SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Appendix D ⎯ Responses to Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement132. Page 3–38 states that the PTA Trail runs inland from the harbor and across the PuukoholaHeiau National Historic Site. There are many known archeological sites north and east of theharbor and along the proposed alignment for the PTA Trail. Has the Army considered relocatingthe PTA Trail outside the historic park to preserve the archaeological integrity of thepark? The National Park Service would like to explore whether a bypass road can be developedthat avoids the Site altogether. Until a bypass road can be identified, the Park Serviceprefers that the Army continue trucking the Strykers from Kawaihae Harbor to PTA. TheDEIS uses more than five terms to refer to the trail corridor — the reference should be standardizedusing one term. Finally, the final EIS should clarify that if stationed in Hawaii, theSBCT would avoid transiting through the Pelekane area lands and Park lands on the inlandside of Highway 270 and that language specific to use of the tank trail from Kawaihae to PTAis removed because it is in error.Response: The Army fully intends to coordinate closely with the NPS. The original routeidentified in the 2004 Transformation FEIS will likely be adjusted better tomeet the needs of the public and the NPS. Please refer to Section 2.5.133. The DEIS does not address the potential effects that increased scope and frequency of activitiesat PTA would have on the Mauna Kea National Natural Landmark (NNL) located adjacentto the PTA. Mauna Kea is the exposed portion of the highest insular mountain in theU.S. It contains the highest lake in the country and evidence of glaciation above the 11,000-foot level.Response: The NNL has been added to Land Use section for PTA (Section 3.1.5.4).The NNL was considered during impact analysis (Section 5.2.6). The impactswould not be any different from what is taking place at PTA today or in thepast when tanks were routinely used in training exercises there. Noise contourswould not noticeably change following the Proposed Action, and no significantimpacts to the NNL are expected.134. The EIS should address the following topics:a. Impacts of SCBT implementation on Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site viewshed,resources, and soundscape.b. Impacts of SCBT implementation on the Mauna Kea National Natural Landmark.c. Documented Native Hawaiian consultation and on-site cultural/natural resource monitors.d. Development of inadvertent discovery plans, appropriate notification, and consultation.e. Documented cultural resources orientation (length and substance to be developed anddetermined), conducted by professionals meeting the Secretary of Interior standards andby a Native Hawaiian liaison, for all staff involved with SBCT operations and activities.f. Efforts to prevent spreading non-native invasive terrestrial and marine plants and animals.g. Impacts caused by any SBCT associated improvements at the Kawaihae Harbor.Response: a) The Army is actively coordinating with the NPS. Please refer to Comments132 and 135.B) See response to comment 133 for more information.February 2008 D–45 2/25th SBCT Final EIS