Group aims to clear up misconceptions
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
They've been to several of the draft Environmental Impact Statement meetings, and even arranged tours of some of Guam's natural and historic sites.
We Are Guåhan, a grassroots organization that formed after the draft EIS was released Nov. 20, 2009, has been advocating to keep the public informed about the military buildup, according to the group. With their mailing, phone and Facebook lists combined, the group comprises about 5,000 individuals, members of the group have said.
Four of them sat down with the Pacific Daily News last week to dispel what they felt were misconceptions about their group: Genevieve Won Pat-Borja, a special education teacher with the Guam Department of Education; Cara Flores-Mays, a small business owner; Marie Auyong, a nonprofit administrator; and Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero, an English instructor at the University of Guam.
With just three days left to comment on the draft EIS, the group is urging people to comment on the draft EIS.
Question: Who is We Are Guåhan?
Flores-Mays: We are a group of concerned individuals and families, one of our goals is to get information out to the public. I don't think that's our only goal.... We're committed to a sustainable future.
Q: Would you say the group is against the buildup?
Auyong: I think that's not necessarily that black and white. I think there are a lot of people who have very nuanced perspectives on the buildup itself, ... and I think right now our project is the DEIS commenting period, and the process by which it's come about. ... We have found that information has been lacking, that perhaps some institutions have not been forthright about that and so we're trying to fill that void.
Flores-Mays: A lot of our events are aimed at communicating facts straight out of the EIS. ... So if we're against the buildup, then the EIS would be against the buildup as well.
Won Pat-Borja: If it does seem we're presenting a lot of negative information, it's because ... there are quite a large number of negative impacts.
(According to information posted on the group's Web site, taken from the draft EIS, those negative impacts include the dredging of 25 acres of reef which would eliminate some endangered turtle species, the taking of 2,500 acres of land, and the loss of 26,000 jobs from 2015 through 2017.)
Q: Are there places where you see Guam can benefit from the buildup?
Flores-Mays: I think that there's quite a bit of information out there about how Guam can benefit. However, there's always the positive and never the negative, and so I guess it may come across that we're anti-buildup because we communicate the rest of the information. ... These are points that we've taken from the economists and biologists and so we have actually discussed the benefits of the buildup.
(According to the Defense Department document, Guam's unemployment rate is expected to fall to 4 percent when Guam residents and off-islanders start taking on jobs associated with the military buildup. About 33,000 jobs for civilian workers will be created by the 2014 peak, and an additional 6,150 jobs will be provided on a "more permanent basis" thereafter.)
Q: Do you think that the buildup can be done, but just in a different way?
Flores-Mays: These are personal questions. As an organization, I think that if we were to answer these questions, they would be personal answers, ... it would be a misrepresentation.
Leon Guerrero: For so long this community has been told this is a done deal. No one should have to be told that they have no say in their future.
Showing posts with label Negative Impacts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Negative Impacts. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Get your DEIS comments in!
Get your DEIS comments in!
Posted: Feb 14, 2010 2:22 PM
Updated: Feb 14, 2010 4:41 PM
by Michele Catahay
Guam - Island residents have until this Thursday to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Marines' relocation from Okinawa to Guam. Back in 2006 an agreement was signed between Japan and the United States to move a portion of the U.S. Marine Corps Station in Okinawa to Guam. The plan would essentially transform the island in the Western Pacific into a giant arm of the Department of Defense.
According to the DoD's DEIS, by 2014 the island is anticipated to see its population of roughly 150,000 people increase significantly to 230,000 at its peak. That's an increase of 80,000 people within four years. The EIS outlines alternatives to develops and construct facilities and infrastructure to support the move. It also evaluates the impact of a new deep draft wharf to support a transient nuclear powered aircraft carrier.
The EIS also explores the impact of plans by the Army to develop facilities and infrastructure to operate a missile defense system. This would include relocating approximately 600 military personnel and their 900 dependents to Guam. While the island has until this Thursday to comment, the Guam Boonie Stompers along with the We Are Guahan Coalition hosted a clean up in Pagat, which happens to be one of the areas proposed to build a firing range for training.
Guam Boonie Stompers president David Lotz said his organization, "has a petition drive to submit to the buildup DEIS to keep these trails open, and I feel that's important for the community and even for the military to work towards preserving the island's heritage...if you look at the Quadrennial Defense Review, it actually says it's going to transform the island into a military base and it has to be very seriously looked at. Who is really going to control the future of the island? Is it the military or the people of guam?"
