Army Announces Draft Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DSPEIS) for Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment to Support Operations in the Pacific Theater

The Department of the Army announced today the availability of a DSPEIS that evaluates the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects associated with alternatives for growing and realigning the Army’s force structure to support operations in the Pacific Theater.

The Army is considering several stationing locations that are capable of supporting mission requirements in the Pacific Theater. Alternative stationing locations include the major training installations the Army considered in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment (October 2007) as well as four additional installations in Hawaii and Alaska. Additional installations include Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter, Hawaii, and Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Each of these installations could receive additional Soldiers as part of the alternatives being examined.

This DSPEIS analyzes four alternatives to include a “no action” alternative.

Three options include the possible addition of 1,500 up to 7,500 combat support or combat service support Soldiers at installations in Hawaii and Alaska or other locations. These stationing actions will only take place at locations that, if selected, are capable of supporting strategic military and national security considerations.

Tentative unit assignments as part of Army alternatives in the DSPEIS alternatives can be found on tables 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of the DSPEIS and include the following increase in Soldiers:

The Total Growth tentatively planned for Alternative One is (1,321 total). This Alternative implements Army-wide transformation decisions at locations in the Pacific Theater. Growth associated with this alternative is listed below.

                                    Schofield Barracks: 807
                                    Fort Shafter: 190
                                    Fort Richardson: 230
                                    Fort Wainwright: 94

The Total Growth for Alternative Two is approximately 3,500 Soldiers. Under this Alternative the Army would station approximately 1,850 Soldiers in Hawaii and 1,500 in Alaska.

As part of Alternative Three (which includes Alternatives 1 and 2) the Army would station a Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), Fires Brigade, or Aviation Brigade at locations capable of supporting operations in the Pacific Theater. As part of this alternative, the Army is tentatively planning on stationing a 567 man MEB at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

The Army invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision making. All persons and organizations that have an interest in the growth and realignment of the Army’s forces and associated stationing actions are urged to participate in this environmental evaluation process. Assistance will be provided upon request to anyone having difficulty understanding how to participate.

A 45-day public comment period for the DSPEIS begins today with the publication of a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and ends on 30 Jun 08. Information on the DSPEIS will be posted on the U.S. Army Environmental Command’s web site (www.aec.army.mil) for public access during the public comment period.

The DSPEIS will also be available in hard copy and CD at the libraries listed below in Hawaii and Alaska.

In Alaska: University of Alaska Anchorage Consortium Library 3211, Alaska Muldoon Branch Library, Mountain View Branch Library, Delta Community Library, Samson-Dimond Branch Library, Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library, and North Pole Branch Library.

In Hawaii: Hilo Public Library, Kailua-Kona Public Library, Thelma Parker Memorial Public & School Library, Kahuku Public & School Library, Mililani Public Library, Hawaii State Library, Wahiawa Public Library, Waianae Public Library, Waialua Public Library, and Univ. of Hawaii Environmental Center.

Send all written comments and suggestions concerning this DEIS to: Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Environmental Command, Building E4460, 5179 Hoadley Road, Attention: IMAE–PA, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010–5401. Telephone: 410-436-2556. Facsimile: (410) 436-1693. E-mail comments should be sent to: APGRUSAECPublicComments@conus.army.mil .

GTS DSPEIS USARPAC release 15-08