[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 330-331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9966]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Preparation of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Permanent Stationing of Stryker Brigade Combat Team Number 5

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION:  Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Army intends to prepare a Supplement to the 2004 Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for Transformation of the 2nd Brigade, 
25th Infantry Division (Light) (2nd Bde, 25th ID(L)) to a Stryker 
Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). The Army has directed the 2nd Bde, 25th 
ID(L) to transform into the 5th SBCT. The Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement (SEIS) will assess the potential environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed permanent home stationing of the 5th SBCT 
at its current location in Hawaii and at other reasonable locations 
outside of Hawaii. The no action alternative is to return the 2-25th 
Bde, 25th ID (L) to its original structure as it existed prior to its 
transformation. The no-action alternative is no longer feasible, 
however, as the Army Campaign Plan (ACP) has directed all previously 
existing Light Brigades to transform to the standard expeditionary 
configuration of the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). Alternatives 
analyzed in the SEIS may also consider whether to return an IBCT to 
replace the 2-25th Bde, 25th ID (L) or whether not to replace the 
brigade at all. Other locations for the permanent stationing of the 5th 
SBCT could include Fort Richardson and Donnelly Training Area (DTA) in 
Alaska, Fort Lewis and Yakima Training Center (YTC) in Washington, Fort 
Carson and the Pi[ntilde]on Canyon Maneuver site (PCMS) in Colorado, or 
Fort Knox in Kentucky. The PCMS, YTC and DTA are separate maneuver 
training facilities that will not be considered for the permanent 
housing and life support of the Soldiers and families of the 5th SBCT 
as part of the alternatives included in the SEIS for analysis. These 
sites would only be used to support unit training requirements of the 
5th SBCT and not the life support functions required by the SBCT's 
Soldiers and families. The SEIS will include evaluation of the 
different locations which could reasonably accommodate, support, and 
sustain the 5th SBCT and meet its requirements for range and maneuver 
training; maintenance requirements; and Soldier and Family Quality of 
Life requirements (e.g. schools, gyms, medical facilities, reducing 
family disruption). The proposed action will require the Army to 
balance strategic, sustainment, and environmental considerations to 
provide greater flexibility and responsiveness to meet today's evolving 
world conditions and threats to National defense and security. The SEIS 
will analyze the proposed action's impacts upon the natural, cultural, 
and man-made environments at the alternative permanent home-stationing 
sites.
    The SBCT is a maneuver brigade that includes, infantry, artillery, 
engineers, and other assets, totaling between 3,900-4,100 soldiers and 
950-1050 vehicles, including between 310-330 Stryker vehicles depending 
on the Army's final determination of the 5th BCTs force structure 
requirements. The action may have significant environmental impacts 
from the training of the brigade and construction to support its 
training and quality of life requirements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Mr. Robert DiMichele, 
Chief, Public Affairs Office, US Army Environmental Command, Building 
E4460, 5179 Hoadley Road, Attention: IMAE-PA, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 
MD 21010-5401, telephone: 410-436-2556, facsimile: 410-436-1693, e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Stryker is an armored, wheeled combat 
vehicle. The increased survivability offered by the Stryker vehicle 
protects Soldiers against enemy actions. The increased lethality, 
mobility, and battle command capabilities of the SBCT allow an SBCT to 
conduct operations in an area of up to 100km by 100km, an area that 
would be formerly under the operational command of an entire Army 
division consisting of three brigades. The SBCT requires both 
facilities for Soldiers and their vehicles, Soldier's families, as well 
as the training space necessary to support the 5th SBCT.
    The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Transformation 
of the 2nd Bde, 25th ID(L) to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team was 
released in May 2004, with the Record of Decision (ROD) following in 
July 2004. The selected action was to transform the 2nd

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Bde, 25th ID(L) to an SBCT and home station it in Hawaii.
    The 2nd Bde, 25th ID(L) began its transformation to the 5th SBCT 
shortly after completion of the 2004 FEIS and ROD. As of November 2006, 
the Brigade has completed about 60% of the training required to achieve 
combat efficiency and has received about 70% of its equipment. The 
Brigade is scheduled to complete its training and equipment fielding in 
late 2007. The Brigade must be available for deployment to meet joint 
force and on-going operational requirements in November of 2007.
    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. & 
et seq.) and the Army NEPA procedures, Environmental Analysis of Army 
Action (32 CFR Part 651) require the Army to consider the environmental 
impacts of their actions and alternatives, and to solicit the views of 
the public, so they can make an informed final decision regarding how 
to proceed. In particular, the Court concluded the Army had a duty 
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to consider 
locations other than Hawaii for the 5th SBCT.
    The proposed action would result in the permanent home stationing 
of the 5th SBCT. Evaluations will include strategic military and 
National defense and security considerations. Evaluations will include 
strategy military and National defense and security consideration, to 
include which locations, if selected, are capable of supporting the 
National Security Strategy (2006), the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR, 
2006), National Military Strategy, and the Army Campaign Plan (ACP). 
These strategic guidance documents have been incorporated into the 
Army's decision making process. All of these individual components will 
be considered in the 5th SBCT stationing SEIS to ensure a range of 
reasonable alternatives are carried forward which support the National 
Security Strategy (2006). Based on public scoping and factors discussed 
above, the Army will refine its range of reasonable alternatives to the 
extent possible to accommodate both mission requirements and Soldier 
and family quality of life. In reaching this decision the Army will 
assess and consider public concerns. Analysis will focus on the Purpose 
of and Need for the Proposed Action. The analysis will evaluate each 
installation's capability to support the stationing and training of the 
5th SBCT in conjunction with meeting the requirements set forth in the 
National Security Strategy (2006) and its supporting Army initiatives 
and plans.
    The SEIS will assess, consider, and compare the direct, indirect, 
and cumulative environmental effects from the permanent stationing of 
the 5th SBCT in Hawaii and reasonable alternate locations. These 
locations could include permanent stationing of the 5th SBCT in Hawaii, 
at Fort Richardson and Donnelly Training Area in Alaska, Fort Lewis and 
Yakima Training Center in Washington, Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon 
Maneuver site in Colorado, or Fort Knox in Kentucky. The no action 
alternative is to return the 2-25th BDE(L) to its original structure as 
it existed prior to its transformation. Under established Army Force 
Structure the no-action alternative is not feasible, as the ACP 
directed that all Brigades be transformed to expeditionary modular 
standardized configurations. Only three types of expeditionary modular 
BCTs exist; Heavy, Infantry and Stryker.
    The primary environmental issues to be analyzed will include those 
identified as the result of the scoping process and installation-
specific considerations. These issues may include impacts to soil, 
water and air quality, airspace conflicts, natural and cultural 
resources, land use compatibility, noise, socio-economics, 
environmental justice, energy use, human health and safety 
considerations, and infrastructure and range/training requirements.
    Scoping and Public Comment: All interested members of the public, 
including native communities and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (to 
include Alaska Native Tribes), Native Hawaiian groups, and Federal, 
State, and local agencies are invited to participate in the scoping 
process for the preparation of this SEIS. Written comments identifying 
environmental issues, concerns and opportunities to be analyzed in the 
SEIS will be accepted following publication of the Notice of Intent in 
the Federal Register. There will be a 45-day public comment period 
following publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register. 
Scoping meetings will be held at the installations identified as 
potentially reasonable alternative home stationing sites. Notification 
of the times and locations for the scoping meetings will be published 
in local newspapers. The scoping process will help identify 
environmental issues, concerns and opportunities to be analyzed in the 
SEIS.

    Dated: December 28, 2006.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 06-9966 Filed 1-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M