The U.S. Army announced today it is seeking public comments about a proposal to continue to use state land at the Pohakuloa Training Area.
The Army has prepared a draft environmental impact statement regarding 23,000 acres of state land it currently leases at PTA, which is a 132,000-acre live-fire range and maneuver training area between Mauna Loa, Maunakea and Hualalai.
The Army currently has a 65-year lease for the land due to expire in 2029.
The environmental study is available for review online and at Big Island public libraries in Hilo, Kailua-Kona and Waimea and at the Hawaii State Library in Honolulu.
Public comments may be submitted online, by email and U.S. mail. Comments about the EIS will be accepted through June 7.
Comments also can be made in person at two meetings scheduled to be held on the Big Island this month.
The first will be at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo on April 25. The second will be at Waimea District Park in Waimea on April 26.
The study can be viewed at tinyurl.com/mrf2am9d, where online comments can also be submitted.
See Sunday’s edition of the Tribune-Herald for more information.