The Department of Defense says it will continue an environmental cleanup of jet fuel, solvents and other contaminants at Ellsworth Air Force Base, even if the base is closed, as the department has recommended.

Ellsworth is a Superfund site, and the cleanup ordered by the Environmental Protection Agency has cost the Air Force $61 million during the past 10 years.

The cleanup is necessary to redevelop the base for almost any purpose, should it close. Ellsworth supporters vow to do all they can but acknowledge that the odds of keeping the base open aren't in their favor.