Guthertz: DEIS planners didn’t do their homework
Friday, 12 February 2010 03:45
Variety News Staff
(Legislature) -- Senator Judith P. Guthertz has added to four earlier comment papers on the draft environmental impact statement on the military buildup with a lengthy list of errors in the draft study and numerous recommendations “to establish goodwill and trust of the people of Guam for the buildup and mitigate the sociocultural impacts” of the buildup.
Guthertz has frequently said that a “two-Guams outcome, in which military members inside the fenceline would live in the first world while Guam residents outside live in third world squalor would not be acceptable. She noted that elaborate recreational and educational facilities planned for the bases should not be located deep inside the bases with no access to the Guam public.
As one of her basic complaints about the draft impact report, Guthertz asks where the numbers of 8,600 Marines and 2,000 transient Marines to be relocated here came from. The draft cites no source for the numbers.
Guthertz points out that portions of the study contain a variety of errors in describing Guam history and its present government. One particular howler concerns World War II. “The Navy’s administration of Guam was disrupted during WWII, when in 1941, following the invasion of Pearl Harbor, Japanese military forces bombed Guam.”
“Every American should know that the Japanese did not invade Pearl Harbor,” Guthertz said.
On another issue that is sure to come up with the arrival of the Marine contingent, Guthertz said the military should settle its differences over drinking ages. Sailors on the Navy Base must be 21, while airmen at Andersen AFB can drink at 18. Given that Guam’s drinking age is 18 and unlikely to change, the stage is set for problems when Navy and Marine personnel spend time off base.
Showing posts with label Sociocultural Impacts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sociocultural Impacts. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Guam Senator Challenges DOD's Draft EIS Intentions
Guam Senator Challenges DOD's Draft EIS Intentions
Written by Guam News Factor Staff Writer
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 21:29
Blas Tells DOD To Deal With Guam's Unresolved Issues First
GUAM - Language in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) suggests the military is intentionally sabotaging efforts to resolve Guam's political status and uphold indigenous rights, Senator Frank Blas Jr. testified at a public meeting Tuesday night.
Blas made the accusation based on language in the draft, which states that "an expansion in non-Chamorro voting population could... affect outcomes of any future plebiscites about Guam's political status." The report also notes that budgets for cultural activities, the number of native Chamorros in government offices or leadership positions, and activities dedicated to cultural issues could also be affected by the population shift.
"Is it part of your military buildup plans to inundate our island with people who will have no appreciation or consideration of our culture and beliefs?" Blas asked in his testimony. "Do you firmly believe that we are going to sit back and let you take over our lives and force us to forget who we are?"
The senator also demanded that the Department of Defense and the federal government address war reparations and political status questions as part of the preparation process. The offensive and inflammatory language in the DEIS raises these issues despite the military's insistence that these concerns are not associated with the buildup, Blas added.
Another mention of Guam's efforts to hold a Chamorro plebiscite also suggested the military fully intends to ignore decades-old concerns about Guam's status, Blas noted.
According to the draft, "the political importance of some Chamorro issues would likely recede as the 'militarization' of Guam is stabilized at something close to present levels," the draft states. Blas called the characterization "both disturbing and highly offensive" and said the promise of economic activity in no way compensated for all that Guam has lost due to military activity.
Blas' message to the Department of Defense? "Deal with our issues first, then come back to me with your EIS!"
Hundreds of residents have testified at a series of meetings to inform the public about the military's upcoming buildup, and to collect comments on a draft impact statement that is federally required as part of the development process. In addition to the concerns raised by Blas, residents have formed numerous groups and organizations to protest environmental issues, proposed land acquisition, and other impacts that will result from increasing military activities in coming years.
