[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44904-44909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21375]
[[Page 44904]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command Representative, Guam and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (USCINCPAC REP Guam/
CNMI); Record of Decision for Military Training in the Marianas
Introduction
The Department of Defense (DOD) through Commander, U.S. Naval
Forces Marianas (COMNAVMARIANAS), as the designated USCINCPAC REP GUAM/
CNMI, pursuant to Section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C 4332 (2) (C), and the regulations
of the Council on Environmental Quality that implement NEPA procedures,
40 CFR Parts 1500-1508, hereby announces its decision to continue to
use suitable DOD controlled lands in the Mariana Islands to support
various specific military training activities to ensure the readiness
of U.S. forces tasked with fulfilling regional readiness and
operational contingency missions.
The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC) is
responsible for an area comprising 105 million square miles (272
million square kilometers [km\2\]). The force structure assigned to
USCINCPAC is comprised of approximately 100,000 personnel in all of the
military services. These military forces include active duty, national
guard and reserve organizations stationed on Guam, multi-service forces
assigned to the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, the Republic
of Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. Forces permanently assigned to Guam,
deployed forces in transit to the Western Pacific and Indian oceans,
and forces tasked by USCINCPAC to participate in large-scale joint or
combined exercises training in the Mariana Islands. The large exercises
are designed for each military service to sustain its skills as part of
a larger multi-service force. Primary training management
responsibility is assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas
(COMNAVMARIANAS) as the USCINCPAC Representative. Commander, 36 Air
Base Wing (36 ABW), headquartered at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam,
is also responsible for training management and support, which includes
the strategic and tactical movement of exercise personnel and
equipment.
Record of Decision
This Record of Decision (ROD) addresses the continued use of
suitable DoD-controlled lands in the Mariana Islands to support various
training activities in a manner that maximizes the use of available
training lands giving consideration to environment impacts. This
decision ensures the military readiness of the multi-service forces by
providing varying terrain for field training, amphibious landings,
supporting airfields, amphibious craft and helicopter landing zones,
parachute drop zones, live-fire small-arms weapons ranges, and
underwater demolition sites. The lands used for specific training
activities support day-to-day training requirements, as well as the
more infrequent larger-scale exercises. The environmental impacts of
activities have been fully evaluated in the Marianas Training Plan
(MTP) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The areas controlled by COMNAVMARIANAS include military bases on
Guam (Waterfront Annex, Ordnance Annex, and two Communications
Annexes), the Military Lease Area (MLA) on Tinian, and Farallon de
Medinilla (FDM), where the leased island and a three-mile safety radius
comprise Navy Training Range 7201. Commander, 36 ABW, manages training
lands at Andersen Air Force Base including its Main Base, Northwest
Field, and Andersen South. The EIS also evaluated a few smaller
nonmilitary properties on Guam, Tinian, and Rota presently used for
specific training functions or proposed for new activities with the
express permission of the landowners.
The training lands available for training and applicable to this
ROD include the entire island of FDM (206 acres [83 hectares] of leased
land); 15,844 acres (6590 hectares) comprising the MLA on Tinian;
18,100 acres (7,341 hectares) on Navy bases on Guam, and 17,534 acres
(7,100 hectares) of Air Force property on Guam.
Process
USCINCPAC REP GUAM/CNMI analyzed the potential impacts caused by
multi-service military training activities in an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) as required by NEPA. Military training and support
activities were evaluated on three islands in CNMI--Farallon de
Medinilla (FDM), Tinian and Rota--and the Territory of Guam.
The Notice of Intent to develop the EIS was published in the
Pacific Daily News on November 18, 19 and 20, 1995, and the Federal
Register on November 28, 1995. Public scoping meetings were conducted
on Tinian, Rota, and Guam in December 1995. Two iterations of the Draft
EIS (DEIS) were distributed to federal, state, and local government
agencies, elected officials, community groups and business
associations, and interested persons in January 1997 and June 1998.
