Water Wise Residents

The Michigan Citizen

Residents of Brightmoor Anxiously Wait for Rain

Eric T. Campbell
Sunday, April 17, 2011


Monique Adams and son Brandon almost ready to take their rain barrel home. ERIC T. CAMPBELL PHOTO

Detroit - Activists in Detroit communities are reclaiming their neighborhoods by harvesting natural resources.

For several years, Brightmoor residents have responded to newly vacant lots by planting crops. This spring, they will meet water needs by utilizing rainwater that would normally runoff into the city’s sewers.

Brightmoor learned the benefits of collecting rainwater in modified barrels at an April 9 outdoor workshop sponsored by the Michigan Sierra Club. The event was part of a program designed to create green infrastructure solutions, according to Sierra Club’s Melissa Damschke.

“We’re helping to prevent water from going down drains, which prevents sewage overflows,” said Damaschke, who organized the workshop.

“An inch of rainfall a day is way too much for our wastewater plant.”

Damaschke says water, not all of it treated, is released into the Detroit and Rouge Rivers when levels at the wastewater plant become too high. So collecting rainwater before that stage does a great service to the local environment.

Close to 50 Brightmoor residents participated in the workshop. They left with 55-gallon, terra cotta colored containers and a new appreciation for cloudy days.

Monique Adams, attending with her son Brandon, says they will use the collected water for all purposes, including watering a newly planted vegetable garden.

“Washing the car, watering the flowers, these barrels will help with anything we need water for,” Adams said.

Bramelle Street residents Charman Richard and Ray Porter say they would use collected water to sustain her butterfly garden she has planned for her property, next to her herbs, flowers and crabapple tree.

The event was held in a field next to the house of Clara Cupp, a 22-year resident of Dacosta Street. Her garden is one of many family gardens springing up in Brightmoor. The area supports seven community gardens and a growing sense of civic responsibility, according to Riet Schumack, co-founder of the Neighbors Building Brightmoor Association.

“Whenever the city tears a house down, we try to go in and at least plant a potato patch,” says Schumack. The Brighmoor Association now has a large group of block captains. Participation is increasing seasonally.

“We have found that when you do a big event, people’s curiosity is piqued,” Schumack continues. “Big projects are the way to get people involved.”

Rhonda Anderson and Michelle Rodriguez, both of the Sierra Club, explained to Brightmoor residents how to disconnect the down spout from the gutter and direct it into the rain barrel; and how the higher the containers sit, the greater the pressure to push the water out of the barrel. The barrels are fitted with spigots on the bottom to connect to water hoses and mesh covers the opening in the lid to keep mosquitoes, leaves and other debris from entering.

Melvin Williams, Sr., a board member of the Storehouse of Hope organization, says his awareness of rain barrel technology started with a home water audit he witnessed at a North End home in March. For that event, Michigan Sierra Club partnered with the People’s Water Board Coalition. Williams says he will keep a close tally of the water he collects this growing season and how it affects his water bill.

Brightmoor’s Shumack says during the 2010 growing season, she collected an estimated 275 gallons of rainwater every month — more than enough to keep the community garden adjacent to her house happy.

The Michigan Sierra Club received a $75,000 grant from the Erb Family Foundation to fund the rain barrel workshop. The 55-gallon barrels used for the Brightmoor workshop were purchased by the Sierra Club from Detroit’s Maxi Container Inc., a family-owned local business for over 100 years. Joshua Rubin’s great grandfather started the business building, reusing and repairing wooden storage barrels.

Now, Joshua and his father Richard are taking the industrial container business and adding a greener profile. They’ve been importing the plastic barrels from the European spice market for reuse and refitting them as rain barrels for almost three years. Joshua says most of them would otherwise end up in a landfill.

“Promoting sustainability has become an important part of what we do,” Rubin said.

“We like to work with non-profits and schools to help promote recycling. There’s really no other good use for these barrels.”

Maxi Containers sells the huge density, polyethylene rain barrels to the public for $60. They have expanded their line to include other utility items such as a barrel composter and a metal drum wood burning stove.

No one yet knows how rain barrels will affect the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s downward cycle of raising rates to cover an aging infrastructure, which leads to more shutoffs and fewer customers. For now, the rain barrel is succeeding in spreading the word about sewer runoff and water savings for consumers.

For more information on home water audit training call the Michigan Sierra Club 313.965.0055.

Maxi Container Inc. is located at 6000 Caniff, Detroit, MI. 48212. They can be contacted at 800.727.MAXI or at www.maxicontainer.com.

http://michigancitizen.com/barrels-lower-water-bills-p9709-1.htm

Chamber's support for buildup meets criticism

Chamber's support for buildup meets criticism

Posted: Feb 01, 2010 2:42 PM
Updated: Feb 01, 2010 7:32 PM

by Heather Hauswirth

Guam - The back-and-forth between the Guam Chamber of Commerce and the We Are Guahan Coalition over fourteen points in support of the military buildup has created a bit of friction between members of the island's business community and coalition members who feel that the buildup will marginalize the people of Guam. With time ticking for comments to be submitted on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and buildup plans underway, we delve into the two-step the Chamber has to dance with all the special interests.

