DLNR submits preliminary findings on draft EIS

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has submitted its preliminary comments on the draft environmental impact statement on military activities on Tinian and Pagan.

DLNR Secretary Richard Seman confirmed Monday that their comments have already been sent to the Office of the Governor.

“We already sent our preliminary comments to the governor. Everything will be consolidated in the Governor’s Office,” Seman said.

Once a third-party consultant comes on board, the DLNR’s comments will be included in the review.

Seman added that as far as he knows, the government has yet to select the consultant to provide the review of the draft EIS, which details military exercises including bombings and “live-fire” activities.

The official said the DLNR “concentrated on endangered species—its main priority on the draft EIS—but is also trying to look into other areas.”

Selection

Press secretary Ivan Blanco said that Monday was the final day of selection for the bidders of the draft EIS.

The bids have been opened, he said, and the top three bidders will be shortlisted and will be sent to the Governor’s Office for final selection.

Hopefully, the consultant will be announced by this week, Blanco said. He noted that the $275,000 funding for the independent review of the draft EIS “may or may not be” fully used.

The government said it is seeking consultant services to ensure that it understands the DEIS, its potential positive and negative impacts, and all substantive options, including legal remedies if agreements and other mitigation measures with the military are unable to be reached.

One of the primary goals of the advisory consultant is to also “ensure that the Office of the Governor is well versed on the relevance of the DEIS and has a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of how the Department of Defense proposed action impacts the CNMI, including the direct and indirect impacts, especially those that are less obvious and potentially harmful over the long term operation of live-firing (high explosives) training ranges.”

The advisory consultant is also expected to ensure and enable the Office of the Governor “to make informed decisions on behalf of the CNMI.”

The consultant is also expected to provide a “reasonable analysis” of the draft EIS and provide counsel and recommendations.