An important opportunity on Kaua‘i

20140129-1234 CTY HELOS Army is continuing to practice landing its helicopters on Navy ships to make itself more versatile in the Pacific during a Navy exercise called Koa Kai, which also involves the Marines. Our day starts with a Lear jet flight from Hickam Air Force Base to the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, then a helicopter, a S61N (a commercial Sea King) ride and landing and taking off on the destroyers USS Halsey and USS Chosen, that are positioned in the Pacific Ocean off Kauai. After returning to the PMRF from the destroyers USS Halsey and Chosen and after observing army helicopter pilots go through a pre-flight inspections on their helicopters, we take off in a blackhawk helicopter on a live fire training mission over the ocean. After the live fire training mission, we fly over the PMRF on our way to the Lihue airport to refuel for our trip back to Schofield Barracks on Oahu. PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. JAN. 29, 2014.

2013 December 20 - CTY MIL - Aegis Ashore at PMRF aerial. Courtesy of “Lehner, Richard CIV MDA/PA” for wcole sunday story

As the Commanding Officer at Pacific Missile Range Facility, I want to highlight an important opportunity that is happening right now for everyone here on Kaua‘i.

As many of you know, the Navy manages lands leased from the State of Hawai‘i on the Mana plain and Makaha Ridge. We also partner with NASA for their leased lands at the Koke‘e Park Geophysical Observatory.

As we begin the process of working with the State of Hawai‘i and the public, to renew these leases, one of the first steps in what will be a years-long process will be the development of an Environmental Impact Statement or EIS. An EIS is a government document that outlines the impact of a proposed action on its surrounding environment. An EIS is meant to inform the work and decisions of policymakers and community leaders.

This is where we need your help. In order to properly shape the scope of the EIS, we want to hear from you and listen to your concerns. This is your opportunity to influence what the EIS will consider as the process unfolds. It’s important to me that everyone’s voice is heard.

The Navy and NASA will be holding public scoping meetings, June 4, June 5 and June 6, to receive comments from the community about the scope of the EIS.

This is your time to ask questions and submit comments on the scope of the EIS. The public scoping period ends June 17, 2024.

Public scoping meetings will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• June 4 at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center in Lihu‘e.

• June 5 at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center in Kekaha.

• June 6 at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort in Kapa‘a.

You can submit comments in person at the public scoping meetings, online or via postal mail (postmarked by June 17). Visit the PMRF KPGO EIS website for more information: https://pmrf-kpgo-eis.com/.

The Navy and NASA propose to evaluate 13 resources: archaeological and historic resources; cultural practices; visual resources; public health and safety; land use; socioeconomics; environmental justice; air quality and greenhouse gases; water resources; biological resources; utilities; transportation; and hazardous materials and solid waste. The public is encouraged to comment on these or others it would like to see discussed in the EIS.

I will be in attendance at all the public scoping meetings, along with many staff members from PMRF, to answer questions and share what we do at PMRF.

Why is this process happening?

The real estate agreements with the state of Hawai‘i for PMRF and NASA’s Koke‘e Park Geophysical Observatory are set to expire between 2027 and 2030.

The Navy and NASA are required by state and federal law to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed real estate action to maintain use of these lands.

The Navy manages leased lands and easements with the State of Hawai‘i for 8,348 acres, comprised of 684 acres of leaseholds and 7,664 acres of easements. On those leased 684 acres, we operate on 410 acres, with the rest of the acres of leased land used as buffer zones, conservation areas, infrastructure and access corridors.

For PMRF, preserving long-term use of the land is essential for us to continue to meet our mission as the world’s premier training and testing range. We are a unique facility, ensuring that our men and women in uniform have the best possible training, and the most effective capabilities to protect our nation and our island home.

As part of our enduring commitment, our core mission includes conservation and the protection of the natural and cultural resources on and around the installation. This is my most important responsibility as Commanding Officer. We follow stringent safety and environmental protection requirements to safeguard the wildlife and land, our people and the wider community. We live and work on this beautiful island and take the greatest pride in being good neighbors and proud stewards of all we are entrusted with here on Kaua‘i.

I want to highlight that this is the first step in a process and limited in that it is examining the scope of the EIS. As the process moves along, there will be time for more public testimony.

After the EIS has been drafted and released for public review, anticipated in 2025, the public can review the document, provide formal comments and participate in public meetings. In addition to the formal processes, the public can remain apprised of and engaged in the progress through future community meetings.

Mahalo for your attention and all the great support that the greater Kaua‘i community has shown to me and our PMRF ‘Ohana. I hope to see you at the public scoping meetings and look forward to talking story with you.

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U.S. Navy Capt. Brett Stevenson is the Commanding Officer of the Pacific Missile Range Facility.

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