Navy Keeps Up Fight For New Base

And you think your airport’s got trouble with the neighbors … The Navy says it won’t give up its effort to establish a 30,000-acre base in North Carolina even though a federal judge has stopped it, temporarily at least, from buying up the necessary land. Judge Terrence Boyle turned down the Navy’s request to keep acquiring land while opponents of the project challenge it in court. Navy spokesman Ted Brown told the Associated Press the decision was a disappointment but the Navy “will continue to pursue our case and we expect a favorable resolution.” The facility, which would include an 8,000-foot runway and support buildings, will be used by Navy pilots to practice carrier landings. Opponents say the base will jeopardize a nearby wildlife refuge and harm the local tourism- and agriculture-based economy. They also claim that Navy pilots will be at risk from bird strikes. About 70 families would be displaced by the base. Boyle ordered work halted on the project in April in response to suits by environmental groups and the two counties whose land it would occupy.