Appendix D: 1988 Charter

In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. I), a Commission on Base Realignment and Closure is hereby ordered as follows:

There is established the Defense Secretarys Commission on Base Realignment and Closure. The Commission shall be composed of twelve members appointed or designated by the Secretary of Defense. The composition of the Commission shall include persons with broad experience in government and national defense. The Secretary shall designate two Chairpersons from among the members of the Commission.

The Commission shall study the issues surrounding military base realignment and closure within the United States, its commonwealths, territories, and possessions. The primary objectives of the Commission shall be to:

A. Determine, by November 15, 1988, the best process, including necessary administrative changes, for identifying bases to be closed or realigned; how to improve and best use Federal government incentive programs to overcome the negative impact of base closure or realignment; and, the criteria for realigning and closing bases to include at least:

1. The current and future mission requirements and the impact on operational readiness of the military departments concerned.
2. The availability and condition of land and facilities at both the existing and potential receiving locations.
3. The potential to accommodate contingency, mobilization, and future force requirements at receiving locations.
4. The cost and manpower implications.
5. The extent and timing of potential cost savings, including whether the total cost savings realized from the closure or realignment of the base will, by the end of the 6-year period beginning with the date of the completion of the closure or realignment of the base, exceed the amount expended to close or realign the base.
6. The economic impact on the community in which the base to be closed or realigned is located.
7. The community support at the receiving locations.
8. The environmental impact.
9. The implementation process involved.

B. Review the current and planned military base structure in light of force structure assumptions, and the process and criteria developed pursuant to subparagraph A, and identify which bases should be closed or realigned.

C. Report its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Defense by December 31, 1988.

Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation for their work on the Commission. However, members appointed from among private citizens may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in the government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707), to the full extent funds are available. The Secretary of Defense shall provide the commission with such administrative services, facilities, staff, and other support services as may be necessary. Any expenses of the Commission shall be paid from such funds as may be available to the Secretary of Defense.

The Commission shall be in place and operating as soon as possible. Shortly thereafter, the Commission shall brief the Secretary of Defense on the Commissions plan of action. The Commissions final report shall include recommendations to realign and close bases only upon a vote of a majority of members of the Commission. The Commission should complete its work by December 31, 1988.

The Pentagon
May 3, 1988
(as revised November 3, 1988)