(Note: The property rights champion mice in southeast Colorado roared like lions, and the Army was forced to listen. Congratulations to the ranchers, homeowners, businesses, and families in southeast Colorado for standing tall and strong and not allowing their homes and businesses, custom and culture, to be steamrollered by the Army and its pal, The Nature Conservancy. This entire email has also been saved as a Word Document and will be sent out by request as an attachment.
Not mentioned by name, except on Page 14 under the Acronyms & Abbreviations, until Page 152, then again on Pages 603 and 612, "TNC" is mentioned many, many times throughout the document, but only by its acronym. The Army has chosen Alternative A: "Permanently Station The 2/25th SBCT at Schofield Barracks Military Reservation While Conducting Required Training at Military Training Sites in Hawaii." It is of note that ACUB, the acronym for Army Compatible Use Buffer, is now "Army Collaborative Use Buffer." The Letter to Readers on pages 3 & 4 of the document, as well as the Documentation Page on page 5, is pasted below the article, plus other excerpts pertaining to the Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon areas. The Executive Summary may be read at the originating website address / URL. "Identification of the Preferred Alternative: On December 12, 2007, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, G–3/5/7 (Lt. Gen. Thurman) selected Hawaii as the Army’s Preferred Alternative. In determining the preferred alternative, the Army balanced the relative strengths and weaknesses of each alternative to meet the Army’s need for the Proposed Action with environmental and socio-economic considerations and public feedback received from each stationing location. Hawaii was sel ected as the Army’s Preferred Alternative primarily because it is best able to meet the Army’s strategic defense and national security needs in the Pacific theater. The rapid deployment capabilities of the SBCT currently represent the Army’s most credible threat of projecting force in the Pacific region to shape the U.S.’ strategic national security interests. Stationing the 2/25th in Hawaii provides the military Commanders of the Pacific with two distinct sets of deployment facilities (Alaska and Hawaii) from which to deploy an SBCT to support national security requirements and contingency operations. In addition to these reasons, the stationing of the 2/25th in Hawaii minimizes disruption to Soldiers and Families." Be sure to look at the photos of rocks damaged by live fire training on Page 342 and imagine the potential to damage or destroy irreplaceable historic artifacts currently on privately owned land, as well as the very real threat to wildlife, including birds, from such shards of flying stone. Page 343 clearly states: "This access program will be expanded to include new land acquisitions." FTC is the acronym used for "Fort Carson;" the acronym for the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site is PCMS. Had the Army chosen Fort Carson / Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, it would have chosen Alternative C. On Pages 659-660, in Appendix D: Responses to Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, here is Comment 22 and the Army's response/answer: "22. The Army should not be allowed to expand the PCMS to accommodate the SBCT. The use of eminent domain to acquire land for the expansion of PCMS is not right. The Army cannot take care of the land it already has at Fort Carson and PCMS and the ground suffers irreversible damage from the training maneuvers. The land is too fragile to use for the SBCT. Response: This FEIS looks at installation training areas as they are today and does not consider the possibility of future land acquisition as part of the decision ma king process for where to station the SBCT. The military land acquisition process is a lengthy process that is very similar to military construction. To complete the process and prepare the land for training would take a minimum of five years and often much longer. A military land acquisition project must first be approved and funding must be appropriated. Environmental surveys and studies must be completed before any real estate transaction may begin. The met before an expansion decision may be made. PCMS has supported the use of tracked and wheeled vehicles for 22 years now, in accordance with the Army’s land management programs. Fort Carson has directed considerable resources toward the restoration of PCMS and takes great pride in its ability to sustain and preserve the environment while its Soldiers conduct military training. While the Stryker is heavier than the IBCT’s light and medium trucks it would be replacing, Fort Carson would use existing institutional land management programs to manage the training impacts appropriately to minimize long-term effects if it were selected for SBCT stationing.")
