Chamber opposes land condemnation
By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • January 28, 2010
The Guam Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the U.S. military condemning land it needs for its military expansion around the island, the group's board chairman said during its meeting yesterday.
David John, president of ASC Trust Corp., said he wanted to clear misconceptions in the community that the business organization supported everything about the buildup, including the possibility for land condemnations.
The Department of Defense plans to build a new Marine Corps base in Dededo and transfer about 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam.
The military also plans to acquire land in Yigo and Mangilao to build a firing range there, and to obtain other properties around the island.
John said the Chamber has assembled a committee to review each volume of the draft Environmental Impact Statement, which explains the military's buildup proposals and how they will affect the island.
He said the Chamber plans to submit comments by the Feb. 18 deadline, Guam time.
Showing posts with label Yigo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yigo. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
PNC :: DEIS "Comment Drive" At Yigo Raceway Friday Night
PNC :: DEIS "Comment Drive" At Yigo Raceway Friday Night
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Guam - The "We Are Guam" Coalition is sponsoring what they're calling a "Comment Drive" at the Yigo Raceway Park this Friday evening.
In a release, they point out that in "the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the Department of Defense plans to use the Yigo Raceway Park for a Marine firing range. If this were to occur, the island will lose a tremendous recreational and community resource."
In opposition to the possibility, "We Are Guahan", The Drag Racing Association and the Guam Racing Federation have launched a campaign called “Don’t Shoot Our Race Track” to educate the community about the park and empower them to prevent its condemnation.
Their so called "DEIS comment drive" happens this Friday at the Yigo Raceway Park starting at 7 pm and lasting until midnight.
They state: "The Yigo Raceway Park has been an important recreational space for the people of Guåhan. Not only has it kept our highways safe by providing a track for racers who would have otherwise turned to illegal (and dangerous) drag racing, it has also given youth and young adults a place to go on a Friday night. Most Friday nights, the Park attracts 1,000 to 2,500 people."
The groups say their aim is to show the community the wonderful activities and entertainment provided at the park, and to solicit comments on the DEIS.
For More Information: Call George Lujan at 969-5443, email action@weareguahan.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , visit www.weareguahan.com
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Guam - The "We Are Guam" Coalition is sponsoring what they're calling a "Comment Drive" at the Yigo Raceway Park this Friday evening.
In a release, they point out that in "the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the Department of Defense plans to use the Yigo Raceway Park for a Marine firing range. If this were to occur, the island will lose a tremendous recreational and community resource."
In opposition to the possibility, "We Are Guahan", The Drag Racing Association and the Guam Racing Federation have launched a campaign called “Don’t Shoot Our Race Track” to educate the community about the park and empower them to prevent its condemnation.
Their so called "DEIS comment drive" happens this Friday at the Yigo Raceway Park starting at 7 pm and lasting until midnight.
They state: "The Yigo Raceway Park has been an important recreational space for the people of Guåhan. Not only has it kept our highways safe by providing a track for racers who would have otherwise turned to illegal (and dangerous) drag racing, it has also given youth and young adults a place to go on a Friday night. Most Friday nights, the Park attracts 1,000 to 2,500 people."
The groups say their aim is to show the community the wonderful activities and entertainment provided at the park, and to solicit comments on the DEIS.
For More Information: Call George Lujan at 969-5443, email action@weareguahan.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , visit www.weareguahan.com
Written by : Kevin Kerrigan
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Latest DEIS hearing in Yigo
Latest DEIS hearing in Yigo
Posted: Jan 11, 2010 10:52 PM PST
by Nick Delgado
Guam - As the military begins to wrap up their public hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, residents it seems are just getting started raising their voices against the proposed military buildup.
"Do you see what they are doing? This is exactly like recruiting," said Jason Ray Tedtaotao. "They use forums and persuasion, we see benefits and temptation, but the thought of our future should cause us hesitation, it should make us ask questions. Like why are the people who call this land home, the same people up here giving reasons for you not to take it."
Tempers were high for most who provided input on the DEIS, specifically on the military's plans to acquire more land for the Marine relocation. Residents expressed disappointment, saying the military should rather build inside the existing base. That was the argument presented by Sasayan Valley landowner Gloria Nelson.
She said, "There is only my decision that you will find another place that you already own to have your firing range, throw grenades and dump your toxic waste on. There is no compromise because this is not about money. There is no market value for something that is not on the market."
