10 areas of concerns but Tinian Chamber of Commerce supports military buildup
Monday, February 15, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio
The Tinian Chamber of Commerce has formally expressed its support to the military investment on Tinian in connection with the massive troop buildup in the Marianas, but it has pointed out 10 areas of concerns, including limited economic impact, only a few local jobs to be generated, and periodic limited access to beach sites, other tourism related sites, and cattle grazing land.
In a 12-page position paper and official comments on the draft environmental impact statement for the Guam and CNMI military relocation, the Chamber said its comments are meant to “constructively point out unintentional consequences caused by the military's proposed action” on the draft EIS.
Feb. 17 is the deadline for submitting comments on the draft EIS.
The Chamber, which has over 50 active members on Tinian, also offered “solutions” to meet the expectations of businesses and residents on the island.
Phillip Mendiola-Long, president of the Tinian Chamber of Commerce, said Tinian has endured over 30 years of pent up expectations for the military's use and development of the 18,000 acres of leased land on Tinian.
Some two-thirds of the lands on Tinian are leased by the U.S. military, and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these leased parcels.
Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines from Okinawa, Japan, the U.S. military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.
The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, field firing, and airspace use.
In a Feb. 12 position paper and comments on the draft EIS, the Chamber said it disagrees with the determination of “less than significant” for impacts to the roads and harbors as a result of the proposed action on Tinian.
The Chamber said there are no studies or compaction tests offered to determine if in fact the roads built in 1944 can withstand the additional and heavier loads required for equipment used in the range.
The business group added that the draft EIS failed to identify which specific Tinian roads would be accessed or used when moving personnel and equipment from the airport or the harbor.
It also said there's no real live fire tests offered to measure noise impact, even as the draft EIS said there is no noise impact associated with the proposed action on Tinian.
Recreational resources
The Chamber said the draft EIS omitted significant recreational resources that will be impacted.
They include Unai Dankulu/Long Beach which consists of over 10 beaches spread over a distance of 1.5 kilometers, and Unai Masalok which consists of three beaches spread over a distance of 0.5 kilometers.
“Access would be impeded, recreational opportunities would be reduced, conflicts would be created and physical deterioration would occur. Unai Dankulo is the longest beach on Tinian and is a major tourist and resident recreational spot,” the business group said.
Since the draft EIS identifies additional significant impact on Tinian due to the introduction of hazardous materials and waste, it would seem appropriate that the draft EIS offer as a mitigation measure the hazardous materials cleanup of the Tinian mortar range, it added.
Under the draft EIS, military training activity would be scheduled and notice provided in newspapers and via public service announcements on radio and television at least a week prior to any training event.
But the Chamber said a one-week notice window is not enough time for tourists and residents to address their scheduling of activities for use of the North Field areas.
The Chamber also said that the draft EIS failed to identify what range training area policies are envisioned for potential civilian access and use of the historical and recreational areas located in the RTA.
Limited economic impact
Liberty for training Marines is currently not guaranteed for regular training exercises under the current description of the proposed action.
Liberty may be available to the advanced teams before and after training exercises, though these advanced teams would be much smaller and thus have a lesser economic impact.
The draft EIS said to enhance economic benefits and compensate for economic costs for local businesses, the Marine Corps would consider granting trainees some liberty at the end of every training mission so that they might spend money in local establishments and interact with local residents.
The Chamber recommends that the draft EIS implement liberty time within the proposed training schedule and measure economic impact of allowing 200 to 400 military personnel to have liberty in downtown Tinian.
The business group also recommends mitigation for the loss of Tinian economic tourism activity by requiring the U.S. military to pay for the development of a small museum dedicated to Tinian history.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz jointly asked Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to help build a museum or visitor's center that will depict Tinian's role in World War II, even as a “Manhattan Project National Historical Park” system is being created.
Tinian was the staging area for the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the war.
Grazing permits, jobs
The U.S. military would end the grazing rights to build the proposed ranges on Tinian, causing significant adverse economic impact. There are 35 grazing permits to be affected by this.
