Head of Guam EPA shows at oversight hearing
Posted: May 21, 2010 4:44 PM
KUAM NEWS
by Nick Delgado
Guam - Lawmakers spent the afternoon questioning budget officials as well as village mayors before grilling Guam Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lorilee Crisostomo about how she's been operating her agency.
"Alarm bells are now sounding in Guam, and they are sounding because of the state of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency. The concerns are being presented by a broad cross-section of the community, ranging from grassroots people to business leaders and most especially by the Environmental Protection Agency," said oversight chairman Senator Rory Respicio (D).
Respicio called for today's oversight hearing on the Guam EPA after a scathing financial mismanagement report surfaced from the environmental agencies federal counterparts. Respicio during today's hearing said the oversight is necessary so that they can prevent an environmental disaster from occurring, something the senator says is possible with the way things are currently operating at the Guam EPA. The federal report stated a lack of communication with the USEPA and the Bureau of Budget Management & Research.
BBMR Director Bertha Duenas says however she has said from the beginning that she anticipates financial troubles for the Guam EPA. "We knew that the payroll alone was over $2 million and the next award wasn't until April, then it's pretty easy to see without too much math that we're going to run out of money soon in October."
BBMR is now working out the issues stated in the USEPA report.
But after about two-and-a-half hours of not being given the opportunity to speak, senators flooded Crisostomo with criticism and questions, as lawmakers feel the agency may be on the brink of federal receivership. It's an issue Respicio called Crisostomo out on, as he anticipates the problems at the agency will only get worse with the impending military buildup.
Respicio said, "What concerns me is it took USEPA to call out the DoD to say that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement gave it the worst grade ever, you were pretty silent throughout that whole process." Crisostomo replied, "We are just one of the government agencies, we are not the cooperative agency for the NEPA process our voice is just as much as your voice in the NEPA process, but we do an extensive review."
Although Crisostomo has called the federal report "inaccurate", the agency is reviewing the recommendations in the report to determine if it's possible for them to comply with.
When asked about the illegal dump fire in Yigo and the Notice of Violation issued against the property owner, Joseph Taitano, she said although it happened before her time. She followed-up and the matter, she reassured, is sitting with the AG's Office for further action.
Meanwhile, Senator Respicio said it seemed as though Crisostomo had an excuse for everything and added that today's hearing was not a witch hunt.
Showing posts with label Federal Oversight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Federal Oversight. Show all posts
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Receiver May Take DMHSA
Receiver may take DMHSA: Parties file motion with federal court
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • September 19, 2009
A motion filed last night on behalf of three people with disabilities asks the District Court of Guam to remove local government authority over providing federally required services to people with disabilities and that the court appoint a receiver to take over.
The motion for the appointment of a federal receiver who will have powers over the Guam Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse follows years of the local government's failure to improve services to people with mental health and developmental disabilities, according to court papers filed yesterday.
The local government, according to the court filing, has shown a "cycle of failure" to live up to a 7-year-old federal court order to improve mental health services on the island.
"Plaintiffs confess that they bought into this charade more than once; the soothing promises of 'we're all good people who want the same thing for the consumers' had a siren sound which time and again convinced plaintiffs that the defendants really did mean what they said, and that defendants would finally take decisive action to comply with the (Amended Permanent Injuction),'" according to the motion for appointment of a receiver.
"Plaintiffs can no longer indulge this fantasy. What has long been abundantly clear, and what can no longer be ignored, is that defendants lack the leadership or the will to bring themselves into compliance with the API. Further negotiations, further extensions and further accommodations of Defendants' failure to obey the API will be fruitless exercises which will fail to break the pattern of non-compliance. Not even the filing of yet another motion to have the defendants held in contempt is likely to bring about the changes so urgently needed," according to the court filing.
If District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall grants the Justice Department's motion, the mental health agency would be the second government of Guam department to be placed under federal receivership.
District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in March last year took trash management away from the local government and placed it in under the authority of a court-appointed receiver, after GovGuam continuously failed to meet court-ordered deadlines.
The mental health agency and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities have been under a permanent injunction since 2004 to improve services and facilities for people with mental and developmental disabilities. The order follows a 2001 lawsuit filed against the government of Guam for failure to provide adequate mental health services.
After a status conference in July, Marshall ruled GovGuam in contempt for failing to meet certain deadlines and requirements in improving mental health services. She also raised the possibility of placing the mental health agency in receivership.
