SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental ConsequencesFire access roads would be maintained twice a year, and fuels would be controlled by herbicideapplication or cutting along roadsides.Four fuel management corridors would be constructed throughout the current extent of PTA. All ofthe proposed corridors are located in areas with little or no existing fuel. Initially, the corridors wouldbe monitored once every 5 years to determine if fuels management needs to be initiated. Oncemanagement has begun, these corridors will be monitored biannually and treated whenever necessaryto remain within specifications. Herbicide treatments would be applied manually to the greatest extentfeasible; however, if the level of encroachment makes this approach cost-prohibitive and/orimpractical, herbicides would be applied via an aerial source.The Keamuku parcel is located just to the northwest of PTA proper and covers roughly 23,000 acres.Fuel breaks are planned around the perimeter of the Keamuku Parcel. In addition, a Memorandum ofAgreement with Waikii Ranch requires fuels management in a 1 km buffer around the ranch. Grazingis currently used on the Keamuku Parcel as a fuel management tool; however, grazing alone isunlikely to manage grassland fuels completely.Fires originating on state land west of the installation are a major cause of fire on PTA. To reduce thisthreat, prescribed burns are proposed for the area lying between the two fire access roads located onand to the west of the installation boundary near Kipuka Kalawamauna. Currently, prescribed burnswould only be conducted as part of firefighting activities should a fire originate outside of the westernboundary and pose a threat to the installation. Prescribed burns may be considered as an annual fuelmanagement treatment to maintain a low fuel load within this area at a future time depending on fuelgrowth and available funding. If prescribed burns are to be used as an annual fuel treatment, theDirectorate of Public Works, Environmental Division will consult with the USFWS and performSection 106 consultation prior to its implementation. Any burning between the two roads on the Westside of PTA would require consultation and coordination with the State because the western mostroad is on State lands.The IWFMP would be updated to address proposed activities along the PTA Trail. These updates willbe completed before activities commence. Additionally, ITAM geographic information systems willbe used to monitor the effectiveness of wildfire management activities. Army personnel will practiceBMPs in operations, and trained personnel and equipment will be on hand during training activities torespond to wildfires. To the extent possible, IWFMP wildfire management infrastructure would beconstructed before SBCT training commenced. During training, appropriate personnel and equipmentwill be assigned to water resources for responding to a wildfire.5.2.4.4 Impacts from Maneuver TrainingSignificant ImpactsImpact 2: Increased Wildfire Risk. Following the establishment of Helemano Trail, Dillingham Trail,and Drum Road, units would transport materials and equipment on these improved routes.Additionally, the PTA Trail between Kawaihae Harbor and PTA would be improved and extended toprovide off-highway transport of vehicles, personnel, and equipment. Transportation of personnel anduse of flammable or combustible materials, such as fuel or ordnance (i.e., weaponry or equipment),could increase the potential for starting a wildfire, especially in areas not previously used frequently;however, the IWFMP does not address fire management actions for these routes. The use of the trailswould increase potential sources of wildfire ignition from Army training in areas that do not haveestablished fire management actions, such as fire prevention and fire suppression. Unlike trainingactivities conducted, the trail would not always be near an installation where access to Army fireFebruary 2008 5-25 2/25th SBCT Final EIS