KPMG’s military buildup study details challenges, recommendations
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
11/21/07
KPMG, the government of Guam’s consultant on the military buildup, has released the results of its study, detailing the challenges that GovGuam faces. It also recommends courses of action for the government to take.
The comprehensive 150-page study made preliminary assessments of the military buildup impact on Guam infrastructure, the economy and social issues facing the island.
The study, which GovGuam will use in its unified approach to the U.S. Congress and military buildup authorities, was presented by KPMG with a governance strategy and public information program for GovGuam.
KPMG was chosen in May this year to assist GovGuam in preparing a strategic plan for military growth and integration.
The governance plan outlines two recommendations for the implementation of Guam’s governance principles and strategies to address the military buildup.
The first involves executive action by the governor through a Directorate for the Transition of Military Expansion and Integration Activities.
In the second recommendation, KPMG drafted legislation for the creation of a Guam Central Commission for Military Expansion and Integration Activities.
KPMG suggested that the governor’s executive action could set the foundation for the legislative approach.
After analyzing information provided by GovGuam and private industry officials, KPMG concluded that it does “not appear that the military can succeed on its own, and that the military, federal agencies, and the people and government of Guam must succeed together.”
KPMG said the cornerstone challenges are physical infrastructure, health and human services, labor, environment, economic development, and master planning.
The consultancy firm also put together nine point papers identifying challenges, and recommends courses of action to make the military expansion work for the benefit of both the military and civilian communities.
Some of the highlights of the point papers are:
• Port — The commercial port may need to double its capacity to sustain the buildup. There may be over-capacity once the buildup is over. The expansion could cost as much as $100 million. KPMG recommends enhanced budgetary support, a government debt program and private sector participation;
• Power — Some $665 million would be needed to complete several projects aimed at improving power generation, transmission, distribution system reliability, investigating fuel diversification, and renewable energy. The Department of Defense is the Guam Power Authority’s largest customer. If DOD develops its own power system, power rates for the civilian community could increase. KPMG recommends an integrated DOD/GPA approach for power generation and distribution;
• Water and wastewater — The Guam Waterworks Authority has made significant capital improvements. The anticipated influx of new residents will place a tremendous strain on water and wastewater resources. KPMG recommends GWA evaluate impacts carefully, update its Master Plan and develop funding alternatives;
• Solid waste — Both civilian and military solid waste facilities are nearing end of use life. There are several inefficiencies in solid waste collection and disposal. KPMG recommends increased private sector involvement, recycling options and assessment of funding;
• Labor — Guam’s existing labor shortage may be exacerbated by the military expansion in as little as two years. The Guam Department of Labor is addressing workforce development issues. KPMG recommends determining more specific labor demands from the buildup and how the buildup can increase sustainable employment opportunities.
• Transport and housing — Guam’s roadway system, which was built after World War II and is difficult to maintain, is undergoing a series of repairs that began in 2006. A major highway between Apra Harbor and Andersen Air Force Base is proposed. The Department of Public Works has a three-point plan to address military expansion roadways requirements. Property values are increasing because of the anticipation of the military influx. Current housing construction rates will not keep pace with demand, while finite land resources will impact development and housing inventory. KPMG recommends a comprehensive housing needs analysis, a review of regulations to eliminate barriers to affordable housing, a land use plan, a review of possible approaches to rent control, the investigation of investment opportunities, and potential funding approaches;
* IT and telecommunications - Guam is the telecommunications hub of the Pacific. However, the physical infrastructure is outdated. There will be a substantial increase in demand for information and communications systems. Guam needs a sustainable technical skills base. KPMG recommends GovGuam play a leading role in encouraging development on the island of fourth generation technologies for convergence of wireless voice, video and data services;
* Economic development - Guam is going through a prolonged expansion due to increased tourism and construction activity. Military buildup presents unprecedented opportunity for long-term development. KPMG recommends GovGuam and private sector develop an Economic Development Master Plan;
* Environment - Guam faces serious environmental challenges including groundwater contamination, negative ecological impact and scarcity of regulatory agency resources. KPMG recommends sustainable development and appropriate environmental management practices to maintain Guam’s natural environment; and
* Health and social services - Healthcare and education in Guam are divided along military and civilian lines. Civilian healthcare infrastructure should be expanded and modernized, along with the workforce capacity. The influx of construction workers and off-island investors will cause healthcare concerns. There are crowding, under-funding, infrastructure and transportation issues in the civilian education system. Guam education system at all levels needs more information from the military in order to properly plan.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Projection for Military Expansion
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Consultant gives projection for military expansion
by Sabrina Salas Matanane
KUAM News
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Government of Guam's D.C.-based consultant on the military buildup, KPMG, presented its preliminary assessment the expansion would have on the island's infrastructure, economy and social issues. The document will be used by the local government in its unified approach to the Congress and the Department of Defense.
KPMG identified $3 billion in funding needs to address all the issues in the point papers, and noted that while GovGuam has identified $1.9 billion to cover this, it still leaves a funding gap of $1.16 billion.
View the executive summary by clicking here
Consultant gives projection for military expansion
by Sabrina Salas Matanane
KUAM News
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Government of Guam's D.C.-based consultant on the military buildup, KPMG, presented its preliminary assessment the expansion would have on the island's infrastructure, economy and social issues. The document will be used by the local government in its unified approach to the Congress and the Department of Defense.
KPMG identified $3 billion in funding needs to address all the issues in the point papers, and noted that while GovGuam has identified $1.9 billion to cover this, it still leaves a funding gap of $1.16 billion.
View the executive summary by clicking here
Monday, November 19, 2007
Camacho Expects DOD to Underwrite Buildup Costs
Government of Guam
November 20, 2007
(Washington D.C.) The Interagency Group on Insular Areas Working Group on Military Expansion met today and focused on the federal government's master planning efforts with the military buildup. Governor Felix P. Camacho is leading the Guam Delegation at a critical meeting with federal agencies in the nation's Capitol. The presentation on master planning efforts was given by the Joint Guam Program Office.
Governor's Chief of Staff J. George Bamba also led a presentation, which released a timeline through 2014 on the military buildup in Guam.
The Guam team and federal agencies participating in the Interagency Group of Insular Areas Working Group on Military Expansion also received a briefing from the Office of Management and Budget on the processes for funding of the Guam program.
The presentation is attached, along with the Governor's address before federal agencies.
"As Governor, I acknowledge there are many challenges that are Guam's responsibility, challenges that are factors of our current program levels and the natural growth of our island community. We are already taking steps to address those issues," Governor Camacho said. "However, I do expect the Department of Defense and the federal government to help underwrite the costs to Guam's local community that are directly and indirectly associated with the defense department's requirements for the move of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force to Guam."
The Guam team also participated in five working group sessions to discuss plans of actions, milestones and costs for the needs and processes of the Guam buildup in Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010. Labor, the Port Authority of Guam, workforce and healthcare were among the priority issue sessions that elicited discussion among representatives of the Government of Guam and executive branch agencies.
"We cannot be expected to cover unfunded federal mandates or other substantial requirements of this military expansion," said Governor Camacho. "We have seen the effects of such mandates in other federal programs and if these are not addressed it will hinder our ability to deliver critical services."
Both David Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Interior, and Major General David Bice, Executive Director of the Joint Guam Program Office, shared with the IGIA Working Group that the move of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa to Guam under the Consultative Agreement is not a U.S. Department of Defense project alone, but must be approached as a federal government responsibility.
"Success requires that all of us in this room work collaboratively and that we view each other as partners working toward a common good," Governor Camacho told federal agencies at the second meeting of the IGIA Working Group on Military Expansion.
The IGIA Working Group on Military Expansion was established in March 2007 following the request of Governor Camacho to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to direct executive branch agencies to address critical workforce needs and provide guidance in the completion of all expedited Capital Improvement Projects related to the military expansion in Guam. The working group would also help the Government of Guam and Guam's military partners in securing the necessary funding to make the upgrades necessary in anticipation of the increase in U.S. forces in Guam and improve the quality of life for both residents and military personnel.
Governor Felix P. Camacho attended the second meeting of the IGIA Working Group on Military Expansion. Governor Camacho led the Guam team at the quarterly meeting of the federal working group created to focus specifically on the challenges that the military buildup presents for the people of Guam. The purpose of this working group was to identify potential funding sources to meet near-term requirements to improve service levels as we prepare for the military's buildup efforts.
November 20, 2007
(Washington D.C.) The Interagency Group on Insular Areas Working Group on Military Expansion met today and focused on the federal government's master planning efforts with the military buildup. Governor Felix P. Camacho is leading the Guam Delegation at a critical meeting with federal agencies in the nation's Capitol. The presentation on master planning efforts was given by the Joint Guam Program Office.
Governor's Chief of Staff J. George Bamba also led a presentation, which released a timeline through 2014 on the military buildup in Guam.
The Guam team and federal agencies participating in the Interagency Group of Insular Areas Working Group on Military Expansion also received a briefing from the Office of Management and Budget on the processes for funding of the Guam program.
The presentation is attached, along with the Governor's address before federal agencies.
"As Governor, I acknowledge there are many challenges that are Guam's responsibility, challenges that are factors of our current program levels and the natural growth of our island community. We are already taking steps to address those issues," Governor Camacho said. "However, I do expect the Department of Defense and the federal government to help underwrite the costs to Guam's local community that are directly and indirectly associated with the defense department's requirements for the move of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force to Guam."
The Guam team also participated in five working group sessions to discuss plans of actions, milestones and costs for the needs and processes of the Guam buildup in Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010. Labor, the Port Authority of Guam, workforce and healthcare were among the priority issue sessions that elicited discussion among representatives of the Government of Guam and executive branch agencies.
"We cannot be expected to cover unfunded federal mandates or other substantial requirements of this military expansion," said Governor Camacho. "We have seen the effects of such mandates in other federal programs and if these are not addressed it will hinder our ability to deliver critical services."
Both David Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Interior, and Major General David Bice, Executive Director of the Joint Guam Program Office, shared with the IGIA Working Group that the move of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa to Guam under the Consultative Agreement is not a U.S. Department of Defense project alone, but must be approached as a federal government responsibility.
"Success requires that all of us in this room work collaboratively and that we view each other as partners working toward a common good," Governor Camacho told federal agencies at the second meeting of the IGIA Working Group on Military Expansion.
The IGIA Working Group on Military Expansion was established in March 2007 following the request of Governor Camacho to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to direct executive branch agencies to address critical workforce needs and provide guidance in the completion of all expedited Capital Improvement Projects related to the military expansion in Guam. The working group would also help the Government of Guam and Guam's military partners in securing the necessary funding to make the upgrades necessary in anticipation of the increase in U.S. forces in Guam and improve the quality of life for both residents and military personnel.
Governor Felix P. Camacho attended the second meeting of the IGIA Working Group on Military Expansion. Governor Camacho led the Guam team at the quarterly meeting of the federal working group created to focus specifically on the challenges that the military buildup presents for the people of Guam. The purpose of this working group was to identify potential funding sources to meet near-term requirements to improve service levels as we prepare for the military's buildup efforts.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
US Base Building on Back Burner
JAPAN TIMES
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007
U.S. base rejiggering on back burner
By ERIC JOHNSTON
Staff writer
OSAKA — Two years ago, when George W. Bush met with then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Kyoto, the U.S. president was asked about a recently concluded preliminary agreement on reorganizing American military bases in Japan.
Bush replied that it was up to Japan to expedite the agreement, which centers on construction of an airstrip in northern Okinawa for relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan.
Six months later, a final report said once the Futenma replacement facility became operational in 2014, the U.S. Marine Corps contingent at the base would be downsized by 8,000 marines and their dependents, who may number about the same. Their new home would be Guam.
As Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda heads to Washington Thursday to meet with Bush, however, the realignment agreement is stalled, and doubts on both sides are growing over when, or even if, the Futenma replacement facility will materialize.
The sticking point in the agreement is the construction of two 1,800-meter runways, in a V-pattern, adjacent to Camp Schwab on the northern part of the main island near Henoko. Current plans call for the runways to be built close to the shoreline, which the prefecture fears will create noise pollution problems.
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima, who was elected last November, announced his opposition to the current plan and demanded the facility be moved farther out on the peninsula and adjoining sea.
But the central government and the United States have refused to reconsider the plan. Last week, a meeting between Nakaima and central government officials in Tokyo failed to resolve the issue.
Over the past year, the central government has sent mixed signals to both Okinawa and the U.S. over whether it would compromise.
In January, then Defense Agency head Fumio Kyuma said he would be willing to scrap the runway configuration and build a single runway. However, both then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the U.S. said the V-configuration would move forward.
Last week, after a meeting between Okinawan officials and the central government, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura indicated to reporters that Tokyo might be more flexible.
But two days later, following a visit to Japan by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Machimura told reporters it would be extremely difficult to meet Okinawa's demands.
Time is running out for both sides, though. Unless actual construction of the new facility begins within the next 18 months, it will be extremely difficult to meet the 2014 deadline.
In May, the central government began a preliminary environmental impact assessment off Camp Schwab. The work was carried out despite the presence of antibase protesters in the area who had prevented previous attempts to do a survey of the seabed.
But most observers of U.S.-Japan security relations agree ensuring the base reorganization takes place as scheduled by working with Okinawa is not a priority for either Fukuda or Bush.
With the U.S. presidential election next November and speculation mounting that Fukuda will dissolve the Lower House well before then, both leaders are expected to focus their attention this week on more immediate issues, including Japan's resumption of its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean.
According to the Okinawa Prefectural Government, there were about 43,000 U.S. service members and their dependents living in Okinawa as of the beginning of 2007. These included approximately 13,500 marines and 8,000 of their dependents at 16 bases and facilities. There were about 7,000 U.S. Air Force personnel and another 7,000 of their dependents at seven bases and facilities.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/rss/nn20071115f2.html
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007
U.S. base rejiggering on back burner
By ERIC JOHNSTON
Staff writer
OSAKA — Two years ago, when George W. Bush met with then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Kyoto, the U.S. president was asked about a recently concluded preliminary agreement on reorganizing American military bases in Japan.
Bush replied that it was up to Japan to expedite the agreement, which centers on construction of an airstrip in northern Okinawa for relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan.
Six months later, a final report said once the Futenma replacement facility became operational in 2014, the U.S. Marine Corps contingent at the base would be downsized by 8,000 marines and their dependents, who may number about the same. Their new home would be Guam.
As Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda heads to Washington Thursday to meet with Bush, however, the realignment agreement is stalled, and doubts on both sides are growing over when, or even if, the Futenma replacement facility will materialize.
The sticking point in the agreement is the construction of two 1,800-meter runways, in a V-pattern, adjacent to Camp Schwab on the northern part of the main island near Henoko. Current plans call for the runways to be built close to the shoreline, which the prefecture fears will create noise pollution problems.
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima, who was elected last November, announced his opposition to the current plan and demanded the facility be moved farther out on the peninsula and adjoining sea.
But the central government and the United States have refused to reconsider the plan. Last week, a meeting between Nakaima and central government officials in Tokyo failed to resolve the issue.
Over the past year, the central government has sent mixed signals to both Okinawa and the U.S. over whether it would compromise.
In January, then Defense Agency head Fumio Kyuma said he would be willing to scrap the runway configuration and build a single runway. However, both then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the U.S. said the V-configuration would move forward.
Last week, after a meeting between Okinawan officials and the central government, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura indicated to reporters that Tokyo might be more flexible.
But two days later, following a visit to Japan by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Machimura told reporters it would be extremely difficult to meet Okinawa's demands.
Time is running out for both sides, though. Unless actual construction of the new facility begins within the next 18 months, it will be extremely difficult to meet the 2014 deadline.
In May, the central government began a preliminary environmental impact assessment off Camp Schwab. The work was carried out despite the presence of antibase protesters in the area who had prevented previous attempts to do a survey of the seabed.
But most observers of U.S.-Japan security relations agree ensuring the base reorganization takes place as scheduled by working with Okinawa is not a priority for either Fukuda or Bush.
With the U.S. presidential election next November and speculation mounting that Fukuda will dissolve the Lower House well before then, both leaders are expected to focus their attention this week on more immediate issues, including Japan's resumption of its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean.
According to the Okinawa Prefectural Government, there were about 43,000 U.S. service members and their dependents living in Okinawa as of the beginning of 2007. These included approximately 13,500 marines and 8,000 of their dependents at 16 bases and facilities. There were about 7,000 U.S. Air Force personnel and another 7,000 of their dependents at seven bases and facilities.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/rss/nn20071115f2.html
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Home Depot Ready to Open on Guam
Home Depot ready to open doors to Guam
by John Davis, KUAM News
Monday, November 12, 2007
With more than 40,000 items in their inventory, island residents better prepare for a jaw-dropping experience as the second-largest Home Depot in the world prepares to open its doors. Home Depot is definitely in a league of its own - most mainland Home Depot locations average 105,000 square feet of store space, but the local superstore boasts a 156,000 square foot store with thousands of options to help create your own home look.
If you're looking to do renovations, the store offers over one a hundred different selections of tile to choose from, which store manager Brian Lay says is unique to the island. "We carry ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, just to name a few and it's in stock every single day," he said. (Not to mention hundreds of different fixtures ranging from the antique rustic look to your modern day design for your bathroom, kitchen or even around the house, inside or out.)
For the kitchen, Home Depot has a selection of cabinets varying from low to high-end finishes, interior and exterior doors, bath tubs and bathroom sinks to ensure you get more for your money. Sales associate for appliances Jenius Ancaya says they even offer a wide selection of washers, dryers, stoves and refrigerators. "Starting with the L.G., Maytag, and Magic Chef. We have admiral, Adora mostly all the brand from the mainland is here on Guam," she said.
Aside from a huge selection of treated and untreated lumber, concrete blocks and other building equipment, Home Depot also offers a huge garden center with name brand topsoil and fertilizer, they offer three styles of paving and retaining wall stones, pots and planters and much more. Home Depot even plans to give local vendors a piece of the pie.
Said Lay, "The live goods that we'll be selling here on island are from the island...we have five different vendors here on the island that our supplying our goods, and that's what you can expect to see."
