In a response to Pfannenstiel’s earlier letter, Cruz said he is worried that the Department of Defense will exceed its existing footprint.
“It is with this knowledge that I strongly urge the DOD to meet its needs within the inventory already possessed by the department,” Cruz wrote. “As a colonel in the Guam Army National Guard, I understand the security needs of our nation, but those needs must be balanced with Guam’s abiding responsibility to preserve our culture, protect our environment, and foster a better life for Guam’s future generations.”
Pfannenstiel earlier wrote, “I believe we have resolved several issues of mutual concern. For example, as stated during our meeting, we are firmly committed to staying within the capacity of Guam’s infrastructure.”
However, nowhere in the letter from Pfannenstiel was the issue of Pagat addressed.
“The Pagat site is not simply a plot of land; it is a symbol of our people’s ancient culture, natural environment, and inalienable right to determine our future for ourselves,” Cruz wrote.
Over the last few weeks, at the release of the final environmental impact statements, and during visits from federal officials, rumors had circulated that the use of Pagat for a military firing range came at the suggestion of the office of the governor.
“Though it would be inappropriate to speculate on a rumor, ‘do not shoot over the west coast of Guam’ does not mean the same thing as ‘please shoot over Pagat,’ ” said Carlo Branch, an aide to Cruz.
In the draft environmental impact statement, it states, “The west coast alternatives…were eliminated following the advice of the Office of the Governor.”