In a report filed yesterday to supplement their August status report, the court monitors listed several examples of continuing failures and lack of planning by Mental Health.
Several contracts with organizations that manage and operate the agency's residential group homes are still issued on an emergency month-to-month basis because Mental Health has failed to issue new requests for proposals for those services.
This arrangement has led to delayed payments to the service providers, and prevents mental health from being able to choose the best bidder, the report stated.
The report cites a comment from a Bureau of Budget and Management Research analyst that of all the GovGuam line agencies, "financial planning at DMHSA was undoubtedly the worst."
Mental health has prior obligations dating back to 1999 and totaling more than $2.3 million. The agency is also facing a shortfall of about $1.4 million for this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. And $700,000 of that shortfall represents payroll, the report stated.
Some of Mental Health's debts have prompted some vendors to stop providing services to the agency.
The Guam Memorial Hospital, which is owed more than $1.1 million for supplies and meals, will no longer provide hot meals to patients within Mental Health's Adult Inpatient Unit. "Consumers are relegated to eating sandwiches ad nauseam," the monitors said.
Some of the island's pharmacies have refused to provide services to the department because of a history of late payments, according to the report.
The federal court-appointed two monitors, attorney James Casey and clinical psychologist James Kiffer, are required to submit monthly reports on GovGuam's status effort -- or lack of it -- to improve its mental health services.
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • September 19, 2009
A motion filed last night on behalf of three people with disabilities asks the District Court of Guam to remove local government authority over providing federally required services to people with disabilities and that the court appoint a receiver to take over.
The motion for the appointment of a federal receiver who will have powers over the Guam Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse follows years of the local government's failure to improve services to people with mental health and developmental disabilities, according to court papers filed yesterday.
The local government, according to the court filing, has shown a "cycle of failure" to live up to a 7-year-old federal court order to improve mental health services on the island.
"Plaintiffs confess that they bought into this charade more than once; the soothing promises of 'we're all good people who want the same thing for the consumers' had a siren sound which time and again convinced plaintiffs that the defendants really did mean what they said, and that defendants would finally take decisive action to comply with the (Amended Permanent Injuction),'" according to the motion for appointment of a receiver.
"Plaintiffs can no longer indulge this fantasy. What has long been abundantly clear, and what can no longer be ignored, is that defendants lack the leadership or the will to bring themselves into compliance with the API. Further negotiations, further extensions and further accommodations of Defendants' failure to obey the API will be fruitless exercises which will fail to break the pattern of non-compliance. Not even the filing of yet another motion to have the defendants held in contempt is likely to bring about the changes so urgently needed," according to the court filing.
If District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall grants the Justice Department's motion, the mental health agency would be the second government of Guam department to be placed under federal receivership.
District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in March last year took trash management away from the local government and placed it in under the authority of a court-appointed receiver, after GovGuam continuously failed to meet court-ordered deadlines.
The mental health agency and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities have been under a permanent injunction since 2004 to improve services and facilities for people with mental and developmental disabilities. The order follows a 2001 lawsuit filed against the government of Guam for failure to provide adequate mental health services.
After a status conference in July, Marshall ruled GovGuam in contempt for failing to meet certain deadlines and requirements in improving mental health services. She also raised the possibility of placing the mental health agency in receivership.
In a report filed yesterday to supplement their August status report, the court monitors listed several examples of continuing failures and lack of planning by Mental Health.
Several contracts with organizations that manage and operate the agency's residential group homes are still issued on an emergency month-to-month basis because Mental Health has failed to issue new requests for proposals for those services.
This arrangement has led to delayed payments to the service providers, and prevents mental health from being able to choose the best bidder, the report stated.
The report cites a comment from a Bureau of Budget and Management Research analyst that of all the GovGuam line agencies, "financial planning at DMHSA was undoubtedly the worst."
Mental health has prior obligations dating back to 1999 and totaling more than $2.3 million. The agency is also facing a shortfall of about $1.4 million for this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. And $700,000 of that shortfall represents payroll, the report stated.
Some of Mental Health's debts have prompted some vendors to stop providing services to the agency.
The Guam Memorial Hospital, which is owed more than $1.1 million for supplies and meals, will no longer provide hot meals to patients within Mental Health's Adult Inpatient Unit. "Consumers are relegated to eating sandwiches ad nauseam," the monitors said.
Some of the island's pharmacies have refused to provide services to the department because of a history of late payments, according to the report.