Affected Jurisdictions: Hawaii and Honolulu Counties, Hawaii; Anchorage and Southeast Fairbanks Boroughs, Alaska; El Paso, Pueblo, and Fremont Counties, Colorado. http://aec.army.mil/usaec/nepa/sbctfeis.pdf (743 pages; 12.16 MB)
Very Important Definition from the Document: Resource-specific significance criteria – 4.16.2 Resource-specific significance criteria – Factors considered in determining whether an alternative would have a significant impact on real estate, facilities, public services, or infrastructure would include the extent or degree to which its implementation would result in the following: Impact real estate prices as a result of land acquisition or from land development that is incompatible with existing land uses; Result in an increase in demand for facilities, such as housing, parking, or other facilities, beyond the current capacity to the point that substantial expansion, additional facilities, or increased staffing levels would be necessary; Interrupt or disrupt public services or utilities, as a result of physical displacement and subsequent relocation of public utility infrastructure, to the extent that the result would be a direct, long-term service interruption or permanent disruption of essential public utilities; or Result in an increase in demand for public services or utilities beyond the capacity of the utility provider to the point that substantial expansion, additional facilities, or increased staffing levels would be necessary. – Final Environmental Impact Statement: Permanent Stationing of the 2/25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, February 2008. Prepared For: Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C. Prepared By: U.S. Army Environmental Command (AEC), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
http://aec.army.mil/usaec/nepa/sbctfeis.pdf (Pages 313-314 of 743 pages; 12.16 MB)
Acronyms and Abbreviations used in this EIS
2/25th ID (L) 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Light)
A&M artillery and mortar
AAFES Army and Air Force Exchange Service
ACHP Advisory Council for Historic Preservation
ACP Army Campaign Plan
ACUB Army’s Collaborative Use Buffer
ADA average daily attendance
ADEC Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
ADFG Alaska Department of Fish and Game
ADT average daily traffic
AFB Air Force Base
AFS Alaska Fire Service
AICUZ Air Installation Compatible Use Zone
AIRFA American Indian Religious Freedom Act
AKDOT Alaska Department of Transportation
AKNHP Alaska Natural Heritage Program
ALISH Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii
AMF Army Modular Force
amsl above mean sea level
APCD Colorado Air Pollution Control Division
APE area of potential effect
AQCC Colorado Air Quality Control Commission
AR Army Regulation
Army Department of the Army
ARNG Army National Guard
ARPA Archaeological Resources Protection Act
ARTEP Army Training and Evaluation Program
ASP ammunition storage point
AST aboveground storage tank
ATC air traffic control
ATI area of traditional interest
ATTACC Army Training and Testing Area Carrying Capacity
BA Biological Assessment
BAAF Bradshaw Army Airfield
BAX Battle Area Complex
BCT Brigade Combat Team
BEA Bureau of Economic Analysis
bgs below ground surface
BLM Bureau of Land Management
BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics
BMP Best Management Practice
BO Biological opinion
BP before present
BRAC Base Realignment and Closure Act
BSA Biologically Sensitive Area
BTEX benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene
C Celsius
CA comprehensive agreement
CAA Clean Air Act
CACTF Combined Arms Collective Training Facility
CAL Combat Assault Landing Strip
CALFEX combine d arms live-fire exercise
CCD Census County Division
CDOT Colorado Division of Transportation
CDOW Colorado Department of Wildlife
CDPHE Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment
CEA Cumulative Effects Analysis
CEMML-CSU Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands-Colorado State
University
CEQ Council on Environmental Quality
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
CESQG Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator
CFA Controlled Firing Area
CGS Colorado Geological Survey
CHPPM Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
CNHP Colorado Natural Heritage Program
CNIPM Committee for Noxious and Invasive Weeds Management
CO carbon monoxide
COCOMs Commanders of Unified Combatant Commands
CPQC Combat Pistol Qualification Course
CRAMP Hawaii Coordinated Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program
CRREL Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
CTP combat trail program
CWA Clean Water Act
dB decibel
dBA A-weighted decibel
dBC C-weighted decibel
DBCP dibromochloropropane
DECAM Fort Carson Directorate of Environmental Compliance and Management
DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DMPRC Digital Multipurpose Range Complex
DMPTR Digital Multipurpose Training Range
DMR Dillingham Military Reservation
DNT dinitrotoluene
DoD Department of Defense
DOL Directorate of Logistics
DPTM Directorate of Plans, Training, and Mobilization
DPW Directorate of Public Works
DRMO defense reutilization and marketing office
DTA Donnelly Training Area
DU depleted uranium
DuSMMoP Dust and Soils Mitigation Monitoring Plan
EA Environmental Assessment
EACH Evans Army Community Hospital
ECO Environmental Compliance Office
EIFS Economic Impact Forecast System
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
ENMP Environmental Noise Management Program
EO Executive Order
EOD explosive ordnance disposal
ERF Eagle River Flats
ESA Endangered S pecies Act
ESMPR Endangered Species Management Plan Report
EUCOM European Command
F Fahrenheit
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FCS Future Combat Systems
FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Maps
FM Army Field Manual
FOPCO Fuel Oil Polishing Company
FR Federal Register
FRA Fort Richardson Area
FTC Fort Carson
FTCCTS Fort Carson Comprehensive Transportation Study
FTI fixed tactical internet
FUDS formerly used defense site
FWA Fort Wainwright
FY fiscal year
GAO U.S. Government Accounting Office
GDPR Global Defense Posture Realignment
GIS Geographic Information System
gpm gallons per minute
gpd gallons per day
HAFB Hickham Air Force Base
HAP Hazardous Air Pollutant
HBCT Heavy Brigade Combat Team
HDBEDT Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism
HDLNR Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
HDOH Hawaii Department of Health
HDOT Hawaii Department of Transportation
HECO Hawaii Electric Company
HELCO Hawaiian Electric and Light Company
HINHP Hawaii Natural Heritage Program
HMMWV high-mobility multiple wheeled vehicle
HMR Helemano Military Reservation
HMX Octahydro-1357-tetranitro-1357-tetrazocine
HQDA Headquarters, Department of the Army
HSDH Hawaii State Department of Health
HWMP Hazardous Waste Management Plan
HWSSP Hazardous Waste Shop Storage Point
Hz Hertz
I-25 Interstate 25
IAF initial approach fix
