Category: Historic Preservation

Source: Pacific Daily News

https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2019/05/23/guam-camp-blaz-us-military-asia-pacific/1200366001/

A ‘rough road’ as military buildup projects are in ‘full force’

Anumita Kaur, Pacific Daily News Published 1:58 a.m. ChT May 24, 2019 | Updated 11:47 a.m. ChT May 24,

Members from the military, State Historic Preservation Office, Guam Preservation Trust, senate and governor's office met Thursday at the Guam Museum for the seventh annual 2011 Programmatic Agreement workshop.

Members from the military, State Historic Preservation Office, Guam Preservation Trust, senate and governor’s office met Thursday at the Guam Museum for the seventh annual 2011 Programmatic Agreement workshop. (Photo: Anumita Kaur/PDN)

Four military projects that may impact the island’s historical sites are well underway, Marine Corps Activity Guam said Thursday, and Guam leaders are concerned about protecting the island’s history.

Construction has started on three of the projects, and will start on the fourth soon, military representatives told community leaders at a workshop Thursday. Artifacts have been uncovered during construction at all four sites. 

The projects are part of the military buildup, in which as many as 5,000 Marines from Okinawa and elsewhere will be transferred to a new base — Camp Blaz — as part of a larger realignment of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Changing or halting construction? Military calls it ‘unlikely.’

Lynda Aguon, division supervisor with State Historic Preservation Office, and Sens. Therese Terlaje and Kelly Marsh posed the possibility of changing construction plans or preserving historic discoveries on-site based on the inadvertent discoveries. Data recovery is not enough, they said. 

“We don’t want just the data,” Terlaje said. “We want the historical sites.” 

Aguon asked if there is criteria to halt construction altogether. 

“We keep discovering things, we keep discovering things,” Aguon said. “Can’t we just stop?” 

This is unlikely, the military said, due to the pressing needs of the buildup.

“Will we preserve in place for latte shards from a pot that was dropped? That’s not going to happen because I know the ranges have to be where they are, and that’s not going to force us to reconsider this,” said Al Borja, an environmental director with Marine Corps Activity Guam. “It’s not that preservation in place is impossible, but if it affects something as important as the firing lanes and the configuration of the range, I would say it’s very unlikely that we’ll preserve it in place.” 

‘Coming full force’

“I have to say, 2018, 2019 has been a rough road,” Aguon said. “The projects have been slow in the beginning, but now they’re just coming full force.”

Members from the military, State Historic Preservation Office, Guam Preservation Trust, senate and governor’s office met Thursday at the Guam Museum for the seventh annual 2011 Programmatic Agreement workshop. The buildup agreement identifies historical properties, explores the military’s potential effects on them and lays guidelines to mitigate these effects. It will remain in effect for the duration of the build-up.

“We need to continue to preserve what we have left,” Aguon said. “Preserving every little ounce, every little bit of our indigenous people that provided to this land, gave to this island, must be preserved in any way, shape or form.” 

Guam State Historic Preservation Officer and staff inspected the area where lusong and latte from ancient Chamoru village Magua' were relocated, on Nov. 7, 2018.

Guam State Historic Preservation Officer and staff inspected the area where lusong and latte from ancient Chamoru village Magua’ were relocated, on Nov. 7, 2018. (Photo: Courtesy of State Historic Preservation Office)

The four major projects that may disrupt historic sites are:

  • the construction of the central Marine Corps base in Dededo;
  • construction of the live-fire training range complex at Northwest Field and Ritidian;
  • water well development at Andersen Air Force Base near Potts Junction on Route 3; and
  • construction of an urban combat training at Andersen South.  

The four sites will be continuously monitored by two archaeologists on-staff with Marine Corps Activity Guam. As per the agreement, any discovery halts work and Historic Preservation is notified, the military said. 

In total, 12 buildup projects are complete. Eight projects are currently under construction. Eleven projects are pending construction. 

