Previous Story
Joyner lauded for participating in military buildup discussions
|
Posted on Jan 13 2009
The assistant secretary of the Navy has commended Coastal Resources Management director John Joyner for his support in discussions related to the military buildup in the CNMI and Guam.
“For outstanding ongoing support and dedication to the partnership between the Department of Defense (DoD), Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Coastal Resources Management, and other federal and local environmental regulatory agencies,” the letter of appreciation states. “Dr. Joyner has served as the primary point of contact for DoD in working with both regulatory agencies and leaders throughout the CNMI and has provided countless hours of support to environmental planning efforts in the region.”
Joyner said he is ecstatic to receive the appreciation, because it shows the CNMI has been a part of the discussions from the beginning. Although the Commonwealth ‘s involvement might not get a lot of fanfare, the letter proves leaders have taken an active role, he said.
BJ Penn, the assistant secretary of the Navy, commended Joyner for his regular participation in quarterly Joint Guam Program Office/Marianas Islands Range Complex Partnering Sessions.
“Dr. Joyner was instrumental in the planning of the 5th JGPO/MIRC Partnering Session held in Saipan in July 2007,” the letter stated. “Dr. Joyner and his staff flawlessly executed all logistics, including a guided tour of the cultural and natural resources on the island of Tinian.”
Discussions are underway to have the next partnering session on Tinian in February.
The military buildup involves the transfer of some 8,000 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa to Guam. The program involves using Tinian-and possibly Pagan and other parts of the CNMI’s northern islands-as a military training site. Tinian will be home to a base where the Marines will stay while they undergo training.