During the 45-day review period, oral and written comments were
received from between 25 to 30 correspondents. After public
notification was provided in the Pacific Daily News and Marianas
Variety, USCINCPAC REP GUAM/CNMI conducted eight public hearings on
Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam to receive additional comments during
March 1997. The responses to all public comments were incorporated into
the Final EIS (FEIS) which was distributed to the public on June 11,
1999 for a 30-day review period and written responses were provided to
seven correspondents with comments regarding the preferred alternative
and mitigation measures.
Alternatives Considered
Four training land use alternatives represent a spectrum of
training possibilities: conducting no training; reducing existing
training land uses; taking no (new) action; and increasing training
activities and sites to encompass all of the training requirements that
are identified in the U.S Pacific Command's ``Marianas Training Plan''
(MTP). The result of the evaluation is a fifth alternative, the
Preferred Training Land Use Alternative for the Mariana Islands, which
retains ongoing training activities and sites, and adds a few of the
new training requirements in the MTP to maximize training land value or
to eliminate training deficiencies. The alternatives were based on the
need to maintain a high level of operational readiness and joint
service operation capabilities among units stationed and operating in
the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.
No Training Land Use Alternative
Land areas presently in use would no longer be used for training.
This alternative could be selected for a portion of a training area if
it were necessary to protect biological or cultural resources or to
ensure public safety by totally restricting access. The No Training
Land Use Alternative is the environmentally preferred alternative but
is not the preferred alternative since it fails to meet the purpose and
need for the proposed action.
Reduced Training Land Use Alternative
Land areas presently in use would be used by fewer personnel or for
less intensive training activities. Selection of this alternative was
evaluated against ongoing training activities, which comprise about 90
percent of the evaluated training land uses. The EIS
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did not determine that there were any environmental impacts of ongoing
activities that require reducing training on FDM, the MLA and Guam's
military bases as the preferred alternative.
No New Training Land Use Alternative
The ``No Action Alternative'' for this EIS can also be defined as a
``no new action,'' ``ongoing training'' or ``continuing action''
alternative. Training activities within existing sites, existing
mitigation measures and training constraints would continue to be
performed unchanged.
Maximum Training Land Use Alternative
This alternative would include all of the training activities and
training sites that were identified in the MTP, as well as expand or
introduce new activities and sites. This alternative proposed expanding
range training on FDM by incorporating ground artillery, mortar, and
anti-tank rocket firing. On Tinian, this alternative proposed
additional landing beaches in the MLA and the development of live-fire
weapons ranges and training structures. On Guam, this alternative
proposed additional landing beaches and underwater demolition sites at
Waterfront Annex, live-fire weapons training ranges modifications at
Waterfront Annex, and new weapons range development at Ordnance Annex.
Andersen Air Force Base training activities would remain unchanged, but
a new, permanent location would be selected for ongoing rapid runway
repair training.
Preferred Training Land Use Alternative
The selected alternative is the result of analyzing potential
environmental impacts. This alternative encompasses a mitigated/
constrained set of ongoing training activities and the adoption of a
few, but not all, of the new training initiatives to offset some
existing training area deficiencies. FDM (Navy Range 7201) will
continue to be used for naval and aerial bombardment. Training
frequency and amounts of munitions to be expended on an annual basis
have been determined. Impact areas have been modified to protect
migratory seabird colonies, and Micronesian megapode habitat
enhancement is underway on Sarigan Island as compensatory mitigation.
The MLA on Tinian will continue to be a major field maneuver area,
with two beaches suitable for landings by landing craft air-cushioned
(LCAC) and additional beaches suitable for small inflatable raiding
craft. North Field runways will continue to be used for airborne and
airmobile exercises. The shared use of Tinian's municipal airport and
harbor continue for exercise support activities planned in concert with
civilian and commercial requirements. Live-fire training will be
limited to Training in the Urban Environment (TRUE) scenarios using a
World War II structure. Logistic activities will continue to be
conducted by Naval Special Warfare (NSW) units on Rota to support its
special boat team training activities that are conducted between Guam
and FDM.
Full use of Navy and Air Force bases on Guam will continue. The
existing live-fire ranges on Orote Peninsula will be modified as
proposed in the EIS to provide a fire-and-maneuver capability and
stress course. A sniper range and jungle trail range will be
constructed in the Ordnance Annex. Additional sites for underwater
demolition training, established offshore of Dadi Beach and at the Agat
Drop Zone, will be used to ease the frequency of underwater demolition
training presently conducted in and near the mouth of Apra Harbor.
