Defense Department Agrees to Review Foreign Activities Near Test Ranges

The Defense Department has agreed to comply with the Government Accountability Office’s recommendations to assess foreign business activities that take place near test and training ranges.

GAO has called on DoD to establish guidelines for reviewing foreign encroachment and to work with other federal agencies in obtaining information on commercial transactions near the test and training facilities, the office said Dec. 16.

The DoD said it has been facing challenges to its training activities from foreign encroachment such as urban growth and endangered species habitat, GAO noted.

GAO said a House Armed Services Committee report attached to a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014 mandates the office to determine how the DoD evaluates those threats.

The office conducted interviews with officials from the DoD and other federal agencies that have a role in such commercial activities.