SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected EnvironmentArchaeologyMost of DMR has been covered by archaeological surveys. Seven of the sites contain prehistoric ortraditional components and one of these sites is very extensive. The remainder is historic sites relatedto agriculture, transportation, and military use (USAG-HI 2004). All but two of the archaeologicalsites are historic or traditional historic sites related to agriculture, transportation, or military use.Historic Built EnvironmentPrior to the EIS, no formal historic building surveys had been completed at DMR. All of the buildingsare related to military use. Archaeological surveys at DMR in the 1990s identified 21 buildings associatedwith a NIKE missile site. All but five of these have been demolished.Areas of Traditional InterestNo TCP surveys or oral histories have been completed for the DMR.3.1.4.3 Kahuku Training Area and Kawailoa Training AreaPrehistoric ContextThe KTA area has been occupied at least seasonally since the 14 th century. Evidence of early occupationincludes rockshelters, burials, irrigation complexes, and habitation sites. The earliest occupationwas concentrated on the coast. In the late 17 th century, there was a more intensive settlement of theupper valleys (USAG-HI 2004).Historic ContextKahuku was apparently a prosperous region until European contact, but by the late 18 th century orearly 19 th century, it was largely abandoned. At least one contributing factor after contact was extensiveupland ranching, which destroyed native crops. The Kahuku Plantation Company was establishedin 1890 and replaced most of the pasture with sugarcane and scattered pineapple cultivation.Remains of small pineapple fields and plantation camps are scattered across KTA lands. In the 1930s,the military obtained the plantation to establish an airfield and radar installation. After the war, thetraining area was developed, and in 1959, a Nike Hercules missile battery was constructed. The morerugged terrain of the KLOA was not used as much as the KTA. Beginning in 1930, the KLOA wasused as a training area (USAG-HI 2004).ArchaeologyPast surveys conducted by the Army have located 103 archaeological sites on KTA and 79 sites onKLOA. Site numbers are low in the immediate areas to be affected by SBCT projects. Site probabilitymodels for KTA identify bluff slopes and edges and the mouths of narrow gullies as areas of highprobability for surviving sites (USAG-HI 2004). Limited areas of KLOA that have not been surveyeddue to very rugged and steep terrain have a low probability for sites. Some other areas that have notbeen surveyed are similar to areas with known sites.Historic Built EnvironmentA variety of Cold War era buildings and structures exist on KTA. The buildings and structures areprincipally the eligible Nike missile sites and associated facilities that were in use between 1961 and1970. One of the stipulations resulting from Section 106 consultation over the demolition of the NikeFebruary 2008 3–38 2/25th SBCT Final EIS