2010 Census: NMI population down 22%

Press Release from mvariety.com (Marianas Variety)

(Office of the Governor) — The Fitial administration yesterday announced that the U.S. Census Bureau has released the 2010 Census population counts for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The official count on April 1, 2010, indicates that the CNMI’s population was 53,883 or a decrease of 22.2 percent from the 2000 Census population of 69,221.

The population counts were provided to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial by U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves.

Percentage wise, Rota represented the largest decrease in its population with a 23 percent drop from 3,283 in 2000 to 2,527 in 2010. Saipan nearly mirrored Rota’s results with a 22.7 percent dip from 62,392 in 2000 to 48,220 in 2010. Meanwhile, Tinian’s head count is down to 3,136 from a head count of 3,540 representing a decrease of 11.4 percent.

A breakdown of Saipan’s population by election district shows an almost equal population for districts 1 and 3. Census data for District 1 indicates a count of 15,160 and 15,624 for District 3. The results for the other districts in Saipan are as follows: District 2 – 6,382; District 4 – 3,847; District 5 – 7,207.

In August of 2010, the CNMI Local Census Office was lauded by the U.S. Census Bureau for being the first insular area to complete its census operations.

The Census Bureau noted that it was grateful to the CNMI government for its hard work, efforts and dedication to ensure that the Census Bureau mandate to successfully conduct and complete the 2010 Census of the CNMI. The 2010 Census sought to establish an updated count of everyone living in the United States and its territories, including the CNMI, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is conducted every 10 years. The CNMI has participated in the U.S. Census since 1950.

Fitial expressed his appreciation to Director Groves for the timely release of the 2010 Census results as the CNMI will now have a more updated and precise population count for any needed reference.

“I am very much pleased to receive the CNMI’s Census population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau director,” said Fitial. “As I understand it, the more detailed results including the islands’ demographic profile won’t be ready for release until next year. That forthcoming report will be significant as it will show the sets of basic demographic, social, economic and housing characteristics for the commonwealth.”

As part of the 2010 Census, the CNMI worked with the Census Bureau to undertake the arduous effort that sought to enumerate and gather detailed data on population and housing characteristics.

Census data are used to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year, and to help government and community leaders make decisions about what services to provide.

“Once the 2010 CNMI Census results are fully completed and released, the CNMI will be better poised to get its fair share of federal funding opportunities,”. Fitial said. “The 2010 Census will ultimately be a guiding hand as to how opportunities are proportionately distributed to all the states and territories.”

‘We will finish strong’

‘We will finish strong’

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:00
by Therese Hart | Variety News Staff

Camacho seeks one Marianas

GUAM should once again seek the reunification of the Marianas Islands, as the combined strength of the islands and her people on matters of mutual interests and benefit, Gov. Felix Camacho said yesterday during his last state of the island address, in which he promised to “finish strong.”

“Over the last seven years, our ties to our brothers and sisters in the neighboring islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands have become closer than ever,” Camacho said.

“Keep an open mind about the possibility of reunification,” he said. “I have faith in the Northern Marianas…and this is the right time to realize our expectations—expect the very best vision of reunification.”

The CNMI is a part of the military buildup plan as outlined in the draft environmental impact statement.

Camacho recently met with CNMI Gov. Benigno Fitial during a Japanese Diet delegation on a fact finding mission and both were in agreement that Guam cannot support more troops than the anticipated 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents.

Fitial welcomes the additional 4,000 troops from Futenma Airbase in Okinawa and has proposed that Tinian be used for the overflow.

Military buildup

During his speech, Camacho said the years ahead “will be challenging but prosperous for all of us.”

“I have seen in our people the desire to turn willingness into action, vision into reality and passion into responsible and positive change.”

Camacho made a strong bid for the federal government to fund the cost of the military buildup on Guam, and expressed his strong stand about the Marines’ relocation plan.

A successful buildup cannot happen without the proper funding, said Camacho.

“The people of Guam do not have the financial capacity to fund what is required for our nation’s defense. Without the financial commitment from the federal government to put plans into action, this buildup will not benefit the people of Guam,” he said.

Camacho said that the buildup must benefit “the American patriot inside the fence and the American patriot outside the fence- the people of Guam.”

Building upon the many comments regarding the draft environmental impact statement, Camacho had three recommendations.

What feds must do

First, the federal government must commit to fund the government of Guam’s buildup needs.

Secondly, the buildup timeline must be extended beyond 2014, said Camacho.

And finally, Camacho recommended that the Department of Defense must reevaluate their plans and placement of the firing range and proposed dredging of Apra Harbor.

