Anniston seeks to annex forest

The City of Anniston is seeking to annex the remainder of the former fort McClellan which would increase the cities limits by almost 20 square miles.   The city of Anniston is pushing a bill in the state Legislature to annex the remainder of the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge outside the city limits, which is controlled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. City Manager Brian Johnson says annexing the property would negate any liability the city might undertake when providing police and fire protection in the area, which includes a section of Bain’s Gap Road. The 9,000-acre refuge encompasses the easternmost portions of the former Fort McClellan.