For president of the Guam Chamber of Commerce David Leddy, the Chamber's list of fourteen reasons why Guam needs the military build up is entrepreneurial in spirit. "As with any island-based economy with very limited natural resources, our options are limited, and the military economy has always co-existed with the tourism economy so we presented the fourteen reasons simply to demonstrate the positive attributes that could be derived from its growth," he said.

However, We Are Guahan members don't see eye to eye with the Chamber. They fired back with a fourteen-point rebuttal of reasons we do not need the military buildup. The Coalition boasts some 3,000 members, including Facebook fans. Cara Flores Mays is a core member who works as a self-employed web developer.

"As a businessowner, I do stand to benefit from the buildup, however I don't think it is good for our island. There is the idea that there will be more tax revenue coming in, and of course there will be more tax revenue, but there will also be a huge increase in service demand," said Mays.

Mays says the Coalition's concerns are many, but from an economic standpoint they fear the very heart of the island's economy would be in jeopardy. "I would say there needs to be a balance between what is best for the community. I don't know how the tourists will feel about it, but we will no longer be able to promote ourselves as a family friendly destination if our red light district grows," she said.

The Chamber president meanwhile welcomes differing opinions but wants it clear that the organization is against land condemnation. "Our Chamber members are people who live and work here in Guam and make their living in Guam. The Chamber though it's the voice of the business community, the local business community- first and foremost we are an advocate for our community and we do not want the people of Guam marginalized in this buildup process," said Leddy.

Yet Mays maintains that the Chamber's math overall just doesn't add up, saying, "If you balance the increased revenue with the increased demand and that's just a small portion of it, I'm just wondering how the Chamber manages that equation and how we end up benefiting from the increased tax revenue. I'd like to see that done; I'd like to see the math done on that."

PNC :: Lawmakers Hear From Fisherman's and Farmers Co-op's Concerns with Military Buildup

PNC :: Lawmakers Hear From Fisherman's and Farmers Co-op's Concerns with Military Buildup

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Guam - The commitee on natural resources and federal affairs held a briefing on the buildup this morning.

They spoke to the Fisherman's Co-op the Farmers Co-op the Guam Organization of Saltwater Anglers and the Department of Agriculture. The focus of the meeting was to gather input from these organizations on their thoughts about the draft environmental impact statement. Fisherman Co-op general manager Manny Duenas says the Co-op is concerned about the proposed dredging of Apra harbor and the impacts it will have on the ecosystem as 25 acres of coral and marine life will be dredged. Duenas says they are concerned about the the dredge material that will be dumped off the coast of Guam without being tested for nuclear wasted and other contaminants.

Duenas says the Fishermans Co-op is also concerned about impacts to the Pagat and Sasayan valley area if it is used as a firing range. If this happens he says the area will be off-limits to fishermen and the firing range will litter the surrounding waters with ammunition.

Written by : Clynt Ridgell

Adelup to host DEIS forum

Adelup to host DEIS forum

Monday, 18 January 2010 03:43
Variety News Staff

(Adelup) -- As part of Gov. Felix P. Camacho’s “One Island, One Vision, One Future” initiative, the Office of the Governor will be hosting two public presentations describing the military build up draft environmental impact statement key actions, impacts and mitigation measures.

The format of these workshops will provide the public an opportunity to ask questions and obtain further information about the draft study.

"I fully understand that we as a people stand at one of the most critical moments in our island’s history,” the governor said. “While Guam will experience unprecedented growth over the next several years, our people must have an opportunity to participate in critical discussions that will help shape our future.”

The first presentation will be held tomorrow at the Yigo Senior Citizens Center from 6 p.m. to 8:30pm. Another presentation will follow on Wednesday at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center also from 6 p.m. to 8:30 pm.

“We can affect the outcome by understanding how the build up will impact not only our lives, but the lives of our children, and generations to come,” Camacho said. “The Advisory Consulting Team has summarized key components of this ongoing review and I urge the people of Guam to attend the presentations and provide effective comments.”

The workshop presentations are designed to provide an overview of key issues identified in the draft study and to help residents better understand the implications of the military build up.

“My administration remains firmly committed to representing the interests of our people,” Camacho said. “We all share our island’s resources; what happens here affects all of us. This is yet another opportunity to gain understanding and submit comments that will require a response. I believe, working as one community, we can look forward to a better Guam.”

There will be several key areas that will be reviewed during the presentations. These include the Guam and CNMI military relocation plan, the draft study and the overseas environmental impact statement.

Public comment sheets will be available at the workshop for those wishing to provide written comments. All written comment sheets will be collected and submitted to JGPO as official draft public comments. JGPO will respond to the submitted public comments as part of the Final EIS.

MCT tackles military buildup mitigation plans

MCT tackles military buildup mitigation plans

Wednesday, 23 December 2009 04:25 Varitey News Staff

(MCT)--The Micronesia Conservation Trust Board of Trustees hosted a breakfast yesterday to discuss the trust’s work in Micronesia and inform key stakeholders about environmental mitigation proposals to help protect and restore Guam’s natural resources from impacts associated with the military buildup.

The trust, or MCT, is a not-for-profit corporation established to support biodiversity conservation by providing grants and capacity building/training support to local organizations and communities across the Micronesia region including Guam, the CNMI, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and Marshall Islands.

On Guam, MCT is working with the Guam Governor’s Office, the Natural Resource Subcommittee, the Army Corps of Engineers and other relevant federal agencies to apply as an In Lieu Fee Program Sponsor in support of some of the projects that will be required to mitigate impacts associated with the military build-up in Guam.