IBCT Infantry Brigade Combat Team
ICM improved conventional munitions
ICRMP Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan
ICUZ Installation Compatible Use Zone
IFR instrument flight rules
IGPBS Integrated Global Presence and Basing Study
IMC instrument meteorological conditions
INRMP Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan
IPBC Infantry Platoon Battle Course
IRP Installation Restoration Program
ISBC Infantry Squad Battle Course
ITAM Integrated Training Area Management
IWFMP Integrated Wildfire Management Plan
IWTP industrial water treatment plan
JHSV Joint High Speed Vessel
JRTC Joint Readiness Training Center
JSCP Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan
JSPS Joint Strategic Planning System
KLOA Kawailoa Training Area
km kilometer
KMWP Koolau Mountains Watershed Partnership
KTA Kahuku Training Area
KvA kilovolt ampere
LBP lead-based paint
Ldn day-night average sound level
Leq equivalent noise level
LM lifestyle management
LOS level of service
LPG liquefied petroleum gas
Lpk unweighted dB value
LRAM Land Rehabilitation and Maintenance
LSV logistic support vessel
LUST leaking underground storage tank
MAC Mount Assault Course
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act
mcf million cubic feet
MDF Multiple Deployment Facility
MEDDAC U.S. Army Medical Department Activity
MF McCarthy Flats
mg/L milligrams per liter
mgd million gallons per day
MGS mobile gun system
MILCON Military Construction
MIM maneuver impact mile
mm millimeter
MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act
MMR Makua Military Reservation
MOA Military Operations Area
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MOUT Mission Operations on Urbanized Terrain
mph miles per hour
MPM most probable munitions
MPMG Multipurpose Machine Gun Range
MPRC Multi-Purpose Range Complex
MPTR Multipurpose Training Range
MRF Modified Record Fire Range
MSR Military Supply Route
MVCL Maximum Contaminant Level
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standard
NAGPRA Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
NDAA National Defense Authorization Act
NDS National Defense Strategy
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NESHAP National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
NFDRS National Fire Danger Rating System
NHPA National Historic Preservation Act
NMS National Military Strategy
NO2 nitrogen dioxide
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad ministration
NOE Nap of the Earth
NOI Notice of Intent
NOx nitrogen oxides
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPL National Priorities List
NPS National Park Service
NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NRCS Natural Resource Conservation Service
NRHP National Register of Historic Places
NSS National Security Strategy
NTC National Training Center
NVG night vision goggles
NWI National Wetland Inventory
NZ noise zone
O3 ozone
OD open detonation
OIF Operation Iraqi Freedom
OIP Oahu Implementation Plan
ORAP Operational Range Assessment Program
ORRV off-road recreational vehicle
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OU2 operable unit
OWS oil/water separator
PA Programmatic Agreement
PACOM Commander of United States Pacific Command
PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
PCB polychlorinated biphenyl
pCi/L picoCuries per liter
PCMS Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site
PCSU Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit
PDC Pacific Disaster Center
PEA Programmatic Environmental Assessment
PM particulate matter
PM10 particulate matter less than 10 microns
PM25 particulate matter less than 25 microns
POL Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants
PPACG Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments
ppm parts per million
PRDA Pole Line Road Disposal Area
PRG Preliminary Remediation Goal
PSCU Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit
PSD prevention of significant deterioration
PTA Pohakuloa Training Area
PTE potential to emit
PTRCS property of traditional, religious, or cultural significance
QDR Quadrennial Defense Review
QTR Qualification Training Range
QTR 1 Multipurpose Qualification Training Range, McCarthy Flats
QTR 2 Multipurpose Qualification Training Range, South Range Acquisition Area
RAWS remote automated weather station
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RDX Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine
RFMSS Range Facility Management Support System
RMSSP Recyclable Material Shop Storage Point
ROD Record of Decision
ROI Region of Influence
ROW right-of-way
RRTS Roosevelt Road Transmitter Site
RSTA reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition
RTLA Range and Training Land Trust
RTV rational threshold value
SAP Satellite accumulation point
SAR Species at Risk
SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
SBCT Stryker Brigade Combat Team
SBER Schofield Barracks East Range
SBMP Schofield Barracks Main Post
SBMR Schofield Barracks Military Reservation
SDZ surface danger zone
Se Selenium
SEL sound exposure level
sf square feet
SH State Highway
SHPO State Historic Preservation Office
SIP State Implementation Plan
SMA Special Management Area
SO2 sulfur dioxide
SOP Standard Operating Procedure
SOx sulfur oxides
SPCC Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure
SRA Sustainable Range Awareness Program
SRAA South Range Acquisition Area
SRTA short-range training ammunition
SVOC Semi-volatile Organic Compound
SWMU Solid Waste Management Unit
TAMC Tripler Army Medical Center
TAPS Trans-Alaska Pipeline
TC Army Training Circular
TCE trichloroethene
TCP Traditional Cultural Property
TFTA Tanana Flats Training Area
TIP Transportation Improvement Plan
TLV threshold level value
TMDL total maximum daily load
TNC The Nature Conservancy
TNT 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
tpy tons per year
TRI training requirement integration
TSP total suspended particulate matter
TSV theater support vessel
UAC Urban Assault Course
UAV unmanned aerial vehicle
U.S. United States
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USAEHA U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency
USAGAK U.S. Army Garrison Alaska
USAG-HI U.S. Army Garrison – Hawaii
USARAK U.S. Army Alaska
USARHAW U.S. Army Hawaii
USARPAC U.S. Army Pacific
U.S.C. United States Code
USCS Unified Soil Classification System
USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture
USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
USFS U.S. Forest Service
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
UST underground storage tank
UXO unexploded ordnance
VEC Valued Environmental Component
VFR visual flight rules
VMC visual meteorological conditions
VOC volatile organic compound
WAAF Wheeler Army Airfield
WPAA West PTA Acquisition Area (Keamuku Parcel)
YTA Yukon Training Area
ìg/g micrograms per gram
ìg/L micrograms per liter
ìg/m3 micrograms per cubic liter
February 24, 2008
No author provided at originating website address / URL.
