Contents:
- NEPA Process
- Why Guam?
- Aircraft Carrier
- Army Air Missile Defense Task Force (AMDTF)
- Training
- Population Growth
- Land
- Drinking Water
- Roadways
- General
NEPA Process
What is NEPA?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) establishes requirements for federal agencies to conduct environmental planning prior to taking actions. The act also established the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which implements the provisions of NEPA by publishing regulations and guidance for integrating NEPA into federal decision making processes. Two major purposes of the NEPA process are better informed decision-making by federal agencies based upon an understanding of environmental consequences, and citizen involvement in decisions which affect the quality of the human environment. With some limited exceptions, all Federal agencies in the executive branch have to comply with NEPA for federal actions that could have environmental effects. Thus, NEPA applies to a very wide range of federal actions that include, but are not limited to, federal construction projects, plans to manage and develop federally owned lands, and federal approvals of non-federal activities such as grants, licenses, and permits.
What are the major steps in the EIS process?
There are several steps in the process of developing and finalizing an Environmental Impact Statement:
- An agency identifies a need for action and develops a proposal. If the agency identifies that the proposed action will result in potential significant impacts, an EIS is required.
- A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the EIS is published. The NOI outlines the purpose and need as well as the proposed action
- The NOI is followed by public scoping, which provides an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal and suggest areas that should be studied as part of the EIS process.
- A Draft EIS is prepared and published.
- The public is provided with at least 45 days to review and provide comments on the DEIS.
- A Final EIS is prepared. The Final EIS provides information on how public comments received on the Draft EIS were considered in finalizing the EIS.
- The agency signs a Record of Decision (ROD), which outlines the agency decision regarding the proposed action. The ROD also allows for implementation of mitigations measures, as applicable.
When did the process begin for the Guam/CNMI buildup EIS?
On March 7, 2007 a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register. The NOI briefly described the DoD's proposed actions and announced its intent to hold public scoping meetings. JGPO held a series of public scoping (information gathering) meetings on Guam, Saipan, and Tinian during April 2007. The intent of these meetings was to: (1) inform the public of DoD's proposed activities, and (2) seek input from the public regarding any concerns or issues related to the proposed activities. Over 900 comment letters containing over 10,000 delineated comments were received during scoping.
What happened with the comments submitted during scoping?
Public scoping comments were used to identify the significant issues to be analyzed in the DEIS, identify and eliminate from detailed review those issues that will not be significant or those that have been adequately covered in prior environmental review documents, identify gaps in data and informational needs, and identify other environmental review and consultation requirements integrated with the EIS process. Scoping comments were summarized and carried forward in the DEIS under each associated resource chapter.
How did the public submit comments to the DEIS?
Multiple opportunities were provided for submitting comments on the Draft EIS during the comment period, which was from November 20, 2009 (EST) through February 17, 2010 (EST). The public provided comments during public hearings; through the website at http://www.guambuildupeis.us/; or by mail by sending comments to: Joint Guam Program Office, c/o Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, 258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 96860-3134, Attention: GPMO.
Six public hearings were held in January 2010 on the following dates (Guam) at the following locations:
- January 7 at Southern High School in Santa Rita, Guam
- January 9 at the University of Guam Field House in Mangilao, Guam;
- January 11 at the Yigo Gymnasium in Yigo, Guam;
- January 12 at Okkodo High School in Dededo, Guam;
- January 14 at Tinian Elementary School in San Jose, Tinian; and
- January 15 at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, Saipan.
What happened with the comments submitted on the DEIS?
All comments were reviewed, analyzed, and considered. All issues or concerns raised through public comments were identified and appropriately considered in preparation of the Final EIS.
Is there a process to inform the public of the changes that occur from the comments they submit during public comment period and what is actually in the Final EIS?
Volume 10 of the Final EIS displays the comments received and responses to these comments, informing the public how their comments were considered and the resulting changes, as applicable.
Who reviewed and answered the comments that the public submitted?
DOD reviewed and prepared responses to the comments on the DEIS. As appropriate, DOD collaborated with other federal agencies and the White House Council on Environmental Quality to develop resolutions to significant issues.
What do you mean by “alternatives”?
The analysis of alternatives is the heart of the EIS process. Alternatives are other approaches to accomplish the proposed action. An example would be different solutions to connect two cities separated by a river. One alternative may be to build a bridge over the river, another alternative may be to build a tunnel under the river, and a third alternative may be to build a road to a point along the river where an existing bridge or tunnel may already exist. In addition to considering alternatives to the proposed action, the NEPA process requires that the “no action” alternative also be considered.
Does the FEIS consider alternatives which are not considered the preferred alternative?