MCT Board members and partner agencies met with members of the legislature to discuss the proposal and what it will mean for the island.

Senators expressed several concerns about the buildup and highlighted issues for further discussion or legislation, including a mechanism to make local school groups and non-profit organizations eligible for additional funding for projects.

“I am pleased so many Senators showed an interest in the ILF program and look forward to more discussions as Guam and MCT continue working on mitigation issues,” said William Kostka, MCT executive director.

MCT plans to submit their ILF application to the Army Corps of Engineers in early February. If approved, the program could mean millions of dollars to support natural resource conservation projects in Guam as the buildup progresses and beyond.

Agencies comment on proposed buildup plans

Agencies comment on proposed buildup plans

Posted: Dec 12, 2009 1:55 PM
Updated: Dec 12, 2009 1:58 PM

by Michele Catahay

Guam - It's clear that various government agencies continue to review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. In fact, the Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Governor's Civilian Military Task Force conducted a Natural Resources Expo today at the Guam Premier Outlets.

A Natural Resources Expo highlighted issues and concerns when it comes to the DEIS for Guam. The event is one of several planned as part of an effort to educate the public on the issues related to the impacts of Guam's natural resources as a result of the military buildup. Guam Coastal Management Program Administrator Evangeline Lujan says while they're still in the process of reviewing the Draft EIS, she says it's critical to begin educating the public about it.

"Some of the issues we look at are the coral reefs and the impacts to the ecosystem; we look at our terrestrial ecosystem and the habitat that will be lost. We look at invasive species. There's a myriad of things that we are reviewing," she said.

Biologist at the Division of Aquatics and Wildlife Resources at the Department of Agriculture Brent Tibbats says his greatest concern is the impacts on the marine environment and resources. One particular issue is the proposed dredging at Apra Harbor to accommodate a wharf berthing facility.

He said, "Where the dredging is going to be taking place is in areas where fishing occurs, where recreation activity occurs - banana boating, SCUBA diving and where some research activities are going on. We have some marine research going on as well. Some of these areas are going to be directly impacted and will dredged and removed."

He says in addition, the increase in sedimentation is going to greatly impact our coral reefs not only near Apra Harbor, but also areas in the north. "This is going to be one of the largest dredging projects involving coral reefs anywhere in the U.S. It's unavoidable. It's going to be impact. The hope is for us to minimize the amount of impact and maximize the amount of mitigation that is done to compensate Guam for that," Tibbats added.

He says they will also be looking into the impact of runoff from construction or potential fuel chemical spills that could occur as a result of the buildup.

In the meantime, another Government of Guam agency concerned about the increase in construction around the island is the Guam Historic Preservation Office. Historian Tony Ramirez says with plans for construction around the island, cultural resources may diminish. "Our agency covers a lot of areas because we cover 4,000 years of Guam's history and different timelines and these historical timelines are within the federal jurisdictions and also some of the areas that they're thinking of using for the buildup," she said.

Island residents have until February to submit written testimony on the Draft EIS.

Bice insists buildup good for Guam

Bice insists buildup good for Guam

Monday, 07 December 2009 04:00
by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff

GUAM and the CNMI will experience economic growth and opportunity as a result of the massive military buildup on Guam, according to Joint Guam Program Office executive director David Bice.

“They will come here from far and wide and see the jewel that you have here,” Bice told island leaders during the 12th Micronesian Chief Executives’ Summit which concluded at Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort Friday.

Despite hints in the draft environmental impact statement that Guam does not have much to expect from the military buildup, Bice maintained the future will be “very bright” for small business as a result of the Marine relocation and buildup.

According to the JGPO director, Marines will take advantage of the regional tourism industry and regional tourism will benefit from allied forces that will frequently come to Guam and the CNMI for training.

Because of a number of factors, the draft impact study indicates the island will not be able to “capture” any significant pools of the billions of dollars that are expected to flow into numerous military projects.

With a plan to use upwards of 30,000 foreign workers who will send most earnings off-island and no recirculation in the local economy and other factors, the low capture rate will mean Guam government coffers, employment and small businesses will be shorted the lion’s share of the billions targeted for preparing for the military’s increasing footprint.

Local turmoil

“Our program is going to maximize the use of workers from Guam and neighboring islands before we seek other labor sources,” Bice said.

The program director, however, weighed that assessment by saying the local labor market will “probably remain in turmoil for the next 10 years or so, if not longer.

He said there will be only 1,700 civilian workers supporting the Marine relocation.

Bice recounted his dialogue with Guam labor director Maria Connelly, and hopes for a collaborative effort to host a symposium geared toward ensuring “NAVFAC, the Guam Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of Labor are all speaking as one voice.”

Water too

In addition to the economics of the military realignment, Bice sought to assuage concerns over natural resources and utilities.

The retired major general spoke about Guam Waterworks Authority’s lack of capacity to provide sufficiently for the requirements of the projected buildup construction workforce.

“They are operating at near capacity in terms of water production, at this point,” Bice explained on the military’s plan to bring online 22 additional wells to support their needs.

Moreover, Bice believes an interim solution could be achieved to assist in improving the island’s water and wastewater systems. “There is a lot of unaccounted for water loss,” he said.

