She claimed that California stood to lose 58,000 jobs as a result of the commission's recommendations, and that 82,000 of 120,000 direct DoD jobs had already been cut in her state since 1988 due to previous closures. Of the total number slated, about 40 have actually closed thus far. Some experts recommend that the DoD sell its vacant real estate to the private sector rather than retaining it, which would go a long way toward offsetting the cost of closure. Still others recommend that current environmental laws be relaxed, or that the costs associated with such cleanup be borne by other agencies, rather than the cash-strapped military. Besides military bases, the commission can also recommend defense depots for closure.
Depots are logistical and maintenance facilities that exist to support the existing infrastructure.
Though these installations have been closing at about the same rate as regular bases, some believe that even greater savings could be achieved by enacting legislation to privatize much of the maintenance function carried out at the depots. As things currently stand, no more rounds of recommendations or cuts are slated. While this may bode well for communities that look to a military presence for their survival, some warn that the current level of cuts still isn't enough. These forecasters contend that the existing infrastructure is still excessive, given the military's present reduced forces. They say that perhaps two more rounds of cuts should be proposed, in 1997 and 1999, before our forces and their supporting infrastructure will achieve a real balance.