[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12978-12979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6687]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Military 
Training Activities at Makua Military Reservation, Oahu, Hawaii

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Army proposed to resume consistent military training 
activities at Makua Military Reservation (MMR), Oahu, Hawaii, to 
provide for company level, modified live-fire exercises. In accordance 
with the Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Order between Malama Makua 
and the United States Department of Defense, filed 4 October 2001 (the 
``Settlement Agreement''), the Army will conduct a limited number of 
live-fire training exercises during the term specified within for the 
preparation of the subject EIS. The Army needs to conduct a minimum of 
18 company-level, combined arms, live-fire exercises per year. Other 
military components that have used Makua in the past include the Marine 
Corps, Army Reserves, and the Hawaii Army National Guard, which further 
increases the total number of required company combined-arms live-fire 
exercises (CALFEXs) per year. Conducting the required number of company 
CALFEXs is critical to maintaining the readiness of all military units 
assigned or stationed in Hawaii. Training at the company level is one 
of the key building blocks in the Army's progressive training doctrine 
where smaller units first train as smaller units and then train 
collectively as part of a larger unit. The training that a new infantry 
company commander receives during a company-level CALFEX is invaluable 
in teaching him the skills required to coordinate the combined arms 
support provided by helicopter, artillery, mortar, and combat engineer 
support teams when attacking an objective. These communication and 
coordination skills are essential later when several companies join 
together and train/fight as a battalion under the control of a 
battalion commander. The EIS will address, among other things, the 
potential direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts 
associated with the proposal to continue military training activities 
at MMR. The EIS development process will be conducted in accordance 
with the aforementioned Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Order.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be forwarded to Mr. Calvin K. Mashita, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu Engineer District, Programs and 
Project Management Division, ATTN: CEPOH-PP-E (Mashita), Building 230, 
Fort Shafter, Hawaii 96858-5440.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Makua training activities: Colonel William E. Ryan III, (808) 656-
1289, fax (808) 656-1259; email [email protected] or by 
writing to Director of Public Works, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii (USAG-
HI), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii 96857-5013.
    EIS information: Mr. Calvin K. Mashita, (808) 438-8417; fax (808) 
438-8865; email [email protected] or by writing to 
Mr. Mashita at the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed alternatives to be considered may 
include, but not be limited to, the following:
    (1) Alternative 1: Modified Live-Fire Training at Makua Military 
Reservation

[[Page 12979]]

(Proposed Action). The Army would conduct company CALFEXs at MMR but 
with certain restrictions. In particular, the Army would eliminate the 
use of TOW missiles, incendiary munitions, and tracers. Under this 
alternative, the Army will not be limited to the current number of 
CALFEXs specified in the Settlement Agreement.
    (2) Alternative 2: No action. The Army will not conduct live-fire 
training exercises at MMR, except for the limited number of modified 
CALFEXs authorized by the Settlement Agreement.
    (3) Alternative 3: Conduct CALFEX Training at an Alternate Site. 
Personnel and equipment required for CALFEX Training would be 
transported to one of the following alternate sites:
    (a) Alternative 3A: Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the Big Island 
of Hawaii.
    (b) Alternative 3B: Continental United States (CONUS).
    (c) Alternative 3C: A replacement training facility at another Army 
installation on Oahu. The Army would construct another facility on Oahu 
that could accommodate the company CALFEXs.
    (4) Alternative 4: Return to Training Less Restrictive Than the 
Proposed Action. The Army would train with less restrictions on the 
types of weapon systems and the numbers of training exercises. For 
example, the Army would resume the use of tracer ammunition.
    (5) Alternative 5: Conduct Non-Live Fire Training at MMR. The Army 
would conduct training exercises at MMR but without any live firing of 
weapons or devises otherwise of an incendiary nature.
    Scoping Process: Federal, state and local agencies, and the public 
are invited to participate in the scoping process for the completion of 
this EIS. The scoping process will help identify potential impacts and 
key issues to be analyzed in the EIS. Individuals or organizations 
wishing to participate in the scoping process are invited to 
participate in a scoping meeting to be held in the Waianae District, on 
the island of Oahu. Notification of the time and location for the 
scoping meeting will be published in local newspapers. Additionally, 
written comments on the scope of analysis are invited and will be 
accepted within 15 days after the scoping meeting.

    Dated: March 15, 2002.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 02-6687 Filed 3-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M