SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Appendix D ⎯ Responses to Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact StatementBombs that contain chemical weapons, like mustard gas, phosgene, and CS gas, have beendropped on Army training sites. The military has 800 toxic waste sites. There remain unresolvedissues with chemical munitions off the coast of Waianae. The Army needs to clean upits contamination.Response: The Army uses a variety of explosives during training. RDX, HMX, and TNTare present because of explosives use. RDX is a constituent in many high explosivesused on ranges, including C4. These explosives are designed to burnvery quickly and efficiently, releasing the energy in an explosive reaction,which is what causes them to be effective explosives. Studies have shown thatonly minute quantities of RDX remain after detonation of high explosives.These concentrations are not likely to impact significantly groundwater or surfacewater, and to date, we are not aware of any sampling data that suggestthat groundwater or surface water has been impacted. The concentrations insoils are low and do not present a significant hazard to humans or the environment.The dispersal of very small quantities of these compounds is the inevitableresult of implementing the Army’s training program. Explosives andmunitions handling and use is performed by trained personnel according tostandard operating procedures, and is not unique to Hawaii.The Army clears unexploded ordnance (UXO) from active ranges as part ofrange maintenance and construction activities. The Army is continuing tocleanup inactive ranges under the Military Munitions Response Program(MMRP), and sites that qualify under the Formerly Used Defense Sites(FUDS) program. Stakeholder meetings were held in Hawaii for MMRP sitesduring the week of November 26–30, 2007. MMRP sites at Fort Shafter,Schofield Barracks area, and Makua were discussed at those meetings. Finally,the US Army Garrison, Hawaii will spend at least $1.75 M this year toassist in the cleanup of Ordnance Reef, Waianae.177. The SBCT’s vehicles will be contaminated with DU when they return from Iraq. Their returnto Hawaii will further expose the public to DU with its associated health risks.Response: The Army thoroughly cleans its vehicles and equipment prior to shipment fromone location to another as part of the extensive list of procedures that must becompleted to deploy military equipment. Vehicles undergo a rigorous inspectionprocess prior to their return from overseas deployments. There are nohealth threats posed by the redeployment of SBCT vehicles to the UnitedStates.178. What are the long-term effects of the chemicals the Army uses to control dust?Response: Currently the USAG-HI uses a commercial product called Durasoil, a syntheticorganic dust control agent. The product is non-hazardous and nontoxic;ecologically and environmentally safe; it is non-corrosive and safe forall equipment; human, animal, marine life and vegetation safe; non dissipating(i.e. will not wash away with water or rain); and ultraviolet ray resistant). TheMaterial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Durasoil does not identify any longtermeffects. The MSDS is available at Durasoil’s website(www.durasoil.com).February 2008 D–61 2/25th SBCT Final EIS