ACG: DEIS not in the best interest of Tinian

Alter City Group, which plans to build a $1.2-billion casino project on Tinian, has expressed its opposition to the planned military expansion on the island and its effects on the rest of the CNMI.

In a nine-page public comment submitted to the U.S. military, ACG stated that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the CNMI Joint Military Training is “inappropriate, ill-conceived, and impermissible.”

“The DEIS is not in the best interest of Tinian and the CNMI and will adversely affect the economic development of Tinian inclusive of ACG’s substantial investment to build its hotel and resort facilities on the island adjacent to the area to be used by the military,” the document, signed by ACG managing director Ken Lin, said.

Alter City said it will not only protect its investment but will also protect the people of Tinian and their cultural and economic resources “from a military intent on running roughshod over these concerns.”

“ACG is prepared to take whatever legal action necessary, in the form of a cause of action for tortuous interference of contract, injunctive relief, and otherwise, to protect its agreement and its promises for Tinian,” their statement said.

Concerns on transportation, sites
Their comment on the U.S. military’s proposed live-fire and explosive ordnance training highlighted concerns on transportation, noise pollution, vegetation destruction, recreational restriction, cultural resource destruction/restriction, and the fuel pipeline through their leased property.

ACG said that allowing the military’s plans—as outlined in the DEIS—would make transportation, which is already a challenge now, more difficult for Tinian’s residents and visitors. Flights and ferries, which ACG plans to provide, will be required to travel outside restricted airspace and areas, resulting in delays as well as increased fuel consumption.

The group is also concerned about the noise that the military will generate during activities such as construction, live-fire and other training. ACG pointed out that their development is located right next to the military leased area and in between the military leased area and San Jose, which will make noise much more perceptible to their upcoming Plumeria Resort.

ACG also noted that the military’s would-be restrictions to significant historical and recreational sites such as the Shinto Shrine, Hinode American Memorial, Tinian Grotto, and Fleming Point is damaging to the purpose of their development.

‘Biggest concerns’
One part of the draft EIS that ACG “vehemently opposes” is the military’s proposed construction of an underground fuel pipeline to run through their leased property.

“Either the military did not know the property is already leased to ACG or it knew and callously disregarded ACG’s property rights,” it stated. “ACG vehemently opposes this proposed taking and is fully prepared to take legal action in opposition if necessary.”

The Macau-based company also pointed out that the military might have an effect with regards to the visa waiver program.

“ACG’s biggest concern is, through this investment over the next few years, what guarantees or assurances do we have that our biggest tourism base (China) will not be restricted from entering Tinian or the CNMI due to the visa waiver program being altered to protect the military actions?” their statement said.

‘Military wasteland’
According to the company, DEIS will turn Tinian into a “military wasteland devoid of all of its attractions and scenery” and will result the failure of Tinian’s socioeconomic, environmental, ecological, and cultural structure.

ACG concluded that it is opposed to all three Tinian alternatives. And questioned the appropriateness of Tinian to be turned into a location for what they called “destructive military training.”

It pointed out that the “DEIS is a direct and immediate threat to the economic development and prosperity of Tinian” and, while the benefits from the DEIS are minimal, the “burdens are significant and unsustainable.”