[Federal Register: January 4, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 2)]
[Notices]
[Page 330-331]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ja07-31]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Preparation of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
for the Permanent Stationing of Stryker Brigade Combat Team Number 5
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Army intends to prepare a Supplement to the 2004 Final
Environmental Impact Statement for Transformation of the 2nd Brigade,
25th Infantry Division (Light) (2nd Bde, 25th ID(L)) to a Stryker
Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). The Army has directed the 2nd Bde, 25th
ID(L) to transform into the 5th SBCT. The Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement (SEIS) will assess the potential environmental impacts
associated with the proposed permanent home stationing of the 5th SBCT
at its current location in Hawaii and at other reasonable locations
outside of Hawaii. The no action alternative is to return the 2-25th
Bde, 25th ID (L) to its original structure as it existed prior to its
transformation. The no-action alternative is no longer feasible,
however, as the Army Campaign Plan (ACP) has directed all previously
existing Light Brigades to transform to the standard expeditionary
configuration of the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). Alternatives
analyzed in the SEIS may also consider whether to return an IBCT to
replace the 2-25th Bde, 25th ID (L) or whether not to replace the
brigade at all. Other locations for the permanent stationing of the 5th
SBCT could include Fort Richardson and Donnelly Training Area (DTA) in
Alaska, Fort Lewis and Yakima Training Center (YTC) in Washington, Fort
Carson and the Pi[ntilde]on Canyon Maneuver site (PCMS) in Colorado, or
Fort Knox in Kentucky. The PCMS, YTC and DTA are separate maneuver
training facilities that will not be considered for the permanent
housing and life support of the Soldiers and families of the 5th SBCT
as part of the alternatives included in the SEIS for analysis. These
sites would only be used to support unit training requirements of the
5th SBCT and not the life support functions required by the SBCT's
Soldiers and families. The SEIS will include evaluation of the
different locations which could reasonably accommodate, support, and
sustain the 5th SBCT and meet its requirements for range and maneuver
training; maintenance requirements; and Soldier and Family Quality of
Life requirements (e.g. schools, gyms, medical facilities, reducing
family disruption). The proposed action will require the Army to
balance strategic, sustainment, and environmental considerations to
provide greater flexibility and responsiveness to meet today's evolving
world conditions and threats to National defense and security. The SEIS
will analyze the proposed action's impacts upon the natural, cultural,
and man-made environments at the alternative permanent home-stationing
sites.
The SBCT is a maneuver brigade that includes, infantry, artillery,
engineers, and other assets, totaling between 3,900-4,100 soldiers and
950-1050 vehicles, including between 310-330 Stryker vehicles depending
on the Army's final determination of the 5th BCTs force structure
requirements. The action may have significant environmental impacts
from the training of the brigade and construction to support its
training and quality of life requirements.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Mr. Robert DiMichele,
Chief, Public Affairs Office, US Army Environmental Command, Building
E4460, 5179 Hoadley Road, Attention: IMAE-PA, Aberdeen Proving Ground,
MD 21010-5401, telephone: 410-436-2556, facsimile: 410-436-1693, e-
mail: robert.dimichele@us.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Stryker is an armored, wheeled combat
vehicle. The increased survivability offered by the Stryker vehicle
protects Soldiers against enemy actions. The increased lethality,
mobility, and battle command capabilities of the SBCT allow an SBCT to
conduct operations in an area of up to 100km by 100km, an area that
would be formerly under the operational command of an entire Army
division consisting of three brigades. The SBCT requires both
facilities for Soldiers and their vehicles, Soldier's families, as well
as the training space necessary to support the 5th SBCT.
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Transformation
of the 2nd Bde, 25th ID(L) to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team was
released in May 2004, with the Record of Decision (ROD) following in
July 2004. The selected action was to transform the 2nd
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Bde, 25th ID(L) to an SBCT and home station it in Hawaii.
The 2nd Bde, 25th ID(L) began its transformation to the 5th SBCT
shortly after completion of the 2004 FEIS and ROD. As of November 2006,
the Brigade has completed about 60% of the training required to achieve
combat efficiency and has received about 70% of its equipment. The
Brigade is scheduled to complete its training and equipment fielding in
late 2007. The Brigade must be available for deployment to meet joint
force and on-going operational requirements in November of 2007.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. &
et seq.) and the Army NEPA procedures, Environmental Analysis of Army
Action (32 CFR Part 651) require the Army to consider the environmental
impacts of their actions and alternatives, and to solicit the views of
the public, so they can make an informed final decision regarding how
to proceed. In particular, the Court concluded the Army had a duty
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to consider
locations other than Hawaii for the 5th SBCT.
The proposed action would result in the permanent home stationing
of the 5th SBCT. Evaluations will include strategic military and
National defense and security considerations. Evaluations will include
strategy military and National defense and security consideration, to
include which locations, if selected, are capable of supporting the
National Security Strategy (2006), the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR,
2006), National Military Strategy, and the Army Campaign Plan (ACP).
These strategic guidance documents have been incorporated into the
Army's decision making process. All of these individual components will
be considered in the 5th SBCT stationing SEIS to ensure a range of
reasonable alternatives are carried forward which support the National
Security Strategy (2006). Based on public scoping and factors discussed
above, the Army will refine its range of reasonable alternatives to the
extent possible to accommodate both mission requirements and Soldier
and family quality of life. In reaching this decision the Army will
assess and consider public concerns. Analysis will focus on the Purpose
of and Need for the Proposed Action. The analysis will evaluate each
installation's capability to support the stationing and training of the
5th SBCT in conjunction with meeting the requirements set forth in the
National Security Strategy (2006) and its supporting Army initiatives
and plans.
The SEIS will assess, consider, and compare the direct, indirect,
and cumulative environmental effects from the permanent stationing of
the 5th SBCT in Hawaii and reasonable alternate locations. These
locations could include permanent stationing of the 5th SBCT in Hawaii,
at Fort Richardson and Donnelly Training Area in Alaska, Fort Lewis and
Yakima Training Center in Washington, Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon
Maneuver site in Colorado, or Fort Knox in Kentucky. The no action
alternative is to return the 2-25th BDE(L) to its original structure as
it existed prior to its transformation. Under established Army Force
Structure the no-action alternative is not feasible, as the ACP
directed that all Brigades be transformed to expeditionary modular
standardized configurations. Only three types of expeditionary modular
BCTs exist; Heavy, Infantry and Stryker.
The primary environmental issues to be analyzed will include those
identified as the result of the scoping process and installation-
specific considerations. These issues may include impacts to soil,
water and air quality, airspace conflicts, natural and cultural
resources, land use compatibility, noise, socio-economics,
environmental justice, energy use, human health and safety
considerations, and infrastructure and range/training requirements.
Scoping and Public Comment: All interested members of the public,
including native communities and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (to
include Alaska Native Tribes), Native Hawaiian groups, and Federal,
State, and local agencies are invited to participate in the scoping
process for the preparation of this SEIS. Written comments identifying
environmental issues, concerns and opportunities to be analyzed in the
SEIS will be accepted following publication of the Notice of Intent in
the Federal Register. There will be a 45-day public comment period
following publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register.
Scoping meetings will be held at the installations identified as
potentially reasonable alternative home stationing sites. Notification
of the times and locations for the scoping meetings will be published
in local newspapers. The scoping process will help identify
environmental issues, concerns and opportunities to be analyzed in the
SEIS.
Dated: December 28, 2006.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety, and
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 06-9966 Filed 1-3-07; 8:45 am]
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