[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50050-50051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19815]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Record of Decision for the Construction and Operation of an 
Infantry Platoon Battle Course at P[omacr]hakuloa Training Area, 
Hawai`i

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and U.S. Army Garrison, 
Hawai`i, (USAG-HI) announce the decision to construct and operate a new 
Infantry Platoon Battle Course (IPBC) and associated infrastructure at 
P[omacr]hakuloa Training Area (PTA), Hawai`i. This decision allows the 
Army to construct and operate an IPBC that will meet Army training 
requirements and will support the live-fire collective training needs 
of the Army, Army Reserve, and Hawai`i Army National Guard, as well as 
other Service components that are stationed or train in Hawai`i.
    To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
Department of the Army prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
that evaluated the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects 
associated with alternatives to construct and operate the IPBC. In the 
Final EIS published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2013 (78 FR 
24734), the Army identified the Western Range Alternative as the 
preferred alternative. The Army has selected the preferred alternative 
in the Record of Decision (ROD). The Western Range Area Alternative is 
located in an under-utilized portion of the PTA impact area where no 
ranges currently exist. The location has been exposed to indirect 
munitions fire and constructing the IPBC here will reclaim a portion of 
the impact area. A copy of the ROD can be found at 
www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta_peis/default.htm.

ADDRESSES: Email requests to obtain a copy of the ROD can be addressed 
to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: US Army Environmental Command Public 
Affairs Office, at 1-855-846-3940 (toll free).

[[Page 50051]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPBC will be used to train and test 
infantry platoons and other units on the skills necessary to conduct 
collective (group) tactical movement techniques, and to detect, 
identify, engage, and defeat stationary and moving infantry and armor 
targets in a tactical array. Soldiers will engage targets with small 
arms, machine guns, and other weapon systems as part of live-fire 
exercises. This includes air-ground integration where Soldiers 
maneuvering on the IPBC can coordinate air support. In addition to 
live-fire, the range would also be used for training with sub-caliber 
and/or laser training devices. This type of training is mission 
essential for Soldiers to be prepared to encounter threats during 
combat operations overseas.
    The Army identified and analyzed environmental and socioeconomic 
impacts associated with the proposed IPBC in the Final EIS. The major 
potential environmental impacts are to air quality, threatened and 
endangered species, cultural sites, encountering munitions and 
explosives of concern, and igniting wildfires. Significant impacts 
could occur to cultural resources. Prior to making its decision, the 
Army considered comments received during the EIS scoping and comment 
process, and the 30-day waiting period after the Final EIS. The Army's 
Record of Decision includes the final measures the Army will adopt to 
avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to identified cultural resources.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-19815 Filed 8-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P