FORT CARSON, COLO. (AP) -- Fort Carson has finalized conservation easements that create a 2-mile-wide buffer zone between the southern and southeastern parts of the post and nearby communities.

The infantry post outside Colorado Springs says it finalized easements on about 11 square miles or 7,000 acres last week. Over the past nine years, Fort Carson has developed easements on a total of about 35 square miles or 22,000 acres owned by the Walker family of Pueblo West.

Fort Carson says the easements allow the post to maintain its training maneuvers while preserving wildlife habitat and allowing the Walker family to retain use of the land.

Fort Carson developed the easements with The Nature Conservancy.

The Army Environmental Command and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided technical assistance and support.

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