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The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, of 1969 requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions. The Army's implementing regulation for NEPA, 32 CFR 651, sets forth the Army's policies and responsibilities for the early integration of environmental considerations into planning and decision-making.
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii's NEPA program assists leaders in analyzing the environmental effects of proposed Army actions before decisions are made. This process requires that environmental reviews are integrated early and concurrently with other Army planning and decision making actions to avoid delays in mission accomplishments.
The goal of the program is to balance realistic Army mission training requirements with ecological and cultural resources compatabilities, economic and community objectives.
The depth of the NEPA analysis depends on many things, including but not limited to the significance of the project, its effects on the public and the degree of environmental impact. There are three levels of analysis, and each requires a specific type of documentation as follows:
- Categorical Exclusion, or CATEX
- Environmental Assessment, or EA, and Finding of No Significant Impact, or FNSI
- Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, and Record of Decision, or ROD
Announcements & Documents
Announcements
- April 23, 2024: The U.S. Army invites public comments on the Army Training Land Retention at PÅhakuloa Training Area Second Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Public Comments may continue to be submitted through June 7, 2024.
Environmental Assessments
- Ku Tree Dam, East Range, Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii
- U.S. Army Ammunition Supply Point at West Loch, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii
- Pohakuloa Training Area Real Property Master Plan Adoption, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
- Cantonment Facilities Improvement Program at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
- Proposed New Perimeter Security Fence and Appurtenances at Field Station Kunia, Oahu, Hawaii
- U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (Oahu) and U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (Hawaii Island)
- Protecting Endangered Oahu Elepaio using rodenticide within Schofield Barracks
- 2014 Supplemental PEA for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment
- 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and Army National Guard and Aviation Landing Zones at Pohakuloa Training Area
- Kalia-Fort DeRussy Wastewater System Improvements Environmental Assessment
- Proposed Construction and Use of a U.S. Army Combat Aviation Brigade Complex at Wheeler Army Airfield
Environmental Impact Statements
All Army EIS documents are hosted on separate webpages:
- Army Transformation: 25th Infantry Division Light to Stryker Brigade Combat Team
- Makua Military Reservation: Military Training Activities
- Pohakuloa Training Area: Environmental Impact Statement
- Pohakuloa Training Area: Infantry Platoon Battle Course
- Schofield Generating Station Project: HECO biofuel-capable power generation plant
*If you are looking for a cultural agreement, NEPA documentation or other products that are not currently online, please call (808) 656-2878 to have a copy emailed or mailed to you.
Documents
- Environmental Analysis of U.S. Army Hawaii Actions
- Record of Environmental Consideration Form
- Record of Environmental Consideration Categorical Exclusion Guide
Regulations
- 32 CFR Part 651 – Environmental Analysis of Army Action (AR 200-2)
- 40 CFR Parts 1500 to 1508 - Regulations for Implementing NEPA
- HRS 343 – Hawaii Revised Statutes; Environmental Impact Statements
- HAR Ch. 11-200; Environmental Impact Statement Rules
- HAR Ch. 11-200-8(11) Exempt classes of action for the acquisition of land
- HAR Ch.11-201Environmental Council Rules of Practice and Procedure
- AR 200-1; Environmental Protection and Enhancement
Process & Responsibilities
If you are part of a reserve or active military component unit, civilian or tenant organization, contractor or other agency associated with U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii operations, you have a role in the NEPA process and you must be familiar with the following key points:
What You Must Know
- Early planning is imperative! Timely integration of proposed actions into the NEPA process prevents disruption in the decision-making process and avoids costly delays.
- Actions that could impact historic structures, cultural and natural resources, create new construction, introduce new training vehicles, maneuvers, and weapons requires environmental documentation.
What You Must Do
- Complete a Record of Environmental Consideration, or REC, and submit to the Directorate of Public Works Environmental NEPA program for a 30-day evaluation.