The federal court-appointed two monitors, attorney James Casey and clinical psychologist James Kiffer, are required to submit monthly reports on GovGuam's status effort -- or lack of it -- to improve its mental health services.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
DMHSA Responds to Possible Federal Receivership
DMHSA defends actions: Officials respond to motion for receivership
By Agnes E. Donato
Pacific Sunday News
September 20, 2009
Facing possible takeover by a federal receiver, local government officials yesterday defended their handling of mental health services on Guam.
The government of Guam, the officials said, has made strides in improving services to people with mental health and developmental disabilities over the past eight months,and said the government can do more, if given just a little more time.
A motion filed Friday night on behalf of three people with disabilities asks the District Court of Guam to appoint a receiver to run federally required services to people with mental health and developmental disabilities.
The motion follows years of the local government's failure to improve services to people with mental health and developmental disabilities, according to court papers filed Friday.
The local government, according to the court filing, has shown a "cycle of failure" to live up to a 7-year-old federal court order to improve mental health services on the island.
But David Shimizu, a former senator and now director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, said he hopes the court will also recognize the agency's "cycle of improvement" since he took the helm in January.
He said the recent hiring of psychiatrists and psychologists has enhanced the care provided by Mental Health to patients.
Sen. Frank Aguon, chairman of the legislative committee that oversees health programs, also pointed to the "significant progress" made at Mental Health since the beginning of the year.
He said the agency recently added certified nurses to its staff and opened an in-house unit dedicated to providing mental health services for children.
The Legislature, he said, has shown its support for more improvements at Mental Health when it passed the fiscal 2010 budget, which grants the agency $5 million more that it previously got. The additional funding will become available to Mental Health on Oct. 1.
"I hope the judge will hold off on any drastic decision and recognize what Mental Health and the Legislature have done to get us out of the injunction," said Aguon.
If District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall grants the Justice Department's motion, the mental health agency would be the second government of Guam department to be placed under federal receivership.
District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in March last year took trash management away from the local government and placed it in under the authority of a court-appointed receiver, after GovGuam continuously failed to meet court-ordered deadlines.
The mental health agency and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities have been under a permanent injunction since 2004 to improve services and facilities for people with mental and developmental disabilities. The order follows a 2001 lawsuit filed against the government of Guam for failure to provide adequate mental health services.
By Agnes E. Donato
Pacific Sunday News
September 20, 2009
Facing possible takeover by a federal receiver, local government officials yesterday defended their handling of mental health services on Guam.
The government of Guam, the officials said, has made strides in improving services to people with mental health and developmental disabilities over the past eight months,and said the government can do more, if given just a little more time.
A motion filed Friday night on behalf of three people with disabilities asks the District Court of Guam to appoint a receiver to run federally required services to people with mental health and developmental disabilities.
The motion follows years of the local government's failure to improve services to people with mental health and developmental disabilities, according to court papers filed Friday.
The local government, according to the court filing, has shown a "cycle of failure" to live up to a 7-year-old federal court order to improve mental health services on the island.
But David Shimizu, a former senator and now director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, said he hopes the court will also recognize the agency's "cycle of improvement" since he took the helm in January.
He said the recent hiring of psychiatrists and psychologists has enhanced the care provided by Mental Health to patients.
Sen. Frank Aguon, chairman of the legislative committee that oversees health programs, also pointed to the "significant progress" made at Mental Health since the beginning of the year.
He said the agency recently added certified nurses to its staff and opened an in-house unit dedicated to providing mental health services for children.
The Legislature, he said, has shown its support for more improvements at Mental Health when it passed the fiscal 2010 budget, which grants the agency $5 million more that it previously got. The additional funding will become available to Mental Health on Oct. 1.
"I hope the judge will hold off on any drastic decision and recognize what Mental Health and the Legislature have done to get us out of the injunction," said Aguon.
If District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall grants the Justice Department's motion, the mental health agency would be the second government of Guam department to be placed under federal receivership.
District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood in March last year took trash management away from the local government and placed it in under the authority of a court-appointed receiver, after GovGuam continuously failed to meet court-ordered deadlines.
The mental health agency and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities have been under a permanent injunction since 2004 to improve services and facilities for people with mental and developmental disabilities. The order follows a 2001 lawsuit filed against the government of Guam for failure to provide adequate mental health services.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Senators Hit $1 Million Payout Plan
Senators hit $1M payout plan
Thursday, 15 January 2009
by Therese Hart
Marianas Variety News Staff
In a remarkable show of bipartisan unity, senators from both parties yesterday condemned the $1 million weekly payout plan for the landfill being proposed by the federal receiver.
