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Military buildup in Guam: Impact on civilian community, planning, and response
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Posted on May 24 2008
By Pedro A. Tenorio
Special to the Saipan Tribune
Thank you for allowing me to submit this statement on the military buildup on Guam, as a result of the upcoming transfer of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces from Okinawa.
The world is rapidly changing and countries that were once inconsequential to our national consciousness are now major players in the global economy. The nations comprising the Asian continent represent both partners and threats to our economy and to national security.
The transfer of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces from Okinawa to Guam is a relatively short move of about 1400 miles. However, this transfer should be seen as an opportunity for our entire nation to adjust its perceptions and assumptions. Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have for some time been viewed as insignificant insular possessions in the backwaters of the Pacific. This is an opportunity for these islands to be seen as America’s face to Asia.
Right now that face, as far as the CNMI is concerned, is not an image this great nation wants the world to see, and I look forward to having many discussions with this committee on how things can be improved. For today I would like to focus on direct impacts of this upcoming transfer.
When the Marianas Political Status Commission was negotiating the Covenant, we agreed to 100 year leases for 17,800 acres of land on Tinian and the island of Farallon de Medinilla for $983 and $100 per acre, respectively. We agreed to these bargain basement prices on these long term leases because of the anticipation of a permanent military presence that would provide consistent economic activity that would form the basis of our economy. Unfortunately we were negotiating in a post-Vietnam era and military expansion turned out not to be a politically viable option. In other words, the proposed military project never became a reality and this valuable land on Tinian has never delivered the economic promise that we expected.
The U.S. still holds the lease, and I urge the Department of Defense to find a more constructive and permanent use of this land. I have strongly urged DOD to establish a permanent training facility on Tinian, and the CNMI would be open to other types of permanent installations. This request is nothing new. My predecessor, the Honorable CNMI Resident Representative Juan N. Babauta, made several requests to Congress and DOD to establish a continuous presence in Tinian in hopes of spurring economic activity (please see letter to Secretary Rumsfeld). The Tinian leadership has also made numerous similar appeals over the years. Yet, at the date of today’s hearing, more than twenty-five years after the land acquisition agreement, practically nothing has been done leaving a full two-thirds of the island of Tinian to remain fallow. I believe that if DOD does not develop concrete plans for the use of their land on Tinian, Congress should declare these lands as “surplus property” and be returned to the CNMI.
It is encouraging hearing that studies for the entire region are being conducted and the feasibility of a “warm base” in Tinian is being proposed which would require the construction of temporary structures and ensuring some sort of military presence. However, the people of the CNMI deserve more concrete plans rather than mere concepts in order to properly plan and prepare. Also, while a recurring temporary presence by the military in Tinian would be helpful, a permanent presence would ensure sustained economic activity and validate the long-term lease agreement.
Prior to the actual relocation of Marines to Guam, the CNMI stands ready and willing to assist as the U.S. military carries out this immense relocation process. The CNMI has many resources that may be used to support construction, transportation and lodging during the relocation infrastructure improvement phase. One possibility could include using our construction companies to prefabricate concrete panels to be used for military buildings and houses then having them shipped to Guam. This practice was applied years ago when concrete panels were prepared in Guam before being shipped to Saipan to build the Naval Administration’s offices and homes.
Other factors that I urge this committee to consider and assist the good people of the Commonwealth on are:
1. Increased monitoring of the volcanoes on the northern islands of the Marianas Archipelago. They present a threat to commercial and military air traffic, potential military exercises, and the public health as ash and sulfur dioxide gas are frequently carried by winds to the populated islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam. The lack of a monitoring system also inhibits economic development and any prospective resettlement to these islands. (please see attached letter to Senator Feinstein)
2. Amending the authorizing legislation for the Office of Economic Adjustment to include the CNMI so that we can pursue funding in anticipation of the impact of the buildup. (please see draft amendment)
3. Funding for the rehabilitation, repair and improvements to the Tinian harbor, a joint use facility as agreed to in the Covenant. The Army Corps of Engineers estimates the repairs at $25.5 million.
4. In addition, the leadership of the island of Tinian has several concerns regarding the use of the military retention area. These include the location of solid waste and waste water treatment facilities on military land, designation of grazing and agricultural areas nears the retention areas, and reimbursement of the water studies cost. The Tinian municipality owes $1.3 million to the U.S. Geological Survey for exploratory water wells drilled throughout the 1990s, many of which were drilled within the retention area. Since the military plans to use the northern half of Tinian for training purposes, we are requesting payment to the USGS be shared between the Municipality of Tinian and the U.S. military.
I look forward to further dialogue with the U.S. military and this committee.
[I](Pedro A. Tenorio is the Northern Mariana Islands’ Resident Representative to Washington, D.C.)[/I]