- Make sure all who needs to see, sign off and approve the action/project have done so.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NEPA?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires federal agencies to take into account the environmental impacts of federal decisions which could significantly affect the environment. In implementing NEPA, federal agencies have to assess the environmental impacts of decisions and inform the public of any impacts. The public has the right to comment on any proposed EIS before action is taken.
What is a Categorical Exclusion (CATEX)?
A CATEX is when further environmental analysis is not needed. This generally involves small, routine projects where a record exist that demonstrates that these types of projects typically do not result in significant environmental impacts.
What is an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI)?
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is conducted for actions that are expected to have environmental impacts and to evaluate possible mitigation measures. If the EA cannot describe a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) then, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared.
What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD)?
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is an extensive analysis of direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts as well as alternatives to the proposed project. A Record of Decision (ROD) is signed when the process is completed.
How long is the public comment period for Draft EISs?
45 days.
How long is the wait period for final EISs?
The Army is generally required to wait 30 days before making a decision on a proposed action.
Where does Army Hawaii post its Notice of Availability for its EISs?
All Army EISs are filed with EPA, and EPA publishes a Notice of Availability each week in the Federal Register with information on who to contact regarding a specific NEPA document. The EPA is available online at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/eisdata.html. Twice a month, the Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) announces the availability of EAs and EIS under public review in the State of Hawaii. The Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control is available online at http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.
Where can I find announcements about Army Hawaii NEPA actions and documents?
All Army EISs are filed with EPA, and EPA publishes a Notice of Availability each week in the Federal Register with information on who to contact regarding a specific NEPA document. The EPA is available online at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/eisdata.html. Twice a month, the Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) announces the availability of EAs and EIS under public review in the State of Hawaii. The Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control is available online at http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.
What is a REC form, when is it used?
A Record of Environmental Consideration form, Form 29, 29A is used when the proposed action is exempt from the more rigorous requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), or has been adequately assessed in existing documents and determined not to be environmentally significant. The REC describes the proposed action and anticipated timeframe, identifies the proponent, and explains why further environmental analysis and documentation is not required. It is a signed statement to be submitted with project/action documentation usually taking 30 days for approval.
When is a REC needed?
A REC is needed whenever there is a potential disturbance to the environment. A potential disturbance can involve construction, renovation, demolition, excavation, maintenance, bivouac, shower, laundry, DECON water purification or treatment and disposal of water, water crossing or bridging operations, all staging/static operations and all other actions not described here shall require consultation with the NEPA Program Office to determine the appropriate course of action for NEPA compliance.
Why is a REC needed?
A REC is needed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. A REC is used to review and document federal actions and to show that the effects of the action on the environment are avoided, minimized, or mitigated.
Who is responsible to submit the REC?
The Action or Mission proponent is responsible for submitting the REC form to the NEPA Program Office (see contact information in the black Contact Us box).
How is the REC form submitted?
REC forms may be submitted by dropping them off at NEPA Program Office (see contact information in the black Contact Us box), or sending them electronically to the NEPA Program Manager.
REC forms are to be filed with the NEPA Program Office no later than thirty days prior to occupying or preparing the field for training as part of the planning process.
I have a REC form, now what?
Once approved, REC forms are to be retained with the unit in the field. Engineer and other support units are required to have a copy of the approved REC, in hand, prior to any project and/or support action. The unit receiving support is the proponent responsible for submitting the REC for review and approval.
Who is responsible for signing the REC form?
E-5s and above can sign the RECs.
Who is responsible to determine approval of a proposed action?
Once received, the REC form is submitted to the NEPA Program. It is the responsibility of the NEPA Program Manager to approve the proposed action following the environmental review. The environmental review may necessitate having DPW Environmental Division personnel conduct site visits, natural and/or cultural resource surveys, inspections of setup and operations, and may result in the requirement for the Proponent to provide additional information.
Where can I obtain a hardcopy of the REC form?
You can obtain a REC form (Form 29, 29A) from the NEPA Program Office (see contact information in the black Contact Us box).