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton informed the U.S. District Court last Wednesday that it wants GovGuam to pay out $1 million a week in cash beginning March 1 to finance various landfill-related projects.
The recommendation was made by GBB special principal associate David Manning during the landfill quarterly status hearing in District Court.
Sen. Eddie Calvo, responding to the proposal, said the payout plan is simply too heavy a burden for GovGuam to bear.
"That amounts to approximately $4 million a month, averaging 10 percent of what is taken in on a monthly basis which is about $30 to $50 million a month. If that were to occur, there would have to be a substantial realignment of expenditures within the government. That would have a very detrimental impact on the critical services the government provides," the senator said.
Calvo added that critical areas such as education, health and public safety will be adversely affected.
Sen. Frank Aguon Jr. chimed in, saying that although he respects any decision that Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood may make on the matter, all the parties really need to sit down and recognize that the government of Guam is not a cash cow.
"We need to work out financial arrangements that would be acceptable to all parties and recognize that the residents need a government to run, inclusive of addressing education, public safety and healthcare requirements," said Aguon.
Sen. Judi Guthertz has also criticized the payout plan, saying: "I don't think it's achievable, given the cash flow problems of the government. I think it's unconscionable that the federal government is mandating this on this territory and not considering its fair share for the closure of the Ordot Dump and the construction of the new landfill."
Destroy
Last Wednesday, Gov. Felix Camacho said one million dollars out of the government's operating fund will destroy GovGuam's ability to provide services.
In light of this latest demand from GBB, Camacho said the legislature should now give him policy approval to proceed with the revenue bond, although he told the court that given the current global financial crisis, it would be difficult for the government to secure a bond at this point in time.
The governor said that even if the government were to secure financing in the bond market, because of the high rates, it's simply not affordable.
"It's going to be very difficult to receive that right now and this will only exacerbate our already growing deficit," Camacho said.
Defended
Manning had defended the $1 million weekly payout plan, saying that the continuous replenishment of the funds on a weekly basis in which $20 million has been deposited into a bank account is necessary because it provides a "clear reassurance to the contractors employed to do the Consent Decree project work that they will be paid in a timely way." Without such assurance, Manning said it is unlikely that quality contractors will be willing to undertake the work needed to bring Guam into compliance with the Consent Decree.
Manning added that given the weak cash position of the government, a fixed weekly cash contribution may be more manageable than monthly cash amounts.
Thursday, 15 January 2009
by Therese Hart
Marianas Variety News Staff
In a remarkable show of bipartisan unity, senators from both parties yesterday condemned the $1 million weekly payout plan for the landfill being proposed by the federal receiver.
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton informed the U.S. District Court last Wednesday that it wants GovGuam to pay out $1 million a week in cash beginning March 1 to finance various landfill-related projects.
The recommendation was made by GBB special principal associate David Manning during the landfill quarterly status hearing in District Court.
Sen. Eddie Calvo, responding to the proposal, said the payout plan is simply too heavy a burden for GovGuam to bear.
"That amounts to approximately $4 million a month, averaging 10 percent of what is taken in on a monthly basis which is about $30 to $50 million a month. If that were to occur, there would have to be a substantial realignment of expenditures within the government. That would have a very detrimental impact on the critical services the government provides," the senator said.
Calvo added that critical areas such as education, health and public safety will be adversely affected.
Sen. Frank Aguon Jr. chimed in, saying that although he respects any decision that Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood may make on the matter, all the parties really need to sit down and recognize that the government of Guam is not a cash cow.
"We need to work out financial arrangements that would be acceptable to all parties and recognize that the residents need a government to run, inclusive of addressing education, public safety and healthcare requirements," said Aguon.
Sen. Judi Guthertz has also criticized the payout plan, saying: "I don't think it's achievable, given the cash flow problems of the government. I think it's unconscionable that the federal government is mandating this on this territory and not considering its fair share for the closure of the Ordot Dump and the construction of the new landfill."
Destroy
Last Wednesday, Gov. Felix Camacho said one million dollars out of the government's operating fund will destroy GovGuam's ability to provide services.
In light of this latest demand from GBB, Camacho said the legislature should now give him policy approval to proceed with the revenue bond, although he told the court that given the current global financial crisis, it would be difficult for the government to secure a bond at this point in time.