Senator Frank Blas Jr.'s Testimony
My name is Frank Flores Blas, Jr., a Senator in the 30th Guam Legislature and this is my testimony:
In 2005 during the initial discussions concerning the anticipated military buildup, I had the opportunity to speak with Air Force Lieutenant General Daniel Leaf on the need to address quality of life issues for the people of Guam in order to gain its acceptance by the people. Two issues directly related to the quality of life for our people are war reparations and the amounts spent by the people of Guam to provide services relating to the Compacts of Free Association. We were informed then that those matters as well as any other unresolved issue that didn't relate to the construction of the needed military facilities would have to be brought up with other federal entities other than the Department of Defense.
In conversations I have had with Major General David Bice and Mr. John Jackson, they too further related that the Department of Defense was in no position to deal with Guam's unresolved issues and that DoD's plans relating to the military buildup will be presented and discussed in the DEIS. I was also informed that although the issues were important, it had no relevance to the tasks they were directed to perform.
I believe that before we can have any meaningful conversation concerning the impact that the proposed buildup will have on our island or the requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to accomplish this action, Guam's unresolved issues pertaining to war reparations, compact impact reimbursement, the return of excess lands, the unfretted access to private lands blocked by federal installations, political status, and true representation in Congress have to be addressed and determined.
In Chapter 3 of Volume 7 of the Draft EIS, more specifically on Page 3-55 under the sub-heading "Sociocultural Impacts," it states, "The political importance of some Chamorro issues would likely recede as the 'militarization' of Guam is stabilized at something close to present levels."
I find this statement both disturbing and highly offensive as to suggest that the promised economic activity as a result of the buildup will cause us to forget the sufferings and the killing of our people because of their loyalty to the United States during World War II. I don't appreciate the suggestion that we will forget the hundreds of millions of dollars that we have had to spend to fulfill the mandate imposed upon us as a result of the Compacts of Free Association. Your promise of economic activity does nothing for the many people who had their lands taken from them for military purposes only to see that those lands now sit dormant and selfishly held for no compelling reason. And like your fore-fathers who established the United States of America because they firmly believed that it was unconscionable to have no representation in a Parliament that was making decisions for them without their representation, I am offended that you would believe that the militarization of Guam will cause me to continue to accept my status as a third class citizen and let you continue to impose your will without a discussion with me.
Or maybe this is part of your plan.
In the same chapter of the same volume, but now on Page 3-64 under the sub-heading of "Chamorro Issues," it states, "Guam's indigenous Chamorro population has strong concerns about whether incoming military populations would recognize them as both American by nationality and also a unique ethnic culture worthy of respect and preservation." It goes on to say, "However, an expansion in non-Chamorro voting population could eventually affect the population of Chamorro office-holders and government workers; thereby affecting the current government budgets and activities dedicated to cultural issues and practices. It could also affect outcomes of any future plebiscites about Guam's political status."
What are you telling me?
Is it part of your military buildup plans to inundate our island with people who will have no appreciation or consideration of our culture and beliefs so as to derail us from our inherent and moral responsibility to protect our homes and our dignity? Do you firmly believe that we are going to sit back and let you take over our lives and force us to forget who we are and where we came from? That's never going to happen!
I have always said that before we have any discussion with what you further want to do on our island, we first deal with those issues that have been unresolved for too many years. Although it had been initially stated that those issues were not relevant nor connected to the buildup, the statements made on Pages 55 and 64 just made their relevance very significant. You opened the door on this, and now we're not going to let this go.
Where I have said, now I demand! Before you tell me of your plans to widen my roads, lease my property, strain my healthcare system, or overcrowd my schools, and how you intend to help me help you, deal with our issues first, then come back to me with your EIS!
Thank you.
Written by Guam News Factor Staff Writer
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 21:29
Blas Tells DOD To Deal With Guam's Unresolved Issues First
GUAM - Language in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) suggests the military is intentionally sabotaging efforts to resolve Guam's political status and uphold indigenous rights, Senator Frank Blas Jr. testified at a public meeting Tuesday night.
Blas made the accusation based on language in the draft, which states that "an expansion in non-Chamorro voting population could... affect outcomes of any future plebiscites about Guam's political status." The report also notes that budgets for cultural activities, the number of native Chamorros in government offices or leadership positions, and activities dedicated to cultural issues could also be affected by the population shift.
