SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental ConsequencesKTA 12 times per year. Most of the travel would be on trails, but Drum Road would carry 10 percentof all Stryker travel and 40 percent of all trucks between these two bases. There would be a netincrease of 195 vehicles traveling on roads and trails between SBMR and KTA, four times per year,and 235 vehicles eight times per year. Increases in the number of vehicles that would traverse DrumRoad increase the likelihood that invasive plants would be introduced or spread.Although most of the plant species in and around the proposed Drum Road are nonnative, the areacould be further disturbed than it already is and would adversely affect the recovery of sensitivespecies. Sensitive plant species and sensitive wildlife species are likely to occur on KTA/KLOA.Manuka and heirba del solado are nonnative plants that have recently been discovered in the ROI.Satinleaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme) has not yet established on KTA/KLOA. The habitat degradationassociated with the construction projects could lead to these very aggressive species becomingestablished throughout the project area.Discrete quantities of sensitive native plant species that are especially threatened by nonnativespecies’ invasion include the following:• Ninety-five percent of the remaining nioi plants exist on KTA/KLOA ROI. There is a high threatto these plants from invasive species invasions associated with the proposed activities.• Twelve individuals of the native gardenia nanu exist on KTA/KLOA ROI. There is a moderatethreat to these plants from invasive species associated with the proposed activities.• Two to five percent of the remaining oheohe plants exist on KTA/KLOA ROI. There is a low tomoderate threat to these plants from invasive species associated with the proposed activities.• There are several sensitive wildlife species that could be affected by the spread of invasivespecies: Achatinella curta, A. livida, A. pulcherrima, A. sowerbyana, Aurculella pulchra, Oahuelepaio, and the iiwi. These species would be adversely affected by the introduction or increase inthe spread of invasive species on KTA/KLOA.Regulatory and Administrative Mitigation 2: The impact of SBCT actions on the spread of invasivespecies would be lessened by instituting the Army’s ongoing environmental programs. Measuresidentified in the Ecosystem Management Plan Report, Oahu Training Areas (R. M. Towill Corp.1998), the Oahu Training Areas INRMP (USARHAW and 25th ID[L] 2001a), the BiologicalOpinions for the Island of Oahu and PTA, and the Transformation EIS (USFWS 2003c, USFWS2003d, and USAG-HI 2004, respectively), and the DRAFT Implementation Plan for Oahu TrainingAreas (USARHAW 2005) for protection of biological resources would continue as part of theproposed SBCT project actions.USAG-HI will follow HQDA guidance developed in consultation with the Invasive Species Counciland compliance with Executive Order 13112, which determines federal agency duties with regard topreventing and compensating for invasive species impacts. USAG-HI will agree to all feasible andprudent measures recommended by the Invasive Species Council that would be taken in conjunctionwith SBCT action to minimize the risk of harm. The implementation of an EnvironmentalManagement System will further improve the identification and reduction of environmental risksinherent in mission activities. Mitigation for Impacts from noxious weeds related to Construction andTraining, as required in the terms and conditions of the BO (USFWS 2003c), include:• Educating Soldiers and others potentially using the facilities and roads in the importance ofcleaning vehicles, equipment, and field gear.February 2008 5-48 2/25th SBCT Final EIS