Attn: Lisa Graham
usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil
US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division
Pohakuloa EA point #9 Cumulative Impacts
Our organization calls for a Full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the entire actions at PTA not simply the proposed $210 million building project at PTA.
There are lots of things that need more consideration: EA point #9
It is not disclosed in the present EA how many live-rounds and what kinds are fired annually at PTA. Also the cumulative total of live rounds and tonage of
munitions fired at PTA. And the impact should go beyond live rounds, since technically the Radiation Davy Crockett Depleted uranium rounds were not
live-fire but designated as "spotting rounds." As part of the Stryker EIS done more than 10 years ago, it was stated that 14.8 million live rounds were
fired annually at PTA. A list and quantity of all live and non-live rounds fired should be part of the cumulative impacts becasue such toxins, though not
actually fired on the proposed site of this EA, could possibly impact the site via wind drift, water, etc.
What kind of weapons have been dropped on PTA by B-52, B-1 and B-2 bombers that have flown non stop from Missouri, Louissana and Guam? Are these dummy
nuclear weapons and what is their make up? Do they or other weapons, besides Davy Crockett spotting rounds, contain DU for ballast?
Nothing listed in the actions considered in the cumulative impacts analysis on page 4-2 gives a comprehensive picture of the quantity and kinds of weapons
fired on PTA over 75 years.
--
Jim Albertini
Attn: Lisa Graham
usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil
US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division
Pohakuloa EA point #8 Ground Water contamination at PTA
Our organization calls for a Full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed $210 million building project at PTA.
There are lots of things that need more consideration: EA point #8 ground water contamination at PTA
It is a well known fact that the US military is the greatest single polluter on the planet. In section 3.8 of the EA (page 3-22) it is noted that the University of Hawaii in partnership with the Army developed a successful test water well and encountered a an aquifer at 4,600 fee elevation in the PTA cantonment area, the site of the proposed building project. Additional wells have also been drilled. What contaminants were found in the water found, especially the water at shallow depths within the cantonment area? I would suspect that the known polluter of such water is none other than PTA and its toxic stew that it's been making for 75 years.
--
Jim Albertini
Attn: Lisa Graham
usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil
US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division
Pohakuloa EA point #7 toxins
Our organization calls for a Full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed $210 million building project at PTA.
There are lots of things that need more consideration: EA point #7
On pages xiv -xvi where abbreviations and Acronyms are listed, the only specific toxins listed are LBP for Lead Based Paint and ACM for Asbestos containing material.
Where are all the other abbreviations and acronyms for toxic substances used on Pohakuloa that could be blowing all over the base and off base. Things like DUO for
Depleted uranium oxide particles created when DU metal is burned after being hit with high explosives. What about all the other chemicals in munitions? Where are there
abbreviations and acronyms? Remember your words-- "WARNING: ALL OF PTA IS CONSIDERED A DUD HAZARD AREA."
--
Jim Albertini
Attn: Lisa Graham
usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil
US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division
Pohakuloa EA point #6 "All of PTA is a Dud Hazard Area"
Our organization calls for a Full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed $210 million building project at PTA.
There are lots of things that need more consideration:
Our organization believes that PTA is a toxic waste dump after 75 years of bombing and live-fire, with a toxic stew of chemicals used,
including Depleted Uranium (DU) radiation. Given this reality it should be assumed there may likely be extensive contamination in the proposed
demolition and construction area. Afterall, while PTA has a designated "Impact Area" it's maps of PTA say "WARNING: ALL OF PTA IS CONSIDERED A DUD HAZARD AREA."
In simple terms, whatever was used anywhere on the base should be considered in the proposed construction area. I would go much farther.
It is likely off the base as well, like Bob Dylan says "blowing in the wind"... at Mauna Kea park in the childrens playground, at the nearby Girl Scout Camp, into
and on all the vehicles that use the Daniel K. Inouye (Saddle Road) highway and downwind --noth, south, east and west, depending on the wind conditions of the day.
The statement on page vii of the executive summary which says "Employment of personnel qualified to identify and handle hazardous materials if unexpectedly
encountered" shows the disconnect from reality of the approach to this demolition and construction project. It is NOT "unexpectedly encountered." It is
likely encountered. And we want a more comprehensive look at the matter through a full EIS.
--
Jim Albertini
Attn: Lisa Graham
usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil
US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division
Pohakuloa EA point #5 Independent analysis prior to work
Our organization calls for a Full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed $210 million building project at PTA.
There are lots of things that need more consideration:
We call for a comprehensive, independent assessment of contaminants in the proposed construction area, NOT DURING CONSTRUCTION
(as called for in the EA summary environmental analysis section)
but prior to construction as part of an EIS. PTA has been subjected to 75 years of bombing and various live-fire by a wide range of weapons,
including radioactive Depleted Uranium (DU), chemical and biological weapons, etc. etc. It is highly likely that many of these contaminants
are in the proposed area for demolition and construction. We want a complete independent assessment prior (not during) demolition that is
transparent and assures the confidence of the community. Such an independent assessment should included community oversight representatives.
--
Jim Albertini
Attn: Lisa Graham
usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil
US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division
Pohakuloa EA point #4 Hawaiian Kingdom land not US military land
Our organization calls for a Full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed $210 million building project at PTA.
There are lots of things that need more consideration:
On the opening page of the EA Draft finding of No significant impact, it is stated at the bottom of the page that "The preferred alternative
would be located entirely within federally-owned land..."
We challenge that statement. Show us the title.
