We Are Guahan Group Sees Proposed Apra Harbor Dredge Site First Hand
Tuesday, 09 February 2010
Guam - Roughly over 100 people showed up to the we are Guahan Coalition's trip to Apra harbor on Sunday.
We are Guahan has raised concerns about the military's proposed dredging of Apra harbor for transient carrier berthing. They have sited various environmental concerns related to the dredging of coral. Event coordinator Cara Flores-Mays says the trip went well and opened the eyes of a lot of people.
She says "It's difficult to justify the planned destruction of this unique coral habitat. It's especially difficult to justify that action when the long-term outlook for coral reefs around the world is quite bleak"
The We Are Guahan group was accompanined by a couple of marine bioligists who noted that the dredging would reduce guam's marine bio-diversity and could destroy some unique coral species that have yet to be identified and may even be unique to Guam. Mays says "It's an asset to Guam but not just to Guam but this is really a place that biologists around the world can appreciate. It's our responsibility not only as citizens of this community but citizens of the world in general to protect it."
Written by : Clynt Ridgell
Showing posts with label Berthing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Berthing. Show all posts
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Compromise deal on carrier berthing problems proposed
Compromise deal on carrier berthing problems proposed
Monday, 08 February 2010 04:25
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
NOTING the community’s concern over the aircraft carrier berthing plan, Sen. Judi Guthertz said the solution is to moor the ammunition ship at one of the deep draft buoys in outer Apra Harbor where the Maritime preposition ships moor, whenever there is an overlap in their schedules in Kilo Wharf.
In a detailed comment paper submitted to the Joint Guam Program Office, Guthertz said this alternative was not studied in the draft environmental impact statement.
“The DEIS states that the current scheduling overlaps are manageable, but fears that with enhanced carrier port visits and increased ammunition ship visits that the situation will become more difficult. I assert that this cannot be proven,” said Guthertz, chair of the committee on the Guam military buildup and homeland security.
Guthertz said her suggestion is a “feasible fall back option to the DEIS’ preferred option,” which is to use Apra Harbor.
The location for the ammunition ship would only be needed for those days when the air craft carrier is moored to Kilo Wharf, she said.
The air craft carriers would still be able to visit Guam at an “enhanced frequency and duration compared to now,” said the lawmaker.
No dredging of coral will be required, said Guthertz. Extensive dredging has been done around Kilo Wharf, primarily to clear rock and coral under and next to the extension itself.
The draft study proposes the dredging of about 36 acres of coral in Apra Harbor to accommodate a new pier for berthing nuclear aircraft carriers.
The impact report claims that if aircraft carrier visits are extended to total 63 visit days a year, that the munitions mission will suffer if the current Kilo Wharf is continued to be used for the aircraft carriers.
Kilo Wharf, located near the tip of Orote Point, near Gab Gab Beach, is currently used for aircraft carrier visits while its primary purpose is to moor ammunition ships, said Guthertz.
Guthertz’s paper states that the assertion that the situation will become too difficult is not proven. It’s a matter of having a scheduling challenge.
Guthertz asserts that the draft study’s position to destroy 36 acres of coral reflects a viewpoint of maximizing the satisfaction of the military needs.
“I believe that a firestorm within the civilian community has begun over the coral destruction issue,” she said. “A compromise is needed that provides for the core-interests of both sides being protected. My solution does that.”
Monday, 08 February 2010 04:25
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff
NOTING the community’s concern over the aircraft carrier berthing plan, Sen. Judi Guthertz said the solution is to moor the ammunition ship at one of the deep draft buoys in outer Apra Harbor where the Maritime preposition ships moor, whenever there is an overlap in their schedules in Kilo Wharf.
In a detailed comment paper submitted to the Joint Guam Program Office, Guthertz said this alternative was not studied in the draft environmental impact statement.
“The DEIS states that the current scheduling overlaps are manageable, but fears that with enhanced carrier port visits and increased ammunition ship visits that the situation will become more difficult. I assert that this cannot be proven,” said Guthertz, chair of the committee on the Guam military buildup and homeland security.
Guthertz said her suggestion is a “feasible fall back option to the DEIS’ preferred option,” which is to use Apra Harbor.
