Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Chamber opposes land condemnation

Chamber opposes land condemnation

By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • January 28, 2010

The Guam Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the U.S. military condemning land it needs for its military expansion around the island, the group's board chairman said during its meeting yesterday.

David John, president of ASC Trust Corp., said he wanted to clear misconceptions in the community that the business organization supported everything about the buildup, including the possibility for land condemnations.

The Department of Defense plans to build a new Marine Corps base in Dededo and transfer about 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam.

The military also plans to acquire land in Yigo and Mangilao to build a firing range there, and to obtain other properties around the island.

John said the Chamber has assembled a committee to review each volume of the draft Environmental Impact Statement, which explains the military's buildup proposals and how they will affect the island.

He said the Chamber plans to submit comments by the Feb. 18 deadline, Guam time.

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