If you're the do-it-yourself type of person, but find yourself lacking the tools for the task. Home Depot even has a tool rental department; rental items range from a variety of tools to bushcutters, cement mixers, wet and dry vacuums, water blasters and generators ranging from 3,000-5,000 kilowatts. "A soft opening ceremony will be Wednesday at 5pm, followed by the opening to the general public Thursday.
Regular hours for Home Depot will be 6am-9pm, Monday through Saturday and 7am-7pm on Sundays.
by John Davis, KUAM News
Monday, November 12, 2007
With more than 40,000 items in their inventory, island residents better prepare for a jaw-dropping experience as the second-largest Home Depot in the world prepares to open its doors. Home Depot is definitely in a league of its own - most mainland Home Depot locations average 105,000 square feet of store space, but the local superstore boasts a 156,000 square foot store with thousands of options to help create your own home look.
If you're looking to do renovations, the store offers over one a hundred different selections of tile to choose from, which store manager Brian Lay says is unique to the island. "We carry ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, just to name a few and it's in stock every single day," he said. (Not to mention hundreds of different fixtures ranging from the antique rustic look to your modern day design for your bathroom, kitchen or even around the house, inside or out.)
For the kitchen, Home Depot has a selection of cabinets varying from low to high-end finishes, interior and exterior doors, bath tubs and bathroom sinks to ensure you get more for your money. Sales associate for appliances Jenius Ancaya says they even offer a wide selection of washers, dryers, stoves and refrigerators. "Starting with the L.G., Maytag, and Magic Chef. We have admiral, Adora mostly all the brand from the mainland is here on Guam," she said.
Aside from a huge selection of treated and untreated lumber, concrete blocks and other building equipment, Home Depot also offers a huge garden center with name brand topsoil and fertilizer, they offer three styles of paving and retaining wall stones, pots and planters and much more. Home Depot even plans to give local vendors a piece of the pie.
Said Lay, "The live goods that we'll be selling here on island are from the island...we have five different vendors here on the island that our supplying our goods, and that's what you can expect to see."
If you're the do-it-yourself type of person, but find yourself lacking the tools for the task. Home Depot even has a tool rental department; rental items range from a variety of tools to bushcutters, cement mixers, wet and dry vacuums, water blasters and generators ranging from 3,000-5,000 kilowatts. "A soft opening ceremony will be Wednesday at 5pm, followed by the opening to the general public Thursday.
Regular hours for Home Depot will be 6am-9pm, Monday through Saturday and 7am-7pm on Sundays.
Pago Bay Resort
Pago Bay Resort site was once ancient settlement
by Clynt Ridgell, KUAM News
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
If you've driven by a specific Pago Bay clearing right below the Yona Overlook, you've probably been wondering what's going on with all the clearing. The development work being done is the site of a future housing development that was once an ancient settlement.
All of the jungle was cleared by hand - the reason the owner of Sunny Wholesale, Fong Woo, purchased this property and is now looking to develop it as a single family housing subdivision. But before it's developed they've contracted the services of the Micronesian Area Research Center to conduct an archeological survey, and what they've found is rather interesting.
MARC director and archaeologist Dr. John Peterson explained, "We find a village here, which extends all the way along this ridge parallel to the sea; at least here on the top there's some pottery and burned rock and other remains showing that people where living here with some density. So far Peterson say he and his team thinks it was a rather dense settlement used for at least a thousand years before the Spaniards arrived. Peterson says this ancient Chamorro village probably goes back to the Pre-Latte Period.
"Just a few centimeters below the surface we're finding Marianas redware pottery, which is indication that people were living here maybe as long ago as 2,000-3,000 years ago," he added.
Dr. Mike Carson is another archeologist who's working the site. He pointed out an interesting cave that remains to be explored, noting, "This cave is a little unusual - it has two entrances to it. Inside we see evidence of quite a lot of sediment accumulation." The good thing about the dirt and sediment that has accumulated inside the cave is that it's actually preserved whatever maybe left underneath. Although they haven't found any cave art, it's possible that they could be hidden behind all this dirt and debris. "There's a chamber on the side and there's another chamber [in the] back...these are the prime places where people would go to take shelter to be most protected from the elements," said Carson.
Dr. Carson showed us some recently set coconut crab traps showing the fertility of the land here, saying, "And we may yet find evidence of how long that tradition has occurred here." Dr. Peterson believes the ancient Chamorros probably lived in the area before during and after the latte period when the Spaniards arrived. "This is really a good spot right next to the river great breeze here<' he said, "It's a good locality for settling."
Not only was it a good place to settle in the past it's evidently going to be a settlement of the future. Pago Bay Resort general operations manager John Tarantino, saying, "What we're trying to do is create a resort community, not just a place to live, you know, an environment." To accomplish this, they'll be putting in private roads underground power cable sewer and water for 88 lots to be sold to people interested in building high-end, single-family homes in a gated community. Added Tarantino, "What we're trying to achieve here is to maximize what Pago Bays potential is with regards to a natural environment to live in."
Tarantino says the idea was to impact the land as little as possible. This is why they've contracted marc for an archeological survey and also why Tarantino says they've going through all the necessary steps and getting all the necessary permits before developing. "When this lot is delivered to whomever buys it, it comes free and clear of any questions or archaeological environmental ownership. The whole idea here is peace of mind," he said.
by Clynt Ridgell, KUAM News
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
If you've driven by a specific Pago Bay clearing right below the Yona Overlook, you've probably been wondering what's going on with all the clearing. The development work being done is the site of a future housing development that was once an ancient settlement.
All of the jungle was cleared by hand - the reason the owner of Sunny Wholesale, Fong Woo, purchased this property and is now looking to develop it as a single family housing subdivision. But before it's developed they've contracted the services of the Micronesian Area Research Center to conduct an archeological survey, and what they've found is rather interesting.
MARC director and archaeologist Dr. John Peterson explained, "We find a village here, which extends all the way along this ridge parallel to the sea; at least here on the top there's some pottery and burned rock and other remains showing that people where living here with some density. So far Peterson say he and his team thinks it was a rather dense settlement used for at least a thousand years before the Spaniards arrived. Peterson says this ancient Chamorro village probably goes back to the Pre-Latte Period.
"Just a few centimeters below the surface we're finding Marianas redware pottery, which is indication that people were living here maybe as long ago as 2,000-3,000 years ago," he added.
Dr. Mike Carson is another archeologist who's working the site. He pointed out an interesting cave that remains to be explored, noting, "This cave is a little unusual - it has two entrances to it. Inside we see evidence of quite a lot of sediment accumulation." The good thing about the dirt and sediment that has accumulated inside the cave is that it's actually preserved whatever maybe left underneath. Although they haven't found any cave art, it's possible that they could be hidden behind all this dirt and debris. "There's a chamber on the side and there's another chamber [in the] back...these are the prime places where people would go to take shelter to be most protected from the elements," said Carson.
Dr. Carson showed us some recently set coconut crab traps showing the fertility of the land here, saying, "And we may yet find evidence of how long that tradition has occurred here." Dr. Peterson believes the ancient Chamorros probably lived in the area before during and after the latte period when the Spaniards arrived. "This is really a good spot right next to the river great breeze here<' he said, "It's a good locality for settling."
Not only was it a good place to settle in the past it's evidently going to be a settlement of the future. Pago Bay Resort general operations manager John Tarantino, saying, "What we're trying to do is create a resort community, not just a place to live, you know, an environment." To accomplish this, they'll be putting in private roads underground power cable sewer and water for 88 lots to be sold to people interested in building high-end, single-family homes in a gated community. Added Tarantino, "What we're trying to achieve here is to maximize what Pago Bays potential is with regards to a natural environment to live in."
Tarantino says the idea was to impact the land as little as possible. This is why they've contracted marc for an archeological survey and also why Tarantino says they've going through all the necessary steps and getting all the necessary permits before developing. "When this lot is delivered to whomever buys it, it comes free and clear of any questions or archaeological environmental ownership. The whole idea here is peace of mind," he said.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Manengon Land for Sale
Manengon land for sale
Texas A&M to sell 1,146-acre property for $25 million
By Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno
Pacific Daily News
gdumat-ol@ guampdn.com
11/13/07
One piece of Guam real estate, which constitutes about 1.7 percent of the entire island's civilian land inventory, is for sale.
The 1,146-acre property was a part of a much bigger property that the late businessman Harold Dwight Look owned on the hills and valleys of Manengon.
Look once owned almost 8,000 acres of land in Manengon, according to Guam court documents.
An Army veteran of World War II who served in the Pacific Theater, Look lived on Guam for about 40 years, according to his alma mater, Texas A&M University.
Look donated the 1,146-acre lot to the university in 1992, and at the time, it was the single largest gift to the university, according to Texas A&M.
The university's College of Engineering has since been named the Dwight Look College of Engineering, which today has an enrollment of close to 9,000 future engineers in a variety of fields -- from computer to oil drilling to space engineering, according to the university.
Look was 80 when he died in 2002 in his home state of Texas, according to the university.
Price tag: $25 million
The Texas A&M Foundation is selling the 1,146-acre property for a $25 million asking price, according to the seller's representatives.
The seller is being represented by CB Richard Ellis, a Los Angeles-based real estate services company, and Guam-based Captain Realty Advisors.
The property was valued at $52 million at the time Look donated it to the university, according to Texas A&M's Web site.
Guam's property values were priced much higher when Look made the donation to Texas A&M because of the island's real estate boom at the time, said Nick Captain, president of Captain Realty Advisors.
Between the 1980s and early 1990s, Japanese investors fueled a real estate boom on Guam with land purchases geared toward resort and hotel developments.
But when the Japanese economy soured, along with the Asian economic crisis in the late 1990s, Guam's real estate market took a nosedive.
Guam's real estate market in the past three years has shown new signs of another boom, but this time more conservative.
Experts at a recent regional real estate conference on Guam have said that recent commercial property deals on Guam were still priced about half of the going price during the 1980s to early 1990s peak.
The multibillion-dollar military buildup being planned on Guam starting in about two years has boosted the housing market on island.
During the past three years, the median price of single-family homes on Guam has increased 18.7 percent, on average, per year, according to CB Richard Ellis.
Mixed use
The 1,146-acre property "is the biggest property that's got near-term development potential" listed for sale on Guam in almost a decade, said Nick Captain, president of Captain Realty Advisors, who's been keeping track of real estate transactions locally for years.
The property is vast enough for a variety of uses, and its near-term potential includes residential subdivision developments, Captain said.
The property has access along both sides of the road to LeoPalace Resort.
Look once owned more than 7,900 acres of real property in the Manengon area, according to Guam Supreme Court documents concerning a smaller, 120-acre property Look owned.
Miyama Development, the company that developed the Manengon Hills area where LeoPalace now stands, had purchased about 5.5 million square meters of land that once belonged to Look, Captain said.
Donation
The government of Guam also is a beneficiary of a land donation from Look.
In 1998, Look donated to the local government more than 100,000 square meters of Manengon Hills land, which was a concentration camp for thousands of Chamorros during the Japanese occupation in World War II, according to Guam legislative records.
Look made the donation so that the site can be developed into a memorial for those who suffered and died in the concentration camp.
In 2001, GovGuam granted the nonprofit Manenggon Memorial Foundation a $1-a-year lease on the 100,000 square meters for the construction of the memorial, according to Guam law.
Texas A&M to sell 1,146-acre property for $25 million
By Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno
Pacific Daily News
gdumat-ol@ guampdn.com
11/13/07
One piece of Guam real estate, which constitutes about 1.7 percent of the entire island's civilian land inventory, is for sale.
The 1,146-acre property was a part of a much bigger property that the late businessman Harold Dwight Look owned on the hills and valleys of Manengon.
Look once owned almost 8,000 acres of land in Manengon, according to Guam court documents.
An Army veteran of World War II who served in the Pacific Theater, Look lived on Guam for about 40 years, according to his alma mater, Texas A&M University.
Look donated the 1,146-acre lot to the university in 1992, and at the time, it was the single largest gift to the university, according to Texas A&M.
The university's College of Engineering has since been named the Dwight Look College of Engineering, which today has an enrollment of close to 9,000 future engineers in a variety of fields -- from computer to oil drilling to space engineering, according to the university.
Look was 80 when he died in 2002 in his home state of Texas, according to the university.
Price tag: $25 million
The Texas A&M Foundation is selling the 1,146-acre property for a $25 million asking price, according to the seller's representatives.
The seller is being represented by CB Richard Ellis, a Los Angeles-based real estate services company, and Guam-based Captain Realty Advisors.
The property was valued at $52 million at the time Look donated it to the university, according to Texas A&M's Web site.
Guam's property values were priced much higher when Look made the donation to Texas A&M because of the island's real estate boom at the time, said Nick Captain, president of Captain Realty Advisors.
Between the 1980s and early 1990s, Japanese investors fueled a real estate boom on Guam with land purchases geared toward resort and hotel developments.
But when the Japanese economy soured, along with the Asian economic crisis in the late 1990s, Guam's real estate market took a nosedive.
Guam's real estate market in the past three years has shown new signs of another boom, but this time more conservative.
Experts at a recent regional real estate conference on Guam have said that recent commercial property deals on Guam were still priced about half of the going price during the 1980s to early 1990s peak.
The multibillion-dollar military buildup being planned on Guam starting in about two years has boosted the housing market on island.
During the past three years, the median price of single-family homes on Guam has increased 18.7 percent, on average, per year, according to CB Richard Ellis.
Mixed use
The 1,146-acre property "is the biggest property that's got near-term development potential" listed for sale on Guam in almost a decade, said Nick Captain, president of Captain Realty Advisors, who's been keeping track of real estate transactions locally for years.
The property is vast enough for a variety of uses, and its near-term potential includes residential subdivision developments, Captain said.
The property has access along both sides of the road to LeoPalace Resort.
Look once owned more than 7,900 acres of real property in the Manengon area, according to Guam Supreme Court documents concerning a smaller, 120-acre property Look owned.
Miyama Development, the company that developed the Manengon Hills area where LeoPalace now stands, had purchased about 5.5 million square meters of land that once belonged to Look, Captain said.
Donation
The government of Guam also is a beneficiary of a land donation from Look.
In 1998, Look donated to the local government more than 100,000 square meters of Manengon Hills land, which was a concentration camp for thousands of Chamorros during the Japanese occupation in World War II, according to Guam legislative records.
Look made the donation so that the site can be developed into a memorial for those who suffered and died in the concentration camp.
In 2001, GovGuam granted the nonprofit Manenggon Memorial Foundation a $1-a-year lease on the 100,000 square meters for the construction of the memorial, according to Guam law.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
No Water Rate Decrease for Military on Guam
Navy cuts water rates for civilians on Guam
By Jennifer H. Svan
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, November 11, 2007
But last month’s price increase still in effect for its DOD customers
After nearly doubling the price of water for its southern Guam customers on Oct. 1 in a move that drew sharp criticism from island officials, the Navy has partially reversed course.
Navy officials said Friday that water rates would be reduced to $3.25 per 1,000 gallons, down from $4.05 per 1,000 gallons.
But the price break would extended only to its civilian customers: Guam Waterworks Authority and Guam Power Authority, said Navy Lt. Donnell Evans, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas spokesman, in a written response to Stars and Stripes.
The rate for its Defense Department customers — including Naval Base Guam and tenant commands — would remain at the current $4.05 per 1,000 gallons “to recover DOD share of past losses,” Evans wrote.
“The Navy will defer recovery of losses on water sale to GWA and GPA over the next five years.”
In a news release from her Washington, D.C., office, Guam’s Rep. Madeleine Bordallo welcomed the Navy’s announcement.
She said the price reduction was to go into effect immediately and was retroactive to Oct. 1.
“We appreciate the partial relief, and we will work to address the broader water issues on Guam in light of the planned military buildup,” Bordallo was quoted as saying.
Nearly 40,000 new military personnel and family members could move to Guam in coming years as part of the Pentagon’s overall plans to build up troop strength and operations on the island.
Some 8,000 Marines and their families and civilian support workers are to be relocated from Okinawa to Guam in the plan.
The Navy publicly announced in September that its rates for fiscal year 2008 would jump from $2.09 per 1,000 gallons to $4.05, and that rates would increase to $4.16 in fiscal 2009.
Some island officials then said the steep increase was too sudden and should have been phased in to be fair.
Simon Sanchez, chairman of the Consolidated Commission on Utilities, a governing board of elected officials for GWA and GPA, worried at the time that opponents of further military expansion might use the Navy’s decision as proof the Defense Department wasn’t a good partner with whom to do business.
Navy officials had said the increase was needed to cover ongoing operating and maintenance costs, and that the Navy had been running its Fena Reservoir water plant at a significant loss.
Evans said Friday that after a review of the cost components and discussions with the Navy and Office of Secretary of Defense comptrollers, it was determined that plant operations could break even at the new rate of $3.25.
“We’re taking this opportunity to foster better communication and coordination between Navy and the Government of Guam on utilities infrastructure, both now and in the future,” Evans wrote. “Navy will work more closely with local authorities during the planning stages in coordinating future planned rate adjustments.”
GWA spokeswoman Heidi Ballendorf said Friday the company is pleased with the Navy’s water rate decrease and is making progress in reducing its dependency on Navy water.
Sanchez could not be reached for comment Friday.
Stars and Stripes reporter Teri Weaver contributed to this report.
By Jennifer H. Svan
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, November 11, 2007
But last month’s price increase still in effect for its DOD customers
After nearly doubling the price of water for its southern Guam customers on Oct. 1 in a move that drew sharp criticism from island officials, the Navy has partially reversed course.
Navy officials said Friday that water rates would be reduced to $3.25 per 1,000 gallons, down from $4.05 per 1,000 gallons.
But the price break would extended only to its civilian customers: Guam Waterworks Authority and Guam Power Authority, said Navy Lt. Donnell Evans, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas spokesman, in a written response to Stars and Stripes.
The rate for its Defense Department customers — including Naval Base Guam and tenant commands — would remain at the current $4.05 per 1,000 gallons “to recover DOD share of past losses,” Evans wrote.
“The Navy will defer recovery of losses on water sale to GWA and GPA over the next five years.”
In a news release from her Washington, D.C., office, Guam’s Rep. Madeleine Bordallo welcomed the Navy’s announcement.
