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Teno to US: Go easy on bombing exercise at Farallon de Mendinilla
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Posted on Jun 02 1999
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday asked the US military to consider the impact of its live bombing exercises at the Farallon De Mendinilla on the marine resources in the island, as more trainings have been scheduled by American troops.
While the governor said he could not press Washington to discontinue such military exercises, he was hoping that the US “will be more seriously concerned about the environment.”
Under the Covenant, US soldiers are allowed to use FDM as a military training ground to strengthen their air and naval bombing skills.
However, the military training has drawn criticisms from local officials and environmental groups who have expressed concern over the destruction of the marine life in the island.
Pervious reports by the Western Pacific Regional Fisher Management Council, a policy-making body which polices the fishing activities in the region, indicate massive damage to the reefs surrounding FDM which comprise the largest coral reef area under federal jurisdiction in the US Western Pacific region.
The Council says the live bombing activities could accelerate cliffside erosion, contributing to the sedimentation that destroys coral reefs as essential fish habitat.
Such situation has fueled for calls to conduct a new environmental impact statement on the destruction of marine resources brought about by the bombing exercise.
Although Tenorio ruled out the suspension of the military training, he underscored the need to review the existing agreement with Washington.
The US government has repeatedly assured Commonwealth officials that they are taking necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the bombing exercises on the reefs and the entire FDM.