The location for the ammunition ship would only be needed for those days when the air craft carrier is moored to Kilo Wharf, she said.
The air craft carriers would still be able to visit Guam at an “enhanced frequency and duration compared to now,” said the lawmaker.
No dredging of coral will be required, said Guthertz. Extensive dredging has been done around Kilo Wharf, primarily to clear rock and coral under and next to the extension itself.
The draft study proposes the dredging of about 36 acres of coral in Apra Harbor to accommodate a new pier for berthing nuclear aircraft carriers.
The impact report claims that if aircraft carrier visits are extended to total 63 visit days a year, that the munitions mission will suffer if the current Kilo Wharf is continued to be used for the aircraft carriers.
Kilo Wharf, located near the tip of Orote Point, near Gab Gab Beach, is currently used for aircraft carrier visits while its primary purpose is to moor ammunition ships, said Guthertz.
Guthertz’s paper states that the assertion that the situation will become too difficult is not proven. It’s a matter of having a scheduling challenge.
Guthertz asserts that the draft study’s position to destroy 36 acres of coral reflects a viewpoint of maximizing the satisfaction of the military needs.
“I believe that a firestorm within the civilian community has begun over the coral destruction issue,” she said. “A compromise is needed that provides for the core-interests of both sides being protected. My solution does that.”
Up close and possible at Western Shoals
Up close and possible at Western Shoals
Monday, 08 February 2010 04:17
by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff
Guam’s clear and sunny weather yesterday was an opportune time for members of the public advocacy group We are Guahan and others to snorkel an area of Apra Harbor planned for dredging to accommodate a deep draft berth for aircrafts carriers.
Western Shoals is located directly across from the Guam Shipyard between Big Blue Reef, Jade Shoals, and Sasa Bay and is a favored dive spot. The preferred site detailed in the military’s draft environmental impact report is located along the shoreline of Polaris Point.
The group traveled to the marine site and was joined by more than 20 other concerned island residents who paddled in canoes from Family Beach at the Port of Guam area.
The We Are Guahan troop dropped anchor from a small fishing boat boasting a canvas emblazoned with the phrases “We are Guahan” and “We are Ocean.”
The Guam Police Department marine patrol kept a close watch on the activity.
According to Kara Flores Mays, co-coordinator of the tour to visit the threatened underwater habitat, after reading the location was a prime alternative for the military to dredge Apra Harbor the group decided to come see for their selves what was at risk.
“This is an area that is important to a lot of people,” said Flores Mays. “It’s important to divers, it’s important to people who snorkel and as you can see, it’s important to people in all these canoes.
Before a brief overview of the dive site presented by Dave Burnic, a biologist at Guam Coastal Management, Mays added, “It’s important for fishermen and there are a lot of people in our community who really love this area and can’t understand why it is being destroyed.”
The underwater location’s unique biodiversity was explained to the group so they would better understand the impact of dredging the area.
Burnic said at least a 100 species of coral thrive within the harbor, noting in the Caribbean, there are only 55 species identified there thus far.
“There’s are twice as many coral in this harbor as there are across thousands of miles of ocean and in other parts of the world so that’s really special,” the biologist explained.
He commended the organizers for bringing residents to the shoals so they could see firsthand the beauty of the reef and the marine life that depends on the area.
University of Guam Social Work majors Kleine Mallare, 25, of Dededo and Rose Hermoso, of Windward Hills, both felt the tour was very educational.
“I learned a lot especially since it’s my first time out here,” said Mallare. “I didn’t know what was going on.”
“No one can read an 11,000 page document to begin and for (We Are Guahan) to say ‘we can get involved and we’ll subdivide this and there are subcommittees,’ well you learn a little bit of that because it’s going to happen. We need to know and we need to put our input in there,” she said.
Hermoso added they were aware of the reasons for the tour and gave thumbs up to We Are Guahan for organizing the event because it gives them a better understanding of what is in the military’s draft environmental impact statement.
A paddler arose and chanted to ancient ancestors asking for blessings of guardianship over the sea to prevent the dredging.
A similar ceremony was held on board the boat and people were asked to pass two leis among the gathered crowd before Ka’isa Won Pat Borja, son of Gena and Melvin Won Pat Borja and Ma’ase, son of Monaeka De’Oro dropped them overboard in a somber ceremony.