Training Constraints
Limitations to training activities to avoid generating significant
impacts have been established by COMNAVMARIANAS and Commander, 36 ABW
within certain portions of training areas on FDM, Tinian, and Guam.
These constraints will continue to be used as the primary means to
protect endangered and threatened species and areas of cultural
significance from impacts caused by military personnel and equipment
being introduced into training areas by landing craft and amphibious
vehicles, aircraft, and vehicles for subsequent maneuver, range
training, and bivouacs. Constraints are also established to ensure the
safety of personnel in or near active training areas. The constraints--
No Wildlife Disturbance (NWD), No Cultural Resource Disturbance (NCRD),
and No Training (NT)--will be published in training orders, directives,
and exercise plans as maps and overlays and distributed to the units
responsible for day-to-day training and larger exercises. The
restrictions on military activities can be summarized as follows:
Within areas designated as NWD, to protect vegetation and nesting
sites, forces are prohibited from conducting cross-country, off-road
vehicle travel. During the nesting season of the threatened Tinian
monarch (Monarchus takasukasae), field maneuvers cannot be conducted in
tangantangan habitat areas. To reduce the potential for field fires and
loss of vegetation habitat, the use of pyrotechnics or demolitions
(except for emergency signaling) is not authorized. The use of live and
blank ammunition is not allowed so that unexpected, disturbing noises
are curtailed. Potential loss of habitat is also controlled by allowing
no mechanized vegetation clearing and establishing the maximum size of
brush suitable as camouflage material. Flight altitude restrictions
have been established as necessary to protect endangered species
habitat. No flights below 1,000-ft (305-m) above ground level (AGL) are
authorized over known endangered Mariana crow habitat at Northwest
Field. No helicopter landings are authorized except at designated
landing zones.
NCRD areas are established to protect known or potential cultural
resources. Sub-surface disturbances are prohibited in these areas.
There will be no cross-country, off-road vehicle travel, and vehicle
parking is confined to surfaced areas and cleared road shoulders only.
The use of pyrotechnics and demolition charges is also restricted. No
digging or excavation is permitted without prior approval of
COMNAVMARIANAS or 36 ABW environmental monitors. During major exercises
on Tinian, authorized traffic routes through NCRD areas are marked with
engineer tape to facilitate movement between the beaches and inland
maneuver areas without impact. NCRD constraints maps have been included
in a recently developed Programmatic Agreement and a Memorandum of
Agreement executed to protect cultural resources in the CNMI and Guam.
Areas designated as NT are off-limits, meaning that there is
absolutely no training allowed in these areas. Entry to some of these
areas can be authorized for administrative troop and vehicle movement
on designated roads or trails only. NT areas have been established to
protect both endangered species habitat and areas of particularly
sensitive cultural value. NT areas are also established for safety
purposes in the vicinity of the munitions storage areas on Andersen Air
Force Base and the Ordnance Annex.
Environmental Impacts
USCINCPAC REP GUAM/CNMI has analyzed the direct, indirect, and
cumulative impacts of proposed training in the Mariana Islands across a
spectrum of alternatives ranging from no training activities to
maximizing training by adopting all of the activities published in the
MTP. Each alternative was evaluated for potential effects on the
physical environment (climate, geology and hydrology, water quality,
air quality, noise, visual setting/aesthetics, and natural hazards and
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constraints), biological environment (terrestrial and marine), cultural
resources (archaeological and historical), infrastructure, utilities
and public services, and the socioeconomic environment on the affected
islands.
The alternatives were also evaluated with respect to their
consistency with policies established by Executive Orders for Federal
Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-Income
Populations, Coral Reef Protection, Protection of Wetlands, Protection
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks, and
Invasive Species.
