Okinawa wants all 12K Marines out

THURSDAY, 09 DECEMBER 2010 01:47 BY THERESE HART | VARIETY NEWS STAFF

A VISITING delegation from the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly says their government wants all of the 12,000 U.S. Marines out

File Photo

of the Japanese island, not just the estimated 8,600, who are scheduled to be moved to Guam starting 2012.

The delegation, led by Tetsuji Shinagaki of the Liberal Democratic Party, also told incumbent Speaker Judi Won Pat and other Guam lawmakers, Okinawa wants the Futenma Air Base removed from their island as opposed to relocating it to Camp Nago.

They also clarified that there is no truth to the story that came out in a Saipan newspaper that Okinawa would pay the U.S. to relocate some 4,000 more U.S. Marines to Tinian.

The delegation said that kind of decision is between the U.S. and Japanese governments and they are not aware of any decision being made, but Saipan leaders brought up the discussion.

The delegation said the Okinawa assembly passed a resolution urging Japan and the United States to modify their realignment of forces agreement so that the other Marines would also be relocated to Guam.

The delegation, which is scheduled to leave today, said newly-elected Okinawa Gov. Hirozaku Nakaima, stands and agrees on the same issues as the assembly.

The delegation reiterated that Okinawa makes up 0.6% of Japan’s territory but hosts 75 percent of U.S. military bases.

Okinawans have complained for decades about the unfair and unequal footprint left by the U.S.

The US military forces control 40 percent of Okinawan airspace and 29 ports.

The Okinawan delegation, all members of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, include the following: Tetsuji Shinagaki (Liberal Democratic Party); Kosuke Gushi (LDP); Masatoshi Onaga (LDP); Isho Urasaki (LDP); Hikaru Minei (LDP); Hiroko Tsujino (LDP); Zakimi Kazuyuki (LDP); Yoshihiko Yoshimoto (LDP); Sachio Kuwae (LDP); Kyoki Nakagawa (LDP); Dai Shimabukuro (LDP); Tomonori Itosu (New Komeito).

Buildup Remains Contentious

Buildup burden remains contentious issue
KUAM
Updated: May 10, 2010 6:37 PM
by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - With a decision looming on the contentious issue on where the U.S. Marines' Futenma Air Base will be relocated, here at home the push continues to ensure Guam isn't left shouldering the burden to pay for the infrastructure needed to handle the military buildup. Governor Felix Camacho and CNMI Governor Benigno Fitial will head to Tokyo Wednesday to continue dialogue from this weekend in Saipan regarding the Marines relocation.

"I had gone there Saturday morning and met with six members of the Japan Diet that are very interested in our point of view," said the governor. "They are members of the Democratic Party of Japan, the current ruling party that is in place."

Governor Camacho says the talks in Saipan gave the two leaders the opportunity to meet face to face with the delegation from the ruling party, and express to them how Guam was never part of the discussions or negotiations involving the Marines relocation when the status of forces agreement was signed between the U.S. and Japan in 2006.

Camacho continued, "They made decisions that will impact and effect our territory our people our way of life without any consultation, and secondly that the impact and cost that it will bring to us is there expecting us to absorb that is absolutely not right."

The governor specifically referencing Japan's commitment of $6 billion to move the Marines out of Okinawa to Guam and how not a penny will go toward civilian infrastructure needs to accommodate the growth. For example, it's estimated just for power and water alone it will cost about $1.3 billion in upgrades.

He said, "We have no access to that $6 billion and yet we're on one island with shared resources of water, electricity of land and the like and unless we are given an opportunity it's not fair and right to the people of Guam. We should not be expected to or can we cover the cost that will be imposed on the people of Guam, and I'm asking for access to the $6 billion that is confined only to expenditures within the fenceline."

According to the governor the two are hoping to meet with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Thursday. Camacho says after the meeting he will fly home that same evening. The governor's trip to Tokyo comes amidst talks that are scheduled to be held this week in Washington on the contentious Futenma issue and where the relocation facility will be located.

According to the 2006 agreement it is supposed to be built in Henoko. As we reported last week, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama changed his stance from his pre-election campaign position last year that Futenma must be moved out of Okinawa completely to last week's announcement that realistically that would be impossible. A final decision on Futenma is expected to be made by the end of the month.. As we reported a report from the Government Accountability Office noted that if the Futenma Replacement Facility is not constructed the relocation of the Marines from Okinawa to Guam will not occur.

SDP to seek moving Futemma to Guam, PNP eyes integration with Kadena

SDP to seek moving Futemma to Guam, PNP eyes integration with Kadena

Feb 13 04:32 AM US/Eastern

TOKYO, Feb. 13 (AP) - (Kyodo) — The Social Democratic Party plans to include Guam among proposed alternative sites for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa, while the People's New Party is eyeing integrating Futemma's functions with the nearby U.S. Kadena Air Base among other options, party members said Saturday.

The two junior coalition partners in the Democratic Party of Japan-led government are set to present their relocation proposals Wednesday to a government committee exploring possible alternative sites for moving Futemma, currently located in the city of Ginowan.

The proposals, however, are unlikely to aid the Japanese government in achieving its target of finalizing an alternative site by May as both ideas have been floated in the past but were seen as difficult to realize.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has set the target, although the U.S. government has maintained that an existing plan, agreed with Japan in to move the Futemma facility to the coastal area of the Henoko district in Nago, a less populated city in Okinawa, is the best option.

Among a number of proposals that it plans to present, the SDP, which has called for Futemma to be moved out of Okinawa or abroad, will place emphasis on Guam as the destination for most of the base's functions, with party policy chief Tomoko Abe saying, "The bases in Guam are big and there are many possible locations."

Although Guam Gov. Felix Camacho has expressed a negative view about relocating the functions to the U.S. territory, the SDP believes such a move would be accepted by residents of Guam if the infrastructure there were improved to enable it, according to the party members.

In addition, the party is considering an Air Self-Defense Force base in Nagasaki Prefecture and Saga airport in neighboring Saga Prefecture among other prospective relocation sites, but many SDP lawmakers remain cautious about proposing an alternative location within Japan, the members said.

