Army seeks public comment on Stryker impact survey

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

As the Army continues to collect public comment on its proposed Hawai'i Stryker Brigade, officials said yesterday that the military will strive to limit environmental and cultural effects of the huge undertaking.

A draft environmental impact statement indicates a Stryker brigade in Hawai'i could affect noise and dust levels on O'ahu and 17 archaeological sites on the Big Island. The public has until Nov. 17 to comment on the report. Advertiser library photo

On the Big Island, 17 archaeological sites may be affected by the proposed construction of a "battle area complex." Nine Big Island archaeological sites are within a proposed anti-armor live-fire training range, and that includes five lava tubes that may have been used as shelters by Native Hawaiians.

Army officials said an environmental impact statement process includes consultation with preservation officials and other groups to determine the value of cultural sites and avoid any adverse effects.

The approximately 300 eight-wheeled armored vehicles that make up a Stryker Brigade Combat Team wouldn't start arriving until early 2006 — if the Army gets a favorable decision on the EIS, and final approval by the Pentagon and Congress.

Col. David Anderson, commander of the U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai'i, told reporters yesterday that the draft EIS recently released for the $1.5 billion Stryker Brigade Combat Team is a work in progress.

Publication of the 1,500-page draft EIS in the Federal Register Oct. 3 kicked off a 45 day public comment period that ends Nov. 17. Army officials yesterday met with reporters to discuss the review.

If the brigade is approved, the military would need an additional 23,000 acres on the Big Island, 1,400 acres on O'ahu, and land for 49 miles of private trails to keep the 20-ton Strykers off public roads as much as possible during training.

Three public meetings are planned on O'ahu beginning Oct. 28 followed by two others on the Big Island to discuss the Army plan, which would remake the 25th Infantry Division (Light) and mean $693 million in construction and jobs.

"I can't over-emphasize how important public input and participation is in this entire process," Anderson said. "That's why we're going all over the state to present the draft and solicit comments."

The Stryker Brigade, one of six planned by the Army, is seen as a bridge between "light" forces like infantry and "heavy" tank units. It would be capable of deploying anywhere in the world in four days.

The vehicles would be based at Schofield and travel by private trail to Dillingham Airfield and Kahuku Training Area for training. Strykers also would be transported by C-17 cargo jets, and use Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.

The plan calls for a live-fire range for Strykers at Schofield, including one version outfitted with a 105mm cannon. Ron Borne, the 25th Division's transformation manager, said the vehicles themselves are relatively quiet, and the use of the 105mm cannon would be a return to identical tank guns fired at Schofield through the early 1980s.

The study also said vehicle travel on unpaved roads and in off-road maneuver areas would increase dust by 57 percent. Anderson said gravel and "binding material" could be used on trails to limit dust.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.