Camacho also stated that he will not support the condemnation of the Ancestral or Chamorro Land Trust properties; that the trust was established to bring justice to families of Chamorro descent who were displaced or left landless by the federal government.

Reunification

As for his desire to see Guam and the CNMI reunited, Camacho said, “We can only succeed if we begin to forgive and let’s not look behind but let’s look forward.”

“As one Marianas, with greater representation and inclusion as American citizens, we will only strengthen our people and our communities,” Camacho said, adding that the reunification can only be realized once the people of Guam begin the healing process.

Camacho shared this same sentiment at the 2009 Economic Restoration Summit in Saipan, and even proposed that regional economic task forces be created so that islands can work together and benefit from the military buildup.

History of bitterness

Guam rejected the proposed Marianas unification was Nov. 4, 1969.

Some believed the rejection was some sort of “payback” to the Northern Marianas Chamorros for their perceived assistance to the Japanese forces during the occupation of Guam. During World War II, the NMI was a Japanese possession. Others argued that the reunification issue lost its significance on Guam which was preparing to hold its first gubernatorial election in the following year.

Camacho has been a strong proponent for the reunification of Guam and the CNMI.

In May, 2008, during the Attorney General’s Cup speech in Saipan, Camacho asked forgiveness from the CNMI for Guam’s rejection of the proposed reunification.

Camacho believes that 40 long years “is enough to end all bitterness and isolation among” the Chamorros of Guam and the NMI.

“You must tear down the walls. Learn to forgive because it’s a choice, not an option,” he said in 2008.

Camacho’s father was the last appointed governor of Guam and became its first elected chief executive in 1970.

“He told me… ‘son, this was what happened, ” Camacho said, adding that Guam and the NMI inherited what their former leaders have left behind.

In his 2008 speech, Camacho said “it is time to focus on a vision and plan for unity —we cannot allow others to break that hope.”

Emotional

Camacho’s 30-minute speech turned emotional at some point. He broke down in tears as he acknowledged how difficult it was for his family to share the burden he was given when he became governor and what they’ve had to endure in their lives.

Turning to acknowledge his mother and First Lady Joann and his family who were seated behind him, Camacho thanked them for their love, encouragement and inspiration which have kept him going.

Defense chief negative on Futemma relocation to Tinian

Defense chief negative on Futemma relocation to Tinian


Feb 12 12:36 AM US/Eastern

TOKYO, Feb. 12 (AP) - (Kyodo) — Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa on Friday downplayed the idea of relocating a U.S. Marine airfield in Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, to Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth.

"As Prime Minister (Yukio Hatoyama) strongly intends to solve the (relocation) issue by May, it is really difficult," Kitazawa told a press conference on the possibility of considering Tinian as a candidate site for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station.

On Wednesday, Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz told Kyodo News that Tinian can accept the Marine units.

The commonwealth governor, Benigno Fitial, also told a group of Japanese ruling coalition lawmakers who visited Saipan on Wednesday that the Northern Marianas is willing to host the full functions of the Futemma base as it will "invite the economic benefit" in terms of employment and land rent.

Kitazawa said, however, the views of the U.S. military on the relocation issue are important and that discussions are expected to take place on whether the necessary deterrence can be maintained in the Asia-Pacific region if all the Marine functions in Okinawa are transferred to Tinian.

"Such discussions will likely drag on, making it difficult for us (to reach the final decision) in May," the minister said. He added that Futemma's relocation to the Northern Mariana Islands could be considered as a "long-term issue."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, who leads a government task force on the matter, also expressed little enthusiasm for the idea of relocating Futemma to the area, saying that the task force has never discussed it before.

"I am not aware of the idea as it came up so suddenly," the top government spokesman said at a separate press conference.

Hatoyama has said that Japan will reach a final conclusion by the end of May on where it wants to see the Futemma facility relocated, and a government committee has been exploring possible candidate sites.

Washington maintains that a plan agreed upon by Japan and the United States in 2006 to move the Futemma base to a less densely populated part of Okinawa is the best option.

Guam gov. negative on having more Marines from Okinawa than agreed

Guam gov. negative on having more Marines from Okinawa than agreed

Feb 11 07:08 AM US/Eastern

GUAM, Feb. 11 (AP) - (Kyodo) — Governor of Guam Felix Camacho on Thursday told visiting Japanese lawmakers that he is against accepting more than the agreed number of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to the Pacific island.

The lawmakers from Japan's ruling coalition government were on a fact- finding visit to Guam as part of their efforts to explore possible alternatives for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa.