Nelson says she will continue to say no when it comes to the military asking for land to accommodate the buildup. She also argues the one Guam slogan as she feels that the DEIS is not a unified document. While some use the words "a dumb deal" when describing the DEIS, Senator Ben Pangelinan says the federal government from the beginning has purposely given wrong and misdirected information on the buildup.
"If General [David] Bice says we decided to move the firing range from Finegayan because you told us you don't want us shooting at you tourists and at your fishermen, and we're listening to you. Well, listen to me General Bice: I don't want you desecrating those ancestral burial grounds, I don't want you bombing and shooting spirits of ancestors that rest in Pagat. Listen, listen, listen," he said.
But out of the bunch who testified against the buildup, resident Mark Sablan says he is in favor of the Marines relocation as the island is in need of more skilled and educated workers. "Let's go ahead and raise the opportunity and give a chance to see if this military buildup can provide jobs," he said.
A total of 66 participants signed up to voice their concerns, some even giving up their spot and allowing others to use their time. Although the hearing went late into the night, some residents tell KUAM News that they were in fact turned away from providing comment on the document. The problem they say is that there is just not enough time during these hearings to do so.
Participants are being given three minutes to provide comment. Another public hearing gets underway at seven o'clock this evening.
Posted: Jan 11, 2010 10:52 PM PST
by Nick Delgado
Guam - As the military begins to wrap up their public hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, residents it seems are just getting started raising their voices against the proposed military buildup.
"Do you see what they are doing? This is exactly like recruiting," said Jason Ray Tedtaotao. "They use forums and persuasion, we see benefits and temptation, but the thought of our future should cause us hesitation, it should make us ask questions. Like why are the people who call this land home, the same people up here giving reasons for you not to take it."
Tempers were high for most who provided input on the DEIS, specifically on the military's plans to acquire more land for the Marine relocation. Residents expressed disappointment, saying the military should rather build inside the existing base. That was the argument presented by Sasayan Valley landowner Gloria Nelson.
She said, "There is only my decision that you will find another place that you already own to have your firing range, throw grenades and dump your toxic waste on. There is no compromise because this is not about money. There is no market value for something that is not on the market."
Nelson says she will continue to say no when it comes to the military asking for land to accommodate the buildup. She also argues the one Guam slogan as she feels that the DEIS is not a unified document. While some use the words "a dumb deal" when describing the DEIS, Senator Ben Pangelinan says the federal government from the beginning has purposely given wrong and misdirected information on the buildup.
"If General [David] Bice says we decided to move the firing range from Finegayan because you told us you don't want us shooting at you tourists and at your fishermen, and we're listening to you. Well, listen to me General Bice: I don't want you desecrating those ancestral burial grounds, I don't want you bombing and shooting spirits of ancestors that rest in Pagat. Listen, listen, listen," he said.
But out of the bunch who testified against the buildup, resident Mark Sablan says he is in favor of the Marines relocation as the island is in need of more skilled and educated workers. "Let's go ahead and raise the opportunity and give a chance to see if this military buildup can provide jobs," he said.
A total of 66 participants signed up to voice their concerns, some even giving up their spot and allowing others to use their time. Although the hearing went late into the night, some residents tell KUAM News that they were in fact turned away from providing comment on the document. The problem they say is that there is just not enough time during these hearings to do so.
Participants are being given three minutes to provide comment. Another public hearing gets underway at seven o'clock this evening.
Yigo hosts DEIS community hearing
Yigo hosts DEIS community hearing
Posted: Jan 11, 2010 9:43 PM
Updated: Jan 11, 2010 9:43 PM
by Nick Delgado
Guam - The third installment of public hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement took place Monday evening at the Yigo Gymnasium. The hearing attracted more than 400 island residents with more than 60 of them signing up to provide public comment.
Tempers were high for most who provided input on the DEIS specifically on the military's plans to acquire more land for the Marine relocation. Residents expressed disappointment saying the military should rather build inside the base.
Resident Gloria Nelson expressed frustration saying that the people should not relax, adding that there is no compromise when it comes to acquiring more land for the military. Nelson says they will continue to say no when it comes to the military asking for land to accommodate the buildup. She also argues the One Guam slogan saying the DEIS is not a unified document, and that the military is thinking only of themselves rather than the people of the island. "Your children already have the cleanest sands, the cleanest oceans, and the cleanest playgrounds." Nelson stated.
