The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0176.002 2002-2004 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS. UNITED STATES ARMY GARRISON. HAWAII POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA POST OFFICE BOX 4607 HILO, HAWAII 96720-0607 REPLY TO ATTENTION OF: March 26, 2003 Councilman Leningrad F,larionoff County of Hawaii Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Councilman Elarionoff I am writing to provide input to your discussions regarding the proposed Hawaii County Council J Resolution 54-03 supporting the formation of a committee or advisory board to provide citizen input for the Pohakuloa Training Area. I want to ensure the County Council has information regarding past and future opportunities for the public to provide input and gain information on the Transformation proposed projects at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Island of Hawaii, and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for those projects. US Army Hawaii (USARHAW) is currently in the process of preparing an EIS for the Transformation of the 2"° Brigade, 25`" ID (L) to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). The Transformation of the brigade in Hawaii requires 32 projects to constmct and improve facilities and training ranges and areas to accommodate the fielding, maintenance and ffaining of the SBCT. OCthese 32 projects, eight are identified for PTA and Che Island of Hawaii. USARHAW initiated the EIS process in March, 2002. The initial 90 day public comment period for input into the EIS was from April, 2002 through .hme, 2002. During that comment period CSARHAW held seven public comment meetings, five on Oahu and two on Hawaii Island. The meetings on Hawaii Island occurred on I6 April 2002, in Hilo and 17 April 2002, in Waikoloa. "Chew meetings were well attended and numerous communit}~ members provided testimony at the meetings. Two additional meetings were held during the public comment penod at which USARHAW accepted input from members of the community for consideration in the F.IS. At the request of members of the public, USARHAW hosted a special meeting on 24 June 2002, at the National Guard facilities m I lilo and tti~elve people attended. "Chc meeting included an additional briefing about the proposed 'franslormatiou and au extensive question and answer period during which USARHAW representatives addressed several questions from the attendees. On 25 June 2002. I hosted a visit to Pohakuloa that was attended by members of the SietTa Club, Kona Outdoor Circle, Green party, Kona Soil & Water District, Na Koa Lohe O Ke Akq Waikii Ranch along with other interested parties. Once again, Transformation and training at PTA were discussed at some lmrgth, as well as the Anny's current environmental programs at Pohakuloa. USARHAW is now developing the Draft EIS for Transformation. On the current schedule, the Draft EIS should be completed by June, 2003. During the June/July 2003 timeframe, additional public meetings will be held, and a period of 45 days will offer further opporhmity for the public to provide written ancL'or oral input Cor consideration in the ongoing study. USARHA W will publish the dates, times and locations for the public meetings once the specifics are determined. At the end of the required cornment period for the Draft EIS, USARHAW make necessary adjustments to the document based on public input and publish the Finel EIS in )\ovember, 2003. Followinc a 30- day review, a Record of Decision (ROD) will be rendered in December, 2003. Nu Cmal decisions regarding the proposed Transformation projects will he made until a favorable ROD is finalized. In addition to the LIS prosetie and the opportunities it offers the community to provide input, over the past 15 months, USARHAW has conducted an extensive community engagement effort to share information with~~~ Comm. No. File Na ~w Ret. To• f`~w~M Ref. Date. APR I ZQQa interested community members. I have spearheaded this effort on Hawaii Island and have conducted dozens of presentations and information briefings to a wide variety of community organizations and groups. We will contimie these efforts to maintain open dialogue and build a strong partnership with [he community and welcome opportunities to share information. I am available to meet with interested groups to discuss current and future [raining and development plans for PTA. We remain commi[ed to maintaining open dialogue with the entire Hawaii Island ohana and I look forward to opportunites to share our commitment [o maintaining a balance between our responsibilities [o train America's fighting forces and care for our natural and cultural resources. Pohakuloa Training Area's Vision: -Training Today's Warriors -Building Tomon~ow's Premier Training Center and -Nuturing Hawaii's Environment and Culture Sincerely, Ge~chmit Licr nant Col el, U.S. Army C tmander 2