By Pacfic island Times News Staff
Feb 6, 20192 min
The U.S. Navy is proposing to conduct at-sea training and testing activities that would include the use of active sonar and explosives within the study area in Guam and the CNMI.
The testing activities, according to the Navy, is aims to maintain a ready force “to ensure the military can accomplish its mission to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready forces.”
The U.S. Navy has prepared a draft supplement to the 2015 Final Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS), which evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with conducting ongoing and future military readiness activities within the study area at sea and on Farallon de Medinilla.
The Navy said the proposed at-sea training and testing activities are generally consistent with those analyzed in the 2015 MITT Final EIS/OEIS and are similar to activities the military has conducted in the study area for decades.
The MITT study area includes: the Mariana Islands Range Complex, areas on the high seas to the north and west of the Mariana Islands Range Complex, a transit corridor between the Mariana Islands Range Complex and the Hawaii Range Complex, starting at the international date line, and Apra Harbor and select Navy pierside and harbor locations.
The Navy is seeking public review and comment on the proposed action and alternatives and the accuracy and adequacy of the environmental analysis. The Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS is available for public review online at www.MITT-EIS.com and at the following locations:
Guam:
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library
University of Guam
UOG Station
Mangilao, GU 96923
Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library
254 Martyr St.
Hagåtña, GU 96910
Saipan:
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library
Beach Road and Insatto St.
Saipan, MP 96950
Tinian:
Tinian Public Library
San Jose Village
Tinian, MP 96952
Rota:
Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Library
Rota, MP 96951
The Navy will accept comments throughout the public comment period, which ends March 18. All comments must be postmarked or received online by March 18, 2019, Chamorro Standard Time, for consideration in the Final Supplemental EIS/OEIS. Comments may be submitted online at www.MITT-EIS.com, at the public meetings, or by mail to:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific
Attention: MITT Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager
258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134
The Navy will hold two open house public meetings to provide information, answer questions, and give the public an opportunity to comment on the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS. The public may arrive at any time between 5-8 p.m., as there will not be a presentation or formal oral comment session. The meetings will be held at the following locations:
Guam
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 26
Location: University of Guam
Jesus & Eugenia Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public
Administration Building
Anthony Leon Guerrero Multi-Purpose Room 129 and Henry Sy Atrium
Mangilao, Guam 96923
Saipan
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 27
Location: Kanoa Resort Saipan
Seaside Hall
Beach Road in Susupe
Saipan, MP 96950