Vegetation cleared, most ground work complete

The construction of the base in Dededo, referred to as project J-001B, is the furthest moved along project among these. Most vegetation is cleared and the majority of the initial ground disturbance is complete, the military said.

Two sites, totaling about three acres, on this project were identified during military construction to contain historic artifacts. Archaeological data recovery, to preserve found artifacts, was performed at the first site in January this year. The second site remains fenced off from construction activity, pending further archaeological investigation.

In addition to the two sites identified, the ancient Magua’ village is on the project’s land. News of the military clearing the site of the ancient village Magua’ stirred controversy in October 2018; however, military work continued, with officials stating that found artifacts were secured, but preserving the site itself would impede Marine relocation. 

Other projects’ progress

Crews are currently removing vegetation at the live-fire training range complex project at Northwest Field, referred to as P-715. 

The vegetation removal did uncover Latte Period ceramic scatter, the military said. A contract to provide data recovery on the site was being finalized as of last month. 

The water well development project, known as P-103, no longer conflicts with historic properties, the military said. The project, on Route 3 by Potts Junction, was adjusted due to the discovery of lusong, or ancient mortars. The project’s construction has continued, which entails 65.1 acres of property and the construction of six water wells. 

The fourth project, referred to as J-755, discussed at Thursday’s meeting has not begun ground-disturbing activities. The project is for an urban combat training facility at Andersen South. Construction will begin soon, as a contract was awarded early this year, the military said. However, remnants of lånchos, or ancient ranches, are of concern on the project’s site, according to the State Historic Preservation Office. 

More monitors 

Throughout the meeting, senators and members of the State Historic Preservation Office and Preservation Trust reiterated a need for more archaeological monitors to be considered, to ensure ancient artifacts are properly identified and accounted for. 

Attendees and military members went on site tours in the afternoon, to view South Finegyan, NCTAMS gate area and various locations at Andersen Air Force Base.

Vice Speaker Terlaje’s Statement on 6th Annual Programmatic Agreement Workshop

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (May 24, 2018– Hagåtña)-

Today, at the invitation of the State Historic Preservation Office, I attended the 6th Annual Guam Programmatic Agreement Workshop. The annual PA Workshop is a meeting closed to the general public that is hosted by the Department of Defense to discuss DOD’s compliance with the Guam Programmatic Agreement relative to historic properties affected by DOD Buildup projects, with PA signatories-various leaders from the DOD regional command, and the President’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Last year, I raised questions at the annual workshop as to unfulfilled promises in the PA relative to DOD buildup projects affecting historic properties, including a repository and a museum. DOD announced last month that the repository would be built at UOG pursuant to a grant.

At todays workshop, DOD announced that it was unable to deliver any funds for the promised museum complex, and that no federal agencies had additional congressional authority or discretionary funds to support construction of the Guam Museum.

I also reiterated concerns during the workshop that the avoidance of adverse impacts to historic sites is not being fully achieved and instead the “data recovery” which is the removal of a sampling of archaeologically relevant material, is the only option being utilized for several important historic sites. This includes the Northwest Field live fire training range location (adjacent to Ritidian/Litekyan), where over 100 historic sites have been discovered and 14 will not be protected.

Guam’s SHPO also raised objections relative to several military projects including, LFTRC (Live Fire Training Range, Northwest Field), Main Cantonment (Marine Base, Finegayan), Anderson South Training Complex, and Water Well Development (Anderson Air Force Base), invoking Stipulation XIII of the Programmatic Agreement, which requires parties 45 days to resolve objections.

I have sent a letter to the Governor detailing my concerns with the Programmatic Agreement, requesting that he address these concerns and halt clearing and construction, where historic properties and limestone forest habitat will be impacted.

