From the fanihi to the fadang, plans to construct a 360 degree missile defense system on Guam threatens already endangered species native to Guam. 

We’re basically saying adios to the fanihi. They’ve admitted that– that they’re going to disrupt the remaining habitat for the mariana fruit bat,” said Pacific Center for Island Security Chairman Dr. Robert Underwood. 

That’s just one of numerous concerns from Underwood, following the recent release of the Missile Defense Agency’s final environmental impact statement. 

“The disruption to the lives of the people of Guam is enormous,” added Underwood. 

The MDA and the U.S. Army is proposing to construct, deploy, operate, and maintain an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense system across 16 sites on Guam. 

Under the ten year project, about 1,000 personnel and 1,300 dependents are expected to relocate to Guam to man the EIAMD system. 

They expect to hire 400 construction workers annually, of which 60%, or 240, would be migrant laborers that will need to find housing in an already strained market. 

“Our housing market is totally disrupted by the enhanced military presence. They make mention housing is a problem, but they don’t have a solution, just that that will be worked out. Well, this is the time to offer that solution. This is the time to take responsibility for that,” added Underwood. 

And despite claims to enhance security for residents, he notes there are no plans for a civilian shelter. 

The MDA says it’s not within DoD’s mission and that civilian shelters are the responsibility of Guam Civil Defense and Homeland Security. 

“If you’re anticipating missile attacks, then you should anticipate building shelters,” said Underwood. “Instead, they punt and they say it belongs to some other agency. There’s also the admission that they’re destroying cultural and biological areas of the island.” 

The MDA also admits that there will be “significant impacts” from the removal of about 282 acres of limestone forest habitat on military properties, notably to the endangered fadang and fanihi, or Mariana fruit bat. 

Though the EIS proposes potential mitigation measures, they’re harshly criticized by Underwood. 

“All of those things in combination really cause I think a lot of people, and not just the Pacific Center for Island Security, to demand responses for housing, for shelters, for not just mitigation for cultural and environmental resources, but avoidance of disruption so that those things are saved for future generations,” said Underwood. 

With less than 30 days until the DoD makes a decision, the former congressman says now is the time for elected officials and GovGuam agencies to demand action and take a stand. 

“All these years, we heard rhetoric from certain elected officials about how they’re going to leverage the military buildup to Guam’s advantage. Now the military buildup is at Guam’s clear disadvantage. How are you going to turn that into an advantage,” said Underwood.