Use Virginia Beach eMapping to determine if your property is in a APZ1 Zone. You may also refer to the AICUZ Map - 2005 Update listed to the right, under Related Content.

On July 19, 2005, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) voted to add NAS Oceana to the list of base closures. On August 24, the federal Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) voted to maintain the Navy's master jet base at NAS Oceana if the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and the state pass legislation and appropriate money by March 2006 to stop encroachment and reverse development within the base's highest accident-potential zone.

NAS Oceana is the city’s foremost economic engine, and the men and women who serve—and their families—are beloved members of our community.

Look at the figures for NAS Oceana:

Let’s also consider NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex:

The City of Virginia Beach expects Oceana to remain a Navy facility for many years. Even if it were no longer a master jet base, Oceana would not necessarily be closed. It probably would remain a valuable asset for the Department of Defense and would most likely still have substantial net positive economic impact on the city and the region.

The Navy and Air Force are opposed to adding Oceana to the realignment list because it remains the best alternative to meet our country’s defense requirements. On July 18, 2005, the Vice Chief of Naval Operations said, “Oceana continues to serve the Fleet well; the encroachment issue is manageable. Co-location of Oceana with the Fleet provides a significant advantage.”

An alternative to realignment is the building of a new East Coast Master Jet Base. In fact, if the Department of Defense decided to take that action, it would take at least 15 years and billions of dollars to complete. The city would have ample time then to plan for the future should DOD eventually pursue the new base option.

Federal, State and City of Virginia Beach leaders appeared before the BRAC Commission on Aug. 4 to defend NAS Oceana. Tune into VBTV Channel 48 (Virginia Beach Cox Cable subscribers only) for a rebroadcast of the one-hour BRAC Commission hearing at the following dates and times:

VBTV Cable Channel 48 will rebroadcast the Aug. 16 News Conference that focused on the latest updates concerning NAS Oceana and the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission deliberations. The news conference was held on Aug. 16 at 3:45 p.m. in the City Council Chamber and featured representatives of the U.S. Congress, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Virginia Beach.The 20-minute news conference will be rebroadcast at the following times:

You are also invited to check out numerous documents in the Related Content box on this Web page.

Related Links:
http://www.brac.gov
http://www.defenselink.mil/brac
http://www.navybracpmo.org

Important Dates:

Joint Land Use Study:
Moving forward, the City of Virginia Beach and NAS Oceana have a blueprint for future land use decisions.

The cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk recently partnered with the U.S. Navy to conduct the Hampton Roads Joint Land Use Study (JLUS). The study explores opportunities to reduce noise impacts on communities surrounding NAS Oceana, NALF Fentress and Chambers Field while accommodating necessary growth and maintaining regional economic sustainability. Balancing community interests with the military mission in Hampton Roads is the goal of this study, with local policies recommended for jurisdiction implementation to achieve this balance.

Learn more by visiting the Hampton Roads Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Web page (see Related Pages box).

If you are interested in providing input to the BRAC Commission on NAS Oceana, click here: http://www.brac.gov/feedback.aspx.