Set for July 28 to 31, the meetings called “5th Guam/CNMI Partnering Sessions” will discuss the ecological effects and other challenges that will result from the military buildup on Guam.
According to John B. Joyner, director of Coastal Resources Management and the point person of the event, the first part of the military sessions will be held on Saipan from July 29 to 30, while the latter part will be held on Tinian on July 31.
“Since Tinian is going to get the brunt of the [buildup] of the military, would it be more fitting to do the whole session down there?” asked Hofschneider, R-Tinian and chairman of the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs. “We have facilities. We have venue down there appropriate for this activity.”
Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinian, agreed.
According to Hofschneider, he has not communicated with the concerned agencies organizing the activity, but he suggests that they “highly consider” holding the sessions on Tinian.
He said the island has sufficient hotel accommodations and conference halls for the sessions.
“They can do it at our multi-purpose center. They can even do it at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino if they have the money,” he added.
Joyner said the Joint Guam Program Office chooses the venues for the sessions.
“The reality is, we are CNMI,” he added, saying any military buildup will affect the entire commonwealth and not just Tinian.
The military sessions are expected to be held at the Fiesta Resort and Spa on Saipan.
The members of the U.S. military will also tour some sites on Tinian and have lunch at Tinian Dynasty.
The organizers of the upcoming sessions include CRM, the Division of Environmental Quality, the Historic Preservation Office, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