Under a 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, about 8,000 Marines are to be transferred to Guam from Okinawa.

The Japanese government sent the lawmakers, who are members of a government panel on the Futemma relocation issue, to the island to see U.S. military bases there.

The Social Democratic Party, one of the two junior partners in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government, has been looking at Guam as a possible relocation site.

Northern Mariana Islands Governor Benigno Fitial was present at the meeting between Camacho and the Japanese lawmakers, according to Japanese officials. Fitial has expressed a positive view about accepting the Futemma Air Station functions to the islands.

Northern Marianas offers to take entire Futenma US base

Northern Marianas offers to take entire Futenma US base

Updated
February 11, 2010 10:04:44

There has been an unexpected development overnight in the movement of US troops from Okinawa, Japan, with Northern Marianas expressing interest in taking the entire Futenma air base at the same time as Guam is pushing back on the suggestion.

A delegation sent by the newly-elected Japanese government is currently in Guam pushing for the entire Futenma US air base to be relocated there. This proposal would see thousands more troops added to the 8,000 already heading to Guam. It is a request that's unlikely to be accepted by Guam as the governor says the island is not prepared to deal with such a huge population increase.

This morning though, Japan's Kyodo news agency is reporting that the Northern Mariana Islands has stepped-in and offered to host the entire Futenma air base.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts
Speaker: Gemma Casas, reporter in Saipan, Northern Marianas

CASAS: This is an opportunity for the CNMI to take a slice if you will of the potential military economy, but then the CNMI Governor agrees that this is not only his decision because as you know the CNMI is a government of the United States, anything that has to do with defence and foreign affairs, has to be decided by the nation.

COUTTS: But just stay on that point for a moment, why does the CNMI think that they can accommodate this airbase when Guam, who have had years in the lead-up to it, now say that they can't?

CASAS: Because the CNMI is a chain of 14 islands; only three are inhabited and from what I've been hearing the Futenma air base will potentially be reallocated to Tinian. In the territory, two thirds of public lands on Tinian are strictly US military. And there will not be that much people on Tinian.

COUTTS: And so they'd be able to accommodate in excess of 20,000 people along with all their hardware and artillery that will come with it?

CASAS: I believe so yeah, but they're also studying the possibility, they are only more than 3,000 people on Tinian right now, it's not exactly big of an island but they can probably accommodate 4,000 more people. The 8,000 US Marines will be reallocated to Guam, that's already a done deal, but this Futenma air base, which deals with aviation is different from the 8,000 Marines.

COUTTS: Has CNMI Governor Benigno Fitial formalised this invitation to host the entire Futenma air base to the US and to Guam and to Japan even?

CASAS: During a press conference yesterday he said there hasn't been any formal offer from the Japanese government, to use the land of the CNMI for the reallocation of the Futenma air base, but he said he's willing to bring this idea to the US government.

COUTTS: Is this likely to affect the relationship with Guam if CNMI is successful in any way?

CASAS: He said it's not really going to affect their relationship because Guam is not so keen on accommodating the Futenma air base because they're already going to host 8,000 US Marines and their 9,000 dependents. So in a way they're tossing to the CNMI a place for the Futenma air base.

COUTTS: Has there been enough time since the offer was made by the Governor to canvass opinion from the people who are going to be affected by it? Then that's one of the issues in Guam is that the environmental impact statements haven't been done properly, and that the population hasn't been considered and their opinion sought. Is this the case in CNMI?

CASAS: Yes that's right, he says his position on the Futenma air base is solely as the representative of the people but he said if the people want to speak out they have the freedom to do so.

COUTTS: And what's the next step then by Governor Fitial?

CASAS: I think he plans to formally bring this matter up to the proper authorities in the US government. But please take note that consultation on the environmental impact assessment would be completed. So I don't know how this Futenma air base would come into the picture.

Tinian mayor: ready to host US base functions

Tinian mayor: ready to host US base functions

2010/02/11 01:34(JST)

The mayor of one of the Northern Mariana Islands says it may be possible for his island to host the functions of a US Marine airbase currently located in Okinawa, southwestern Japan.

Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz of Tinian Island made the remark in a telephone interview with NHK on Wednesday.

Dela Cruz said there is enough land and facilities on the island and that Tinian would be willing to accept a base if the US military decides to relocate the functions of the US Marines' Futenma Air Station there.

The mayor said a deployment of military forces would bring large economic benefits through construction of the base and relevant installations.

He suggested the island will actively lobby the US government to station military forces on the island.

