Comment period extended for MIRC’s draft EIS/OEIS

[B]SANTA RITA, Guam[/B]—The U.S. Defense Representative Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau (U.S. Defense Representative) is extending the public comment period for the Mariana Islands Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement to March 31, 2009, to allow for additional public input.

This special allowance within this National Environmental Policy Act process was made due to public comments received. The extension is not required by NEPA but was requested and granted to ensure the public has ample opportunity to comment.

Global defense technology is constantly advancing and changing, and the U.S. military must adjust its ability to fulfill new training and testing requirements. To fulfill new requirements, the U.S. Defense Representative has proposed to upgrade and modernize the capabilities of the MIRC. The Navy has trained and conducted research, development, testing and evaluation in the MIRC for many years. The MIRC EIS/OEIS is a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts of current and potential Navy training and RDT&E activities in the Marianas.
Completion of the MIRC EIS/OEIS will help the Navy continue to use the Mariana Islands ranges and to increase those activities as needed for the nation’s security while we maintain our stewardship of the environment. This is one of a dozen environmental impact statements the Navy is preparing for its major range complexes, which include Hawaii, Southern California, the Pacific Northwest and the East Coast. These efforts are part of a long-term program to ensure the Navy has the training ranges it needs to provide combat-capable forces ready to deploy worldwide in America’s defense

Submit comments

Public hearings for the MIRC Draft EIS/OEIS were publicized and held in February 2009. Written comments may be submitted to the address below or via the project website or e-mail. All written comments must be received by March 31, 2009, to ensure they become part of the official record. All timely comments will be responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS.
Mariana Islands Range Complex EIS
258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100
Attn: EV2
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134
E-mail: marianas.tap.eis@navy.mil
Web site: www.MarianasRange
ComplexEIS.com

For more information

The MIRC Draft EIS/OEIS document and additional project information can be found on the website (www.MarianasRangeComplexEIS.com) and at the following locations:

GUAM

University of Guam
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library
Government Documents Room
(671) 735-2321

Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library
671) 475-4753

TINIAN

Northern Marianas College
Public Library
Tinian
(670) 433-0504

ROTA

Rota Public Library
(670) 532-9443

SAIPAN

Joeten-Kiyu Public Library
Saipan
(670) 235-7322 [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]