Social, economic impacts of Guam buildup are the 'biggest concerns'
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Fitial considers islands 'homeport' for Army joint high-speed vessels
Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho and CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial cited socio-economic impacts as the “biggest” concerns about the massive military buildup in the region, including the lack of funding sources to cushion negative effects to the civilian community worth at least $3 billion in Guam alone and an expected decrease in tourist arrivals on Tinian as a result of increased military presence there.
Guam and the CNMI are racing against time to beat the Feb. 17 deadline for submitting comments on the military buildup's draft environmental impact statement.
The general concern so far is the socio-economic impacts to both Guam and the CNMI, followed by environmental concerns, Camacho and Fitial said.
“We need to be very careful and understand what we are getting into. We don't want to rush into something we don't understand,” Fitial said.
He said the CNMI is “lucky” that it is “learning from Guam's experience.”
'High speed vessels'
Fitial, at the same time, responded to a letter from Guam Sen. Judith Guthertz, who asked whether the CNMI government is interested in having Army joint high speed vessels stationed on Saipan.
“The CNMI will continue to work with and support the territory of Guam in regards to all of the upcoming military realignment in the Pacific region. I will gladly consider having the CNMI as the homeport for stationing and operations of the [joint high speed vessels],” Fitial told Guthertz.
The U.S. Army Environmental Command has opened the public comment period for the preparation of a programmatic environmental impact statement in 2010 for the proposed stationing and operation of up to 12 joint high-speed vessels.
These are strategic transport vessels designed to support the rapid transport of military troops and equipment in the U.S. and abroad.
A copy of the Army's notice of intent is available at www.aec.army.mil.
'Lack of funding sources'
Camacho, who was on Saipan for hours yesterday, said although billions of dollars in construction projects in Guam are promised, “there's no guarantee they will be there tomorrow.”
“There's no funding source to mitigate the impact to our territory,” he said, adding that past experiences resulted in huge debts incurred by Guam that it has come to a point where the island no longer has capability to borrow money.
Camacho said Guam needs a minimum of $3 billion to mitigate the social-impacts of the buildup, but he said no money has been set aside to address these impacts.
He said the buildup cost “should not be something borne by the people,” and that both Japan and the United States should consider the impacts to the host island, including in the area of public health, public safety, schools and housing.
Camacho said another major concern is the environmental impact, including massive dredging of corals at the Apra Harbor.
Guam hired consultants Matrix Design Group to help sift through some 11,000 pages of the draft military buildup EIS for easy understanding.
“No decisions have been made,” Camacho said, adding that comments on the draft EIS will help shape the final EIS to be released later this year.
Tom Linden, the coordinator for the CNMI Military Integration Management Committee, said all comments from mayors have been received and will be finalized this week for submission to the governor. The MIMC seeks to have a unified voice on the planned buildup.
He said there's been no mitigation measure offered so far to address the expected decrease in tourist arrivals to Tinian as a result of limited access to the northern end of the island because of military training.
Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz said Tinian has been “waiting” for the military buildup on Tinian for “30 years,” and hopes the U.S. military will have a permanent base on the island. He hopes an expected decrease in civilian tourist arrivals to the island will be mitigated by an increase in military personnel and their families' visit to Tinian for rest and recreation.
Dela Cruz also said the military should ensure an effective quarantine system to prevent brown tree snakes, rhinoceros beetles and other invasive species from entering Tinian.
Dela Cruz also informed Fitial and Camacho yesterday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told him that the federal agency will issue the Tinian municipality a citation this month because of a non-compliant landfill. He did not elaborate when asked for more information about EPA's citation.
Camacho formally asked U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to delay the implementation of the military buildup in Guam beyond 2014 “to protect the integrity of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and ensure that impacts are minimized to our island infrastructure and socioeconomic services.”
As of yesterday, Guam has yet to receive a response to this request from the U.S. Navy.
But Camacho, in an interview with Saipan Tribune, said he will bring up the issue in the upcoming National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C.
'Move them to Tinian'
Guthertz also urged federal officials to stretch the timeline for the military buildup to alleviate the adverse impacts expected with the population boom.
Guthertz, who chairs the Committee on the Guam Military Buildup and Homeland Security, recommended that the planned relocation of the 8,000 Marines to Guam be reduced by about 4,000.
She said the First Marine Aircraft Wing aviation command can be shifted to Tinian and the uninhabited island of Agrigan in the CNMI.
