SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental ConsequencesLess Than Significant ImpactsGeneral Training. There would be less than significant impacts associated with maneuver training atSBMR, DMR, KTA, and PTA. SBCT actions relevant to this type of activity include military trainingon training lands outside of developed areas, e.g., the cantonment area. Such training would includenon live-fire, mounted maneuver training (using vehicles such as the Stryker and high-mobilitymultiple wheeled vehicle [HMMWV]), and other non live-fire dismounted (foot traffic) militarytraining. Most of the non live-fire training by SBCT forces would be similar to that currently beingconducted by light infantry brigades.Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants. As a result of an elevated level of training, increased fuel storageand use would be encountered at SBMR and PTA. Following the establishment of Helemano Trail,Dillingham Trail, and Drum Road, units would transport materials and equipment on these improvedroutes. Additionally, the military vehicle trail between Kawaihae Harbor and PTA would be improvedand extended to provide off-highway transport of vehicles, personnel, and equipment. Transportationof personnel and use of flammable or combustible materials, such as fuel or ordnance (i.e., weaponryor equipment), could increase the potential for spills or releases of hazardous materials, especially inareas not previously used frequently. Best management practices would be practiced at each of theseproposed facilities, and project area personnel would follow USEPA and USAG-HI protocol for usingand handling hazardous materials, such as POLs. Each facility maintains strict SOPs and spillcontingency plans for hazardous materials and waste, identifying specific operating responsibilitiesand procedures.Pesticides/Herbicides. Pesticides would be used at SRAA, PTA, and the Keamuku Parcel. AlthoughAlternative A would generate a slight increase in the amount of pesticides used on these installationsin order to maintain the proposed ranges, pest management would continue to be managed by DPW inaccordance with the USAG-HI IPMP, and pesticides would continue to be stored at the Pest ControlShop on SBMR and the Environmental Shop on PTA. This impact is considered less than significant.5.2.10 Biological ResourcesTable 5-13 lists the types of impacts on biological resources that would occur, including impacts towetlands, vegetation, noxious weeds, threatened and endangered species, habitats, and generalwildlife. No wetlands have been identified on PTA. A wetland delineation of DMR identified onejurisdictional wetland (USACE 2002c). This wetland is within DMR, but outside of the area thatwould be used for range construction and live-fire and maneuver training. There is one knownregulated wetland on KTA and no known regulated wetlands on KLOA. There are four knownregulated wetlands on SBMR (USACE 2005c), but they are not expected to be impacted by 2/25 thSBCT activities.Impacts from range construction, live-fire training, and maneuver training would occur primarily inareas that have been previously disturbed. The majority of the impacted areas are nonnativevegetation and common native plants, primarily grasses and shrubs, which typically colonize denudedareas quickly and thoroughly. General wildlife and habitats would be affected by range constructionand training activities. Limited intact, native habitats would be affected. Overall, impacts to generalwildlife and habitats would be less than significant.Impacts from all activity groups would be expected to affect the introduction and spread of invasivespecies through movement of troops and equipment, construction, and fires. Impacts from noxiousweeds would be significant, but mitigable to less than significant.February 2008 5-44 2/25th SBCT Final EIS