The Northern Mariana Islands are a commonwealth administered by the US.

Members of a Japanese government committee are currently visiting the islands in an effort to find an alternative site for the Futenma base.

But a Japanese defense expert says he is skeptical about relocating Futenma's functions to Tinian.

He says the recently-compiled US defense review, which outlines the nation's military strategy for the next 4 years, does not call for any realignment of US forces to the Northern Marianas Islands.

N. Mariana Islands willing to host Marines from Okinawa

N. Mariana Islands willing to host Marines from Okinawa


Feb 10 06:59 AM US/Eastern

HAGATNA, Guam, Feb. 10 (AP) - (Kyodo)—The Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. commonwealth including Tinian, is willing to host the full functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, local leaders said Wednesday, citing economic benefits.

While the commonwealth governor, Benigno Fitial, did not specify which region could be a candidate, Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz told Kyodo News earlier in the day that Tinian can accept the Marine units.

"We welcome anything that will benefit the commonwealth," Fitial told reporters on Saipan after discussing the feasibility of hosting the units in the Pacific region, especially Tinian, with Japanese ruling bloc legislators handling the Futemma base issue.

Fitial said possible relocation of the Futemma base to the commonwealth would "invite the economic benefit in terms of employment...most importantly, economic benefit that will be received from the lease of the land."

The governor added, meanwhile, he understands that full backing of the U.S. government is indispensable to his future effort to push ahead with the idea.

The legislators from Japan are the Social Democratic Party's Tomoko Abe and the People's New Party's Mikio Shimoji, both policy chiefs of the coalition partners of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.

Inform: Residents should learn as much about buildup as possible

Inform: Residents should learn as much about buildup as possible

Pacific Daily News • voice@guampdn.com • January 6, 2010

Starting this week, the Department of Defense will be holding several village meetings throughout Guam and the Northern Marianas to answer questions about the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the military buildup.

This is a good opportunity for residents to find out more about what kind of impact the buildup will have on Guam, Tinian and Saipan. We strongly encourage residents, especially those who have concerns they want made known, to attend these meetings.

People also can read the draft EIS for themselves to get a better understanding of what the buildup will mean for Guam and the region. You can view the document online. If you don't have Internet access at home, you can visit the second floor of the Agana Shopping Center, the Hagåtña public library, the University of Guam Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library, or the mayors' offices in Yigo, Dededo, Barridaga, Agat and Mangilao.

Credit should be given to the Joint Guam Program Office and the military for holding these public meetings to disseminate information and answer questions. And the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, in coordination with JGPO, also produced a special informative insert that ran in the Pacific Daily News after Christmas that explained what an EIS is, the importance of public participation, and how the public can get involved.

These efforts to inform residents of Guam and the CNMI about the buildup and its ramifications are important. The more that all of us know about the military's expansion plans and what they will mean for our island, the better.

Military eyes Tinian for live fire training

Military eyes Tinian for live fire training

Thursday, 24 December 2009 00:00 By Jude Lizama - For Variety

HAGÅTÑA — A draft environmental impact statement, or EIS, suggests the expansion of military training exercises through Guam and the Northern Marianas, citing the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Training Concept Plan of 2008 as a document that provides “unconstrained” views of the training possibilities in the region.

Additionally, the impact statement indicates that the “development, operation, and ongoing periodic use of these ranges is necessary to maintain the state of readiness required for Marine Corps forces relocated to Guam pursuant to the Roadmap Agreement with Japan,” and adds that “This progression of development of range capabilities would continue as technology, weapon systems, and operational requirements continue to evolve.”

According to the EIS, the training concept plan and a 2006 Range Concept Management Plan, along with documents “in progress” such as the Joint Guam Program Office’s Guam Joint Military Master Plan and CNMI Military Training Master Plan, “represent the next phases of the master planning for efforts in Guam and the CNMI.”

“The Range Complex Management Plan identified specific range deficiencies, including lack of live-fire ranges in the Marianas,” the EIS stated.

The north and central portions of Tinian contains two connected training ranges within the defense department’s Military Lease Area, or MLA, known as the Exclusive Military Use Area and Leaseback Area for a combined area of more than 15,000 acres.
Based on the proposed action, the EIS states that the MLA will be developed to house live firing ranges such as a distance rifle range, platoon battle course, automated combat pistol range, field firing range and surface danger zones.

With regard to use of airspace, the study cites that “the vertical hazard area associated with the proposed firing ranges would be managed to ensure that aircraft could safely operate in airspace overlying the proposed firing ranges.”

