SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected EnvironmentDistributions and abundance of marine mammals and sea turtles in Pacific waters vary seasonally andspatially; that is, numbers and types of animals may vary in the near-shore versus offshore regions, aswell as by the time of year (Calambokidis et al. 1997; Leatherwood et al. 1982; Mobley et al. 1999,2000; NOAA 2000a through 2000bb). Many marine mammal species occur year-round in Pacific waters.All marine mammal species are protected under the MMPA, regardless of whether they have additionalprotection under the ESA. Informal consultation with NOAA Fisheries has been initiated formarine mammals in the SBCT ROI. Both MMPA and ESA protected marine wildlife species thatmay occur in the PTA ROI seasonally, permanently, or as transients, are detailed in USAG-HI 2004.Threatened and Endangered Species/Sensitive HabitatsSensitive Plant Species. The Army has funded botanical surveys on PTA since 1988, though othersurveys date as far back as 1888 (USARHAW and 25th ID [L] 2001b). Approximately 38 percent ofthe plants found on PTA are indigenous or endemic. Endangered species, threatened species, and speciesof concern are found on PTA.Sensitive Wildlife Species. The following discussion includes an overview of the surveys conducted atPTA. This information is based primarily on information from the PTA INRMP (USARHAW and25th ID [L] 2001b, R. M. Towill Corp. 1997a) and the 2003 BO for PTA (USFWS 2003d). Specialspecies wildlife information was based on surveys conducted on PTA. In 1990, Dr. Freed conductedbird and mammal surveys at PTA (Freed 1991). Later surveys include David’s two endangered andthreatened species surveys conducted along designated palila critical habitat (David 1995), Cooper’sstudies of endangered seabirds and Hawaiian hoary bat (Cooper et al. 1996), and the HINHP’s arthropodinventory (Oboyski et al. 2002). Annual avian surveys, with a focus on sensitive species, havebeen conducted on PTA since 1997 (HINHP 1998; Schnell et al. 1998; Schnell et al. 1999). The latestUSFWS and survey information on species and habitat in the SBCT ROI has been incorporated intothis evaluation of biological resources. Seventeen sensitive species (15 plants, 2 wildlife) have beendetermined to occur within the PTA ROI (USFWS 2003d). 2,569 acres of critical habitat for the palilaoccurs in the northeast portion of PTA. Information regarding the locations of sensitive species onPTA is based on previous analyses of PTA natural resources (USARHAW and 25th ID [L] 2001b; R.M. Towill Corp. 1997a; HINHP 2002; USFWS 2003d). The majority of these species observationshave been on the west and northwest of PTA where the BSAs are located (USAG-HI 2004).3.1.10 AIR QUALITYThe Clean Air Act (CAA), adopted in 1970, and its amendments in 1977 and 1990, established programsand a permitting process designed to protect and improve air quality. Air quality regulationsare published in 40 CFR, Sections 50 through 97 and Sections 1048 through 1068. As mandated bythe CAA, USEPA has established maximum standards for carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter(PM 10 and PM 2.5 ), ozone (O 3 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and lead.Although the federal standards apply to all states, individual states have also established their own airquality standards. Specific applicable standards are presented in the sections below that discuss specificstate and local air quality issues.Areas that meet the air quality standards for these pollutants are considered in “attainment,” while areaswith air concentrations that have exceeded these standards are considered in “non-attainment.”Areas that have been reclassified from non-attainment to attainment may also be classified as “maintenance”to allow additional measures that are designed to prevent regressing back to a nonattainmentstatus.February 2008 3–76 2/25th SBCT Final EIS