Gates vows to listen to Guam

Gates vows to listen to Guam

Friday, 05 February 2010 00:58
Variety News Staff

(Office of the Guam Delegate) -- Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo yesterday addressed Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. on the fiscal year 2011 defense budget.

Bordallo shared concerns raised by members of the community at recent town hall meetings regarding the draft environmental impact statement.

Gates stated that his department will work with Guam stakeholders to “have transparency and for [the Department of Defense] to take into account the views of the people of Guam.”

Bordallo expressed her continued opposition to the use of eminent domain by the Department of Defense for land acquisition and suggested that the DoD should look into building within their existing footprint on Guam.

Bordallo also expressed concerns regarding the aircraft carrier berthing and the potential damage to coral reefs during the dredging process.

Mullen further stated that these “are major moves that we want to get right.”

“I along with Chairman Skelton and others have repeatedly stated that we need to get this military build-up done right,” Bordallo said.

“The draft environmental impact statement released by the Department of Defense, in its current form, insufficiently addresses concerns raised by our local government, our community, and stakeholders on Guam,” Bordallo said.

“I took this opportunity today to share some of these concerns with Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen during a House Armed Services Committee hearing.

Both Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen agreed that this military buildup must be done right, and most importantly, that the concerns of our community must be taken into account before we get to a final environmental impact statement