She said the price reduction was to go into effect immediately and was retroactive to Oct. 1.
“We appreciate the partial relief, and we will work to address the broader water issues on Guam in light of the planned military buildup,” Bordallo was quoted as saying.
Nearly 40,000 new military personnel and family members could move to Guam in coming years as part of the Pentagon’s overall plans to build up troop strength and operations on the island.
Some 8,000 Marines and their families and civilian support workers are to be relocated from Okinawa to Guam in the plan.
The Navy publicly announced in September that its rates for fiscal year 2008 would jump from $2.09 per 1,000 gallons to $4.05, and that rates would increase to $4.16 in fiscal 2009.
Some island officials then said the steep increase was too sudden and should have been phased in to be fair.
Simon Sanchez, chairman of the Consolidated Commission on Utilities, a governing board of elected officials for GWA and GPA, worried at the time that opponents of further military expansion might use the Navy’s decision as proof the Defense Department wasn’t a good partner with whom to do business.
Navy officials had said the increase was needed to cover ongoing operating and maintenance costs, and that the Navy had been running its Fena Reservoir water plant at a significant loss.
Evans said Friday that after a review of the cost components and discussions with the Navy and Office of Secretary of Defense comptrollers, it was determined that plant operations could break even at the new rate of $3.25.
“We’re taking this opportunity to foster better communication and coordination between Navy and the Government of Guam on utilities infrastructure, both now and in the future,” Evans wrote. “Navy will work more closely with local authorities during the planning stages in coordinating future planned rate adjustments.”
GWA spokeswoman Heidi Ballendorf said Friday the company is pleased with the Navy’s water rate decrease and is making progress in reducing its dependency on Navy water.
Sanchez could not be reached for comment Friday.
Stars and Stripes reporter Teri Weaver contributed to this report.
The Question of Guam 2007
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
Sixty-second General Assembly
Fourth Committee
3rd Meeting (PM)
FOURTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES DECOLONIZATION DEBATE, HEARING
PETITIONERS FROM GUAM, WESTERN SAHARA
As the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its discussion of decolonization issues this afternoon, the questions of Guam and Western Sahara featured prominently, with the Committee hearing more than 20 petitioners on both those matters.
On the question of Guam, petitioners raised concerns about the steady United States military presence, and the expected rise in their number by 50,000, including military personnel, their dependents and contractors. They said militarization of Guam was an impediment to the right to self-determination of the Chamoru people -- Guam's native people. Though the Chamoru did not unanimously support the United States militarization on the island, it could not be stopped because that country was the administering Power.
"American military commanders beamed with pride at the incredible control they enjoyed over this tiny little island, which they regularly call 'Fortress Guam'," said the representative of Famoksaiyan, an organization that brings together Chamoru people from the Pacific and the United States, in support of Guam's decolonization. As the United States continued to "politely and impolitely" insist that the United Nations mind its own business, he felt it was necessary for the United Nations to engage in its own forms of "polite and impolite action".
A representative of the Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice said that the militarization of the island had also sparked a capitalistic boom, with indigenous Chamoru families struggling economically, selling their land to American and foreign companies in the hope of profiting from the military boom. The United Nations should be more active in upholding the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples with respect to Guam, and more resources for educational campaigns about self-determination and decolonization should be disseminated.
A representative of the Guahan Indigenous Collective also spoke on the question of Guam.
Background
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this afternoon to continue its debate on all decolonization issues, and was also expected to hear petitioners from Non-Self-Governing Territories. (Reports before the Committee are summarized in yesterday's Press Release GA/SPD/371.)
Committee Chairman ABDALMAHMOOD ABDALHALEEM MOHAMAD ( Sudan) informed members that, while it had been decided that the Committee would hear petitioners on the questions of New Caledonia, Guam and Western Sahara today, the petitioner from New Caledonia was unable to come to New York as scheduled. Therefore, the Committee would begin by hearing from petitioners on the question of Guam.
Petitioners on Question of Guam
MICHAEL LUJAN BEVACQUA, representative of Famoksaiyan, an organization that brought together Chamoru people from the Pacific and the United States committed to the decolonization of Guam, noted that, in 1980, Chamorus made up 45 per cent of Guam's population, but that number had fallen to 37 per cent in 2000. Since 11 September 2001, America's military presence had risen steadily, and Guam faced a further increase of 50,000 civilian and military personnel due to the relocating of American Marines, Air Force and Army staff from Okinawa and the Republic of Korea. "American military commanders beamed with pride at the incredible control they enjoyed over this tiny little island, which they regularly call 'Fortress Guam', or the 'tip of America's spear'," he said.
The official position of the United States on its colonies today was that they were domestic concerns, he said. As such, the United Nations had no authority or mandate to encourage negotiations on their status, or to alter their relationship to the United States. The United States Government's resistance to resolution 1541 (1960) (Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples) was clear. As the United States continued to "politely and impolitely" insist that the United Nations mind its own business, he felt it was necessary for the United Nations to engage in its own forms of "polite and impolite action".
RIMA MILES, a Refaluwasch (or Carolinian), from the island of Saipan in Guam, said the Chamoru right to self-determination was being threatened by the United States' actions, which contradicted the terms of its obligation to the Chamoru people. Currently, the Territory was preparing for a population increase of 55,000 in military workers and dependents, which made up more than a quarter of the current population. The militarization of their homeland was a direct impediment to the Chamoru right to self-determination. In addition, live-fire sites would be available to the naval and air forces of other United Nations Member States, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. She urged the Committee to condemn that multinational disregard for the United Nations Charter and resolution 1541.
She said that, not only were they seeing international Governments interested in United States military schemes for Guam, but "corporate vultures" were circling and already touching down, and $10 billion in new investment by the United States Department of Defense could be expected. With one third of the island occupied, national integrity would be compromised. Where the land and sea used to be protected, now beachfront developments foreshadowed the future to come. The loss of land was coupled with environmental degradation.
The United Nations must look at non-self-governing situations on a case-by-case basis, especially when administering Powers were not cooperative, she said. She had come today with no monetary support from the United States or the local government. "We are students and parents who do not have […] money, but still we come […] in order for you to fulfil your mission", and so that "these voices cannot be forgotten". More than 160 United States atomic and hydrogen bomb tests had made women into vessels to pass death to the hope they carried in their wombs.
MARIE AUYONG, Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice, speaking on behalf of Victoria-Lola M. Leon Guerrero, said that an amplified militarization of Guam was a direct impediment to the native people's human right to self-determination and should spark concern in the international community about United States military presence in the Pacific. Guam was host to the largest United States military exercises in the Pacific since the Viet Nam War. The people of Guam did not unanimously support the United States militarization on the island, yet, because that country was the administering Power, they had no way of stopping it.
She said that the militarization of the island had also sparked a "capitalistic boom". The island seemed to be "for sale", and indigenous Chamoru families, struggling economically, had begun to sell their land to United States and foreign companies, which hoped to profit from the military boom. "It is tragic that more than 60 years after your inception, and the United Nations declaration to eradicate colonization, the people of Guam remain squashed under the thumb of the world's biggest super Power," she said.
The United Nations should be more active in upholding resolution 1541, ensuring that the native Chamoru people of Guam exercise their right to self-determination and decolonization. A fact-finding mission should be sent to Guam. The island also needed more resources for educational campaigns about self-determination and decolonization.
Sixty-second General Assembly
Fourth Committee
3rd Meeting (PM)
FOURTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES DECOLONIZATION DEBATE, HEARING
PETITIONERS FROM GUAM, WESTERN SAHARA
As the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) continued its discussion of decolonization issues this afternoon, the questions of Guam and Western Sahara featured prominently, with the Committee hearing more than 20 petitioners on both those matters.
On the question of Guam, petitioners raised concerns about the steady United States military presence, and the expected rise in their number by 50,000, including military personnel, their dependents and contractors. They said militarization of Guam was an impediment to the right to self-determination of the Chamoru people -- Guam's native people. Though the Chamoru did not unanimously support the United States militarization on the island, it could not be stopped because that country was the administering Power.
"American military commanders beamed with pride at the incredible control they enjoyed over this tiny little island, which they regularly call 'Fortress Guam'," said the representative of Famoksaiyan, an organization that brings together Chamoru people from the Pacific and the United States, in support of Guam's decolonization. As the United States continued to "politely and impolitely" insist that the United Nations mind its own business, he felt it was necessary for the United Nations to engage in its own forms of "polite and impolite action".
A representative of the Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice said that the militarization of the island had also sparked a capitalistic boom, with indigenous Chamoru families struggling economically, selling their land to American and foreign companies in the hope of profiting from the military boom. The United Nations should be more active in upholding the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples with respect to Guam, and more resources for educational campaigns about self-determination and decolonization should be disseminated.
A representative of the Guahan Indigenous Collective also spoke on the question of Guam.
Background
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this afternoon to continue its debate on all decolonization issues, and was also expected to hear petitioners from Non-Self-Governing Territories. (Reports before the Committee are summarized in yesterday's Press Release GA/SPD/371.)
Committee Chairman ABDALMAHMOOD ABDALHALEEM MOHAMAD ( Sudan) informed members that, while it had been decided that the Committee would hear petitioners on the questions of New Caledonia, Guam and Western Sahara today, the petitioner from New Caledonia was unable to come to New York as scheduled. Therefore, the Committee would begin by hearing from petitioners on the question of Guam.
Petitioners on Question of Guam
MICHAEL LUJAN BEVACQUA, representative of Famoksaiyan, an organization that brought together Chamoru people from the Pacific and the United States committed to the decolonization of Guam, noted that, in 1980, Chamorus made up 45 per cent of Guam's population, but that number had fallen to 37 per cent in 2000. Since 11 September 2001, America's military presence had risen steadily, and Guam faced a further increase of 50,000 civilian and military personnel due to the relocating of American Marines, Air Force and Army staff from Okinawa and the Republic of Korea. "American military commanders beamed with pride at the incredible control they enjoyed over this tiny little island, which they regularly call 'Fortress Guam', or the 'tip of America's spear'," he said.
The official position of the United States on its colonies today was that they were domestic concerns, he said. As such, the United Nations had no authority or mandate to encourage negotiations on their status, or to alter their relationship to the United States. The United States Government's resistance to resolution 1541 (1960) (Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples) was clear. As the United States continued to "politely and impolitely" insist that the United Nations mind its own business, he felt it was necessary for the United Nations to engage in its own forms of "polite and impolite action".
RIMA MILES, a Refaluwasch (or Carolinian), from the island of Saipan in Guam, said the Chamoru right to self-determination was being threatened by the United States' actions, which contradicted the terms of its obligation to the Chamoru people. Currently, the Territory was preparing for a population increase of 55,000 in military workers and dependents, which made up more than a quarter of the current population. The militarization of their homeland was a direct impediment to the Chamoru right to self-determination. In addition, live-fire sites would be available to the naval and air forces of other United Nations Member States, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. She urged the Committee to condemn that multinational disregard for the United Nations Charter and resolution 1541.
She said that, not only were they seeing international Governments interested in United States military schemes for Guam, but "corporate vultures" were circling and already touching down, and $10 billion in new investment by the United States Department of Defense could be expected. With one third of the island occupied, national integrity would be compromised. Where the land and sea used to be protected, now beachfront developments foreshadowed the future to come. The loss of land was coupled with environmental degradation.
The United Nations must look at non-self-governing situations on a case-by-case basis, especially when administering Powers were not cooperative, she said. She had come today with no monetary support from the United States or the local government. "We are students and parents who do not have […] money, but still we come […] in order for you to fulfil your mission", and so that "these voices cannot be forgotten". More than 160 United States atomic and hydrogen bomb tests had made women into vessels to pass death to the hope they carried in their wombs.
MARIE AUYONG, Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice, speaking on behalf of Victoria-Lola M. Leon Guerrero, said that an amplified militarization of Guam was a direct impediment to the native people's human right to self-determination and should spark concern in the international community about United States military presence in the Pacific. Guam was host to the largest United States military exercises in the Pacific since the Viet Nam War. The people of Guam did not unanimously support the United States militarization on the island, yet, because that country was the administering Power, they had no way of stopping it.
She said that the militarization of the island had also sparked a "capitalistic boom". The island seemed to be "for sale", and indigenous Chamoru families, struggling economically, had begun to sell their land to United States and foreign companies, which hoped to profit from the military boom. "It is tragic that more than 60 years after your inception, and the United Nations declaration to eradicate colonization, the people of Guam remain squashed under the thumb of the world's biggest super Power," she said.
The United Nations should be more active in upholding resolution 1541, ensuring that the native Chamoru people of Guam exercise their right to self-determination and decolonization. A fact-finding mission should be sent to Guam. The island also needed more resources for educational campaigns about self-determination and decolonization.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Navy to Reduce Rates
Navy indicates plans to reduce rate hike
by Sabrina Salas Matanane
KUAM News
Friday, November 09, 2007
Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo received the official word today that the Navy plans to reduce its rate increase to the Guam Waterworks Authority for water from Fena. The Navy announced that starting October 1 rates would jump from $2.07 per kilogallon to $4.05. The new increase is $3.25.
The announcement comes as a result of a meeting a meeting in Washington, D.C. today between Bordallo and assistant secretary of the Navy for installations and environment B.J. Penn and Joint Guam Program Office executive director David Bice. Guam's delegate says she appreciates the partial relief and will work to address the broader water issues on Guam in light of the planned military buildup.
Bordallo also pledge to continue to work with the federal officials. The rate reduction kicks in immediately.
by Sabrina Salas Matanane
KUAM News
Friday, November 09, 2007
Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo received the official word today that the Navy plans to reduce its rate increase to the Guam Waterworks Authority for water from Fena. The Navy announced that starting October 1 rates would jump from $2.07 per kilogallon to $4.05. The new increase is $3.25.
The announcement comes as a result of a meeting a meeting in Washington, D.C. today between Bordallo and assistant secretary of the Navy for installations and environment B.J. Penn and Joint Guam Program Office executive director David Bice. Guam's delegate says she appreciates the partial relief and will work to address the broader water issues on Guam in light of the planned military buildup.
Bordallo also pledge to continue to work with the federal officials. The rate reduction kicks in immediately.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
US House Committee Approves Federalization Bill
U.S. House Committee Approves Measure To Federalize Marianas Immigration
By Frank S. Rosario on Saipan
Thursday: November 08, 2007
Pacific Magazine
The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources today approved a bill that would federalize immigration of the Northern Marianas and also give the U.S. commonwealth a non-voting delegate seat in the House of Representatives. But it took out a controversial section that would give special immigration status to long-term foreign workers in the island group.
The bill will now goes to the full House for action. No date has been set for the House to consider the measure.
Northern Marianas Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio praised the House committee action.
“I am extremely pleased with the successful approval by the full committee of not only the immigration federalization provisions, but also with the approval of the section calling for the establishment of a non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives, with election scheduled in November 2008,” Tenorio told Pacific Magazine.
But Northern Marianas Governor Benigno Fitial said he was disappointed that the committee acted hastily on what he said was faulty information.
”Even though the bill has been improved, I continue to oppose its enactment. It is not necessary. It will seriously injure our economy at a critical time in our history, and it is not based on accurate data. I can only hope that some members of Congress will withhold judgment on this legislation until they have an opportunity to consider the recommendations of GAO, the Department of Labor, and other economists currently evaluating the CNMI,” he said, referring to a Government Accountability Office study of the economic impact of federalization of the Northern Marianas’ labor and immigration.
The federalization bill is also strongly opposed by the Northern Marianas the Legislature and Saipan Chamber of Commerce. They say it would hinder economic recovery and create unnecessary bureaucracy.
The most controversial aspect of the federalization legislation is a provision that would grant U.S. non-immigrant status to some 8,000 non-resident workers who have been in the Northern Marianas for more than five years. Guam lawmakers oppose that section, saying it would result in influx of workers to that island in search of higher-paying jobs.
The House committee removed that provision from the legislation.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior for Insular Affairs David B. Cohen, who drafted the legislation at the request of the U.S. Congress, said he is disappointed by the removal of that that section.
“The administration has urged Congress to do right by the long-term guest workers and recognize how much they have contributed to the CNMI,” he said in a statement. “Their skills and hard work have certainly benefited the CNMI as they would benefit any community. Failing to economically empower the guest workers has destroyed private sector employment opportunities for an entire generation of Chamorros and Carolinians in the CNMI.”
Tenorio, for his part, said the bill does not close the door on possibly grandfathering guest workers in the future.
“There is simply insufficient relevant statistics at this point in time to justify action aimed at permanently granting unique and unprecedented legal residency status to long term presence of foreign nations who happen to be recruited as guest workers primarily,” he told Pacific Magazine.
Rep. Don Young, a ranking Republican member on the Natural Resources Committee, strongly supported the bill and thanked other committee members, including Chairman Nick J. Rahall and Delegate Donna Christensen (U.S. Virgin Islands), both authors of the bill, for their hard work. Christensen held public hearings on the measure in the CNMI and Guam in August of this year.
“This bill brings about a unified immigration, border control and national security policy to the Marianas region,” Young stated in a press release today. “I know some concerns remain, especially about the potential for excessive user fees to be charged on local businesses by the federal agencies implementing this bill. But I have been assured from members of the administration that this will not be the case and the costs imposed by this legislation will stay roughly at the current level imposed locally and no higher.”
Young said that while the controversial section to grandfather long-term guest workers was removed, the most important aspect of the legislation is U.S. national security. “Two congressional delegations have gone to the Marianas in the past six months. Those members and staff heard loud and clear from our armed forces personnel about the need to expand and protect existing and future forces deployed in both Guam and the CNMI,” Young said.
Cohen said he hopes the U.S. Senate, which is considering a similar bill, will continue to keep the plight of long-term workers in the CNMI, mostly from the Philippines, in mind when it considers the bill.
If the legislation passed without further amendments by both the House and Senate, and is then signed by President George W. Bush, the federal government would have a five-year grace period before taking over immigration of the Northern Marianas.
By Frank S. Rosario on Saipan
Thursday: November 08, 2007
Pacific Magazine
The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources today approved a bill that would federalize immigration of the Northern Marianas and also give the U.S. commonwealth a non-voting delegate seat in the House of Representatives. But it took out a controversial section that would give special immigration status to long-term foreign workers in the island group.