Yona resident Ulysses Story says negative impacts outweigh the positive ones for the island, saying, "To me, I think its traffic and another thing is racism. I mean, people, I think Chamorro people like to preserve their culture and bringing in people that are trying to assimilate them but they don't want to so I think it'll cause some conflict on racism."
Chalan Pago resident Ida San Nicolas says she's in support of the buildup, saying the military has a strong ability to help boast the local economy. "My child is 16 and it is his generation that it affects. My son has confronted me about it, and he has some issues with it but for me, we should let them speak also not just us and just saying what we think. All the jobs are for them and that's what I like is to be able to have some jobs," said San Nicolas.
Mangilao resident Aphea Imperial says while there may be some environmental impacts noted in the DEIS, she says the buildup will provide more opportunities for the island community, noting, "There are a lot of opportunities for the community like there are going to be a lot of jobs but there are also bad sides to it like our ecosystems, and it's just going to be overpopulated and guam is so small and i think it's good. i see military people and they help out a lot."
Again, you have until this Thursday to comment on the Draft EIS. To view the voluminous document, log on to GuamBuildupEIS.us.
Posted: Feb 14, 2010 2:22 PM
Updated: Feb 14, 2010 4:41 PM
by Michele Catahay
Guam - Island residents have until this Thursday to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Marines' relocation from Okinawa to Guam. Back in 2006 an agreement was signed between Japan and the United States to move a portion of the U.S. Marine Corps Station in Okinawa to Guam. The plan would essentially transform the island in the Western Pacific into a giant arm of the Department of Defense.
According to the DoD's DEIS, by 2014 the island is anticipated to see its population of roughly 150,000 people increase significantly to 230,000 at its peak. That's an increase of 80,000 people within four years. The EIS outlines alternatives to develops and construct facilities and infrastructure to support the move. It also evaluates the impact of a new deep draft wharf to support a transient nuclear powered aircraft carrier.
The EIS also explores the impact of plans by the Army to develop facilities and infrastructure to operate a missile defense system. This would include relocating approximately 600 military personnel and their 900 dependents to Guam. While the island has until this Thursday to comment, the Guam Boonie Stompers along with the We Are Guahan Coalition hosted a clean up in Pagat, which happens to be one of the areas proposed to build a firing range for training.
Guam Boonie Stompers president David Lotz said his organization, "has a petition drive to submit to the buildup DEIS to keep these trails open, and I feel that's important for the community and even for the military to work towards preserving the island's heritage...if you look at the Quadrennial Defense Review, it actually says it's going to transform the island into a military base and it has to be very seriously looked at. Who is really going to control the future of the island? Is it the military or the people of guam?"
Yona resident Ulysses Story says negative impacts outweigh the positive ones for the island, saying, "To me, I think its traffic and another thing is racism. I mean, people, I think Chamorro people like to preserve their culture and bringing in people that are trying to assimilate them but they don't want to so I think it'll cause some conflict on racism."
Chalan Pago resident Ida San Nicolas says she's in support of the buildup, saying the military has a strong ability to help boast the local economy. "My child is 16 and it is his generation that it affects. My son has confronted me about it, and he has some issues with it but for me, we should let them speak also not just us and just saying what we think. All the jobs are for them and that's what I like is to be able to have some jobs," said San Nicolas.
Mangilao resident Aphea Imperial says while there may be some environmental impacts noted in the DEIS, she says the buildup will provide more opportunities for the island community, noting, "There are a lot of opportunities for the community like there are going to be a lot of jobs but there are also bad sides to it like our ecosystems, and it's just going to be overpopulated and guam is so small and i think it's good. i see military people and they help out a lot."
Again, you have until this Thursday to comment on the Draft EIS. To view the voluminous document, log on to GuamBuildupEIS.us.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
GEDA: Buildup Impacts Will Exceed Benefits
GEDA: Buildup Impacts Will Exceed Benefits
Guam - Last week the Guam Economic Development Authority released some of it's findings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the military buildup.
The bottom line according to GEDA is that the economic impacts will exceed the economic benefits unless mitigation measures are identified and included in the Final EIS.
During Governor Bordallo's administration Joseph Bradley was the Chief Economist for GovGuam. Recently he's given presentations to the civilian military task force on the economic portion of the Draft Environmental impact statement. He's come to some of the same conclusions that the Guam Economic Development Agency has reached. For example concerns that the economic impacts will outweigh the economic benefits. Many in the local business community have touted the boost that servicemen and women will have on the economy. The DEIS however states that only 12% of military payroll will be spent in the local economy. Bradley says "I don't think that Tumon is exactly what a sailor on shore leave is looking for anyway." Instead Bradley believes many of the servicemen and women will be craving the forms of food and entertainment that they are used to in the states. While Tumon offers some of this Tumon was developed with the Japanese tourist in mind.