Dededo resident Janet Aguon calls the review period of the DEIS "a dumb deal," citing the 11 thousand pages contained in the document with only 90 days for the comment period.
Senator Ben Pangelinan called the DEIS a document that is full of misinformation saying, "Since the announcement of the buildup, the military purposely gave wrong information, so that we don't know what is going to happen to our land, our people, and our children." He adds, " Until they decide to tell the truth, not a single piece of dirt should be turned over for this military buildup." Pangelinan expressed how he does not want the military desecrating the ancestral grounds especially in the Pagat area, and how he wants the military to mitigate before creating more problems for the future.
However, a number of participants expressed major disappointment as they say they were turned away from providing official testimony before JGPO. Ylig-Yona resident Anthony Ada says when he came in to sign up, he was told that they just have too many names on the list. 66 total residents signed up to provide comment. Ada believes the two-hour time frame is just too short to hear the communities concerns. Guam Legislature officials have also said that they will continue to document and record all participants' comments, even after the military breaks down for the evening.
JGPO officials will conclude the DEIS hearing's tomorrow at Okkodo High School in Dededo before heading up north to hear concerns from residents in the CNMI.
Posted: Jan 11, 2010 9:43 PM
Updated: Jan 11, 2010 9:43 PM
by Nick Delgado
Guam - The third installment of public hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement took place Monday evening at the Yigo Gymnasium. The hearing attracted more than 400 island residents with more than 60 of them signing up to provide public comment.
Tempers were high for most who provided input on the DEIS specifically on the military's plans to acquire more land for the Marine relocation. Residents expressed disappointment saying the military should rather build inside the base.
Resident Gloria Nelson expressed frustration saying that the people should not relax, adding that there is no compromise when it comes to acquiring more land for the military. Nelson says they will continue to say no when it comes to the military asking for land to accommodate the buildup. She also argues the One Guam slogan saying the DEIS is not a unified document, and that the military is thinking only of themselves rather than the people of the island. "Your children already have the cleanest sands, the cleanest oceans, and the cleanest playgrounds." Nelson stated.
Dededo resident Janet Aguon calls the review period of the DEIS "a dumb deal," citing the 11 thousand pages contained in the document with only 90 days for the comment period.
Senator Ben Pangelinan called the DEIS a document that is full of misinformation saying, "Since the announcement of the buildup, the military purposely gave wrong information, so that we don't know what is going to happen to our land, our people, and our children." He adds, " Until they decide to tell the truth, not a single piece of dirt should be turned over for this military buildup." Pangelinan expressed how he does not want the military desecrating the ancestral grounds especially in the Pagat area, and how he wants the military to mitigate before creating more problems for the future.
However, a number of participants expressed major disappointment as they say they were turned away from providing official testimony before JGPO. Ylig-Yona resident Anthony Ada says when he came in to sign up, he was told that they just have too many names on the list. 66 total residents signed up to provide comment. Ada believes the two-hour time frame is just too short to hear the communities concerns. Guam Legislature officials have also said that they will continue to document and record all participants' comments, even after the military breaks down for the evening.
JGPO officials will conclude the DEIS hearing's tomorrow at Okkodo High School in Dededo before heading up north to hear concerns from residents in the CNMI.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Make your voices heard: Dededo, Yigo mayors urge residents to testify on buildup
Make your voices heard: Dededo, Yigo mayors urge residents to testify on buildup
By Erin Thompson • Northern Weekly • January 6, 2010
Fears of condemnation of private property, inaccessible hiking trails, a proposed firing range and the relocation of Route 15 are some of the buildup issues worrying residents in the northern part of Guam, according to Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares and Yigo Mayor Robert Lizama.
Residents in the northern part of the island will have an opportunity to voice concerns about how the buildup will affect their community at two public hearings next week. The first will happen on Monday at the Yigo Gymnasium, the second at Dededo's Okkodo High School on Jan. 12.
The hearings are a part of an island-wide process allowing residents to make comments in response to the draft Environmental Impact Statement released in November. The 11,000-page EIS, which is available for review at the University of Guam Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library in Mangilao and the mayors' offices in Yigo, Dededo, Barrigada, Agat and Mangilao, provides a break-down of the social and environmental impact of the buildup.
