The Army has completed the final environmental impact statement for military training activities at Makua Military Reservation in Leeward O'ahu, looking at the possibility of resuming live-fire training at Makua for Army, Marine Corps and Hawai'i Army National Guard units.

The EIS is expected to be published tomorrow in the Federal Register and may be available to the general public at that time.

The final EIS analyzed four alternatives to accomplish the proposed training, as well as a no-action alternative, under which no live-fire training would be conducted. The Army's preferred alternative involves full-capacity use with fewer weapons restrictions. The Army says many of the munitions used would be consistent with the Endangered Species Act biological opinion established for training at Makua.

Live-fire training ended in 2004 pending completion of the EIS. The military says live-fire exercises are critical to maintaining military readiness and preparing soldiers for combat.

Copies of the final EIS are expected to be available at www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/makuaeis/ as well as at the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Public Affairs Office and select public libraries.