Help Save Summit
----- Original Message ----- From: bgfrench To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 11:58 PM Subject: Site Summit (Nike missile site above Anchorage) heading for demolition.I am writing you because you have an interest in the Nike Missile sites in Alaska. Well, you may not know that the last intact example of a Nike Hercules Missile installation in Alaska is in serious danger of being demolished. Site Summit, known as B Battery, was one of three Nike Hercules missile installations in the Anchorage area to protect the military bases at Fort Richardson and Elmendorf. Little remains of the other 2 sites, Site Summit is just about all we have left! Site Summit is internationally known as the site of the first live firing of a Nike missile from an actual operational location.Fort Richardson has been written up by the Corps of Engineers for not maintaining this historic site, in essence for "Demolition by Neglect". Therefore, they are trying to decide what to do with the site, and have come up with a "Proposed Action", which is demolition of the buildings on the site. Their preliminary documents also list 4 "Alternate Actions", that include: 1) No action; 2) Demolition of all wood framed buildings, leaving the concrete buildings intact; 3) Stabilization of the buildings so no further deterioration occurs; 4) Renovation/restoration and opening up the site to tourism with non-Army management of the site. The public comment period is only open until March 10, 2004, thus, my call for action. If you want to keep this site from being demolished, you need to show your support!
I attended the Public Open House at the Loussac Library last Thursday night regarding the Nike Site Summit. It was billed as an opportunity for public comment, and the first of some scoping meetings prior to the start of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and is supposedly well prior to the actual decision made about what to do with the site.
More interesting was the quick talk I had after the meeting with Judy Bittner, the State Historic Preservation officer, who said that they were very concerned that the Army and their civilian historical staff are just going through the motions of "public process" and were really ram-rodding through their pre-determined decision to demo the site. In addition to providing comment to the Army, (see addresses below) she said that the best way to get some pressure to keep the site open would be to get letters to state and federal figures, as well as the Fort Richardson Commander. She said to never underestimate the power of letters from the public, as it shows a level of interest far beyond just griping about "What the Government is or isn't doing."
Your letter can mean the difference between the Site Summit Nike site being gone forever, or preserved to show future generations that the cost of freedom is eternal vigilance, and to highlight the vital role that the Nike sites provided during the height of the Cold War.
Important Points to make:
Of the few remaining Nike sites in Alaska, Site Summit is more intact than any other, and is the only site in Alaska that qualifies for the National Register of Historic Places. One of the possible alternatives (demolition of wood buildings, leaving the concrete buildings) would make Site Summit ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Demolishing the buildings would ignore the President's executive order encouraging joint management and preservation of historic properties. (Executive Order 13287, Preserve America, signed by President Bush March 3, 2003.)
We are worried that the Army will push forward with their plans to demolish the buildings without a good faith effort to work with Alaska State Parks, and the National Park Service, both have expressed an interest in the site. A market analysis by the Site Summit Task force in 2001 showed both the vitality of Historical Sites as important tourism destinations, and how important and well suited Site Summit is as an intact historical site.
The Army have discussed installing interpretive panels elsewhere in Anchorage to show Site Summit and the activities there. Well, historic sites lose a huge portion of their impact when reduced to just pictures on a wall. There is no comparison to actually being there and seeing, feeling, smelling and experiencing history where it actually happened!
Establishing Site Summit as a historic site will give an unequaled outlook over Anchorage, and open up a portion of Chugach State Park that has been off limits due to the Army's use for decades. What better site to highlight the affect of the Cold War on Alaska. You can see it all laid out in front of you!
Addresses: Address your comments to: Army Directorate of Public Affairs Russell Sackett Russell.Sackett@richardson.army.mil Maj. R. Hunter robert.hunter@richardson.army.mil U.S. Army Garrison, Alaska Public Affairs Office Attn:APVR-RPO (Maj. R. Hunter) Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5900 Fax (907) 384-2060
Here are some addresses to send copies of your comments. Due to virus and spam attacks most of our Government officials only allow you to send comments via a comment form on their website. To be able to save money on postage, you can type up your info, copy them, and then paste into the comment block on their comment form.
Sorry, I don't have an address for the base commander at Fort Richardson. Their website has been down for a few days. Try http://www.usarak.army.mil/ and poke around to see if you can find it.
Anchorage Daily News Reporter who has been covering Site Summit for several years; Doug O'Harra do'harra@adn.com
Honorable Lisa Murkowski United States Senate 322 Hart Building Washington D.C. 20510-0202 Phone (202) 224-6665 Fax (202) 224-5301 Honorable Ted Stevens United States Senate 522 Hart Building Washington D.C. 20510-0201 Phone (202) 224-3004 Fax (202) 224-2354 Honorable Donald Young House of Representatives 2111 Rayburn House Office Building Washington D.C. 20515-0201 Phone (202) 225-5765 Fax (202) 225-0425 President George W. Bush 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington D.C. 20500 Phone (202) 456-1414 Office of the Governor Frank Murkowski, Governor Third Floor, State Capitol P.O. Box 110001 Juneau, 99811-001 (907) 465-3500 Ms. Judith Bittner Judy_Bittner@dnr.state.ak.us oha@alaska.net Office of History and Archeology DNR, 550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1310 Anchorage, AK 99501-3565 Phone: (907) 269-8721, FAX: (907) 269-8908 National Register of Historic Places National Park Service 1201 Eye St., NW 8th Floor (MS 2280) Washington, DC 20005 Main telephone: 202-354-2213 nr_info@nps.govFrom Jeral Sexton February 24 2004 - http://home.mchsi.com/~jerals
update March 2, 2004 - Help Save Summit
Site Summit, Alaska Open House Public Meeting
Clear DayTo all Past Crew members of Site Summit and all others interested in the preservation of Site Summit.I was sent the below clipping about a public meeting pertaining to the future of Site Summit. I have contacted Major Hunter and he told me that anyone interested in voicing their opinion on the future preservation of the site to email their comments to Russell Sackett at russell.sackett@richardson.army.mil
Major Hunter advised me that this meeting was only to access the environment impact of the site on the community and was an open session to the public to voice alternatives for the future status of the site. You can call him at the number listed as I have but as far as emails, he recommended the contacts be make to Russell.
Sincerely,
Jeral Sexton jerals@mchsi.com
Webmaster
Site Summit, Alaska - Nike Hercules ADA
"U.S. ARMY GARRISON, ALASKA PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE NIKE SITE SUMMIT Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Z.J. Loussac Library 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. There will be a poster session and presentation outlining the proposed action. Public input will be gathered on potential, issues of concern. A court reporter will be available to record your comments. For further information, contact MAJ Dan Hunter, USAG-AK Public Affairs Officer, 384-3306" ... email their comments to Russell Sackett at russell.sackett@richardson.army.mil
From Byron Penrod Jan 2004
Reunion for 5th Missile Battalion, 517th Artillery of Abilene, Texas
The 5th Missile Battalion, 517th Artillery of Abilene, Texas that is having a reunion in Branson Missouri, starting on June 18, 2004. The beginning get together will be at 6 PM for a reception in the Back Stage Grille on the 9th floor in the Grand Plaza Hotel in Branson. (This hotel can be found on line in Branson, Missouri)Anyone interesting in joining us as a member of a Nike Missile Site (particularly a 5th Missile Battalion) should contact Byron Penrod at Byrod01@aol.com or at 325-692-6006 in Abilene, Texas Wives are welcome as well.
If you have comments or suggestions, Send e-mail to Ed Thelen (ed@ed-thelen.org)