SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Executive Summarybe carried forward if somewhere other than Hawaii were selected at the permanent home station of the2/25 th SBCT.This EIS does not analyze the use of Makua Military Reservation (MMR). The SBCT can be stationedand fully trained without the use of MMR. Thus, use of MMR is not required to implement the ProposedAction. If MMR were available, Soldiers of the SBCT might use it for some purposes. The use of MMRfor resumption of military live-fire exercises is being analyzed in a separate EIS. The level of use ofMMR for live-fire exercises will be determined with preparation, signature, and release of a separateROD. If the ROD permits use of MMR for live-fire exercises, the unit stationed at USAG-HI under theProposed Action and alternatives to it could use MMR for live-fire training exercises at a unit level andtype considered in the MMR EIS and permitted by the ROD.Decisions to be MadeThe Army Deputy Chief of Staff, in concert with other Army decision makers will review the analysesand conclusions drawn in this EIS and decide on the permanent home station of the 2/25 th SBCT. The decisionwill be based on the results of this EIS and on consideration of all relevant factors including mission,cost, technical factors, and environmental considerations. This EIS identifies and presents the fullrange of reasonable alternatives capable of meeting the purpose and need for permanently homestationingand training of the 2/25 th SBCT. Decisions regarding transformation, BRAC 2005, nationalsecurity strategy, and other decisions made in the NSS, NDS, and QDR are not revisited in this document.Public InvolvementThe public’s participation is essential to a successful NEPA analysis. The CEQ and Army NEPA regulationsprovide several opportunities for the public to participate. These include issuing in the Federal Registera Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS 1 , a public scoping process, a 45-day public review periodfor the DEIS, and publication of the FEIS, accompanied by a 30-day mandatory waiting period before afinal decision is made and a ROD is issued.Following publication of the NOI, public notices were published in the major newspapers on the Islandsof Hawaii and Oahu announcing the times and locations of five public scoping meetings to solicit inputand to obtain comments on the scope of the EIS. Public notices were also published in Colorado, Alaska,Washington, and Kentucky announcing the times and locations of nine public scoping meetings in thesefour states. The 45-day scoping period began on January 4, 2007 and ended on February 20, 2007. Fourteenscoping meetings were held between January 29 and February 16, 2007. For residents and groups inHawaii, public scoping meetings were held in Waianae, Honolulu, Haleiwa, Waikoloa, and Hilo. Forresidents and groups in Colorado, public meetings were held in Colorado Springs, Trinidad, and La Junta.For residents and groups in Alaska, public meetings were held in Anchorage and Delta Junction. For residentsand groups in Kentucky, public meetings were held in Shepherdsville and Radcliff. Finally, forresidents and groups in Washington, public meetings were held in Lakewood and Yakima. A total of 284people signed in at the 14 meetings.At the public scoping meetings, 69 individuals and persons representing organizations provided oralcomments via court reporters and video camera for the Army’s consideration. The Army also receivedwritten comments from 199 individuals and organizations in the form of e-mails, facsimiles, individualletters, and form letters. The Army compiled a scoping report, identifying and assessing the issues1 The Notice of Intent for this EIS was published in the Federal Register, January 4, 2007 (76 FR 9717).February 2008 xv 2/25th SBCT Final EIS