The governor said that even if the government were to secure financing in the bond market, because of the high rates, it's simply not affordable.
"It's going to be very difficult to receive that right now and this will only exacerbate our already growing deficit," Camacho said.
Defended
Manning had defended the $1 million weekly payout plan, saying that the continuous replenishment of the funds on a weekly basis in which $20 million has been deposited into a bank account is necessary because it provides a "clear reassurance to the contractors employed to do the Consent Decree project work that they will be paid in a timely way." Without such assurance, Manning said it is unlikely that quality contractors will be willing to undertake the work needed to bring Guam into compliance with the Consent Decree.
Manning added that given the weak cash position of the government, a fixed weekly cash contribution may be more manageable than monthly cash amounts.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
US DOE Witholding Funds
U.S. DOE withholding funds:
Feds want AG's opinion on who governs GPSS
By Beau Hodai
Pacific Daily News
September 8, 2008
The Guam Public School System won't receive any of the nearly $40 million in federal funds it expects to receive until it's clear who governs the school system.
GPSS Superintendent Nerissa Bretania-Shafer yesterday said she had been contacted by U.S. DOE Risk Management Services Director Philip Maestri on Saturday. He informed her U.S. DOE wouldn't provide any federal funding for fiscal year 2009, which begins Oct. 1, unless Guam's Office of the Attorney General provides an opinion as to who has authority over the school system.
"Even though the funds may be delayed a few days, these are issues that need to be clarified," Bretania-Shafer said, noting that Maestri has repeatedly praised the progress the school system has made in meeting its corrective action plan.
The school system will maintain its high-risk grantee status unless it completes the corrective action plan requirements, which includes improving financial accountability and correcting procurement shortfalls.
Bretania-Shafer said a conference call has been scheduled for 7 a.m. Tuesday between Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco, Maestri and other members of U.S. DOE. The superintendent said she is optimistic that the AG's office will respond quickly.
Bretania-Shafer said this latest concern from federal education officials came on the heels of a letter she and the Guam Education Policy Board sent to Maestri in late August. She said the primary issue was related to protocol in dealing with the handling of federal funds.
"I have purview over federal funds. The (Guam Education Policy Board) has purview over me, but not over federal funds," said Bretania-Shafer. "How could (the board) hold me fully accountable when dealing with something that they are prohibited from dealing with?"
She also said DOE officials were unclear over what role the governor has in regards to the oversight and governance of GPSS.
The school system receives about $40 million in federal funds each year. With fiscal 2008 ending Sept. 30, money for federally funded programs will soon run out.
Some GPSS programs that stand to lose funding include special education, the Reading First program, the English as a Second Language program, Direct Instruction and Success for All, among others.
Bretania-Shafer said school officials have been considering alternatives if the federal funding is withheld indefinitely.
"We're going to have to appeal to the local government to help us carry the load that was carried by the federal government," Bretania-Shafer said. "Of the utmost concern to me are the funds for students with disabilities."
She said that she plans to meet with Gov. Felix Camacho soon and inform the Legislature of the situation once GPSS has assessed its financial situation internally.
"The governor wants to get this problem solved as quickly as possible, because we will continue funding these programs with local funding," said George Bamba, Camacho's chief of staff. "But, that will have a rippling effect throughout the government and other programs will suffer. We need to have this resolved by the end of the week."
School board Chairman Joe San Agustin expressed frustration last night with what he said is a lack of formal notification.
"We're waiting for this in writing, so we can respond to it accordingly," San Agustin said.
Feds want AG's opinion on who governs GPSS
By Beau Hodai
Pacific Daily News
September 8, 2008
The Guam Public School System won't receive any of the nearly $40 million in federal funds it expects to receive until it's clear who governs the school system.
GPSS Superintendent Nerissa Bretania-Shafer yesterday said she had been contacted by U.S. DOE Risk Management Services Director Philip Maestri on Saturday. He informed her U.S. DOE wouldn't provide any federal funding for fiscal year 2009, which begins Oct. 1, unless Guam's Office of the Attorney General provides an opinion as to who has authority over the school system.
"Even though the funds may be delayed a few days, these are issues that need to be clarified," Bretania-Shafer said, noting that Maestri has repeatedly praised the progress the school system has made in meeting its corrective action plan.
