Previous Story
Disrupting Tinian’s economy
I’d like to thank Craig Whelden, Marine Corps Forces Pacific executive director, for the last two sentences in his letter of 07/02/2015, to the Saipan Tribune.
It read, “The Department of Defense has an important mission in the Pacific region but we are also committed to being good partners and neighbors. Working together, I’m confident we can achieve both objectives.” I think few would disagree with those remarks.
I ask Mr. Whelden then how the fence he mentioned building, in a different article, across the north end of Tinian, which would keep everyone out, fits in with his good fences make good neighbors policy. Then speaking for NEPA in the 07/02 letter he writes, ” … a product that meets the needs of the military while NOT DISRUPTING THE SAFETY, ECOLOGY, AND ECONOMY OF THE AREA.” (I have put those words of Mr. Whelden in capital letters.)
Would the SAFETY of anyone using the Tinian airport not be in jeopardy with the placement of a munitions dump directly under the flight path of all incoming flights? Would the ECOLOGY of Unai Chulu not receive massive destruction and be totally and permanently ‘disrupted’ with the placement of undersea ramps and subsequent amphibious operations as proposed and shown at the public hearings and in the DEIS? Finally, please have NEPA and/or DOD explain how any and all the proposed changes planned for Tinian would not seriously damage and “disrupt” the ECONOMY of Tinian in both its current and future business endeavors?
Joey “Pepe Batbon” Connolly
San Jose, Tinian