Meanwhile, the PNP plans to present a set of proposals centering on the idea of integrating Futemma's functions with the U.S. Air Force's Kadena base and moving some of the training activities there to other parts of Japan, the PNP members said.

The proposal would entail moving some F-15 fighter drills at Kadena to the U.S. Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture and some other exercises to civilian airports including Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, they said.

"We will also work on reducing noise pollution for residents near Kadena," said Mikio Shimoji, the PNP's policy chief.

The party is also exploring the possibility of including Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands as candidate sites for some of the exercises.

Some members of the Japanese government committee studying alternative sites for the relocation of Futemma, including Abe and Shimoji, have recently made inspection trips to places such as Guam and Tinian Island.

The transfer of about 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam is planned under the 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and is linked to the completion by 2014 of a new facility in Nago to take over Futemma's heliport functions.

Relocation of up to 4,000 US troops to CNMI mulled

Relocation of up to 4,000 US troops to CNMI mulled

hursday, February 11, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio

JAPANESE LAWMAKERS STOP OVER SAIPAN

Visiting Japanese lawmakers said yesterday they may recommend the relocation of 2,000 to 4,000 U.S. troops from the aviation units at Futenma in Japan to the CNMI, on top of the 8,000 Marines to be relocated from Okinawa to Guam, said Senate Pres. Paul A. Manglona (R-Rota).

National Diet or Japan Legislature members Mikio Shimoji, Tomoko Abe, and Ryoichi Hattori met with Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, House Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio (Cov-Saipan), and Manglona at the Saipan airport yesterday afternoon, on their way to Guam.

Shimoji, Abe, and Hattori are part of the 23-member Japanese government delegation arriving on Guam for what Fitial described as a “fact-finding” visit, particularly to see if there's suitable place on Guam for more U.S. troops to be relocated off Okinawa.

This is in addition to the estimated 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents who are expected to be relocated by 2014, although Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho asked for the military buildup to be delayed until after 2014.

Fitial and other CNMI officials were one in saying they welcome the relocation of U.S. troops to the Commonwealth provided the U.S. government consents to such move.

“We're not offering them anything. We're just telling them we welcome them, provided that the U.S. government consents or concurs,” the governor said.

Manglona and Fitial clarified that there is no definite plan to move U.S. troops to the CNMI, but it's one of the options being looked at.

“Shimoji said they will recommend moving troops to the CNMI. He gave the range. It could be 2,000 or 3,000 or 4,000,” he said.

Guam trip

Fitial will travel to Guam to attend today's meeting between Guam officials and the visiting Japanese delegation led by Yorihisa Matsuno, deputy chief Cabinet secretary of the Japan Diet.

The three Japanese lawmakers who made a stopover on Saipan were major players in the relocation talks. Shimoji is the policy chief of the People's New Party, one of the tripartite ruling coalitions in Japan, while Abe is the policy chief of the Social Democratic Party. Hattori is also with the Social Democratic Party.

“They're looking at all options, including Guam and the CNMI. I will be listening to what Guam has to say. As I said, I welcome them provided that the U.S. government concurs,” Fitial said.

Manglona said Tinian has been waiting for decades to welcome military presence on the island.

“It seems they have been listening to the people, as they prepare to meet with the U.S. government. We made it clear to the Japanese lawmakers that the CNMI is open, but we defer making decisions to the U.S. government,” Manglona said.

Fitial said as with all other existing relocation plans, any cost to move troops to the CNMI should not be borne by the CNMI.

Both the CNMI and Guam governors had said that socio-economic impacts are the major concerns when it comes to the massive military buildup on Guam, and Fitial said this is also true with any plan to relocate U.S. troops to the CNMI.

Fitial said Japanese lawmakers wanted to visit the CNMI again to see for themselves any room for U.S. troops to be relocated.

Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian) said Tinian welcomes any plan to relocate U.S. troops to the island, two-thirds of which is leased by the U.S. Department of Defense.

“The lease makes it easier for them to come here. We certainly welcome the plan or the option of choosing the CNMI as a site for relocating U.S. troops from Japan,” said Hofschneider, who is the chairman of the Tinian Legislative Delegation.

Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz earlier said that an expected decrease in civilian tourist arrivals to the island as a result of he massive buildup should be mitigated by an increase in military personnel and their families' visit to Tinian for rest and recreation.

Dela Cruz also said the military should ensure an effective quarantine system to prevent brown tree snakes, rhinoceros beetles, and other invasive species from entering Tinian.

'Stretch out and spread out'

Sen. Judith Guthertz of Guam, in a Jan. 28 letter to Joint Guam Program Office executive director David Bice, recommended stretching out and spreading out the relocation of U.S. troops from Okinawa to Guam.

She said the U.S. military should consider relocating the First Marine Aircraft Wing aviation command from Futenma to Tinian and Agrigan or the Goat Island in the CNMI.

“This command numbers about 4,000. The mayor of Tinian and Agrigan has already asked the U.S. military to consider these islands for the buildup. Agrigan is uninhabited and the federal government already has a long-term lease for the northern two-thirds of Tinian,” she told Bice.

Guthertz, who chairs the Committee on the Guam Military Buildup and Homeland Security, said the Marines' movement should be spread over eight years instead of only two years from 2014.

Lastly, she suggested the reduction in size of the movement to Guam by 50 percent-for about 4,000 active duty Marines.

“This would still provide a greater than 100 percent jump in footprint, but provide a greater welcome mat for our Marines,” she told Bice.

The Futenma issue has become a sticking point in the military realignment talks.

The recent election of an anti-base mayor in Nago made it more difficult to move Marine air operations and led to a growing sentiment among Okinawans to move Futenma operations outside Okinawa and outside Japan.

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.

Social, economic impacts of Guam buildup are the 'biggest concerns'

Social, economic impacts of Guam buildup are the 'biggest concerns'

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio

Fitial considers islands 'homeport' for Army joint high-speed vessels

Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho and CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial cited socio-economic impacts as the “biggest” concerns about the massive military buildup in the region, including the lack of funding sources to cushion negative effects to the civilian community worth at least $3 billion in Guam alone and an expected decrease in tourist arrivals on Tinian as a result of increased military presence there.

