It’s been known for quite some time now that the U.S. Army is wanting to reduce it’s troop size from 490,000 to 420,000 but the question still remains, what will happen at Fort Riley?

Last year when the Army was looking at troop reductions they held a public meeting on Fort Riley, and the public left a favorable impression on Army staff who attended the meeting.

With this round of draw downs they will do things differently according to John Seitz, Junction City Military Affairs Director.

“In this next round the Army, instead of doing the sensing sessions or community session, is asking for written input. I’m hoping that we’ll come up on the net and people will submit letters saying ‘Fort Riley is important. We’re important to Fort Riley, and that’s how we feel,” Seitz said.

The first assessment of the Army’s force structure reductions came back showing that there was no particular environmental impacts on any of the communities around installations that could see a cut. Seitz said the next step is to find out what impact there would be if there isn’t an environmental impact.

“Obviously for us there’s a significant economic impact were the Army to make a big cut at Fort Riley, both in civilian jobs and military jobs. We need to let the people who did the study, who are collecting the information, know that ‘Hey that stuff effects us, but Fort Riley benefits by us as much as we benefit by Fort Riley.”

Seitz mentioned that Fort Riley benefits from Junction City and the other surrounding communities through joint partnerships, such as emergency services and medical treatment.

“We have soldiers who are treated in our hospital, as well as, people getting treated out at Fort Riley. There is an exchange of services that benefit both places.”

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce is asking all of their members to send letters as well.

“We think it’s important to show our support now just by writing a letter about how it has effected our lives and our community,” according to Tom Weigand, Chamber CEO. “I think it would be a very easy letter to write and very important.”

Letters must be received by the Army by July 27th.

Letters can be sent by mail to: U.S. Army Environmental Command, ATTN: SPEA Public Comments, 2450 Connell Road (Building 2264), Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7664.

Or by e-mail to: usarmy.jbsa.aec.nepa@mail.mil