Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Cruz: Extend time for buildup study's review

Cruz: Extend time for buildup study's review

By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • October 8, 2009

Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz has asked the Joint Guam Program Office to extend the review period of the draft Environmental Impact Statement.

In a letter to Maj. Gen. David Bice, executive director of the office coordinating the military buildup on Guam, Cruz said more time will be needed for the Legislature and the public to go over the study's 10,000 pages and to properly respond.

Cruz, in his letter, said keeping the review and comment period to 45 days would be "a disservice to the people of Guam."

The detailed study, which looks at the potential consequences the planned military projects will have on the island's environment, is set to be published Nov. 20 on the Federal Register.

Cruz noted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is allowing 60 days for people to comment on a proposed offshore disposal of dredged material from Apra Harbor.

"Surely, the sheer volume of the buildup (draft Environmental Impact Statement) and the complexity of issues it covers warrants a comment period longer than 45 days," his letter stated.

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