Guam and the CNMI are racing against time to beat the Feb. 17 deadline for submitting comments on the military buildup's draft environmental impact statement.

The general concern so far is the socio-economic impacts to both Guam and the CNMI, followed by environmental concerns, Camacho and Fitial said.

“We need to be very careful and understand what we are getting into. We don't want to rush into something we don't understand,” Fitial said.

He said the CNMI is “lucky” that it is “learning from Guam's experience.”

'High speed vessels'

Fitial, at the same time, responded to a letter from Guam Sen. Judith Guthertz, who asked whether the CNMI government is interested in having Army joint high speed vessels stationed on Saipan.

“The CNMI will continue to work with and support the territory of Guam in regards to all of the upcoming military realignment in the Pacific region. I will gladly consider having the CNMI as the homeport for stationing and operations of the [joint high speed vessels],” Fitial told Guthertz.

The U.S. Army Environmental Command has opened the public comment period for the preparation of a programmatic environmental impact statement in 2010 for the proposed stationing and operation of up to 12 joint high-speed vessels.

These are strategic transport vessels designed to support the rapid transport of military troops and equipment in the U.S. and abroad.

A copy of the Army's notice of intent is available at www.aec.army.mil.

'Lack of funding sources'

Camacho, who was on Saipan for hours yesterday, said although billions of dollars in construction projects in Guam are promised, “there's no guarantee they will be there tomorrow.”

“There's no funding source to mitigate the impact to our territory,” he said, adding that past experiences resulted in huge debts incurred by Guam that it has come to a point where the island no longer has capability to borrow money.

Camacho said Guam needs a minimum of $3 billion to mitigate the social-impacts of the buildup, but he said no money has been set aside to address these impacts.

He said the buildup cost “should not be something borne by the people,” and that both Japan and the United States should consider the impacts to the host island, including in the area of public health, public safety, schools and housing.

Camacho said another major concern is the environmental impact, including massive dredging of corals at the Apra Harbor.

Guam hired consultants Matrix Design Group to help sift through some 11,000 pages of the draft military buildup EIS for easy understanding.

“No decisions have been made,” Camacho said, adding that comments on the draft EIS will help shape the final EIS to be released later this year.

Tom Linden, the coordinator for the CNMI Military Integration Management Committee, said all comments from mayors have been received and will be finalized this week for submission to the governor. The MIMC seeks to have a unified voice on the planned buildup.

He said there's been no mitigation measure offered so far to address the expected decrease in tourist arrivals to Tinian as a result of limited access to the northern end of the island because of military training.

Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz said Tinian has been “waiting” for the military buildup on Tinian for “30 years,” and hopes the U.S. military will have a permanent base on the island. He hopes an expected decrease in civilian tourist arrivals to the island will be mitigated by an increase in military personnel and their families' visit to Tinian for rest and recreation.

Dela Cruz also said the military should ensure an effective quarantine system to prevent brown tree snakes, rhinoceros beetles and other invasive species from entering Tinian.

Dela Cruz also informed Fitial and Camacho yesterday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told him that the federal agency will issue the Tinian municipality a citation this month because of a non-compliant landfill. He did not elaborate when asked for more information about EPA's citation.

Camacho formally asked U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to delay the implementation of the military buildup in Guam beyond 2014 “to protect the integrity of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and ensure that impacts are minimized to our island infrastructure and socioeconomic services.”

As of yesterday, Guam has yet to receive a response to this request from the U.S. Navy.

But Camacho, in an interview with Saipan Tribune, said he will bring up the issue in the upcoming National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C.

'Move them to Tinian'

Guthertz also urged federal officials to stretch the timeline for the military buildup to alleviate the adverse impacts expected with the population boom.

Guthertz, who chairs the Committee on the Guam Military Buildup and Homeland Security, recommended that the planned relocation of the 8,000 Marines to Guam be reduced by about 4,000.

She said the First Marine Aircraft Wing aviation command can be shifted to Tinian and the uninhabited island of Agrigan in the CNMI.

This, she said, would allow for the relocation of about half of the 8,652 infantry Marines intended to be transferred to Guam to be sent to the vacated Futenma facilities instead.

Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines, the military also looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.

Three Japanese lawmakers make brief stop on Saipan

Three Japanese lawmakers make brief stop on Saipan

Tuesday, February 09, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter

Three Japanese lawmakers who play major roles in the ongoing talks about the relocation of U.S. Marines from Japan to Guam will meet on Saipan with Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and other CNMI officials on their way to Guam on Wednesday.

The visiting members of the National Diet or the Japan Legislature include Mikio Shimoji, Tomoko Abe, and Ryoichi Hattori, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos' legal counsel, Teresa Kim, said yesterday.

Shimoji is the policy chief of the People’s New Party, one of the tripartite ruling coalitions in Japan, Abe is the policy chief of the Social Democratic Party, and Hattori is also with the Social Democratic Party.

Kim said the Japanese lawmakers will be on Saipan “for approximately two hours before proceeding to Guam to meet with Guam leaders.”

During their short time on Saipan, they will meet with Fitial, Inos, House Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio (Cov-Saipan), and Senate President Paul A. Manglona (R-Rota) “to discuss current issues relevant to the CNMI and Japan and discuss any plans they may have so as to improve our tourism and economy,” said Kim.

Japan continues to be the CNMI's main tourism market. In December alone, 15,638 visitors from Japan came to the CNMI but this marked a 24 percent decrease compared to December 2008.

“The CNMI has always enjoyed a great working relationship with Japan. We recognize that Japan is our number one tourism source market and always welcome opportunities to meet with leaders of Japan to listen to their ideas and implement them when possible,” Kim added.

The Fitial administration has invited the media for a news briefing with the visiting Japanese lawmakers at 4:15pm Wednesday at the Coral Ocean Point.

The three Japanese lawmakers' visit comes at a time when Guam is on the verge of a massive military buildup, although Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho has asked for a delay until after 2014.

