U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Friday, announced that the Army and American Sulphur and Oil Company based in Dry Creek, La., have both executed a purchase agreement on 4,900 acres of land just south of Peason Ridge on Fort Polk.

The formal closing and delivery of payment is scheduled for mid-February. Sen. Landrieu has been working closely with the Army, Fort Polk Progress, local leadership and other stakeholders to ensure the success of this land acquisition, and she applauded this important step in Ft. Polk’s continued growth.  This is currently the only land acquisition that the U.S. Army is actively pursuing in the country. 

“I applaud the Army’s efforts to grow Fort Polk’s footprint and I am very happy that an agreement has been reached on this first parcel of land.  Fort Polk serves Louisiana and our nation with great distinction, and its continued expansion is of great importance to nearby communities, as well as for the post itself.  With the post’s continued growth, I’m committed to making sure Fort Polk has the necessary resources to carry out its mission,” Sen. Landrieu said.  “In addition, we are working aggressively to meet the needs of the soldiers and their families who are stationed at Fort Polk.  The improvements we have had in quality of life opportunities make Fort Polk an ideal location for future Army growth.”  

With the Pentagon’s recent announcement to reduce troop levels in the Army and pursue two new rounds of Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC), this land acquisition demonstrates the important role that Ft. Polk plays in keeping our military the best in the world. 

As part of her work to support Ft. Polk, Sen. Landrieu sent a letter to the Army last November urging the continued efforts to acquire the identified land.  She expressed her support of Fort Polk and the surrounding communities, which encompass one of the Army’s strategic large-force training ranges. As part of her efforts, the senator has hosted stakeholders from central Louisiana and Fort Polk Progress, a community based organization that supports the growth and development of the Fort Polk community.  

Also in November, Sen. Landrieu organized and facilitated meetings between Fort Polk Progress and Dept. of Defense personnel Included among these meetings were:  the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) regarding improvement of South Polk Elementary School; the Office of the Sec. of Defense about Fort Polk’s growth potential; and the G 3/5/7 to discuss land acquisition for Fort Polk.

Sen. Landrieu visited Fort Polk in June 2011 for the grand opening of Camellia Terrace Neighborhood Center and to hear from military families on the support they need on and off post. To read the full letter Sen. Landrieu sent to the Sec. of the Army in November, please visit http://landrieu.senate.gov/mediacenter/upload/11212011fortpolk.pdf

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