To ensure continued compliance with the U.S.-Japan Roadmap Agreement, the EIS stated that “individual, crew, and small unit weapons training would be required for Marine forces relocating from Okinawa to Guam.”

It added, “The concept for Tinian is to provide the next stage in the training progression, and includes development of ranges for tactical employment of the basic weapons skills developed on Guam,” as described in the Mariana Islands Range Complex EIS/OEIS.

Ocean surface/undersea areas, special use airspace, and training land areas make up the three primary components of the MIRC.

Surface and underwater areas, according to the study, “extend from the waters south of Guam to north of Pagan and from the Pacific Ocean east of the Marianas Islands to the middle of the Philippine Sea to the west.”

The range complex includes land ranges and training area/facilities on Guam, Rota, Tinian, Saipan, and Farallon de Medinilla.

The EIS states that there is no active live-fire ranges located in Tinian’s EMUA or LBA, “except sniper small-arms into bullet traps.”

Tinian, it added, is “capable of supporting Marine Expeditionary Unit aviation events such as ground element training and air element training, simulated evacuations of noncombatants, airfield seizure training, expeditionary airfield training, and special warfare activities.”

Rhino Beetle May Have Spread to Saipan

Rhino Beetle May Have Spread to Saipan

Guam - The coconut rhinocerous beetle is on the move and may have spread to the Northern Marianas.



In addition to this it's now attacking expensive ornamental palm trees.

Coconut Rhinocerous Beetle Eradication Ream leader Roland Quitugua says that they have received some credible information indicating the presence of the rhino beetle on Saipan. Quitugua says they are working with authorities on Saipan to rhino beetles have made it to the northern mariana island. In the meantime here on Guam it's become apparent that the coconut rhino beetle is spreading to other palm trees. Quitugua says they've attacked both the palma brava palm tree which is a skinny palm tree that locals often cut down and use as decoration during party's and the expesive and highly popular foxtail palm.


According to Quitugua the palma brava trees were attacked in the Nimitz Hill area while the affected foxtail palm was hit in the Oka point area. Although the beetle has proven that it can feed on other palm trees Quitugua says that at least for now they are only breeding in dead coconut trees. Quitugua believes that the eradication program is still working and still limiting the population of rhino beetles on Guam. He says that with the use of a rhino beetle specific virus, beetle traps, sanitation efforts and the recently implemented rhino sniffing dogs Guam still has a fighting chance against this new invasive species.

Written by :
Clynt Ridgell

Guam exempt from H-2B cap

Guam exempt from H-2B cap

By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • December 4, 2009

Guam is now exempt from the national annual cap on the hiring of foreign workers under H-2B visas, the Guam Department of Labor announced yesterday.

However, local program filing requirements and procedures remain the same, the release stated.

Guam's exemption from the visa limit was allowed under the law that phased in U.S. immigration law in the Northern Marianas. The federal law went into effect on Nov. 28.

The same law allows Guam employers to apply -- with the Guam Department of Labor -- for a Temporary Labor Certification and authorization to import H-2B workers, said Greg Massey, Guam Labor's Alien Labor Processing and Certification Division administrator. The approval comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Massey said the exemption from the national cap is a "good thing," because it gives employers on Guam the opportunity to file applications on a needs basis rather than trying to "jump through a window to get in the cap," he said.

Prior to Guam's exemption, applications had to be filed prior to the October and April cap openings to be considered for approval by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Massey said that each year about 66,000 foreign workers enter the country each year under the H-2B visas.

The new legislation was enacted to give employers the ability to temporarily meet increased manpower needs that will come as Guam ramps up for the military buildup, the release stated.

But Massey said the program's procedures and requirements have not changed.

"Does that mean people can, wholesale, just bring (H-2B workers) in? No. We still regulate how many they're allowed to bring in, and it's based on what that project amounts are and some other factors," Massey said.

There are some safeguards in place to ensure that employers hire local workers first, he said.

Before employers file an application, they have to put out an advertisement and make efforts to recruit locally before applying to the department to hire foreign labor, he said.

Once they've filed an application with the department, there are a series of advertisements they have to place, and the department places the job in the Guam online job bank. After a 30-day period, if there are still openings left, the department issues a labor certification allowing the employer to bring in the H-2B workers to fill in the remaining positions, Massey said.

"All the protections are still in place," Massey said. "It's the same protections that have been in place for the last 15 to 20 years."

