Jump to main content.

Record of Decision (ROD) for Military Training Activities at Makua Military Reservation (MMR), Hawaii

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

PDF Version (2 pp, 52K, About PDF)

[Federal Register: July 24, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 141)]
[Notices]
[Page 36681-36682]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jy09-50]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army

Record of Decision (ROD) for Military Training Activities at
Makua Military Reservation (MMR), Hawaii

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Senior Commander, US Army Hawaii, has reviewed the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Military Training Activities
at MMR and has made the decision to proceed with a variation of
Alternative 2 to recommence live-fire training at MMR. Alternative 2 in
the Final EIS analyzes up to 50 combined-arms live-fire exercises
(CALFEX) and 200 convoy live-fire exercises (LFX). The variation of
Alternative 2 allows up to 32 CALFEXs and 150 convoy LFXs, and allows
squad- and platoon-level LFXs that lead up to the company-level CALFEX.
This decision also reconfirms that the Army will not use MMR for live-
fire training at night until all relevant fire suppression measures are
met and approved in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2007 and 2008 Biological Opinions. The Army has decided not to use the
following weapon systems at MMR in order to further protect the
environmental and cultural resources of the valley: Tracer ammunition;
Javelin and inert, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW)
missiles; anti-tank (AT-4) and 2.75-inch rockets; the shoulder-launched
multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW); and illumination munitions. This
decision also eliminates the use of Ka'ena Point and C-Ridge for
training, due to the risk of wildfire and the potential impacts to
threatened and endangered species. This Alternative 2 variation
represents a proper balance for meeting the training requirements of
the units of the 25th Infantry Division (ID), U.S. Army Reserve, Hawaii
Army National Guard, and other users of the range at MMR, while
ensuring the Army meets its responsibilities to preserve the land and
resources at MMR, and continues to be a good neighbor to the community
along the Wai'anae coast.

ADDRESSES: Address requests for a copy of the ROD to the U.S. Army
Garrison, Hawaii, Attention: Public Affairs Office, 742 Santos Dumont,
WAAF, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857, or download a copy from the
following Web site: www.garison.hawaii.army.mil/makuaeis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii Public
Affairs Office at (808) 656-3152; facsimile at (808) 656-3162 during
normal business hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. HST.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS assessed four alternatives to
accomplish combined-arms live-fire training on Hawaii: MMR Alternative
1 (Reduced Capacity Use with Some Weapons Restrictions), MMR
Alternative 2 (Full Capacity Use with Some Weapons Restrictions), MMR
Alternative 3 (Full Capacity Use with Fewer Weapons Restrictions), and
Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) Alternative 4 (Full Capacity Use with
Fewer Weapons Restrictions). A No Action Alternative, under which non
live-fire military training would continue to be conducted at MMR, was
also evaluated.
    Implementation of the Alternative 2 variation may result in several
major impacts to: Recreational resources, noise from training, soils,
natural resources (including threatened and endangered species),
cultural resources, surface water quality from erosion, wildfires, and
to public safety from the transport of munitions through the Wai'anae
community.

[[Page 36682]]

    The Army has adopted all practicable mitigation measures to avoid
or minimize environmental harm. Mitigation measures are summarized in
the ROD and are described in greater detail in Chapter 4 of the Final EIS.
    Recommencing live-fire military training activities at MMR was
selected because it best meets the military's collective training
requirements. The decision to proceed with a variation of Alternative 2
incorporates analyses in the Final EIS, involvement from the public,
consideration of the cumulative impacts associated with all the
alternatives evaluated, and the training requirements of the 25th ID.
    The EIS considered construction of facilities at Pohakuloa Training
Area on the island of Hawaii (Alternative 4). This alternative did not
meet the purpose and need of the proposed action as well as the selected
action. A fuller rationale for the decision can be found in the ROD.

    Dated: July 16, 2009.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E9-17372 Filed 7-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M

 
 

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.