Yes. Under NEPA, a range of reasonable alternatives must be rigorously explored and objectively evaluated throughout the EIS process. The final selection of which alternative to be implemented is made in the Record of Decision.
Is no action an alternative?
Yes. Under the “No Action" alternative, the proposed actions would not be implemented.
We hear a lot about the negative impacts the build-up will have. Does the FEIS provide any analysis or studies of the positive impacts the build-up will have?
Yes, the FEIS identifies beneficial impacts on several resource areas from the proposed actions. These include positive impacts on the economy from tax revenues and employment, proposed roadway improvements, potential improvements to Guam utilities systems, and possible improvements to water quality and coral reefs in Guam’s coastal waters.
Why Guam?
Did you consider in the FEIS places to relocate the Marines other than Guam?
In considering the overarching purpose of the proposed actions, which is to locate U.S. military forces to meet international agreement and treaty obligations and to fulfill U.S .national security policy requirements to provide mutual defense, deter aggression, and dissuade coercion in the western Pacific region, U.S. operational commanders looked at a range of options for the location of Marine Corps forces being realigned from Okinawa. Their analysis concluded that Guam provided the flexibility and proximity to the region to ensure the USMC capabilities were ready and effective, while contributing to regional deterrence, assurance, and crisis response. The FEIS outlines the factors leading to the selection of Guam and the elimination of other possible locations.
Why is it important to build a wharf for a transient nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Guam?
One of the goals of the realignment is to fulfill U.S. national security policy requirements in the western Pacific region. A key element in achieving this goal is increased presence of U.S aircraft carrier battle groups in the region. Supporting this increased presence without creating a permanent homeport and incurring the substantial expense associated with facilities to support a permanent homeport requires that a transient berthing capability be present in the region. Because Guam offers increased freedom of action, better logistics and supply capabilities, and a better posture for force protection than other locations, it was the best choice for construction and operation of a transient nuclear powered aircraft carrier berth.
Why is it important to locate an Army missile defense task force on Guam?
Due to recent development of ballistic missile capability and threats from non-allied nations, the U.S. has developed a ballistic missile defense capability. Placement of this capability in Guam would provide a direct and forward-based defense against such capabilities and threats and protect U.S. national security interests.
Why does the military need to train on Guam? Why can’t they train in Hawaii, California, or elsewhere?
The Marines must continually train and improve their individual and unit skills in order to be prepared to respond to a wide range of contingencies, crises, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief scenarios throughout the Pacific. Without continual training and skill development, Marines will not maintain their required mission readiness, thus jeopardizing the unit’s mission and the lives of their fellow service members.
Why was CNMI not considered or selected for the new Marine Corps Base?
The CNMI was reviewed as a potential location for the Marine Corps basing in response to comments received during public scoping. Guam was a more operationally favorable choice due to its existing deep water port for Navy ships, existing military airfield, other existing military facilities, and access to significant land mass under DoD control.
Aircraft Carrier
How often will the aircraft carrier and escort ships visit the Port of Guam? How many people will be on the ships, and will they stay in town?
Up to 3 visits per year, with each visit averaging 21 days or less. Of the approximately 5,800 people on board a carrier, only 1,900 will be allowed to leave the ship at any one time. It is expected that there will be a significant boost to the economy during carrier port visits.
Army Air Missile Defense Task Force (AMDTF)
Why is part of the Army (AMDTF) analysis in an appendix not available to the general public?
The location and positioning of weapons (called "emplacement") related to the Army AMDTF action is classified. The general areas are not classified, but the proposed configurations within the areas are classified. Therefore, detailed weapons emplacement information is contained in a Classified Appendix (Appendix L) that is only available to regulatory agency reviewers with the appropriate security clearance.
Will the Army be firing missiles as part of their training on Guam?
No live-fire missile launch training is proposed on Guam or in the CNMI in the Final EIS.
Training
Will training occur at all hours of the night?
Night training is an essential element of military training, and is proposed on Guam. Most night training can be accomplished prior to 10 PM but there will be occasions when training will occur throughout the night. The public will be notified beforehand when extended periods of night training are scheduled.
Will aircraft flight patterns change? Will there be more flights? What type of aircraft will be used?
An increase of 31,204 flight operations per year at Andersen Air Force Base is proposed. Various aircraft would be used, including both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. There would be no change to the aircraft approach and departure patterns at Andersen Air Force Base or Won Pat International Airport. Several new landing zones for helicopters would be established at Andersen South and Navy Munitions Site.
Population Growth
What is total population growth from the buildup including construction?
