Get Involved

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The U.S. Military has been training in the Mariana Islands Range Complex for national defense purposes for decades. In line with range complex -wide management practices, the U.S. Navy is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to comprehensively evaluate the effects of current and future U.S. Military activities within the range complex on the environment.

Why is the Navy conducting an Environmental Impact Statement?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires Federal agencies to examine the individual and cumulative environmental effects of their activities. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed public document that provides an assessment of the potential effects a Federal action might have on the environment. An Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS) is being prepared to comply with Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, signed by President Carter in 1979. This order requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of actions that may affect the environment outside U.S. territorial waters.

 

 

The U.S. Military air, land, and sea ranges on Guam and the Mariana Islands provide military personnel with the space and equipment needed to conduct realistic training, which is essential for the safety and readiness of military personnel and the success of the military mission.

The Navy is preparing the Mariana Islands Range Complex EIS/OEIS to plan for the future and to assess the effects of the U.S. Military and the Navy’s ongoing and anticipated operations on the environment. The Mariana Islands Range Complex EIS/OEIS also gives the U.S. Military and the Navy the opportunity to review its procedures and ensure that the benefits of recent scientific and technological advances are applied toward minimizing environmental effects.

How can the community be involved in the development of this document?

The NEPA process emphasizes the importance of community involvement during the development of an EIS/OEIS. The community can provide input by attending scoping meetings to learn about the project, by providing comment on the proposed action during the scoping meetings, by providing comment upon publication of the Draft EIS/OEIS, and by attending the public hearings and providing comment on the analysis of environmental impacts presented in the Draft EIS/OEIS.

When and where were the scoping meetings held?

To encourage public input, the Navy held scoping meetings for the Mariana Islands Range Complex EIS/OEIS at three locations in the region.

At each scoping meeting, informational poster stations and Navy project team representatives were available to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the NEPA process, the proposed action, and the Navy’s environmental stewardship programs and protective conservation measures. Government agencies, organizations, and the public were encouraged to submit comments at the scoping meetings or to provide written comments throughout the public comment period. The scoping comment period ended on July 16, 2007. The Navy carefully considered each of the comments received and addressed them in the Draft EIS/OEIS.

Comments Received from Scoping Meetings

Comments received from Federal agencies

Comments received from State agencies

Comments received from General public

When and Where were the Public Hearings held?

Public hearings to announce the availability of the Draft Mariana Islands Range Complex EIS/OEIS and to solicit public comment were held at five locations in the region.

Guam	Saipan	Tinian	Rota
School of Business and Public Administration Building, Room 129, University of Guam	Multi-Purpose Center, Susupe	Tinian Elementary School Cafeteria, San Jose	Sinapolo Elementary School Cafeteria,  Sinapolo
Thursday, 19 February 2009 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Monday, 23 February 2009 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Tuesday, 24 February 2009 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Thursday, 26February 2009 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Southern High School Cafeteria, 1 Jose Perez Leon Guerrero Drive, Santa Rita Friday, 20 February 2009 5:00 p.m.  – 9:00 p.m.

 

Each public hearing consisted of an open-house session and a formal presentation and public comment period. At each public hearing, informational poster stations and Navy project team representatives were available to provide the public with additional information. The public, government agencies, and organizations were able to provide comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS either in writing or during the public comment period at the public hearings or on this website. The public comment period will conclude on 31 March 2009. Comments received will be addressed in the Final EIS/OEIS."