The Chamber said this is unfair and unacceptable, and recommends that the military offer help in grazing relocation efforts.
The draft EIS also said there is a “possibility” that 12 to 15 Tinian residents could be employed as security guards, grounds keeping crew, and sanitation workers to support the proposed action, a “less than significant impact.”
“One must admit that the proposed military action and the possible environmental consequences is already a 'hard sell' to the people of Tinian, yet not enough thought or concern was given to the people of Tinian in this DEIS,” said the Chamber.
It added that that the draft EIS does not identify high-paying jobs such as range management positions.
The $15- to $20-billion military buildup in Guam and Tinian involves the relocation of some 8,000 Marines to Guam, and this still excludes thousands of family members and workers needed.
Showing posts with label Hazardous Materials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hazardous Materials. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
DEIS: utility project hazards negligible
DEIS: utility project hazards negligible
Thursday, 10 December 2009 04:41 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
EPA reports 8 facilities show increase in toxic emissions
ENVIRONMENTAL impacts of two islandwide water system upgrade proposals have been cited within the draft environmental impact statement for the Guam military buildup.
The preferred alternative for potable water system upgrades would consist of installing as many as 22 new wells at Andersen Air Force Base, rehabilitating existing wells, interconnecting with the Guam Waterworks Authority water system and associated transmission and distribution systems.
Much like the impact study information on possible hazards to the local environment as a result of Guam Power Authority islandwide power system upgrades, the study indicates that these proposed activities “would result in the use of slightly more hazardous materials as compared with existing quantities,” to include the use of petroleum, oil, and lubricants for “heavy equipment, vehicles, generators, and related activities.”
The military buildup report estimates 750 lbs. of hazardous materials “would be generated annually from these activities.”
The impact report said increases in the use of hazardous waste are “judged to be negligible as a result of these existing potable water upgrade activities.”
EPA report
This conclusion, however, contradicts a recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
According to EPA, eight facilities on Guam were found to have an 8 percent increase in toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in 2008 when compared to 2007, according to new data released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Overall at 53, Guam ranks among one of the lowest of 56 states and territories in total releases.
While the island's water and land releases have increased since 2007, underground injection, off-site transfers, and air releases have decreased. The largest increase was of on-site land releases of 1,048 pounds, largely due to increased releases reported by Andersen Air Force Base in Yigo.
Inventory
Facilities found with increased toxic releases were Guam Power Authority,
Hawaiian Rock Products Guam, Mobil Oil Guam Inc. (Cabras Island terminal), Shell Guam, South Pacific Petroleum Corp., Tanguisson Power Plant, US Air Force Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base (Apra Harbor WWTP).
“We encourage people to use data from the Toxics Release Inventory in order to gain a better understanding of what is being released into their neighborhoods,” said Laura Yoshii, acting EPA administrator for the Pacific Southwest region.
“Industry and communities informed with accurate information can use the inventory as a starting point to find opportunities to reduce the amount of pollutants released into the air we breathe, the water we drink and the land we enjoy.”
The data comes from the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory. It’s one of EPA’s largest publicly available databases, arming communities with valuable information on more than 650 toxic chemicals released by various industries. The chemical information in the inventory is calculated by industrial facilities and reported to the EPA, as required by law.
Total releases include toxic chemicals discharged by facilities to air, water, land, and underground, and the amount transferred off-site for disposal. Regulatory controls apply to many of the reported releases. Reporting facilities must comply with environmental standards set by local, state and federal agencies.
Thursday, 10 December 2009 04:41 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
EPA reports 8 facilities show increase in toxic emissions
ENVIRONMENTAL impacts of two islandwide water system upgrade proposals have been cited within the draft environmental impact statement for the Guam military buildup.
The preferred alternative for potable water system upgrades would consist of installing as many as 22 new wells at Andersen Air Force Base, rehabilitating existing wells, interconnecting with the Guam Waterworks Authority water system and associated transmission and distribution systems.