From the outset, three training activities were identified as
environmentally controversial and potentially significant. One was the
potential for damage to nearshore coral caused by contact with landing
craft utility (LCU) and tracked assault amphibian vehicles (AAVs) on
Tinian and Guam. Beaches free of nearshore coral and suitable for
landing craft and AAVs were identified at the Waterfront Annex. No
suitable site for displacement hull LCUs and AAVs was found in the MLA
on Tinian, and therefore, LCU/AAV landings will remain confined to
Tinian Harbor. Potential impacts to coral in shallow nearshore waters
and reefs by landing craft, air-cushion (LCAC) were evaluated in a
marine biological survey at Unai Chulu, Tinian. No significant impacts
are caused by the LCAC when operated within acceptable parameters. A
similar marine biological survey will be conducted to revalidate the
lack of impacts to shallow coral by LCAC landings at Unai Dankulo,
Tinian and Dadi Beach, Guam. Potentially significant damage to
nearshore coral has been eliminated by identifying the suitable types
of craft that will be allowed to use each landing beach on Tinian and
Guam.
The second issue was underwater demolition training by Explosive
Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and NSW units that cause portions of Apra
Harbor to be temporarily closed to other uses and may have a
significant impact on marine species. Closure of the harbor, which
interferes with commercial boating and diving activities, will be
minimized by use of additional underwater training sites in open ocean
waters to lessen the frequency of use of Apra Harbor. Training site
selection will favor the ocean sites unless weather conditions dictate
otherwise. USCINCPAC REP GUAM/CNMI continues to work with Guam
Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) and Division of Aquatic and
Wildlife Resources (DAWR) to select additional sites and to continue
using demolition training protocol that minimizes potential impacts to
marine biota and provides advance coordination with affected commercial
enterprises. Although potentially significant impacts are not
anticipated, the activity may remain controversial with respect to the
commercial ocean recreation sector and government agencies responsible
for protection of endangered and threatened marine species.
The continued use of FDM as a naval gunfire and aerial bombardment
range is the third issue. Used as a bombardment range since at least
1971, the island has been the subject of a series of biological
evaluations by federal, commonwealth, and military experts. Although
the bombardment of FDM may significantly impact endangered species and
habitat vegetation, no alternative bombardment range sites are
available to USCINCPAC forces for this training requirement. Therefore,
compensatory mitigation measures have been enacted in cooperation with
U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and
CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) to enhance the population of
the endangered Micronesian megapode on Sarigan, another uninhabited
island in the CNMI. Mitigation measures include controlling the types
and amounts of ordnance to be dropped and confining the impact areas to
minimize impacts on biological resources. The Navy will conduct aerial
evaluations of vegetation habitat and birds in conjunction with major
bombardment activities. The condition of nearshore coral and the
effects of bombardment on the marine environment will be surveyed
annually for the next three years by USCINCPAC REP GUAM/CNMI in
cooperation with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), USFWS, and
CNMI DFW.
Environmental Mitigation
COMNAVMARIANAS analyzed the potential impacts of the selected
action on the following: natural or biological resources, cultural
resources, environmental quality, infrastructure deficiencies on
Tinian, public safety, and socioeconomic quality.
Natural Resources
In addition to identifying areas subject to NWD or NT constraints,
mitigation measures to reduce training impacts to nonsignificant levels
include adhering to operational requirements for beach landing craft to
minimize impacts to shallow reefs and nearshore coral, requiring
qualified biologists to conduct pre-training surveys to ensure that
training will not impact sea turtle nesting, and adhering to updated
brown tree snake (Boigus irregularis) control and interdiction methods
to prevent the introduction and proliferation of the BTS from Guam to
other locations. These and other mitigation measures identified in the
FEIS are now in effect and will be published in Navy and Air Force
training orders, directives, and plans. The BTS Control and
Interdiction Plan will be updated and published as a COMNAVMARIANAS
directive to regulate routine as well as training material/cargo
movement from Guam.
