MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — Guam lawmakers are asking again for public comments on a planned military buildup because, they say, the United States has not addressed lingering concerns.
Government officials on the island said written concerns will be accepted from residents this month, and they will be forwarded to the U.S. Navy as the service prepares to complete plans in early September for the addition of an aircraft carrier berth, an Army missile defense facility and the transfer of 8,600 Marines from Okinawa to Guam.
Some Guam leaders and lawmakers say they’re still worried over the fate of land, schools, tourism and the island’s only hospital despite a Navy environmental study that was completed in July and that included input from residents.
The Navy study “lacks critical information and resolutions to many issues brought forward during the comment period earlier this year,” according to a joint statement issued by Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, Lt. Gov. Michael Cruz and a coalition of mayors, who announced the petition for comments Tuesday.
The use of Guam land by the U.S. military, especially land for a proposed target range, remains a sore issue. Last week, Cruz urged the U.S. to stay within its existing footprint on the island and not take land that symbolizes local culture.
Meanwhile, Guam senators also wrote letters in recent days to U.S. officials underscoring worries that growth will overwhelm schools, the tourism industry and Guam Memorial Hospital.
Residents have been asked to file written comments on such issues at local government offices before Aug. 24.
The input will be forwarded to Assistant Navy Secretary Jackie Pfannenstiel as an informal supplement to the completed Navy study, said Paul M. Shintaku, executive director of the Guam Buildup Office.
Pfannenstiel is expected to sign a record of decision on Sept. 10 that will finalize plans for the move and allow contractors to be hired.
“This commenting period is really to allow our citizens to be heard if they have some concerns lingering,” Shintaku said, adding that the Navy does not have to “address it in a formal sense, but we are hoping [the comments] would be considered.”
Maj. Neil Ruggiero, spokesman for the Guam Joint Program Office, said Guam is welcome to submit the additional public input.
“Any communications received will be consolidated by GJPO and made available for the consideration of the decision-maker, the assistant secretary of the Navy, prior to the completion of the record of decision,” Ruggiero said.