Bradley says one way to mitigate this is for local businessemen to begin creating attractions and entertainment that servicemen will want to go to. Another concern of GEDA's is that according to the DEIS after the population decreases the island of Guam will have an excess or oversupply of housing. Bradley says this could mean abandoned houses and even commercial buildings that is unless we find a way to mitigate these potential negative impacts. Bradley has some of his own ideas for example he says GovGuam could work with the federal governement to develop programs to convert excess housing into affordable or low cost governement housing.
Finally there is the recession like period that will occur according to the DEIS after the buildup ends and the population diminishes. The boom itself will be three times larger than the tourism boom of the 80's. While bradley says that the recession will still be better than Guam's current economy it's how fast and how steep the economy recedes which is what will really cause problems.
Written by :
Clynt Ridgell
Guam - Last week the Guam Economic Development Authority released some of it's findings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the military buildup.
The bottom line according to GEDA is that the economic impacts will exceed the economic benefits unless mitigation measures are identified and included in the Final EIS.
During Governor Bordallo's administration Joseph Bradley was the Chief Economist for GovGuam. Recently he's given presentations to the civilian military task force on the economic portion of the Draft Environmental impact statement. He's come to some of the same conclusions that the Guam Economic Development Agency has reached. For example concerns that the economic impacts will outweigh the economic benefits. Many in the local business community have touted the boost that servicemen and women will have on the economy. The DEIS however states that only 12% of military payroll will be spent in the local economy. Bradley says "I don't think that Tumon is exactly what a sailor on shore leave is looking for anyway." Instead Bradley believes many of the servicemen and women will be craving the forms of food and entertainment that they are used to in the states. While Tumon offers some of this Tumon was developed with the Japanese tourist in mind.
Bradley says one way to mitigate this is for local businessemen to begin creating attractions and entertainment that servicemen will want to go to. Another concern of GEDA's is that according to the DEIS after the population decreases the island of Guam will have an excess or oversupply of housing. Bradley says this could mean abandoned houses and even commercial buildings that is unless we find a way to mitigate these potential negative impacts. Bradley has some of his own ideas for example he says GovGuam could work with the federal governement to develop programs to convert excess housing into affordable or low cost governement housing.
Finally there is the recession like period that will occur according to the DEIS after the buildup ends and the population diminishes. The boom itself will be three times larger than the tourism boom of the 80's. While bradley says that the recession will still be better than Guam's current economy it's how fast and how steep the economy recedes which is what will really cause problems.
Written by :
Clynt Ridgell
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
PNC :: Senator Aguon To Meet With Health Directors On Buildup Impact
PNC :: Senator Aguon To Meet With Health Directors On Buildup Impact
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Guam - Senator Frank Aguon, Jr. will meet directors and key staff of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
(DMHSA), Department of Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) and Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) to discuss the impact of the military buildup on health care and services on Guam.
A roundtable discussion will be held on February 4, 2010 at 9 AM in the Public Hearing Room of Guam Legislature with the attendance of DMHSA Acting Director Elisabeth Cruz, DISID Director Rosanna Ada , DPHSS Director J. Peter Roberto and GMHA Administrator Peter John Camacho.
Senator Aguon, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development Health and Human Services, and Judiciary along with members of the Committee want to discuss health issues and concerns of each health agency to be able to find measures and translate findings into reasonable plans to avoid negative impact of the military and further improve the Government of Guam health services.
“With the US military plans to redeploy thousands of Marines and their families we need to be prepared and make sure that our current health care resources will not diminish and our health care services will not suffer due to the increase of the Guam population,” Senator Aguon said.
“We are all aware that we are currently facing so many challenges in improving health care services. The current situations on our present health care system and the question whether we are ready to embrace additional consumers are in urgent need to be addressed and answered. I am hoping that through this meeting we can identify measurable solutions and plans to this bigger challenge,” the Senator added.
Written by : News Release
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Guam - Senator Frank Aguon, Jr. will meet directors and key staff of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
(DMHSA), Department of Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities (DISID), Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) and Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) to discuss the impact of the military buildup on health care and services on Guam.
A roundtable discussion will be held on February 4, 2010 at 9 AM in the Public Hearing Room of Guam Legislature with the attendance of DMHSA Acting Director Elisabeth Cruz, DISID Director Rosanna Ada , DPHSS Director J. Peter Roberto and GMHA Administrator Peter John Camacho.
