SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected EnvironmentWest PTA Acquisition Area (Keamuku Parcel). The Keamuku Parcel was acquired in July 2006, liesat the western foot of Mauna Kea, consists of approximately 23,000 acres, and is currently used forcattle grazing, occasional military maneuver training, and a quarry. It is leased four to six times a yearby the Army or other military entities for maneuver training (USARHAW and 25 th ID [L] 2006).The Mamalahoa Highway forms the northwestern boundary, and Saddle Road forms most of the easternboundary. Saddle Road Junction, where these roads connect, forms the northern boundary.Land uses surrounding the Keamuku Parcel include cattle grazing, military training, agriculture, residentiallots, and open space. PTA is to the south-southeast of the area, and the Puu Paa Military ManeuverArea is adjacent to the northern tip, west of Mamalahoa Highway. The remaining surroundinglands are used for recreation and ranching or are undeveloped.UXO hazards along the Saddle Road corridor (extending approximately 164 feet from the road) needto be cleared to a safe depth to support the heaviest track and wheeled vehicle that will use the area.According to the USACE, the overall ordnance and explosives hazard level for the Keamuku Parcel islow (Earth Tech 2002). The institutional controls for these low-risk areas include community awarenessoutreach programs, educational media, and pre-coordinated construction support.3.1.6 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATIONThis section describes the transportation resources near the proposed project and focuses primarily onroadways. Traffic refers to the movement of vehicles along roadways. Roadways may include pavedand unpaved roads or trails.The ROI for transportation resources includes the roads and trails to be used by the project alternativesas described in the following paragraphs.The ROI for transportation resources in Hawaii is defined as follows:• SBMR – The ROI is the area within the SBMR/WAAF perimeter and Kunia Road adjacent to theproject area;• Dillingham Trail – The ROI is the corridor between SBMR and DMR. This corridor includes thearea from central Oahu to DMR, which is in the northwest area of the island;• Drum Road and Helemano Trail – The ROI is the corridor from SBMR to KTA, which consistsof two trail segments: Drum Road and Helemano Trail. This corridor originates at SBMR, whichis located in central Oahu, and ends at KTA, which is located on the windward side of Oahu; and• PTA Trail – The ROI is the corridor between PTA and Kawaihae Harbor. This corridor is approximately26 miles long and is bounded by State Road 190 on the east and the coastline on thewest.3.1.6.1 OahuOn Oahu, the primary urban development is along the southern coastal areas. Urban development extendsfrom Ewa on the west to Hawaii Kai on the east.The Transportation for Oahu Plan 2025 provides an overview of traffic conditions, which are currentlyoperating at acceptable levels on Oahu. However, traffic tends to back up on the roads toWAAF and SBMR during times of heightened security.February 2008 3–46 2/25th SBCT Final EIS