National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006-- Continued
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006--Continued -- (Senate - November 08, 2005)
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Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the amendment to the FY06 National Defense Authorization Act that authorizes the Navy to convey approximately 230 acres of open space land along the eastern boundary of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to the County of San Diego in order to provide access to the historic Stowe Trail.
The Stowe Trail at one time functioned as the primary road leading to the historic town of Stowe, and now links the Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Preserves in the north with the Mission Trails Regional Park and Santee Lakes Regional Recreation Area further south.
According to county records, up until the 1930s when access to this portion became restricted for military use, the Stowe Trail had served for some 80 years as the principle thoroughfare between the towns of Santee and Poway.
The 230 acres of land that would be conveyed by the Navy under this provision include diverse plant and animal life and environmentally-sensitive habitats and would provide a natural wildlife corridor between the two preserves, as well as with the Santee Lakes Recreation Area.
Under the control of the County of San Diego, this land will become part of an extensive open space trail system that will not only increase recreational opportunities in the region, but will also provide buffer zone that will mitigate against potential encroachment that could impact the essential military missions at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
It is important to point out that this proposed land conveyance is the fruition of a process set in motion jointly by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in 2002.
Both sides have worked together closely since that time to ensure that the result will be a win-win situation for both the County and the Marines.
For example, as part of the land conveyance process, the County of San Diego has fully committed to compensate the Navy by paying the full fair market value for this property.
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