Senator Aguon, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development Health and Human Services, and Judiciary along with members of the Committee want to discuss health issues and concerns of each health agency to be able to find measures and translate findings into reasonable plans to avoid negative impact of the military and further improve the Government of Guam health services.
“With the US military plans to redeploy thousands of Marines and their families we need to be prepared and make sure that our current health care resources will not diminish and our health care services will not suffer due to the increase of the Guam population,” Senator Aguon said.
“We are all aware that we are currently facing so many challenges in improving health care services. The current situations on our present health care system and the question whether we are ready to embrace additional consumers are in urgent need to be addressed and answered. I am hoping that through this meeting we can identify measurable solutions and plans to this bigger challenge,” the Senator added.
Written by : News Release
Senator says delay won't defer negative impacts
Senator says delay won't defer negative impacts
Posted: Jan 29, 2010 6:13 PM PST
by Michele Catahay
Guam - Although he credits Governor Felix Camacho for sending a request to the feds to postpone the military buildup, Senator Ben Pangelinan says even if the troop migration happens later, Guam will still see negative impacts to the environment. "The problem is that all the destruction to the environment is going to happen on the front-end," said the senator.
He continued, "So whether the Marines come in 2016 or 2014, the way the buildup is planned under this Draft Environmental Impact Statement still says we need to destroy all these things. Still doesn't provide us for the mitigations, still doesn't provide us with the support for our side. So whether they come now or later under this plan, we still are not able to deal with this and the cost will still outweigh the benefits."
Pangelinan says he wants to ensure the people of Guam are able to provide comments even after the final EIS comes out and before a record of decision is signed.
Posted: Jan 29, 2010 6:13 PM PST
by Michele Catahay
Guam - Although he credits Governor Felix Camacho for sending a request to the feds to postpone the military buildup, Senator Ben Pangelinan says even if the troop migration happens later, Guam will still see negative impacts to the environment. "The problem is that all the destruction to the environment is going to happen on the front-end," said the senator.
He continued, "So whether the Marines come in 2016 or 2014, the way the buildup is planned under this Draft Environmental Impact Statement still says we need to destroy all these things. Still doesn't provide us for the mitigations, still doesn't provide us with the support for our side. So whether they come now or later under this plan, we still are not able to deal with this and the cost will still outweigh the benefits."
Pangelinan says he wants to ensure the people of Guam are able to provide comments even after the final EIS comes out and before a record of decision is signed.
PNC :: GEDA: Buildup Comes With Some Big Negatives
PNC :: GEDA: Buildup Comes With Some Big Negatives
Friday, 29 January 2010
Guam - GEDA Administrator Tony Blaz has submitted his top concerns over the impact of the military buildup to Senator Frank Aguon Jr.'s Committee on Economic Development.
In his letter to Aguon, Blaz lists the following impacts and concerns:
*GRT, corporate income taxes and personal income taxes could be as high as $423 in 2014 and then declining to $104 million in 2017.
*There may be a time lag between when GovGuam revenues are needed and when they are available for use.
*The buildup would generate more demands on Guam for roads, ports sewer, water, power and other infrastructure and will increase the pressure for substantial borrowing.
Read GEDA's list of concerns and impacts
*Members of the military do not spend a great deal of their income in the local economy, especially if they are housed on base and buy their groceries on base. Currently only 12% of the enlisted military income is spent on Guam.
*The average annual income of military personnel is just $29-thousand dollars. 11,182 active duty personnel translates into a total annual payroll of #323 million. Just 12% will be spent in the local economy.
*Housing for the military will be provided by the military, not the Guam private market. Local shippers and wholesaler will increase sales to the military bases but when imported goods are sold on base, most of the value of those sales won't be realized and profits won't be reinvested locally.
*There will be a "recession-like" period after 2014 when business will have to lay off workers after the peak buildup period.
*Guam workers will likely see the cot of living continue to rise faster than their incomes.
*The cost of living during the construction phase could negatively affect households on fixed incomes, although other households could benefit from rising wages.
*Hotels could benefit conssiderably, but the service sector could undergo a difficult period due to loss of labor to higher paying jobs and pressure or increased wages.
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Friday, 29 January 2010
Guam - GEDA Administrator Tony Blaz has submitted his top concerns over the impact of the military buildup to Senator Frank Aguon Jr.'s Committee on Economic Development.
In his letter to Aguon, Blaz lists the following impacts and concerns:
*GRT, corporate income taxes and personal income taxes could be as high as $423 in 2014 and then declining to $104 million in 2017.
*There may be a time lag between when GovGuam revenues are needed and when they are available for use.
*The buildup would generate more demands on Guam for roads, ports sewer, water, power and other infrastructure and will increase the pressure for substantial borrowing.
