Fishing considerations around FDM pushed

At a public hearing Monday night about the Environmental Impact Statement concerning the Marianas Islands Range Complex, Reps. Ramon A. Tebuteb and Diego T. Benavente asked U.S. Defense representatives to remember the importance of fishing to the people of the CNMI.

A possible alternative in the Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement is to increase the restricted area from three nautical miles to 10 nautical miles around the Farallon de Mendinilla.

That is prime fishing area, Benavente said at the hearing attended by about 30 people.

“These waters…represent perhaps the most fertile fishing grounds readily accessible to local fisherman, whether they be commercial or subsistence,” the representative said.

While he said he acknowledges the hard work undertaken by the Navy, he said he is concerned the proposed restriction increase is inconsistent with the Covenant agreement.

Tebuteb shared similar statements.

“If the CNMI owns water around FDM and Tinian, as stipulated in the lease agreement, are we the now the lesser of U.S. citizens? In this public forum, the proposed 10 mile radius, where does CNMI approval of range rest?”

Ed Lynch, program manager for the MIRC Pacific Fleet, said he knew the proposed increase needed public comment and a dialogue would need to be started.

“I think we’ve started that dialogue, and I think that dialogue will continue,” he said after the meeting.

The issue is safety around bombing ranges for the fishermen, he said.

“Training there is very hazardous,” he said during the presentation, adding that there is naval gunfire and weapons dropping from aircraft.

“That bombing range is essential to the national defense of our country…. it is the only western Pacific live fire bombing range we have, western Pacific live fire bombing. It’s essential we maintain it. It’s essential we have the ability to use it. On the other hand, it’s essential we use it in a safe manner.”

Another issue is notification procedures, Lynch said. A suggestion was made to use the weather channel in order to notify fishermen before any activities take place, he said.

“That’s a very valid, a very good comment. I can tell you that will be included in the final environmental impact statement,” he said, adding that it might also be implemented immediately.

A public hearing was scheduled to take place on Tinian last night, and an open house and public hearing is scheduled tomorrow at Sinapalo Elementary School on Rota at 5 pm.

The public comment continues through March 16. The final EIS/OEIS is scheduled for late 2009. After a 30-day public comment period, a record of decision will be signed.