CNMI: Tinian mayor welcomes US military training approval

[authpr:mark_rabago]

The US Navy and Marine Corps have finalised a plan to conduct distributed operations training on Tinian in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Tinian mayor Edwin Aldan has welcomed the US Department of the Navy's decision to approve expanded joint military training on the island, but said residents should have been better informed about the contents of the final decision.

The comments came after the navy issued a Record of Decision, signed on 23 July by Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment) Brendan Rogers, formally approving Alternative 1 under the CNMI Joint Military Training project.

The decision allows expanded land-based military training and associated infrastructure on Tinian following more than a decade of environmental review and public consultation.

"These things should have been pushed out in public," Aldan said.

"Our people should be aware of what are the contents of this record of decision."

Under the approved alternative, military training on Tinian will increase by about 15 percent over previously approved activities and include two live-fire ranges, landing zones, ammunition holding areas, radar towers, biosecurity facilities and other supporting infrastructure.

The US Navy said the project is intended to improve US military readiness in the Indo-Pacific while incorporating mitigation measures to reduce environmental and community impacts.

Aldan said the decision also provides greater certainty about what will be built and how the project could benefit Tinian's economy.

"Environment is an issue for us and should be compliant with EPA," he said, adding that the proposed development would attract interest from people outside Tinian and create economic opportunities for the island.

He also said Tinian has long played an important role in US defence.

"I'm just proud to be a part of the military movement that is happening in our region," Aldan said.

"And Tinian is standing by ready to accept with the understanding that our island and our way of life should be a priority also when we're going through the process."