The bill will now goes to the full House for action. No date has been set for the House to consider the measure.
Northern Marianas Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio praised the House committee action.
“I am extremely pleased with the successful approval by the full committee of not only the immigration federalization provisions, but also with the approval of the section calling for the establishment of a non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives, with election scheduled in November 2008,” Tenorio told Pacific Magazine.
But Northern Marianas Governor Benigno Fitial said he was disappointed that the committee acted hastily on what he said was faulty information.
”Even though the bill has been improved, I continue to oppose its enactment. It is not necessary. It will seriously injure our economy at a critical time in our history, and it is not based on accurate data. I can only hope that some members of Congress will withhold judgment on this legislation until they have an opportunity to consider the recommendations of GAO, the Department of Labor, and other economists currently evaluating the CNMI,” he said, referring to a Government Accountability Office study of the economic impact of federalization of the Northern Marianas’ labor and immigration.
The federalization bill is also strongly opposed by the Northern Marianas the Legislature and Saipan Chamber of Commerce. They say it would hinder economic recovery and create unnecessary bureaucracy.
The most controversial aspect of the federalization legislation is a provision that would grant U.S. non-immigrant status to some 8,000 non-resident workers who have been in the Northern Marianas for more than five years. Guam lawmakers oppose that section, saying it would result in influx of workers to that island in search of higher-paying jobs.
The House committee removed that provision from the legislation.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior for Insular Affairs David B. Cohen, who drafted the legislation at the request of the U.S. Congress, said he is disappointed by the removal of that that section.
“The administration has urged Congress to do right by the long-term guest workers and recognize how much they have contributed to the CNMI,” he said in a statement. “Their skills and hard work have certainly benefited the CNMI as they would benefit any community. Failing to economically empower the guest workers has destroyed private sector employment opportunities for an entire generation of Chamorros and Carolinians in the CNMI.”
Tenorio, for his part, said the bill does not close the door on possibly grandfathering guest workers in the future.
“There is simply insufficient relevant statistics at this point in time to justify action aimed at permanently granting unique and unprecedented legal residency status to long term presence of foreign nations who happen to be recruited as guest workers primarily,” he told Pacific Magazine.
Rep. Don Young, a ranking Republican member on the Natural Resources Committee, strongly supported the bill and thanked other committee members, including Chairman Nick J. Rahall and Delegate Donna Christensen (U.S. Virgin Islands), both authors of the bill, for their hard work. Christensen held public hearings on the measure in the CNMI and Guam in August of this year.
“This bill brings about a unified immigration, border control and national security policy to the Marianas region,” Young stated in a press release today. “I know some concerns remain, especially about the potential for excessive user fees to be charged on local businesses by the federal agencies implementing this bill. But I have been assured from members of the administration that this will not be the case and the costs imposed by this legislation will stay roughly at the current level imposed locally and no higher.”
Young said that while the controversial section to grandfather long-term guest workers was removed, the most important aspect of the legislation is U.S. national security. “Two congressional delegations have gone to the Marianas in the past six months. Those members and staff heard loud and clear from our armed forces personnel about the need to expand and protect existing and future forces deployed in both Guam and the CNMI,” Young said.
Cohen said he hopes the U.S. Senate, which is considering a similar bill, will continue to keep the plight of long-term workers in the CNMI, mostly from the Philippines, in mind when it considers the bill.
If the legislation passed without further amendments by both the House and Senate, and is then signed by President George W. Bush, the federal government would have a five-year grace period before taking over immigration of the Northern Marianas.
Historic Resources Planning for Troops' Arrival
Historic Resources Division planning for troops' arrival
by Michele Catahay
KUAM News
November 07, 2007
The Historic Resources Division at the Department of Parks & Recreation has a lot on its plate, with more projects in place for the upcoming military buildup. According to historic preservation officer Patrick Lujan, that agency's board of directors will meet this Friday to discuss the evolution of the office in the last year and what it holds in the next couple of years.
Said Lujan, "There's a lot of activity going on in the next year or two. The archeological community and our office, the University of Guam, the relationship with the military and the military buildup and all the activities they are going through. With the Historic Preservation Office being in the permitting process, it's been very busy here."
In addition, the board will receive a status report on the Okura Hotel excavations and the formation of a new internship program with UOG beginning in January.
by Michele Catahay
KUAM News
November 07, 2007
The Historic Resources Division at the Department of Parks & Recreation has a lot on its plate, with more projects in place for the upcoming military buildup. According to historic preservation officer Patrick Lujan, that agency's board of directors will meet this Friday to discuss the evolution of the office in the last year and what it holds in the next couple of years.
Said Lujan, "There's a lot of activity going on in the next year or two. The archeological community and our office, the University of Guam, the relationship with the military and the military buildup and all the activities they are going through. With the Historic Preservation Office being in the permitting process, it's been very busy here."
In addition, the board will receive a status report on the Okura Hotel excavations and the formation of a new internship program with UOG beginning in January.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Senators Seek Inclusion of Guam in Agent Orange Bill
Senators seek inclusion of Guam in Agent Orange bill
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff
11/6/07
Democratic senators are seeking the inclusion of civilian employees stationed in Guam during the Vietnam conflict in a congressional bill that provides compensation to those suffering from illnesses and disabilities as a result of their exposure to Agent Orange.
Resolution 95, introduced by Sens. Tina Muna Barnes, D-Mangilao, Judi Won Pat, D-Malojloj, and Ben Pangelinan, D-Barrigada, urges Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo to seek amendment to HR 972, also known as the “Civilian Agent Orange Act,” to include Guam in the compensation program.
HR 972 establishes the Agent Orange Illness Compensation Fund and fixes the compensation amount at $100,000, payable either to the employee or his or her eligible survivor.
Proponents of Resolution 95 cited at least two cases that acknowledged the presence of Agent Orange and other toxic defoliants on Guam.
They were referring to the cases filed by Air Force veteran Robert Burgett and another unidentified airman, whose claims for benefits were both granted by the Board of the Veterans’ Appeals after it was determined that their disabilities and illnesses resulted from their exposure to Agent Orange when they were stationed at Andersen Air Force Base.
“Existing federal legislation provides compensation for those in the military service who suffered disability or death because of exposure to Agent Orange, but the law does not cover civilian employees, some of who have also been exposed,” the resolution reads.
“Because it has already been determined that members of the armed forces during the Vietnam war era were exposed to Agent Orange while stationed in Guam and they are being compensated for their disability or death,” the resolution adds, “it is only fair and just that the civilian employees of the federal government physically present in Guam be included in HR 972 so that they can be compensated if there is service connection for illness or death due to herbicide exposure.”
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff
11/6/07
Democratic senators are seeking the inclusion of civilian employees stationed in Guam during the Vietnam conflict in a congressional bill that provides compensation to those suffering from illnesses and disabilities as a result of their exposure to Agent Orange.
Resolution 95, introduced by Sens. Tina Muna Barnes, D-Mangilao, Judi Won Pat, D-Malojloj, and Ben Pangelinan, D-Barrigada, urges Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo to seek amendment to HR 972, also known as the “Civilian Agent Orange Act,” to include Guam in the compensation program.
HR 972 establishes the Agent Orange Illness Compensation Fund and fixes the compensation amount at $100,000, payable either to the employee or his or her eligible survivor.
Proponents of Resolution 95 cited at least two cases that acknowledged the presence of Agent Orange and other toxic defoliants on Guam.
They were referring to the cases filed by Air Force veteran Robert Burgett and another unidentified airman, whose claims for benefits were both granted by the Board of the Veterans’ Appeals after it was determined that their disabilities and illnesses resulted from their exposure to Agent Orange when they were stationed at Andersen Air Force Base.
“Existing federal legislation provides compensation for those in the military service who suffered disability or death because of exposure to Agent Orange, but the law does not cover civilian employees, some of who have also been exposed,” the resolution reads.
“Because it has already been determined that members of the armed forces during the Vietnam war era were exposed to Agent Orange while stationed in Guam and they are being compensated for their disability or death,” the resolution adds, “it is only fair and just that the civilian employees of the federal government physically present in Guam be included in HR 972 so that they can be compensated if there is service connection for illness or death due to herbicide exposure.”
Sunday, November 04, 2007
2007 CNMI Elections
Republicans Regain Control Of House
By Frank S. Rosario on Saipan
November 04, 2007
Pacific Magazine
Voters in the Northern Marianas yesterday returned the Republican Party to power in a mid-term election that had what Board of Election Executive Director Greg C. Sablan called “the lowest voter turnout in 10 years.”
While the Saipan casino gambling initiative was soundly rejected, voters on Rota overwhelmingly approved an initiative to allow gaming on their southern island.
The Covenant Party, which currently controls the Legislature and governorship, was soundly defeated in the House. Voters questioned what happened to the Covenant Party’s promise of “better times” during the 2005 general election. Many also blamed the high electricity rates and poor state of the economy on incumbents.
The Republicans, long the dominating party in the CNMI, regained the House after party officials elected new officers and reconciled differences that led to its worst defeat in recent memory in 2005.
Republicans now control the 20-member House of Representatives with 11 elected and may win additional seats once the absentees are counted. The remainder of the House members includes independents, Covenants and one Democrat.
Among the winners is Tina Sablan, a community organizer and advocate who came in sixth in the most crowded race of election precinct one, which had 15 candidates for six seats. Sablan ran as an independent and on her own platform.
Other winners are attorneys Rosemond Santos and Joseph N. Camacho, who bought sought office for the first time, and Ralph Dlg. Torres, who garnered the most votes in election district one.
Former speaker and lieutenant governor Diego T. Benavente and former speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider, both Republicans, also won handily.
In the Senate, incumbent Saipan Sen. Luis Crisostimo is leading by 44 votes over Republican Andrew S. Salas.
Rota voters returned incumbent Sen. Paul A. Manglona, the longest serving senator in the history of the commonwealth.
Incumbent Covenant Tinian Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas is comfortably ahead of the Republicans’ Trenton B. Conner.
Elections Director Greg Sablan said more than 1,500 absentee ballots were sent to residents staying overseas or those who were allowed to vote early due to traveling commitment.
The biggest issue that divided the Saipan community was the casino gambling initiative. A similar initiative was overwhelmingly rejected in a 1979 referendum throughout the commonwealth. Proponents argued that with the worst economic meltdown in recent memory fueled by the collapse of the garment industry and the contraction of tourism, gambling is the answer to an economic recovery.
Opponents, led by the powerful bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, responded that gambling would increase crime, prostitution and gambling addicts, which is currently affecting local residents who play poker.
Other opponents included Governor Benigno R. Fitial, who last week strongly opposed gambling saying some of the initiative’s provisions are unconstitutional.
Gambling opponents needed two-thirds of eligible voters, or more than 8,200 affirmative voters, to approve the casino initiative. It never got close, as a total of 8,213 voters from Saipan cast their ballots, or 4,721 against and 3,492 yes votes.
Rota approved its gambling initiative by an overwhelming 788 in favor and 144 against. Tinian is the only Northern Marianas Island where casino gambling is currently allowed.
While most U.S. states would be more than happy with a 60 percent voter turnout, Executive Director Sablan said yesterday’s 76 percent turnout was one of the lowest. Historically, though, general elections, or on gubernatorial elections, always resulted in the more than 90 percent turnout. A total of 10,605 voters out of the more than 15,000 registered voters cast their ballots yesterday, including 8,738 on Saipan, 980 on Rota and 887 on Tinian.
All four judges--one Supreme Court associate justice and three Superior Court judges—were returned to office, including husband-and-wife Associate Justice John A. Manglona and Associate Judge Ramona V. Manglona. Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert A. Naraja received the lowest number of affirmative votes, as compared to Associate Judges Manglona and Ken Govendo.
The legislative initiative (15-1) to amend the CNMI constitution to take away the authority of the Northern Marianas College to license post-secondary education and create Higher Education Commission was approved.
The other legislative initiative (15-16) approved by voters would amend the CNMI constitution to require a run-off election for governor and lieutenant governor if no candidate received a majority (50 percent plus 1) of votes cast in the general election.
The election results are unofficial pending approval of the Board of Election after counting of absentee ballots on November 17th. Sablan cautioned, however, that some races can still change when absentee ballots are counted on Nov. 17.
By Frank S. Rosario on Saipan
November 04, 2007
Pacific Magazine
Voters in the Northern Marianas yesterday returned the Republican Party to power in a mid-term election that had what Board of Election Executive Director Greg C. Sablan called “the lowest voter turnout in 10 years.”
While the Saipan casino gambling initiative was soundly rejected, voters on Rota overwhelmingly approved an initiative to allow gaming on their southern island.
The Covenant Party, which currently controls the Legislature and governorship, was soundly defeated in the House. Voters questioned what happened to the Covenant Party’s promise of “better times” during the 2005 general election. Many also blamed the high electricity rates and poor state of the economy on incumbents.
The Republicans, long the dominating party in the CNMI, regained the House after party officials elected new officers and reconciled differences that led to its worst defeat in recent memory in 2005.
Republicans now control the 20-member House of Representatives with 11 elected and may win additional seats once the absentees are counted. The remainder of the House members includes independents, Covenants and one Democrat.
Among the winners is Tina Sablan, a community organizer and advocate who came in sixth in the most crowded race of election precinct one, which had 15 candidates for six seats. Sablan ran as an independent and on her own platform.
Other winners are attorneys Rosemond Santos and Joseph N. Camacho, who bought sought office for the first time, and Ralph Dlg. Torres, who garnered the most votes in election district one.
Former speaker and lieutenant governor Diego T. Benavente and former speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider, both Republicans, also won handily.
In the Senate, incumbent Saipan Sen. Luis Crisostimo is leading by 44 votes over Republican Andrew S. Salas.
Rota voters returned incumbent Sen. Paul A. Manglona, the longest serving senator in the history of the commonwealth.
Incumbent Covenant Tinian Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas is comfortably ahead of the Republicans’ Trenton B. Conner.
Elections Director Greg Sablan said more than 1,500 absentee ballots were sent to residents staying overseas or those who were allowed to vote early due to traveling commitment.
The biggest issue that divided the Saipan community was the casino gambling initiative. A similar initiative was overwhelmingly rejected in a 1979 referendum throughout the commonwealth. Proponents argued that with the worst economic meltdown in recent memory fueled by the collapse of the garment industry and the contraction of tourism, gambling is the answer to an economic recovery.
Opponents, led by the powerful bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, responded that gambling would increase crime, prostitution and gambling addicts, which is currently affecting local residents who play poker.
Other opponents included Governor Benigno R. Fitial, who last week strongly opposed gambling saying some of the initiative’s provisions are unconstitutional.
Gambling opponents needed two-thirds of eligible voters, or more than 8,200 affirmative voters, to approve the casino initiative. It never got close, as a total of 8,213 voters from Saipan cast their ballots, or 4,721 against and 3,492 yes votes.
Rota approved its gambling initiative by an overwhelming 788 in favor and 144 against. Tinian is the only Northern Marianas Island where casino gambling is currently allowed.
While most U.S. states would be more than happy with a 60 percent voter turnout, Executive Director Sablan said yesterday’s 76 percent turnout was one of the lowest. Historically, though, general elections, or on gubernatorial elections, always resulted in the more than 90 percent turnout. A total of 10,605 voters out of the more than 15,000 registered voters cast their ballots yesterday, including 8,738 on Saipan, 980 on Rota and 887 on Tinian.
All four judges--one Supreme Court associate justice and three Superior Court judges—were returned to office, including husband-and-wife Associate Justice John A. Manglona and Associate Judge Ramona V. Manglona. Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert A. Naraja received the lowest number of affirmative votes, as compared to Associate Judges Manglona and Ken Govendo.
The legislative initiative (15-1) to amend the CNMI constitution to take away the authority of the Northern Marianas College to license post-secondary education and create Higher Education Commission was approved.
The other legislative initiative (15-16) approved by voters would amend the CNMI constitution to require a run-off election for governor and lieutenant governor if no candidate received a majority (50 percent plus 1) of votes cast in the general election.
The election results are unofficial pending approval of the Board of Election after counting of absentee ballots on November 17th. Sablan cautioned, however, that some races can still change when absentee ballots are counted on Nov. 17.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Guam to Ask for the Return of Fena
Guam to ask Congress for return of Fena
Thursday, November 1, 2007
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
THE Consolidated Commission on Utilities will formally ask the U.S. Congress for the return of the Fena reservoir to Guam to settle once and for all the water issues that have been one of the thorns in the Navy’s relationship with the civilian population.
According to CCU chairman Simon Sanchez, a letter has already been sent to Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, asking her to formally introduce a bill in Congress that would return Fena to Guam.
“We need to do this on the federal level because the Fena issue is a federal issue,” Sanchez said.
He added that there is already a precedent for this when Guam asked Congress for control of the Guam Power Authority.
In its letter, the CCU is asking Bordallo to draft and submit legislation that would enable the Guam Waterworks Authority to take over the running of the Navy’s Fena water treatment plant, which has been selling Fena water to GWA’s southern customers.
The Navy had planned to increase the rate for the Fena water that it sells to GWA, raising the rate from $2.09 per one thousand gallons (kgal) to $4.05/kgal, effective Oct. 1, 2007.
But because of strong protests lodged by both CCU and GWA, the Navy has agreed to postpone the increase until “higher authorities” can study the matter further.
According to Sanchez, the Navy is doing an internal analysis of its own after CCU pointed out that it can run the Fena water reservoir cheaper and more effectively than the Navy.
During the CCU’s last meeting Tuesday night, it was disclosed that GWA can run the Fena system for just $7 million a year, which is half the $14 million cost that the Navy incurs in running Fena.
Although the Navy has agreed to temporarily postpone its water rate increase and conduct a study of its Fena rate structure, the CCU wants to go one step further and has asked the Navy to submit to an independent study to be conducted by the Public Utilities Commission.
“We are asking the Navy to submit to a non-binding review by the PUC to have an independent evaluation of the Fena issue. It’s more fair that way because if the Navy conducts the study, we’ll be solely dependent on what the Navy states as fact. All the information will be coming from the Navy,” Sanchez said.
