As reported previously on this site, the Army proposes to conduct High Altitude Mountainous Environmental Training (HAMET) on the slopes of Mauna Kea. This training would take place outside of the training areas currently under Army control. The Army has just posted the Environmental Assessment (EA), Appendices and Draft Fining of No Significant Impact on its website.
The EA confirms that the Army has conducted this type of aviation training on Mauna Kea in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Why did the Department of Land and Natural Resources approve the training without any public comment or notification? Here is a disturbing revelation on page 2-6 of the EA:
In November (2003), while performing high-altitude training on the slopes of Mauna Kea, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter landed about 3.5 miles (6 kilometers) east of the designated LZs within the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve (NAR) within the boundaries of the Mauna Kea Adze Quarry. Subsequent to the incident, the Army was requested to implement additional mitigations to avoid future-related impacts during the training period (Young 2003).
What are they training for? To fly in the high altitude environment of Afghanistan. Empire is a constant state of war. Tell the Army what you think about this training:
Comments are due January 24, 2011. They can be emailed to: William.Rogers5@us.army.mil, or mailed to: Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division (IMPC-HI-PWE), Attn: Mr. William Rogers, 947 Wright Avenue, Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, 96857-5013.