SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental Consequences5.2.8.2 Impacts from Range ConstructionSignificant Impacts Mitigable to Less Than SignificantImpact 1: Economy in Hawaii County. An additional significant and mitigable impact under theProposed Action is expected only at PTA in Hawaii County, not at SBMR, DMR, or KTA inHonolulu County. The significant and mitigable impact is on sales volume in Hawai‘i County fromconstruction activities at PTA. The percent change in sales volume for Hawaii County is slightlyabove the RTV historical high for sales (7.38 compared to the RTV of 7.18 percent) (USAG-HI2004). This could indicate that the proposed action might create a high demand for certain goods andservices that could result in short-term shortages and price increases.Additional Mitigation 1. Because a substantial amount of construction is proposed over the nextseveral years, the Army plans to conduct long-range procurement planning to lessen excessive supplyand demand issues on local and outside suppliers. The Proposed Action would also have a beneficialimpact by increasing business volume in Honolulu County because of construction projects.However, unlike the economic impact of construction activity at PTA on Hawaii County, the changesrelated to the Proposed Action would be within the historic RTV range for Honolulu County andwould not be considered significant.Less Than Significant ImpactsEnvironmental Justice. Under Alternative A, no minority or low-income residences would bedisplaced by range construction; however, noise and fugitive dust generated from project-relatedconstruction or training areas could have minor adverse indirect impacts on nearby schools or privateresidences. Increased noise and fugitive dust from construction would last only for the duration of theindividual project and would be limited to daytime hours. Fugitive dust emissions at SBMR couldaffect low-income and minority populations in Wahiawa and Mililani Town; however, these impactswould be mitigated as described in the Air Quality Section of this document. Indirect impacts wouldbe less than significant and would not disproportionately affect low-income or minority populations.Indirect impacts would be less than significant and would not disproportionately affect low-income orminority populations. No mitigation is required.Protection of Children. Implementation of Alternative A would not result in any disproportionateendangerment of children on or near the ranges. Minor adverse indirect impacts on nearby schools orprivate residences would be similar to those described above. Construction would take place in areasthat are off-limits to the general public. Restricted areas would continue to be posted with signs,enclosed by a fence, or stationed with guards. Strict adherence to applicable safety regulations andprocedures would continue to protect the health and safety of children. No adverse impacts to thehealth and safety of children are expected.Beneficial ImpactsBeneficial impacts on population, employment, and income, resulting from new construction and theresultant increased expenditures that would stimulate the economy. These beneficial impacts wouldbe within the capacity of the ROI to absorb.February 2008 5-39 2/25th SBCT Final EIS