MEDIA RELEASE
The Department of the Army is announcing the decision to construct and operate an Infantry Platoon Battle Course (IPBC) and associated infrastructure that meets Army training requirements at Pohakuloa Training Area.
The proposed $29 million project, authorized and funded by the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization and Fiscal Year 2013 MILCON-VA Appropriations Acts, would support the live-fire collective training needs of the Army, Army Reserve, and Hawaii Army National Guard units, as well as other Service components that are stationed or train in Hawaii.
To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Army prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluated the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects associated with alternatives to construct and operate the IPBC.
In the Final EIS, published April 26 in the Federal Register, the Army identified the Western Range Alternative as its preferred location. The Army has selected this alternative in its Record of Decision.
The Western Range Area Alternative is located in an under-used portion of the PTA impact area where no ranges currently exist.
The location has been exposed to indirect munitions fire and constructing the IPBC here will reclaim a portion of the impact area.
The IPBC will be used for 242 training days per year and is best suited for dismounted infantry operations.
The IPBC will be used to train and test infantry platoons and other units on the skills necessary to conduct collective (group) tactical movement techniques, and to detect, identify, engage, and defeat stationary and moving infantry and armor targets in a tactical array.
Soldiers will engage targets with small arms, machine guns, and other weapon systems as part of live-fire exercises. This includes air-ground integration where soldiers maneuvering on the IPBC can coordinate air support.
In addition to live-fire, the range will also be used for training with sub-caliber and/or laser training devices.
This type of training is mission essential for soldiers to be prepared to encounter threats during combat operations overseas.
The major potential environmental impacts identified and analyzed in the FEIS are air quality, threatened and endangered species, cultural sites, encountering munitions and explosives of concern, and igniting wildfires.
Prior to making its decision, the Army considered comments received during the EIS scoping and comment process, and the 30-day waiting period after the Final EIS.
The Army’s Record of Decision includes the final measures the Army adopted to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to identified cultural resources.
To lessen or eliminate impacts to cultural resources, the Army entered into a programmatic agreement with the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, and Hawaii State History Preservation Office, pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The agreement contains detailed mitigation measures that would lessen potential adverse effects to cultural resources.
Interested constituents may contact US Army Environmental Command Public Affairs Office, by phone toll free at 1-855-846-3940.
E-mail requests to obtain a copy of the Record of Decision should be sent to USARMY.JBSA.AEC.MBX@mail.mil.
An electronic copy of the ROD and Final EIS may be accessed at: www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta_peis/default.htm
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Statement from Sen. Brian Schatz
Sen. Brian Schatz announced the Department of the Army will construct and operate an Infantry Platoon Battle Course and associated infrastructure at PÅhakuloa Training Area. This $29 million project will support the live-fire collective training needs of the Army, Army Reserve and Hawaii Army National Guard units.
“I am very pleased to announce that the Department of the Army will construct an Infantry Platoon Battle Course at PÅhakuloa Training Area,†Schatz said. “This project will both create jobs in Hawaii and provide our troops with an apt training ground to ensure the safety of our state and our nation. Hawai`i has long been a strategic and imperative training ground for the U.S. Army. I’m happy to announce that our local economy and defense preparedness will both be improved with the construction of this battle course. I look forward to working with the Department of the Army in the coming months and years to make this a reality.â€