Monday, 08 February 2010 04:17
by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff
Guam’s clear and sunny weather yesterday was an opportune time for members of the public advocacy group We are Guahan and others to snorkel an area of Apra Harbor planned for dredging to accommodate a deep draft berth for aircrafts carriers.
Western Shoals is located directly across from the Guam Shipyard between Big Blue Reef, Jade Shoals, and Sasa Bay and is a favored dive spot. The preferred site detailed in the military’s draft environmental impact report is located along the shoreline of Polaris Point.
The group traveled to the marine site and was joined by more than 20 other concerned island residents who paddled in canoes from Family Beach at the Port of Guam area.
The We Are Guahan troop dropped anchor from a small fishing boat boasting a canvas emblazoned with the phrases “We are Guahan” and “We are Ocean.”
The Guam Police Department marine patrol kept a close watch on the activity.
According to Kara Flores Mays, co-coordinator of the tour to visit the threatened underwater habitat, after reading the location was a prime alternative for the military to dredge Apra Harbor the group decided to come see for their selves what was at risk.
“This is an area that is important to a lot of people,” said Flores Mays. “It’s important to divers, it’s important to people who snorkel and as you can see, it’s important to people in all these canoes.
Before a brief overview of the dive site presented by Dave Burnic, a biologist at Guam Coastal Management, Mays added, “It’s important for fishermen and there are a lot of people in our community who really love this area and can’t understand why it is being destroyed.”
The underwater location’s unique biodiversity was explained to the group so they would better understand the impact of dredging the area.
Burnic said at least a 100 species of coral thrive within the harbor, noting in the Caribbean, there are only 55 species identified there thus far.
“There’s are twice as many coral in this harbor as there are across thousands of miles of ocean and in other parts of the world so that’s really special,” the biologist explained.
He commended the organizers for bringing residents to the shoals so they could see firsthand the beauty of the reef and the marine life that depends on the area.
University of Guam Social Work majors Kleine Mallare, 25, of Dededo and Rose Hermoso, of Windward Hills, both felt the tour was very educational.
“I learned a lot especially since it’s my first time out here,” said Mallare. “I didn’t know what was going on.”
“No one can read an 11,000 page document to begin and for (We Are Guahan) to say ‘we can get involved and we’ll subdivide this and there are subcommittees,’ well you learn a little bit of that because it’s going to happen. We need to know and we need to put our input in there,” she said.
Hermoso added they were aware of the reasons for the tour and gave thumbs up to We Are Guahan for organizing the event because it gives them a better understanding of what is in the military’s draft environmental impact statement.
A paddler arose and chanted to ancient ancestors asking for blessings of guardianship over the sea to prevent the dredging.
A similar ceremony was held on board the boat and people were asked to pass two leis among the gathered crowd before Ka’isa Won Pat Borja, son of Gena and Melvin Won Pat Borja and Ma’ase, son of Monaeka De’Oro dropped them overboard in a somber ceremony.
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
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
Friday, December 04, 2009
Is price tag for carrier wharf worth it?
Is price tag for carrier wharf worth it?
Posted: Dec 03, 2009 2:54 PM
Updated: Dec 03, 2009 6:53 PM
by Heather Hauswirth
GUAM - In the name of national security, the environment will likely take a back seat if JGPO green lights its plans to construct a pier, called a berthing, for a nuclear transient aircraft carrier in either Apra harbor or the ship repair facility located on Big Navy.
You've heard it time and time again, Guam is the tip of the spear. The draft EIS revealed by the Joint Guam Program Office just two weeks ago includes the hypothetical blueprint for the way millions of dollars in construction projects could be spent on land and on sea. The ranking Naval Officer for naval facilities, captain Scott Galbreaith says the navy would like a greater air craft carrier presence on U.S. soil.
"It's a very potable and potent striking force and engagement force for the U.S. Being out here – forward deployed in the Western Pacific where the aircraft carriers often operate. This transient pier would give them flexibility in having a place to come and do maintenance and a little bit more training."
What is to become of the habitat with increased sedimentation, and permanent damage to the coral reefs?
Shawn Wusstig co–leads the Guam sea turtle recovery program for the Department of Agriculture.