"Is it part of your military buildup plans to inundate our island with people who will have no appreciation or consideration of our culture and beliefs?" Blas asked in his testimony. "Do you firmly believe that we are going to sit back and let you take over our lives and force us to forget who we are?"
The senator also demanded that the Department of Defense and the federal government address war reparations and political status questions as part of the preparation process. The offensive and inflammatory language in the DEIS raises these issues despite the military's insistence that these concerns are not associated with the buildup, Blas added.
Another mention of Guam's efforts to hold a Chamorro plebiscite also suggested the military fully intends to ignore decades-old concerns about Guam's status, Blas noted.
According to the draft, "the political importance of some Chamorro issues would likely recede as the 'militarization' of Guam is stabilized at something close to present levels," the draft states. Blas called the characterization "both disturbing and highly offensive" and said the promise of economic activity in no way compensated for all that Guam has lost due to military activity.
Blas' message to the Department of Defense? "Deal with our issues first, then come back to me with your EIS!"
Hundreds of residents have testified at a series of meetings to inform the public about the military's upcoming buildup, and to collect comments on a draft impact statement that is federally required as part of the development process. In addition to the concerns raised by Blas, residents have formed numerous groups and organizations to protest environmental issues, proposed land acquisition, and other impacts that will result from increasing military activities in coming years.
Senator Frank Blas Jr.'s Testimony
My name is Frank Flores Blas, Jr., a Senator in the 30th Guam Legislature and this is my testimony:
In 2005 during the initial discussions concerning the anticipated military buildup, I had the opportunity to speak with Air Force Lieutenant General Daniel Leaf on the need to address quality of life issues for the people of Guam in order to gain its acceptance by the people. Two issues directly related to the quality of life for our people are war reparations and the amounts spent by the people of Guam to provide services relating to the Compacts of Free Association. We were informed then that those matters as well as any other unresolved issue that didn't relate to the construction of the needed military facilities would have to be brought up with other federal entities other than the Department of Defense.
In conversations I have had with Major General David Bice and Mr. John Jackson, they too further related that the Department of Defense was in no position to deal with Guam's unresolved issues and that DoD's plans relating to the military buildup will be presented and discussed in the DEIS. I was also informed that although the issues were important, it had no relevance to the tasks they were directed to perform.
I believe that before we can have any meaningful conversation concerning the impact that the proposed buildup will have on our island or the requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to accomplish this action, Guam's unresolved issues pertaining to war reparations, compact impact reimbursement, the return of excess lands, the unfretted access to private lands blocked by federal installations, political status, and true representation in Congress have to be addressed and determined.
In Chapter 3 of Volume 7 of the Draft EIS, more specifically on Page 3-55 under the sub-heading "Sociocultural Impacts," it states, "The political importance of some Chamorro issues would likely recede as the 'militarization' of Guam is stabilized at something close to present levels."
I find this statement both disturbing and highly offensive as to suggest that the promised economic activity as a result of the buildup will cause us to forget the sufferings and the killing of our people because of their loyalty to the United States during World War II. I don't appreciate the suggestion that we will forget the hundreds of millions of dollars that we have had to spend to fulfill the mandate imposed upon us as a result of the Compacts of Free Association. Your promise of economic activity does nothing for the many people who had their lands taken from them for military purposes only to see that those lands now sit dormant and selfishly held for no compelling reason. And like your fore-fathers who established the United States of America because they firmly believed that it was unconscionable to have no representation in a Parliament that was making decisions for them without their representation, I am offended that you would believe that the militarization of Guam will cause me to continue to accept my status as a third class citizen and let you continue to impose your will without a discussion with me.
Or maybe this is part of your plan.