Read Vice Speaker Terlaje’s Letter to the Governor:
Letter to Gov_PA Workshop and Issues

Original Landowners and Agencies Voice Concerns About Live-Fire at Ritidian

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (September 8, 2017 – Hagåtña) – Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje (D-Yoña), Chairperson for the Committee on Culture and Justice convened an informational briefing yesterday, where dozens of concerned community members including the original Ritidian landowners and their families provided four hours of testimony demanding that the construction of the Live-Fire Training Range Complex (LFTRC) at Northwest Field be paused. Speaker BJ Cruz, Senator Telena Nelson, Senator Wil Castro, Senator Regine Biscoe Lee, Senator Fernando Esteves, and Senator Frank Aguon also attend the briefing, where they asked representatives from Government of Guam agencies to provide updates on the impacts to the limestone forests and historic properties with the proposed construction of the LFTRC.

The military’s 2010 Record of Decision clearly states that the relocation of marines to Guam is contingent on the establishment of a live-fire training range on Guam. However, more recently the military has announced that the relocation is also dependent on the establishment of live-fire ranges on Tinian and a bombing range on Pagan. In a pending lawsuit in the CNMI district court, EarthJustice has argued that the environmental impact statement conducted for the relocation of marines necessarily should have included the assessment of the Tinian and Pagan live-fire ranges, and thus must be redone. The marines are not scheduled to move to Guam until 2020. Vice Speaker Terlaje is adamant that the clearing of the limestone forest and impacts to Ritidian and other historic sites should not proceed until the court case is decided.

Guam’s State Historic Preservation Officer, Lynda Aguon provided significant findings, pointing out that her office previously indicated the Northwest Field as the least favored alternative for the LFTRC, given the location had multiple historical sites that would be directly and indirectly adversely impacted. SHPO Aguon clearly stated that 269 historical properties were counted and recorded, and of those sites, 63 were determined eligible for listing on the National Registry of Historic Places. SHPO Aguon informed senators that she would be working with the Governor’s office to submit a letter the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to seek a comprehensive re-evaluation of the culturally significant settlement site at Ritidian and the impacts of the Surface Danger Zone.

“There are adverse effects happening, which is why we have found sites – 269 sites, not to mention 4 burials that were in place, burials that were there, and probably one that has been reburied. There is a latte set that has a lot of lusongs. You can posit from that, it is a big latte settlement. And going further, in receiving all of these reports (thousands of pages), it is only appropriate that they need to stop, pause everything, do the re-evaluation and get all their reports in order. The state archaeologist is frustrated because these reports are coming in from different writers and they are not syncing, so in consultation we will prepare that letter to the Advisory Council… They may have awarded the contract, but they still have to complete the section 106 process. They can probably begin to develop their design plans, but cannot do any construction activities until the 106 process is cleared, which will be clarified by the Advisory Council,” SHPO Aguon stated, further indicating that direct and indirect adverse impacts would impact areas of Litekyan, Pahon, Jinapsan, Urunao, and Haputo.

In response to the military’s proposed mitigation for the loss of limestone forest species, Tino Aguon of the Department of Agriculture stressed,

“Re-creation is a long process. You can mimic what nature has done, but we have to understand it took nature millions of years to do something that we want to do in a field, so that is a fairly difficult process or something difficult to achieve.”

Other concerns about the loss of access to important fishing areas and the contamination of Guam’s sole water source, the Northern Lens Aquifer, were also discussed. Manny Duenas, of the Guam Fishermen’s Coop testified that the live-fire training range at Ritidian would spoil important fishing areas and prevent access to local fishermen.

“They are going to take 15 square miles of our ocean at Ritidian Point, some of our most pristine waters, and they are going to fire 40 pounds of lead into the water. That’s water quality? Who is going to go out three miles and check?… I promise the military we are going to have 50 to 100 boats parked at Ritidian when these guys start shooting their weapons, until they start mitigating,” Duenas said.

Visiting scholar Rebekah Garrison described the lingering environmental contamination that plagues Vieques, Puerto Rico and Koho’olawe, Hawaii, despite the community actions that successfully ended bombing and other military exercises over 20 years ago. Garrison stated,

“Vieques continues to suffer a 25% higher cancer rate than Puerto Rico… In Koho’olawe, decades worth of bombs lodged into reefs, rocks, and underwater sands remain, leaking into the ocean. Koho’olawe and much of Vieques remain unsafe for human habitation and unfortunately both islands are great examples as to why Litekyan should not be turned into a live-fire training range. You have the power of keeping Litekyan from becoming the next Koho’olawe and Vieques.”