The Colorado Springs Gazette
30 South Prospect Street
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
719-632-5511 or (editorial page editor Wayne Laugesen) 719-636-0210
Fax: 719-636-0202
http://www.gazette.com
To submit a Letter to the Editor: gtop@gazette.com
The Army has identified a post in Hawaii, not Fort Carson, as the preferred site for stationing of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division as a Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the service announced Friday.
The brigade was based at Schofield Barracks Military Reservation in Hawaii before being deployed to Iraq in November. The unit is due to return to a home station in November 2009.
The Army’s environmental impact analysis studied Schofield Barracks and Army Garrison in Hawaii, Fort Richardson and Donnelly Training area in Alaska and Fort Carson.
The final environmental impact statement, which evaluated potential environmental and socioeconomic effects of permanent stationing of the brigade, also was released Friday.
The 743-page document can be found at http://aec.army.mil/usaec/nepa/sbctfeis.pdf (12.16 MB)
It appears unlikely the Army will choose Fort Carson, which stands to see a net gain of 663 soldiers by the brigade’s permanent stationing here. That’s because the Hawaii is best able to meet the Army’s strategic defense and national security needs in the Pacific theater, the EIS said.
The preferred site was chosen by Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Thurman. “In making the decision, he was fully informed as to the limitations in Hawaii in terms of training ranges, maneuver land, and impacts to sensitive environmental resources,” the EIS report said.
According to the report, residents of Hawaii cited lack of resources, contamination of air, soil and water, impacts to cultural sites, noise, increased wildfire risk among their concerns.
Colorado residents noted concerns about impacts to the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, soils and grassland, historic aspects of the Santa Fe Trail and natural and archaeological resources.
Copyright 2008, The Gazette.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/army_33508___article.html/hawaii_brigade.html
Additional contact information source: http://www.gazette.com/sections/contact-us/staff/
Final Environmental Impact Statement: Permanent Stationing of the 2/25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
Prepared For: Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.
Prepared By: U.S. Army Environmental Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
February 2008
Volume 1
February 15, 2008
Re: Release and review of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Permanent Home Stationing of the 2/25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT)
Dear Reader,
In May 2004, the Department of the Army (Army) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Transformation of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (ID) (Light) (referred to throughout this document as the 2/25th) to an SBCT. The SBCT is a maneuver brigade that includes approximately 4,105 Soldiers (infantry, artillery, engineers, and other Army specialties) and 1,000 vehicles (including about 320 Stryker Wheeled Armored Vehicles). In July 2004, the Army released a Record of Decision (ROD) documenting its decision to transform the 2/25th in place to an SBCT and permanently home station it in Hawaii.
The 2/25th began its transformation to an SBCT shortly after completion of the 2004 FEIS and signing of the ROD to proceed with the transformation. As of November 2007, the Brigade had completed training and almost all equipment fielding as an SBCT unit, completing those training tasks in Hawaii as permitted by Court ruling. The unit completed the rest of its training certifications during an extended training rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California and the Southern California Logistics Area. The SBCT has deployed from Hawaii to meet the ongoing operational requirements and it is scheduled to return in early 2009.
In October of 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit determined that the Army had not fully complied with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the transformation of the 2/25th because it did not adequately address or analyze potentially reasonable alternative locations for the transformation and training of this unit. In particular, the Court concluded that the Army had a duty under NEPA to consider locations other than Hawaii for the permanent stationing of the 2/25th SBCT, and it ordered the Army to prepare a supplemental EIS to address a full range of alternatives. The Army prepared this EIS in accordance with the Court’s guidance to examine a broader range of reasonable alternatives for the Proposed Action of permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT.