Read GEDA's list of concerns and impacts
*Members of the military do not spend a great deal of their income in the local economy, especially if they are housed on base and buy their groceries on base. Currently only 12% of the enlisted military income is spent on Guam.
*The average annual income of military personnel is just $29-thousand dollars. 11,182 active duty personnel translates into a total annual payroll of #323 million. Just 12% will be spent in the local economy.
*Housing for the military will be provided by the military, not the Guam private market. Local shippers and wholesaler will increase sales to the military bases but when imported goods are sold on base, most of the value of those sales won't be realized and profits won't be reinvested locally.
*There will be a "recession-like" period after 2014 when business will have to lay off workers after the peak buildup period.
*Guam workers will likely see the cot of living continue to rise faster than their incomes.
*The cost of living during the construction phase could negatively affect households on fixed incomes, although other households could benefit from rising wages.
*Hotels could benefit conssiderably, but the service sector could undergo a difficult period due to loss of labor to higher paying jobs and pressure or increased wages.
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Economist: Buildup, tourism can coexist
Economist: Buildup, tourism can coexist
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • January 29, 2010
Guam's biggest export is its sunshine, and more than a million visitors travel here every year to enjoy what they lack in their cold climate -- beautiful beaches and tropical weather.
However, with the military buildup less than five years away, some are wondering if it will connect with a tourism industry that has been providing for the island for more than 40 years.
Claret Ruane, resident economist for the University of Guam's Pacific Center for Economic Initiatives, believes the two giants can live together.
"When you have more military here, their friends and families will be visiting from the mainland and that will be a resource for tourism," Ruane said. "And I am thinking not only can they coexist, but you can push forward for sustainable tourism -- ecotourism."
Speaking at the Fourth Annual Youth Summit at the Harvest Life Center in Barrigada yesterday, Ruane said because the purchasing power of people from the mainland is high, they will tend to splurge on the "expensive tourism product."
Ruane said her only problem is she wished the island had more tourism products to offer. She said everyone will need to take on a new outlook as the buildup approaches.
"Military buildup or not, we need to move the island forward," Ruane said. "We should have been a stronger economy to begin with and we have to start today to think about what it is we need to do. ... We can't turn everybody into the construction business and work the jobs ourselves. We should start thinking of new industries."
But there are some who feel the $15 billion buildup could be a pyrrhic victory.
"The bottom line is that it appears that economic impacts exceed economic benefits," said Anthony C, Blaz, administrator for the Guam Economic Development Authority.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement states that while the hotels will benefit "considerably" from the buildup, the general service sector could experience a period of hardship from losing labor to higher-paying jobs. It also says the pressure for increased wages could impair competition with inexpensive Asian destinations.
Furthermore, even though the government could get about $423 million more in tax revenue at the peak of the buildup in 2014 than it currently does, that would trickle to about $104 million more in 2017 than current government revenues. After 2014, the island could experience a recession-like period that could send some businesses packing or experience cutbacks and workers migrating because of job losses.
Cara Flores-Mays, a small business owner and a member of We Are Guahan, believes that the military buildup and tourism are incompatible. We Are Guahan is a group of concerned citizens who are reading the draft EIS and trying to simplify it for residents.
She said the dredging of the ocean and excess noise from the additional aircraft visits could have a negative impact.
The Department of Defense plans to widen an existing shipping channel to fit a carrier. Additionally, to create a turning basin near the wharf, about 2.3 million square feet of sea floor will be dredged.
About 35 percent of that area is covered in coral reef that will be permanently destroyed, the draft EIS states.
"We could basically lose markets to buildup construction that will cause chaos," Flores-Mays said. "We cannot rely on the military to be our savior. Prosperity for a few is greed if it's not prosperity for all."
Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, the chairman for the Committee on Tourism, said the only way the two opportunities can work for Guam is if the military doesn't insist that it has to destroy the reef, and build on other properties it has in the north.
"I'm almost ready to suggest to them to keep yourselves within your reservations," he said. "Don't destroy the island."
By Laura Matthews • Pacific Daily News • January 29, 2010
Guam's biggest export is its sunshine, and more than a million visitors travel here every year to enjoy what they lack in their cold climate -- beautiful beaches and tropical weather.
However, with the military buildup less than five years away, some are wondering if it will connect with a tourism industry that has been providing for the island for more than 40 years.
Claret Ruane, resident economist for the University of Guam's Pacific Center for Economic Initiatives, believes the two giants can live together.
"When you have more military here, their friends and families will be visiting from the mainland and that will be a resource for tourism," Ruane said. "And I am thinking not only can they coexist, but you can push forward for sustainable tourism -- ecotourism."