Sinajana resident John Dungca cited the Inifresi and the pledge to protect the land and water of the Chamorro people. He expressed his concerns about Guam’s primary fresh water source,

“When that facility becomes operational, it will be consuming 2 million gallons of water a day… I have questions that haven’t been answered to determine if this is good for Guam… Will the military be a good partner in being good stewards with the Guam Waterworks authority to protect this resource that is our northern aquifer?”

Several representatives of the Ritidian/Litekyan families shared powerful stories of pain and loss over the past several decades. Original landowners from Tiyan and Urunao, and members from Prutehi Litekyan also joined them in solidarity. Cathy Flores McCollum recalled how the Ritidian/Litekyan property was taken from her family by force and without just compensation by the Department of Defense. Decades later, Ritidian was deemed excess property to be returned, however her family and the rest of Guam were forced to witness Congress transfer their property to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. McCollum said many of the Ritidian families are moved by ongoing community efforts to fight this injustice.

“Instead of mitigation, we just want this to stop and we want our Governor, our leader of Guam, to help us get our lands back. That’s the bottom line… No, the military is not a great steward to our lands… Our family has been waiting patiently for the return of our property. Correct the injustices that have and will continue to take place. Let us take care of Ritidian. Let us be the people who will protect our lands from destruction, show our natural resources, and welcome family and friends – friends who respect and love Ritidian and will fight to the bitter end,” McCollum stated.

Another Ritidian descendant Lou Flores Bejado also added:

“Litekyan is not just a piece of property – it is our life, our beautiful history, and a way for us to connect with our ancestors. Our ancestors were also buried there before the war… such sacred grounds. Our nephew Rain Flores San Nicolas drowned at Litekyan saving his cousin’s life a few years back. So to think of bullets going into that part of the ocean, makes our stomachs turn and our hearts ache in pain. Those are sacred waters too… There are so many arguments as to why Litekyan should be put off as a firing range. The marines are not expected until 8 years from now. Why are they starting this early? We need to delay the buildup and come back to the drawing board and find what is mutually beneficial for all. If the military wants to be good partners in the community, they need to listen to us to avoid any undue stress or unrest as a people… Many have told me that if this was their land, they to would fight. I know that if this was your family’s land, or if it was land belonging to Governor Calvo’s family, we would not be here today, and rightly so, we would be behind them as well.”

Vice Speaker Terlaje hopes that Governor Calvo will use his authority and influence to put the clearing of the limestone forest adjacent to Ritidian on hold. She recalled many of the protests that have taken place within the last decade to defend against federal control of Ritidian, and how thousands of residents spoke out during the EIS and SEIS commenting periods to criticize the construction of live-fire ranges adjacent to ancient villages.

“There is no dispute after the recent reports from the SHPO and the 2017 Biological Opinion, of the devastating impacts of the live-fire training range if it is placed at Northwest Field above Ritidian. It is not too late. It is going to take all of us to work together,” Terlaje stated.

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For more information, please call the
Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586

Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje Urges Governor Calvo to Consider Critical Issues with the Proposed Construction of the Live-Fire Training Range Complex at Northwest Field

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (September 6, 2017 – Hagåtña) – Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje (D-Yoña), Chairperson for the Committee on Culture and Justice, submitted a letter to Governor Eddie Baza Calvo yesterday, urging him to consider the irreversible impacts to historic sites, the environment, and ancestral lands with the clearing of limestone forests in Finegayan and Northwest Field for construction of the cantonment and Live-Fire Training Range Complex. Vice Speaker wrote with great concern about the preservation of primary limestone forest, ancient villages, cultural resources, and the continuing struggles for original landowners. In her letter, Vice Speaker Terlaje asked the Governor to consider the following:
– That promises in the Programmatic Agreement have not been kept by the military
– That the discovery of additional historic properties at Northwest Field may require reconsideration
– That the CNMI pending lawsuit may directly impact these firing ranges
– That the planned destruction of 187 acres of limestone forest at Northwest Field and the clearing of 683 acres of limestone forest in Finegayan are irreversible
– That Guam has a longstanding policy to defend Ritidian from federal control
– That the relocation will not begin until 2020