This EIS examines alternative Army installations capable of supporting the permanent stationing of the 2/25th SBCT. The EIS provides the Army senior leadership with a hard look at environmental impacts associated with selecting a home station for the 2/25th SBCT and it better informs the decision-making process for selecting the final stationing location. This effort includes analysis of all activities (equipment fielding, training, facilities construction, and Soldier and Family support) required to station the 2/25th permanently. This EIS effort will assist the Army in arriving at a decision for the permanent stationing of the SBCT in a location that can accommodate the Brigade’s training and quality of life requirements while meeting the strategic needs and national security requirements of the United States (U.S.). The EIS will simultaneously allow the Army to consider the social, economic, and environmental impacts related to the 2/25th stationing action.
The Army released the DEIS for public review on July 20, 2007. After publishing the DEIS, the Army extended public comment period that started on July 20th to 100 days and the comment period closed on October 30, 2007. During the comment period, the Army held multiple meetings in Hawaii, Alaska, and Colorado to answer questions and provide the public with opportunities to make public comments. Comments received from these meetings have been presented to Senior Army Leadership to provide additional information to decision makers and they have been used to help shape discussion presented in this FEIS.
In addition to comments collected at the public meetings, 228 comments were received by mail, facsimile, and e-mail. Of that total, 212 pertained to the Proposed Action in Hawaii, 11 pertained to the Proposed Action in Colorado, two were not location specific, and three were from Federal agencies commenting on the project as a whole. The comments received during the comment period and the Army’s responses to those comments are summarized in an appendix to the FEIS.
The Army anticipates a decision on the implementation of the Proposed Action in March 2008. At that time, we will notify the public of the final decision for the Proposed Action.
If you have any questions or wish to obtain additional copies of this document, please contact: Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Environmental Command, Building E4460, 5179 Hoadley Road, Attention: IMAE-PA, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5401. 410-436-2556, Fax: 410-436-1693 publiccomments@aec.apgea.army.mil
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Lead Agency: Department of the Army, Office of the Secretary of the Army, Washington, D.C.
Cooperating Agencies: None.
Title to Proposed Action: The Permanent Home Stationing of the 2/25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT)
Affected Jurisdictions: Hawaii and Honolulu Counties, Hawaii; Anchorage and Southeast Fairbanks Boroughs, Alaska; El Paso, Pueblo, and Fremont Counties, Colorado
Review: Copies of the FEIS may be obtained from the Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Environmental Command, Building E4460, 5179 Hoadley Road, Attention: IMAE-PA, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5401. 410-436-2556, Fax: 410-436-1693. The document is available on line at: http://www.sbct-seis.org
Document Designation: Final Environmental Impact Statement
Abstract: The Army’s proposed action is to home station the 2/25th SBCT permanently in a location that meets national security and defense policy guidance, provides for SBCT training and operational requirements, provides a high quality of life for the 2/25th Soldiers and their Families, and facilitates the rapid deployment of the SBCT to meet U.S. national security and defense requirements. This EIS examines three alternative Army installations capable of supporting the permanent stationing of the 2/25th SBCT. These alternatives for implementing the proposed action were identified by the Army as reasonable alternatives capable of meeting the Army’s need criteria described in Chapter 1 and screening criteria described in Chapter 2. The three alternatives include: (A) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Schofield Barracks Military Reservation (SBMR) while conducting required training at military training sites in Hawaii; (B) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Fort Richardson while conducting required training at military training sites in Alaska and replacing the SBCT in Hawaii with an IBCT from Alaska; and (C) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Fort Carson while conducting required training at military training sites in Colorado and replacing the SBCT in Hawaii with an IBCT from Colorado. In addition, the No Action Alternative was defined and evaluated in detail. The EIS includes analysis of all activities (equipment fielding, training, facilities construction, and Soldier and Family support) required to permanently station the 2/25th. This EIS will assist the Army in arriving at a decision for the permanent stationing of the SBCT in a location that can accommodate the SBCT’s training and quality of life facility requirements while meeting the strategic needs of the United States, national security requirements, and environmental considerations.
On December 12, 2007, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, G–3/5/7 (Lt. Gen. Thurman) selected Hawaii as the Army’s Preferred Alternative. He considered information from the EIS, public comments on the DEIS, the relative strengths and weaknesses of each alternative to meet the Army’s need for the Proposed Action, environmental and socio-economic affects, and public feedback received from each stationing location. He selected Hawaii as the Army’s Preferred Alternative primarily because it is best able to meet the Army’s strategic defense and national security needs in the Pacific theater. In making the decision, he was fully informed as to the limitations in Hawaii in terms of training ranges, maneuver land, and impacts to sensitive environmental resources. He also considered the more favorable conditions of training ranges and maneuver land at the alternate stationing locations.
