Categorized | Military, News

Army to hold public meetings on expanding live-fire training capabilities at PTA

MEDIA RELEASE

POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, HI – The Army announces for public comment, the availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for modernizing of training infrastructure and construction and operation of an Infantry Platoon Battle Area (IPBA) at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA).

The Army seeks public input in order to identify community concerns and issues as part of the PEIS process, which is being conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

The proposed action involves upgrading existing ranges to current standards and constructing new ranges; updating and constructing new Soldier support facilities in the cantonment area; and, improving and constructing roads and utilities at PTA. The proposed action would improve the current shortfall in collective (group) live-fire training capabilities for units stationed in Hawaii. There is no proposed expansion or use above historic levels.

The PEIS also considers the No Action Alternative of not modernizing existing training ranges, training support infrastructure, and facilities at PTA, which would be a continuation of the present course of action for PTA. Under the “No Action” alternative, the Army would continue to utilizing current training lands and facilities at PTA as efficiently as possible.

For the first modernization project, the PEIS specifically evaluates constructing and operating an Infantry Platoon Battle Area (IPBA) that would include an Infantry Platoon Battle Course (IPBC), Live-fire Shoothouse, and Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) facility. The Army considers three possible alternative locations within the PTA impact area to construct the IPBA. The Army further considers a No Action alternative of not constructing and operating an IPBA at PTA.

The public is invited to attend the public meetings and encouraged to provide written or oral comments on environmental issues addressed in the PEIS.

At the meetings, there will be table-top poster displays and subject matter experts available to answer questions during the open-house session, and an open-microphone session for oral comments. Court recorders will be available for those who choose to have their comments recorded.

All written comments must be postmarked or received during the 45-day comment period to be considered in the Draft Programmatic EIS for the Modernization of Training Infrastructure and Construction and Operation of an Infantry Platoon Battle Area at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawai`i. Written comments must be postmarked by November 30, 2011 and mailed to: PTA PEIS, P.O. Box 514, Honolulu, HI 96809. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (808) 545-6808, via e-mail to PTAEIS@bah.com, online at www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil, or at the public meetings.

Date: Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Aunty Sally’s Kaleohano’s Luau Hale
799 Piilani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
6:30-7:30 P.M. Poster Session
7:30-9:30 P.M. Open Microphone Session (4 minutes per speaker)

Date: Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Waimea Elementary School (cafeteria)
67-1225 Mamalahoa Highway
Kamuela, HI 96743
6:30-7:30 P.M. Poster Session
7:30-9:30 P.M. Open Microphone Session (4 minutes per speaker)

For more information, call Mike Egami, Public Affairs Officer, at 656-3152 or cell 387-8511.

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