This, she said, would allow for the relocation of about half of the 8,652 infantry Marines intended to be transferred to Guam to be sent to the vacated Futenma facilities instead.
Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines, the military also looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.
Showing posts with label MIMC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MIMC. Show all posts
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Policy committee for military buildup formed
Policy committee for military buildup formed
Saipan Tribune
Monday, February 01, 2010
The Military Integration Management Committee Policy Committee convened last week to discuss the plan of action for the CNMI in regards to the impending military buildup in our region.
The policy committee is chaired by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial with Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos as vice chairman. The Commonwealth's leaders make up the rest of the policy committee's composition: House Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Saipan Mayor Donald P. Flores, Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz, Rota Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola, and Northern Islands Mayor Ramona Rebuenog. In their roles as policy committee members, they are the only voting members of the MIMC.
At that meeting, the policy committee was briefed on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as well as updates from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team (ACT) in regards to the anticipated military buildup.
The committee agreed that it is extremely important for the CNMI government to work together with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the territory of Guam, through the MIMC. Tom Linden, as the MIMC Coordinator, is tasked as the point of contact (POC) for all military related activities with respect to the buildup. All buildup communications should be channeled through his office, which shall communicate with the DOD and the Guam officials.
The MIMC was formed to address the concerns of CNMI residents and to maximize possible economic impacts. “With the strong support of our policy committee members, along with a strong OEA technical support, the MIMC should be able to assist CNMI residents successfully mitigate impacts of the buildup,” stated Commerce Secretary Michael Ada.
Fitial is very pleased with the formation of the policy committee and highlighted the importance of bringing the leaders of all the islands together. “This is an opportunity to seek common ground and reach a unified position that will benefit all the residents of the Northern Mariana Islands,” said Fitial.
The MIMC is slated to meet again on Feb. 9 to put together a unified comment from its members. The deadline for submission of comments regarding the draft EIS is on Feb. 17, 2010. The public is urged to participate in the comment submission and they may either submit their comments to their respective elected leaders before Feb. 9 or submit them online at the website, www.guambuildupeis.us before Feb. 17. (PR)
Saipan Tribune
Monday, February 01, 2010
The Military Integration Management Committee Policy Committee convened last week to discuss the plan of action for the CNMI in regards to the impending military buildup in our region.
The policy committee is chaired by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial with Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos as vice chairman. The Commonwealth's leaders make up the rest of the policy committee's composition: House Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Saipan Mayor Donald P. Flores, Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz, Rota Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola, and Northern Islands Mayor Ramona Rebuenog. In their roles as policy committee members, they are the only voting members of the MIMC.
At that meeting, the policy committee was briefed on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as well as updates from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team (ACT) in regards to the anticipated military buildup.
The committee agreed that it is extremely important for the CNMI government to work together with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the territory of Guam, through the MIMC. Tom Linden, as the MIMC Coordinator, is tasked as the point of contact (POC) for all military related activities with respect to the buildup. All buildup communications should be channeled through his office, which shall communicate with the DOD and the Guam officials.
The MIMC was formed to address the concerns of CNMI residents and to maximize possible economic impacts. “With the strong support of our policy committee members, along with a strong OEA technical support, the MIMC should be able to assist CNMI residents successfully mitigate impacts of the buildup,” stated Commerce Secretary Michael Ada.
Fitial is very pleased with the formation of the policy committee and highlighted the importance of bringing the leaders of all the islands together. “This is an opportunity to seek common ground and reach a unified position that will benefit all the residents of the Northern Mariana Islands,” said Fitial.
The MIMC is slated to meet again on Feb. 9 to put together a unified comment from its members. The deadline for submission of comments regarding the draft EIS is on Feb. 17, 2010. The public is urged to participate in the comment submission and they may either submit their comments to their respective elected leaders before Feb. 9 or submit them online at the website, www.guambuildupeis.us before Feb. 17. (PR)
Forum gives answers to military buildup
Forum gives answers to military buildup
Saipan Tribune
Friday, January 29, 2010
The MIMC public forum held Wednesday at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe and broadcast live to Tinian and Rota through sponsors NMC and IT&E provided many answers about the pending military buildup in the Marianas region.
The event drew a larger than anticipated crowd and provided an opportunity for community members to get answers about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and its effects on the islands.