In the end

Curiously, Bice addressed upgrades at the Port Authority of Guam which he claimed will “not only help the needs of our construction effort,” but will also help to transform the port into a “viable, integral conduit for goods and services.”

The military impact study leaves open the possibility that the Navy may actually repossess the Guam Shipyard facilities and loading equipment Sen. Ben Pangelinan claims to have observed at Navy docks suggest the military will handle off-loading and cargo movement from their own ports.

PNC :: Vice Speaker Calls For Approval of Special Election On Buildup

PNC :: Vice Speaker Calls For Approval of Special Election On Buildup

Sunday, 06 December 2009

Guam - Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz has issued a report that calls for passage of his Bill No. 66 which calls for a special election on the military buildup.

The bill had a public hearing on July 16.

It would require a special election to determine whether residents support the military buildup and the leasing of lands administered by the Ancestral Lands Commission and the Chamorro Land Trust to accommodate the military expansion.

Since the Department of the Navy's release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement Last month, Vice Speaker Cruz feels the public is now better informed to vote on the issue.

Having the public vote on the buildup is of even greater importance now as the DEIS reveals greater impacts and fewer returns than residents were led to believe.

Vice Speaker Cruz wrote in his report on Bill No. 66, "The people of Guam must be afforded the opportunity to voice their support or opposition beyond merely commenting on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement ... Many who previously supported the proposed buildup now are rethinking their stance."

Among the reasons the Vice Speaker cites for the need for a vote on the buildup are the population increase beyond initial projections, the drain on natural resources, the amount of land the military proposes to acquire, and the negative impact on Guam's marine environment.

Written by : News Release

Officials raise concerns on EIS

Officials raise concerns on EIS

By Bernice Santiago • Pacific Sunday News • November 22, 2009

Access to land, strains on infrastructure, the timely transfer of funds for improvements, and the military's commitment to use local port and utility facilities were among the concerns raised by government officials after the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

The draft EIS, released Friday, lays out proposed plans for military construction associated with the transfer of 8,000 Marines and 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam, along with the environmental and social impact of those changes. The community has until Feb. 18 to submit comments on the EIS report.

All public comments will be weighed and considered, retired Marine Col. John J. Jackson, director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said during a press conference yesterday.

Sen. Judith Guthertz, chairwoman for the legislative committee on the military buildup, said that she's preparing a joint report assessing the draft EIS with the committee on rules, natural resources, and federal, foreign, and Micronesian affairs.
"It's a lot bigger in terms of its impact than most people thought it would be," Guthertz said yesterday, "particularly with the population increase estimates and the proposed footprint for land."

Guthertz is preparing an inventory of non-federal land that the military is proposing to acquire as part of the buildup, she said. "I'm very concerned about the land, and I think probably that's going to be the most sensitive part of the draft EIS," she said.

Gov. Felix Camacho said yesterday that four sites in Dededo, Yigo, Mangilao, and Agat would be affected, according to the proposals in the draft EIS, and that he will be working with the village mayors on public access issues in their villages.
The construction of a permanent Marine Corps base in Dededo could possibly include the long-term lease of private land in the Harmon Annex. The military hopes to build a new firing range in Mangilao and Yigo, as large as 1,680 acres, which would require the use of more than 900 acres of non-military land. In the south, a large portion of land between Agat and Umatac has been proposed as a "maneuver training area," including jungle training, land navigation and air-to-ground operations, for the Marines stationed in Dededo.

Camacho stressed that island residents should read the main volumes and appendices of the draft EIS, in order to submit their comments and help shape the final outcome the military buildup. "The entire community needs to be involved," Camacho said.

Sen. Eddie Calvo expressed concern with the impact of the military buildup on the island's infrastructure. The island's roads, power, water, wastewater, and solid waste systems, which are already strained, will be affected by the population increase. The systems need improvements to cope with the increase, but Calvo said that there have been several stumbling blocks during the process.

Almost $50 million in federal funds has been appropriated for road construction scheduled to begin next year, which isn't nearly enough, Calvo said. In addition, though the EIS states that the military will use the Layon landfill, a formal memorandum of understanding for the future use of the Layon landfill still hasn't been signed, Calvo said.

Major upgrades to the commercial port and the airport were planned because of the expectation of cargo for the buildup entering Guam through those facilities, Calvo said. Calvo is concerned that the military will not use the commercial port for cargo shipments, citing the August shipment of Watts Constructors' cargo from the Guam Shipyard.

"The win-win situation that we're talking about may not be a win for Guam," Calvo said. "It may be a win-win for the government of the United States and the government of Japan."

Calvo is running as a gubernatorial candidate in next year's election.
On Monday, acting Speaker Rory Respicio will be asking each legislative committee to hold joint public hearings with the military buildup committee, to give the public more opportunities to comment on the EIS.

"Every single component of the EIS impacts us one way or another," Respicio said. Residents should be concerned with possibility that power or water rates will go up, that the federal government may or may not move to augment health services, and what the impact to the island's environmental resources will be, he said.

"This military buildup will change the face of Guam," Respicio said.

At the Joint Guam Program Office press conference yesterday, Jackson said the public comments, especially legitimate concerns, do carry a lot of weight in the final decision-making process.

He gave the example of how comments during the public scoping period earlier this year led to the military scrapping its plan to build a firing range in the Finegayan area of Dededo and instead build it along the coast of Mangilao and Yigo.
The original plan would have created a danger zone extending over popular fishing and recreational areas.