Using what we call “adaptive program management,” the pace and sequencing of construction will be adjusted as necessary to stay within the limitations of Guam’s utilities, port, roadways, and other systems. Adjusting the pace of construction will likely lessen the number of off-island workers needed. We are also proposing to stretch out the arrival of Marines and their families from Okinawa. As a result, the maximum population growth at the peak of construction will be significantly less than the 80,000 people mentioned in the DEIS. Although it is not possible to determine the exact number of additonal personnel at the peak, one notional scenario presented in the FEIS reflects a more realistic peak population growth of approximately 41,000 during construction, with a decline and leveling off at approximately 34,000 persons after construction has completed. The number of construction workers, military members and their families allowed to come to Guam would be based on the ability of Guam’s infrastructure to handle the projected demands of forecasted construction and population growth.
Will there be any additional people coming for training?
In addition to the 8,600 permanent Marines, there will be a consistent presence of up to 2,000 transient personnel who will use the training ranges on both Guam and Tinian.
Where will workers live?
Individual construction contractors are responsible for providing for safe, quality housing for foreign workers. While the decision of where to locate this housing is up to the contractors, DOD, the Government of Guam, and contractors are and will continue to coordinate on all workforce housing and logistics matters. According to interviews with Government of Guam officials and a review of pending construction applications, it is expected that workers will live primarily in northern and central Guam.
How many workers will be required for construction? How many are anticipated to be H2 workers?
Assuming a desired completion date of 2014, at the peak of construction in early 2014 it is estimated that there will be approximately 21,000 construction workers. Of that total, approximately 18,400 would come from off-island, with approximately 13,300 of those workers being H2B visa laborers.
Which Marines are moving? How many will go to Guam?
Elements of the III Marine Expeditionary Force would relocate to Guam from Okinawa. Approximately 8,600 Marines and 9,000 dependents would move to the island.
Will all housing be on base or can we expect that some Marines and their families will live in the community?
Our planning is for all military and military dependents to be housed on the base. This will minimize the impacts to the local public roads and traffic congestion. However, like with any military installation, some Marines and their family members may choose to live off-base.
Land
Has the Department of Defense made its final decision to use non-DoD land?
DoD is following federal environmental laws and planning processes to determine the best locations for the facilities and ranges necessary for the military realignment. The military is also considering feedback collected through discussions with village mayors, Government of Guam officials, and the Guam Legislature, as well as in public comments. The Final EIS identifies preferred alternatives for housing and training ranges which would require use of property currently controlled by the Government of Guam and private owners. However, no final decisions have been made regarding the implementation of these preferred alternatives, nor if and the method to be used for gaining access to non-DoD lands.
Drinking Water
I heard that DoD was going to use water from our aquifer, and there would be not be enough fresh water for the residents of Guam. Is this true?
DoD is committed to protecting all of Guam's natural resources, particularly its sole source (Northern) aquifer. Studies show that the aquifer can support the project water needs for both DoD and the residents of Guam, both in the short term at the peak of construction, and in the long term once the military relocation is complete. DoD is working closely with the Guam EPA, the US EPA, and the Guam Water Authority to share and monitor the aquifer and ensure its protection and use by all. All parties believe that, with proper, coordinated management of the aquifer, there is adequate water supply to support the needs of both the military and the community.
Additionally, the FEIS, Volume 6 has been updated to include the latest information on DoD’s plan to share excess water capacity with GWA during the construction period to offset off-base water supply shortfalls. The Final EIS discusses DoD's proposal to provide additional water capacity to the DoD system of 11.28 MGD, which is anticipated to be met by installation of new wells and rehabilitation of existing wells. DoD also proposes to interconnect the DoD water transmission system to the GWA water distribution to allow for more efficient transfer of water to GWA at locations closest to where water is needed. These transfer points would limit water loss and degradation of water quality by minimizing time water is spent in GWAs substandard distribution system. DoD is seeking approximately $159 million (M) from the Government of Japan to finance the new DoD water system.
Roadway
What roadway improvements are proposed (prior, during and post construction)?
There will be both on base and off base roadway improvements. Improvements include pavement strengthening, roadway widening, intersection improvements, bridge replacements, road relocation, and new road construction. New construction is proposed for the Route 1 and 16 intersections to South Finegayan. Road relocation is proposed for Route 15. Improvements are proposed for Routes 1, 9, 25, 2A, 10, 26, 3, 11, 27, 5, 12, 28, 8, Chalan Lujuna, 8A and 16. This work would take place between 2011 and 2016. Funding for these improvements would be provided through DOD’s Defense Access Roads program.
General
When will construction start?
The Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in September 2010. Once the ROD is signed, contracts can be awarded to begin the process of developing facilities and infrastructure. It will likely take several months for contractors to mobilize, complete designs, and begin actual construction activities. Construction will slowly ramp up instead of rapidly starting.