Kilili: No Air Force decision yet on Tinian

The U.S. Air Force has not yet committed to improve some infrastructure on Tinian, based on the response Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan got when he asked Air Force officials about it soon after President Donald J. Trump enacted the military’s budget for next fiscal year.

The budget—officially called the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019—would bring in almost $52 million to Tinian—money that would fund construction of a cargo pad, taxiway extension, and building a maintenance support facility at the Tinian International Airport’s north side.

If plans push through, the Air Force would improve Tinian’s public infrastructures like roads, airport, seaport, and health clinic.

A record of decision was also issued by the Air Force almost two years ago after consultation with the CNMI government. The record of decision lists the actions the Air Force would take in reducing the impact of the planned divert airfield on Tinian.

Among the list of actions of the Air Force are noise mitigation, water quality, airspace and airfield conflicts, geology and soils, water resources, terrestrial biological resources, cultural resources, land use, hazardous materials and waste, infrastructure and utilities, socioeconomic and environmental justice, and human health and safety.

Sablan said that he inquired to confirm the commitment made by U.S officials—led by Department of Defense Deputy Assistant Secretary for Basing Allison Sands—where the CNMI government and Air Force had agreed on an airport layout plan for the divert airfield activities on Tinian.

The plan was reportedly been given to the Federal Aviation Administration where primary and secondary roads would be paved, the health clinic would be expanded, the dock improved, and a fuel storage facility would be funded.

The Air Force answered that they plan to invest over $375 million on plans to enhance the Tinian airport and seaport, where they would build a taxiway, cargo pad, parking apron, bulk fuel storage with hydrant system, fuel pipeline, and maintenance facility.

“This work is codified in the [ROD] signed by the Air Force and is reflected in the airport layout plan approved and released by [CPA]. The [DoD] is committed to a mutually beneficial partnership with CNMI and will be working with local authorities to ensure our presence does not negatively impact the community,” said the Air Force’s response.

Sablan said the response sent by Air Force states that there’s no agreement yet. “The Air Force only says it will ‘explore’ how these infrastructure improvements can be provided. But the Air Force made no formal or enforceable commitment to provide these improvements.
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“In fact, in the 2019 NDAA, Congress has specifically prohibited the [DoD] from making any investment in public infrastructure on Tinian or anywhere in the Marianas, until an Economic Adjustment Committee reports to us what civilian projects are needed to support proposed military activities.”

He added the report is due in May 2019 and only then would Congress decide whether it would fund the construction of civilian infrastructures on Tinian.

“Tinian has my commitment to work diligently in Congress to ensure that [it] receive[s] the benefit of public infrastructure, if needed, by the divert field or if the Commonwealth government agrees to any other buildup activities.”

“But I do not want anyone to be misled into thinking the Air Force has already made a commitment to Tinian or has any authority to do so.”