Yigo Mayor Robert Lizama says that while only four people to date have come by to browse the EIS and take home a copy of the available CD, he has heard many residents express "frustration" over some of the proposed changes to the area, which include the construction of a firing range along the island's northeast coast. The range would require the leasing or condemnation between 1,100 and 1,800 acres along Route 15 in Mangilao and Yigo, according to the Northern Weekly files.
Dededo resident Anthony Artero, who is planning on attending the hearing next week, told Northern Weekly that he is concerned about how the increased population could strain water and power infrastructure and increase traffic flow on the island. He also pointed to fears about how the rights of property owners would be affected, citing his family's own personal experience.
According to Artero, whose family owns land at Urunao in the Ritidian area, prior to World War II the family owned the land at Anderson Air Force Base, only to see it condemned after the war and bought for a fraction of its value.
"The U.S. military on this island has a track record of treating the people locally unfairly, in terms of taking their land away," says Artero, who says he fear islanders could face land condemnations or restrictions on land development following the buildup.
His biggest concern, however, was that the U.S. military was "not giving the local people an opportunity to be part of the buildup," he says.
As one of the key opportunities for islanders to get their voices on the record about the buildup, Savares says that the Dededo's mayor's office is working hard to get the word out about the hearings.
"We're trying aggressively," says Savares, who says her office is reaching out through media, at public events and by word of mouth, and even sending home messages through school children to get parents to attend.
"It's important that individuals, that residents come out to these hearings, and be heard and see what the EIS -- the findings, the draft studies -- are," says Savares.
"Because it's in draft form now and all comments will really be taken into consideration once final decision is made," she says.
"We want our residents who live here to be heard, make a difference making comments."
By Erin Thompson • Northern Weekly • January 6, 2010
Fears of condemnation of private property, inaccessible hiking trails, a proposed firing range and the relocation of Route 15 are some of the buildup issues worrying residents in the northern part of Guam, according to Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares and Yigo Mayor Robert Lizama.
Residents in the northern part of the island will have an opportunity to voice concerns about how the buildup will affect their community at two public hearings next week. The first will happen on Monday at the Yigo Gymnasium, the second at Dededo's Okkodo High School on Jan. 12.
The hearings are a part of an island-wide process allowing residents to make comments in response to the draft Environmental Impact Statement released in November. The 11,000-page EIS, which is available for review at the University of Guam Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library in Mangilao and the mayors' offices in Yigo, Dededo, Barrigada, Agat and Mangilao, provides a break-down of the social and environmental impact of the buildup.
Yigo Mayor Robert Lizama says that while only four people to date have come by to browse the EIS and take home a copy of the available CD, he has heard many residents express "frustration" over some of the proposed changes to the area, which include the construction of a firing range along the island's northeast coast. The range would require the leasing or condemnation between 1,100 and 1,800 acres along Route 15 in Mangilao and Yigo, according to the Northern Weekly files.
Dededo resident Anthony Artero, who is planning on attending the hearing next week, told Northern Weekly that he is concerned about how the increased population could strain water and power infrastructure and increase traffic flow on the island. He also pointed to fears about how the rights of property owners would be affected, citing his family's own personal experience.
According to Artero, whose family owns land at Urunao in the Ritidian area, prior to World War II the family owned the land at Anderson Air Force Base, only to see it condemned after the war and bought for a fraction of its value.
"The U.S. military on this island has a track record of treating the people locally unfairly, in terms of taking their land away," says Artero, who says he fear islanders could face land condemnations or restrictions on land development following the buildup.
His biggest concern, however, was that the U.S. military was "not giving the local people an opportunity to be part of the buildup," he says.
As one of the key opportunities for islanders to get their voices on the record about the buildup, Savares says that the Dededo's mayor's office is working hard to get the word out about the hearings.
"We're trying aggressively," says Savares, who says her office is reaching out through media, at public events and by word of mouth, and even sending home messages through school children to get parents to attend.
"It's important that individuals, that residents come out to these hearings, and be heard and see what the EIS -- the findings, the draft studies -- are," says Savares.
"Because it's in draft form now and all comments will really be taken into consideration once final decision is made," she says.
"We want our residents who live here to be heard, make a difference making comments."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
DoD May Have to Compete With Developers
DoD may have to compete with developers
Thursday, 15 January 2009
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff
THE Department of Defense might have to compete with private developers and the Guam International Airport Authority for the acquisition of Yigo lands, which are being considered by the military as a potential site for a new firing range.
