SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected EnvironmentThe ROI includes the geographic extent of the SBMR, the DMR, the KTA, the KLOA, and PTA(Figure 3–1). The SBMR includes WAAF and SBER. The ROI for cultural resources includes the areasof construction of SBCT facilities, the ranges and training areas to be constructed or used, thoseoff-road areas to be used by the SBCT, and areas adjacent to road alignments affected by SBCT activities(Dillingham Trail, Helemano Road, and PTA Trail). The baseline information for this discussionis taken from the 2004 Transformation FEIS (USAG-HI 2004). Discussions that are more detailedare presented in that document and in the annual report of cultural resource management oftransformation projects (USAG-HI 2006).USAG-HI (2004) briefly discusses Native Hawaiian concepts, culture, and landscapes that are importantto consideration of Native Hawaiian resources. By the time Europeans arrived in Hawaii, nativesubsistence and trade had developed to maximize access to natural resources among diverse areas ofthe islands. Archaeological sites reflect the systems used to maximize natural resources and trade.The FEIS (USAG-HI 2004) defines five cultural landscape types that reflect the importance of culturallysignificant natural resources and man-made resources such as archaeological sites:1. Areas of naturally occurring or cultivated resources used for food, shelter, or medicine.2. Areas that contain resources used for expression and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture, religion,and language.3. Places where known historical and contemporary religious beliefs or customs are practiced.4. Areas where natural or cultivated endangered terrestrial or marine flora and fauna used in NativeHawaiian ceremonies are located, or where materials for ceremonial art and crafts are found.5. Areas that provide natural and cultural community resources for the perpetuation of language andculture including place names and natural, cultural, and community resources for art, crafts, music,and dance.The FEIS (USAG-HI 2004) presents overviews of the affected environment and environmental andsocioeconomic consequences in chapters 3 and 4, and then chapters with more detailed discussions ofeach for SBMP (Chapter 5), DMR (Chapter 6), KTA and KLOA (Chapter 7), and PTA (Chapter 8).Historic OverviewAll areas of the ROI are within or near traditional areas that are likely to contain ATIs. The centralplateau where SBMR is located is of religious and cultural significance to Native Hawaiians, and numeroustraditional natural settings exist in the area (USAG-HI 2004). There are also traditionally importantplaces in the area of DMR that are associated with spiritual beings, myths, legendary stories,and oral histories along the shoreline, on the upper slopes of the mountains above the installation, andin Kaena to the west. Best known among these important places is Kaena Point. KTA is on the northernmostpoint of the traditional Koolauloa District. Important legends hold that this land was once aseparate island. Many traditional stories are associated with this land (USAG-HI 2004). PTA is partof a large cultural landscape that includes the sacred mountains Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and thesaddle between them. This area is spiritually and historically one of the most important places in Hawaiiantradition and history.In 2004 the USAG-HI, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Advisory Council forHistoric Preservation (ACHP) entered into a programmatic agreement (PA) to address NHPA concernsrelated to the transformation of the second brigade into an SBCT in Hawaii. In compliance withStipulation VI (B) of the PA, reports of all cultural resources program activities, mitigations, siteevaluations, and Native Hawaiian consultation were compiled (USAG-HI 2006 and 2007). ActivitiesFebruary 2008 3–34 2/25th SBCT Final EIS