A part of the realignment plan for the U.S. military in the region involves the relocation of some 8,000 Marines and their families from Okinawa to Guam by 2014.

Forum gives answers to military buildup

Forum gives answers to military buildup

Saipan Tribune
Friday, January 29, 2010

The MIMC public forum held Wednesday at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe and broadcast live to Tinian and Rota through sponsors NMC and IT&E provided many answers about the pending military buildup in the Marianas region.

The event drew a larger than anticipated crowd and provided an opportunity for community members to get answers about the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and its effects on the islands.

The advisory consulting team from Guam, Celeste Werner and Mike Hrapla, vice presidents of Matrix Design, were on hand to give a presentation of the realities that the CNMI faces in the U.S. Marines' relocation to Guam and Tinian. It covered details of the live fire range, restricted access areas, training frequency, possible future expansion plans, and economic and environmental impacts. They also provided specific details on how to best submit comments to the Joint Guam Program Office so that local concerns can be heard prior to the Feb. 17, 2010, submission deadline.

Each of the islands had three rounds of question and answer periods in which many questions were asked. The most common concern seemed to be restricted access to the north end of Tinian and the numerous cultural and historic landmarks. While the draft EIS only provides potential impacts, the ACT team was able to shed a better perspective on what to expect.

MIMC coordinator Tom Linden was on hand on Tinian and was highly encouraged by the number of students who took the time to attend and ask questions. “The fact that so many students are concerned and interested in how it will influence the future of our islands and culture was very inspiring,” said Linden.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial was very pleased with the turnout of the forum and the active participation of the community. “As stakeholders, we must ensure that the concerns of the community are heard,” said Fitial.

Anyone who wants more information on the Draft EIS or the information that was presented at the MIMC Forum can download the information from the Department of Commerce website at www.commerce.gov.mp or contact Tom Linden at cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp. (PR)

MIMC sets public forum on Guam buildup EIS

MIMC sets public forum on Guam buildup EIS

Friday, January 22, 2010
Saipan Tribune

The Military Integration Management Committee, along with the Office of Economic Adjustment and Guam Advisory Consulting Team, will be hosting a public workshop/forum on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, from 9am to 11am at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

This event will also be broadcast live to both Tinian and Rota through a VCT provided by the Northern Mariana's College and sponsored by NMC and IT&E. The NMC campuses on Tinian and Rota will allow the public to view the forum live and ask questions. The purpose of this workshop is to break down the Draft Environmental Impact Statement that was presented last week by the Joint Guam Program Office.

The ACT will present in more basic terms the 11,000-page EIS. Unlike the JGPO public hearing and comment sessions that were held last week on Tinian and Saipan, this event allows the public to ask direct questions which will be answered by the ACT or OEA. The MIMC would like to encourage anyone who wants a brief overview of the EIS to read the Executive Summary at www.guambuildupeis.us. While only 40 pages, the executive summary does offer a good basic understanding of the plans for both Guam and Tinian.

The JGPO public hearings had a fair turnout, and the majority of CNMI residents were very encouraged by the potential economic opportunities that the military realignment has to offer. The MIMC encourages the public's participation in this event as the comment period for the Draft EIS ends on Feb. 17, 2010, at midnight EST. Now is the time to get involved so that our voices and concerns can be heard.

If you are unable to attend or would like to submit your questions ahead of time, feel free to e-mail them to MIMC Coordinator Tom Linden at cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp. (PR)

Military buildup hearing receives mixed reaction

Military buildup hearing receives mixed reaction

Monday, January 18, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio, Reporter

Residents weighed the pros and cons of the $15- to $20-billion military buildup in Guam and Tinian during Friday night's public hearing on Saipan, with some individuals expressing support to the multi-year project due to economic benefits and national security issues, while others oppose the project altogether for its ill social, environmental, and cultural impacts.

“Our economy is drying up. The local people are leaving because of lack of jobs here. We need the military, but we need to work together,” said former Rep. Manny Tenorio.

Martin Manglona, for his part, said there's no reason to be scared about military training ranges on Tinian.

“All plans on Tinian are for small ranges, nothing else. We have it in Kannat Tabla, so there's no problem,” said Manglona, adding that local people could get jobs and could find other business opportunities such as supplying fresh produce to the military.

Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero of the Guam-based We Are Guahan which is opposed to the military buildup, said the buildup intends to carry out U.S. Department of Defense plans, and “does not intend to help residents.”

She said that CNMI residents should never forget the environmental problems caused by the U.S. military in Tanapag, referring to the polychlorinated biphenyl contamination of soil and land crabs on Saipan's northern village.

Leon Guerrero also urged people to visit their website, www.WeAreGuahan.com, to know more about the group's strong opposition to the buildup.

Among other things, the group said the majority of the 18,000 jobs coming through the buildup will go to off-island workers and not local residents, and the buildup's draft Environmental Impact Statement does not mention military commitment to give Guam the money necessary to develop infrastructure to support a huge population influx.

They were among the estimated 30 members of the community, and another 30-plus Navy personnel and military contractors at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Friday night for the Joint Guam Program Office's public hearing on the buildup's draft Environmental Impact Statement.

The number of people who showed up in both the public hearings on Tinian and Saipan were far below the numbers on Guam wherein the hearings drew 200 to 400 people.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) said there are issues not related to the military buildup that the people of Tinian also want to be addressed, including the needed repair of the outer seawall and piers.

“It would be great (if the military funds it) but they won't because it's not a military wharf. That has to be a Commonwealth project or funded from a separate funding because it's not a military harbor; it's commercial. And I've also been telling people that this is a military buildup in Guam. Tinian is only ancillary of the buildup and if people think that someone is going to get rich from the Tinian portion of the buildup, I would like to know how because I haven't seen it,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune.

'No more comment period extension'

Sixto Igisomar, speaking as a member of the public, asked for more time to review and comment on the draft environment impact statement on the military buildup.

There are some 11,000 pages of documents on the draft EIS/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement on the military buildup.

