The impact of the overall range complex on the historic Pagat Village Cave and the trail leading into the area has been the subject of local protests and a pending lawsuit in Hawaii.
For months, Guthertz has asked for a map that accurately reflects the location of the hand grenade range that was originally proposed for a firing range complex in the Pagat area. Previous planning documents stated that the grenade facility would make former Sen. Ten Nelson’s home, “completely unlivable during range operations and also pose noise pollution threats to dozens of other local residences.”
In response, Pfannenstiel wrote, “We are evaluating how to conduct training while honoring this commitment and until surveys, data collection, and comprehensive analysis are complete, we will not have an accurate map of the proposal [sic] range complex available.”
According to Pfannenstiel, as part of its effort to meet the challenges to the original site, the Department of the Navy has realigned the range to an area along Route 15, and Navy has given no indication that there might be plans for the range site anywhere else in Guam, said Guthertz.
Pfannenstiel wrote that if the Navy commits to placing the live-fire training range complex in the Route 15 area, “we will optimize our range designs, including the location of the hand grenade range, to minimize impacts on the Nelson residence to the greatest extent practicable.”
“That’s a big ‘if,’” said Guthertz. “This is the first time that the Navy or the Department of Defense has every used the word ‘if’ in communicating with the Guam Legislature regarding the proposed firing range on Route 15.”
