The Final EIS and What it all Means

The United States Department of Navy released its final “Guam and CNMI  Military Relocation – Environmental Impact Statement” (EIS) on Tuesday night.  (I’ve highlighted in previous posts – Tourism & Education, Environment, Housing - what the Grey Papers have found in response to previous EIS statements.) As always, I will take a look at what the EIS says.

Latte Stones on Guam

Although Pagat is listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation & America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, it still remains as the Department of Defense’s first choice for a firing range.  Pagat is the site of a historic Latte Village.  Lattes are ancient stone pillars that Chamorros used to build their house on (first being used around 800 AD).  Additionaly, the cultural practice of healing from herbs found at Pagat will also cease to exist. Furthermore, indigenous endangered species (such as the Mariana 8-Spotted Butterfly) that inhabit the region will almost undoubtedly be wiped out and private landowners will lose their land.

Plans to dredge Apra Harbor are delayed, but it is still their preferred option.  As I have noted before, not only is this bad for the environment, but it also hurts  marine sports, diving, and subsurface tours (by nearly 10%).  Furthermore, a nuclear powered ship would be based in this harbor.  Given the recent oil spills EVERYWHERE, this doesn’t sound very appealing.  (Yes I know a nuclear powered ship and an oil rig/pipeline are completely different, but what even take the chance?)

The document does not detail how they plan to limit the population to 40,000 during the peak of construction as they have been publicizing. The FEIS in fact predicts up to 79,178 in 2014.  This will demoralize an already horrible infrastructure, education system and housing market.

If you are on Guam and would like to find out more information then please attend a community meeting to discuss this document:

COMMUNITY MEETING
Mangilao Community Center
Friday, July 30
6:30-8:30pm
Refreshments will be provided!

You can also visit weareguhan.com to find more information.

Advertisement