Previous Story
IN LAWSUIT AGAINST US NAVY, DEFENSE
Environmental groups’ motions placed under advisement
U.S. District Court for the NM Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona placed under advisement Thursday last week the motions filed in connection with the Tinian Women Association’s and three other governmental groups’ lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Navy and U.S. Department of Defense.
The Tinian Women Association, Guardians of Gani, Pagan Watch, and the Center for Biological Diversity are suing the two departments and their top officials for alleged violation of National Environmental Policy Act and Administrative Procedure Act over the decision to relocate 5,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam and to conduct live-training on Tinian and Pagan.
After hearing the arguments of parties’ counsels, Manglona placed the matter under advisement, saying a written order would follow.
According to court minutes, the hearing lasted over four hours.
Attorney David Henkin of Earthjustice, and Tinian lawyer Kimberlyn King-Hinds appeared on behalf of the four environment groups.
U.S. Department of Justice’s five lawyers—Joshua Wilson, Taylor Ferrell, Cara Johnson, Mikel Schwab, and Jessica Wessling—appeared on behalf of the Navy, Defense, and their secretaries. Schwab and Wessling appeared via telephone.
Henkin argued in support of the groups’ motion for summary judgment, while Wilson argued in support of defendants’ motion for summary judgment.
Ferrell argued on the issue of cumulative impacts or cumulative action. Henkin argued in reply. Wilson argued in response to Henkin’s arguments.
