[Federal Register: August 3, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 148)]
[Notices]
[Page 44580-44581]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03au05-74]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for Military Training Activities at Makua Military
Reservation (MMR), HI
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Army proposes to conduct military training exercises at
MMR, Oahu, Hawaii, for units assigned to the 25th Infantry Division
(Light) (25th ID(L)) and for other military components. Other military
components that have used MMR in the past include the Marine Corps,
Army Reserves, and the Hawaii Army National Guard. Conducting live-fire
exercises at the company level and below is critical to maintaining the
readiness of all military units assigned or stationed in Hawaii in
particular because training at the company level is one of the key
building blocks in the Army's progressive training doctrine. Under this
doctrine, Soldiers first train as smaller units and then train
collectively as part of a large unit. In addition, the training
received by a company commander during a company-level combined-arms
live-fire exercise (CALFEX) is invaluable in teaching Soldiers the
skills required to coordinate and integrate the combined arms support
provided by aviation, artillery, mortar, and combat engineer support
teams. These communication and coordination skills are essential when
several companies combine as a battalion under the control of a
battalion commander. The DEIS addresses, among other things, the
potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts
associated with the proposal to conduct military training activities at
MMR. The DEIS development process was conducted in accordance with the
Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Order between Malama Makua and the
Department of Defense (filed October 4, 2001).
DATES: Submit comments on or before September 21, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Direct questions and/or written comments to, or request a
copy of the DEIS from Mr. Gary Shirakata, Programs and Project
Management Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District,
ATTN: CEPOH-PP-E (Shirakata), Building 230, Fort Shafter, HI 96858-
5440.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary Shirakata at (808) 438-0772;
by e-mail at Makua-EIS@poh01.usace.army.mil; or by facsimile at (808)
438-7801.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS analyzes three alternatives to
accomplish the proposed training on Oahu: Alternative 1 (Reduced
Capacity Use with Some Weapons Restrictions), Alternative 2 (Full
Capacity Use with Some Weapons Restrictions), Alternative 3 (Full
Capacity Use with Fewer Restrictions). Alternative 3 is the Army's
Preferred Alternative. A No Action Alternative, under which no military
training would be conducted, also was evaluated.
For all alternatives (with the exception of No Action), MMR would
be used for 242 training days per year. Alternative 1 (Reduced Capacity
Use) involves conducting up to 19 to 28 company-level CALFEXs per year.
Alternatives 2 and 3 (Full Capacity Use) involve conducting up to 50
company-level CALFEXs per year. Weapon systems used for all three
training alternatives would be similar to those used during current
training. In addition to the current weapons systems, Alternative 2
incorporates the use of tracer ammunition. Alternative 3 (Preferred
Alternative) adds tracer ammunition; inert, tube-launched, opticallly-
tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles; 2.75-caliber rockets; and
illumination munitions. Alternative 3 also would include use of an
expanded training area that would utilize the ridge between the north
and south lobes of the training area.
Some of the major potential impacts discussed in the DEIS are
associated with contamination of soil, surface water, and groundwater,
air quality; cultural sites; natural resources; endangered and
threatened species; noise; recreational resources; wildfires; and the
safety and transport of munitions through the Waianae community.
Comments on the DEIS will be considered in preparing the Final EIS.
Public meetings to receive comments on the DEIS will be held along the
Waianae Coast, Oahu. Notification of the times and locations for the
public meetings will be published in local newspapers and the Hawaii
Office of Environmental Quality Control Bulletin.
Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the following
libraries: Hawaii State Library, 478 South King Street,
[[Page 44581]]
Honolulu; Wahiawa Public Library, 820 California Avenue, Wahiawa;
Waianae Public Library, 85-625 Farrington Highway, Waianae; and the
Pearl City Public Library, 1138 Waimano Home Road, Pearl City.
The DEIS may also be reviewed at the following Web site: http://www.makuaeis.com
.
Dated: July 27, 2005.
Daphne Kennedy,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health) OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 05-15277 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M