Final report on Marianas range expected soon

Final report on Marianas range expected soon

By Steve Limtiaco • Pacific Daily News • November 9, 2009

The draft environmental report that will set the stage for the military buildup on Guam, including the construction of a new Marine Corps base in Dededo, won't be made public for about two more weeks, but a different environmental process related to increased military training in the region is expected to wrap up by the end of this year.

The military plans to step up the number and types of training exercises on and around Guam and the rest of the Mariana Islands, and it started an environmental review process for the "Mariana Islands Range Complex." A draft environmental report was released Jan. 30, the public comment period on that report ended March 31, and a final record of decision is expected by the end of this year.

As an example of the proposed changes, the "Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance/Strike Force at Andersen Air Force Base, which operates as many as 48 fighter planes, six bombers, four drones and 12 aerial refuelling planes, is scheduled to increase its operations by 45 percent."

The strike force currently operates an average of 14 take-offs and landings a day from Andersen, the environmental report states, which means there could be about 20 a day.

And a permanent 10-mile restricted safety zone would be created around the Farallon De Medinilla firing range in the Northern Mariana Islands, the study states. All private and commercial vessels would be prohibited from entering that restricted area, which could be temporarily extended as far as 30 miles during military training.

The waters around that island currently are restricted only 3 miles from shore, and only when there is training, the environmental report states.
Provides a glimpse

The environmental process for the new training plan, although on a smaller scale than the Guam buildup, is several months ahead of the buildup's environmental process and provides a glimpse of what Guam residents can expect to see in the environmental report.

Residents will have 90 days to comment on the Guam buildup's draft environmental report after it is made public.

The section devoted to the impact of training on marine mammals reads like a science textbook, providing information about the types of whales that can be found in the Marianas, how well they hear underwater, and the effect military sonar training might have on their behavior.

As an example, the report states Blue Whales continued foraging when exposed to low frequency active sonar.

Unlike the military buildup and the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam, the new military training proposal will not involve any extensive changes or expansion and will not require any construction projects, the environmental report states.

There could be an overlap between the requirements for the military buildup and the new training proposal, the environmental report states, and documents for the two environmental reports are being coordinated to ensure consistency.

"This study is important because it determines the potential effects on the environment from current and future training activities and provides recommendations for minimizing those effects. It also gives the services the opportunity to review their procedures and ensure that the benefits of recent scientific and technological advances are used to lessen effects on the environment," the environmental report states.

The environmental report concludes that the increased training would create "irregular, minor, and short-term disturbances from military activity noise, but would have no unavoidable significant environmental effects."

Navy eyes sonar operations in Marianas

Navy eyes sonar operations in Marianas

Thursday, October 22, 2009

NOAA's Fisheries Service is seeking comments now through Nov. 19 on its proposed rule to authorize impacts to marine mammals during Navy training exercises around the Mariana Islands. The NOAA proposal includes protective measures designed to minimize effects on marine mammals.

The Navy has requested an authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, because the mid-frequency sound generated by tactical sonar, and the sound and pressure generated by detonating explosives, may affect the behavior of some marine mammals, or cause a temporary loss of their hearing sensitivity.

NOAA's Fisheries Service does not expect the exercises to result in serious injury or death to marine mammals, and is proposing the Navy use mitigation measures to avoid injury or death. However, exposure to sonar in certain circumstances has been associated with the stranding of some marine mammals, and some injury or death may still occur. Therefore, the proposed authorization allows for a small number of incidental injuries to marine mammals.

NOAA's Fisheries Service said it has made a preliminary determination that these effects “would have a negligible effect” on the species or stocks involved.

Under the authorization, the Navy would have to follow mitigation measures to minimize effects on marine mammals, including:

-establishing marine mammal safety zones around each vessel using sonar;

-using Navy observers to shut down sonar operations if marine mammals are seen within designated safety zones;

-using exclusion zones to ensure that explosives are not detonated when animals are detected within a certain distance;

-implementing a stranding response plan that includes a training shutdown provision in certain circumstances, and allows for the Navy to contribute in-kind services to NOAA's Fisheries Service if the agency has to conduct a stranding response and investigation.

“These measures should minimize the potential for injury or death, and significantly reduce the number of marine mammals exposed to levels of sound likely to cause temporary loss of hearing,” NOAA said in a statement.

Additionally, the proposed rule would require the Navy and NOAA's Fisheries Service to meet yearly to discuss new science, Navy research and development, and Navy monitoring results to see if changes to mitigation or monitoring measures are needed.

NOAA's Fisheries Service and the Navy use independent, experienced vessel-based marine mammal observers (as well as Navy watchstanders), and passive acoustic monitoring to help better understand how marine mammals respond to various levels of sound and to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures.

