SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental Consequences• Modify current practices to reduce firing high-explosive munitions into active river channels.Firing only into abandoned channels and banks would reduce the direct impact of munitions onwaterways including munitions constituents and sedimentation.• Place new targets farther away from open waterways. Providing distance between waterways andtargets would reduce the direct impact of munitions on waterways including munitionsconstituents and sedimentation.• Promote vegetated buffer zones between small arms range footprints and lakes and streams.Vegetated buffer zones intercept runoff from the ranges, trapping sediment that can containdissolved and particulate metals.• Impacts from spills would be addressed effectively through the Spill Prevention Control andCountermeasure Plan and standard procedures, including training personnel in spill preventionand control techniques and requirements.• Impacts from spills would be addressed effectively through the Spill Prevention Control andCountermeasure Plan and standard procedures, including training personnel in spill preventionand control techniques and requirements, maintaining appropriate spill control equipment in areaswhere refueling may occur, and complying with all hazardous materials management regulations.Preventive measures would also include safe driving practices, and proper transport of hazardousmaterials in compliance with Army, state, and federal regulations.5.4.3.4 Impacts from Maneuver TrainingLess Than Significant ImpactsErosion impacts on surface water quality. Maneuver training at FTC and PCMS could increase for anSBCT when compared to an IBCT. The MIMs would by nearly double (49,576 MIMs associated withthe IBCT versus 104,898 MIMs associated with the SBCT. However, because SBCTs use trails moreduring training than an IBCT, the overall comparative impacts would be approximately the same.Maneuver training could occur during wet weather when soils are more susceptible to damage andincreased erosion. Increased sediment from erosion could be transported by stormwater or carried bywind to receiving or nearby waterbodies including Fountain Creek and Purgatorie River. This couldresult in decreased surface water quality from increased turbidity or sedimentation. To mitigatepotential adverse effects, the ITAM program and INRMP requirements would be used to addressincreased training requirements and maintain sustainability of the training areas. Continuedimplementation of these programs and efforts by the Watershed Team would repair training landdamage and minimize the potential for wind and water erosion of soils and subsequent indirectimpacts to water quality. These institutional programs would likely need to be adjusted to respond tothe additional maneuver training that would be associated with the SBCT.Vehicles crossing dry drainages could modify drainage structures through erosion or compaction andcould modify the drainages, resulting in increased erosion. Such erosion could result in indirectimpacts to water quality. The PCMS implements multiple plans to reduce the effects of erosion,including the MDC Program and the Rest/Rotation/Deferment Program. Stream crossings would bepermitted by the Section 404 regional permit.Nonpoint source contamination of surface water. Increased training would also increase the use offuels, solvents, and other hazardous and toxic substances, which might result in indirect impacts tosurface water if accidentally released into the environment. However, implementing BMPs, includingthe SPCC, would minimize potential impacts resulting from leaks or spills of hazardous materials.Potential spills would be typically small in magnitude and localized. Even a large, uncontained spill,February 2008 5-142 2/25th SBCT Final EIS