The draft EIS/OES can be accessed online at www.guambuildupeis.us.

Retired Maj. Gen. David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said JGPO believes that the 90-day comment period ending on Feb. 17 is sufficient.

“We've had well over 1,600 people come out to our public hearings where they asked questions and got their questions answered by experts. We've also gotten a lot of comments online as well as during the hearings,” Bice told Saipan Tribune.

Bice said there had been enough public outreach programs on the project, including public scoping in 2007, as well as partnership sessions with the local government and the regulators like the Environmental Protection Agency.

“We believe that our effort has been really unprecedented because this is a pretty large realignment and we had an unprecedented approach in terms of reaching out to the public and the regulators to ensure that our document is complete,” he said.

Bice said “every comment is important,” and every comment will be evaluated. The comments will also be recorded in Volume 10 of the final EIS.

“I can tell you that we are going to make adjustments to the EIS. We've heard comments made by people as we go along. I would make a mental note (when I hear) a solid comment that we need to take a look at either the plan or the phraseology that's in the EIS that may not be as clear as it should have been. So I can tell you that we are going to make adjustments to the EIS based upon the comments we received,” he added.

Townhall meetings

Despite the end of the six public hearings held in Guam, Tinian, and Saipan, there are still opportunities for residents to know more about the draft EIS/OES.

Tom Linden, coordinator for the CNMI Military Integration Management Committee, said MIMC, in partnership with the Office of Economic Adjustment and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, will be hosting a public forum on Jan. 27, Wednesday, at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

He said representatives of the OEA and ACT will break down the 11,000-page EIS and be willing to answer any questions regarding the military buildup. The public is encouraged to submit questions ahead of time to the MIMC coordinator by sending e-mails to cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp.

MIMC, created in June 2009, serves as the planning and policy making entity for all activities related to the expansion of military training and other defense transformation initiatives in the CNMI and Guam. It is the official entity through which the CNMI will interface with the U.S. Department of the Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, JGPO, the Department of Defense, and all other military representatives regarding the military buildup.

The Tinian plan

Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines, the military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.

Tinian is only about 100 miles or 160 kilometers away from Guam.

The northern two-thirds of Tinian are leased to the U.S. Department of Defense. Company and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these lease parcels.

“The land, however, could be developed to accommodate live fire ranges,” the draft EIS/OES stated.

The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, and field firing; and airspace use.

Comments on the draft EIS/OES can be submitted online, or during the public hearings set by the U.S. Navy in Guam and the CNMI.

CNMI echoes Guam

CNMI echoes Guam

Monday, 18 January 2010 03:44
by Gemma Q. Casas | Variety News Staff

Rota, Saipan public hearings raise concerns over buildup

Saipan—CNMI residents welcomed the idea of increasing the U.S. military’s presence in the Marianas but some expressed concerns over the consequences of the move on the environment and the socioeconomic landscape of the islands.

Last week, the U.S. Department of the Navy led a series of open house/public hearings on Saipan and Rota about the draft environmental impact statement for the Guam and CNMI Military Relocation project.

The relocation of the American troops, believed to be the largest since after the Vietnam War would cost both governments up to $10 billion.

The movement of the troops and their estimated 9,000 dependents would require massive construction of new facilities to house them and provide their regular drills and exercises.

The CNMI’s third largest island, Tinian, is envisioned to host a “warm base.” Two thirds of Tinian’s public lands or about 15,353 acres are leased to the military which plans to use them for live-fire ranges and other training activities.

At the public hearing on Saipan last Friday, Benigno Sablan, former secretary of the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources, said he has concerns about the dredging activities of the military that may affect activities of boat enthusiasts and fishermen.

He also raised concern about the definition of air space which the U.S. military intends to utilize to further train air force personnel and their allied forces.

Richard Seman, former director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife, said local access to fishing areas must be defined. He also urged military officials to look into the PCB contamination in other villages on Saipan.

Martin Manglona, former Covenant Party chairman and a military veteran, said a so-called “maneuver damage” should be established to afford residents and the CNMI government reimbursements in case of destruction on their properties by military activities.

Theresa Arriola of Saipan said the public has not been given enough time to study the impact of the military buildup project.

She said the indigenous people of the CNMI are not given proper considerations for what would become of their islands.

“We have to stand up and be proud of who we are. It is not intended to benefit our islands,” she said.

Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero of Guam said the people of the Marianas are being treated like second-class citizens in their own lands. “Comments are powerless. We are not making the final decision. They are. It needs to be on our terms. Until then, we would continue to die. My alternative is no action. Enough is enough,” she said at the public hearing.

Manglona, however, countered the public should not be hasty in making judgments against the military.

“Before we jump into any conclusion, let’s see what they have [to offer]. Let’s not get into scare tactics. Let’s be fair that’s all I am asking,” he said.

Commerce Deputy Secretary Sixto Igisomar urged the military to be more transparent and keep the public informed.“Please communicate with the people. Give us time,” he said. “If you want us to help you, please keep us informed.”

Igisomar also noted that the CNMI’s uninhabited volcanic island of Pagan which has rich deposits of pozzolan, a cement additive, should be tapped when the construction phase in Guam begins to help jumpstart the CNMI’s economy. “Make use of us to help you. Give opportunities to our contractors. We want to make sure that we all grow together,” he added.

Former House representative Manuel Tenorio, for his part, urged the military to work with the people of the commonwealth. He noted that a lot of the locals are educated people but most of them have not been given opportunities.

With the military buildup in the offing, he expressed hope that it would open up more opportunities for the locals. “We’re not second-class citizens. We’re good as anybody else. This island is drying up. Please listen to the local people,” he said.

US military sets Saipan, Tinian hearings on draft EIS

US military sets Saipan, Tinian hearings on draft EIS

Saipan Tribune
Thursday, January 14, 2010

The Military Integration Management Committee is reminding the public of the Joint Guam Program Office hearings scheduled at Tinian Elementary School today, Jan. 14, and at the Saipan Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe tomorrow, Jan. 15. Each will begin with an Open House from 5pm to 7pm, followed by the public hearings from 7pm to 9pm.