The advisory consulting team from Guam, Celeste Werner and Mike Hrapla, vice presidents of Matrix Design, were on hand to give a presentation of the realities that the CNMI faces in the U.S. Marines' relocation to Guam and Tinian. It covered details of the live fire range, restricted access areas, training frequency, possible future expansion plans, and economic and environmental impacts. They also provided specific details on how to best submit comments to the Joint Guam Program Office so that local concerns can be heard prior to the Feb. 17, 2010, submission deadline.
Each of the islands had three rounds of question and answer periods in which many questions were asked. The most common concern seemed to be restricted access to the north end of Tinian and the numerous cultural and historic landmarks. While the draft EIS only provides potential impacts, the ACT team was able to shed a better perspective on what to expect.
MIMC coordinator Tom Linden was on hand on Tinian and was highly encouraged by the number of students who took the time to attend and ask questions. “The fact that so many students are concerned and interested in how it will influence the future of our islands and culture was very inspiring,” said Linden.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial was very pleased with the turnout of the forum and the active participation of the community. “As stakeholders, we must ensure that the concerns of the community are heard,” said Fitial.
Anyone who wants more information on the Draft EIS or the information that was presented at the MIMC Forum can download the information from the Department of Commerce website at www.commerce.gov.mp or contact Tom Linden at cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp. (PR)
Saipan Tribune
Friday, January 29, 2010
The MIMC public forum held Wednesday at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe and broadcast live to Tinian and Rota through sponsors NMC and IT&E provided many answers about the pending military buildup in the Marianas region.
The event drew a larger than anticipated crowd and provided an opportunity for community members to get answers about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and its effects on the islands.
The advisory consulting team from Guam, Celeste Werner and Mike Hrapla, vice presidents of Matrix Design, were on hand to give a presentation of the realities that the CNMI faces in the U.S. Marines' relocation to Guam and Tinian. It covered details of the live fire range, restricted access areas, training frequency, possible future expansion plans, and economic and environmental impacts. They also provided specific details on how to best submit comments to the Joint Guam Program Office so that local concerns can be heard prior to the Feb. 17, 2010, submission deadline.
Each of the islands had three rounds of question and answer periods in which many questions were asked. The most common concern seemed to be restricted access to the north end of Tinian and the numerous cultural and historic landmarks. While the draft EIS only provides potential impacts, the ACT team was able to shed a better perspective on what to expect.
MIMC coordinator Tom Linden was on hand on Tinian and was highly encouraged by the number of students who took the time to attend and ask questions. “The fact that so many students are concerned and interested in how it will influence the future of our islands and culture was very inspiring,” said Linden.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial was very pleased with the turnout of the forum and the active participation of the community. “As stakeholders, we must ensure that the concerns of the community are heard,” said Fitial.
Anyone who wants more information on the Draft EIS or the information that was presented at the MIMC Forum can download the information from the Department of Commerce website at www.commerce.gov.mp or contact Tom Linden at cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp. (PR)
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Draft EIS on military buildup made easier to understand
Draft EIS on military buildup made easier to understand
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Residents have only a few days left to submit comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement by the Feb. 17 deadline. But the public forum held yesterday by the Military Integration Management Committee helped residents and agencies understand more the $15- to $20-billion military buildup in Guam and Tinian, to make it easier for them to comment on the draft EIS.
Gary Kuwabara and Rick Solander from the Office of Economic Adjustment, along with members of the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, including Matrix Design vice presidents Celeste Werner and Gary Hrapla, and Loretta Lujan of M2D2, made a presentation yesterday about the highlights of the military buildup.
The group also answered questions from some of the 45 people that showed up at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday morning.
The group was able to break down the estimated 11,000 pages of draft EIS to hundreds of pages of documents for CNMI and Guam residents.
Brochures containing summaries and highlights of the buildup were also distributed at the forum.
“You could get a very good overview inside, into the draft EIS. Basically you'd be able to take away what's being proposed what are the alternatives considered by the military, and what are perceived to be the major impacts associated with those preferred actions, and what they've identified that need to be mitigated, what types of mitigation measures they might propose to reduce the impacts,” said Hrapla.
Hrapla encouraged residents to visit the Web site, www.one.guam.gov for more information about the buildup.
Residents can also access the draft EIS at www.guambuildupeis.us.
The CNMI government, through MIMC, has been working on consolidating government agency comments on the draft EIS.