In addition, the CCU has also fired off a letter to the Attorney General’s Office, asking AG Alicia Limtiaco to revisit the Fena agreement signed by then AG Douglas Moylan.
In 2003, Sanchez said Moylan agreed to a provision that GovGuam can no longer sue the federal government over the Fena issue in return for lower rates charged to local residents using Fena water.
Before that, Sanchez said there were three other suits, all of which failed, that tried to reclaim Fena back to the government of Guam.
The Navy originally took over Fena as part of the provisions of the Organic Act and other agreements signed after World War II that gave large tracks of land, including Fena, to the military.
Sanchez said it is now time to revisit this and he has asked Limtiaco to determine whether GovGuam can continue to be bound by the agreement signed by Moylan in 2003.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
THE Consolidated Commission on Utilities will formally ask the U.S. Congress for the return of the Fena reservoir to Guam to settle once and for all the water issues that have been one of the thorns in the Navy’s relationship with the civilian population.
According to CCU chairman Simon Sanchez, a letter has already been sent to Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, asking her to formally introduce a bill in Congress that would return Fena to Guam.
“We need to do this on the federal level because the Fena issue is a federal issue,” Sanchez said.
He added that there is already a precedent for this when Guam asked Congress for control of the Guam Power Authority.
In its letter, the CCU is asking Bordallo to draft and submit legislation that would enable the Guam Waterworks Authority to take over the running of the Navy’s Fena water treatment plant, which has been selling Fena water to GWA’s southern customers.
The Navy had planned to increase the rate for the Fena water that it sells to GWA, raising the rate from $2.09 per one thousand gallons (kgal) to $4.05/kgal, effective Oct. 1, 2007.
But because of strong protests lodged by both CCU and GWA, the Navy has agreed to postpone the increase until “higher authorities” can study the matter further.
According to Sanchez, the Navy is doing an internal analysis of its own after CCU pointed out that it can run the Fena water reservoir cheaper and more effectively than the Navy.
During the CCU’s last meeting Tuesday night, it was disclosed that GWA can run the Fena system for just $7 million a year, which is half the $14 million cost that the Navy incurs in running Fena.
Although the Navy has agreed to temporarily postpone its water rate increase and conduct a study of its Fena rate structure, the CCU wants to go one step further and has asked the Navy to submit to an independent study to be conducted by the Public Utilities Commission.
“We are asking the Navy to submit to a non-binding review by the PUC to have an independent evaluation of the Fena issue. It’s more fair that way because if the Navy conducts the study, we’ll be solely dependent on what the Navy states as fact. All the information will be coming from the Navy,” Sanchez said.
In addition, the CCU has also fired off a letter to the Attorney General’s Office, asking AG Alicia Limtiaco to revisit the Fena agreement signed by then AG Douglas Moylan.
In 2003, Sanchez said Moylan agreed to a provision that GovGuam can no longer sue the federal government over the Fena issue in return for lower rates charged to local residents using Fena water.
Before that, Sanchez said there were three other suits, all of which failed, that tried to reclaim Fena back to the government of Guam.
The Navy originally took over Fena as part of the provisions of the Organic Act and other agreements signed after World War II that gave large tracks of land, including Fena, to the military.
Sanchez said it is now time to revisit this and he has asked Limtiaco to determine whether GovGuam can continue to be bound by the agreement signed by Moylan in 2003.
Palau President Does Not Want Permanent Military Presence
Remengesau not advocating permanent US presence
Thursday, November 1, 2007
By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff
President Remengesau said that it is not advocating a permanent United States military presence in Palau.
He said however that although that there has not been a formal agreement, he said Palau can be used for military training.
Remengesau said that the United States is still involved with the logistics on the planned relocation of the bases in Guam from Okinawa.
The president said the US considering training in Palau will be good for the region.
“We welcome them, but I am not advocating for the permanent presence of the military in Palau,” the president said.
Under the Compact of Free Association, Palau is obligated to cooperate with the US on military issues.
He said a small scale exercise will help boost tourism of Palau and at the same time improve security matters.
He said inviting the US to hold field training will not mean he is supporting a US base in the country.
Earlier Remengesau said that he hopes that Palau reap economic benefits from the US military buildup.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff
President Remengesau said that it is not advocating a permanent United States military presence in Palau.
He said however that although that there has not been a formal agreement, he said Palau can be used for military training.
Remengesau said that the United States is still involved with the logistics on the planned relocation of the bases in Guam from Okinawa.
The president said the US considering training in Palau will be good for the region.
“We welcome them, but I am not advocating for the permanent presence of the military in Palau,” the president said.
Under the Compact of Free Association, Palau is obligated to cooperate with the US on military issues.
He said a small scale exercise will help boost tourism of Palau and at the same time improve security matters.
He said inviting the US to hold field training will not mean he is supporting a US base in the country.
Earlier Remengesau said that he hopes that Palau reap economic benefits from the US military buildup.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Navy Water Increased Halted
Navy's water increase halted
by John Davis, KUAM News
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The Consolidated Commission on Utilities received word Tuesday night of a temporary moratorium on the Navy's 100% rate increase to the Guam Waterworks Authority for water from Fena. The hike went into effect on October 1, despite opposition from GWA, the CCU, local elected leaders and Guam congressional delegate Madeleine Bordallo.
The Navy doubled the amount it charges GWA for water up from $2.09 to $4.95 per thousand gallons. CCU chairperson Simon Sanchez was one of many who said the increase was unjustified, telling KUAM News, "I received a call from Captain Paul Fuligni and then his number two, a Commander Tomea, and he says that it has reached Washington, DC and they will not bill us as of now for the higher amount until it is determined by the Navy upstream whether these are appropriate."
The Guam Waterworks Authority reported at last night's meeting that the utility agency could operate the Fena Water Treatment Plant for the same price the federal government was charging before the rate increase. Figures given to GWA from the Navy show that the Navy operates the Fena plant for $13 million a year, inclusive of the cost to outsource their operations and recover prior year losses. Sanchez says GWA could produce and distribute water to the navy and its customers for almost half that amount, noting "There's a $7 million difference per year in our view for what it would take to run the new Fena, versus what they want to charge us."
The CCU in the meantime will be approaching the Navy to see if they would agree to a non-binding independent review by the Guam Public Utilities Commission.
by John Davis, KUAM News
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The Consolidated Commission on Utilities received word Tuesday night of a temporary moratorium on the Navy's 100% rate increase to the Guam Waterworks Authority for water from Fena. The hike went into effect on October 1, despite opposition from GWA, the CCU, local elected leaders and Guam congressional delegate Madeleine Bordallo.
The Navy doubled the amount it charges GWA for water up from $2.09 to $4.95 per thousand gallons. CCU chairperson Simon Sanchez was one of many who said the increase was unjustified, telling KUAM News, "I received a call from Captain Paul Fuligni and then his number two, a Commander Tomea, and he says that it has reached Washington, DC and they will not bill us as of now for the higher amount until it is determined by the Navy upstream whether these are appropriate."
The Guam Waterworks Authority reported at last night's meeting that the utility agency could operate the Fena Water Treatment Plant for the same price the federal government was charging before the rate increase. Figures given to GWA from the Navy show that the Navy operates the Fena plant for $13 million a year, inclusive of the cost to outsource their operations and recover prior year losses. Sanchez says GWA could produce and distribute water to the navy and its customers for almost half that amount, noting "There's a $7 million difference per year in our view for what it would take to run the new Fena, versus what they want to charge us."
The CCU in the meantime will be approaching the Navy to see if they would agree to a non-binding independent review by the Guam Public Utilities Commission.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tip of the Spear
Check out this video titled "Tip of the Spear." I would embed it but unfortunately the maker doesn't allow that. Just click on the link above, to get a very inside view of the military on Guam.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tinian Soldier Killed in Bahrain
Mother of slain sailor says she has forgiven shooter
By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff
October 25, 2007
THE mother of the sailor from Tinian who was slain at an American military base in the Arab nation of Bahrain on Monday says she has forgiven her daughter’s assailant but seeks justice for her daughter.
“I am trying to understand the situation” said Jovita Paulino, a teacher at Tinian Jr. and High School “I pray for this man that he gets better. I don’t take justice unto my own hands. I am a Christian and Christians are forgiving.”
She added, “(The assailant) knows what he did and that’s between him and God. God will be the ultimate judge.”
Her daughter, Navy Seaman Anamarie San Nicolas Camacho, 20, and Navy Seaman Genesia M. Gresham, 19, of Lithonia, Georgia, were shot in a barracks at the military base around 5 a.m. on Oct. 22.
Authorities suspect that the shooter might have been jealous.
The other victim was his ex-girlfriend.
Paulino said the “closeness” between the two victims may have been misunderstood.
“Wait for the truth. Who knows about my daughter other than me? It’s not like that,” she said.
The male sailor remains in critical condition after shooting himself.
Camacho entered the U.S. Navy a year ago and was assigned to the 5th Fleet in Bahrain.
Her mother said the young sailor, who is described by Tinian community members as “smart” and determined, was a defender of those who were aggrieved.
“My daughter was a person who cared about people. She would fight for you. She was an individual who would not let anyone trample on you. She would defend you if people belittled you,” she said.
She said her daughter had always wanted to join the armed forces and dreamt of contributing her talents to promote the ideals of the United States — freedom and justice.
Her remains are expected to be flown to the Northern Marianas next week.
The U.S. Navy continues to investigate the incident.
By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff
October 25, 2007
THE mother of the sailor from Tinian who was slain at an American military base in the Arab nation of Bahrain on Monday says she has forgiven her daughter’s assailant but seeks justice for her daughter.
“I am trying to understand the situation” said Jovita Paulino, a teacher at Tinian Jr. and High School “I pray for this man that he gets better. I don’t take justice unto my own hands. I am a Christian and Christians are forgiving.”
She added, “(The assailant) knows what he did and that’s between him and God. God will be the ultimate judge.”
Her daughter, Navy Seaman Anamarie San Nicolas Camacho, 20, and Navy Seaman Genesia M. Gresham, 19, of Lithonia, Georgia, were shot in a barracks at the military base around 5 a.m. on Oct. 22.
Authorities suspect that the shooter might have been jealous.
The other victim was his ex-girlfriend.
Paulino said the “closeness” between the two victims may have been misunderstood.
“Wait for the truth. Who knows about my daughter other than me? It’s not like that,” she said.
The male sailor remains in critical condition after shooting himself.
Camacho entered the U.S. Navy a year ago and was assigned to the 5th Fleet in Bahrain.
Her mother said the young sailor, who is described by Tinian community members as “smart” and determined, was a defender of those who were aggrieved.
“My daughter was a person who cared about people. She would fight for you. She was an individual who would not let anyone trample on you. She would defend you if people belittled you,” she said.
She said her daughter had always wanted to join the armed forces and dreamt of contributing her talents to promote the ideals of the United States — freedom and justice.
Her remains are expected to be flown to the Northern Marianas next week.
The U.S. Navy continues to investigate the incident.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Not Enough Filipino Labor for Guam
Not enough RP workers for Guam
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
October 23, 2007
Guam construction companies have always assumed that they can depend on foreign labor from the Philippines when the military buildup starts in earnest.
Now, that is not so certain anymore.
The Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc., which groups the biggest private employment agencies in the Philippines, has warned that there may not be enough skilled Filipino workers to go around because a lot of them are already deployed in the oil-rich nations of the Middle East.
PASEI president Vic Fernandez, who was recently on Guam to attend the business conference sponsored by the Department of the Interior, said most of the sufficiently skilled workers are already deployed to the Middle East where there is a construction boom at present.
However, Fernandez was quoted by the Philippine Web site OFW Balita as saying that the opportunities presented by the Guam military buildup are too good for Filipino workers to pass up.
“The U.S. bases in Okinawa, Japan will be transferred to Guam by 2010 since their treaty with Japan will be finished. As a result, Guam will need about 50,000 construction workers in a span of three to five years. However, the potential deployment may not be achieved because we do not have sufficient number of skilled workers,” Fernandez said during a forum in Manila.
Fernandez has urged the Philippine government to conduct massive training for tradesmen, such as plumbers, electricians, and others.
“This problem has to be met by both the recruitment agencies and the government. We can deploy more if we have more training for tradesmen,” the PASEI president said.
He pointed out that Filipino workers would be working under American labor laws since Guam is a U.S. territory and an ordinary construction worker alone would be earning at least $1,200 a month.
According to Fernandez, representatives of the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Agency are already establishing contacts with Philippine recruitment agencies for the possible deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Guam.
PASEI has more than 650 agencies licensed by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment.
Along with increased membership, PASEI had also taken a leadership role in the Philippine overseas employment industry.
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
October 23, 2007
Guam construction companies have always assumed that they can depend on foreign labor from the Philippines when the military buildup starts in earnest.
Now, that is not so certain anymore.
The Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc., which groups the biggest private employment agencies in the Philippines, has warned that there may not be enough skilled Filipino workers to go around because a lot of them are already deployed in the oil-rich nations of the Middle East.
PASEI president Vic Fernandez, who was recently on Guam to attend the business conference sponsored by the Department of the Interior, said most of the sufficiently skilled workers are already deployed to the Middle East where there is a construction boom at present.
However, Fernandez was quoted by the Philippine Web site OFW Balita as saying that the opportunities presented by the Guam military buildup are too good for Filipino workers to pass up.
“The U.S. bases in Okinawa, Japan will be transferred to Guam by 2010 since their treaty with Japan will be finished. As a result, Guam will need about 50,000 construction workers in a span of three to five years. However, the potential deployment may not be achieved because we do not have sufficient number of skilled workers,” Fernandez said during a forum in Manila.
Fernandez has urged the Philippine government to conduct massive training for tradesmen, such as plumbers, electricians, and others.
“This problem has to be met by both the recruitment agencies and the government. We can deploy more if we have more training for tradesmen,” the PASEI president said.
He pointed out that Filipino workers would be working under American labor laws since Guam is a U.S. territory and an ordinary construction worker alone would be earning at least $1,200 a month.
According to Fernandez, representatives of the Guam Economic Development and Commerce Agency are already establishing contacts with Philippine recruitment agencies for the possible deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Guam.
PASEI has more than 650 agencies licensed by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment.
Along with increased membership, PASEI had also taken a leadership role in the Philippine overseas employment industry.
NZ Happy to "Invade" Guam
NZ happy with Guam business conference
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
October 24, 2007
New Zealand has benefited greatly from the recently concluded business conference held on Guam, according to a dispatch from NZ minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, who led the NZ delegation.
Twenty-one New Zealand companies have opened up doors for new business opportunities in Guam after the successful trade mission, said Laban who serves as her country’s Associate Economic Development and Pacific Island Affairs Minister.
“The focus of the trade mission was for our companies to explore new opportunities in the construction, building materials, machinery supplies and consultancy sectors in the Pacific,” Laban said in a news release.
She added that New Zealand made a positive impression and the delegation received detailed briefings of new commercial opportunities expected to be created when around 25,000 United States military staff and dependents move from Okinawa to Guam.
“The expansion of naval and air force facilities on the island over the next decade is expected to have a budget of between $14 and $18 billion. This presents some significant opportunities for New Zealand firms in the future,” Laban said.
During the Guam conference sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the New Zealand delegation was also able to learn first hand of the potential opportunities from ongoing infrastructure development in Micronesia and the American Pacific.
“One firm signed a deal for new business during the mission, while several more are now actively pursuing specific opportunities created by the visit,” Laban disclosed.
After a meeting with the U.S. Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Cohen, the governors of Guam, Micronesia and American Samoa all expressed strong interest in coming to the New Zealand Pacific Business Council’s Pacific Trade Expo to be held in Auckland next year.
“They will bring business delegations with them to explore business opportunities with New Zealand. I am pleased that this trade mission has resulted in two-way trade opportunities with New Zealand for Guam and Micronesia,” said Laban.
The New Zealand delegation attended the U.S. Department of the Interior’s annual Island Business Opportunities Conference held at the Hyatt Regency in Guam, where leaders of island nations with formal ties with the U.S. presented upcoming business opportunities in the region.
Laban, who was one of the speakers during the conference, stressed the importance of the Pacific region working together to enhance economic sustainability and two-way trade deals that bring mutual benefits to all parties.
“The Pacific region has close cultural and familial ties. New Zealand is seen as part of the wider Pacific family and region. This successful trade mission was a part of the ongoing private and public sector initiatives occurring through the Labor-led government’s Export Year 2007,” Laban said.
She added that the New Zealand government is committed to support its exporters grow and be successful through initiatives like trade missions.
“This support is important if we are to transform New Zealand into a high-wage, innovative and export-led economy,” said Laban.
The trade mission was organized by the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the NZPBC.
Gilbert Ullrich, president of the NZPBC, said there’s huge potential for New Zealand businesses to tap into the contracts that will come out of the relocation of U.S. troops to Guam in the near future.
“The increased dialogue and expansion of business between our country and the Pacific area can only lead to greater opportunities into the U.S.,” Ullrich said.
New Zealand companies in the construction and supply fields are especially interested in the military buildup on Guam.
There are also many opportunities for New Zealand exporters, especially in the perishable food business, because of New Zealand’s proximity to Guam.
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
October 24, 2007
New Zealand has benefited greatly from the recently concluded business conference held on Guam, according to a dispatch from NZ minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, who led the NZ delegation.
Twenty-one New Zealand companies have opened up doors for new business opportunities in Guam after the successful trade mission, said Laban who serves as her country’s Associate Economic Development and Pacific Island Affairs Minister.
“The focus of the trade mission was for our companies to explore new opportunities in the construction, building materials, machinery supplies and consultancy sectors in the Pacific,” Laban said in a news release.
She added that New Zealand made a positive impression and the delegation received detailed briefings of new commercial opportunities expected to be created when around 25,000 United States military staff and dependents move from Okinawa to Guam.
“The expansion of naval and air force facilities on the island over the next decade is expected to have a budget of between $14 and $18 billion. This presents some significant opportunities for New Zealand firms in the future,” Laban said.
During the Guam conference sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the New Zealand delegation was also able to learn first hand of the potential opportunities from ongoing infrastructure development in Micronesia and the American Pacific.
“One firm signed a deal for new business during the mission, while several more are now actively pursuing specific opportunities created by the visit,” Laban disclosed.