The Navy has been conducting training exercises, including the use of mid-frequency sonar, in the Mariana Islands for more than 60 years. Exercises range from large, 10-day long joint multi-strike group exercises using multiple surface vessels, submarines and aircraft, to multi-hour exercises designed to target specific skills or weapons systems, such as missile tracking. Some exercises involve explosives.

NOAA's Fisheries Service will accept comments on the application and proposed authorization through November 19. Comments should be addressed to:

Michael Payne, Chief of the Permits, Conservation, and Education Division
Office of Protected Resources, NMFS
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Electronic public comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov using the identifier 0648-AW91. (NOAA)

Mariana fruit bats threatened with extinction

Mariana fruit bats threatened with extinction

Saturday, October 10, 2009

The United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and the CNMI Department of Land and Natural Resources announced today that poaching on Rota is threatening the Mariana fruit bat with extinction.

The Mariana fruit bat (or the fanihi, as it is known locally) has been part of the Chamorro culture for centuries. When the bats were hunted by traditional means, their population was stable. With the advent of firearms, however, their numbers have declined drastically. The Guam and CNMI fanihi are listed as an threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. It is a violation of federal, Guam and CNMI law to kill them.

Mariana fruit bats roost in maternal colonies, made up mostly of females and their pups, as well as a few juvenile and breeding males. Adult male bats roost in small bachelor colonies or individually. There are only about 100 fruit bats left on Guam. Until this year, there were approximately 1,700 on Rota, in five maternal colonies. Since 2008, a small gang of poachers has been attacking the maternal colonies, slaughtering females and their babies. If this continues, the Rota fanihi will soon be extinct, and a symbol of Chamorro life will be gone forever.

In June 2008, half of the Fanlagon maternal colony was destroyed by individuals using 12-gauge and .410 shotguns. It is estimated that 45 females and juveniles were killed. In June 2008, the Liyo colony was also attacked. This has resulted in the bats changing their flight path to and from the colony site. They now fly far out over the ocean, often in heavy winds, expending energy that should go to sustain their young. Mothers return less often to feed their pups during the night, or fail to return at all, resulting in the neglect and abandonment of the babies.

In October 2008, the As Dudo maternal population was destroyed by poachers using 12-gauge and .410 shotguns. According to CNMI wildlife biologists, some 65 fanihi, about 90 percent of the colony, were killed.

In November 2008, the Sumac maternal colony was attacked, and 70 percent of the females and juveniles were slaughtered, again with .410 and 12-gauge shotguns.

Only four days ago, on Oct. 5, 2009, the Lempanai colony was attacked and approximately 30 females and juveniles were killed.

A species cannot survive if its breeding grounds, its breeding females, and its young, are killed. In the last 14 months, half of the fanihi population on Rota has been destroyed. If the people of Rota want their children and their children's children to know and appreciate these gentle animals, they need to help stop this slaughter.

If you have any information about the identities of these poachers, please call (670) 236-2980, (670) 233-0938, CNMI Crime Stoppers (670) 234-7272, or Guam Crime Stoppers (671) 477-4357. (PR)

NEWS UPDATE:Homeland Security phasing in U.S. immigration in CNMI Nov. 28

NEWS UPDATE:Homeland Security phasing in U.S. immigration in CNMI Nov. 28

Pacific Daily News • September 22, 2009

The Northern Marianas will no longer be able to ask for further delay in the implementation of U.S. immigration law in the commonwealth.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is prepared to implement the border security components of P.L. 110-229 in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands by Nov. 28.

Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo, chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, and CNMI Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan today met with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to discuss the implementation of the law that removes local authority over immigration in the CNMI.

Bordallo and Sablan met with Napolitano to continue to press for allowing mainland Chinese and Russian tourists a visa waiver to enter the commonwealth and Guam.

Napolitano assured Bordallo that she understood the economic impact that the exclusion of China and Russia from the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would have on the CNMI, which relies heavily on visitors from these markets, according to a press release from Bordallo's office.

Additionally, Napolitano stated, according to Bordallo's press release, "that Homeland Security is working in an expedited manner on a pathway forward, in advance of the Nov. 28 implementation date, to address the Guam-CNMI visitor industry issues."