An internal MIMC deadline for these draft comments is set for Feb. 9.
As with the public hearings held by the U.S. military earlier this month, residents yesterday voiced their concerns with the buildup, as well as their support or opposition to the massive project. Residents have been weighing the pros and cons of the U.S. Department of Defense project, which includes military training ranges on Tinian.
Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines, the military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.
Tinian is only about 100 miles or 160 kilometers away from Guam.
The northern two-thirds of Tinian are leased to the U.S. Department of Defense. Company and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these lease parcels.
“The land, however, could be developed to accommodate live fire ranges,” the draft EIS/OES stated.
The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, and field firing; and airspace use.
The relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam will start in the next couple of years and estimates currently show Guam’s population to increase by 35,000 people. This realignment will substantially impact the community and infrastructure on Guam as well as provide economic opportunities throughout the region. (Saipan Tribune)
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Residents have only a few days left to submit comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement by the Feb. 17 deadline. But the public forum held yesterday by the Military Integration Management Committee helped residents and agencies understand more the $15- to $20-billion military buildup in Guam and Tinian, to make it easier for them to comment on the draft EIS.
Gary Kuwabara and Rick Solander from the Office of Economic Adjustment, along with members of the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, including Matrix Design vice presidents Celeste Werner and Gary Hrapla, and Loretta Lujan of M2D2, made a presentation yesterday about the highlights of the military buildup.
The group also answered questions from some of the 45 people that showed up at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday morning.
The group was able to break down the estimated 11,000 pages of draft EIS to hundreds of pages of documents for CNMI and Guam residents.
Brochures containing summaries and highlights of the buildup were also distributed at the forum.
“You could get a very good overview inside, into the draft EIS. Basically you'd be able to take away what's being proposed what are the alternatives considered by the military, and what are perceived to be the major impacts associated with those preferred actions, and what they've identified that need to be mitigated, what types of mitigation measures they might propose to reduce the impacts,” said Hrapla.
Hrapla encouraged residents to visit the Web site, www.one.guam.gov for more information about the buildup.
Residents can also access the draft EIS at www.guambuildupeis.us.
The CNMI government, through MIMC, has been working on consolidating government agency comments on the draft EIS.
An internal MIMC deadline for these draft comments is set for Feb. 9.
As with the public hearings held by the U.S. military earlier this month, residents yesterday voiced their concerns with the buildup, as well as their support or opposition to the massive project. Residents have been weighing the pros and cons of the U.S. Department of Defense project, which includes military training ranges on Tinian.
Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines, the military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.
Tinian is only about 100 miles or 160 kilometers away from Guam.
The northern two-thirds of Tinian are leased to the U.S. Department of Defense. Company and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these lease parcels.
“The land, however, could be developed to accommodate live fire ranges,” the draft EIS/OES stated.
The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, and field firing; and airspace use.
The relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam will start in the next couple of years and estimates currently show Guam’s population to increase by 35,000 people. This realignment will substantially impact the community and infrastructure on Guam as well as provide economic opportunities throughout the region. (Saipan Tribune)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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)
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)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Military buildup hearing receives mixed reaction
Military buildup hearing receives mixed reaction
Monday, January 18, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio, Reporter
Residents weighed the pros and cons of the $15- to $20-billion military buildup in Guam and Tinian during Friday night's public hearing on Saipan, with some individuals expressing support to the multi-year project due to economic benefits and national security issues, while others oppose the project altogether for its ill social, environmental, and cultural impacts.
“Our economy is drying up. The local people are leaving because of lack of jobs here. We need the military, but we need to work together,” said former Rep. Manny Tenorio.
Martin Manglona, for his part, said there's no reason to be scared about military training ranges on Tinian.
“All plans on Tinian are for small ranges, nothing else. We have it in Kannat Tabla, so there's no problem,” said Manglona, adding that local people could get jobs and could find other business opportunities such as supplying fresh produce to the military.
Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero of the Guam-based We Are Guahan which is opposed to the military buildup, said the buildup intends to carry out U.S. Department of Defense plans, and “does not intend to help residents.”
She said that CNMI residents should never forget the environmental problems caused by the U.S. military in Tanapag, referring to the polychlorinated biphenyl contamination of soil and land crabs on Saipan's northern village.
Leon Guerrero also urged people to visit their website, www.WeAreGuahan.com, to know more about the group's strong opposition to the buildup.