“Certainly the destruction of our limestone forest and wildlife refuge can be put on hold temporarily, while the leaders of Guam work cohesively with government agency leaders and the people of Guam to ensure the preservation of our ancient villages and pristine resource,” Vice Speaker Terlaje wrote.

Vice Speaker Terlaje also humbly requested that these issues regarding Ritidian be addressed in the Governor’s discussions in Washington D.C., together with the economic impacts of the denial of H-2B visas and the payment of War Claims out of Section 30 funds owed to Guam. Vice Speaker Terlaje further stated, “Settlement should include justice for the original landowners, preservation of historic sites, and protection of our limestone forests.”

The letter, which was also copied to Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, included maps of the proposed Surface Danger Zone at Ritidian/Litekyan and potential impacts, a copy of a complaint filed by the Tinian Women’s Association against the U.S. Navy, and the public notice for the September 7, 2017 Informational Briefing with Original Landowners at the Guam Congressional Building’s Public Hearing Room.

For more information, please refer to the attached letter from Vice Speaker Terlaje to Governor Calvo, along with the included attachments.

For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.

Read Vice Speaker Terlaje’s Letter to the Governor here:
Ltr_Gov_Urgent Issues LFTRC_F

Review the CNMI Complaint here:
CNMI Complaint

Review the Public Notice here:
Public Notice Sept. 7th. 2017 Info Briefing with Original Landowners

Informational Briefing to Focus on Litekyan (Ritidian) Landowners, and Historical, Cultural and Environmental Issues

The Committee on Culture and Justice will convene an informational briefing on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 4 p.m. at the Guam Legislature Public Hearing Room, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña.

The intent of the informational briefing is to receive reports of the status and the historical, cultural, and environmental impacts of the Live-Fire Training Range Complex, and the potential implications for the original landowners of Ritidian/Litekyan and the surrounding areas.

Agenda items include:
*Reports from government agencies: Guam State Historic Preservation Office, Guam Department of Agriculture, Guam Coastal Management Program, Governor’s Military Buildup Office
*Testimony from Guam Fishermen’s Coop Association
*Testimony from Original Ritidian/Litekyan Landowners

Background on Ritidian/Litekyan homelands:
– After World War II, the U.S. military condemned via eminent domain, privately held lands from families in Ritidian/Litekyan and the surrounding areas. Families were forced to relocate despite objections and without just compensation. Ritidian was established as a military area that restricted civilian access.

– After decades, the military deemed the Ritidian lands “excess”, however, the return of the excess lands to the government of Guam was thwarted by the U.S. Congress’ transfer of those lands to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2000. Ritidian lands have since been held in trust by the USFWS and used as a wildlife refuge and cultural center.

The 22nd, 23rd, and 30th Guam Legislatures enacted:
– PL 22-63, declaring that no wildlife refuge be established in Guam unless approved and enacted under Guam law

– PL 22-111 challenged the designation of the Ritidian lands as a Critical Habitat or Wildlife Refuge.

– PL 23-24 signed by acting Governor Madeleine Z. Bordallo, prohibited the Government of Guam from entering into any cooperative agreement with any U.S. federal government agency in regard to the Wildlife Refuge at Ritidian. The law stated, “it is the policy of the government of Guam to seek the termination of federal ownership of real property in Northern Guam commonly known as the “Wildlife Refuge” and to seek the transfer of those lands from the control of the U.S. Department of Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service to local authority for whatever purposes deemed appropriate by local authority, including the possible return to original land owners.”