In the same chapter of the same volume, but now on Page 3-64 under the sub-heading of "Chamorro Issues," it states, "Guam's indigenous Chamorro population has strong concerns about whether incoming military populations would recognize them as both American by nationality and also a unique ethnic culture worthy of respect and preservation." It goes on to say, "However, an expansion in non-Chamorro voting population could eventually affect the population of Chamorro office-holders and government workers; thereby affecting the current government budgets and activities dedicated to cultural issues and practices. It could also affect outcomes of any future plebiscites about Guam's political status."
What are you telling me?
Is it part of your military buildup plans to inundate our island with people who will have no appreciation or consideration of our culture and beliefs so as to derail us from our inherent and moral responsibility to protect our homes and our dignity? Do you firmly believe that we are going to sit back and let you take over our lives and force us to forget who we are and where we came from? That's never going to happen!
I have always said that before we have any discussion with what you further want to do on our island, we first deal with those issues that have been unresolved for too many years. Although it had been initially stated that those issues were not relevant nor connected to the buildup, the statements made on Pages 55 and 64 just made their relevance very significant. You opened the door on this, and now we're not going to let this go.
Where I have said, now I demand! Before you tell me of your plans to widen my roads, lease my property, strain my healthcare system, or overcrowd my schools, and how you intend to help me help you, deal with our issues first, then come back to me with your EIS!
Thank you.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Editorial :: Pride and prejudice
Editorial :: Pride and prejudice
Thursday, 03 December 2009 03:48
Editorial
WITH the impending military buildup on Guam, the merging of the military population and civilian community will be an inevitable occurrence. Considering the differences in orientation between the two communities, the issue of peace is therefore a natural concern. Preliminary results of Variety’s online poll indicates that sociocultural impact and public safety issues rank as the top two concerns among residents.
The draft environmental impact statement for Guam military buildup identifies some of the sociocultural problems that the island will have to deal with as a result of increased military presence. The draft impact report acknowledges the Marines’ not-so-pleasant reputation as troublemakers, but at the same time dismisses the attribution as unfounded and lacking in evidence.
International news agencies have in the past reported cases of rape and other forms of public disturbances involving young Marines. And the fact that 8,000 Marines are on their way to Guam naturally causes concern among many in the community.
On the other hand, the military itself is concerned about the perceived hostility or xenophobia on the part of the local community. The report hence cites the potential “for social friction” that “could well trigger a transitional period of adjustment in which local young men test themselves against Marines in fights.”
Making a sweeping generalization on both sides is unfair. Overcoming the pride and prejudices and changing the “us” versus “them” attitude are challenges for both communities.
While it is prudent for law enforcement agencies to prepare for increased demand for public safety responses, it would be equally prudent for local officials to work with the military on creative initiatives to help bridge the gap between civilians and Marines.
The local community expects the military establishment to give the Marines adequate information and proper orientation about the local culture before they arrive on island. In the same breath, local leaders must work with the community to foster a welcoming atmosphere and demonstrate the hospitality that we always say our island is famous for.
While there is a place for protest, political debate and expression of discomfort about the uncertainty of our future, it should not be at the expense of harmony and looking forward.
Thursday, 03 December 2009 03:48
Editorial
WITH the impending military buildup on Guam, the merging of the military population and civilian community will be an inevitable occurrence. Considering the differences in orientation between the two communities, the issue of peace is therefore a natural concern. Preliminary results of Variety’s online poll indicates that sociocultural impact and public safety issues rank as the top two concerns among residents.
The draft environmental impact statement for Guam military buildup identifies some of the sociocultural problems that the island will have to deal with as a result of increased military presence. The draft impact report acknowledges the Marines’ not-so-pleasant reputation as troublemakers, but at the same time dismisses the attribution as unfounded and lacking in evidence.
International news agencies have in the past reported cases of rape and other forms of public disturbances involving young Marines. And the fact that 8,000 Marines are on their way to Guam naturally causes concern among many in the community.
On the other hand, the military itself is concerned about the perceived hostility or xenophobia on the part of the local community. The report hence cites the potential “for social friction” that “could well trigger a transitional period of adjustment in which local young men test themselves against Marines in fights.”
