The U.S. Navy issued its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) last Saturday, clearing another hurdle for the College's acquisition of three parcels of land after Naval Air Station Brunswick (NASB) closes this year.
The 1,500-page naval report took three years to complete, according to a January 28 article in the Times Record.
The completion of the EIS is the final major step toward the College's acquisition of 146 acres of developable land. On December 13, the College received final approval from the Department of Education to acquire base land through a public benefit conveyance.
The College's future plans for the development of the NASB land are still in preliminary stages. Possible uses of the land include facilities for conducting environmental studies research, as well as athletic fields and warehouse space that could be used for displaying art.
According to the Times Record, the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA), the group responsible for implementing the NASB Reuse Master Plans, expects to take ownership of the base airport by next month.
On Monday, the MRRA will hold a ceremony to mark the transfer of NASB to civilian ownership. The base is slated to close on May 31.