JGPO will be conducting these meetings to discuss the Guam Draft Environmental Impact Statement that was released in November.

MIMC Coordinator Tom Linden will also be on hand at these hearings to field questions and concerns related to the military build-up.

These public hearings will be a great introduction to the EIS, and give the public time to review the document prior to a scheduled public forum held by the MIMC on Jan. 26, 2009, from 5pm to 7pm at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. The draft EIS can be reviewed at www.guambuildupeis.us or at the public libraries on Tinian and Saipan.

The MIMC public forum will also include representatives from the Office of Economic Adjustment and the Advisory Consulting Team from Guam that has been hired to dissect and interpret the 11,000 page report.

On Jan. 26 , the partnership of the MIMC, OEA, and Guam ACT will hold a public hearing at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. The event is sponsored by NMC and IT&E, and it will be broadcast to Tinian and Rota via NMC-VTC. This forum is designed to be more of a user-friendly interpretation, elaboration, and breakdown on what the draft EIS/OEIS means to the CNMI, and to allow people to hear non-military point of view. The public is also encouraged to sends their questions to cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp, no later than Jan. 20. On Jan. 26 itself, ACT will randomly provide answers to some questions that are submitted on time.

The public comment period for the draft EIS ends on Feb. 17, 2010, and due to the sheer volume and complexity of the report, the MIMC encourages the public to take advantage of these opportunities to ask questions and share concerns. (MMIC)

CNMI public invited to hearings on Guam buildup

CNMI public invited to hearings on Guam buildup

Saipan Tribune
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The CNMI Military Integration Management Committee is encouraging the public to participate in the upcoming Joint Guam Program Office public hearings that are scheduled for Tinian on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010,, and Saipan on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010.

The MIMC Coordinator, Tom Linden, will be on hand at both of these public hearings to answer any questions in regards to how the CNMI is dealing with the regional military buildup.

These meetings will be an introduction to the draft Environmental Impact Statement that has been prepared for both Guam and the CNMI.

While the CNMI government understands the complexity of the document that is to be commented on, the MIMC office encourages active participation.

In an effort to ensure that the community has an opportunity to fully digest the contents contained in the EIS, the MIMC, in partnership with Office of Economic Adjustment and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, will be hosting a public forum on Jan. 27, 2010, at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Representatives of the OEA and ACT will break down the 11,000 page EIS and be willing to answer any questions in regards to the military buildup in the region. The hearings will introduce the public to the EIS and allow them time to review and comment prior to the public forum, which will be held on Jan. 27.

The MIMC public forum will also be broadcast to both Tinian and Rota through a VTC provided by the Northern Marianas College and IT&E, and the MIMC and Department of Commerce will have representatives on Tinian and Rota to help answer any questions. The public is encouraged to submit questions ahead of time to the MIMC Coordinator by e-mailing them to cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp.

The MIMC was created through a Charter in June 2009 to serve as the planning and policy making entity for all activities that relate to the expansion of military training and other defense transformation initiatives in the CNMI and Guam. The CNMI-MIMC is the official entity through which the CNMI will interface with the Department of the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, JGPO, Department of Defense, and all other military representatives in regards to the military buildup. The policymaking committee is chaired by Gov. Benigno Fitial and consists of the Governor, Lt. Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and the mayors of Rota, Tinian, Saipan, and the Northern Islands.

“Due to the overwhelming scope of this military relocation, the MIMC realizes that the path to success for our region will require a partnership with Guam and both Governor Fitial and Guam Gov. Felix Camacho have pledged their support of one another to ensure that the entire region benefits,” said the committee in a statement. (PR)

Public hearings on military buildup

Public hearings on military buildup

Monday, 11 January 2010 00:00

THE CNMI Military Integration Management Committee would like to encourage the public to participate in the upcoming Joint Guam Program Office public hearings that are scheduled for Tinian on Thursday, Jan. 14, and Saipan on Friday, Jan. 15, a media release stated.

The committee, or MIMC, coordinator Tom Linden will be on hand at both of these public hearings to answer any questions in regards to how the CNMI is dealing with the regional military buildup.

These meetings will be an introduction to the draft environmental impact statement, or EIS, that has been prepared for both Guam and the CNMI.

While the CNMI government understands the complexity of the document which is to be commented on, the MIMC office encourages active participation. In an effort to ensure that the community has an opportunity to fully digest the contents contained in the EIS, the MIMC in partnership with Office of Economic Adjustment, or OEA, and the Guam Advisory Consulting Team, or ACT, will be hosting a public forum on Jan. 27 at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.

Representatives of the OEA and ACT will breakdown the 11,000-page EIS and be willing to answer any questions in regards to the military buildup in our region.
The public hearings will be a great introduction to the EIS and then allow the public time to review and comment prior to the public forum which will be held on the 27th.

The MIMC public forum will also be broadcast to both Tinian and Rota through a VTC provided by Northern Marianas College and IT&E.

The MIMC and the Department of Commerce will have representatives on Tinian and Rota to help answer any questions.

Members of the public are urged to submit questions ahead of time to the MIMC coordinator by e-mailing them to cnmi.mimc@commerce.gov.mp This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The MIMC was created through a charter in June 2009.

It serves as the planning and policy making entity for all activities that relate to the expansion of military training and other defense transformation initiatives in the CNMI and Guam.

The CNMI-MIMC is the official entity through which the commonwealth will interface with the Department of the Navy, the Marine Corps, JGPO, the Department of Defense, and all other military representatives in regards to the military buildup in the region.

The policy making committee is chaired by Gov. Benigno Fitial and consists of the governor, lt. governor, Senate president, speaker of the House, and the mayors of Rota, Tinian, Saipan and the Northern Islands.

Due to the overwhelming scope of this military relocation, the MIMC realizes that the path to success will require a partnership with Guam and both Fitial and Guam Gov. Felix Camacho have pledged their support of one another to ensure that the entire region benefits.

