SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental ConsequencesThe soil loss from Alternative A would not be expected to add substantially to the overall trend ofsedimentation resulting from erosion. All construction projects that involve disturbance of more than1 acre of land would be required to comply with stringent stormwater pollution preventionrequirements. The implementation of these BMPs would also minimize the effects of chemicalcontaminant loading could also contribute to cumulative impacts on stream water quality. Thesemeasures would collectively be expected to mitigate potential watershed impairment impacts to lessthan significant levels.Alternative A is not expected to contribute greatly to a cumulative increase in the potential forflooding. Impacts from construction projects are not expected to decrease appreciably the amount ofstormwater runoff retained by soils in the high-intensity short-duration storms that cause mostflooding in Hawaiian watersheds.The Army continues to address potential groundwater contaminants resulting from past practicesthrough its Installation Restoration Program. Infiltrating surface water containing nonpoint sourcepollutants is not likely to have a great impact on groundwater quality because the pollutants aretypically highly dilute and tend to be adsorbed or biodegraded during infiltration through soils. Spillsand other accidental releases may occur from time to time and could have greater local impacts ongroundwater quality. Standard operating procedures are in place to reduce the potential and impactsof accidental spills and releases.Alternative A would increase the number of Army personnel and their families and this wouldincrease water demand. In addition, operating certain proposed new facilities, such as the vehiclewash facilities, would increase water use. These increases are not expected to be significant withrespect to the overall demand for water in the hydrologic units in which the Alternative A wouldoccur.5.6.1.3 Wildfire ManagementThere would be a cumulative increase in the potential for fire on Oahu and the island of Hawaii as aresult of the proposed action. The cumulative projects are expected to contain mitigation measuresand SOPs to minimize potential environmental impacts involving wildfires similar to those applied toAlternative A. Roadway improvement projects would be required to adhere to Hawaii Department ofTransportation safety requirements to protect the public and environment. Other construction projectson the installations could involve activities and materials capable of starting a wildfire, and therefore,Army BMPs and SOPs would be required to reduce the potential for starting a wildfire. The Armyhas developed an IWFMP for all installations on the Islands of Oahu and Hawaii to prevent andcontrol fires. The standard operating procedures within the IWFMP will reduce the potential impactsinvolving wildfires. However, since there is a risk that a wildfire could result in an irretrievable lossof individuals of sensitive species or known or unknown cultural resources, the Army has made aconservative determination that although the mitigation will considerably reduce wildfire risk, theimpacts may not be reduced to a less than significant level. In light of historic, ongoing, andreasonably foreseeable future actions, the cumulative impacts involving wildfires are expected to besignificant.5.6.1.4 Cultural ResourcesThere would be cumulative impacts on cultural resources from planned and reasonably foreseeablefuture projects and from the construction and training associated with Alternative A. Public concernsinclude access to traditional areas and the potential destruction of cultural sites and landscapes fromFebruary 2008 5-251 2/25th SBCT Final EIS