Excerpt from Page 22:
"In addition, the EIS looks at the installations as they are today and does not consider the possibility of land acquisition. The military land acquisition process is a lengthy process that is very similar to military construction. To complete the process would take a minimum of between five to ten years. A military land acquisition project must first be approved and funding must be appropriated. In addition, the DoD must submit a waiver authorizing land acquisition, because a moratorium exists that bans the DoD from acquiring new lands authorization. Environmental surveys and studies must be completed before any real estate transaction may begin. The entire process would take too long to meet the permanent stationing needs and requirements of the 2/25th SBCT. For example, the potential expansion of PCMS, Colorado is not considered." (Note: The third paragraph on Page 51 goes on to state: "This analysis examines installations in accordance with their current land holdings. It does not consider the possible expansion of land holdings at installations. The process of land acquisition for federal agencies is a long one, requiring availability of land compatible with training use, multiple funding approvals, a series of environmental and real estate planning studies including NEPA, congressional funding appropriation, and preparation of the land before it can be used for training. Because of these uncertainties, land acquisition and expansion actions are not included in the scope of this analysis." Page 109, F, reiterates this.)
Beginning on Page 266 and continuing through Page 293 (pages 266-268 are excerpted below, as well as an excerpt from Page 291):
3.3.5 LAND USE AND RECREATION
This section discusses the existing land uses and recreational resources in and around FTC and PCMS.
3.3.5.1 Fort Carson
FTC occupies portions of El Paso, Pueblo, and Fremont Counties in east central Colorado. FTC covers approximately 137,000 acres, and extends from 2 and 15 miles east to west and approximately 24 miles north to south. Fort Carson is bounded by Interstate 25 (I–25) and mixed development to the east and State Highway (SH) 115 to the west. Colorado Springs and Denver lie 8 miles and 75 miles, respectively, to the north, while the City of Pueblo is located 35 miles south of the FTC cantonment area. The following subsections describe the current land uses in and around FTC, and land use management plans that provide guidance for operations at FTC.
FTC is an active military training facility for both weapons qualification and field training. Land use on FTC can be divided into three primary categories: cantonment, training areas, and non-military/recreation uses.
The cantonment consists of developed land and the training areas and non-military/recreation areas are undeveloped land. The cantonment, located in the northern portion of the installation, covers approximately 6,000 acres.
Military field training areas encompass approximately 96,000 acres of unimproved or open lands that are used for live-fire artillery practice, small-arms practice, tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle maneuver operations, and bivouac training. Air operation ranges on FTC consist of the Air Burst Range and Butts Army Airfield. Remaining land is used for recreation and other purposes (DECAM 2005a). The primary training activities that occur within the range area include maneuver training and livefire training. Other areas within the range are restricted from training.
Although FTC’s primary land use is for military training, FTC also has approximately 3,710 of special use lands, including recreation areas and a wildlife refuge (DECAM 2002a). Recreational uses on FTC include hunting, angling, dog training, and activities such as picnics and trail rides. Military training is generally off limits at these sites, and the intensity, level, and type of recreational activities vary by site. Most of the sites that support recreational uses are also waterfowl nesting refuges; some sites also protect other species including fish. Recreational uses are also allowed on training rangelands (with the exception of firing ranges and impact areas) when they are not being used for military activities (DECAM 2001b, 2002a).
As part of the ACUB program, FTC is implementing a comprehensive strategy to mitigate physical encroachment and environmental regulatory issues at FTC. The goal of this project is to enhance military utility of DoD’s primary military training areas through protection of properties adjacent to FTC boundaries. These properties have been identified as having high conservation value and/or high potential for current and future encroachment from development along Installation boundaries. The strategy entails working with activities/agencies such as TNC [The Nature Conservancy] and El Paso County to work towards encumbering upwards of 82,000 acres of permanent conservation easements, annual leases and acquisitions by collaboratively initiating administrative actions on private lands adjacent to the Installation.
The project was initiated during 2002 and focuses on private lands that border FTC, primarily within 1.5 to 2.0 miles of its southern and eastern boundaries. The ACUB protects available habitats, open space values and reduces current and future training restrictions by providing conservation easements that protect the threatened short-grass prairie ecosystem and prevent incompatible land use along the installation’s boundary. To date, the FTC ACUB has protected more than 65,000 acres through innovative deployment of the above-identified strategies. Of this total, permanent conservation easements have been acquired or are currently under contract on 16,000 acres. As part of the ACUB, FTC has partnered with TNC, El Paso County, USFWS, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Cooperation.
Other land uses at FTC include two small clay mines in operation near Stone City. FTC is required by law to allow mining at existing sites provided that permittees continue to meet permit conditions (DECAM 2002a).
According to the NRCS (USDA 1979), prime farmland designations occur within portions of El Paso, Fremont, and Pueblo Counties. No farming has ever occurred on FTC.
Lands surrounding FTC include developed and undeveloped lands. Developed land and land planned for future development surround approximately the northern third of FTC. These lands are part of unincorporated El Paso County to the west, the City of Colorado Springs to the north and west, and Security-Widefield and the City of Fountain to the east. Land use surrounding the southern portion of the installation consists primarily of undeveloped agricultural land. The town of Penrose, however, is located west of the southwest corner of FTC.
El Paso County recognizes FTC as a special land use dedicated for military training. Several areas in El Paso County, including Turkey Canyon Ranch, Red Rock Valley Estates, El Rancho, and Midway Ranch, are located adjacent to FTC and zoned by the county as a residential land use. These areas are considered noise-sensitive land uses and are described in further detail in the Noise Section (Section 3.3.11). El Paso County is responsible for regulating land use in these communities.
