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USMC reps to meet with CNMI leaders
House Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, far left, and Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan pose for a photo with Marines during a January tour of the range complex at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., where they observed live-fire artillery training. (U.S. MARINE CORPS)
NCTS, Guam—Following-up on CNMI Joint Military Training briefings conducted in January, representatives of Marine Forces Pacific will return to Saipan this week for additional consultation with CNMI leaders and agencies.
The January briefings focused on the current status of the National Environmental Policy Act process for the proposed expanded military training activities on Tinian and Pagan. During the sessions, Marine Forces Pacific planners, highlighted how the public’s input has already contributed to the refinement of the proposed activities and shaped the ongoing fieldwork and data collection.
This week’s meetings, scheduled for three days, March 19 to March 21, will continue to cooperatively address and refine the study’s alternatives on mutual topics of concern identified in January, such as natural resources, landfill, access, and economics.
NEPA is the overarching law requiring DoD to consider and identify the environmental effects of the proposed expanded military training activities on Tinian and Pagan prior to a decision. The Draft EIS is anticipated to be released later this year followed by an opportunity for the public to comment. The final study will be completed over the next two years.
Questions regarding the CJMT EIS and other Marine Corps training or operations in the CNMI or Guam may be directed to Maj. Neal Fisher, Marine Corps Activity Guam, Public Affairs Officer, e-mail neal.fisher@fe.navy.mil, phone 671-355-2340. (Marine Corps Activity Guam)