Tinian, Saipan hearings on military buildup's draft EIS

Tinian, Saipan hearings on military buildup's draft EIS

Friday, January 08, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio

By now, concerned CNMI citizens should have been reading some 11,000 pages of documents on the draft environmental impact statement related to the $15 billion to $20 billion military buildup in Guam, which also involves the use of Tinian for military training.

A copy of the draft EIS/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement can be accessed online at www.guambuildupeis.us.

Because Guam cannot accommodate all training for the relocating Marines, the military looks at Tinian to provide opportunities for training groups of 200 Marines or larger due to greater land availability.

Tinian is only about 100 miles or 160 km away from Guam.

The northern two-thirds of Tinian are leased to the U.S. Department of Defense. Company and battalion level non-live fire training areas already exist and are used on these lease parcels.

“The land, however, could be developed to accommodate live fire ranges,” the draft EIS/OES stated.

The proposed actions on Tinian include firing ranges for rifle known distance, automated combat pistol, platoon battle course, and field firing; and airspace use.

Comments on the draft EIS/OES can be submitted online, or during the public hearings set by the U.S. Navy in Guam and the CNMI.

All comments must be submitted by Feb. 17, 2010, in order to be considered in the final EIS/OES.

Two of the six public hearings set by the Joint Guam Program Office will be held on Saipan and Tinian, while the other four are being held in Guam.

The public hearing on Tinian will be held on Jan. 14, Thursday, at the Tinian Elementary School. An open house will be from 5pm to 7pm, while the public hearing will be from 7pm to 9pm.

The Saipan public hearing will be held on Jan. 15, Friday, at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. A 5pm to 7pm open house will be followed by the public hearing at 7pm to 9pm.

The JGPO said public comments “are an important part of the environmental planning process.”

During the open house, the public can both submit written comments and ask questions of programs leaders and subject matter experts. During the two-hour formal hearing, the public can submit oral comments on the draft EIS/OES.

JGPO facilitates the realignment of U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. The agency works within the Department of Defense and with the Government of Japan, Government of Guam, U.S. Congress and federal agencies to lead and manage the delivery of required capabilities to the Marines.

The military buildup involves the relocation of 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam, and the development and construction of facilities to support the training and operations in Guam and Tinian for the relocated Marines.

It also involves the construction of a new deep-draft wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam to support a transient nuclear powered aircraft carrier.

The buildup also involves the development of facilities and infrastructure in Guam to support the relocation of some 600 military personnel and their 900 dependents to establish and operate an Army Air and Missile Defense Task Force.

The CNMI government plans to provide operational support and services to Guam instead of viewing the neighbor island as a "competition" to maximize benefits from the multi-year U.S. military buildup in Guam.

Public hearings set for Draft EIS

Public hearings set for Draft EIS

Posted: Dec 24, 2009 2:04 PM
Updated: Dec 24, 2009 2:04 PM

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - To be a part of the process and be informed, you can start reading the Draft Environmental Impact Statement at GuamBuildupEIS.us. Comments are due by February 17, but prior to that several public hearings will be held to receive oral and written comments.

The public hearings will include a two-hour open house sessions at the beginning of the hearing where the public can learn more about the proposed actions and potential environmental impacts from project team members and subject matters. The first public hearing and open house will be held on Thursday, January 7 from 5-9pm at Southern High School.

Schedule of Public Hearings on DEIS

Thursday, January 7th
Southern High School
5:00pm-7:00pm Open House
7:00pm-9:00pm Public Hearing

Saturday, January 9th
UOG Field House
1:00pm-3:00pm Open House
3:00pm-5:00pm Public Hearing

Monday, January 11th
Yigo Gymnasium
5:00pm-7:00pm Open House
7:00pm-9:00pm Public Hearing

Tuesday, January 12th
Okkodo High School
5:00pm-7:00pm Open House
7:00pm-9:00pm- Public Hearing

Thursday, January 14th
Tinian Elementary School, Tinian
5:00pm-7:00pm Open House
7:00pm-9:00pm Public Hearing

Friday, January 15th
Multi-Purpose Center, Susupe
5:00pm-7:00pm Open House
7:00pm-9:00pm Public Hearing

Navy divers remove 15 tons of rocks from Saipan channel

Navy divers remove 15 tons of rocks from Saipan channel

Tuesday, December 22, 2009
By Haidee V. Eugenio

The U.S. Navy has so far removed some 15 tons of “dangers to navigation” like corals and rock formations from the Saipan channel, a project which the Saipan Chamber of Commerce says will allow more and bigger military ships to make port visits to the island and therefore boost local tourism.

At least 10 more tons of these underwater obstructions are expected to be removed in the next few weeks.

The ongoing project is done by 17 divers from the U.S. Navy's Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 Company 1-7 out of San Diego, California, along with personnel from the USNS Safeguard.

This is the third time this year that the U.S. Navy has undertaken this kind of project in the CNMI.

Leading the team are officer-in-charge Lt. Michael Simmons, and CO 1-7 master diver Randy Saunders.

“Divers are working hard to clear the dangers to navigation in the Tanapag harbor entrance. Our end goal is to provide safe access to more classes of Navy ships. As a result, more sailors will be able to enjoy the beautiful island of Saipan,” Simmons said.

The team arrived here on Nov. 23, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2010.

Saunders, in an interview aboard the docked USNS Safeguard yesterday afternoon, said the main priority of this mission is the removal of five “dangers to navigation” in the main Saipan channel.

“They're much larger than the ones in the past. We have to deal with them a little different from what the groups in the past were doing,” Saunders said.

Saunders, who used to be stationed in Guam, said the goal is to have a depth of at least 36 feet, “which will then allow larger vessels to enter the port,” including destroyers and guided missile cruisers.

He said the biggest they have removed so far weighs some 10 tons or some 20,000 lbs.

“On some of these dangers to navigation, we only needed to take off 4 to 18 inches off of it, instead of bringing out the whole thing because they're so massive. They cover such a large area that some of the techniques that we are using were never tried in the past,” he added.

Douglas Brennan, a member of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce's Armed Forces Committee, said clearing the Saipan channel up to 36 feet would mean bigger ships with a deep draft would be able to safely navigate the Saipan channel or the Tanapag harbor, and therefore boost the island's tourism.