With the exception of the continued use of FDM as a naval gunfire
and aerial bombardment range, the Preferred Training Land Use
Alternative does not significantly impact listed threatened or
endangered species. Impacts are reduced to nonsignificant levels by
establishing training area boundaries, implementing mitigation measures
and training constraints, and conducting environmental monitoring and
evaluation. Particular attention has focused on enhancing endangered
Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperous) habitat in the CNMI,
protecting the threatened Tinian monarch (Monarcha takasukasae) during
nesting seasons, restricting maneuver in areas of Mariana common
moorhen (Gallinula chloropus guami) habitat, causing little or no
disturbance to the island swiflet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi)
and three species of federal and Guam endangered fruit bats, and
restricting maneuver in areas of Ordnance Annex recently identified as
habitat of tree snails being considered for federal listing. Mariana
crow (Corvus kubaryi) nests at Northwest Field will continue to be
monitored by Guam Division of Aquatics and Wildlife Resources (DAWR).
As nesting activities are found, this information will be made known to
Flight Operations to ensure no overflights at unauthorized altitudes.
Protective measures for hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and
green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are in place to minimize or avoid
impacts on these species that may enter training beaches and open
waters during amphibious training and underwater demolitions.
On FDM, migratory seabirds, federally endangered Micronesian
megapodes and Mariana fruit bats may be killed by ordnance or displaced
by a loss of habitat. These impacts are mitigated by avoiding certain
munitions and by relocating targets so that the majority of ordnance
delivered will avoid the most sensitive areas for nesting and roosting
birds. Formal consultation in accordance with Section 7 of the
[[Page 44907]]
Endangered Species Act has been completed and the protective measures
recommended in the biological opinions of USFWS and NMFS have been
adopted.
Due to the increased danger of field fires being caused by training
during periods of drought and high winds, fire prevention and response
plans will be enforced at all ranges and maneuver areas. During periods
of high risk, training activities with potential fire-causing effects
will be suspended as necessary. Crash-fire-rescue (CFR) vehicles will
be available during flight operations in case of a crash and resulting
fire.
Cultural Resources
The Preferred Training Land Use Alternative would not significantly
impact sites listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of
Historic Places (NRHP). Such sites located on land and off-shore could
be damaged by off-road vehicles, construction, rapid runway repair,
excavation, vandalism, small arms and mortar fire, and shock waves
generated by deepwater explosives. These impacts will be mitigated to
nonsignificant levels by designating areas with listed or eligible NRHP
sites as ``No Training'' or ``No Cultural Resources Disturbance''
areas, which would prohibit digging within three feet of historic
structures with concrete walls or in any cave, require pre-training
archaeological surveys in historic structures used for urban warfare
scenarios, and require post-training evaluation for evidence of impacts
that would require additional mitigation. The consultation process with
the CNMI and Guam Historic Preservation Offices has been completed in
accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
of 1966, 16 U.S.C. 470f (1994). A Programmatic Agreement has been
signed by the USCINCPAC REP GUAM/CNMI, CNMI Historic Preservation
Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)
regarding the conduct of military training on Tinian. The agreement
(signed in June 1999), provides direction in the identification of
historic properties, establishment of constrained areas, instructions
to training participants, field mitigation and monitoring, coordination
of training program revisions, response to public objections, reporting
requirements and proposed long-term site protection at Unai Chulu,
Tinian. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in June 1999 by the
USCINCPACREP GUAM/CNMI, COMNAVMARIANAS, 36th ABW, Guam Historic
Preservation Officer, and the ACHP identifies protective measures to be
carried out while developing live-fire weapons ranges in the Ordnance
Annex and activities on Northwest Field. The MOA also addresses the
continued use of constraints maps as one means to protect cultural
resources from training impacts.
Environmental Quality
The Preferred Training Land Use Alternative would not have a
significant impact on air quality, climate, geology, surface water
quality, flooding, or groundwater. Existing military standing operating
procedures (SOPs) and regulations prevent significant impacts on these
resources. Major construction projects once proposed on Tinian that
could have impacted groundwater quality will not be conducted at this
time. If any construction is proposed in the future, appropriate
environmental evaluations would be conducted. The concern that live-
fire ranges could cause lead contamination in groundwater has been
eliminated since there will be no small arms range development. The
military is also developing lead-free small-arms ordnance for all range
training.