– Resolution 258-30 opposing land condemnation by the federal government for the purposes of the training ranges, reminding Congress that “the final insult to the people of Guam came when the 385 acres of the former Naval Facility, Guam at Ritidian Point was declared excess in the 1990’s and was grabbed quietly, without fanfare or advance notice by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rather than being returned to the original land owners via the Government of Guam.”

Contrary to past Guam Legislative efforts to support the Ritidian homelands, in December 2014,Congress enacted H.R. 4402, allowing DoD use of Ritidian as a Surface Danger Zone for its Live-Fire Training Ranges.

The informational briefing will broadcast on local television, GTA Channel 21, Docomo Channel 117/60.4 and stream online via I Liheslaturan Guåhan’s live feed. If written testimonies are to be presented at the informational briefing, the Committee requests that copies be submitted prior to the informational briefing date and should be addressed to Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje. Testimonies may be submitted via hand delivery to the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at the Guam Congress Building, 163 Chalan Santo Papa, Hagåtña, Guam; at the Protocol Office of the Guam Congress Building, 163 Chalan Santo Papa, Hagåtña, Guam 96910; or via email to senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals requiring special accommodations or services should contact the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje, 163 Chalan Santo Papa, at (671) 472-3586 or by sending an email to senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com.

We look forward to your attendance and participation.
Si Yu’os Ma’åse.

Independent Guåhan Hosts Teach-In on the impact of the MITT on Guam’s environment and quest for self-determination

As part of their ongoing series of monthly Teach-Ins that provide insight into important issues affecting Guam, Independent Guåhan will be holding its next meeting on August 17 from 6:00 – 7:30 P.M. in UOG HSS 106 to discuss the Mariana Islands Training and Testing study area or MITT.

The Teach-In will discuss the specific threats these actions by DOD will affect our environment and natural resources, but also in general how it will affect issues of indigenous rights and political status change.

The community will have until September 15, 2017 to provide comments on the MITT and this Teach-In is organized to help inform the public on the issue and how to provide comments. It is free and open to the public.

 

Vice Speaker Terlaje Submits Request for Permits and Reports of Military Activities in MIRC and MITT Areas

Vice Speaker Terlaje submitted a request to review permits and reports of military activities in MITT and MIRC permit areas.  Linked here is the response from the Regional Environmental Director of Joint Region Marianas:

Gmail – request for permits and reports of military activities in MIRC and MITT areas

The link below will take you to the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement / Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) website.  The MMPA Letter of Authorization, ESA Biological Opinion (NMFS), and Essential Fish Habitat Assessment can be found under the “documents” tab on the MITT-EIS website.
http://mitt-eis.com/

View the NMFS Letter of Authorization and Final Rule:
Notice of Final Rule

Letter of Authorization

A complete compilation of all Navy annual reports sent to NMFS can be found at this site, under the reporting tab:
https://www.navymarinespeciesmonitoring.us/ 

Senator Terlaje urges all residents to participate in the commenting period for the supplemental environmental impact statement for the Marianas Islands Testing and Training Area.

For more information, please email senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com or call 472-3586.

 

Information Briefing: March 21, 2017

The Committee on Culture and Justice convened an Information Briefing on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña. The intent of the Briefing was to focus on the following:

  • Historic Properties to be adversely impacted by the proposed urban warfare training range at Andersen South, proposed mitigation plans, and the process by which public comments are due to the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas on April 24, 2017;
  • Cultural and Historic resources impacted by the proposed Live-Fire Training Range Complex (LFTRC) at Northwest Field, AAFB, the Biological Opinion on critical habitat due to U.S. Fish & Wildlife in Fall 2017, the Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the Department of Defense, and an update on the Programmatic Agreement for this project.

