MIMC sets public forum on Guam buildup EIS

MIMC sets public forum on Guam buildup EIS

Friday, January 22, 2010
Saipan Tribune

The Military Integration Management Committee, along with the Office of Economic Adjustment and Guam Advisory Consulting Team, will be hosting a public workshop/forum on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, from 9am to 11am at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

This event will also be broadcast live to both Tinian and Rota through a VCT provided by the Northern Mariana's College and sponsored by NMC and IT&E. The NMC campuses on Tinian and Rota will allow the public to view the forum live and ask questions. The purpose of this workshop is to break down the Draft Environmental Impact Statement that was presented last week by the Joint Guam Program Office.

The ACT will present in more basic terms the 11,000-page EIS. Unlike the JGPO public hearing and comment sessions that were held last week on Tinian and Saipan, this event allows the public to ask direct questions which will be answered by the ACT or OEA. The MIMC would like to encourage anyone who wants a brief overview of the EIS to read the Executive Summary at www.guambuildupeis.us. While only 40 pages, the executive summary does offer a good basic understanding of the plans for both Guam and Tinian.

The JGPO public hearings had a fair turnout, and the majority of CNMI residents were very encouraged by the potential economic opportunities that the military realignment has to offer. The MIMC encourages the public's participation in this event as the comment period for the Draft EIS ends on Feb. 17, 2010, at midnight EST. Now is the time to get involved so that our voices and concerns can be heard.

If you are unable to attend or would like to submit your questions ahead of time, feel free to e-mail them to MIMC Coordinator Tom Linden at cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp. (PR)