SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 2 ⎯ Description of the Proposed Action and AlternativesFigure 2–8Siting of Required Ranges (Machine Gun and Urban Assault) at FortRichardsonThe frequency of large-unit maneuver training events at DTA would increase slightly with the SBCT.The SBCT would be expected to conduct two more battalion level maneuver-training rotations peryear than the 4/25 th IBCT. The number of brigade rotations is not anticipated to change. Both the2/25 th and 4/25 th would be required to conduct one brigade-level maneuver rotation every 12 to 18months. The size of the maneuver area and intensity of maneuver area use, particularly of roads andtrails, would increase substantially, however. Table 2–3 depicts the doctrinally required maneuverland areas need to support different echelons of SBCT maneuver training events and their doctrinalland requirements (Army 2004b). Because DTA currently supports the maneuvers of the 1/25 th SBCTstationed at Fort Wainwright in addition to other units, the total increase in training area utilization atDTA would be anticipated to be around a 10 to 15 percent increase of maneuver usage of the trainingarea.Although the frequency of platoon, company, and battalion maneuver training events would increaseby around 33 percent when comparing the 2/25 th to the 4/25 th at Fort Richardson’s maneuver areasand 10 to 15 percent at DTA, the comparative intensity of impacts would be expected to be greaterfrom maneuver training of the 2/25 th SBCT because of the increased weights of the vehicles. TheArmy methodology to quantify MIMs was discussed in the description of the Proposed Action. The2/25 th SBCT is projected to generate 104,898 MIMs compared to the 4/25 th ’s projected 49,576 MIMs,This represents a 112 percent increase in anticipated maneuver impacts when comparing the 2/25 thSBCT to the 4/25 th . Qualitatively however, a greater percentage of vehicle mileage is anticipated to beexecuted on roads and just off-road, in accordance with SBCT training doctrine and capabilities. Approximately50 percent of the MIMs would be expended at Fort Richardson to support squad and pla-February 2008 2–34 2/25th SBCT Final EIS