Much like the impact study information on possible hazards to the local environment as a result of Guam Power Authority islandwide power system upgrades, the study indicates that these proposed activities “would result in the use of slightly more hazardous materials as compared with existing quantities,” to include the use of petroleum, oil, and lubricants for “heavy equipment, vehicles, generators, and related activities.”
The military buildup report estimates 750 lbs. of hazardous materials “would be generated annually from these activities.”
The impact report said increases in the use of hazardous waste are “judged to be negligible as a result of these existing potable water upgrade activities.”
EPA report
This conclusion, however, contradicts a recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
According to EPA, eight facilities on Guam were found to have an 8 percent increase in toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in 2008 when compared to 2007, according to new data released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Overall at 53, Guam ranks among one of the lowest of 56 states and territories in total releases.
While the island's water and land releases have increased since 2007, underground injection, off-site transfers, and air releases have decreased. The largest increase was of on-site land releases of 1,048 pounds, largely due to increased releases reported by Andersen Air Force Base in Yigo.
Inventory
Facilities found with increased toxic releases were Guam Power Authority,
Hawaiian Rock Products Guam, Mobil Oil Guam Inc. (Cabras Island terminal), Shell Guam, South Pacific Petroleum Corp., Tanguisson Power Plant, US Air Force Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base (Apra Harbor WWTP).
“We encourage people to use data from the Toxics Release Inventory in order to gain a better understanding of what is being released into their neighborhoods,” said Laura Yoshii, acting EPA administrator for the Pacific Southwest region.
“Industry and communities informed with accurate information can use the inventory as a starting point to find opportunities to reduce the amount of pollutants released into the air we breathe, the water we drink and the land we enjoy.”
The data comes from the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory. It’s one of EPA’s largest publicly available databases, arming communities with valuable information on more than 650 toxic chemicals released by various industries. The chemical information in the inventory is calculated by industrial facilities and reported to the EPA, as required by law.
Total releases include toxic chemicals discharged by facilities to air, water, land, and underground, and the amount transferred off-site for disposal. Regulatory controls apply to many of the reported releases. Reporting facilities must comply with environmental standards set by local, state and federal agencies.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Power upgrades raise toxic waste concerns
Power upgrades raise toxic waste concerns
Thursday, 03 December 2009 04:12
by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
THE draft environmental impact statement raises concerns about hazardous materials and waste with regard to three possible Guam Power Authority power grid upgrade alternatives that must be achieved in order to absorb future electrical demands as a result of the U.S. military buildup.
The preferred system upgrade alternative, which would require the reconditioning of existing permitted facilities such as the Marbo, Yigo, Dededo No. 1, and Macheche combustion turbine units, which, according to the impact study, are not currently being used up to permit limits. Transmission and distribution upgrades would be made to existing above ground and underground transmission lines.
According to the impact study, the proposed system upgrade initiatives would result in the use of “slightly more hazardous materials,” such as petroleum, oils, and lubricants; and fuels for heavy equipment, vehicles, generators, and related activities.
Additionally, the use of such fuels that may post environmental concerns will be used for repair, replacement, or renovation activities related to the system upgrade initiatives.
The study estimates around 1,500 lbs of hazardous materials that would be generated annually as a result of the proposed reconditioning, upgrade and operational activities.
Cited effects of system upgrades include increases in hazardous materials storage, use, handling, generation, and disposal; increase in fueling operations; possible use of contaminated site footprints for reconditioning projects; and potential increases for site runoff.
Potential increased site runoff
The study also cited impacts to include spills during construction activities; increased risks to human health and the environment to include terrestrial and ecosystems; and “Violations of applicable federal, state, local, or DoD laws and regulations during construction and demolition operations.”
Thursday, 03 December 2009 04:12
by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
THE draft environmental impact statement raises concerns about hazardous materials and waste with regard to three possible Guam Power Authority power grid upgrade alternatives that must be achieved in order to absorb future electrical demands as a result of the U.S. military buildup.