Making a sweeping generalization on both sides is unfair. Overcoming the pride and prejudices and changing the “us” versus “them” attitude are challenges for both communities.
While it is prudent for law enforcement agencies to prepare for increased demand for public safety responses, it would be equally prudent for local officials to work with the military on creative initiatives to help bridge the gap between civilians and Marines.
The local community expects the military establishment to give the Marines adequate information and proper orientation about the local culture before they arrive on island. In the same breath, local leaders must work with the community to foster a welcoming atmosphere and demonstrate the hospitality that we always say our island is famous for.
While there is a place for protest, political debate and expression of discomfort about the uncertainty of our future, it should not be at the expense of harmony and looking forward.
Guam and CNMI Military Relocation
Guam and CNMI Military Relocation
Draft EIS/OEIS (November 2009)
16.2.3.4 Sociocultural Impacts
Sociocultural impacts by their nature are complex and have no single outcome measure.
Although available evidence does not suggest that Marines would have an impact on Guam‘s overall crime rates or assaults on women, there is cause for concern about impacts on crime and social order due to other factors. Construction booms are often accompanied by a sense of loosened norms and social disorder. In-migrants from the FAS – whose numbers may increase in both the construction and operational stages due to more job opportunities – have high crime rates associated with adapting to less traditional social structures. There is a potential for more prostitution, alcohol/substance abuse, and family violence associated with young military populations in general, not Marines in particular. However, the reputation of Marines as fighters could trigger a transitional period of adjustment that local young men test themselves against Marines in fights.
Long term, though, established patterns of military outreach to Guam‘s civilian community are likely to minimize the sort of day-to-day irritants that affect the average citizen, including the perceived insufficient respect that underlies one set of Chamorro concerns. Chamorro concerns involves political autonomy are impacted by the potential increase in non-Chamorro populations due to the buildup, increasing the likelihood of more non-Chamorro local political office-holders. More non-Chamorro voters would decrease the possibility of Chamorro political self determination. They would also decrease the possibility of successful plebiscites to achieve greater independence from U.S. control, although at present there is little evidence that a majority would support such moves at any rate.
VOLUME TWO Marine Corps Relocation – Guam [page 1100]
16. Socioeconomics and General Services (1.6 MB)
http://guambuildupeis.us/documents_store/volume_2/Volume%202%20Chapter%2016.pdf
Draft EIS/OEIS (November 2009)
16.2.3.4 Sociocultural Impacts
Sociocultural impacts by their nature are complex and have no single outcome measure.
Although available evidence does not suggest that Marines would have an impact on Guam‘s overall crime rates or assaults on women, there is cause for concern about impacts on crime and social order due to other factors. Construction booms are often accompanied by a sense of loosened norms and social disorder. In-migrants from the FAS – whose numbers may increase in both the construction and operational stages due to more job opportunities – have high crime rates associated with adapting to less traditional social structures. There is a potential for more prostitution, alcohol/substance abuse, and family violence associated with young military populations in general, not Marines in particular. However, the reputation of Marines as fighters could trigger a transitional period of adjustment that local young men test themselves against Marines in fights.
Long term, though, established patterns of military outreach to Guam‘s civilian community are likely to minimize the sort of day-to-day irritants that affect the average citizen, including the perceived insufficient respect that underlies one set of Chamorro concerns. Chamorro concerns involves political autonomy are impacted by the potential increase in non-Chamorro populations due to the buildup, increasing the likelihood of more non-Chamorro local political office-holders. More non-Chamorro voters would decrease the possibility of Chamorro political self determination. They would also decrease the possibility of successful plebiscites to achieve greater independence from U.S. control, although at present there is little evidence that a majority would support such moves at any rate.
VOLUME TWO Marine Corps Relocation – Guam [page 1100]
16. Socioeconomics and General Services (1.6 MB)
http://guambuildupeis.us/documents_store/volume_2/Volume%202%20Chapter%2016.pdf
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