The U.S. Air Force aims to renew talks for a divert airfield on Saipan despite a local ports authority resolution opposing one on the island, as Air Force officials believe the new set of facts contained in a revised environmental impact statement due next month will put forth new and attractive alternatives for the CNMI\u2019s consideration.<\/p>\n
Over a year ago, the Commonwealth Ports Authority rejected the siting of the Air Force\u2019s divert project on Saipan, endorsing Tinian instead, and asserting that they would not support an \u201cairport layout plan\u201d for the Saipan airport inclusive of divert activities.<\/p>\n
Since CPA owns the property, the Air Force needs the port authority to submit an ALP for the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s approval. CPA also would have to lease to the military required lands for the divert project.<\/p>\n
These facts, or limiting factors, put the onus on the Air Force to be as collaborative and open with their plans as they move forward with a revised project that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency earlier rated as \u201cinsufficient\u201d for \u201csevere\u201d noise impacts, among others.<\/p>\n
Col. Michael R. Cardoza, USAF Chief of Strategy and Plans Division, said the feedback from the CNMI resulted in a \u201creduced scope they will see in the revised EIS.\u201d<\/p>\n
This revised EIS is set for release in October\u2014about seven months after U.S. Department of Defense officials introduced among CNMI leaders last February a \u201chybrid\u201d plan to have the divert airfield on both Tinian and Saipan. That \u201chybrid\u201d plan came about five months after the CPA resolution and assured a \u201cde-confliction\u201d with civil and military activity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think the CPA will find the new alternatives to be attractive options that represent a true middle ground between the initial positions of both parties,\u201d said Cardoza in an email yesterday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Air Force has made significant reductions to the scope of the initiative, in an attempt to mitigate potential impacts of the original proposal. Fighter aircraft and their associated munitions have been completely eliminated.\u00a0This means the only remaining aircraft are refueling and mobility aircraft, which are similar to the commercial airlines flying into Saipan today,\u201d Cardoza said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, expected planned exercise flights have been reduced by more than 60 percent.\u00a0 Most importantly, we have developed a hybrid option that distributes operations between the two alternative locations, minimizing the impacts to Saipan and locating the majority of development on Tinian, a desire expressed by the CPA board and other stakeholders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Air Force officials have said \u201cnoise contour levels would shrink considerably\u201d in the new proposal, as there are no longer plans for fighter activity. The Air Force would instead fly tanker aircraft.<\/p>\n
In his email, Cardoza emphasized that the EIS is not a decision-making document. That would be the \u201cRecord of Decision\u201d signed by the Secretary of the Air Force.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to analyze the alternatives to inform that decision. While the CPA resolution does not prevent us from completing our revised EIS, it will need to be re-addressed at the appropriate time with the CPA board.\u00a0We look forward to working in a cooperative manner to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we progress, our desire is to be open, transparent, and responsive,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
In a interview yesterday, Rep. Joseph \u201cLeepan\u201d Guerrero (R-Saipan), who chairs the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, expressed concern that the reduced scope of operations could be expanded on at a later date.<\/p>\n
Saipan Tribune learned that this could be done in a supplemental EIS, after the initial project is improved. Also, DoD projects in the CNMI have expanded in other EIS\u2019s for live-fire and undersea sonar training, years after earlier and separate EIS approved smaller training.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe need for military presence here within this region is of vital importance,\u201d Guerrero said, \u201c[but] we want assurance from the military that when you say this\u2026you don\u2019t mean something else. C-130 aircraft are going to be stationed here and no jets. If you want jets, then let\u2019s come to the table and let\u2019s talk about jets.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026You said training was at this hour, make sure it\u2019s that hour, that there is no extended hours, and no special training that is not on the agenda.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s not make some changes drastically,\u201d Guerrero said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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