"Nothing will be set in stone until the record of decision comes out," Jackson said. "Even when you look at that and we have our plans all in place, things can still change at that point because we may discover something else that wasn't identified in the public comment period or in our surveys."

According to a timeline in the draft EIS, the final statement is scheduled to be available by June 30.

After a 30-day waiting period -- July 6 to Aug. 6, 2010 -- the Record of Decision is scheduled to be issued by July 30, 2010. This allows buildup-related construction to begin.

But those dates are still tentative.

"This is a very long and drawn out process because we really want to get it right. And we want to get it right not only so that the requirements are met for the military, but for the government of Guam and the people of Guam," Jackson said. "We have one chance to get it right."

US Congressional Committee Approves Self-Determination Assistance to Territories

US Congressional Committee Approves Self-Determination Assistance to Territories

Pacific News Center
Guahan (Guam)
19th November 2009

Guam - The House Committee on Natural Resources has approved a bill that would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to extend technical assistance grants and other assistance to facilitate a political status public education program on Guam. It will now go onto the full house for approval. The bill was sponsored by Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo.

In a release, Bordallo says the full committee approved her amended bill that would allow for Interior to also extend assistance to American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands for their own political status education programs.

The amended version of H.R. 3940 was voted on by unanimous consent.
The mark up of H.R. 3940 comes two weeks after Congresswoman Bordallo chaired a hearing on the bill in the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife.
H.R. 3940 may be taken up for consideration in the near future.

In a release, “The full committee’s approval of H.R. 3940 signals that political status education for non-self-governing territories is a priority for the committee that has jurisdiction over the territories."

"The amended bill now includes authorization for political status education grants for Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands at the request of Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa and Congresswoman Donna Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands."

"While each territory may approach this issue in a manner appropriate to their circumstances, we can all agree that there is a federal responsibility to assist the territories in self-determination, and that this process cannot be successful without a robust political status education component."

"I also appreciate the testimony of our local leaders including Governor Felix Camacho, who testified in person at the hearing, and Speaker Judith Won Pat and Senator Ben Pangelinan who provided written testimonies. This bill was also supported by a coalition of ten organizations on Guam that support decolonization. The testimonies provided by our local leaders and our indigenous rights community representatives helped to make the case of the importance of a path to decolonization for the people of the U.S. territories that are still listed by the United Nations as non-self-governing." (emphasis added)

"The Obama Administration’s support for this political status education bill was also encouraging, and I will be requesting Assistant Secretary Tony Babauta’s leadership to help Guam and the other non-self-governing territories with this process. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress on the issue of political development for our community, and I am hopeful that this bill will help to provide resources to Guam and the other non-self-governing territories for political status education.”


Editor's Note: The Bordallo legislation was also supported by organisations of civil society in Guahan (Guam) which forwarded collective testimony to the US Congress in favour of the measure. Their presentation in support of the bill provides important context to this initiative, and should serve as a guide to the implementation of the measure.

It is to be noted that a number of their recommended amendments have been included in the final version of the bill adopted by consensus in the House Natural Resources Committee, such as the expression of support for the inclusion of the other two US-administered territories presently on the United Nations List of Non Self-Governing Territories, namely American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands. This broader focus is highly commendable, and also has the effect of heightening its importance as the measure proceeds further through the legislative process in Washington. Congress may now recognise that Puerto Rico is not the only US-administered territory in need of a self-determination process.

The active participation of civil society sector in the territories is critical to the successful implementation of this measure to ensure an unbiased and fair process of self-determination based on the legitimate status options of political equality confirmed year after year by the United Nations with United States concurrence. The recent forum held in St. Croix by the United Nations Association of the Virgin Islands last month (October) initiated an important public dialogue in that Caribbean territory - for the first time in over a decade - on the political future of that US-administered territory, and American Samoa's political status commission report completed several years ago and the subsequent initiatives being undertaken by the Governor of that territory, are further illustration.

OTR will shortly publish the relevant excerpts of the United Nations Fourth Committee resolutions concerning the self-determination of the territories adopted as recently as last month (October).

The joint testimony of the Guahan (Guam) civil society follows:


Joint Testimony in Support of H.R. 3940
November 11, 2009On behalf of the following organizations:




Chamorro Studies Association
Chamoru Cultural Development and Research Institute
Commission on Decolonization: Independence Task Force
Famoksaiyan
Guahån Coalition for Peace and Justice
The Guahån Youth
Guam Community College's Center for Civic Engagement
I Nasion Chamoru
National Association of Social Workers: Guam Chapter
Taotaomo’na Native Rights Group

The political and social climate of Guam is changing rapidly, yet the island’s people have yet to determine whether or not this change is the future they desire. With an unresolved political status, the people of Guam have been denied the human right to determine their future. This human right to self-determination can no longer be ignored. Therefore, our non-governmental organizations have come together to support H.R. 3940, which “authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to extend grants and other assistance to facilitate a political status public education program for the people of Guam.” We support this bill for the following reasons:

• As noted by Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo in her remarks introducing this bill, the political status of Guam remains unresolved. Over the course of Guam’s 111-year relationship with the United States, only few significant changes have been made with regards to the island’s political status. These changes, however, have not been sufficient, as Guam remains in an ambiguous political position, without a path to self-determination. Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory – it belongs to the United States, but it is not a part of the nation.