Tinian Infrastructure
Wastewater disposal has been a major logistic issue for all large-
scale exercises. Tinian presently has no large-scale municipal
wastewater treatment facility and there has been concern that temporary
overuse of the systems would impact groundwater resources, air quality,
and public health. Leasing portable toilets, contracting pumping
services and disposing wastes in municipal systems was the standard
practice to handle large quantities of black-water wastes. The shared
use of municipal septic tanks during major exercises is no longer
necessary. Navy Public Works constructed a septic tank and leach field
based on the requirement to support up to 2,500 exercise personnel.
This tank was first available during Tandem Thrust 99 (March-April
1999). Its availability has eliminated concerns about cumulative
impacts on the island's municipal system capacity.
Tinian has no EPA-approved solid waste landfill and no hazardous
waste or hazardous material handling facility. Training activities
routinely generate varying amounts of solid waste (primarily cardboard
and paper) and may generate very small amounts of hazardous materials
and used oil. Collecting, compacting, and transporting solid wastes off
Tinian will continue as a requirement for any military exercise on
Tinian. The Tinian municipal landfill will not be used. Hazardous
materials, used oils and expended lithium batteries will be handled as
stipulated in exercise plans for removal from the island of Tinian to
authorized waste streams. Maintenance activities that could generate
hazardous materials will be minimized while on Tinian, with scheduled
maintenance conducted on military bases or while aboard ship.
Public Safety
The Preferred Training Land Use Alternative would not have a
significant impact on public health and safety. The COMNAVMARIANAS
policy limiting access to FDM remains in effect, allowing only active
duty, DoD-trained explosive-qualified personnel responsible for range
operations and maintenance. The proposal to expand the range for firing
ground weapons such as artillery, mortars, and anti-tank missiles is
not approved due to the existence of unexploded ordnance throughout the
island. Biological surveys will continue to be conducted from the air
by helicopter.
Range safety and control measures are presently in place on Guam at
Orote Peninsula, the Communications Annex at Finegayan, and Andersen
Air Force Base. Risks to public safety from projectiles from small arms
and rifle ranges will be avoided by adhering to range regulations,
conducting required range area sweeps and surveillance during training
on affected land and water areas, installing and maintaining coastal
warning devices of the presence of ranges, and temporarily restricting
range access when necessary. Prior to the activation of new and
modified live-fire training ranges on Guam, the ranges will be
evaluated and certified by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. At
the Ordnance Annex, the design will also be reviewed and approved by
the Naval Ordnance Command. The orientation of the sniper firing range
at Ordnance Annex has been modified to avoid intersection of the
range's Surface Danger Zone and a public hiking trail that infringes
Navy property.
The proposed small arms fire and maneuver range will not be
constructed on Tinian at this time. An alternative fire-and-maneuver
range site is being developed on a former small arms range at Orote
Point on Guam. This decision eliminates potential safety impacts to
civilians or non-training personnel who could encroach on the range
training area.
The proposed 60mm mortar range will not be developed on Tinian.
This eliminates potential safety risks due to unexploded ordnance
remaining in
[[Page 44908]]
areas that could be encroached by the public and difficult to control
access restrictions to 100 percent certainty.
Proposed construction of a permanent shooting house or breacher
trainer will not be undertaken on Tinian at this time. Whenever the
former World War Two Japanese Command Center is in use as a shooting
house, area access will be restricted. Alternative urban training
facilities are also available on Guam.
Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) and Notice to Mariners (NOTMARS) will be
published and broadcast to forewarn of naval gunfire and aerial
bombardment at FDM. The island range and its three-mile radius surface
danger zone will be surveyed prior to commencing training to ensure
that the area is clear of all non-training related activity.
Potential impacts between civilian and military aircraft will be
avoided through the coordinated efforts of military and FAA air traffic
controllers in accordance with military SOPs and FAA regulations.
NOTAMS will be published in advance of training that involves the use
of airspace over FDM, Tinian and Guam.
There will be no hazards to ordnance, fuel storage, and personnel
from electromagnetic radiation during training. Required clearance
distances are maintained between field emitter sites and ordnance,
fuel, and personnel. There would be no risk to public health caused by
transmissions from the International Broadcasting Bureau's site
recently constructed in the MLA on Tinian. The acreage has been removed
from the areas in the MLA used for training.