The City of Fountain’s future land use plan indicates that business park, industrial, and parks and open-space uses will abut the east boundary of FTC. While several small pockets of residential land use will be maintained near FTC according to this plan, most of the existing land zoned for residential use near the installation’s eastern boundary will be changed to industrial or open space uses in the future (City of Fountain 2005).
The City of Colorado Springs future land use plan indicates that the city plans to annex land adjacent to the western boundary of FTC near Gate 2. Land uses planned include general residential use to the west and north of FTC, existing park/open space, and community activity centers (City of Colorado Springs 2005). The entrance to the 1,680-acre Cheyenne Mountain State Park that is also located west of FTC is west of FTC Gate 1.
3.3.5.2 Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site
The PCMS is an approximately 235,000-acre Army site dedicated to training units stationed at, or otherwise under the responsibility of FTC. The PCMS is located in southeastern Colorado in Las Animas County, approximately 150 miles southeast of FTC. The PCMS is bounded by U.S. 350 to the west, Purgatoire River Canyon to the east, Las Animas County Road 54 to the south, and Otero County to the north. Lands south of PCMS are primarily privately owned undeveloped lands. Nearby cities include Trinidad to the southwest and La Junta to the northeast.
PCMS is a military training facility. Land use on the PCMS has been divided into three primary categories:
cantonment, training areas, and non-military/recreation uses. The cantonment consists of developed land; the training areas consist of open land. The cantonment area comprises approximately
1,660 acres of the PCMS. The cantonment provides limited, functional Soldier and support facilities.
Military training is restricted in this area.
The training areas comprise approximately 223,000 acres (DECAM 2002a) of PCMS and consist of unimproved or open lands that are used for military training maneuvers and small arms, live-fire activities. The four main training land use types within the training areas include Maneuver Training, Dismounted Training, Small arms, Live-fire Ranges, and Restricted Areas. Maneuver Training Areas comprise the majority of training land available at the PCMS.
Some areas within the PCMS are open to the public for recreational use when training activities are not occurring. Currently, the recreational uses on the PCMS include hunting and camping (hunters only). Recreational uses are allowed in the training areas and also occur at a dedicated campground near the intersection of Military Supply Routes (MSRs) 1 and 3 (DECAM 2002a).
The PCMS offers the single largest contiguous parcel of public lands available for hunting in the region. The abundance of game, the timing of hunting seasons (close to the rut), and the hunt success rate make the PCMS a highly desirable hunting area. Licenses are granted to hunt on the PCMS annually. On average, 300 to 500 licenses are issued each year. Licenses to hunt buck deer with a rifle on the PCMS are difficult to obtain; only 19 licenses were granted for 384 applicants in 2006 (Colorado Division of Wildlife [CDOW] 2006). The wait list for these licenses is more than 13 years.
According to the NRCS (USDA 1979), Prime farmlands occur north of the PCMS in Otero County. Prime farmland in Las Animas County is generally associated with the Purgatoire River and land that is irrigated. Land is not irrigated on the PCMS, and prime farmland does not occur on the installation (USACE 2007b).
The PCMS is surrounded on three sides by land that is zoned for agricultural uses and used for dryland cattle grazing. The Comanche National Grassland, which is managed by the USFS, lies immediately north of the PCMS; it consists of undeveloped open land and several recreation sites. Several small communities are located near the PCMS to the west along U.S. 350, including Model, Timpas, Thatcher, Houghton, and Delhi, all of which have populations of less than 50. Trinidad, which has a population of less than 10,000, is located 40 miles southwest of the PCMS; and La Junta, with a population of approximately 7,000, is located approximately 42 miles northeast.
Comprehensive planning and land uses in Las Animas County are governed by the Las Animas County Development Guide (Las Animas County Planning Commission 1994). Las Animas County recognizes the land use at the PCMS as a military training facility. For USFS lands, the Draft Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Land Management Plan (USFS 2005) defines the land management goals. The plan describes existing conditions, identifies desired conditions, and articulates the management goals. These plans recognize the PCMS as a military training installation.
Excerpt from Page 291:
3.3.14.2 Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site
This section describes the Army real property and facilities at PCMS. The topics addressed include real estate, facilities, public services, and infrastructure for utilities.
Real Estate
No land acquisition would be required for the proposed project activities on PCMS. The PCMS is an approximately 235,000-acre Army site dedicated to training units stationed at, or otherwise under the responsibility, of FTC. The PCMS is located in southeastern Colorado in Las Animas County, approximately 150 miles southeast of FTC. The PCMS is bounded by U.S. 350 to the west, Purgatoire River Canyon to the east, Las Animas County Road 54 to the south, and Otero County to the north.
Page 444-506 : 5.4 Alternative C - Permanently Station the 2/25th SBCT at Fort Carson while Conducting Required Training at Military Training Sites in Colorado.
