Operation Impacts. As described in Section 2.4.4, Tinian Alternative 3 operations and maintenance would occur within the Military Lease Area, immediately north of the Tinian International Airport runways, and at the Port of Tinian. In general, the footprint for operations is very similar to construction footprints and most ground disturbance and impacts to historic properties and resources of cultural importance would occur during construction of the RTA. Therefore, since disturbance to historic properties has been accounted for in the ranges under construction impacts, impacts to historic properties from training operations at the Range Complexes B, C, and D will focus on training maneuvers. Training maneuvers concern vehicle and foot traffic within areas; no digging would occur within maneuver areas. However, potential ground disturbance to historic properties in Range Complex A is larger than the footprint for construction and could occur throughout the High Hazard Impact Area. Table 4.11-6 summarizes the historic properties impacted by operations for Tinian Alternative 3; impacts associated with construction are summarized in Table 4.11-5. In Range Complex A, 12 sites, also impacted by construction, would be significantly impacted by operations. Use of historic roads associated with the North Field National Historic Landmark by convoys and other vehicles would be in keeping with existing use and would not impact this historic property. Tracked vehicles would use newly constructed gravel roads adjacent to the historic roads to prevent damage. Impacts to historic properties from foot traffic would be minimal, as it would occur primarily on roads and designated pathways or sporadically throughout the maneuver areas. Table 4.11-6. Tinian Alternative 3 Summary of Significant Direct Impacts on Historic Properties from Operations
Operation Impacts. As described in Section 2.5.3, Pagan Alternative 2, operations and maintenance under Pagan Alternative 2 would be similar to Pagan Alternative 1. The primary difference would be that there would only be one, smaller High Hazard Impact Area established in the North Range Complex. In addition, 13 landing zones would be maintained and used; two more than under Pagan Alternative 1. As a result of the smaller High Hazard Impact area in the north and elimination of the High Hazard Impact Area on the isthmus, four fewer historic properties would be impacted by operations. Significant direct impacts would result from Pagan Alternative 2 operational activities to 50 historic properties. Table 4.11-12 summarizes the historic properties impacted by operations for Pagan Alternative 2; impacts associated with construction are summarized in Table 4.11-11. In the High Hazard Impact Area, three historic properties’, also impacted by construction, would be significantly impacted by operations. Although not all of the High Hazard Impact Area has been surveyed; it is primarily covered in lava. Should sites be preserved under the lava, impacts are unlikely since the depth of the ground disturbance associated with munitions would be less than the depth of the lava. Table 4.11-12. Pagan Alternative 2: Summary of Significant Direct Impacts on Historic Properties from Operations Complex Range Number of Historic Properties North Range Complex North High Hazard Impact Area 3* Landing Zones 0 Field Artillery Direct and Indirect Fire Ranges/Mortar Firing Positions 0 Amphibious Training Areas 1 Live-Fire Maneuver Area 46 Military Training Trails 0 Airfield/ Base Camp/Bivouac Area/Munitions Storage Area 0 South Range Complex Non-Live-Fire Maneuver Area NA Total 50 Note: *All of these sites are impacted by vegetation clearing in target areas, but are located outside of the area of proposed clearing. Sites solely in the construction/cleared area are not included in this total. Legend: NA = not applicable. Training in the northern maneuver area would be the same as under Pagan Alternative 1 and would directly impact the same 46 historic properties from tracked and wheeled vehicle use. Foot maneuvers would occur in the South Range Complex, but impacts to historic properties would be minimal, as it would occur primarily on designated pathways or sporadically throughout the maneuver area.
Operation Impacts. As described in Section 2.4.1, Tinian Alternatives, under Tinian Alternative 1, training facility operations and maintenance would occur within the Military Lease Area, immediately north of the Tinian International Airport runways, and at the Port of Tinian. Live-fire and aviation training would occur at Range Complex A; vehicle-mounted and dismounted (i.e., foot) training involving firing at stationary and moving targets by rifles, machine guns and rocket launchers would occur at Range Complex B; platoon level training involving firing at targets with rifles and inert grenades, rockets, and mortars at Range Complex C; and aviation training and ground training would occur at Range Complex D. The ground training at Range Complex D would involve mostly foot traffic and use of rifles and inert ammunition for grenade launchers, mortars, and rockets. Other operations within the Military Lease Area would include use of firing points into the High Hazard Impact Area, Convoy Course engagement areas, landing zones, Observation Posts and radar sites, and foot and vehicle traffic on roads and the Tracked Vehicle Driver’s Course. In general, the footprint for operations is very similar to construction footprints and most ground disturbance and impacts to historic properties and resources of cultural importance would occur during construction of the RTA. Therefore, since disturbance to historic properties has been accounted for in the ranges under construction impacts, impacts to historic properties from training operations at the Range Complexes B, C, and D will focus on training maneuvers. Training maneuvers concern vehicle and foot traffic within areas; no digging would occur within maneuver areas. However, potential ground disturbance to historic properties in Range Complex A is larger than the footprint for construction and could occur throughout the High Hazard Impact Area. Table 4.11-2 summarizes the historic properties impacted by operations for Tinian Alternative 1; impacts associated with construction are summarized in Table 4.11-1. In Range Complex A, 12 sites, also impacted by construction activities under Tinian Alternative 1, would be significantly impacted by operations. During training events, foot and vehicle maneuvering would occur within range complexes, Tracked Vehicle Driver’s Course, Convoy Course, maneuver areas, and roads. Vehicle traffic would be confined to established roads and trails that are designed to avoid historic properties and, theref...
