For over three years the Chesapeake Bay Group has been writing letters to the Secretary of the Army, the head of Army Logistics, the Post Commanders at Fort Eustice and Fort Story making our case against the golf course. The local member who has been most involved in this effort has been Robert Deegan. He has drafted almost all the letters, including several Freedom of Information Act request for documentation.

   The Army gave as justification for its decision factors such as: the amount of water required for the course could have had serious consequences for the cypress ponds at First Landing State Park. He further stated that the study funded by the City of Virginia Beach indicated that there probably would be other environmental impacts that would prevent construction of the course.

   It was disappointing to notice that the city's director of economic development is still in favor of the course. He continues this position even though the number of golfers is nearly steady while approximately 2500 golf courses will have been built during the last three years including this year. The industry's own foundation states that this is not a good economic situation. It claims that courses will have to offer more incentives to get players, thus increasing cost and reducing the profit margins. Even if the course at Fort Story would have been successful, probably all the other courses in the area would have lost profits.

   To all of you who wrote the mayor or your congressman: "CONGRATULATIONS". Individuals do make a difference and we make a great difference when we work together!