More information in recent years has become available about the US illegal overthrow and continuing illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893.
The Reciprocity treaty of 1875 and amendments to folow in the Bayonet Constitution of 1887 were illegal. No treaty of Annexation of Hawaii exists.
Therefore, all Presidential and Governor Executive Orders, leases, alledged purchases of land by the U.S. violate article 1, section 8, clause 17 of
the U.S. constitution.
--
Jim Albertini
Attn: Lisa Graham usaghi.pao.comrel@us.army.mil
US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division
Pohakuloa EA point #3 Bradshaw air field
Our organization calls for a Full Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) on the proposed $210 million building
project at PTA. There are lots of things that need more
consideration: 1. https://mapcarta.com/24060168 shows
a good map of the proximity of the Bradshaw air field
at Pohakuloa to the site of the proposed new building
project. This map should be included in the EA and EIS
. The airfield is in direct line with the housing
project. The predominant wind is from the east and
often quite strong which would require aircraft to
take off toward the east, not the west as falsely
indicated in your EA. A permanent waiver granted by
the U.S. Army Aeronautical Services Agency dated
October 12,2017, so land use incompatibility is no
longer a factor is hereby challenged on the basis
of putting troops lives in unnecessary danger.
EA pp 2-16 to 2-17. Accident Potential Zone (APZ)
Jim Albertini
Lisa Graham
NEPA Program Manager
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii
Dear Ms. Graham:
Your email response is again insulting.
The article in the July 13, 2018 Hawaii Tribune- Herald
, page A-8 did NOT list an Army website link for the EA
on Pohakuloa. The article listed this: "The draft EA
is available on line at http://health.hawaii.gov/oeqc."
I was not able to find the Pohakuloa EA on that site.
This is the second time in one year you have insulted
our community. On the cultural EA regarding Pohakuloa
last year, our organization and others requested that
the Army hold public hearings since Hawaii is more of
an oral than written culture, and the EA was then
about cultural impacts. You and the Army refused to do
so. We held community public hearings in Hilo and
Kona and sent you DVDs of the hearings for the record
which you refused to make part of the record. You
told us to submit a transcript of the DVDs. How
insulting can you get? You and the Army keep
piecemealing EAs on Pohakuloa saying "NO SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT.: Shame on you and your arrogant attitude. a
FULL COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT NEEDS
TO BE COMPLETED ON POHAKULOA AND IT SHOULD BE DONE
NOW!. Meanwhile we again request at least a 2 week
extension of the public comment period from Aug. 7 to
Aug. 21 and immediate republication of correct listings
of how the EA can be read on line published in both
the West Hawaii Today and the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
Jim Albertini
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
Aloha Mr. Albertini,
This email confirms receipt of your comments on the proposed Cantonment
Facilities Improvement Program at Pohakuloa Training Area. We greatly
appreciate you taking time to review the documents and provide your feedback.
The Army's official Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment and
Draft Finding of No Significant Impact was published in the Hawaii
Tribune-Herald and West Hawaii Today newspapers on July 8, 2018, and included
the Army's website link for the document, as well as our contact email
address. In addition the Army provided hard copies of the documents to the
Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and Waimea public libraries; and issued additional notices
via an Army press release and the State of Hawaii's Office of Environmental
Quality Control. As we have followed guidance in 32CFR651 and feel we have
provided appropriate time for the public to submit written comment, we are
declining your request for a two-week extension to the public comment period.
Mahalo,
Lisa Graham
NEPA Program Manager
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Albertini [mailto:ja@malu-aina.org]
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2018 12:47 PM
To: USARMY Wheeler AAF ID-Pacific List Community Relations
<usarmy.wheeler.id-pacific.list.community-relations@mail.mil>
Cc: Geoff Shaw <shaw.geoff5@gmail.com>; Danny Li <dlimay7@flex.com>; Donna
Grabow <meridianwoman@yahoo.com>; Ron Fujiyoshi <ronsan2224@aol.com>; Isaac
Harp <paka@sandwichisles.net>; Ku Ching <KahiwaL@cs.com>; Mike Reimer
<geomike5@att.net>; Lorrin Pang <panghi71@gmail.com>; Congresswoman Tulsi
Gabbard <congresswoman.gabbard@capitolenews.com>; Richard Onishi
<reponishi@capitol.hawaii.gov>; Russell Ruderman
<senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov>; Sen Josh Green
<sengreen@capitol.hawaii.gov>; Brian Schatz <info@brianschatz.com>
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] extension of comment period for EA on Pohakuloa $210
construction project
All active links contained in this email were disabled. Please verify the
identity of the sender, and confirm the authenticity of all links contained
within the message prior to copying and pasting the address to a Web browser.
----
Attn: Lisa Graham
US Army EA Public Works Environmental Division
Our organization requests an extension of the comment period beyond Aug. 7,
2018 for the EA concerning construction of new buildings at the Pohakuloa
training Area (PTA). The original publication in the Hawaii tribune-herald on
July 13, 2018 page A-8 listed a site to view the EA that was not accessible.
As far as I know there has been no republication of a correct on line site for
viewing the document. I had to make numerous phone calls to get a correct
link to access the site.
In addition an Army site link contains a WARNING to my web browser and others
that the site is not secure and advises not to go forward. This is not
conducive and inviting for public input and should be corrected.
I would suggest at least a 2 week extension of the deadline for public
comments and a republication in the Big island daily newspapers of an online
site for accessing the EA if you really want public input.
Mahalo for your consideration.
Aloha,
--
Jim Albertini
