[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 184 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54566-54567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21942]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Supplemental Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for Military Training Activities 
at Makua Military Reservation (MMR), Hawaii

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Army proposes to conduct live-fire military training 
exercises at MMR, Oahu, Hawaii, for units assigned to the 25th Infantry 
Division (25th ID) 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. The training 
proposed for MMR includes company-level, combined arms live-fire 
exercises and convoy live-fire training. The SDEIS addresses, among 
other things, the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative 
environmental impacts associated with the proposal to conduct military 
training activities at MMR. The Army has prepared the SDEIS pursuant to 
Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 
1500-1 508), Environmental Analysis of Army Actions (32 CFR Part 651).

DATES: The public comment period for the SDEIS will end 45 days after 
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments on the SDEIS to: U.S. Army 
Garrison, Hawaii. ATTN: Public Affairs Office, 742 Santos Dumont, WAAF, 
Schofield Barracks, HI 96857. E-mail comments should be sent to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii, at (808) 
656-3152; or by facsimile at (808) 656-3162.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This EIS was originally published as a draft 
in 2005. The Army made several changes to the EIS in response to public 
comments including the evaluation of an additional training alternative 
at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). The Army is republishing the EIS 
as a supplemental draft to seek public comment.
    The SDEIS analyzes four alternatives to accomplish the proposed 
training in the State of Hawaii: MMR Alternative 1 (Reduced Capacity 
Use with Some Weapons Restrictions), MMR Alternative 2 (Full Capacity 
Use with Some Weapons Restrictions), MMR Alternative 3 (Full Capacity 
Use with Fewer Weapons Restrictions), and PTA Alternative 4 (Full 
Capacity Use with Fewer Weapons Restrictions). Alternative 3 is the 
Army's Preferred Alternative. A No Action Alternative, under which no 
live fire military training would be conducted at MMR, was also 
evaluated.
    For all alternatives (with the exception of No Action), the range 
would be used for 242 training days per year. MMR Alternative 1 
(Reduced Capacity Use) involves conducting up to 28 company-level 
combined arms live-fire exercises (CALFEXs) per year and 100 convoy 
live-fire exercises per year. MMR Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 (Full 
Capacity Use) involve conducting up to 50 company-level CALFEXs per 
year and 200 convoy live-fire exercises per year. Weapon systems used 
for all training alternatives would be similar to those used during 
past training at MMR. MMR Alternative 2 incorporates the use of small 
arms tracer ammunition. MMR Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative) adds 
tracer ammunition; inert, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided 
(TOW) missiles; 2.75-inch rockets; and illumination munitions. PTA 
Alternative 4 would encompass training similar to that in Alternative 
3.
    Some of the major potential impacts discussed in the SDEIS are 
associated with contamination of soil; surface water and groundwater 
quality; 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. The 
Army would phase in certain training activities and ammunition types as 
steps are taken to conserve endangered species.
    Copies of the SDEIS are available at the following libraries on the 
islands of Oahu and Hawaii: Hawaii State Library, 478 South King 
Street, 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; 
Hilo Public Library, 300 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo; Kailua-Kona Public 
Library, 75-138 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona; Thelma Parker Memorial 
Public and School Library, 67-1209 Mamalahoa Hwy. Kamuela.
    The Army invites the general public, local governments, other 
federal agencies, and state agencies to submit wriften comments or 
suggestions concerning the alternatives and analysis addressed in the 
SDEIS. An electronic version of the SDEIS is available for

[[Page 54567]]

download at the following Web site: http://www.qarrison.hawaii.army.mil/makuaeis.
    Public meetings will be held during the 45-day comment period. The 
exact locations, times and dates of the public meetings will be 
announced in advance through notices and media news releases. A Final 
EIS will be published following the close of the comment period on the 
SDEIS and incorporation of public comments.

    Dated: Septmeber 12, 2008.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E8-21942 Filed 9-19-08; 8:45 am]
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