Speaking at the Fourth Annual Youth Summit at the Harvest Life Center in Barrigada yesterday, Ruane said because the purchasing power of people from the mainland is high, they will tend to splurge on the "expensive tourism product."
Ruane said her only problem is she wished the island had more tourism products to offer. She said everyone will need to take on a new outlook as the buildup approaches.
"Military buildup or not, we need to move the island forward," Ruane said. "We should have been a stronger economy to begin with and we have to start today to think about what it is we need to do. ... We can't turn everybody into the construction business and work the jobs ourselves. We should start thinking of new industries."
But there are some who feel the $15 billion buildup could be a pyrrhic victory.
"The bottom line is that it appears that economic impacts exceed economic benefits," said Anthony C, Blaz, administrator for the Guam Economic Development Authority.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement states that while the hotels will benefit "considerably" from the buildup, the general service sector could experience a period of hardship from losing labor to higher-paying jobs. It also says the pressure for increased wages could impair competition with inexpensive Asian destinations.
Furthermore, even though the government could get about $423 million more in tax revenue at the peak of the buildup in 2014 than it currently does, that would trickle to about $104 million more in 2017 than current government revenues. After 2014, the island could experience a recession-like period that could send some businesses packing or experience cutbacks and workers migrating because of job losses.
Cara Flores-Mays, a small business owner and a member of We Are Guahan, believes that the military buildup and tourism are incompatible. We Are Guahan is a group of concerned citizens who are reading the draft EIS and trying to simplify it for residents.
She said the dredging of the ocean and excess noise from the additional aircraft visits could have a negative impact.
The Department of Defense plans to widen an existing shipping channel to fit a carrier. Additionally, to create a turning basin near the wharf, about 2.3 million square feet of sea floor will be dredged.
About 35 percent of that area is covered in coral reef that will be permanently destroyed, the draft EIS states.
"We could basically lose markets to buildup construction that will cause chaos," Flores-Mays said. "We cannot rely on the military to be our savior. Prosperity for a few is greed if it's not prosperity for all."
Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, the chairman for the Committee on Tourism, said the only way the two opportunities can work for Guam is if the military doesn't insist that it has to destroy the reef, and build on other properties it has in the north.
"I'm almost ready to suggest to them to keep yourselves within your reservations," he said. "Don't destroy the island."
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
PNC :: Guthertz Says Population Growth Exceeds Military's Own Projections For Maximum Growth on Guam
PNC :: Guthertz Says Population Growth Exceeds Military's Own Projections For Maximum Growth on Guam
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Guam - Military Buildup Committee Chairperson Senator Judith Guthertz has called a news conference for 10am Thursday morning to air new concerns about the impact of the military buildup.
According to a release from her office, Guthertz will discuss disturbing statistics on the impact of the buildup and recommend some fresh responses.
According to the release, "history shows that military commands on Guam and elsewhere in the Pacific once considered a 10% increase in population due to military expansion the maximum possible without disrupting local communities. What’s proposed now is something quite different."
The Senator, who chairs the Legislature's buildup Committee is quoted in the release as saying that: “It is becoming more and more apparent among the people of Guam that the proposed buildup is for too many too soon, and is coming too quickly. This official “Comment Paper” offers a “win-win-win” proposal that will accommodate the basic needs of all three parties…”
“This new footprint is not a ten percent increase. It’s not even a fifty percent increase. It is a whopping 321 percent increase, more than three times the current numbers! And the relocation is to take place in three years, from 2014 to 2016!...” Senator Judith P. Guthertz.
For more information: Robert Tupaz, Bruce Lloyd at 472-5834
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Guam - Military Buildup Committee Chairperson Senator Judith Guthertz has called a news conference for 10am Thursday morning to air new concerns about the impact of the military buildup.
According to a release from her office, Guthertz will discuss disturbing statistics on the impact of the buildup and recommend some fresh responses.
According to the release, "history shows that military commands on Guam and elsewhere in the Pacific once considered a 10% increase in population due to military expansion the maximum possible without disrupting local communities. What’s proposed now is something quite different."
The Senator, who chairs the Legislature's buildup Committee is quoted in the release as saying that: “It is becoming more and more apparent among the people of Guam that the proposed buildup is for too many too soon, and is coming too quickly. This official “Comment Paper” offers a “win-win-win” proposal that will accommodate the basic needs of all three parties…”
“This new footprint is not a ten percent increase. It’s not even a fifty percent increase. It is a whopping 321 percent increase, more than three times the current numbers! And the relocation is to take place in three years, from 2014 to 2016!...” Senator Judith P. Guthertz.