Rolenda Faasuamalie, public information officer for GIAA, said the airport authority is eyeing a portion of the target property as the site of the $16 million municipal airport project to be funded by the Federal Aviation Authority.
GIAA was among the three bidders that responded last year to the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority's solicitation for lease and development of the 395-acre property owned by the Chamorro Land Trust Commission and Ancestral Lands Commission.
"We received a notification that we ranked third, but we're not aware of the current status of the bidding selection," Faasuamalie said.
She added that FAA-funded studies have already identified the ancestral lands on Route 15 as the most ideal site for the municipal airport project, which is part of the government's aviation enhancement initiative.
Faasuamalie said the proposed municipal airport will be designated for private small aircrafts so that don't they mix with commercial planes as they do now at the existing airport.
"We're being optimistic about the future, and trying to meet our space and capacity," she said. "It would require that the government give us authority to use the land."
Faasuamalie said GIAA has not identified an alternative site for the municipal airport.
GEDCA
Mike Cruz, manager of GEDCA's Real Property Division, said the selection committee has evaluated the bidding proposals and ranked the bidders, accordingly, but no final decision has been made.
"We have to go into negotiation with the first ranked bidder, but we haven't started yet. We have to get together with the negotiating team which will include the Ancestral Lands Commission," Cruz said.
He confirmed that GIAA was among the bidders but declined to identify the two other bidders.
"We will negotiate with the No. 1 bidder first, and if it didn't work out, we would proceed with the ones next in line," Cruz said.
He said the developer that will eventually be awarded the lease would be allowed to use the property however it wants.
"We don't limit how private developers want to use the property. We believe the private sector knows the market," Cruz said.
The Land Trust property and the roughly 250 acres of land being occupied by the Guam International Raceway are currently being surveyed by military contractors.
The Joint Guam Program Office has confirmed that DoD is considering those properties for the construction of non-live fire training facilities.
"We have authorized (the military) to access the property and take a look at these areas. They told us that they're looking at these properties as part of the (environmental impact assessment)," Cruz said. "But they never said they will acquire or use it."
Thursday, 15 January 2009
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff
THE Department of Defense might have to compete with private developers and the Guam International Airport Authority for the acquisition of Yigo lands, which are being considered by the military as a potential site for a new firing range.
Rolenda Faasuamalie, public information officer for GIAA, said the airport authority is eyeing a portion of the target property as the site of the $16 million municipal airport project to be funded by the Federal Aviation Authority.
GIAA was among the three bidders that responded last year to the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority's solicitation for lease and development of the 395-acre property owned by the Chamorro Land Trust Commission and Ancestral Lands Commission.
"We received a notification that we ranked third, but we're not aware of the current status of the bidding selection," Faasuamalie said.
She added that FAA-funded studies have already identified the ancestral lands on Route 15 as the most ideal site for the municipal airport project, which is part of the government's aviation enhancement initiative.
Faasuamalie said the proposed municipal airport will be designated for private small aircrafts so that don't they mix with commercial planes as they do now at the existing airport.
"We're being optimistic about the future, and trying to meet our space and capacity," she said. "It would require that the government give us authority to use the land."
Faasuamalie said GIAA has not identified an alternative site for the municipal airport.
GEDCA
Mike Cruz, manager of GEDCA's Real Property Division, said the selection committee has evaluated the bidding proposals and ranked the bidders, accordingly, but no final decision has been made.
"We have to go into negotiation with the first ranked bidder, but we haven't started yet. We have to get together with the negotiating team which will include the Ancestral Lands Commission," Cruz said.
He confirmed that GIAA was among the bidders but declined to identify the two other bidders.
"We will negotiate with the No. 1 bidder first, and if it didn't work out, we would proceed with the ones next in line," Cruz said.
He said the developer that will eventually be awarded the lease would be allowed to use the property however it wants.
"We don't limit how private developers want to use the property. We believe the private sector knows the market," Cruz said.
The Land Trust property and the roughly 250 acres of land being occupied by the Guam International Raceway are currently being surveyed by military contractors.
The Joint Guam Program Office has confirmed that DoD is considering those properties for the construction of non-live fire training facilities.
"We have authorized (the military) to access the property and take a look at these areas. They told us that they're looking at these properties as part of the (environmental impact assessment)," Cruz said. "But they never said they will acquire or use it."
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