOD) base realignment and closure (BRAC) process. GAO noted that: (1) the DOD BRAC process, which requires that all DOD components use assessment models, certified information, and internal control plans to ensure its fairness and integrity, is generally sound and well supported, but some improvements are necessary; (2) DOD has taken steps to strengthen the 1995 BRAC process and emphasize cross-service use of common support functions; (3) DOD has retained or transferred, at no cost to other government agencies, about 88 percent of the property affected by the first two BRAC reviews; (4) communities have requested federal grants and infrastructure improvements in addition to the surplus land to assist in the facilities' conversion to civilian use; (5) disagreements over the facilities' reuse and changing laws and regulations have delayed reuse planning and property disposal; (6) environmental cleanup problems at closing facilities are hampering property transfers; and (7) future BRAC rounds may be needed to modify prior BRAC decisions and further reduce excess DOD infrastructure.