Posted on: Thursday, May 30, 2002

Army extends deadline as it elaborates on plan

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

The Army has extended by 30 days the public comment period for its environmental impact statement analysis of a $693 million plan to bring 380 armored vehicles to O'ahu as part of a fast-strike brigade.

Army officials said yesterday that "in response to public comments," the 25th Infantry Division (Light) will be providing more information about the plan in mailings and at its Web site at www.ibcteis.com, and that the deadline for comment has been moved back from today to June 29.

"The Army will continue its ongoing dialogue with the individuals and organizations in the community as it prepares an EIS for transformation," said Col. William Puttmann, commander of U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai'i.

The change comes after Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund attorney David Henkin told the Army on April 24 that it had failed to provide required public information as it proceeds with the "scoping" process to gather public comment for determining what should be examined in the impact statement.

Henkin said the transformation plan presented by the 25th Division for the fast-strike brigade has been overly vague, failing to spell out proposed land purchases, alternatives or probable environmental effects.

The Army had said it has met legal requirements and done its best to keep the public informed as it proceeds with the far-reaching plan that would mean additional training on O'ahu and the Big Island.

A draft of the impact statement is expected in February.

The Army will accept comments in writing, by fax or by e-mail.