HD11 - The Feasibility of Converting Camp Pendleton to a State Park


Executive Summary:
Item 16G of the 1998 Appropriation Act directed JLARC to study the feasibility of converting the State Military Reservation (Camp Pendleton) to a State park. Specifically, JLARC was required to address: (1) the need for additional oceanfront access and State park recreation areas in southeastern Virginia, (2) the impact on tenants of Camp Pendleton, (3) the costs and benefits of relocating all remaining Virginia National Guard training functions to Fort Pickett, and (4) environmental remediation issues.

JLARC's review found that it is not feasible at this time to convert Camp Pendleton, in its entirety, to a State Park. While it may be possible to convert portions of the base to a State park, such an action would require long-term planning, agreements with the federal government, and environmental remediation of selected areas of the camp.

Camp Pendleton's location and beachfront property makes it highly valuable and raises questions whether a military facility is the highest and best use of the property. However, Camp Pendleton lacks enough acreage to meaningfully address the demand for beachfront access in the Virginia Beach area.

The role of Camp Pendleton as the State's primary military training facility is declining, primarily due to the availability of the much larger Virginia National Guard facility at Fort Pickett. As a result, Camp Pendleton is being utilized as a multi-service training facility with a growing federal orientation. The National Guard has adopted a policy of establishing revenue generating leases with non-National Guard organizations to achieve a goal of having Camp Pendleton financially self-sufficient by the year 2002. However, continued implementation of this policy may encumber the base's property to the extent that alternative uses in the future may not be feasible. As a result, the General Assembly may wish to make a long-term policy decision regarding the future use of Camp Pendleton.

Finally, population growth and residential development adjacent to Camp Pendleton have affected the ability of the National Guard to ensure the safe operation of the facility's rifle range. As a result, consideration should be given to closing the Camp Pendleton range and utilizing the ranges at Fort Pickett or nearby federal military installations.