President and chairman of the Tinian Chamber of Commerce Philip Mendiola-Long said in an e-mail that their group is “becoming increasingly concerned that Bordallo continues to offer Tinian as the ‘preferred’ alternative site for the unwanted additional live fire ranges on Guam without the consent of the Tinian residents.”
Mendiola-Long said although Tinian is already a Department of Defense preferred site location for four live fire ranges, the suggestion to relocate the proposed Guam-Pagat live-fire range to Tinian has not been evaluated or studied.
“It is premature to label Tinian as the ‘preferred’ alternative,” Mendiola-Long said.
He said only after a study on the historical, environmental and social impacts of any additional ranges on Tinian is completed will they be able to determine if the island is actually a “preferred” alternative.
“Until then, we recommend that Congresswoman Bordallo uses her powers in Congress to direct infrastructure development on Tinian rather than suggesting Tinian accepts what Guam does not want,” he said.
Mendiola-Long said accommodating some of the ranges and part of the hosting of U.S. Marines would be ideal for Tinian and its people, but “it is unacceptable: if they accommodate only the live fire ranges, zero infrastructure developments, zero economic impact and significant negative environmental impact.”
Mendiola-Long said the Tinian Chamber of Commerce wants to work with Bordallo to ensure that Tinian is treated fairly in the military buildup.
Bordello has been quoted as saying that “she is encouraged by the Navy’s decision to not finalize the firing range location until further consultation, but that she still believes that Tinian is the preferred alternative for the training range instead of Route 15 and Pagat.”
