SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental ConsequencesConflicts with existing land uses and recreation resources or conflicts with land use or resourcemanagement plans or policies. During construction, nearby on-post land uses may be indirectlyaffected by noise, dust, and the sight of equipment and human activities. However, these impactswould be localized and temporary, and are expected to be less than significant. No mitigation isnecessary for impacts from range construction.No range construction would be necessary at DTA; therefore, impact analysis is not applicable.5.3.6.3 Impacts from Live-Fire TrainingLess Than Significant ImpactsImpacts to existing land uses and recreational resources or conflicts with land use or resourcemanagement plans or policies. Under implementation of this alternative, additional live-fire trainingwould occur as a result of an increased number of Soldiers training at both existing and new ranges atFRA and DTA. In addition, new weapons would be used and the use of large caliber munitions wouldincrease. SBCT training would result in an increased number of rounds fired as well as increasedvehicular traffic. Increased noise, dust, or other indirect effects associated with this alternative are notexpected to affect off-post land uses. The surrounding areas are uninhabited federal lands and noresidential areas, schools, hospitals, or businesses are expected to be affected. These impacts wouldbe localized to the vicinity around the ranges and are expected to be less than significant. Nomitigation is necessary.5.3.6.4 Impacts from Maneuver TrainingLess Than Significant ImpactsImpacts to existing land uses and recreational resources or conflicts with land use or resourcemanagement plans or policies. Maneuver training would occur at both FRA and DTA. Except for thedifferences described below, SBCT training would have similar impacts as current IBCT training ateach location. Company-level and larger training would occur at DTA, and the frequency ofmaneuver training at DTA is not expected to increase above existing levels. Platoon-level and smallertraining would occur at FRA, and would increase in frequency. Munitions use is not part of maneuvertraining; however, SBCT maneuver training typically covers a larger area, potentially extendingtraining into areas that have not been used as frequently. Implementation of this alternative wouldresult in an increase in the frequency of training area closures at FRA, and a larger area would beused for maneuver training at DTA. Impacts associated with public access closures are expected to beless than significant because alternate areas on USARAK lands would still be available forrecreational and subsistence activities.SBCT training on lands currently used for training. The Army may use more land area for maneuvertraining. Increased training and the use of Stryker vehicles could degrade training lands and affect thelong-term availability of training lands for military use. Because Stryker vehicle exercises tend toremain on existing roads, impacts to training lands are expected to be less than significant. Theregulatory, administrative, and additional mitigation measures described below are currently in placeand are continually revised and reviewed to respond to new or increasing impacts to land uses andrecreation resources.Training impacts to surrounding land use. Noise levels would increase from increased weaponstraining and the use of Stryker vehicles, but these effects would be localized and temporary duringtraining. Increased noise, dust, or other indirect effects associated with this alternative are notFebruary 2008 5-90 2/25th SBCT Final EIS