Excerpt from Page 459 (5.4.5 Cultural Resources): "Impacts on cultural resources including historic structures, prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, and PRTCSs could include intrusion of new buildings or structures that are not consistent with the historic characteristics of a historic site or district, renovation or demolition of historic buildings, ground disturbance at archaeological sites, removal of objects or artifacts from eligible sites, increased access to archaeologically sensitive areas, or restriction of access to sacred sites. Stationing of an additional 663 SBCT Soldiers and their support staff and their families would require eventual construction of additional residential and support facilities and would result in increased overall use and traffic. Construction of training support facilities could disturb or damage cultural resources. The overall increase in traffic and use could result in accelerated disturbance and degradation. New training ranges would be required on FTC, including 3 acres of disturbed land associated with the UAC. Increased frequency and intensity of training could result in more extensive and more frequent damage to cultural resources. The acquisition of new systems and equipment, including Stryker vehicles, could entail the use of more extensive areas during maneuver training, resulting in more damage to cultural resource sites. Stryker vehicle exercises tend to focus more on rapid deployment and remain on existing roads than training with conventional vehicles."
See Page 476 for the itemized changes to Fort Carson and the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.
See Page 482 for: "Impacts to general wildlife and habitats. Construction of new ranges at FTC would result in longterm or permanent loss of previously disturbed habitat and 3 acres of undisturbed habitat associated with the UAC. Construction noise and related human presence would disrupt the normal activities of animals. Mortality may occur to individual animals that are small or less mobile. Building new roads and ranges could increase habitat fragmentation. Construction and development of ranges would provide habitat for species that prefer edge habitat, open areas, or early succession. Overall, the shortterm impacts of range construction would be minor. Range construction would have the long-term impact of reducing the available habitat for some species; however, the relatively small size of the proposed ranges compared to available habitat resources is less than significant. The following measures would be implemented to reduce the impacts to general wildlife and habitats further. • Buffer zones around sensitive wildlife locations, such as bird nests, would be accommodated where feasible. • Existing species management plans would continue to be implemented. • Continue weed prevention and control, avoid nesting birds by restricting mowing of road shoulders and prescribed burns to the extent possible during the nesting season. • Continue surveys of power lines to minimize bird electrocutions. • Continue practice of identifying golden eagle nest sites annually, establishing 1,640-feet buffers around each nest site, and restricting training in buffer zones between April and June."
Page 491: 5.4.12 Noise: "... the types of impacts associated with noise that would occur under Alternative C. Noise from range construction would be less than significant. Noise from live-fire and maneuver training would be mitigable to less than significant."
Pages 501-506: You've just got to read this for yourself at the originating website address.
http://aec.army.mil/usaec/nepa/sbctfeis.pdf (743 pages; 12.16 MB)
Pinon Canyon recent news articles:
Ranchers file Pinon Canyon open records claim
Goat, CO - Feb 20, 2008
When the US Army established the 235000-acre Pinon Canyon Maneuver site in the 1980s, it used eminent domain to take property. Now the Army wants 400000 ...
Non-profit seeks Army records on Pinon Canyon spending
KOAA, CO - Feb 17, 2008
It claims Army funded contractors continue to hold community meetings despite a one-year moratorium on any spending related to the Pinon Canyon Maneuver ...
Iraqi nationals help train troops at Pinon Canyon
KOAA, CO - Feb 16, 2008
Fort Carson soldiers have returned to the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, 150 miles southeast of Colorado Springs , to train for combat. ...
Pinon Canyon Training
KKTV 11 News, CO - Feb 16, 2008
The unit has just begun a month long training session at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver site in southeastern Colorado. Friday 11 News got an up close look at the ...
Foes of Pinon Canyon expansion want to see Army expense records
KRDO, CO - Feb 16, 2008
AP - February 16, 2008 9:14 PM ET PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) - Ranchers fighting the Army's effort to expand the Pinon (PIN'-yon) Canyon training site are seeking ...
Pinon Canyon meetings planned
Pueblo Chieftain, CO - Feb 4, 2008
By PETER ROPER The Army has authorized several meetings this week with focus groups in La Junta and Trinidad to talk about the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. ...
Precinct caucuses to vote on Piñon Canyon resolution
SmallTownPapers News Service, WA - Feb 7, 2008
... (STPNS) -- Precinct caucuses of Las Animas County will vote on a resolution opposing the Army's proposed expansion of the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site. ...
Army sending troops back to Pinon Canyon
Pueblo Chieftain, CO - Feb 2, 2008
By PETER ROPER The Army is going back to the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site starting Monday, marking the first time Fort Carson has sent a large unit to train ...
Fort Carson Soldiers To Return To Pinon Canyon
TheDenverChannel.com, CO - Feb 2, 2008
About 1500 Fort Carson soldiers will go to the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site starting Monday, marking the first time the Army post has sent a large unit to ...
Ranchers want Army records on expenses for planning
Pueblo Chieftain, CO - Feb 16, 2008
By PETER ROPER Ranchers fighting the Army's effort to expand the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site have filed a federal open records claim with Fort Carson to get ...