MOOR users are being given a chance to air their views on the Ministry of Defence?s continuing use of Dartmoor for training purposes at two special meetings next week. The MoD?s principal licence to train on Dartmoor expires in 2012. Prior to re-negotiation, the MoD is required to undertake an extensive process of study, review and public consultation. Exhibitions are being held in Tavistock Town Hall on Monday, October 30 and the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton on Tuesday, October 31, from midday until 8pm to explain the process of public consultation. The meeting will offer a chance to comment on a scoping report, recently published by the MoD, which will form the basis for the areas to be considered in the forthcoming Environmental Appraisal which has to be undertaken. Officers and land agents will be available to answer any questions and listen to concerns the public may have. Col Tony Clark, commandant of Dartmoor Training Area, said: ?The contribution of Dartmoor to the operational effectiveness of the military is tremendous. We are very grateful for local people?s support and wish to involve them in the process. Col Clark said of the open moorland, around one fifth was used for live firing exercises, and the Armed Forces were committed to ensuring this did not result in any lasting damage to the environment on Dartmoor. He said: ?I believe the MoD is being very aware of all its responsibilities in terms of having due regard for the national park. ?We are proud of what we are doing and if people have any concerns, we want them to come along and share them, so that we might be able to address them.? The Defence Training Estates say in order to ensure the Armed Forces can maintain their high state of operational readiness, without interruption, the extensive consultation process needs to start now. The Army needs to demonstrate there is a clear military need for both live firing and dry training within the Dartmoor Training Area, and that it has considered the environmental impact of all military activities. Defence Training Estates has recently published a Scoping Report. This describes the issues to be researched and the methodology to be used during a full Environmental Appraisal, which would be carried out in the first half of next year. Dartmoor has been in continuous military use for more than 100 years, and before that, was also used for training during the Napoleonic Wars. The website http://www.dartmoor-ranges.co.uk">www.dartmoor-ranges.co.uk contains further information and any comments or queries should be sent to: SO2 Environmental Protection, Headquarters, Defence Training Estate, Land Warfare Centre, Warminster, BA12 ODJ. Alternatively, feedback can be e-mailed to [email protected]">[email protected] The public have until November 15 to comment prior to the finalising of the scope of the environmental appraisal.
