No public listening to on proposed Ritidian hazard zone
There will not be a public listening to for the proposed hazard zone at Ritidian, which is able to prohibit public entry to the realm for as much as 75% of the 12 months.
The Military Corps of Engineers is reviewing public feedback submitted on the Marine Corps’ plan, and can publish its resolution thereafter, both approving, modifying or rejecting the proposal. The vast majority of feedback submitted criticized the hazard zone.
“The following steps are to consolidate feedback, enable the U.S. Marine Corps an opportunity to reply, evaluation all the feedback and responses and formulate our official response to the hazard zone request,” mentioned Dino Buchanan, public affairs chief with the Military Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District.
Extra:Firing vary hazard zone open for public remark
“As acknowledged in our rules, a public listening to is to be held ‘for the aim of buying data or proof …’ to help within the analysis of a Division of the Military resolution. We have now decided the file incorporates ample data relating to public issues and a listening to is just not wanted for making a choice on the floor hazard zone,” Buchanan mentioned.
On the finish of October, the Marine Corps formally proposed to determine a floor hazard zone for its live-fire coaching vary advanced on the northern tip of Guam. It might be about 3,660 acres, extending into the Pacific Ocean about 2.8 miles from the north coast of Guam, alongside the Guam Nationwide Wildlife Refuge.
It might intermittently prohibit all entry to the zone “to make sure public security throughout small arms coaching actions. This hazard zone is important to reduce potential conflicts between native populace actions and ongoing navy coaching within the topic space,” in line with a discover within the Federal Register.
Extra:‘This land is ours’: Residents converse out in opposition to Ritidian hazard zone
Marine Corps Exercise Guam acknowledged residents will be capable to entry the Ritidian space each time the advanced is just not in use. Entry to Ritidian’s shoreline and waters could also be restricted for as much as 273 days a 12 months, or a most of 75% of the 12 months.
Closely criticized
Public remark was open by way of Nov. 30. Ninety-one feedback have been submitted from residents, native lawmakers and authorities of Guam officers. All however one remark critiqued, questioned or outright opposed the navy’s plans.
Many of the feedback emphasised that the plan too significantly restricts locals from their very own land. Native group Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian acknowledged there has by no means been neighborhood consent for the venture.
The live-fire coaching vary advanced, and its related hazard zone, is a component of a bigger realignment of U.S. navy forces within the Asia-Pacific area, by which as many as 5,000 Marines from Okinawa and elsewhere can be transferred to Camp Blaz.
The advanced consists of 5 ranges, 4 of that are 50% full. Building hasn’t began for the fifth vary.
Reporter Anumita Kaur covers navy, enterprise, authorities and tourism on Guam. Observe her on Twitter @anumitakaur. Attain her at akaur@guampdn.com.
