Turner Air Force Base Restoration Advisory Board under consideration

ALBANY — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, is seeking public feedback no later than July 10, 2024, regarding interest in establishing a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for the Turner Air Force Base Formerly Used Defense (FUD) Sites property, located in Dougherty County, approximately one mile east of Albany and just south of the Flint River.

The former Turner Air Force Base, originally called Turner Field, was constructed in 1941 by the Department of Defense as an Army Air Force Base that was used as a twin-engine flight school. Turner Field was closed in 1945, following the end of World War II, but reopened in 1947 as an Air Force training facility and renamed Turner Air Force Base.

In 1967, the base was turned over to the Navy and re-commissioned as Turner Naval Air Station. The Navy operated the base until it was closed in 1974. However, several active facilities were retained by the Marine Corps Supply Center. The General Services Administration assumed responsibility for the property in 1975, and in 1976 the city of Albany took title of the utilities and began establishing industrial development on the property.

The Savannah District is investigating environmental conditions at portions of the property under the FUDS Program, and encourages community involvement in the environmental restoration process. An RAB is one method the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may use to facilitate public participation at a FUDS property.

An RAB provides a collaborative forum for the community, government agencies, tribes and decision-makers to discuss and identify the most efficient and productive means to restore the environment. Members of an RAB would meet regularly to review and comment on technical documents and plans relating to ongoing environmental investigations at the former Turner Air Force Base FUDS property.

Members would serve as volunteers and provide individual advice to decision-makers on environmental restoration plans and would be expected to serve as liaisons with the community and be available to meet with community members and groups.

Inquiries or questions should be submitted to Robin Armetta at:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Savannah District

100 W. Oglethorpe Ave.

Savannah, Ga. 31401

Armetta may be reached by phone at (912) 652-6148 or via email at [email protected].

An information repository, which contains project documentation, is maintained and accessible to the community at the Dougherty County Public Library – Tullulah Massey Branch, 2004 Stratford Drive Albany, Ga 31705.

Special Logo