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FORT BENNING, GA. (AP) -- Fort Benning officials are surveying several plots of surrounding land for a possible expansion.

Fort spokeswoman Monica Manganaro said the post is expanding the scope of a feasibility study to include portions of Harris and Talbot counties.

She said the move comes after land management agent MeadWestvaco signaled interest in selling up to 23,000 acres in the two counties.

The post is examining a total of about 260,000 acres in Russell, Stewart, Marion, Webster, Chattahoochee, Harris and Talbot counties. Fort officials hope to whittle the list down to 82,800 acres for its expansion.

Manganaro said federal officials have only given Fort Benning the approval to launch the study and not to purchase any land yet.

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