SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Appendix D ⎯ Responses to Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statementconsider military training use of the land to be a productive use supporting thenational defense.43. The C-17 is an essential element of the decision to station Strykers in Hawaii. The DEISneeds to evaluate and disclose the effects of stationing C-17 aircraft and the accompanyingexpansion of runways.Response: This action was taken by the Air Force independently of the Army. The AirForce performed a NEPA analysis for that action. Hickam AFB broke groundfor the C–17 on August 19, 2004. On February 8, 2006, the first C–17 GlobemasterIII aircraft arrived at Hickam AFB and on July 18, 2006, Hickam AFBreceived the eighth and final C–17. Thus, the stationing of C–17 aircraft atHickam AFB is a completed Air Force action. As the completion of this actionis considered as part of the stationing decision for the 2/25 th SBCT, it has beenincorporated in Section 5.6 in cumulative impacts discussion of past, present,and reasonably foreseeable future actions.44. On July 10, 2007, the President’s Office of Management and Budget issued a Statement ofAdministration Policy on S. 1547 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008that stated: “Stryker Brigade Combat Team Conversion: The proposal that supports the conversionof the Second Brigade, 25th Infantry Division to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team isnecessary to resolve legal challenges to the transformation of this important unit that isscheduled to deploy for operations in Iraq by the end of the year.” Specifically what “proposal”does this memo refer to? Who issued or requested this “proposal”? Is there an exemptionfor the Stryker Brigade being proposed? How will such a measure affect the ProposedAction?Response: This comment refers to a legislative proposal that would direct the stationingof the 2/25 th in Hawaii. The Army was commenting on this legislative proposal.If this proposal became law, it would eliminate the need for the considerationof alternative locations other than Hawaii. H.R. 1585, the enrolled NationalDefense Authorization Act for 2008, does not include any provisions nor has itbeen signed into law. The Army is proceeding as if this provision will not bemade law. An earlier version of the House bill contained the following section:SEC. 1043. PROMPT CONVERSION OF ARMY FORCES IN HAWAII.(a) Finding – The Congress finds that the conversion in Hawaii of the 2nd Brigadeof the 25th Infantry Division to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team is necessaryto the national defense, supports U.S. foreign policy, and conforms toprior direction of Congress with regard to the reorganization of the Army intoa more effective fighting force.(b) Conversion – The Secretary of the Army shall convert the 2nd Brigade ofthe 25th Infantry Division to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team, at its currentlocation, and such conversion shall proceed to completion notwithstandingany other provision of law.45. The EIS should include all written scoping comments and transcripts of oral scoping comments.It also should include all written and oral comments on the DEIS.February 2008 D–17 2/25th SBCT Final EIS