New EIS possible

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Looks like we may have to see a whole new Environmental Impact Statement be conducted on the Department of Defense's plans for the Marines relocation from Okinawa to Guam. We've all heard this before, as Assistant Secretary of the Navy Jackaylynne Pfannenstiel said, "We remain committed to establishing an operational Marine Corps presence on Guam."

What we haven't heard until today was the official saying, "We will need most likely need to redo our environmental analysis for Guam that's a couple-year process." Pfannesteil taking on questions from members of a Senate Appropriations Committee today, who like other members of Congress want an update on the 2006 Realignment Roadmap Agreement between the U.S. and Japan, Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota said, "Secretary Pfannsensteil, when do you expect firm decisions to be made on the number and mix of marines that will be relocated to Guam? A revised timetable for the move a final determination for the milcon requirements and a revised cost estimate. Do you expect a master plan for Guam reflecting these decisions to be available by the time the FY14 budget is submitted? If not when will it be available?

She replied, "Mr. Chairman, even as we speak discussions are ongoing between the U.S. Government and the Government of Japan to resolve many of those issues that you have raised. The structure of the Marines are contingent on Guam, timing and the cost." Until those negotiations are completed according to Pfannestiel she won't be able to provide an answer with any specificity.  "However having said that we are hopeful we can reach preliminary agreement with the government of Japan within the next couple months. Make an announcement thereof and begin the environmental work that is needed," he said.

Pfannenstiel meanwhile was also asked about the status of meeting the requirements of the 2012 NDAA, which freezes U.S. and Government of Japan funding to be spent on the Marines relocation until those conditions are met.  Now, we've all heard this before. "We would hope to so in the near future."

What we haven't heard - whether more than $830 million in Government of Gapan funding sitting with the U.S. Treasury will have to be returned because of the delays. "As for whether the Japanese dollars will be available to us that's part of the negotiation that is ongoing with the Government of Japan," she said.

Just over the weekend, Japanese media reported the U.S. has asked Japan to kick-in more money for the Marines relocation from Okinawa to Guam, something reportedly they are reluctant to agree too, because the number of Marines to be relocated here went from 8,000 to just under half that figure.

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo said, "I need to better understand the Navy's rationale for the possibility of an entirely new EIS process once negotiations with the Government of Japan are concluded and a new laydown is agreed upon.  The Department of Navy must follow NEPA, but the final outcome will entirely depend on the end result of negotiations with the Government of Japan. I am seriously concerned that our strategic pause will become a strategic delay.  Our businesses are hurting and I continue to urge the Department of Defense to meet the requirements of section 2207, and other projects that have already been authorized, so that work can begin on Guam. I urge the Department of Navy to look at an Environmental Assessment instead of a new EIS so that we can build off the previous EIS and address any new concerns.  The previous EIS was one of the costliest ever and provided a worst-case scenario.  I believe that an environmental assessment, as opposed to a new EIS, can accurately evaluate impacts to our island with a new laydown in a responsible and responsive manner consistent with NEPA requirements. Furthermore, I have previously expressed concern about the possibility of the Government of Japan reducing support for the realignment to Guam. If this occurs this would largely be the result of the U.S. Senate's actions. Their actions put the Department of Defense into this position, so those that have sought to slow down the build-up in the Senate will have contributed to a lessening of Japan funding support."