The Army today released an Environmental Impact Statement recommending Hawai'i as the permanent home of the Stryker brigade.

In July 2004, the Army decided to base one of the fast-strike units in Hawai'i. The $1.5 billion brigade is centered around 328 Stryker eight-wheeled armored vehicles.

But in October 2006, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the Army had violated federal environmental law in not adequately considering alternative locations outside Hawaii for the Stryker brigade.

The court ordered the Army to complete the study. Hawai'i, Alaska and Colorado were examined as basing alternatives.

The study released today states that on Dec. 12, the deputy chief of staff of the Army selected Hawai'i as the preferred alternative.

"He selected Hawai'i as the Army's preferred alternative primarily because it is best able to meet the Army's strategic defense and national security needs in the Pacific theater," the report states.

A final "record of decision" on the basing is expected from the Army in March.

Read the more than 600-page Environmental Impact Statement.