For more information: Robert Tupaz, Bruce Lloyd at 472-5834
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Both sides of buildup debate release lists: Chamber, Coalition post 14 separate reasons on their Web sites
Both sides of buildup debate release lists: Chamber, Coalition post 14 separate reasons on their Web sites
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • January 19, 2010
Increased crime rates, stresses on the public school system, and more sex and drug trafficking are reasons the Guåhan Coalition for Peace and Justice says the military buildup's economic opportunities will be overshadowed by its negative impacts.
Responding to the Chamber of Commerce's "14 Reasons Why We Need the Military Buildup," the Guåhan Coalition of Peace and Justice released "14 reasons Why We Don't Need the Military Buildup."
According to the list posted on the Chamber's Web site, the relocation of 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam will provide revenues "our government desperately needs ... in order to provide services our people depend on." The list includes a revenue surge, infrastructural improvements and investments in health-care facilities and equipment as benefits resulting from the buildup.
Yet the coalition argues there is no mention of the 26,000 jobs that will no longer be needed by 2017, according to Audrey Ward, a member of the coalition.
Among the things listed by the coalition of what the draft EIS doesn't provide are solutions for job competition between Guam residents and 9,000 military dependents scheduled to arrive.
"There are no training options outlined in the EIS to help unemployed Guamanians better qualify for buildup jobs," the coalition list states. "The military will not be helping locals get any of the positions they are offering."
Neither has the local government, for the most part. The bulk of job training being offered in connection with the military buildup has been provided by the Guam Contractors Association's Trades Academy, with some construction-related programs at Guam Community College.
The coalition also says tourism will be hindered by an increase in crime.
Plus, some tourism expansion opportunities also may curbed, too, according to Gary Hiles, chief economist with the Guam Department of Labor.
"Increased military activities will open up new economic opportunities, but at the same time, will limit or preclude operation or expansion of other productive economic activities which could employ a large number of people in more labor intensive activities, such as tourism, due to increased land use and access restrictions and create costs of opportunities lost for other activities," Hiles said.
However, Gerry Perez, the general manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau, has said that the island has been starved for cash in recent years to make necessary upgrades to the island's infrastructure and tourism attractions; the buildup would not only widen Guam's tourism market, but help fund some of those improvements, he said.
"The military buildup will stimulate new markets, attract higher-spending business travelers and generate more income to pay for improvements in public service," Perez said.
Hiles also said while the buildup will bring more jobs to the island and more revenue to the government of Guam, it will also create substantial additional capital investment for infrastructure and increased operating costs in public safety, health care and education.
But if some residents have been strongly opposed to the buildup's negative effects on the local culture and environment, local businessman James Adkins said they haven't suggested any other viable alternatives that will solve Guam's economic problems.
"We have to have something to bring cash money back onto the island," Adkins said in late December. "We are spending more money than we are bringing in."
According to Ernie Galito, deputy general manager at the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam's proximity to Asia and its status as an American territory opens up possibilities to develop other industries.
"Guam could develop finance, insurance, arbitration or ship registry industries," Galito said. "Of course, much of the market study work has yet to be done, but these examples would seem to be the most viable opportunities outside of tourism."
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • January 19, 2010
Increased crime rates, stresses on the public school system, and more sex and drug trafficking are reasons the Guåhan Coalition for Peace and Justice says the military buildup's economic opportunities will be overshadowed by its negative impacts.
Responding to the Chamber of Commerce's "14 Reasons Why We Need the Military Buildup," the Guåhan Coalition of Peace and Justice released "14 reasons Why We Don't Need the Military Buildup."
According to the list posted on the Chamber's Web site, the relocation of 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam will provide revenues "our government desperately needs ... in order to provide services our people depend on." The list includes a revenue surge, infrastructural improvements and investments in health-care facilities and equipment as benefits resulting from the buildup.
Yet the coalition argues there is no mention of the 26,000 jobs that will no longer be needed by 2017, according to Audrey Ward, a member of the coalition.
Among the things listed by the coalition of what the draft EIS doesn't provide are solutions for job competition between Guam residents and 9,000 military dependents scheduled to arrive.
"There are no training options outlined in the EIS to help unemployed Guamanians better qualify for buildup jobs," the coalition list states. "The military will not be helping locals get any of the positions they are offering."
Neither has the local government, for the most part. The bulk of job training being offered in connection with the military buildup has been provided by the Guam Contractors Association's Trades Academy, with some construction-related programs at Guam Community College.
The coalition also says tourism will be hindered by an increase in crime.