Among other things, the group said the majority of the 18,000 jobs coming through the buildup will go to off-island workers and not local residents, and the buildup's draft Environmental Impact Statement does not mention military commitment to give Guam the money necessary to develop infrastructure to support a huge population influx.
They were among the estimated 30 members of the community, and another 30-plus Navy personnel and military contractors at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Friday night for the Joint Guam Program Office's public hearing on the buildup's draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The number of people who showed up in both the public hearings on Tinian and Saipan were far below the numbers on Guam wherein the hearings drew 200 to 400 people.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) said there are issues not related to the military buildup that the people of Tinian also want to be addressed, including the needed repair of the outer seawall and piers.
“It would be great (if the military funds it) but they won't because it's not a military wharf. That has to be a Commonwealth project or funded from a separate funding because it's not a military harbor; it's commercial. And I've also been telling people that this is a military buildup in Guam. Tinian is only ancillary of the buildup and if people think that someone is going to get rich from the Tinian portion of the buildup, I would like to know how because I haven't seen it,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune.
'No more comment period extension'
Sixto Igisomar, speaking as a member of the public, asked for more time to review and comment on the draft environment impact statement on the military buildup.
There are some 11,000 pages of documents on the draft EIS/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement on the military buildup.
The draft EIS/OES can be accessed online at www.guambuildupeis.us.
Retired Maj. Gen. David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said JGPO believes that the 90-day comment period ending on Feb. 17 is sufficient.
“We've had well over 1,600 people come out to our public hearings where they asked questions and got their questions answered by experts. We've also gotten a lot of comments online as well as during the hearings,” Bice told Saipan Tribune.
Bice said there had been enough public outreach programs on the project, including public scoping in 2007, as well as partnership sessions with the local government and the regulators like the Environmental Protection Agency.
“We believe that our effort has been really unprecedented because this is a pretty large realignment and we had an unprecedented approach in terms of reaching out to the public and the regulators to ensure that our document is complete,” he said.
Bice said “every comment is important,” and every comment will be evaluated. The comments will also be recorded in Volume 10 of the final EIS.
“I can tell you that we are going to make adjustments to the EIS. We've heard comments made by people as we go along. I would make a mental note (when I hear) a solid comment that we need to take a look at either the plan or the phraseology that's in the EIS that may not be as clear as it should have been. So I can tell you that we are going to make adjustments to the EIS based upon the comments we received,” he added.
Townhall meetings
Despite the end of the six public hearings held in Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, there are still opportunities for residents to know more about the draft EIS/OES.
Tom Linden, coordinator for the CNMI Military Integration Management Committee, said MIMC, in partnership with the Office of Economic Adjustment and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, will be hosting a public forum on Jan. 27, Wednesday, at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
He said representatives of the OEA and ACT will break down the 11,000-page EIS and be willing to answer any questions regarding the military buildup. The public is encouraged to submit questions ahead of time to the MIMC coordinator by sending e-mails to cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp.
MIMC, created in June 2009, serves as the planning and policy making entity for all activities related to the expansion of military training and other defense transformation initiatives in the CNMI and Guam. It is the official entity through which the CNMI will interface with the U.S. Department of the Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, JGPO, the Department of Defense, and all other military representatives regarding the military buildup.
The Tinian plan
Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines, the military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.
Tinian is only about 100 miles or 160 kilometers away from Guam.
The northern two-thirds of Tinian are leased to the U.S. Department of Defense. Company and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these lease parcels.
“The land, however, could be developed to accommodate live fire ranges,” the draft EIS/OES stated.
The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, and field firing; and airspace use.
Comments on the draft EIS/OES can be submitted online, or during the public hearings set by the U.S. Navy in Guam and the CNMI.
Monday, January 18, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio, Reporter
Residents weighed the pros and cons of the $15- to $20-billion military buildup in Guam and Tinian during Friday night's public hearing on Saipan, with some individuals expressing support to the multi-year project due to economic benefits and national security issues, while others oppose the project altogether for its ill social, environmental, and cultural impacts.
“Our economy is drying up. The local people are leaving because of lack of jobs here. We need the military, but we need to work together,” said former Rep. Manny Tenorio.
Martin Manglona, for his part, said there's no reason to be scared about military training ranges on Tinian.
“All plans on Tinian are for small ranges, nothing else. We have it in Kannat Tabla, so there's no problem,” said Manglona, adding that local people could get jobs and could find other business opportunities such as supplying fresh produce to the military.
Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero of the Guam-based We Are Guahan which is opposed to the military buildup, said the buildup intends to carry out U.S. Department of Defense plans, and “does not intend to help residents.”
She said that CNMI residents should never forget the environmental problems caused by the U.S. military in Tanapag, referring to the polychlorinated biphenyl contamination of soil and land crabs on Saipan's northern village.
Leon Guerrero also urged people to visit their website, www.WeAreGuahan.com, to know more about the group's strong opposition to the buildup.
Among other things, the group said the majority of the 18,000 jobs coming through the buildup will go to off-island workers and not local residents, and the buildup's draft Environmental Impact Statement does not mention military commitment to give Guam the money necessary to develop infrastructure to support a huge population influx.
They were among the estimated 30 members of the community, and another 30-plus Navy personnel and military contractors at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Friday night for the Joint Guam Program Office's public hearing on the buildup's draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The number of people who showed up in both the public hearings on Tinian and Saipan were far below the numbers on Guam wherein the hearings drew 200 to 400 people.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) said there are issues not related to the military buildup that the people of Tinian also want to be addressed, including the needed repair of the outer seawall and piers.
“It would be great (if the military funds it) but they won't because it's not a military wharf. That has to be a Commonwealth project or funded from a separate funding because it's not a military harbor; it's commercial. And I've also been telling people that this is a military buildup in Guam. Tinian is only ancillary of the buildup and if people think that someone is going to get rich from the Tinian portion of the buildup, I would like to know how because I haven't seen it,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune.
'No more comment period extension'
Sixto Igisomar, speaking as a member of the public, asked for more time to review and comment on the draft environment impact statement on the military buildup.
There are some 11,000 pages of documents on the draft EIS/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement on the military buildup.
The draft EIS/OES can be accessed online at www.guambuildupeis.us.
Retired Maj. Gen. David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said JGPO believes that the 90-day comment period ending on Feb. 17 is sufficient.
“We've had well over 1,600 people come out to our public hearings where they asked questions and got their questions answered by experts. We've also gotten a lot of comments online as well as during the hearings,” Bice told Saipan Tribune.
Bice said there had been enough public outreach programs on the project, including public scoping in 2007, as well as partnership sessions with the local government and the regulators like the Environmental Protection Agency.
“We believe that our effort has been really unprecedented because this is a pretty large realignment and we had an unprecedented approach in terms of reaching out to the public and the regulators to ensure that our document is complete,” he said.
Bice said “every comment is important,” and every comment will be evaluated. The comments will also be recorded in Volume 10 of the final EIS.
“I can tell you that we are going to make adjustments to the EIS. We've heard comments made by people as we go along. I would make a mental note (when I hear) a solid comment that we need to take a look at either the plan or the phraseology that's in the EIS that may not be as clear as it should have been. So I can tell you that we are going to make adjustments to the EIS based upon the comments we received,” he added.
Townhall meetings
Despite the end of the six public hearings held in Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, there are still opportunities for residents to know more about the draft EIS/OES.
Tom Linden, coordinator for the CNMI Military Integration Management Committee, said MIMC, in partnership with the Office of Economic Adjustment and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, will be hosting a public forum on Jan. 27, Wednesday, at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
He said representatives of the OEA and ACT will break down the 11,000-page EIS and be willing to answer any questions regarding the military buildup. The public is encouraged to submit questions ahead of time to the MIMC coordinator by sending e-mails to cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp.
MIMC, created in June 2009, serves as the planning and policy making entity for all activities related to the expansion of military training and other defense transformation initiatives in the CNMI and Guam. It is the official entity through which the CNMI will interface with the U.S. Department of the Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, JGPO, the Department of Defense, and all other military representatives regarding the military buildup.
The Tinian plan
Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines, the military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.
Tinian is only about 100 miles or 160 kilometers away from Guam.
The northern two-thirds of Tinian are leased to the U.S. Department of Defense. Company and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these lease parcels.
“The land, however, could be developed to accommodate live fire ranges,” the draft EIS/OES stated.
The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, and field firing; and airspace use.
