Previous Story
Flight disruption to CNMI is still CPA’s main concern
One of the main concerns of the Commonwealth Ports Authority is the possible disruption of commercial flights in and out of the CNMI if proposed military exercises on Tinian and Pagan push through.
In an interview, CPA board member Pete P. Reyes also said the authority is still reviewing the draft environmental impact statement on the proposed “live-fire” training exercises.
He said he has read the summary of the draft EIS and that information coming to the CPA are mostly on a “piecemeal” basis.
“We do not have any scheduled meeting with the military, but the CPA is continuing to review the draft EIS,” Reyes said.
He said the CPA supports the call for an extension of the review period of the draft EIS.
Reyes said he will attend the public hearing on the draft EIS on Saipan this Wednesday but he did not disclose if the CPA will ask questions regarding the draft EIS.
The military is set to hold hearings on the draft EIS on Saipan today, followed by a similar hearing on Tinian on Thursday. A third hearing on Saipan on Friday will conclude the comment period that the military has set for the draft EIS.
The U.S. military said it will make a decision on the extension request after the public hearings.
Gov. Eloy S. Inos earlier wrote the request letter for the extension. He said the military has responded, saying that a decision is forthcoming after the public hearings.
