SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Appendix D ⎯ Responses to Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact StatementKawaihae Harbor so that any Army vehicles transported from another island or training areawould undergo a mandatory vehicle wash and inspection before traveling to or from PTA, 2)use gray water in all dust control projects by installing dual gray water and potable water systemson bases. The Army should implement both of these mitigation measures.Response: These two mitigation measures were identified in the 2004 TransformationFEIS, which this document supplements. A determination of whether to adoptthese measures will be made in the ROD for this 2008 FEIS.56. The DEIS lacks a critical discussion on the strategic military advantages and disadvantagesfor each location being considered for the permanent stationing of the 2/25 th SBCT in termsof meeting the NSS and NDS.Response: A lengthy discussion of strategic considerations has been added to Section 2.4of the FEIS. Strategic considerations will also be addressed in the ROD.57. Significant effects in Hawaii should be studied in greater depth to determine if there are mitigationmeasures that would provide for better control and further mitigate potential impacts.Response: The FEIS discusses these effects and potential mitigation in considerabledepth. The FEIS incorporates information from the 2004 Transformation EISand the Army feels significant impacts in Hawaii are studied in adequatedepth.58. The DEIS gives the impression that an SBCT would add about 4,000 soldiers plus familymembers to the selected location. In reality, the increase would be about 500 soldiers becausethe plan calls for the exchange of an IBCT. This point should be made clear.Response: The FEIS makes this point clearly in Chapter 2. In particular, Sections 2.2,2.5, 2.6, 2.7, and 2.8 all describe the differences in the number of Soldiers inan SBCT versus an IBCT. Several tables in these sections specifically comparethe SBCT to an IBCT. Table 2–16 in Section 2.8 has been modified in responseto this comment to show clearly the Soldiers stationed in Hawaii, Alaska, andColorado as part of the No Action Alternative. As is stated under all action alternatives,a 4,105-man SBCT would replace an infantry brigade of the structurediscussed in Section 2.8, the No Action Alternative.59. Why is the Kawaihae-PTA Trail being placed on the north side of the highway, which puts itin a neighborhood or community development? It would make more sense to keep the entireArmy facility of PTA to the south side of the highway.Response: The PTA Trail was placed on the north side of the highway over the existingtrail. The landowners agreed to the location because it gave them access tothat part of the property. Leaving the trail in the same location was also morecost effective and less obtrusive because additional property did not have to bedisturbed.60. The Transformation of forces stationed at Fort Carson and the Stryker proposal are reallysegmented parts of a huge PCMS transformation and expansion plan. This segmentation is illegalunder NEPA.February 2008 D–22 2/25th SBCT Final EIS