• The people of Guam have expressed their desire for a new political status in the past; however, our aspirations have not been realized despite efforts by Guam’s representatives, the administration and Congress. H.R. 3940 could provide an important catalyst in terms of reinvigorating the process of self-determination on Guam; first by helping to educate its people about the options available to them in their political evolution, and secondly by placing the issue of self-determination itself back on the Federal agenda in Washington D.C.

• To our knowledge this is the first time that a Guam Delegate has sought to clarify the role and responsibility of the Department of Interior to ensure the economic, social and political development of Guam. As Bordallo notes, federal funding for political status education is not without precedent. We support this bill because federal assistance for political status education has never been provided to Guam despite the legal and moral responsibility of the United States, as a signatory to the United Nation’s charter, to support the movement of its non-self-governing territories towards full self-government via a referendum consistent with international standards for decolonization.

• In recent years the United States Federal government has drifted towards disengagement and silence as to its position on territorial self-determination, and has both metaphorically and physically removed itself from its seat of obligation in the United Nations. This bill can be an important step towards helping the United States towards charting a clear and transparent course of action in order to fulfill its legal and moral responsibility as the administering power of a number of non-self-governing territories as mandated by the United Nations.

• To this end, we recommend that the bill be revised so that the Department of Interior may extend such funding and assistance to American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands, whose political status also remains unresolved.

• At present, the Guam initiated Commission on Decolonization for the Implementation and Exercise of Chamorro Self-Determination (1GCA Chapter 21) has yet to undertake its mission due to a lack of funding for a public information program.

• We believe that the unprecedented military buildup which has been initiated in Guam poses a serious threat to the realization of political self-determination. The plans contained in the bilateral agreement signed by the United States and Japan to relocate US Marines from Okinawa to Guam by 2014 makes the need for political status education funding necessary for this purpose, and a realistic time table for a self-determination plebiscite more critical than ever.

• We believe that the exercise of our human right to self-determination can only be achieved through the concerted and coordinated efforts of the people of Guam, our elected leaders, the federal government and the United Nations. To this end, we are mobilized and committed as non-governmental organizations to seek and support such multilevel action.

• While it is the obligation of the United States, as the administering power that placed Guam in its current political status, to fund a political status education program, it is important to note that the materials and parameters of the program must be made and decided by the people of Guam. The U.S. is mandated under international law to monetarily support and respect the self-determination of the peoples of its non-self governing territories; however, the U.S. must not impose its desired path on the people. Instead, we recommend that Congress make funding for this program available to an unbiased institution like the University of Guam, which can design and carry out an effective and relevant education program.

We commend Congresswoman Bordallo for placing this issue on the Congressional agenda at this critical moment in the shared history of the United States and our island.
We also urge Congresswoman Bordallo and all members of the Committee on Natural Resources to take every opportunity to impress upon all members of Congress the essential links between any plan for increased militarization of our island and the unresolved issue of political status.

In his 2008 campaign, President Barack Obama committed to supporting “full self-government and self-determination for the people of Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands, and their right to decide their future status.” While we believe that this bill can be a crucial first step towards realizing this commitment, as the United States moves to increase its military presence in this region of the world, it is imperative that the issue of self-determination and political status remain front and center, not an afterthought.

We believe the success of any plan to position Guam as “The Tip of the Spear” for US forward defense in the region must follow, not precede, resolution of Guam’s political status, and the fulfillment of the United States’ legal and moral obligation to promote the inalienable right to self-determination of the people of Guam. This will ensure that any militarization which takes place in Guam or other territories will be based on the principles of genuine security, and on respect for human needs and rights.

Si Yu’us Ma’åse

BREAKING NEWS: 11:20 a.m. - Proposed buildup roadmap outlines how Guam will change

BREAKING NEWS: 11:20 a.m. - Proposed buildup roadmap outlines how Guam will change

Pacific Daily News • November 20, 2009


The Draft Environmental Impact statement, which contains thousands of pages that spell out the proposed military buildup on Guam is now available for public review.

The document outlines proposals, including to:

• Have 30,190 military personnel and their dependents on Guam, of whom 25 percent will live on military base facilities, the rest will live off-base
Related

* V1: 1. Purpose Of and Need for Action
* V1: 2. Overview of Proposed Actions and Alternatives
* V1: 3. Summary of Alternatives
* V1: 4. References
* V2: 1. Purpose Of and Need for Action
* V2: 2. Proposed Actions and Alternatives
* V2: 3. Geological and Soil Resources
* V2: 4. Water Resources
* V2: 5. Air Quality
* V2: 6. Noise
* V2: 7. Airspace
* V2: 8. Land and Submerged Land Use
* V2: 9. Recreational Resources
* V2: 10. Terrestrial Biological Resources
* Executive Summary
* Reader's Guide
* V2: 11. Marine Biological Resources
* V2: 12. Cultural Resources
* V2: 13. Visual Resources
* V2: 14. Marine Transportation
* V2: 15. Utilities
* V2: 16. Socioeconomics and General Services
* V2: 17. Hazardous Materials and Waste
* V2: 18. Public Health and Safety
* V2: 19. Environmental Justice and the Protection of Children
* V2: 20. References
* V3: 1. Purpose Of and Need for Action
* V3: 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives
* Download a map of the proposed buildup plans by clicking here.

