Navy report lists Guam, CNMI's concerns over continued military training
- Admin
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 29
By Jayvee Vallejera
Biosecurity threats, hazardous discharges, coral destruction, military debris and seafood contamination. These were among the list of concerns raised by Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands regarding the Mariana Islands Training and Testing.
The U.S. Department of the Navy released this week its report on a series of public outreach events that sought community input on the supplemental environmental impact statement for the U.S. military’s planned activities in the Marianas.
The final report summarizes the public comments gathered from the scoping activities the U.S. military hosted on Guam and the CNMI from June 7 to July 22.
The final report sorted all public comments into 13 broad categories, with the section on public involvement and the National Environmental Policy Act getting the most comments at 19 subjects.
According to the impact statement, military training and testing may include the use of active sonar and explosives to prepare military personnel to counter hostile threats. Active sonar is the most effective method of detecting modern, quieter submarines and underwater mines.
A major concern was how the U.S. military would coordinate its proposed activities with agencies such as the Guam Environmental Protection Agency and the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality.
The military’s ability to effectively consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service and other regulatory agencies was also called into question, considering the budget cuts and funding limits under the present administration.
The section on biological resources, which included public comments on marine ecosystems, was grouped into 18 topics.
Public concerns over mitigation measures and monitoring also dominated the conversation.
The other public comments were sorted into categories such as concerns over the proposed actions, sediments and water quality, air quality, terrestrial species and habitats, cultural resources, socioeconomics, public health and safety, National Historic Preservation Act and cumulative effects among others.
According to the impact statement, military readiness activities include training, testing and range modernization and sustainment.
"At-sea military readiness activities may include the use of active sonar, explosives, and other sources of sound," the impact statement reads.
The U.S. military held 20 in-person briefings in both Guam and the CNMI where the public was able to speak with U.S. military representatives. Fourteen briefings were held in the CNMI; six were held in Guam.
Some of the topics include an overview of the SEIS/OEIS; the importance of military readiness activities, including those involving active sonar and explosives; changes from previous environmental analyses; and military readiness activities, including training and testing with sonar and explosives.
The public was also able to submit comments via the MITT website using the online comment form. A total of 19 website comments were received.
A four-page fact sheet booklet was also handed out or mailed during the scoping period.
"The action proponents would continue to employ mitigation measures when conducting at-sea activities to reduce or avoid potential adverse effects on marine species," the impact statement said.
"Proposed range modernization and sustainment includes placement and maintenance of subsurface targets, such as training minefields, and placement of temporary instrumentation in the study area."
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