Impacts to boaters and divers from shallow and deepwater mines will
be avoided by continuing to clear and patrol demolition sites and
exclusion zones prior to all exercises. To avoid potential sympathetic
detonation of depth charges located on the Tokai Maru, a sunken
Japanese World War II vessel in Outer Apra Harbor, the present
demolition site will remain unchanged and the size of the explosive
charge limited to ten pounds.
Civilian ports of entry will not be significantly impacted. On
Tinian and Rota, approval from civilian authorities will be obtained 30
days prior to any exercise. To avoid significant impacts on customs and
immigration services, local authorities will be notified 30 days prior
to large exercises. Noise impacts from training at Tipalao and Dadi
beaches will be temporary. To eliminate potentially significant
impacts, training will be conducted during the day.
The Preferred Training Land Use Alternative will not have a
significant impact on roadways and traffic. Military traffic control
will be used as necessary to move military convoys through Tinian town.
AAVs using public roads will have track pads installed to avoid
damaging road surfaces.
Socioeconomic Environment
Tinian's relatively small population is isolated from many economic
opportunities that are available to Saipan residents. Training
activities offer potential economic benefits through the purchase of
local goods and services. Temporary exclusion of tours from active
training sites in the EMUA could have a negative effect. One casino
hotel has opened and another is planned, and cumulative socioeconomic
impacts may result from the combination of military training and
increased tourism.
USCINCPAC REP GUAM/CNMI will continue to provide advance
information to CNMI agencies and affected commercial enterprises
whenever military training safety considerations require temporary
restrictions to areas on Tinian normally open to the public. Affected
agencies and firms have requested at least a 30-day notice, which in
almost all instances can be accommodated. This interaction will include
the CNMI and Tinian municipal governments, the Commonwealth Port
Authority, and tourist agencies in advance of all training on Tinian
that may interfere with tourist activities in the MLA, nearshore waters
or the harbor. Whenever active training is not taking place in portions
of the MLA, these areas will be opened to visitors.
Underwater demolition by EOD and NSW units in Guam's Outer Apra
Harbor requires certain areas of the harbor (including a number of
popular dive sites) to be closed to civilian activities once a month
for approximately four hours. This public safety measure may cause loss
of income to commercial boat and dive operators. SOPs practiced by EOD
and NSW units will continue to provide advance information to affected
commercial firms so that they can seek alternative dive, boating and
fishing sites during the temporary closures. This process will continue
along with the use of NOTMARs and coordination with GEPA and DAWR to
actively observe and monitor training.
Executive Orders
The FEIS considered federal policies under Executive Orders
pertaining to Environmental Justice, Protection of Children from
Environmental Health and Safety Risks, Protection of Wetlands, Coral
Reef Protection, and Invasive Species, to ensure that training will be
conducted in compliance with said policies and that appropriate
mitigation actions will be taken to eliminate or reduce potentially
significant impacts.
Preventive practices to address the potentially significant impacts
that could be caused by brown tree snakes have been addressed and
remain a subject of periodic review and updates to ensure that the
latest proven methods have been incorporated. Appendix E of the FEIS
compiles the measures taken to prevent BTS impacts to date. An updated
order defining BTS control/interdiction protocols will be published by
COMNAVMARIANAS.
The prevention of coral damage or destruction was a primary
criterion in selecting beaches for landings by displacement hull
landing craft and tracked amphibious assault vehicles. The lack of
impact to shallow coral by LCACs was demonstrated at Unai Chulu,
Tinian, and similar studies will be conducted at Unai Dankulo, Tinian,
and Dadi Beach, Guam, prior to final approval as LCAC landing sites.
Marianas Training Management Regulations
Implementation of the Preferred Training Land Use Alternative
requires the COMNAVMARIANAS and 36th ABW to implement mitigation
measures and training constraints for their respective areas of
responsibility and to cooperate in monitoring and corrective measures.
The mitigation and constraints identified in the FEIS will be
incorporated into training orders and directives. Compliance with these
directives is the responsibility of each military organization involved
in Marianas training. The military will conduct advance coordination as
needed with agencies of the territorial and commonwealth governments
and affected commercial enterprises to avoid training area use
conflicts.