• Realign Route 15

• Co-locate the Marine Corps base with the Army administration office in the Finegayan area

This story is developing.
DOWNLOAD

Download the draft EIS documents by clicking here:

http://www.guambuildupeis.us/documents

House OKs political status education bill

House OKs political status education bill

By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • November 20, 2009

The House Committee on Natural Resources yesterday unanimously approved a bill that would extend federal assistance to Guam and other territories for a political status education program.

"The full committee's approval of H.R. 3940 signals that political status education for non-self-governing territories is a priority for the committee that has jurisdiction over the territories," said Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, who sponsored the bill.

The measure authorizes the Department of the Interior secretary to extend grants and other assistance to facilitate a public education program on Guam's political status. Other forms of assistance include research, planning assistance, studies and agreements with federal agencies.

The bill was amended to extend the proposed federal assistance to American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Bordallo said.

"While each territory may approach this issue in a manner appropriate to their circumstances, we can all agree that there is a federal responsibility to assist the territories in self-determination, and that this process cannot be successful without a robust political status education component," she said.

Guam remains under the 1950 Organic Act model of territorial administration, with limited local powers of self-government over the civil affairs of the territory. Efforts to pursue greater self-government and a permanent political status have failed.

Economist: Guam needs to expand industries

Economist: Guam needs to expand industries

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 05:21
by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff

“THERE has to be more,” University of Guam’s resident economist Dr. M. Claret Ruane said of the need to diversify the island’s economy and build further stability aside from deep dependence on the tourism industry, U.S. military presence and the local economy.

Ruane, alongside UOG president Dr. Robert Underwood, provided closing commentary at the recent Guam Community and Economic Development Forum: Strategies for a Sustainable Future.

“An event of this magnitude, which is an initial event, leaves a lot of questions unanswered,” Underwood said in his closing remarks. “The nature of the event is to find the questions that should be answered, and those questions are very deep and far reaching and they require a lot of data.”

Ruane discussed some components of “The Making of the Pacific Tiger: Lessons from the Celtic Tiger,” which was also co-authored by UOG’s dean of the School of Business and Public Administration Dr. Anita Borja-Enriquez, and current law student at the University of San Francisco’s School of Law Vanessa Lee Williams.

The six strategies proposed in “The Making of the Pacific Tiger” include the continuation of openness toward global markets and foreign investment; further investment in human capital focused on education, skill building and training; ensuring the availability of a creative and productive workforce; pursuance of public sector reform and fiscal discipline; engaging in effective policymaking to guide development; and enduring through hard work and sacrifice.

“This event has provided the opportunity to discuss issues and explore solutions. We are planning for our future together,” Ruane said, referring to the economic development forum. “The Guam economy has a lot of promise for growth but has not really achieved its potential since 1996.”

Ruane added that although tourism will likely remain a strong component of the local economy, it remains undiversified.

“This is a beautiful island with a lot of human and natural resources, with a lot of talent; and yet, not reaching its potential for growth. I think that’s a sad story to tell,” Ruane said. “We should be asking: What can I do to propel this economy forward given all the resources that we have and the resources that we can develop together?”

Discussing the issue of how to develop the island, Ruane said, “Whatever the answer is we have to do it together. We are a community.”

The UOG economist also reiterated the need to allocate resources in order to achieve initiatives such as cultural preservation and diversification of the local economy.

“Culture and environment are important issues, but they are a luxury. You need resources to protect them and preserve them,” she said. “If these things are important to us, they should be reflected in the budget. We should be getting resources to support these things.”

Team to hear buildup concerns

Team to hear buildup concerns

By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • October 28, 2009

Culture clash and the availability of resources were two primary concerns expressed by members of local government agencies, nonprofits and the general public on the Guam Compatibility Sustainability Study yesterday.

At a workshop sponsored by the governor's office, members of the governor's Advisory Consulting Team told the public that the study hinges on their voicing of concerns dealing with the compatibility issues caused by the impending military buildup.

"This is your opportunity to provide direction in the development of our roadmap for our children and future generations," Gov. Felix Camacho said. "Your participation at the public workshop is vital."

The compatibility study addresses the public's concern with regard to how to protect existing communities, and provide opportunities for economic development.

The Advisory Consulting Team primarily consists of members from the Matrix Design Group Inc., an interdisciplinary planning and engineering firm specializing in professional engineering consulting for the public and private sectors. The team will hear about issues the public has identified as areas of concern, and will provide a set of recommendations to the military and GovGuam on possible actions to take to ease the transition, the team's project manager and Matrix Design Group Vice President Celeste Werner said.

Dawn Cruz, a residential supervisor at Sanctuary Inc., said members of her nonprofit organization were interested in problems that may arise socially, such as new forms of bullying among youths. Additionally, she wanted to find out how the shift of 8,000 Marines and their families to the island would affect the number of youths that Sanctuary Inc. sees at its shelter.

"Are we going to have a long waiting list?" she asked. "We need to prepare ourselves for the demand."

She added that programs such as those for substance abuse prevention or family counseling may have to be altered to meet the needs of a new group.

Aside from social issues that may arise as a result of cultural differences, Guam residents said that establishing the infrastructure to support the influx of people on the island would be the biggest challenge.

