SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental ConsequencesTwo new BAX ranges would be constructed, one each at SBMR and PTA, primarily within landspreviously used as ranges or for other Army activities. The BAX on PTA would be located partiallywithin the footprint of an existing range (previously disturbed site) and oriented towards pre-existingordnance impact areas. Construction of the ranges at SBMR and PTA would indirectly affect nearbyland uses as a result of increased noise, dust, odors, adverse effects on public views, and humanpresence and activity in the construction sites. These impacts would be localized, temporary, and lessthan significant. No mitigation is necessary for impacts from range construction.Impacts on land use during construction. During range construction, UXO could be encountered.Although the Keamuku Parcel is part of the former Waikoloa Maneuver Area, which is a FormerlyUsed Defense Site (FUDS) and supported live-fire training in the past, a risk-based analysis assessedthis area as having a low probability of UXO exposure. The PTA Trail is also part of this formermaneuver area and was considered to present a medium to high risk of UXO exposure. Constructionwould be preceded by Army-sponsored surface and subsurface clearance and if necessary followed byordnance health and safety monitoring during construction in order to reduce potential exposure andimpacts from this project. Although UXO presents a significant impact, USAG-HI would followproper abatement techniques, which would reduce this impact to acceptable. In addition to thesemitigation measures, the Army would continue to educate Soldiers on how to identify UXO and theproper safety procedures for handling UXO. With continued implementation of standard Armyregulatory and administrative requirements, this impact is expected to be less than significant. Theproposed mitigation measures would reduce the significant impacts to moderate.During construction of the ranges, potential impacts associated with the presence of UXO would bemitigated by continued implementation of Army SOPs. Prior to construction, UXO cleanup wouldinvolve identifying the most probable munitions (MPM) and clearing a safety radius associated withUXO. Owners and occupants of the areas within the MPM would be notified, and, as needed, roadclosures and coordination with local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and transportationagencies would occur. In addition, structures within the MPM may be temporarily evacuated asappropriate UXO cleanup activities are conducted (USAG-HI 2004).5.2.6.3 Impacts from Live-Fire TrainingSignificant Impacts Mitigable to Less Than SignificantImpact 1: Conflicts with existing land uses and recreation resources or conflicts with land use orresource management plans or policies. Both nonlive-fire and live-fire training using SRTA trainingrounds would increase at KTA. Unauthorized access at KTA may be adversely affected by additionalfencing and signs restricting access, which are necessary due to the proposed live-fire use of the area.SRTA has a maximum range of approximately 2,300 feet and an effective range of approximately246 feet. When the range is in use, any traffic (on foot or in unprotected vehicles) within the SDZwould be prohibited. Presently, traffic (such as unauthorized public access) is not strictly controlled atKTA. Access to training lands would be restricted during fires and to when SDZs are active. Land usecompatibility impacts would be associated short- or long-term changes in ambient conditions, such asincreased noise, dust or odors, or adverse effects on public views and may result in indirect effects toland uses or quality of recreation in the vicinity of the training area. Impacts associated with noise,dust, odors, and human health and safety are evaluated in the respective sections of this document.Regulatory and Administrative Mitigation 1: Strict adherence to applicable safety regulations andprocedures would continue to protect human health and safety.February 2008 5-31 2/25th SBCT Final EIS