Mission, local development studied

Final recommendations are expected in June from a study about the impact on local communities from the expected increase in military training at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Tri-County Small Area Studies is a joint project of Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties, along with Eglin. The expected increase in air traffic at Eglin prompted the look at future planning and development to ensure it doesn't conflict with Eglin's mission. Eglin's 2009 Joint Land Use Study projected the number of flights in the base's air space will increase to 427,000 a year by 2014, more than doubling the 192,000 in 2009. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 05/13/12)