The Committee Report on the Briefing can be viewed through this link: CR Informational Briefing 3.21.17_Final

SENATORS URGE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO CEASE DETONATION OF EXPLOSIVES IN GUAM’S LAND AND WATERS

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (April 28, 2017 – Hagåtña) – Twelve senators have committed to stopping the detonations in Guam’s waters. Resolution 103-34 (LS) was introduced yesterday afternoon by Senators Therese M. Terlaje, Frank B. Aguon, Jr., Thomas C. Ada, Telena C. Nelson, Joe San Agustin, Dennis G. Rodriguez, Jr., Benjamin J.F. Cruz, Régine Biscoe Lee, Fernando Esteves, William M. Castro, Tommy Morrison and Louise B. Muña, urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to cease the use of Guam’s land and waters as a training ground for the detonation of explosives.

Introduction of Resolution No. 103-34 was prompted by the recent Coast Guard CFR publication that created a safety zone around the planned DoD April detonations and indicated that no public comment would be accepted due to time constraints. Shortly after news of the April detonations was released by media, the Navy indicated four separate 1.25 lbs explosives will be detonated on May 18, 2017 and no detonation training and testing would be conducted in April. The May detonations are scheduled as part of the Navy’s training and testing activities that fall under the defined Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) “Study Area.”

“The proposed detonations at Outer Apra Harbor and Piti are but just a few that may be lined up by the Navy. Whether big or small, the people of Guam continue to deal with the adverse environmental and social impacts of previous detonation of explosives in Guam’s land and waters.  Until those are adequately resolved, we urge that further DoD detonation of explosives be ceased,” Terlaje stated.

In July 2015, the Navy signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for the MITT Final Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS), which defined the MITT Study Area as sea-based ranges and land-based areas that allow the Navy to conduct training and testing activities that include the use of active sonar and explosives.  The MITT Study Area encompasses the entire ocean area under the Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) and expands the range of the DoD training area to 984,469 square nautical miles – larger than the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Montana and New Mexico combined.  Following the issuance of the ROD, a MITT Letter of Authorization was signed permitting the Navy to conduct numerous detonations over a five-year period.

Further, Terlaje stated, “Through this type of permitting the Navy may conduct an average of nearly 12,580 detonations of various magnitudes per year for 5 years, and 81,962 takings of 26 different marine mammal species per year for 5 years.  Even if they say these underwater explosions are minor, cumulatively and over time this is just too much of a burden on our land and our waters.”

To read the resolution, go to: http://senatorterlaje.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Res.-No.-103-34-LS.pdf

Vice Speaker Terlaje raises concerns at Programmatic Agreement Meeting and states ancient villages at Ritidian/Litekyan should not be disturbed.

FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE (April 27, 2017 – Hagåtña) – During today’s annual Programmatic Agreement meeting Vice Speaker Therese Terlaje (D-Yona) raised several concerns.  One of the concerns raised by Vice Speaker Terlaje was that the terms of the Programmatic Agreement had not been fully complied with.  Specifically, Terlaje asked for an opinion from the representative from the Advisory Council on Historic Property (ACHP) as to whether DoD had complied in good faith with mitigation of the cumulative effects of the military buildup on cultural and historic properties pursuant to Section VII.C.4.b . ACHP requested that the USN submit a white paper discussing its efforts to comply with the mitigation mandated in Section VII. C. 4. b, which provides :

“b. In addition to the Guam Cultural Repository facility addressed above, DoD will also advocate to other Federal agencies to fund a complete museum complex on Guam to house and display Guam’s unique cultural artifacts for the public’s benefit”.

The museum complex is a mitigation requirement separate from and in addition to the 20,000 square foot Guam Cultural Repository described in Section Vii.C.4.a., which was promised to be funded in 2012 but has only recently been fully authorized in the amount of $12M. DoD reported that the repository plans are not finalized and it is unknown whether the amount will be sufficient given the current labor shortage and inflation since 2012.

DoD also reported that historic properties in Finegayan and Northwest Field that may have been eligible for the National Register would be disturbed by military activity and that the PA authorized them to mitigate by data recovery instead of avoidance.

Vice Speaker Terlaje also discussed with the ACHP that the firing ranges at Northwest Field were not specifically contemplated in the PA and overlay very significant historical properties, including an ancient village at Ritidian/Litekyan that should not be disturbed.

 

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For more information, please call the Office of Vice Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586.