Posted at 11:17 a.m., Thursday, October 4, 2001

Army to resume Makua live fire training

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Army reached an agreement with environmentalists today that will allow soldiers to immediately resume live fire training in Makua Valley in return for conducting a comprehensive environmental study within three years.

The agreement between Malama Makua and the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, on one side, and the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army, Hawai'i, on the other, was announced today by Maj. Gen. James Dubik.

"Our president gave the U.S. military a two-word order: 'Be ready,' " Dubik said. "Our need to train in Makua is urgent and immediate. This agreement permits the Army to prepare for any mission our leaders may give us, while at the same time reaffirming our commitment to preserve the lands entrusted to our care."

The Army has not used Makua Valley for such training since September 1998 and has been embroiled in legal challenges by environmentalists and some Leeward Coast residents.

Of the valley's 4,190 acres, 457 will be used for the training. The agreement allows the Army to conduct 16 company-level live-fire exercises in the first year, nine in the second year and 12 in the third year.

The Army promised to continue monitoring air, soil and groundwater for signs of environmental degradation, and to conduct an environmental impact statement.

The Army also agreed to airlift some types of ammunition to the valley, rather than drive it through the Leeward community, which many residents had objected to.

Malama Makua, which had filed suit to stop the Army from using the valley, will be allowed to have at least one observer present during all training. Access to cultural sights will be allowed twice a month and overnight access will be allowed twice a year, although with some limitations.

The agreement brings a dismissal of the lawsuit and lifts a preliminary injunction ordered in July, which prevented an immediate return to training.