The school system will maintain its high-risk grantee status unless it completes the corrective action plan requirements, which includes improving financial accountability and correcting procurement shortfalls.
Bretania-Shafer said a conference call has been scheduled for 7 a.m. Tuesday between Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco, Maestri and other members of U.S. DOE. The superintendent said she is optimistic that the AG's office will respond quickly.
Bretania-Shafer said this latest concern from federal education officials came on the heels of a letter she and the Guam Education Policy Board sent to Maestri in late August. She said the primary issue was related to protocol in dealing with the handling of federal funds.
"I have purview over federal funds. The (Guam Education Policy Board) has purview over me, but not over federal funds," said Bretania-Shafer. "How could (the board) hold me fully accountable when dealing with something that they are prohibited from dealing with?"
She also said DOE officials were unclear over what role the governor has in regards to the oversight and governance of GPSS.
The school system receives about $40 million in federal funds each year. With fiscal 2008 ending Sept. 30, money for federally funded programs will soon run out.
Some GPSS programs that stand to lose funding include special education, the Reading First program, the English as a Second Language program, Direct Instruction and Success for All, among others.
Bretania-Shafer said school officials have been considering alternatives if the federal funding is withheld indefinitely.
"We're going to have to appeal to the local government to help us carry the load that was carried by the federal government," Bretania-Shafer said. "Of the utmost concern to me are the funds for students with disabilities."
She said that she plans to meet with Gov. Felix Camacho soon and inform the Legislature of the situation once GPSS has assessed its financial situation internally.
"The governor wants to get this problem solved as quickly as possible, because we will continue funding these programs with local funding," said George Bamba, Camacho's chief of staff. "But, that will have a rippling effect throughout the government and other programs will suffer. We need to have this resolved by the end of the week."
School board Chairman Joe San Agustin expressed frustration last night with what he said is a lack of formal notification.
"We're waiting for this in writing, so we can respond to it accordingly," San Agustin said.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Feds on Island to Evaluate Military Infrastructure
Feds on island to evaluate future military infrastructure
By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
slimtiaco@guampdn.com
12/6/07
Federal officials coordinating the military buildup on Guam are meeting this week to discuss various options for the location of barracks and other new military buildings on the island.
Marine Maj. Gen. David F. Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, is on island to meet with engineers as part of the military's master planning process.
The military has announced plans to transfer 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam and to expand Air Force and Navy operations here, resulting in about $15 billion in projects.
The NCTAMS area of Dededo has been identified as the site of a new Marine Corps base.
"We're doing our preferred alternatives/footprint analysis," Bice said yesterday. "This is basically, 'Where do certain buildings go? Where do functional areas go within the locations here on Guam?'"
Bice said the master planning process started during the summer, and master planning engineers have received information from scoping sessions and ongoing environmental studies. They are deciding where to place military housing, training areas and aircraft, among other things.
Bice said several alternative sites were being considered, and have been narrowed to "preferred alternatives."
"Now, we will be doing site-specific analysis of those preferred alternatives," Bice said. "Where do you put the hangar? Where do you put administrative buildings? Where do you put barracks?"
A draft master plan will be complete by next March, and a working-level master plan will be complete by July, Bice said. He said all of the plans will remain "working level" until the environmental studies are completed.
By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
slimtiaco@guampdn.com
12/6/07
Federal officials coordinating the military buildup on Guam are meeting this week to discuss various options for the location of barracks and other new military buildings on the island.
Marine Maj. Gen. David F. Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, is on island to meet with engineers as part of the military's master planning process.
The military has announced plans to transfer 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam and to expand Air Force and Navy operations here, resulting in about $15 billion in projects.
The NCTAMS area of Dededo has been identified as the site of a new Marine Corps base.
"We're doing our preferred alternatives/footprint analysis," Bice said yesterday. "This is basically, 'Where do certain buildings go? Where do functional areas go within the locations here on Guam?'"
Bice said the master planning process started during the summer, and master planning engineers have received information from scoping sessions and ongoing environmental studies. They are deciding where to place military housing, training areas and aircraft, among other things.
Bice said several alternative sites were being considered, and have been narrowed to "preferred alternatives."
"Now, we will be doing site-specific analysis of those preferred alternatives," Bice said. "Where do you put the hangar? Where do you put administrative buildings? Where do you put barracks?"
A draft master plan will be complete by next March, and a working-level master plan will be complete by July, Bice said. He said all of the plans will remain "working level" until the environmental studies are completed.
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