Appellate court upholds military relocation decision

A panel from the 9th Circuit Court of appeals has affirmed a decision by the CNMI District Court regarding the military buildup. The opinion stems from a lawsuit filed in 2016 by the Tinian Women Association, Guardians of Ghani, Paganwatch and the Center for Biological Diversity against the Navy, DOD, and the Department of Justice.  

Among the concerns, the groups alleged the feds didn't follow procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act with respect to the relocation plan for marines from Okinawa to Guam. The plaintiffs also claimed the Navy failed to consider relocation alternatives beyond Guam and the CNMI.

The 9th Circuit however upheld the district court's summary judgment in favor of the Navy.