Army details Stryker impact
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
The Army has released a draft environmental report for its Stryker Brigade Combat Team, a $1.5 billion project that would remake the Army in Hawai'i, require extensive construction on O'ahu and the Big Island, and significantly affect the state's environment.
The far-reaching plan would bring a rapid-response unit of 291 troop carriers to O'ahu as part of an Army goal become a lighter, faster and more lethal fighting force over the next decade.
"This is a red-banner day for the U.S. Army and the state of Hawai'i," said Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, commander of the 25th Infantry Division (Light). "This announcement places the Tropic Lightning division in the forefront of the Army's transformation and portends a bright future for our continuing partnership and relations with our state and all its peoples."
The more than 1,000-page draft environmental impact statement released yesterday details 28 projects expected to cost $693 million and includes the purchase of 1,400 acres on O'ahu and 23,000 acres on the Big Island.
Among those projects: 49 miles of private trails on O'ahu and the Big Island for Stryker use, six new ranges, two airfield upgrades and support facilities including a virtual war-fighting trainer.
Four "unmanned aerial vehicles" would be flown by the brigade, and a huge catamaran support vessel that could accommodate all of the 20-ton, eight-wheeled Strykers is envisioned.
Troop versions of the Stryker can carry nine soldiers and two crew; another version will have a 105 mm cannon. A Fort Lewis, Wash.-based Stryker unit is expected to make its combat debut in Iraq next month.
The 2nd Brigade of 3,438 soldiers at Schofield would be increased by 810 soldiers as part of the changeover. The Army anticipates an additional 1,500 family members.
The draft environmental study says training-related fires could have a "significant impact" on sensitive species and habitats, and that the direct and indirect effects of training would be habitat disturbance, and destruction of endangered plants.
The effects of Stryker Brigade training on listed species are being evaluated in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army "would carry out all reasonable and prudent measures determined during this consultation," the report said.
Dust to increase
Additionally, the study said vehicle travel on unpaved roads and in off-road maneuver areas would increase by 57 percent, resulting in 780 tons of additional dust per year at Schofield Barracks and 429 tons of dust at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.
The alternatives considered in the draft study include a "preferred" alternative, an alternative that considers reduced land acquisition, and a "no action" alternative.
The Hawai'i Stryker Brigade is envisioned to be operational by 2007.
The Pentagon has financed four of the units, while the fifth and sixth brigades for Hawai'i and Pennsylvania are being reviewed by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for possible improvements.
Hawai'i's location within the Pacific Rim is a "critical area of interest for the United States," the report states. A Stryker Brigade is designed to respond to trouble spots within 96 hours.
Public comment sought
After the posting of a "notice of availability" in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — possibly on Friday — the draft study will be subject to a 45-day public comment period.
David Henkin, an attorney for Earthjustice, said yesterday that the Sierra Club had asked for a 90-day comment period instead.
"They (the Army) are trying to skate by on the bare minimum, and that's inappropriate when you are talking about something of this magnitude," Henkin said.
Henkin said the Army is looking at significantly ramping up military activities in the state.
More land needed
Among the additions at Schofield would be a 600-acre "battle area complex" for company gunnery training, and a six-acre "urban assault course."
All 1,005 vehicles associated with a Stryker Brigade, including trucks, Humvees and other support vehicles, would be based at Schofield.
Mounted maneuver training would involve up to 96 Strykers at Schofield, up to 27 at Dillingham Military Reservation, as many as 200 at the Kahuku Training Area, and up to 291 at the Pohakuloa Training Area.
Trails on O'ahu and the Big Island would be used to keep the vehicles off public roads as much as possible.
The brigade also could use Makua Military Reservation, where a separate environmental impact statement is being done.
Written comments on the draft study, which will be followed by a final version and record of decision, will be accepted through Nov. 19.
Additionally, a series of public meetings have been scheduled with the following tentative dates and locations:
- Oct. 28, Honolulu Country Club
- Oct 29, Helemano Plantation
- Oct. 30, Makaha Resort Golf Club
- Nov. 4, Turtle Bay Resort
- Nov. 5, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort
- Nov. 6, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
All meetings begin with an "open house" from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., and conduct a formal meeting to hear comments from 7 to 10 p.m.
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
