2 days ago
Environmental concerns take centre stage as US military releases revised CNMI plan
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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The US military's updated proposal to expand troop training in the Northern Mariana Islands is again drawing close scrutiny from environmentalists, cultural advocates, and local residents concerned about its long-term impact on Tinian's ecosystem.
But the Marine Corps said it will use public feedback to refine or adjust its plans.
Among local concerns is the potential threat to endangered species and sensitive habitats, particularly the Tinian monarch, a small native bird that inhabits the same forested areas proposed for live-fire exercises.
The Tinian monarch
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Conservation groups fear that expanded training activities - such as ground maneuvers, construction of targets, and aircraft landings - could degrade nesting grounds and lead to further population decline.
There is also worry about bat species, migratory birds, and native vegetation that have already been stressed by development, invasive species, and climate change.
While the revised plan excludes Pagan Island from the training footprint, concerns remain about Tinian's shoreline integrity, especially if support facilities near the coast are developed or expanded.
Cultural preservationists are also sounding the alarm over potential damage to historic and ancestral sites, some of which have yet to be formally surveyed.
These include burial grounds, latte stones, and WWII-era structures that carry spiritual and historical significance to the Chamorro and Carolinian peoples. The plan calls for site avoidance strategies, but critics argue that without full documentation and enforcement, irreversible damage remains a possibility.
These concerns set the stage for the release of the 'revised draft environmental impact statement' for the US Marine Corps' CNMI joint military training proposal, which reworks earlier plans from 2015.
The updated statement drops Pagan from consideration and narrows the scope of activities on Tinian to areas already leased to the Department of Defense. It introduces three new training alternatives that include live-fire ranges, convoy training areas, and rotary-wing landing zones.
The document marks the beginning of a 75-day public review period from 6 June through 20 August, and the military is encouraging residents to weigh in through public meetings and formal comment submissions.
The Marine Corps said it will use public feedback to refine or adjust its plans before issuing a final environmental impact statement.