After a meeting with the U.S. Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Cohen, the governors of Guam, Micronesia and American Samoa all expressed strong interest in coming to the New Zealand Pacific Business Council’s Pacific Trade Expo to be held in Auckland next year.
“They will bring business delegations with them to explore business opportunities with New Zealand. I am pleased that this trade mission has resulted in two-way trade opportunities with New Zealand for Guam and Micronesia,” said Laban.
The New Zealand delegation attended the U.S. Department of the Interior’s annual Island Business Opportunities Conference held at the Hyatt Regency in Guam, where leaders of island nations with formal ties with the U.S. presented upcoming business opportunities in the region.
Laban, who was one of the speakers during the conference, stressed the importance of the Pacific region working together to enhance economic sustainability and two-way trade deals that bring mutual benefits to all parties.
“The Pacific region has close cultural and familial ties. New Zealand is seen as part of the wider Pacific family and region. This successful trade mission was a part of the ongoing private and public sector initiatives occurring through the Labor-led government’s Export Year 2007,” Laban said.
She added that the New Zealand government is committed to support its exporters grow and be successful through initiatives like trade missions.
“This support is important if we are to transform New Zealand into a high-wage, innovative and export-led economy,” said Laban.
The trade mission was organized by the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the NZPBC.
Gilbert Ullrich, president of the NZPBC, said there’s huge potential for New Zealand businesses to tap into the contracts that will come out of the relocation of U.S. troops to Guam in the near future.
“The increased dialogue and expansion of business between our country and the Pacific area can only lead to greater opportunities into the U.S.,” Ullrich said.
New Zealand companies in the construction and supply fields are especially interested in the military buildup on Guam.
There are also many opportunities for New Zealand exporters, especially in the perishable food business, because of New Zealand’s proximity to Guam.
Guard Called Up
Guard called up
180 soldiers ordered to Afghanistan
By Stephanie Godlewski
Pacific Daily News
smgodlewski@guampdn.com
More of Guam's sons and daughters will be deployed to fight the global War on Terror, according to the Guam Army National Guard.
The Guard announced yesterday that 180 Guard members of the Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry and the battalion's Forward Support Company will be deployed to Afghanistan by early next year.
The unit is being sent to the Middle East to provide security for other units in the area, according to a press release sent by the guard.
This is not the first time the unit has been deployed. Its soldiers were sent to the Horn of Africa previously.
During the coming months, the unit will be mobilizing and training on Guam before heading off island. The mobilization and deployment together will be about a year for the soldiers.
The Guard members are being sent to support Operation Enduring Freedom and the War on Terror, but they will be put through three months of mobilization and training before heading to Afghanistan.
During the months of November and December, the unit will be receiving about six weeks of pre- and post-mobilization training, according to the Guard.
By January 2008, the unit will head to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii for additional training before heading out to the Middle East in February.
The unit was deployed to the Horn of Africa in April 2004 and returned in July of the following year.
Since the war on terror began in 2001, Guam and its Pacific island neighbors have seen hundreds of their sons and daughters deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
To date, 24 sons of Micronesia are among those who have been killed.
180 soldiers ordered to Afghanistan
By Stephanie Godlewski
Pacific Daily News
smgodlewski@guampdn.com
More of Guam's sons and daughters will be deployed to fight the global War on Terror, according to the Guam Army National Guard.
The Guard announced yesterday that 180 Guard members of the Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry and the battalion's Forward Support Company will be deployed to Afghanistan by early next year.
The unit is being sent to the Middle East to provide security for other units in the area, according to a press release sent by the guard.
This is not the first time the unit has been deployed. Its soldiers were sent to the Horn of Africa previously.
During the coming months, the unit will be mobilizing and training on Guam before heading off island. The mobilization and deployment together will be about a year for the soldiers.
The Guard members are being sent to support Operation Enduring Freedom and the War on Terror, but they will be put through three months of mobilization and training before heading to Afghanistan.
During the months of November and December, the unit will be receiving about six weeks of pre- and post-mobilization training, according to the Guard.
By January 2008, the unit will head to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii for additional training before heading out to the Middle East in February.
The unit was deployed to the Horn of Africa in April 2004 and returned in July of the following year.
Since the war on terror began in 2001, Guam and its Pacific island neighbors have seen hundreds of their sons and daughters deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
To date, 24 sons of Micronesia are among those who have been killed.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Military Contractors to Tap Guam's Labor Pool
Military contractors seek to tap Guam’s labor pool
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff
October 22, 2007
Military contractors will start tapping the local labor pool as they gear up for a major construction boom sprouting from military buildup on Guam in the coming years.
Job-seekers, who have expertise in construction work and related fields, will have the chance to meet with potential employers during the Career/Job Fair to be held at the University of Guam Fieldhouse on Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hundreds of job opportunities will be offered by 35 companies participating in the job fair organized by the UOG Career Development Office.
“This is the first time that we have military contractors joining our event, and we are very excited to have them this year,” said Leah Beth Naholowaa, director of the UOG Career Development Office.
The $15-billion military expansion plan, which involves the transfer of 8,000 Marines and their 10,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam, entails the construction of new housing units, road infrastructure, power plants, water treatment facilities and new schools among others.
Navy officials last week told the Guam Contractors Association that the amount of construction projects could reach about $530 million in the next fiscal year and the coming years. Construction companies will need approximately 50,000 construction workers in a span of three to five years.
The $100 million expansion of Kilo Wharf is the biggest project that the military began undertaking this year.
Joining the military contractors at the fair are regular local companies hunting for candidates to fill various positions.
“We are expecting thousands of participants to join as holiday season is coming up and a lot of our students and alumni as well as the public are looking for a part-time as the holiday season is coming up,” Naholowaa said.
The UOG Career Development Office organizes a job fair every semester as part of its mission to assist students and alumni toward their foray into the workforce. It guides jobseekers in finding self-direction and developing personal responsibility in the career decision making and the job search process.
“We hope that the public will take advantage of this opportunity,” Naholowaa said. “I would like to encourage applicants to come as if they are going to be interviewed.”
She advises job applicants to “dress appropriately, bring several copies of their resume and most importantly bring their positive attitude.”
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff
October 22, 2007
Military contractors will start tapping the local labor pool as they gear up for a major construction boom sprouting from military buildup on Guam in the coming years.
Job-seekers, who have expertise in construction work and related fields, will have the chance to meet with potential employers during the Career/Job Fair to be held at the University of Guam Fieldhouse on Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hundreds of job opportunities will be offered by 35 companies participating in the job fair organized by the UOG Career Development Office.
“This is the first time that we have military contractors joining our event, and we are very excited to have them this year,” said Leah Beth Naholowaa, director of the UOG Career Development Office.
The $15-billion military expansion plan, which involves the transfer of 8,000 Marines and their 10,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam, entails the construction of new housing units, road infrastructure, power plants, water treatment facilities and new schools among others.
Navy officials last week told the Guam Contractors Association that the amount of construction projects could reach about $530 million in the next fiscal year and the coming years. Construction companies will need approximately 50,000 construction workers in a span of three to five years.
The $100 million expansion of Kilo Wharf is the biggest project that the military began undertaking this year.
Joining the military contractors at the fair are regular local companies hunting for candidates to fill various positions.
“We are expecting thousands of participants to join as holiday season is coming up and a lot of our students and alumni as well as the public are looking for a part-time as the holiday season is coming up,” Naholowaa said.
The UOG Career Development Office organizes a job fair every semester as part of its mission to assist students and alumni toward their foray into the workforce. It guides jobseekers in finding self-direction and developing personal responsibility in the career decision making and the job search process.
“We hope that the public will take advantage of this opportunity,” Naholowaa said. “I would like to encourage applicants to come as if they are going to be interviewed.”
She advises job applicants to “dress appropriately, bring several copies of their resume and most importantly bring their positive attitude.”
Friday, October 19, 2007
Senator Unpingco Passes Away
State of mourning
'He was the finest person I've ever known'
By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
slimtiaco@guampdn.com
Gov. Felix Camacho yesterday declared a state of mourning for Republican Sen. Antonio "Tony" Unpingco, who died unexpectedly at Guam Memorial Hospital Thursday evening at the age of 65.
U.S. and Guam flags are to be flown at half-staff until Unpingco is buried.
Lawmakers are consulting with Unpingco's family to determine the date of Unpingco's state funeral, said acting Speaker Eddie Calvo, who was Unpingco's running mate in the 2002 gubernatorial race.
"He's absolutely going to be missed. You can't find people like this anymore," said former Lt. Gov. Kurt Moylan, who worked with Unpingco during his administration and later in the Guam Legislature.
Moylan said Gov. Carlos Camacho gave Unpingco a job as a liaison in San Francisco, where for two years he recruited and encouraged educated people from Guam to return to the island to work in the local government.
Unpingco later was given a job as deputy director of the Department of Administration, Moylan said.
"I can only say this about him -- I know he was the finest person I've ever known, the most trusted and honest. Frankly, I loved him like a brother. ... I just can't believe he's gone," Moylan said.
Calvo said he is deeply saddened by Unpingco's death, and described him as a friend, colleague and mentor.
"I think the island has lost a great leader. He set an example for how to serve as a public servant, a true public servant, and he set examples of what a citizen of Guam should be," Calvo said. "The man loved his God, loved his family, and he worked to the last day. I mean, he went straight from session hall to the hospital. That's the epitome of a true public servant."
Democratic minority leader Sen. Judith Won Pat said, "I will definitely miss the man," adding that the Legislature will miss his experience and guidance.
"To me, he is the most gentle person. He's so soft-spoken. I've never seen him -- even at times in the 23rd (Legislature) when things were really bad -- he's never raised his voice," Won Pat said. "He's always been the peacemaker. He's able to get us to come together, and we've had great respect for him. I'm going to miss his jokes, I'm going to miss him being like a father image to me."
Won Pat said Unpingco was able to help lawmakers break deadlocks and resolve questions about parliamentary procedure. Now that he's gone, she said it is time for other lawmakers to "step to the plate" and learn to do what Unpingco has done.
"We are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss," Gov. Camacho stated yesterday. "Speaker Unpingco was a statesman, a family man and a man of faith, character and integrity. He was a man who served with generations of leaders and transcended to the current generation -- bringing with him wisdom, maturity, experience and leadership. He was the bridge between leaders of the past and present."
Camacho said he will always respect Unpingco, and he asked Guam residents to pray for Unpingco and show him the honor and respect he deserves.
"I am honored to have known and served with this great man and I am forever grateful for his leadership and the many sacrifices he made as a public servant," Camacho said.
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said "Sen. Unpingco was a gifted leader and a dedicated statesman who contributed so much to our community. He was a staunch supporter of our veterans and our families.
"Today, we recall his passion for public service and the example he set for generations of leaders on our island for the years to come," Bordallo said. "We remember all of his efforts on behalf of our people, and we also commend his work as a member of the Guam War Claims Review Commission. Most of all he was a dear friend not just to myself, Deborah and Nicole, but to so many people on our island. My prayers are with Emily and the Unpingco family, and we will all miss Tony dearly."
'He was the finest person I've ever known'
By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
slimtiaco@guampdn.com
Gov. Felix Camacho yesterday declared a state of mourning for Republican Sen. Antonio "Tony" Unpingco, who died unexpectedly at Guam Memorial Hospital Thursday evening at the age of 65.
U.S. and Guam flags are to be flown at half-staff until Unpingco is buried.
Lawmakers are consulting with Unpingco's family to determine the date of Unpingco's state funeral, said acting Speaker Eddie Calvo, who was Unpingco's running mate in the 2002 gubernatorial race.
"He's absolutely going to be missed. You can't find people like this anymore," said former Lt. Gov. Kurt Moylan, who worked with Unpingco during his administration and later in the Guam Legislature.
Moylan said Gov. Carlos Camacho gave Unpingco a job as a liaison in San Francisco, where for two years he recruited and encouraged educated people from Guam to return to the island to work in the local government.
Unpingco later was given a job as deputy director of the Department of Administration, Moylan said.
"I can only say this about him -- I know he was the finest person I've ever known, the most trusted and honest. Frankly, I loved him like a brother. ... I just can't believe he's gone," Moylan said.
Calvo said he is deeply saddened by Unpingco's death, and described him as a friend, colleague and mentor.
"I think the island has lost a great leader. He set an example for how to serve as a public servant, a true public servant, and he set examples of what a citizen of Guam should be," Calvo said. "The man loved his God, loved his family, and he worked to the last day. I mean, he went straight from session hall to the hospital. That's the epitome of a true public servant."
Democratic minority leader Sen. Judith Won Pat said, "I will definitely miss the man," adding that the Legislature will miss his experience and guidance.
"To me, he is the most gentle person. He's so soft-spoken. I've never seen him -- even at times in the 23rd (Legislature) when things were really bad -- he's never raised his voice," Won Pat said. "He's always been the peacemaker. He's able to get us to come together, and we've had great respect for him. I'm going to miss his jokes, I'm going to miss him being like a father image to me."
Won Pat said Unpingco was able to help lawmakers break deadlocks and resolve questions about parliamentary procedure. Now that he's gone, she said it is time for other lawmakers to "step to the plate" and learn to do what Unpingco has done.
"We are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss," Gov. Camacho stated yesterday. "Speaker Unpingco was a statesman, a family man and a man of faith, character and integrity. He was a man who served with generations of leaders and transcended to the current generation -- bringing with him wisdom, maturity, experience and leadership. He was the bridge between leaders of the past and present."
Camacho said he will always respect Unpingco, and he asked Guam residents to pray for Unpingco and show him the honor and respect he deserves.
"I am honored to have known and served with this great man and I am forever grateful for his leadership and the many sacrifices he made as a public servant," Camacho said.
Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said "Sen. Unpingco was a gifted leader and a dedicated statesman who contributed so much to our community. He was a staunch supporter of our veterans and our families.
"Today, we recall his passion for public service and the example he set for generations of leaders on our island for the years to come," Bordallo said. "We remember all of his efforts on behalf of our people, and we also commend his work as a member of the Guam War Claims Review Commission. Most of all he was a dear friend not just to myself, Deborah and Nicole, but to so many people on our island. My prayers are with Emily and the Unpingco family, and we will all miss Tony dearly."
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Senators Frustrated with US Military
Senators frustrated with military
Thursday, October 11, 2007
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
SENATORS yesterday expressed frustration with the military, and particularly at the lack of information about the coming buildup and the assistance to be given to the local community.
In discussing Bill 33, sponsored by Sen. Rory Respicio, D-Agana Heights, both Democratic and Republican senators expressed support for the creation of a panel to be called the “Commission on Community Support of the Military Mission on Guam.”
Saying that neither the Joint Guam Program Office nor the governor’s Civilian Military Task Force have shed much light on the military buildup, senators said the creation of the special panel is necessary to formulate a “team Guam approach” to strengthening relations between Guam and the federal government.
“All we’ve heard so far is what would be done inside the fence. We have heard scant details, if any, about what the military plans to do for the people of Guam,” said Sen. Jesse Lujan, R-Tamuning, who has been an outspoken critic of JGPO.
JGPO on Tuesday delivered a briefing at the Legislature for the senators but Lujan said nothing new was revealed about the community’s benefits.
“If anything, there was alarming news that Japanese labor and Japanese companies are now being considered for the buildup to the detriment of local workers and companies,” Lujan said.
“It is also only now that they are revealing that the proposed military highway would be accessible to civilians,” the senator added. Lujan had previously criticized JGPO for not disclosing details about the proposed military highway.
Sen. Tina Muna-Barnes, D-Mangilao, said the military seems to be sending conflicting messages to the people of Guam.
On the one hand, the military is assuring us that it will help the community cope with the buildup. “But they raised the water rates at Fena unilaterally. Now, we will be suffering with higher rates for using what is ours,” the senator lamented.
Sen. James Espaldon, R-Tamuning, who previously had reservations about Bill 33, now has had a change of heart.
“I previously had reservations about Bill 33 because I thought it would be unwise to change horses midstream. But with the amendment put up by Senator Blas to include the Civilian Military Task Force under the proposed commission, I’m now inclined to support the bill,” Espaldon said.
The bill proposes to create a 12-member panel that would develop “new initiatives to support the current military mission on Guam and foster its expansion.”
The commission, which Bill 33 proposes to create, would “help coordinate and support all aspects of government policy and private sector efforts in support of achieving the best results for all concerned.”
Respicio first filed the proposal to create the military commission in the 27th Legislature but it did not pass.
The senator’s attempt to get it on the floor in the 28th Legislature wasn’t successful either as Gov. Felix P. Camacho created the Civilian/Military Task Force to create a master plan for military expansion preparations and planning.
But Respicio sees no conflict with the administration, pointing out that the governor is included on the proposed commission.
The proposed commission would be composed of representatives from the governor’s office, the Guam Chamber of Commerce, the Guam Visitors Bureau, Chamorro rights groups, the Mayors Council, the Legislature, and the Guam Youth Congress.
Minority Leader Judith Won-Pat, D-Malojloj, is glad the youth sector is to be included in the proposed commission.
“Here we are talking about the future of Guam and making decisions when the future of Guam is really for the island’s youth,” the minority leader said.
Bill 33 has been placed in third reading and is expected to be voted upon this current session.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff
SENATORS yesterday expressed frustration with the military, and particularly at the lack of information about the coming buildup and the assistance to be given to the local community.
In discussing Bill 33, sponsored by Sen. Rory Respicio, D-Agana Heights, both Democratic and Republican senators expressed support for the creation of a panel to be called the “Commission on Community Support of the Military Mission on Guam.”
Saying that neither the Joint Guam Program Office nor the governor’s Civilian Military Task Force have shed much light on the military buildup, senators said the creation of the special panel is necessary to formulate a “team Guam approach” to strengthening relations between Guam and the federal government.
“All we’ve heard so far is what would be done inside the fence. We have heard scant details, if any, about what the military plans to do for the people of Guam,” said Sen. Jesse Lujan, R-Tamuning, who has been an outspoken critic of JGPO.
JGPO on Tuesday delivered a briefing at the Legislature for the senators but Lujan said nothing new was revealed about the community’s benefits.