Comments Received on FEIS
The CNMI Historic Preservation Officer (HPO) identified an
additional cultural resource site in the vicinity of Unai Dankulo,
Tinian. The training constraints map for Tinian training will be
modified to incorporate an additional NCRD area south of the landing
beach site. The HPO also expressed concern regarding the lack of an
archaeological survey on FDM. Conducting such a survey is not feasible
due to potential danger to the surveyors since the island is an impact
area and replete with unexploded ordnance.
CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR) commented
[[Page 44909]]
on the need to follow LCAC operational protocols to protect the beach
environment. The lessons learned during LCAC operations at Unai Chulu,
Tinian during Tandem Thrust 99 will be incorporated into COMNAVMARIANAS
training orders. The department's Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW)
suggested a change in the timing for setting up portable BTS barriers
at cargo points on Guam and Tinian. When updating the BTS Control/
Interdiction protocols, the process for using portable snake barriers
at ports of entry and shipment will be defined by military
representatives and CNMI, Guam, and federal regulators.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX commented on the
BTS Control/Interdiction Plan update requirement, compensatory
mitigation measures for impacted biological resources, and prevention
of impacts by amphibious landings during coral spawning. COMNAVMARIANAS
will continue to monitor and mitigate these concerns as necessary.
Guam Environmental Protection Agency has concerns regarding
training at the Waterfront Annex's Dadi Beach and instead, favors the
use of the beach and waters at Tipalao for amphibious landings and
underwater demolition training. Site surveys and evaluations between
the Navy and GEPA will continue in regard to any activities at either
beach.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS, Wildlife Services provided a
list of lessons learned from Tandem Thrust 99 that will be incorporated
in the updated BTS Control/Interdiction directive.
U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife also identified
the need to update the COMNAVMARIANAS BTS Control/Interdiction Plan,
initiate compensatory mitigation for impacts to migratory seabirds on
FDM, and to initiate a Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultation
for target placement on FDM. This agency participated in the
development of the 1996 BTS Control/Interdiction Plan and will be asked
to participate in the process to update the plan as a COMNAVMARIANAS
BTS Control/Interdiction directive. Compensatory mitigation measures
will continue for endangered and threatened species. Target material
selection and placement is an ongoing action, which will be
incorporated in the update of the BTS Control/Interdiction directive.
Conclusion
USCINCPACREP GUAM/CNMI, in cooperation with federal, territorial
and commonwealth regulatory agencies, will conduct all necessary steps
to avoid or minimize environmental harm that could be caused by
military training.
The Preferred Training Land Use meets the purpose and need to train
in the Mariana Islands while avoiding or minimizing impacts on the
existing environment. The preferred alternative and its mitigation and
constraints are fully responsive to the concerns expressed by
regulatory agencies and members of the public, local economic
conditions, and required levels of public safety. Although the ``No
Training Alternative'' may be perceived as causing no significant
environmental impacts, it does not necessarily foster continued
stewardship in areas that will remain free of development, and does not
meet the stated purpose and need for maintaining the operational
readiness of USCINCPAC forces.
The EIS evaluated a mix of activities with variable schedules of
activities at each site, training event duration, and numbers and types
of participating units. The findings of the EIS reflect this dynamic
training environment and potential changes to military training
missions that require continuous environmental monitoring and
evaluation of direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts. Training
management measures will be modified whenever (1) it is discovered that
the environmental effects of ongoing activities are significantly and
qualitatively different or more severe than predicted, and (2) a new
training activity represents a substantial change from existing
activities and has the potential for generating significant
environmental impacts. Under these circumstances, USCINCPAC REP GUAM/
CNMI will review the issues with appropriate regulatory agency
representatives to determine and implement appropriate mitigation
measures.
Accordingly, training in the Mariana Islands will be conducted in a
manner that is consistent with the Preferred Training Land Use
Alternative as identified in the Marianas Training Environmental Impact
Statement.
Dated: July 28, 1999.
Rear Admiral J.W. Greenert,
USCINCPAC REP GUAM/CNMI.
[FR Doc. 99-21375 Filed 8-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-01-P