"A lot of the infrastructure is a big problem. Having enough water to provide the number of people living on the island as well as power," Dededo resident Joann Fontenot said. "If we can have all that structured, then, of course, everyone will be living comfortably."

Meanwhile, Tamuning Vice Mayor Louise Rivera added that land use is of concern to her because she has seen several projects approved by the Land Use Commission, but very few that have been enforced in a timely manner.

The team also explained the process of drafting an environmental impact statement, in preparation for the release of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) projected for Nov. 20.

The EIS is a detailed study of the potential consequences a federal action -- in this case, the buildup -- might have on people or the environment, and potential alternatives that would avoid or reduce those impacts, the One Guam Web site states. Once the draft is released, the public has 45 days to review it before the final EIS is published in the Federal Register.

But on Friday, Sens. Judy Guthertz and Rory Respicio, in a letter to Maj Gen. David Bice of the U.S. Marine Corps, requested an extension of the time needed for the public to review the draft after its release.

Following U.S. Ambassador John Roos' indication that Washington may give the new Japanese leadership more time to review the U.S.-Japan agreement on the realignment of forces, the two senators said that the people of Guam should similarly be granted an extension to review the EIS.

"Japan has announced that their decision may not be forthcoming until next summer," the letter reads. "From our perspective, the extremely restrictive 45-day review period is simply a matter of bureaucratic convenience, unrelated to the broader public purpose that it should serve, and certainly no longer sensible, based on the extension given to Japan."

Guam: One of America's Natural Resources

Rahall vows to support Guam’s needs
Friday, 14 August 2009 03:43 by Jude Lizama
Marianas Variety News Staff

ON THE final day of an official congressional delegation trip to the region that included Palau, the CNMI and Guam, U.S. congressman Nick Rahall declared “Certainly, Guam is one of our natural resources.”

As the chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, Rahall also spoke about the important work currently underway to protect the natural environments of both the nation and its territories.

“We’re working to authorize a coastal management program to give the coastal states and the territories federal support and the tools from which they can plan for responsible and sustainable development, and to the protect the integrity of our coastlines and our beaches,” he said, adding that “all of Guam” is designated as a coastal zone.

Rahall’s comment came during presentations the congressional power-player delivered at the University of Guam in Mangilao and to Guam Chamber of Commerce members at the Hyatt Regency Guam in Tumon earlier this week.

Rahall, who is also the vice chairman for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said he recognizes the critical nature of modernizing all modes of transportation on Guam to support the buildup and growth in the civilian community.

“We want to ensure to the greatest extent that improvements, facilities and infrastructure are realized beyond the gates of the military installations,” he said.

The congressman cited that U.S. House of Representatives have been diligently working on legislation for fiscal year 2010 that would allocate nearly $50 million for the island under the Defense Access Roads Program. Rahall added that monies given to the island under the program is a “healthy down payment and a good start.”

Rahall added that the “essential ingredients” of local and national leadership and cooperation are in place not only for a successful buildup, but also towards educating the island community on the various options in choosing a preferential political status.

Congressman Rahall Visits Guam

Congressional delegation on Guam
By Heather Hauswirth
KUAM News
Published Aug 10, 2009

Guam is playing host for the next couple of days to a congressional delegation led by the chairperson of the House Committee on Natural Resources. West Virginia congressman Nick Rahall announced upon landing on the island, "We are looking forward to our fact-finding mission in Guam."

The congressional delegation, led Rahall arrived at the Guam International Airport this afternoon. "This, ladies and gentleman, is our members of our delegation and as I said we know the territories are faced with a number of challenges," he continued.

The delegation has already made stops at American Samoa, Palau, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The two-day stop in Guam completes the delegation's trip. While in Guam, their schedule grants considerable time to discussing infrastructure and environmental issues related to the military build-up. As evidenced by the presence of both Joint Guam Program Office director David Bice as well as Rear Admiral Douglas Biesel at the arrival of the codel at the airport this afternoon, the plans for the build up are clearly at the top of the agenda.

Biesel, the commander of Joint Region Marianas, spoke to KUAM News about the need for constant communication between JGPO and the Government of Guam, saying, "We are out here to brief the codel on the buildup as well as talk about Guam infrastructure because that is where Chairman Rahall and his codel are interested in and what is the condition of Guam's infrastructure and what support does the federal government need to make in terms of helping Guam's infrastructure support the realignment of military forces."

Biesel added that he would be spending significant time with the codel while they are here, saying, "That's why there visit is absolutely so important so we will spend tomorrow morning with them. I invited them on to the US Submarine Tender, the USS Frank Cable tomorrow for breakfast. We will tell them a little about why we have a submarine tender and three homeported submarines here and then we'll do about an hour of military briefings of the islands, we'll cover the joint region of Marianas, we'll cover the marine core build up of the island and of course any environmental impacts."

As preparations for the military buildup continue, the congressional delegation's visit to Guam will help the committee make key decisions moving forward.

While on Guam, the delegation will meet with Government of Guam and federal officials to discuss issues related to the military buildup and other local issues. Chairman Rahall will speak at the University of Guam as part of the president's lecture series on August 12. The delegation will also participate tomorrow in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Asan Bay Overlook unit of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park to honor the liberators of Guam and the people of Guam who endured the occupation.

Additionally, the delegation will participate in a working lunch with local leaders to discuss infrastructure and environmental issues related to the buildup.