EVERETT – With all eyes on the water and Naval Station Everett’s fate, many were surprised to find Everett’s Army Reserve Center on the Defense Department’s closure list released Friday.
The list included north Everett’s Maj. David P. Oswald United States Army Reserve Center.
Initially, local leaders thought the closure would mean a loss of 57 military jobs. However, after a more detailed look at the closure documents, some said the jobs may be relocated, not lost.
“It appears that the intent is not to lose those jobs,” said Abbey Blake, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash.
The Defense Department announcement said the Army would look into buying land on which to build a new facility, and then relocate Everett’s Army Reserve Center.
The new center would serve all branches of the military and would have room for regional National Guard troops, such as those in Everett and Snohomish, should Washington state leaders choose to move those troops.
“Because of the consolidation, I think it’s pretty clear we’re still going to need people at the new reserve center,” Larsen said.
He said he didn’t know exactly where the cuts would be focused or how and when military personnel might be shifted from Everett, Snohomish and elsewhere.
“That’s something we’re still trying to figure out,” he said.
It also depends on whether the state agrees with the consolidation, Larsen said.
Blake said there is a law specifying that National Guard units can’t be moved without the consent of the governor. Larsen believes Gov. Christine Gregoire should have final say.
However, Pentagon officials have argued that federal law supersedes state authority, Gregoire said.
According to the Associated Press, some states are threatening legal action to block the Defense Department’s decision to move or close National Guard bases.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
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