With the Department of Defense plans to realign forces in the region, Guam is anticipated to see close to 40,000 servicemen stationed locally - and not just from the U.S. Marine Corps. Several environmental impact studies are underway and some even completed for the expansion of the Navy, Air Force and the Army.


Here's the breakdown: the DoD is looking to relocate including dependents to Guam - close to 11,000 from the Navy, more than 1,500 from the Army; the Coast Guard remains the same with just 320, the Air Force at more than 8,200, and 17,000 Marines and their families from Okinawa to Guam. In total that's close to 40,000 active duty servicemembers and their dependents expected to be living on Guam anywhere from now until the expected completion of the military expansion by 2014.


To help Guam get ready for the population explosion a contract was signed in Washington with consultant KPMG. Guam Economic Development and Commerce Authority administrator Tony Blaz calls the agreement the beginning of a relationship that eventually will result in an investment grade strategic plan to guide local actions during the military buildup that are intended to improve the quality of life on Guam. The close to a half-million dollar contract with KPMG will be conducted in phases, with the initial work to be completed in November.


"The final product has to come together with the people of Guam," said Blaz. KPMG is our trusted advisor to help us on this plan."


The consultancy firm has been tasked with four major objectives, the first of which is to develop legislation creating a single point of contact. The organization will be responsible for interacting with the Joint Guam Program Office, Government of Guam agencies and departments, the private sector, and the general public. Secondly, KPMG must conduct a preliminary assessment and baselining of challenges and constraints. The assessment will focus on areas that are instrumental to the integration of the military growth, working with the Civilian/Military Task Force KPMG must produce nine point papers on subject areas identified in the contract for example: current and foreseeable challenges facing the public sector and funding issues.


Once the assessment is completed KPMG must then come up with a course of action to resolve those challenges and constraints. This should highlight if there are actions that GovGuam needs to undertake immediately, using island funding only or other sources. The report should include discussions as to what should be included in the GovGuam military integration and growth strategy.


This is a critical provision in the contract as KPMG is tasked with including alternatives for resolving infrastructure deficiencies including the possibility of establishing joint-owned or managed water and sewer systems, impacts on social infrastructure and alternatives for filling gaps in services, as well as the development of public/private partnerships in the provision of housing for military families.


And finally KPMG must establish a public information and participation program, which includes the possibility of establishing a website on the proposed military buildup. According to Blaz, the contract will help Guam plan for the future, adding, "We need to be as resilient and adamant to defend our mission; we are all Americans and we're working we need to work together and make certain we take care of all American citizens that live on Guam or a part of Guam."


With Monday's field oversight hearing bringing to light that island leaders haven't really had an active role in the decisions and plans being made an ocean away for Guam. Blaz contends our voice must be heard and like others we've spoken too, they defend the feds must kick in its fair share with the buildup - and not just behind the fence.


According to the agreement between the United States and Japan on the Marines relocation, the $10.2 billion for the move isn't necessarily going to be going toward any projects outside the military's gates. The projected total for the U.S. share $4.18 billion will go to operational facilities and a road. As for Japan's share a little over $6 billion will go operational facilities, family housing, utilities, barracks and quality of life zero has been allocated for off-base infrastructure.


"We need to make certain with cooperating and collaboration we're taking care of our needs first and foremost," Blaz said. "We are Americans citizens we need to defend the interest of all Americans."