Survey Being Conducted On Public Interest of Fort Wingate

Above, Fort Wingate base buildings. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nearly three years ago, before the coronavirus pandemic started, plans for the Fort Wingate Army Depot and base buildings were proceeding. 

Planning ideas including making part of Fort Wingate a national historic site or monument and some portions would be turned over to the local tribes (Navajo and Zuni) after clean-up of munitions storage areas and bunkers. Author/historian Martin Link was active in the planning discussions.

Above, the entrance to the Army Depot munitions storage section. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When the pandemic hit, things ground to a halt. Some of it was due to disinterest on the part of the governor of New Mexico after the pandemic eased.  

Now, it appears that things may be starting up again, but the powers-that-be want to see how much public interest there is for the reactivation of the FWDA Restoration Advisory Board first. They are conducting a survey to determine interest.

USACE-Albuquerque District - US Army has posted the following:

Albuquerque, New Mexico - The U.S. Army Fort Wingate Depot Activity is conducting a survey to determine if there is enough public interest to re-activate the FWDA Restoration Advisory Board. The RAB provides a public venue for citizens to provide input on the decisions that are made by the Army to clean up the installation and meet the permit requirements.

The New Mexico Environmental Department issued a permit to the Army in December 2005, defining the requirements necessary for the cleanup of environmental contamination, munitions, and explosives at Fort Wingate Depot Activity before property can be transferred to the Department of the Interior. The permit requires extensive consultation with the Pueblo of Zuni and the Navajo Nation, as the two tribes will ultimately receive any land the Army transfers to the Department of the Interior. However, federal law also requires the Army to involve other stakeholders from the surrounding communities in the cleanup process.

If re-activated, the RAB will include community members who reflect the diverse interests of the local community. RAB members will be asked to review and comment on plans and activities relating to the ongoing environmental studies and restoration activities at FWDA. Members will be expected to serve as a voluntary liaison between the community and the RAB and be available to meet with community members and/or groups. RAB meetings will be open to the public.

Fort Wingate is roughly ten miles from my home (as the crow flies). 

If you would like to see Fort Wingate become a national historic site or monument, please let your views known. Remember, this is where the famous Navajo Code Takers of World War II were trained.

To read more and participate in the survey, go here.