I recommend everyone concerned please visit www.state.gov/recovery/fastc/ to get the full remarks of DSS director Jeff Culver and other information.I’ve attached some updated maps to give a better perspective of the facility in relationship to the park and the portions we typically use for our activities.

LakeLake

Equestrian Equestrian CenterCenter

Satellite view ofTuckahoe fromGoggle maps withThe inset of theFacility from the DSSWeb page.

DSS inset

More distant Goggle map with DSS inset.

DSS Director Jeffrey W. Culver's Remarks on PlannedTraining Center In Queen Anne's County, MDFor our hard-skills training, we plan to construct a series of indoor and outdoor weapons firing ranges outdoor weapons firing ranges designed to be used with a wide array of small designed to be used with a wide array of small arms ammunition arms ammunition – akin to a normal hunting rifle. All of these ranges will be designed and constructed so that all rounds are contained and cannot exit the confines of the range.Part of our training is to familiarize our students with what they might expect to encounter when they are deployed to a high-threat area. For that reason, we we plan to have an explosives demonstration area, plan to have an explosives demonstration area, where we will detonate a series of charges.where we will detonate a series of charges.

These charges -- up to three pounds at the These charges -- up to three pounds at the largest largest -- will be detonated to provide an opportunity for our personnel who are being trained to secure and investigate such an incident at one of our embassies. These blasts will NOT These blasts will NOT occur routinely.occur routinely.Of course, we will be required to store the required to store the weapons, ammunition, and explosives weapons, ammunition, and explosives to support the hard-skills training. All facilities will be designed and constructed in strict compliance with all applicable safety, security and environmental regulations.

DSS Director Jeffrey W. Culver's Remarks on PlannedTraining Center In Queen Anne's County, MD

With our DS agents and State Department personnel operating in dangerous places all over the world – and in war zones – it is necessary to – it is necessary to expose them to some heavy weaponry.expose them to some heavy weaponry.Some individuals mistakenly assumed that this mistakenly assumed that this is the type of activityis the type of activity that would take place at this proposed training center here in Queen Anne’s County.Let me be absolutely clear. It was never It was never envisioned that this type of heavy weapons envisioned that this type of heavy weapons training activity would be conducted here – training activity would be conducted here – and it never will be. and it never will be. This Request was designed for a much larger facility to support training for weapons and blasts far in excess of what can or will ever be used at the Queen Anne’s site.

DSS Director Jeffrey W. Culver's Remarks on PlannedTraining Center In Queen Anne's County, MD

The men and women of DS come from communities just like this one, and we share your values. I understand and appreciate the quality of life offered by a rural community like yours. I am convinced that the proposed training center poses no risk to that lifestyle, nor does it jeopardize the values we share.In fact, I believe the training center will not only be In fact, I believe the training center will not only be a good neighbor, but can become a proud part of a good neighbor, but can become a proud part of your community. It will offer valuable job your community. It will offer valuable job opportunities, commerce for local businesses and opportunities, commerce for local businesses and thus improved living standards through local thus improved living standards through local economic development, and that it can be a safe and economic development, and that it can be a safe and welcome addition to Queen Anne’s County.welcome addition to Queen Anne’s County.Simultaneously, on another level, this training center will make a significant contribution to the security of our common national interest and the safety of our fellow Americans serving us and our nation overseas.

DSS Director Jeffrey W. Culver's Remarks on PlannedTraining Center In Queen Anne's County, MD