SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental ConsequencesMeasures to minimize potential socioeconomic and environmental justice (minority, low-income andsubsistence populations) impacts further are summarized below. The following mitigation measuresare ongoing regulatory and administrative requirements.• Continue publication and distribution of Environmental Resources Newsletter and EnvironmentalRestoration Newsletter. Newsletters ensure that members of local communities who may not haveaccess to the Internet are kept informed about USARAK policies and activities, allowing foridentification and communication of pertinent concerns.• Maintain USARAK website. This provides up-to-date information to members of localcommunities that may be affected by activities on USARAK lands• Continue Restoration Advisory Boards as appropriate. Restoration Advisory Boards provide anestablished, effective strategy for communication between affected local communities andUSARAK.• Ensure existence of full-time Native Tribal coordination within USARAK. A Native Liaisonserves as a reliable, consistent source of information on issues of concern for both tribes andUSARAK staff.• Publish and distribute a newsletter to 60 federally recognized tribes in Alaska and several AlaskaNative organizations. A tribal newsletter would address the need to distribute information tomany of the minority and low-income communities within USARAK’s area of influence.The Army has established government-to-government relationships with Alaska Native tribes whoseinterests may be significantly affected by USARAK activities as required by EO 13175, along withDoD policy, Alaska guidance, and DoD instruction. This facilitates efficient and effectivecommunication between both leadership and staff members of tribal governments and USARAK. TheArmy continues engaging with federally recognized tribes in Alaska on a government-to-governmentbasis to address their concerns with Army managed lands.5.3.8.2 Impacts from Range ConstructionLess Than Significant ImpactsThere would be less than significant impacts to population, economy, employment, income, housing,or schools from range construction. Impacts would be the same as described for CantonmentConstruction.Environmental Justice. No minority or low-income populations would be displaced by the proposedrange construction; however, minor adverse indirect impacts on nearby schools or private residenceswould be similar to those described for cantonment construction. Indirect impacts would be less thansignificant and would not disproportionately affect low-income or minority populations.Protection of Children. No construction projects would take place near schools, day care facilities, orother areas with large populations of children. Minor adverse indirect impacts on nearby schools orprivate residences would be similar to those described for cantonment construction. Constructionwould take place in areas that are off-limits to the general public. Restricted areas would continue tobe posted with signs, enclosed by a fence, or stationed with guards. Strict adherence to applicablesafety regulations and procedures would continue to protect the health and safety of children. Noadverse effects to the protection of children are expected under this alternative. No range constructionwould occur on DTA; therefore, impact analysis is not applicable.February 2008 5-97 2/25th SBCT Final EIS