According to Wusstig, "Here on Guam one of the greatest threats we have to sea turtles both hawksbill and green is habitat loss. What was once suitable for nesting may no longer be suitable and that would also depend on what type of best management practices that are in place that will keep that shore in tact."
Yet Captain Galbreaith says the threats from the neighboring Philippine sea, the People's Republic of China, and North Korea all make it necessary for the U.S. to establish an aircraft carrier pier in the Pacific.
"It is a floating air station really and it carries about 70 aircraft many of them capable of performing strike missions, refueling airborne, early warning and helicopter asw and other multi–mission capabilities," Galbreaith elaborates.
The Guam Shipyard and Polaris Point are the two proposed locations for an aircraft carrier pier. This would provide the Navy with a third location for an aircraft carrier pier in addition to the ones that exist in Hawaii and Japan.
Building this wharf requires
• up to 1,325 ft in length
• deck height of + 12 ft
• pier strength: 800 lbs per sq. Ft.
• mobile crane load: 2,140 ton
"The nuclear carriers are deeper than Kitty Hawk so in the past when we brought in nuclear carriers they had gone to our kilo wharf out by Orote Point, but that is really a wharf meant for ammunition movement so whenever we brought a carrier in that meant we couldn't do our job of ammunition movement so we want a dedicated wharf for the carrier," Galbreaith explains.
although not yet factored into the military budget for this next fiscal year, Captain Galbreaith says it is likely to be included in Fiscal Year 2012 at which time it will be up to Congress to approve or amend this project.
Carrier berthing carries huge costs
Posted: Dec 03, 2009 2:54 PM
Updated: Dec 03, 2009 6:53 PM
by Heather Hauswirth
GUAM - In the name of national security, the environment will likely take a back seat if JGPO green lights its plans to construct a pier, called a berthing, for a nuclear transient aircraft carrier in either Apra harbor or the ship repair facility located on Big Navy.
You've heard it time and time again, Guam is the tip of the spear. The draft EIS revealed by the Joint Guam Program Office just two weeks ago includes the hypothetical blueprint for the way millions of dollars in construction projects could be spent on land and on sea. The ranking Naval Officer for naval facilities, captain Scott Galbreaith says the navy would like a greater air craft carrier presence on U.S. soil.
"It's a very potable and potent striking force and engagement force for the U.S. Being out here – forward deployed in the Western Pacific where the aircraft carriers often operate. This transient pier would give them flexibility in having a place to come and do maintenance and a little bit more training."
What is to become of the habitat with increased sedimentation, and permanent damage to the coral reefs?
Shawn Wusstig co–leads the Guam sea turtle recovery program for the Department of Agriculture.
According to Wusstig, "Here on Guam one of the greatest threats we have to sea turtles both hawksbill and green is habitat loss. What was once suitable for nesting may no longer be suitable and that would also depend on what type of best management practices that are in place that will keep that shore in tact."
Yet Captain Galbreaith says the threats from the neighboring Philippine sea, the People's Republic of China, and North Korea all make it necessary for the U.S. to establish an aircraft carrier pier in the Pacific.
"It is a floating air station really and it carries about 70 aircraft many of them capable of performing strike missions, refueling airborne, early warning and helicopter asw and other multi–mission capabilities," Galbreaith elaborates.
The Guam Shipyard and Polaris Point are the two proposed locations for an aircraft carrier pier. This would provide the Navy with a third location for an aircraft carrier pier in addition to the ones that exist in Hawaii and Japan.
Building this wharf requires
• up to 1,325 ft in length
• deck height of + 12 ft
• pier strength: 800 lbs per sq. Ft.
• mobile crane load: 2,140 ton
"The nuclear carriers are deeper than Kitty Hawk so in the past when we brought in nuclear carriers they had gone to our kilo wharf out by Orote Point, but that is really a wharf meant for ammunition movement so whenever we brought a carrier in that meant we couldn't do our job of ammunition movement so we want a dedicated wharf for the carrier," Galbreaith explains.
although not yet factored into the military budget for this next fiscal year, Captain Galbreaith says it is likely to be included in Fiscal Year 2012 at which time it will be up to Congress to approve or amend this project.
Carrier berthing carries huge costs
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