Relocation of US troops to NMI not done deal
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Kitazawa Japan's Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa on Friday downplayed the idea of relocating up to 4,000 U.S. troops from the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa to Tinian, even as Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and the CNMI Military Integration Management Committee said yesterday that the Commonwealth welcomes such relocation consideration “only if such plan is supported and approved by the U.S. federal government and the Department of Defense.”
Tinian is one of the major islands in the U.S. territory of the CNMI.
“We are by no means trying to entice the Japanese government to push for the relocation of a base in the CNMI as this is solely a decision that will be made by the U.S. government. The administration and the MIMC will respect and support any such decisions that are made,” the Fitial administration said in a statement when asked for comment on the Futenma relocation issue.
Press Secretary Angel Demapan said Fitial and the MIMC will be open to any dialogue that the U.S. Department of Defense may want to engage in.
“However, any such dialogue would have to be at the request of the federal government,” he said.
International media quoted Japan's Kitazawa as saying that Futenma's relocation to the CNMI could be considered as a “long-term issue.”
He said, however, the views of the U.S. military on the relocation issue are important and that discussions are expected to take place on whether the necessary deterrence can be maintained in the Asia-Pacific region if all the Marine functions in Okinawa are transferred to Tinian.
Two-thirds of Tinian's land is leased to the U.S. military.
Three Japanese lawmakers who visited Saipan briefly on Feb. 10 told CNMI officials that they are considering the CNMI as one of relocation sites for 2,000 to 4,000 U.S. troops at Futenma.
In interviews with international media, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, who leads a government task force on the matter, also expressed little enthusiasm for the idea of relocating Futenma to Tinian. He said the task force has never discussed it before.
Japan had said it will reach a final conclusion by the end of May on where it wants to see the Futenma facility relocated, and a government committee has been exploring possible candidate sites, while Washington, D.C. maintains that a plan agreed upon by Japan and the United States in 2006 to move the Futenma base to a less densely populated part of Okinawa is the best option.
The three Japanese lawmakers who visited Saipan last week-Mikio Shimoji, Tomoko Abe, and Ryoichi Hattori-met with Fitial, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, House Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio (Cov-Saipan), and Senate President Paul A. Manglona (R-Saipan).
The three lawmakers were part of a 23-member Japanese government delegation who arrived in Guam for a “fact-finding” visit, particularly to see if there's suitable place on Guam for more U.S. troops to be relocated off Okinawa.
The up to 4,000 considered to be relocated to Tinian 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 last week said they welcome the relocation of U.S. troops to the Commonwealth provided the U.S. government consents to such move. This statement was repeated yesterday by the administration and the MIMC.
Showing posts with label MIRC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MIRC. Show all posts
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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)
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)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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)
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)
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Firing ranges on Tinian will be for small arms
Firing ranges on Tinian will be for small arms
Thursday, 24 December 2009 23:39 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
THE proposed firing range and training complex on Tiyan will be used by the military for various small arms firing ranges, according to the draft environmental impact statement.
The proposed training site will be located in the military lease area.
“The majority of the munitions proposed at the ranges proposed in this Guam and CNMI are small arms, which are defined as a family of firearms that may be both carried and discharged by one person, as opposed to artillery weapons,” according to the draft study.
These small arms include rifles, handguns such as pistols and revolvers, shotguns, submachine guns, and machine guns.
Provided that Tinian houses the five proposed live fire training ranges, the study estimates an annual ammunition expenditure of 3,280,000 discharged bullets.
Enhancement to U.S. military training facilities, both on Guam and Tinian, are suggested based on the periodic assessments to ensure that military training requirements and Mariana Islands Range Complex facilities are capable of meeting future training requirements, according to the draft study.
The study assesses potential impacts of continuing and proposed military training activities on existing ranges onshore, offshore, and near shore to Guam and the CNMI, to include “increased tempo of training and improvements to existing ranges based on all anticipated military service training requirements between 2010 and 2015.”
“As future training requirements are developed by all military services, appropriate documentation would be developed to address increased range use rates, range and infrastructure requirements,” the study said.
“This reiterative process for the MIRC allows for the incorporation and integration of any new capabilities and ranges proposed by the various services over time, and ensures that a comprehensive management plan is addressed in a complete and comprehensive manner.”
Although Tinian currently holds a range maintenance contract and agreement with the military, the draft study states that at the end of the weeklong training sessions “Marines would collect brass and trash from the course for transport to Guam.”
“All solid waste that is not composted at the Bivouac Area would be transported to Tinian Airport (West Field) with the Marines and equipment for transport to Guam,” the study said.
Thursday, 24 December 2009 23:39 by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff
THE proposed firing range and training complex on Tiyan will be used by the military for various small arms firing ranges, according to the draft environmental impact statement.
The proposed training site will be located in the military lease area.
“The majority of the munitions proposed at the ranges proposed in this Guam and CNMI are small arms, which are defined as a family of firearms that may be both carried and discharged by one person, as opposed to artillery weapons,” according to the draft study.
These small arms include rifles, handguns such as pistols and revolvers, shotguns, submachine guns, and machine guns.
Provided that Tinian houses the five proposed live fire training ranges, the study estimates an annual ammunition expenditure of 3,280,000 discharged bullets.
Enhancement to U.S. military training facilities, both on Guam and Tinian, are suggested based on the periodic assessments to ensure that military training requirements and Mariana Islands Range Complex facilities are capable of meeting future training requirements, according to the draft study.
The study assesses potential impacts of continuing and proposed military training activities on existing ranges onshore, offshore, and near shore to Guam and the CNMI, to include “increased tempo of training and improvements to existing ranges based on all anticipated military service training requirements between 2010 and 2015.”
“As future training requirements are developed by all military services, appropriate documentation would be developed to address increased range use rates, range and infrastructure requirements,” the study said.
“This reiterative process for the MIRC allows for the incorporation and integration of any new capabilities and ranges proposed by the various services over time, and ensures that a comprehensive management plan is addressed in a complete and comprehensive manner.”
Although Tinian currently holds a range maintenance contract and agreement with the military, the draft study states that at the end of the weeklong training sessions “Marines would collect brass and trash from the course for transport to Guam.”
“All solid waste that is not composted at the Bivouac Area would be transported to Tinian Airport (West Field) with the Marines and equipment for transport to Guam,” the study said.
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