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Scoping meetings begin for missile defense project

Details of the proposed 360-degree missile defense system were made available to the public Wednesday night in the first of three "scoping meetings."

Residents now have a chance to ask questions and express concerns about the massive project that will involve as many as 20 different sites across the island.

Leaders from Joint Region Marianas, the Missile Defense Agency, and the Army held a press briefing to field questions about the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System.

The initial plan calls for the use of up to 2,000 acres, although officials say the final footprint will probably be about 900 to 1,000. Ninety-five-percent will be on Department of Defense land.

The required scoping hearings are to get the public's input on environmental concerns.

John Bier is the program director for the Missile Defense Agency.

"We'll go through as far as part of that environmental impact statement, a series of studies that will look at the biological, cultural, historical to make sure we're not a significant detriment to the beautiful island of Guam," he said. 

And with a project of this magnitude, there are plenty of questions.

Officials met earlier with the governor, senators and business leaders, who asked about system safety.

Then there were reports that nuclear micro-reactors might be deployed for power backup at the sites.

"No, we are not proposing to bring micro-reactors as part of this architecture," Bier said. 

So why the need for such a complex system here, which officials acknowledge would essentially be the first of its kind given Guam's unique topography?

"So you need the 360 defensive system because the adversary with their advanced threat have the ability to maneuver around the island," Bier said. "So if you have your assets on the west side of the island and they were to fly around to the east side then you have no capabilities so that's why we talk about in order to cover the entire island we need to provide this 360-degree missile defense system. Covering those critical assets, and then you know we're also here to protect the people, we have to provide protection for the entire island.

The project budget requirements have been submitted to Congress, which going forward will have the ultimate say.

"It's on the hill right now," Bier said. "We'll prepare our five-year plans and we show that to Congress every year but obviously it takes the support of the entire Congress to fund this project," Bier said. 

Scoping meetings are also scheduled for Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Micronesia M all, and Friday evening at the Hagat Community Center.