“It opens up the ports to more diversified commerce,” Brennan said in a phone interview.

He said since the Saipan Chamber of Commerce started tracking U.S. military ships' arrival in 1997, the island has so far received some 51,000 military visitors.

While the CNMI's main tourism markets are Japan and Korea, along with China and Russia, the islands also cater to U.S. military personnel who are here for rest and recreation. The choice of Saipan is mostly because of its status as a U.S. territory, safe location, and natural beauty.

Most of the U.S. Navy divers involved in the ongoing removal of dangers to navigation are on Saipan for the first time.

One of them, Ben Gyger, from San Diego, California, described the place as a “beautiful island.”

“The local people are very kind to us,” said Gyger, who has been with the U.S. Navy for nine years. He said the team “has put in a lot of hours at sea” as part of the mission, but has also made time to enjoy what Saipan has to offer visitors.

In January this year, 15 U.S. Navy divers also aboard the USNS Safeguard removed over 40 tons or 80,000 lbs of corals and rock formations-the biggest U.S. Navy project of its kind so far on Saipan.

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

McCain calls Garapan market project 'awful'

McCain calls Garapan market project 'awful'

7 CNMI projects worth $1.35M in US House appropriation

By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) expressed disappointment that former Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain described as “awful” his proposed $200,000 earmark for the design and construction of the Garapan public market project.

“I worked hard to get $200,000 in seed money for Garapan Public Market into this year's appropriations and I will keep working to make sure Republicans in Washington don't kill the project,” said Sablan in his latest weekly e-newsletter.

McCain took to the U.S. Senate floor on Dec. 10 and attacked Sablan's $200,000 earmark for the Garapan public market project on Saipan.

Sablan said McCain promised that “we will be hearing a lot more about it [the project].”

“I hope not. The Garapan Public Market is a project that will give our farmers and fishermen and craftspeople a place to sell their goods. And it will give tourists to the Marianas a new attraction where they can enjoy themselves and find gifts to bring home,” Sablan said.

Sablan, at the same time, announced seven CNMI projects totaling $1.35 million that he was able to include in a Conference Report on Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act on Dec. 11.

By a vote of 221-202, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the conference report on Thursday.

“Since there has never been a congressman representing our islands, this is the first time we have ever been able to get this kind of targeted funding,” Sablan said.

These projects and the funding approved include the $200,000 for the design and construction of the Garapan public market.

Also on the list are $250,000 for the Public School System's Refaluwasch and Chamorro language programs; $200,000 for the Northern Marianas Trade Institute for vocational and technical training; and $180,000 for the Micronesian Legal Services' Rota and Tinian outreach programs.

Completing the list are $200,000 for the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library's roof repairs; $220,000 for the Division of Fish and Wildlife's educational programs on marine sanctuaries; and $100,000 for the PSS purchase of library books and educational materials.

The U.S. Senate is expected to approve the conference report in the next few days and send it to President Obama for his signature.

CNMI grapples with federalization

CNMI grapples with federalization

By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • December 5, 2009

Saipan's business leaders are still trying to make sense of the federalization that went into effect Saturday.

It's not that the new federal presence has caught anyone off-guard; it's that residents still are waiting to find out what the new policies are.

David Sablan, president of Century Insurance on Saipan, said the federalization was agreed upon in 1976, when the islands signed the covenant that established political ties between the CNMI and the United States. The minimum wage and right to implement U.S. immigration laws were agreed upon at that time, he said.

"It would seem logical that all the gateways of the United States must be handled by the proper agency of the U.S. government. That's mainly immigration," he said.

However, he said the business community has been operating independently for the last "twenty-something years," and that's left a lot of unknown terrain when it comes to how the business community should handle foreign labor now.

The public law has yet to be implemented as a binding regulation in the CNMI, he said.

"That's basically what we're waiting for, ... to go through legal procedure by which a regulation may become a binding regulation," Sablan said.

Jim Arenovksi, president of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and president of the Delta Management Corp. in Saipan, said even before the shift to U.S. immigration law, economic opportunities on the island dwindled mainly because investors didn't know what to expect of the new rules.

"This has hurt any opportunities for investment in the CNMI, simply because investors have no idea of what the regulations are going to be," he said Monday. "That's what we've been dealing with the last year-and-a-half to two years. No one is coming to the CNMI until this is settled."

The upside to the federal presence on the islands is that it makes services more accessible to CNMI residents.

"Now that (U.S. immigration) is here, it is within walking distance to make an appointment and go to see them (to get an) on-the-spot opinion on any ambiguity that we are facing here today," Sablan said.

Furthermore, businesses won't be able to hire foreign workers under a CW-1 visa after the transitional period, he said. The new classifications for foreign workers won't include a CW category.

"If a person does not fit a certain visa requirement, then they'll have to leave sooner or later," he said. "What immigration is telling us is that they will issue a blanket CW-1 if you're wanted for the next two years, and within that next two-year period, they will try to fit in these various jobs into the established U.S. immigration categories," Sablan said.

But according to Arenovski, a federal judge has put a halt on federal worker regulations so that even CW visas currently don't exist, although they were supposed to as of Nov. 28. Foreign worker regulations are still "up in the air," he said.

"That's going to cause a bit of a concern in the interim period right now. We're not allowed to bring anyone into the NMI from a worker standpoint unless they fit into a federal category," Arenvoski said.

Sablan said the industries that would be most affected are hoteliers and restaurants.

"The benefit to this is that this will enable us to look at the local manpower needs and get those people trained to fit into the various vacuums that will be left by the various alien workers," Sablan added.

Another benefit is the visa waiver program that has been implemented in the CNMI as part of the federalization.

In late October, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano allowed the CNMI, on a parole basis, to waive visa requirements for Russians and Chinese tourists -- two markets that generate about 20 percent of the region's tourist revenue, according to Arenovski.

He said he expects other benefits of the federalization will surface over time.

"We deal with storms and typhoons and earthquakes, we'll be able to deal with this as well," he said.