Air Force to conduct scoping meetings in the CNMI

The CNMI Military Integration Management Committee announced yesterday that the U.S. Air Force will be holding open house public scoping meetings to support an early and open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed, and for identifying the significant issues related to the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement, also known as EIS, aimed at assessing the potential environmental impacts from proposed development of divert capabilities within the Mariana Islands.

Scoping meetings will inform the public of the proposed action and NEPA process and give residents an opportunity to submit written and oral comments on the scope, environmental resources, and local issues to be addressed in the EIS.

In a letter to MIMC coordinator Tom Linden, USAF Brig. Gen. Scott West said: “The purpose of the proposed action is to fulfill mission requirements that assure a divert airfield alternative location to Andersen Air Force Base exists that can support operational divert requirements, joint military training and exercises, and humanitarian relief operations within a reasonable distance to AAFB and the Philippine Sea.”

The proposed action includes development of a divert airfield location to enable critical enhancements to an existing civilian airfield, permitting increased divert locations supporting operational requirements, humanitarian assistance, and exercise capabilities that are necessary for the U.S. Air Force to maintain a state of military readiness commensurate with the national defense mission.

The public scoping meetings will be conducted in an open house format and members of the public may arrive at any time during the meetings. There will be no formal presentation, but service representatives will be available to provide information and answer questions about the proposed action.

“This is an opportune time for the CNMI community to voice their concerns on environmental concerns such as threatened and endangered species, air quality, water, noise, cultural, and historical resources,” said Linden. “Other issues such as transportation, regional economy, recreation, public health, and public safety will also be an integral component to formulating the EIS.”

The public scoping meetings in the CNMI will be held from 5:30pm, to 8:30pm at the following locations:
* Saipan: Monday, Oct. 17,2011, Multi-Purpose Center, Beach Road, Susupe
* Tinian: Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, Tinian Elementary School, San Jose
* Rota: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, Sinapalo Elementary School, Sinapalo

Those who may be unable to participate in the public scoping meetings may send written comments to Capt. Kimberly Bender, PACAF/PA, 25 E Street, Suite G-108, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI 96853, ATTN: PACAF Divert Marianas EIS. You may, also, obtain up-to-date information about the EIS process through the project website at www.PACAFDivertMarianasEIS.com. (Office of the Governor)