DEIS Statement for the Permanent Stationing of the 2/25th Stryker Brigade
For Immediate Release from the U.S. Army Environmental Command
The 2/25th began its transformation shortly after completion of the 2004 final Environmental Impact Statement and signing of the Record of Decision. The brigade is scheduled to complete the training and fielding of its equipment in late 2007. By November of 2007, the Army requires that the unit be ready for deployment to support ongoing missions and operational requirements.
In October 2006, the Federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit determined that the Army had not fully complied with National Environmental Policy Act for the transformation of the 2/25th when it conducted its 2004 Environmental Impact Statement because it did not adequately analyze alternative stationing locations for the transformation and training of this unit. As a result, the Army has prepared this DEIS in accordance with the court’s guidance to examine a fuller range of reasonable alternatives for the proposed action to permanently station the 2/25th SBCT.
The DEIS examines several Army installations capable of supporting the permanent stationing of the 2/25th SBCT. The DEIS will provide the Army senior leadership with a hard look at environmental impacts associated with the proposed action and better inform their decision-making process for selecting the final stationing location. This effort includes analysis of all activities (training, facilities construction, and Soldier and Family support) required to permanently station the 2/25th. This DEIS effort will assist the Army in arriving at a decision that can accommodate the brigade’s training, operations, and quality of life requirements while meeting the strategic defense needs of the nation.
After reviewing the full range of potential Army stationing locations, three alternatives for implementing the proposed action have been identified by the Army as reasonable alternatives capable of meeting the Army’s need criteria and screening criteria. Alternatives for the proposed action include: (1) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Schofield Barracks Military Reservation (SBMR) while conducting required training at military training sites in Hawaii; (2) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Fort Richardson while conducting required training at military training sites in Alaska; and (3) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Fort Carson while conducting required training at military training sites in Colorado. In addition to these alternatives, a no action alternative is described and its environmental impacts fully assessed and considered.
For more information on the U.S. Army Environmental Command, visit http://aec.army.mil/
Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the proposed action have been considered in theDEIS. The DEIS identifies significant impacts at each of the three alternative locations which would occur as a result of implementing the proposed action. Impacts at alternative sites would result from construction and training activities. Significant impacts to resources would be direct, long-term. The no action alternative provides the baseline conditions for comparison to the proposed alternative. Additional concerns or impacts may be identified as a result of comments received on this DEIS.
The Army invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision making. In addition, the Army invites the general public, local governments, other federal agencies, and state agencies to submit written comments or suggestions concerning the analysis and alternatives addressed in the DEIS. Written comments will be accepted for forty-five (45) days following publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of Availability for the DEIS in the Federal Register. The comment period will last from 20 July through 4 September 2007. Assistance will be provided upon request to anyone having difficulty understanding how to participate. Public meetings will be held from 13 - 31 August 2007 in Hawaii, Alaska, and Colorado. The locations, times, and dates of the public hearings will be announced in advance through notices and media news releases.
The draft EIS will be available at: http://aec.army.mil/usaec/
Send all written comments and suggestions concerning this draft Environmental Impact Statement to: Public Affairs Office, U.S. 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 comments should be sent to: PublicComments@aec.apgea.army.mil.
For further information, please contact the Public Affairs Office at (410) 436-2556 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.
USAEC is the Army’s point organization for supporting the implementation of environmental programs that facilitate sustainable Army training and operations while protecting the environment. We provide environmental program management and technical support products and services in support of Army training operations, acquisition and sound stewardship.
Army Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Permanent Stationing of the 2/25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
The 2/25th began its transformation shortly after completion of the 2004 final Environmental Impact Statement and signing of the Record of Decision. The brigade is scheduled to complete the training and fielding of its equipment in late 2007. By November of 2007, the Army requires that the unit be ready for deployment to support ongoing missions and operational requirements.
In October 2006, the Federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit determined that the Army had not fully complied with National Environmental Policy Act for the transformation of the 2/25th when it conducted its 2004 Environmental Impact Statement because it did not adequately analyze alternative stationing locations for the transformation and training of this unit. As a result, the Army has prepared this DEIS in accordance with the court’s guidance to examine a fuller range of reasonable alternatives for the proposed action to permanently station the 2/25th SBCT.
The DEIS examines several Army installations capable of supporting the permanent stationing of the 2/25th SBCT. The DEIS will provide the Army senior leadership with a hard look at environmental impacts associated with the proposed action and better inform their decision-making process for selecting the final stationing location. This effort includes analysis of all activities (training, facilities construction, and Soldier and Family support) required to permanently station the 2/25th. This DEIS effort will assist the Army in arriving at a decision that can accommodate the brigade’s training, operations, and quality of life requirements while meeting the strategic defense needs of the nation.
After reviewing the full range of potential Army stationing locations, three alternatives for implementing the proposed action have been identified by the Army as reasonable alternatives capable of meeting the Army’s need criteria and screening criteria. Alternatives for the proposed action include: (1) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Schofield Barracks Military Reservation (SBMR) while conducting required training at military training sites in Hawaii; (2) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Fort Richardson while conducting required training at military training sites in Alaska; and (3) permanently stationing the 2/25th SBCT at Fort Carson while conducting required training at military training sites in Colorado. In addition to these alternatives, a no action alternative is described and its environmental impacts fully assessed and considered.
For more information on the U.S. Army Environmental Command, visit http://aec.army.mil/
Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the proposed action have been considered in theDEIS. The DEIS identifies significant impacts at each of the three alternative locations which would occur as a result of implementing the proposed action. Impacts at alternative sites would result from construction and training activities. Significant impacts to resources would be direct, long-term. The no action alternative provides the baseline conditions for comparison to the proposed alternative. Additional concerns or impacts may be identified as a result of comments received on this DEIS.
The Army invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision making. In addition, the Army invites the general public, local governments, other federal agencies, and state agencies to submit written comments or suggestions concerning the analysis and alternatives addressed in the DEIS. Written comments will be accepted for forty-five (45) days following publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of Availability for the DEIS in the Federal Register. The comment period will last from 20 July through 4 September 2007. Assistance will be provided upon request to anyone having difficulty understanding how to participate. Public meetings will be held from 13 - 31 August 2007 in Hawaii, Alaska, and Colorado. The locations, times, and dates of the public hearings will be announced in advance through notices and media news releases.
The draft EIS will be available at: http://aec.army.mil/usaec/
Send all written comments and suggestions concerning this draft Environmental Impact Statement to: Public Affairs Office, U.S. 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 comments should be sent to: PublicComments@aec.apgea.army.mil.
For further information, please contact the Public Affairs Office at (410) 436-2556 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.
USAEC is the Army’s point organization for supporting the implementation of environmental programs that facilitate sustainable Army training and operations while protecting the environment. We provide environmental program management and technical support products and services in support of Army training operations, acquisition and sound stewardship.
posted by Delta News Web at 7/20/2007 09:54:00 AM
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