The preferred system upgrade alternative, which would require the reconditioning of existing permitted facilities such as the Marbo, Yigo, Dededo No. 1, and Macheche combustion turbine units, which, according to the impact study, are not currently being used up to permit limits. Transmission and distribution upgrades would be made to existing above ground and underground transmission lines.
According to the impact study, the proposed system upgrade initiatives would result in the use of “slightly more hazardous materials,” such as petroleum, oils, and lubricants; and fuels for heavy equipment, vehicles, generators, and related activities.
Additionally, the use of such fuels that may post environmental concerns will be used for repair, replacement, or renovation activities related to the system upgrade initiatives.
The study estimates around 1,500 lbs of hazardous materials that would be generated annually as a result of the proposed reconditioning, upgrade and operational activities.
Cited effects of system upgrades include increases in hazardous materials storage, use, handling, generation, and disposal; increase in fueling operations; possible use of contaminated site footprints for reconditioning projects; and potential increases for site runoff.
Potential increased site runoff
The study also cited impacts to include spills during construction activities; increased risks to human health and the environment to include terrestrial and ecosystems; and “Violations of applicable federal, state, local, or DoD laws and regulations during construction and demolition operations.”
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Toxic materials raise concerns
Toxic materials raise concerns
Thursday, 26 November 2009 04:14 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
THE draft environmental impact statement detailed some of the regulatory issues surrounding hazardous material sites for potential U.S. military buildup roadway projects.
The study cited the Environmental Data Resources, Inc.’s report which “identified potential hazardous materials and petroleum contamination sites that are listed in US Environmental Protection Agency databases.
Remaining EDR information was cross-referenced with other potential contamination sites to include available regulatory information of site descriptions.
While this portion of the impact study was tackled environmental and hazardous waste concerns regarding roadway projects, it also concluded that “After field verification, potential contamination sites were eliminated from further consideration if they were not within 0.25-mile of the centerline of the proposed roadway or intersection improvement.”
A memorandum of agreement between the Department of Defense and the government of Guam requires Guam EPA and DOD to work closely to discuss and facilitate environmental restoration and cleanup work on island.
The draft environmental impact statement also provides an update on the ongoing cleanup and restoration of areas formerly used by the military.
In 1986, U.S. Congress created the Defense Environmental Restoration Program that subsequently identified and mandated the cleanup of hazardous substances and military munitions remaining from past activities at DOD lands and formerly used defense sites. This program was later supplemented by the Installation Restoration Program and Military Munitions Response Program.
The Installation Restoration Program is the main DOD environmental restoration program that covers areas within military installations including Orote landfill, Construction Battalion landfill cleanup at Finegayan, and Andersen Air Force Base Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
Thursday, 26 November 2009 04:14 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
THE draft environmental impact statement detailed some of the regulatory issues surrounding hazardous material sites for potential U.S. military buildup roadway projects.
The study cited the Environmental Data Resources, Inc.’s report which “identified potential hazardous materials and petroleum contamination sites that are listed in US Environmental Protection Agency databases.
Remaining EDR information was cross-referenced with other potential contamination sites to include available regulatory information of site descriptions.
While this portion of the impact study was tackled environmental and hazardous waste concerns regarding roadway projects, it also concluded that “After field verification, potential contamination sites were eliminated from further consideration if they were not within 0.25-mile of the centerline of the proposed roadway or intersection improvement.”
A memorandum of agreement between the Department of Defense and the government of Guam requires Guam EPA and DOD to work closely to discuss and facilitate environmental restoration and cleanup work on island.
The draft environmental impact statement also provides an update on the ongoing cleanup and restoration of areas formerly used by the military.
In 1986, U.S. Congress created the Defense Environmental Restoration Program that subsequently identified and mandated the cleanup of hazardous substances and military munitions remaining from past activities at DOD lands and formerly used defense sites. This program was later supplemented by the Installation Restoration Program and Military Munitions Response Program.
The Installation Restoration Program is the main DOD environmental restoration program that covers areas within military installations including Orote landfill, Construction Battalion landfill cleanup at Finegayan, and Andersen Air Force Base Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
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