Manhita - Building Our Future Together

The tiny Pacific island of Guam is preparing for the largest single U.S. military buildup since World War II, bracing for 20 years worth of development at a break-neck pace of less than 5 years. Between now and 2014, $15 billion will be poured into the economy and a tiny island population of 170,000 residents will balloon by as much as 25% virtually overnight. The impact on Guams society, economy, environment, culture, public services, utilities and infrastructure in the context of a complicated relationship between the islands indigenous people and the U.S. federal government is daunting and inevitable. In this documentary, islanders grapple with how to harness the opportunities of the buildup to shape a positive destiny not just for the military, but especially for Guam and its people.

Bush pushes for marine reserves

By PETER N. SPOTTS
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

In its waning weeks, the Bush administration is sorting through options that could lead to the largest marine conservation reserves in United States history.

At issue: Proposals to protect at least one of two vast reaches of ocean that host some of the most pristine coral-reef and under-sea mountain ecosystems in the Pacific. One candidate, a loose cluster of islands and atolls in the central Pacific called the Line Islands, covers a patch of ocean larger than Mexico. The other, a section of the Northern Mariana Islands, is larger than Arizona.

The administration has been heavily criticized for its stance on environmental issues such as global warming and for its last-minute efforts to ease some environmental regulations. So its interest in a bold marine-conservation move may seem surprising. But the president “has had a strong interest in the health of the oceans,” says Dennis Heinemann, a senior vice president with Ocean Conservancy, a marine-conservation group in Washington.

In 2006, President Bush established a vast marine reserve along the northwest Hawaiian Islands, the Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument. The monument spans an area larger than all of the country's national parks combined.

It's unclear at the moment whether the White House will take the same regulatory approach now. Mr. Bush could establish vast no-take zones, perhaps with exceptions to allow indigenous people to fish there. Or, he could merely endorse the concept of preserving these areas and punt the decision to the incoming Obama administration.

Still, hopes are high that Bush will grant full protection to these areas. “The condition of the oceans is degrading, and it's really been degrading for coral reefs. It's important to preserve these last few relatively untouched parts of the ocean,” Dr. Heinemann says.

The latest effort builds on the 2006 Hawaii designation, says Jay Nelson, who heads the global ocean legacy program at the Pew Environment Group in Washington. Following that designation, the White House asked federal agencies, nongovernment groups, and the research community for more candidates. These included deep-sea coral networks off the US Southeast Coast and a proposal to establish a string of marine protected areas along the continental shelf from Florida to Belize.

In the end, the Marianas and Line Islands were the last candidates standing.

The islands, atolls, and seamounts that would be conserved are remote. But they may also represent unique opportunities for research. In addition to its reefs, a northern Marianas reserve would include a section of the Marianas Trench, formed by the collision of two plates of the Earth's crust and home to the deepest spot on the seafloor. The area hosts 19 species of whales and dolphins. Life thrives in the extreme environments around hydrothermal vents. The seascape includes enormous mud volcanoes and pools of boiling sulfur.

The Line Islands, meanwhile, are feeding stations for migratory fish with an unexpected twist on the traditional food pyramid. “It's an amazing inverted pyramid design,” in which most living organisms sit atop the food chain instead of at the bottom, says Nancy Knowlton, a marine scientist with the Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History. Although organisms lower on the food chain are fewer, they reproduce more quickly and so can support a relatively large number of diners. The system gives researchers a good baseline to understand what coral-reef systems used to look like, she says.

The Line Islands also serve as a way station for 21 species of migratory birds and some 19 species of seabird, who come to feed as large fish on a feeding frenzy drive their prey to the surface. “This shows a direct ecological connection between land and sea,” notes William Chandler, vice president for government affairs at the Marine Conservation Biology Institute office in Washington.

The effort is drawing support from the tourist industry, who see the region's reefs as an asset that needs to be safeguarded, as well as from conservation groups and marine scientists.

But the proposal has generated its share of concerns. Some supporters worry that conservation measures won't be tight enough.

Meanwhile, locals have expressed concerns that restrictions will be too tight. Indigenous people in American Samoa and the Marianas were concerned they would be banned from fishing and other traditional practices. There are other worries about Washington impinging on undersea mining projects for minerals on the seafloor off the Marianas Trench. These local concerns are being addressed, says James Connaughton, head of the president's Council on Environmental Quality.

“There are a lot of people who are not quite sure what we might or might not do who are envisioning the worst from their particular perspective,” he says. The assessment team were able to reassure many people that the worst won't happen.

One concern shared by local fishermen and US Pentagon officials centered on navigation rights through any proposed reserve, particularly around the Marianas. But the president's directive to assess the potential marine reserve sites reaffirmed these navigation rights.

The White House faces a deadline of Inauguration Day next month for making any decision on the reserves. But many conservationists say they hope a decision comes by the end of the year.