“If anything, there was alarming news that Japanese labor and Japanese companies are now being considered for the buildup to the detriment of local workers and companies,” Lujan said.
“It is also only now that they are revealing that the proposed military highway would be accessible to civilians,” the senator added. Lujan had previously criticized JGPO for not disclosing details about the proposed military highway.
Sen. Tina Muna-Barnes, D-Mangilao, said the military seems to be sending conflicting messages to the people of Guam.
On the one hand, the military is assuring us that it will help the community cope with the buildup. “But they raised the water rates at Fena unilaterally. Now, we will be suffering with higher rates for using what is ours,” the senator lamented.
Sen. James Espaldon, R-Tamuning, who previously had reservations about Bill 33, now has had a change of heart.
“I previously had reservations about Bill 33 because I thought it would be unwise to change horses midstream. But with the amendment put up by Senator Blas to include the Civilian Military Task Force under the proposed commission, I’m now inclined to support the bill,” Espaldon said.
The bill proposes to create a 12-member panel that would develop “new initiatives to support the current military mission on Guam and foster its expansion.”
The commission, which Bill 33 proposes to create, would “help coordinate and support all aspects of government policy and private sector efforts in support of achieving the best results for all concerned.”
Respicio first filed the proposal to create the military commission in the 27th Legislature but it did not pass.
The senator’s attempt to get it on the floor in the 28th Legislature wasn’t successful either as Gov. Felix P. Camacho created the Civilian/Military Task Force to create a master plan for military expansion preparations and planning.
But Respicio sees no conflict with the administration, pointing out that the governor is included on the proposed commission.
The proposed commission would be composed of representatives from the governor’s office, the Guam Chamber of Commerce, the Guam Visitors Bureau, Chamorro rights groups, the Mayors Council, the Legislature, and the Guam Youth Congress.
Minority Leader Judith Won-Pat, D-Malojloj, is glad the youth sector is to be included in the proposed commission.
“Here we are talking about the future of Guam and making decisions when the future of Guam is really for the island’s youth,” the minority leader said.
Bill 33 has been placed in third reading and is expected to be voted upon this current session.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Bring Fena to the Table
Editorial: Bring Fena to the table
The Marianas Variety
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The 4th Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands concluded yesterday with promises by federal and military officials that the U.S. would be doing all it can to help out Guam as it prepares for the coming buildup.
The Joint Guam Program Office stressed that the military aims to take into consideration the welfare of the local community at all times and consult with the people to make sure that its land use planning does not adversely affect residents.
And yet, the Navy decided at the beginning of this month to proceed with its Fena water rate hike without as much as a “by your leave” and despite strong opposition from the government of Guam.
The Navy’s attitude was very cavalier and high-handed. Is the Fena water rate hike a sign of things to come when it comes to the military’s actions on Guam?
The rate hike was a unilateral decision on the Navy’s part, and the Consolidated Commission on Utilities and the Guam Waterworks Authority were not even given a chance to influence the Navy decision.
The Navy has said it needs to increase rates because its cost of producing water from Fena has gone up.
But CCU studies have shown that GWA can do a better job of managing the Fena plant and produce water at a lower rate.
Yet, when the GovGuam agencies brought this up with the military, the Navy virtually thumbed its nose and arrogantly went on with the increase, haughtily informing everybody that it will increase the Fena water rate further next year.
Understandably, this action by the Navy has caught the ire of the Legislature.
Sen. Tony Unpingco, a true son of the south, has expressed disappointment in the Navy’s decision and is asking for the suspension of the water rate hike plan.
He pointed out that the Navy decision may become the linchpin in whether the proposed military buildup continues to receive widespread community support.
We believe the island’s water belongs to the people of Guam and that the local government has the right to use all the island’s water resources.
We need to renew our bid to reclaim Fena and now is the best time to do it while the military needs Guam for its expansion.
This may be the only time that we have a big bargaining chip in the negotiating table and we must try to get every concession that we can from the military.
We say bring Fena to the table so that we won’t suffer the ignominy of paying higher rates for our own water.
And let’s support CCU, which says it plans to bring the Fena issue to the attention of federal authorities in Washington, D.C.
If this is how the military treats us now, when the buildup has hardly begun, imagine what they would do when the military expansion is in earnest.
The time to bargain with the military is now.
The Marianas Variety
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The 4th Conference on Business Opportunities in the Islands concluded yesterday with promises by federal and military officials that the U.S. would be doing all it can to help out Guam as it prepares for the coming buildup.
The Joint Guam Program Office stressed that the military aims to take into consideration the welfare of the local community at all times and consult with the people to make sure that its land use planning does not adversely affect residents.
And yet, the Navy decided at the beginning of this month to proceed with its Fena water rate hike without as much as a “by your leave” and despite strong opposition from the government of Guam.
The Navy’s attitude was very cavalier and high-handed. Is the Fena water rate hike a sign of things to come when it comes to the military’s actions on Guam?
The rate hike was a unilateral decision on the Navy’s part, and the Consolidated Commission on Utilities and the Guam Waterworks Authority were not even given a chance to influence the Navy decision.
The Navy has said it needs to increase rates because its cost of producing water from Fena has gone up.
But CCU studies have shown that GWA can do a better job of managing the Fena plant and produce water at a lower rate.
Yet, when the GovGuam agencies brought this up with the military, the Navy virtually thumbed its nose and arrogantly went on with the increase, haughtily informing everybody that it will increase the Fena water rate further next year.
Understandably, this action by the Navy has caught the ire of the Legislature.
Sen. Tony Unpingco, a true son of the south, has expressed disappointment in the Navy’s decision and is asking for the suspension of the water rate hike plan.
He pointed out that the Navy decision may become the linchpin in whether the proposed military buildup continues to receive widespread community support.
We believe the island’s water belongs to the people of Guam and that the local government has the right to use all the island’s water resources.
We need to renew our bid to reclaim Fena and now is the best time to do it while the military needs Guam for its expansion.
This may be the only time that we have a big bargaining chip in the negotiating table and we must try to get every concession that we can from the military.
We say bring Fena to the table so that we won’t suffer the ignominy of paying higher rates for our own water.
And let’s support CCU, which says it plans to bring the Fena issue to the attention of federal authorities in Washington, D.C.
If this is how the military treats us now, when the buildup has hardly begun, imagine what they would do when the military expansion is in earnest.
The time to bargain with the military is now.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Pace Visits Guam
Pace Visits Guam to Assess Infrastructure Growth Plans
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2006 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff got a firsthand look today at growth under way here that's about to move into high gear as Guam prepares to welcome 8,000 Marines from Okinawa by 2014.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace visited Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam to learn more about expansion plans and assess Guam's readiness to absorb the Marines and an estimated 9,000 family members.
Pace called the decision, part of a broader Alliance Transformation Realignment agreement between the United States and Japan, a "win-win" situation for everyone involved. "It allows us to lesson our footprint in Japan and take advantage of the opportunities Guam presents us," he told military reporters during his visit.
Guam, a U.S. territory more than 3,000 miles southwest of Hawaii, offers a prime strategic location with ready access to potential hot spots throughout the Pacific as well as to U.S. allies, Pace noted. It's two to three hours by air and two days by ship from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia and other key western Pacific locations.
"If you start drawing circles from Guam, you can see how strategic it is in the region," the chairman said. This forward location cuts down on the time required to respond to a crisis or contingency in the region and makes Guam perfectly situated for the global war on terror, he said.
"Guam is historically thought of as a logistics hub and support base, but we're also operationally engaged in the global war on terror," Rear Adm. Charles "Joe" Leidig, commander of Naval Forces Marianas and the top-ranking military representative in Guam, told Pace. "We're on the tip of the spear."
Another compelling reason for increasing the U.S. military presence in Guam is its status as a U.S. territory, deep in the western Pacific, Leidig said. That gives military planners and operators far more leeway in conducting operations than they typically find at an overseas base.
"This is U.S. soil," said Navy Capt. Ken Branch, commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas. "The commander in chief doesn't have to ask anybody if he can fly from here or sail from here."
Leidig gave Pace an overview of the vast military capabilities already in Guam and plans that will dramatically increase them.
On the island's north side, Andersen Air Force Base offers ready access to air space - something quickly shrinking in the continental United States, Europe, Korea and Japan. At the same time, it features some 7.5 million square feet of ramp space and extensive open space to support future infrastructure growth, Leidig explained.
Guam also offers the Air Force's largest fuel supply in the United States, its largest supply of weapons in the Pacific and a valuable urban training area in an abandoned housing area at a site known as Andersen South.
Pace praised Andersen's "world-class facilities" that provide a platform for U.S. forces to surge where needed in the Pacific theater.
To the south, Naval Base Guam, with its protected deep-water harbor, is home port to two attack submarines, USS City of Corpus Christi and USS Houston, as well as the submarine tender USS Frank Cable. Another submarine, USS Buffalo, will join them next year, and ultimately, the base will increase its sub force to five, Leidig said.
Meanwhile, the base is building up its infrastructure, increasing inner Apra Harbor's capability to accommodate aircraft carriers, and expanding the training opportunities it's able to offer, he told Pace.
But much of Guam's potential remains yet to be tapped, Leidig said, including more than 800 acres of undeveloped land on Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Finegayan. That's where the incoming Marines are likely to be based, he said.
Leidig said he's excited about Guam's potential in capitalizing, not just on its strategic location, but also on its pro-military population and its status as a U.S. territory.
The biggest challenge in reaching that potential is ensuring Guam's infrastructure keeps pace with the need, the chairman said. Key to that is not just operating and training facilities, but also more and better barracks, family housing and quality-of-life facilities for troops and their families, he said.
The Marines alone will require an estimated 3,800 housing units and other facilities needed to support them, Leidig said.
During Pace's visit here, the admiral outlined details of the Joint Guam Military Master Plan that calls for $10 billion to $15 billion in infrastructure improvements in Guam over the next 15 years.
The plan, being fine-tuned for delivery next month to Adm. William Fallon, head of U.S. Pacific Command, will usher in a construction boom that's expected to top $1 billion a year, Leidig explained. It's a level of growth unprecedented in Guam's history, dwarfing the previously unparalleled spurt that established Guam's bustling hotel district and its status as a regional tourist hub.
"There's a lot to be done on Guam," particularly on the Navy side, which has gone through a decade of underinvestment, said Branch, Leidig's regional engineer and a key player in the growth planning process.
The sooner the work begins, the better, he said, so facilities at Guam can continue to meet current mission requirements while preparing to double the military population in Guam. "The more we do yesterday, the better we'll be for the future," he said.
Some improvements to be proposed aren't on the military facilities themselves, but in the surrounding areas that ultimately affect their operations. Leidig cited as an example an expeditionary road that links military facilities and eliminates traffic jams on Guam's single north-south thoroughfare. "While we make improvements inside the fence line, it's important that we don't overlook the area outside the fence line," he told Pace.
Pace and Leidig agreed it's critical that Guam's military expansion progresses in an environmentally friendly way that affects Guam's civilian community as little as possible. "We need to be sensitive to the environment and our fellow citizens," Pace said.
Guam's citizens, with their history of Japanese occupation during World War II, have a unique understanding of the military's importance, Leidig said. "The people here are tremendously patriotic and have a true appreciation of the word 'freedom,'" he said.
As a result, Guamanians go out of their way to make servicemembers here feel welcomed, he said. "I know the Marines will love being here."
While keeping the local population's interest in the forefront, Pace said he wants to ensure that military members who serve in Guam have the best training environment and quality-of-life amenities possible.
As he toured Naval Base Guam by mini-bus, Pace jumped from his seat to pay an impromptu call on a formation of sailors gathered outside USS City of Corpus Christi. "I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for what you do here," he told the assembled crewmembers.
"I know that you're a long way from home here, so I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your sacrifices and for what you do for this country," he said. "What you do here is really, really important."
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2006 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff got a firsthand look today at growth under way here that's about to move into high gear as Guam prepares to welcome 8,000 Marines from Okinawa by 2014.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace visited Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam to learn more about expansion plans and assess Guam's readiness to absorb the Marines and an estimated 9,000 family members.
Pace called the decision, part of a broader Alliance Transformation Realignment agreement between the United States and Japan, a "win-win" situation for everyone involved. "It allows us to lesson our footprint in Japan and take advantage of the opportunities Guam presents us," he told military reporters during his visit.
Guam, a U.S. territory more than 3,000 miles southwest of Hawaii, offers a prime strategic location with ready access to potential hot spots throughout the Pacific as well as to U.S. allies, Pace noted. It's two to three hours by air and two days by ship from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia and other key western Pacific locations.
"If you start drawing circles from Guam, you can see how strategic it is in the region," the chairman said. This forward location cuts down on the time required to respond to a crisis or contingency in the region and makes Guam perfectly situated for the global war on terror, he said.
"Guam is historically thought of as a logistics hub and support base, but we're also operationally engaged in the global war on terror," Rear Adm. Charles "Joe" Leidig, commander of Naval Forces Marianas and the top-ranking military representative in Guam, told Pace. "We're on the tip of the spear."
Another compelling reason for increasing the U.S. military presence in Guam is its status as a U.S. territory, deep in the western Pacific, Leidig said. That gives military planners and operators far more leeway in conducting operations than they typically find at an overseas base.
"This is U.S. soil," said Navy Capt. Ken Branch, commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas. "The commander in chief doesn't have to ask anybody if he can fly from here or sail from here."
Leidig gave Pace an overview of the vast military capabilities already in Guam and plans that will dramatically increase them.
On the island's north side, Andersen Air Force Base offers ready access to air space - something quickly shrinking in the continental United States, Europe, Korea and Japan. At the same time, it features some 7.5 million square feet of ramp space and extensive open space to support future infrastructure growth, Leidig explained.
Guam also offers the Air Force's largest fuel supply in the United States, its largest supply of weapons in the Pacific and a valuable urban training area in an abandoned housing area at a site known as Andersen South.
Pace praised Andersen's "world-class facilities" that provide a platform for U.S. forces to surge where needed in the Pacific theater.
To the south, Naval Base Guam, with its protected deep-water harbor, is home port to two attack submarines, USS City of Corpus Christi and USS Houston, as well as the submarine tender USS Frank Cable. Another submarine, USS Buffalo, will join them next year, and ultimately, the base will increase its sub force to five, Leidig said.
Meanwhile, the base is building up its infrastructure, increasing inner Apra Harbor's capability to accommodate aircraft carriers, and expanding the training opportunities it's able to offer, he told Pace.
But much of Guam's potential remains yet to be tapped, Leidig said, including more than 800 acres of undeveloped land on Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Finegayan. That's where the incoming Marines are likely to be based, he said.
Leidig said he's excited about Guam's potential in capitalizing, not just on its strategic location, but also on its pro-military population and its status as a U.S. territory.
The biggest challenge in reaching that potential is ensuring Guam's infrastructure keeps pace with the need, the chairman said. Key to that is not just operating and training facilities, but also more and better barracks, family housing and quality-of-life facilities for troops and their families, he said.
The Marines alone will require an estimated 3,800 housing units and other facilities needed to support them, Leidig said.
During Pace's visit here, the admiral outlined details of the Joint Guam Military Master Plan that calls for $10 billion to $15 billion in infrastructure improvements in Guam over the next 15 years.
The plan, being fine-tuned for delivery next month to Adm. William Fallon, head of U.S. Pacific Command, will usher in a construction boom that's expected to top $1 billion a year, Leidig explained. It's a level of growth unprecedented in Guam's history, dwarfing the previously unparalleled spurt that established Guam's bustling hotel district and its status as a regional tourist hub.
"There's a lot to be done on Guam," particularly on the Navy side, which has gone through a decade of underinvestment, said Branch, Leidig's regional engineer and a key player in the growth planning process.
The sooner the work begins, the better, he said, so facilities at Guam can continue to meet current mission requirements while preparing to double the military population in Guam. "The more we do yesterday, the better we'll be for the future," he said.
Some improvements to be proposed aren't on the military facilities themselves, but in the surrounding areas that ultimately affect their operations. Leidig cited as an example an expeditionary road that links military facilities and eliminates traffic jams on Guam's single north-south thoroughfare. "While we make improvements inside the fence line, it's important that we don't overlook the area outside the fence line," he told Pace.
Pace and Leidig agreed it's critical that Guam's military expansion progresses in an environmentally friendly way that affects Guam's civilian community as little as possible. "We need to be sensitive to the environment and our fellow citizens," Pace said.
Guam's citizens, with their history of Japanese occupation during World War II, have a unique understanding of the military's importance, Leidig said. "The people here are tremendously patriotic and have a true appreciation of the word 'freedom,'" he said.
As a result, Guamanians go out of their way to make servicemembers here feel welcomed, he said. "I know the Marines will love being here."
While keeping the local population's interest in the forefront, Pace said he wants to ensure that military members who serve in Guam have the best training environment and quality-of-life amenities possible.
As he toured Naval Base Guam by mini-bus, Pace jumped from his seat to pay an impromptu call on a formation of sailors gathered outside USS City of Corpus Christi. "I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for what you do here," he told the assembled crewmembers.
"I know that you're a long way from home here, so I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your sacrifices and for what you do for this country," he said. "What you do here is really, really important."
Army Unsure of its Guam Needs
Army unsure of its Guam needs
By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
slimtiaco@guampdn.com
10/5/07
The military continues to flesh out its plans for expansion on Guam, including the transfer of 8,000 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa, but still missing from the equation is the U.S. Army, which has not stated what it will need to operate here.
The military has proposed creating an Army base on Guam to provide missile defense, with as many as 630 soldiers and their families.
"We don't have the information yet," said Navy Capt. Robert Lee, acting director of the Joint Guam Program Office, who yesterday gave an update on the "Guam Military Master Plan" to the governor's civilian military task force.
The final version of the master plan for Guam is scheduled to be complete by next summer, and Lee described yesterday's presentation to the civilian military task force as, "Our first stab at a master plan."
The hourlong presentation was held at the University of Guam's business college, and Lee said it was an opportunity for the local task force to participate in the planning process. The governor and lieutenant governor heard the same presentation last Friday.
"No conclusions have been made at this time," Lee said, but he outlined some of the concepts that will drive the military's plans, including the military's desire to keep all of its activities on or near bases. The Marines like to live where they work, he said.
