D.C. panels to decide on land acquisition plans

D.C. panels to decide on land acquisition plans

Monday, 18 January 2010 03:40
Variety News Staff

ANY proposal by the Department of Defense to acquire land for a military project through any process will have to go through the House and Senate armed services committees either for approval or rejection, according to Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo's office in Washington D.C.

The proposal would be included in the defense department’s annual submission to Capitol Hill.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and as a member of the Subcommittee on Readiness, Bordallo will participate in any discussion involving land acquisition.

“I hope that the Department of Defense will have a good faith dialogue with the government of Guam and private landowners that will result in mutually agreeable solutions to land issues,” Bordallo said.

“I have stated that I will not support the use of eminent domain to acquire lands that private landowners are not willing to lease or sell, and I will urge DoD to consider training alternatives if they are unable to reach agreement on land issues. I will urge my colleagues in the House Armed Services Committee to support this position,” she added.

In response to vice speaker BJ Cruz's request for new extension of the public comment period for the draft environmental impact statement, Bordallo sent a letter to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus reiterating Cruz’s request.

As it stands, the public comment period ends on Feb. 17.