Comments on the draft EIS/OES can be submitted online, or during the public hearings set by the U.S. Navy in Guam and the CNMI.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Public hearings on military buildup
Public hearings on military buildup
Monday, 11 January 2010 00:00
THE CNMI Military Integration Management Committee would like to encourage the public to participate in the upcoming Joint Guam Program Office public hearings that are scheduled for Tinian on Thursday, Jan. 14, and Saipan on Friday, Jan. 15, a media release stated.
The committee, or MIMC, coordinator Tom Linden will be on hand at both of these public hearings to answer any questions in regards to how the CNMI is dealing with the regional military buildup.
These meetings will be an introduction to the draft environmental impact statement, or EIS, that has been prepared for both Guam and the CNMI.
While the CNMI government understands the complexity of the document which is to be commented on, the MIMC office encourages active participation. In an effort to ensure that the community has an opportunity to fully digest the contents contained in the EIS, the MIMC in partnership with Office of Economic Adjustment, or OEA, and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, or ACT, will be hosting a public forum on Jan. 27 at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Representatives of the OEA and ACT will breakdown the 11,000-page EIS and be willing to answer any questions in regards to the military buildup in our region.
The public hearings will be a great introduction to the EIS and then allow the public time to review and comment prior to the public forum which will be held on the 27th.
The MIMC public forum will also be broadcast to both Tinian and Rota through a VTC provided by Northern Marianas College and IT&E.
The MIMC and the Department of Commerce will have representatives on Tinian and Rota to help answer any questions.
Members of the public are urged to submit questions ahead of time to the MIMC coordinator by e-mailing them to cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The MIMC was created through a charter in June 2009.
It serves as the planning and policy making entity for all activities that relate to the expansion of military training and other defense transformation initiatives in the CNMI and Guam.
The CNMI-MIMC is the official entity through which the commonwealth will interface with the Department of the Navy, the Marine Corps, JGPO, the Department of Defense, and all other military representatives in regards to the military buildup in the region.
The policy making committee is chaired by Gov. Benigno Fitial and consists of the governor, lt. governor, Senate president, speaker of the House, and the mayors of Rota, Tinian, Saipan and the Northern Islands.
Due to the overwhelming scope of this military relocation, the MIMC realizes that the path to success will require a partnership with Guam and both Fitial and Guam Gov. Felix Camacho have pledged their support of one another to ensure that the entire region benefits.
Monday, 11 January 2010 00:00
THE CNMI Military Integration Management Committee would like to encourage the public to participate in the upcoming Joint Guam Program Office public hearings that are scheduled for Tinian on Thursday, Jan. 14, and Saipan on Friday, Jan. 15, a media release stated.
The committee, or MIMC, coordinator Tom Linden will be on hand at both of these public hearings to answer any questions in regards to how the CNMI is dealing with the regional military buildup.
These meetings will be an introduction to the draft environmental impact statement, or EIS, that has been prepared for both Guam and the CNMI.
While the CNMI government understands the complexity of the document which is to be commented on, the MIMC office encourages active participation. In an effort to ensure that the community has an opportunity to fully digest the contents contained in the EIS, the MIMC in partnership with Office of Economic Adjustment, or OEA, and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, or ACT, will be hosting a public forum on Jan. 27 at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Representatives of the OEA and ACT will breakdown the 11,000-page EIS and be willing to answer any questions in regards to the military buildup in our region.
The public hearings will be a great introduction to the EIS and then allow the public time to review and comment prior to the public forum which will be held on the 27th.
The MIMC public forum will also be broadcast to both Tinian and Rota through a VTC provided by Northern Marianas College and IT&E.
The MIMC and the Department of Commerce will have representatives on Tinian and Rota to help answer any questions.
Members of the public are urged to submit questions ahead of time to the MIMC coordinator by e-mailing them to cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The MIMC was created through a charter in June 2009.
It serves as the planning and policy making entity for all activities that relate to the expansion of military training and other defense transformation initiatives in the CNMI and Guam.
The CNMI-MIMC is the official entity through which the commonwealth will interface with the Department of the Navy, the Marine Corps, JGPO, the Department of Defense, and all other military representatives in regards to the military buildup in the region.
The policy making committee is chaired by Gov. Benigno Fitial and consists of the governor, lt. governor, Senate president, speaker of the House, and the mayors of Rota, Tinian, Saipan and the Northern Islands.
Due to the overwhelming scope of this military relocation, the MIMC realizes that the path to success will require a partnership with Guam and both Fitial and Guam Gov. Felix Camacho have pledged their support of one another to ensure that the entire region benefits.
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