Plus, some tourism expansion opportunities also may curbed, too, according to Gary Hiles, chief economist with the Guam Department of Labor.
"Increased military activities will open up new economic opportunities, but at the same time, will limit or preclude operation or expansion of other productive economic activities which could employ a large number of people in more labor intensive activities, such as tourism, due to increased land use and access restrictions and create costs of opportunities lost for other activities," Hiles said.
However, Gerry Perez, the general manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau, has said that the island has been starved for cash in recent years to make necessary upgrades to the island's infrastructure and tourism attractions; the buildup would not only widen Guam's tourism market, but help fund some of those improvements, he said.
"The military buildup will stimulate new markets, attract higher-spending business travelers and generate more income to pay for improvements in public service," Perez said.
Hiles also said while the buildup will bring more jobs to the island and more revenue to the government of Guam, it will also create substantial additional capital investment for infrastructure and increased operating costs in public safety, health care and education.
But if some residents have been strongly opposed to the buildup's negative effects on the local culture and environment, local businessman James Adkins said they haven't suggested any other viable alternatives that will solve Guam's economic problems.
"We have to have something to bring cash money back onto the island," Adkins said in late December. "We are spending more money than we are bringing in."
According to Ernie Galito, deputy general manager at the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam's proximity to Asia and its status as an American territory opens up possibilities to develop other industries.
"Guam could develop finance, insurance, arbitration or ship registry industries," Galito said. "Of course, much of the market study work has yet to be done, but these examples would seem to be the most viable opportunities outside of tourism."
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Guam military build-up
University of Guam Professor Michael "Miget" Lujan Bevacqua speaks on the military build-up of Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Where is the Marine Backstory?
Activists demand back story on Marine migration
by Michele Catahay, KUAM News
Thursday, July 12, 2007
------------------------------
Members of I Nasion Chamoru ("The Chamorro Nation") were at the Chief Quipua Park in Hagatna late yesterday afternoon to protest various concerns in the community, most notably the upcoming massive military buildup on Guam. The organization's, maga lahi (the highest ranking male), Vicente Garrido, believes the buildup is not a good thing for the island.
While a Japanese delegation visiting from Okinawa is on Guam, Garrido says he wants them to tell the local community the real reason the Okinawans want United States Marines to move out of their island. "There must be a good reason why," he suggested. "Otherwise, if it's really good for them, they're not going to send those Marines to Guam because it's going to help the economy...that's what they say. There must be some reason why. I want those people in charge of Okinawa to tell us why they want those Marines out of Okinawa."
While some continue to fight against the move, others are more concerned about the taking of land at Ritidian and Tiyan. One such activist, Katherine McCollum, continues to fight against the taking of indigenous land. "We are threatened everyday; Tiyan, especially with the enclosure that the Guam International Airport Authority has put on the families up there in closing their properties with the fences and there are issues about sewage problems.
My family is being charged for sewage, which are services they're not getting," she told KUAM News.
McCollum says when people suffer it hurts families, adding that she wants to see these families build homes and live in their homes as equal private property owners. Meanwhile, the group continues to fight for self-determination, return of lands and vows to continue to fight against what they feel is the military contamination of the land.
by Michele Catahay
Thursday, July 12, 2007
------------------------------
Members of I Nasion Chamoru ("The Chamorro Nation") were at the Chief Quipua Park in Hagatna late yesterday afternoon to protest various concerns in the community, most notably the upcoming massive military buildup on Guam. The organization's, maga lahi (the highest ranking male), Vicente Garrido, believes the buildup is not a good thing for the island.
While a Japanese delegation visiting from Okinawa is on Guam, Garrido says he wants them to tell the local community the real reason the Okinawans want United States Marines to move out of their island. "There must be a good reason why," he suggested. "Otherwise, if it's really good for them, they're not going to send those Marines to Guam because it's going to help the economy...that's what they say. There must be some reason why. I want those people in charge of Okinawa to tell us why they want those Marines out of Okinawa."
While some continue to fight against the move, others are more concerned about the taking of land at Ritidian and Tiyan. One such activist, Katherine McCollum, continues to fight against the taking of indigenous land. "We are threatened everyday; Tiyan, especially with the enclosure that the Guam International Airport Authority has put on the families up there in closing their properties with the fences and there are issues about sewage problems.
My family is being charged for sewage, which are services they're not getting," she told KUAM News.
McCollum says when people suffer it hurts families, adding that she wants to see these families build homes and live in their homes as equal private property owners. Meanwhile, the group continues to fight for self-determination, return of lands and vows to continue to fight against what they feel is the military contamination of the land.
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