Activists and Army reach deal on Makua

http://starbulletin.com/2003/12/05/news/index2.html

The Army and activist group Malama Makua have reached a deal allowing the 25th Infantry Division to resume live-fire training in Makua Valley on Monday.

However, Earthjustice, which brokered the agreement with the Army over use of the valley, said soldiers will not be allowed to use mortars and artillery cannons for the next two weeks. Malama Makua and Earthjustice objected to live-fire training at Makua because they say it threatens the area's cultural sites and endangered species.

The agreement, which still must be approved by a federal court, modifies an October 2001 settlement by allowing the Army to conduct convoy ambush training in the valley in preparation for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan next year.