The plans for Guam mean the different branches of the service will share bases, Lee said, and the goal is to keep family and bachelor housing close to the bases and "quality-of-life" facilities.
The bases will be designed to allow for future expansion, Lee said, and to prevent the type of encroachment that happened at the Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma, in Okinawa. The base, which is next to the city of Ginowan, has generated concerns about community safety and the noise from military activities.
A billion-dollar road linking military bases in northern and southern Guam also has been proposed, but Lee said plans for a road will not begin until at least one of the services says it needs a road for its operations here. In the meantime, information about Guam traffic patterns will be included as part of environmental impact studies, he said.
While the Army has not yet weighed in on the expansion plans, Maj. Gen. Donald Goldhorn, adjutant general of the Guam National Guard, said he met with the Army's Pacific commander last week to express concerns that the Army has been slow in stating its requirements on Guam.
Goldhorn, who is a task force member, said the logical location for an Army base on Guam is in Barrigada, next to the existing Guam Army National Guard headquarters. That way, the army, the army reserve and the national guard can share facilities, he said.
Goldhorn said army headquarters would be located in Barrigada, but its missile defense sites would be elsewhere on Guam, probably in the north and south.
For the most part, yesterday's update was consistent with the military development plan released by the U.S. Pacific Command in July 2006 -- land in Dededo continues to be the most viable location for the Marines, and Andersen Air Force base continues to be the most viable option for Marine Corps aircraft.
Lee showed the task force lists of locations for different types of activities, noting whether the sites are viable, potentially viable, or non-viable. Analysis of viable and potentially viable sites is ongoing, he said.
While the military has identified viable locations for most activities, it still has not found a viable location on military-held land for live-fire training, Lee said.
NCTS Finegayan is among the potential training sites, he said, but the military also is considering the use of non-military land.
"We're receiving inquiries from people about buying or leasing ... their land," he said.
Lee said it is not known whether the training sites will be attached to or apart from the military bases. "It's wide open right now. We don't know where to go yet," he said.
What is known is that there isn't a single location on Guam that will meet all of the military's training needs, Lee said, so the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas also is being considered for training. "The CNMI is an active part of this whole process," he said.
Task force member Tony Lamorena, who is director of the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, expressed concerns that a military-related report being prepared for Guam by a federally funded consultant appears to be written from the military's perspective, and not the perspective of the people of Guam.
Lamorena said the draft white paper by consultant KPMG is critical of the island's water and power agencies and its port, stating that they fail to meet the military's requirements.
Lamorena said the report instead should identity the community's needs and how those needs might be adversely affected by the military buildup.
By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
slimtiaco@guampdn.com
10/5/07
The military continues to flesh out its plans for expansion on Guam, including the transfer of 8,000 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa, but still missing from the equation is the U.S. Army, which has not stated what it will need to operate here.
The military has proposed creating an Army base on Guam to provide missile defense, with as many as 630 soldiers and their families.
"We don't have the information yet," said Navy Capt. Robert Lee, acting director of the Joint Guam Program Office, who yesterday gave an update on the "Guam Military Master Plan" to the governor's civilian military task force.
The final version of the master plan for Guam is scheduled to be complete by next summer, and Lee described yesterday's presentation to the civilian military task force as, "Our first stab at a master plan."
The hourlong presentation was held at the University of Guam's business college, and Lee said it was an opportunity for the local task force to participate in the planning process. The governor and lieutenant governor heard the same presentation last Friday.
"No conclusions have been made at this time," Lee said, but he outlined some of the concepts that will drive the military's plans, including the military's desire to keep all of its activities on or near bases. The Marines like to live where they work, he said.
The plans for Guam mean the different branches of the service will share bases, Lee said, and the goal is to keep family and bachelor housing close to the bases and "quality-of-life" facilities.
The bases will be designed to allow for future expansion, Lee said, and to prevent the type of encroachment that happened at the Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma, in Okinawa. The base, which is next to the city of Ginowan, has generated concerns about community safety and the noise from military activities.
A billion-dollar road linking military bases in northern and southern Guam also has been proposed, but Lee said plans for a road will not begin until at least one of the services says it needs a road for its operations here. In the meantime, information about Guam traffic patterns will be included as part of environmental impact studies, he said.
While the Army has not yet weighed in on the expansion plans, Maj. Gen. Donald Goldhorn, adjutant general of the Guam National Guard, said he met with the Army's Pacific commander last week to express concerns that the Army has been slow in stating its requirements on Guam.
Goldhorn, who is a task force member, said the logical location for an Army base on Guam is in Barrigada, next to the existing Guam Army National Guard headquarters. That way, the army, the army reserve and the national guard can share facilities, he said.
Goldhorn said army headquarters would be located in Barrigada, but its missile defense sites would be elsewhere on Guam, probably in the north and south.
For the most part, yesterday's update was consistent with the military development plan released by the U.S. Pacific Command in July 2006 -- land in Dededo continues to be the most viable location for the Marines, and Andersen Air Force base continues to be the most viable option for Marine Corps aircraft.
Lee showed the task force lists of locations for different types of activities, noting whether the sites are viable, potentially viable, or non-viable. Analysis of viable and potentially viable sites is ongoing, he said.
While the military has identified viable locations for most activities, it still has not found a viable location on military-held land for live-fire training, Lee said.
NCTS Finegayan is among the potential training sites, he said, but the military also is considering the use of non-military land.
"We're receiving inquiries from people about buying or leasing ... their land," he said.
Lee said it is not known whether the training sites will be attached to or apart from the military bases. "It's wide open right now. We don't know where to go yet," he said.
What is known is that there isn't a single location on Guam that will meet all of the military's training needs, Lee said, so the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas also is being considered for training. "The CNMI is an active part of this whole process," he said.
Task force member Tony Lamorena, who is director of the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, expressed concerns that a military-related report being prepared for Guam by a federally funded consultant appears to be written from the military's perspective, and not the perspective of the people of Guam.
Lamorena said the draft white paper by consultant KPMG is critical of the island's water and power agencies and its port, stating that they fail to meet the military's requirements.
Lamorena said the report instead should identity the community's needs and how those needs might be adversely affected by the military buildup.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Navy: Rate Hike Had to Be Done
Navy: rate hike had to be done
by John Davis,
KUAM News
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Despite an outpouring of opposition to increased water rates from the production of water from the Fena Reservoir, the Navy today announced the completion of a $19 million upgrade to the treatment plant. Upgrades to the 51-year-old Fena Water Treatment Plant in Santa Rita will reduce chlorinated organics, lead and copper in water and improve plant performance by providing a redundant treatment unit.
This means if one treatment unit were to go down during a typhoon or heavy rains like today's, the Navy would be able to take a unit down without impacting treatment, even during power outages. Water from the Fena Reservoir has been at the center of discontent with local government officials and the military after the Navy decided to double the amount it charges the Guam Waterworks Authority for water produced at the plant.
While many residents feel an increase to water rates from the federal government is not warranted, Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Donnell Evans says the general misconception of operations, maintenance and production being federally funded must be cleared up. He says there were two separate sources of funding for the upgrades. The military construction part of the upgrade is funded through Congress, while operating costs for the treatment plant come from somewhere else. Lt. Evans pinpointed this as being "directly from the revenues generated from the customers."
Evans does confirm that the Navy will also be using revenue generated from the 100% increase to pay off prior year losses, he does say however that once the Navy has collected money lost over the last several years, there could be a chance for rate relief. "There may be some decreases or we may have to adjust the actual cost structure from the plant based on inflation and based on being able to recover some past year losses," the officer explained. "That is definitely something we can consider."
And for the many residents against rate increases from the Navy because they feel it plays a part in the massive military relocation of military personnel and feel the Navy should foot the bill, Evans says the increase in the water rates have nothing to do with the 8,000 U.S. Marines and their families who will be calling Guam home within the next five to ten years. He adds that the increase is strictly related to the past and current operating costs for the water treatment plant, explaining, "We clearly understand that there is opposition to this increase and it's an emotional issue, but we understand that. But it doesn't rally change the fact that it cost money to operate the water treatment plant...we are stewards of government resources and as stewards of resources, we have to make sure that we don't operate this plant at a loss."
Operating costs aside, members of the Consolidated Commission on Utilities maintain that Navy water should still be cheaper than GWA water because the Navy does not take out loans for upgrades, have debt service responsibilities and their capitol improvement projects are federally funded. CCU chairman Simon Sanchez even suggested that the utility agency handle the operations of the water treatment plant, since there is a possibility it would cost them less.
by John Davis,
KUAM News
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Despite an outpouring of opposition to increased water rates from the production of water from the Fena Reservoir, the Navy today announced the completion of a $19 million upgrade to the treatment plant. Upgrades to the 51-year-old Fena Water Treatment Plant in Santa Rita will reduce chlorinated organics, lead and copper in water and improve plant performance by providing a redundant treatment unit.
This means if one treatment unit were to go down during a typhoon or heavy rains like today's, the Navy would be able to take a unit down without impacting treatment, even during power outages. Water from the Fena Reservoir has been at the center of discontent with local government officials and the military after the Navy decided to double the amount it charges the Guam Waterworks Authority for water produced at the plant.
While many residents feel an increase to water rates from the federal government is not warranted, Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Donnell Evans says the general misconception of operations, maintenance and production being federally funded must be cleared up. He says there were two separate sources of funding for the upgrades. The military construction part of the upgrade is funded through Congress, while operating costs for the treatment plant come from somewhere else. Lt. Evans pinpointed this as being "directly from the revenues generated from the customers."
Evans does confirm that the Navy will also be using revenue generated from the 100% increase to pay off prior year losses, he does say however that once the Navy has collected money lost over the last several years, there could be a chance for rate relief. "There may be some decreases or we may have to adjust the actual cost structure from the plant based on inflation and based on being able to recover some past year losses," the officer explained. "That is definitely something we can consider."
And for the many residents against rate increases from the Navy because they feel it plays a part in the massive military relocation of military personnel and feel the Navy should foot the bill, Evans says the increase in the water rates have nothing to do with the 8,000 U.S. Marines and their families who will be calling Guam home within the next five to ten years. He adds that the increase is strictly related to the past and current operating costs for the water treatment plant, explaining, "We clearly understand that there is opposition to this increase and it's an emotional issue, but we understand that. But it doesn't rally change the fact that it cost money to operate the water treatment plant...we are stewards of government resources and as stewards of resources, we have to make sure that we don't operate this plant at a loss."
Operating costs aside, members of the Consolidated Commission on Utilities maintain that Navy water should still be cheaper than GWA water because the Navy does not take out loans for upgrades, have debt service responsibilities and their capitol improvement projects are federally funded. CCU chairman Simon Sanchez even suggested that the utility agency handle the operations of the water treatment plant, since there is a possibility it would cost them less.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Marine move to Guam may be Jeopardized
Lack of funding, room jeopardize Guam buildup
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Sep 30, 2007 9:30:13 EDT
Marine Corps Times
More than 60 years after leathernecks liberated Guam during World War II, plans for a second invasion of 8,000 Marines and 9,000 dependents from Okinawa, Japan, scheduled for 2014, are falling behind as uncertainties with funding the transfer and finding enough room on the tiny Pacific island risk dooming the project altogether.
Issues have arisen with getting Congress and the Japanese government to approve funding for the estimated $10.3 billion military buildup, which also includes constructing an Army ballistic missile defense station and a new Navy pier capable of berthing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, according to retired Marine Maj. Gen. David Bice, the director of the Joint Guam Program Office, and a recent report by the Government Accountability Office.
The Japanese government has agreed to fund $6.1 billion of the $10.3 billion price tag for the Marine move, but Bice said he is still worried that the Guam project could be passed over for other priorities in the Middle East.
“We recognize that Congress and the [Defense Department] is always going to be challenged for funding,” he said. “Our program is going to have to be fully justified.”
His office missed a December 2006 deadline to submit a master plan for the buildup to the Senate Appropriations Committee, but Bice said his office isn’t planning to issue one until February 2009, so funding will be included in the fiscal 2010 military budget and construction can start by summer 2010.
While the transfer of Marines is still seven years off and the units that will be sent to Guam may still change, the units identified for relocation from Okinawa include the command element for III Marine Expeditionary Force; the headquarters for 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Logistics Group and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; and 12th Marines, according to the GAO report.
By all accounts there is a lot of work ahead to upgrade Guam’s infrastructure and construct enough houses and military buildings to prepare for the 39,310 service members and dependents that will make up the buildup.
“There will be impacts on the infrastructure and we are working to respond to that growth,” said Shawn Gumataotao, spokesman for Guam Gov. Felix Camacho.
The GAO report described the two major roads in Guam as in “poor condition” and pointed out that the lack of roadways forces the Air Force to transport ordnance through highly populated areas to its depots.
The electric grid is also unreliable and the utility transmission lines are antiquated, according to the report. The solid-waste landfills are near capacity and the “waste-water treatment facilities have a long history of failing” and are also near capacity, the GAO reported.
Construction has been going on for the last couple years on Guam to update these faults, Gumataotao said. About $500 million has already been invested for projects to shore up roads, install power lines underground, and improve the handling of wastewater, he said.
Questions also surround how all the new Marines will be housed and how a high quality of life will be maintained on the remote island. Bice said the Japanese government plans to build 3,250 homes on base, and the governor’s office confirmed that housing developers on the island are working to build more off-base housing.
While the island can be a lonely place for service members, Bice is confident that the efforts made by his office and Guam officials will make it an attractive station.
“It’s going to be the new Oahu because it’s going to be a place people want to go,” he said.
The lack of infrastructure is fixable, but no study or congressional funding bill will create more space on the island, which is roughly the size of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
The Defense Department owns 40,000 acres of land on Guam, equal to 29 percent of the island, where 14,195 service members work, according to the Guam Integrated Military Development Plan.
DoD officials originally promised they could accomplish the buildup without obtaining more land, but Bice said his staff has reviewed the possibility of purchasing real estate from private landowners who have come forward and offered to sell.
But “there are political sensitivities to using former DoD land areas, since local community officials in Guam are concerned with the community’s reaction to DoD’s possible expansion of land holdings on the island,” the GAO reported.
While there is a minority on the island that is opposed to the buildup, Gumataotao said 70 percent of Guam residents polled do support it and are excited about the economic development it could provide.
Military planners might not be as excited when it comes to ensuring Marines meet training requirements.
“Training is going to be an issue on Guam,” said Bice, who once commanded 3rd Marine Division. Instead of staying on the island, Marines will have to travel to islands about 90 miles away to complete training exercises, Bice said.
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Sep 30, 2007 9:30:13 EDT
Marine Corps Times
More than 60 years after leathernecks liberated Guam during World War II, plans for a second invasion of 8,000 Marines and 9,000 dependents from Okinawa, Japan, scheduled for 2014, are falling behind as uncertainties with funding the transfer and finding enough room on the tiny Pacific island risk dooming the project altogether.
Issues have arisen with getting Congress and the Japanese government to approve funding for the estimated $10.3 billion military buildup, which also includes constructing an Army ballistic missile defense station and a new Navy pier capable of berthing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, according to retired Marine Maj. Gen. David Bice, the director of the Joint Guam Program Office, and a recent report by the Government Accountability Office.
The Japanese government has agreed to fund $6.1 billion of the $10.3 billion price tag for the Marine move, but Bice said he is still worried that the Guam project could be passed over for other priorities in the Middle East.
“We recognize that Congress and the [Defense Department] is always going to be challenged for funding,” he said. “Our program is going to have to be fully justified.”
His office missed a December 2006 deadline to submit a master plan for the buildup to the Senate Appropriations Committee, but Bice said his office isn’t planning to issue one until February 2009, so funding will be included in the fiscal 2010 military budget and construction can start by summer 2010.
While the transfer of Marines is still seven years off and the units that will be sent to Guam may still change, the units identified for relocation from Okinawa include the command element for III Marine Expeditionary Force; the headquarters for 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Logistics Group and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; and 12th Marines, according to the GAO report.
By all accounts there is a lot of work ahead to upgrade Guam’s infrastructure and construct enough houses and military buildings to prepare for the 39,310 service members and dependents that will make up the buildup.
“There will be impacts on the infrastructure and we are working to respond to that growth,” said Shawn Gumataotao, spokesman for Guam Gov. Felix Camacho.
The GAO report described the two major roads in Guam as in “poor condition” and pointed out that the lack of roadways forces the Air Force to transport ordnance through highly populated areas to its depots.
The electric grid is also unreliable and the utility transmission lines are antiquated, according to the report. The solid-waste landfills are near capacity and the “waste-water treatment facilities have a long history of failing” and are also near capacity, the GAO reported.
Construction has been going on for the last couple years on Guam to update these faults, Gumataotao said. About $500 million has already been invested for projects to shore up roads, install power lines underground, and improve the handling of wastewater, he said.
Questions also surround how all the new Marines will be housed and how a high quality of life will be maintained on the remote island. Bice said the Japanese government plans to build 3,250 homes on base, and the governor’s office confirmed that housing developers on the island are working to build more off-base housing.
While the island can be a lonely place for service members, Bice is confident that the efforts made by his office and Guam officials will make it an attractive station.
“It’s going to be the new Oahu because it’s going to be a place people want to go,” he said.
The lack of infrastructure is fixable, but no study or congressional funding bill will create more space on the island, which is roughly the size of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
The Defense Department owns 40,000 acres of land on Guam, equal to 29 percent of the island, where 14,195 service members work, according to the Guam Integrated Military Development Plan.
DoD officials originally promised they could accomplish the buildup without obtaining more land, but Bice said his staff has reviewed the possibility of purchasing real estate from private landowners who have come forward and offered to sell.
But “there are political sensitivities to using former DoD land areas, since local community officials in Guam are concerned with the community’s reaction to DoD’s possible expansion of land holdings on the island,” the GAO reported.
While there is a minority on the island that is opposed to the buildup, Gumataotao said 70 percent of Guam residents polled do support it and are excited about the economic development it could provide.
Military planners might not be as excited when it comes to ensuring Marines meet training requirements.
“Training is going to be an issue on Guam,” said Bice, who once commanded 3rd Marine Division. Instead of staying on the island, Marines will have to travel to islands about 90 miles away to complete training exercises, Bice said.
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