Controversial Guam Firing Range Back Under Consideration

The Naval Computer and Telecommunication Station was previous discussed and dismissed as a location for the firing range — in part because of objection from the public — but now the proposal is one of four locations to be contemplated again.

At this point, the military has not yet released details on what the new proposal for the NCTS firing range would look like, but the military’s 2009 plan for a similar range is still available online.

That design would have extended several firing range safety zones off the western shoreline of the island, severely restricting access to popular fishing areas and scuba diving sites like Double Reef.

If the range is built on NCTS, these waters would be closed 45 weeks a year, according to the draft Environmental Impact Statement from 2009.

“… Comments raised during the scoping from the general public and subsequent discussions with GovGuam officials specifically recommended against siting training ranges in this area because of concerns about impacts to public access of the reaction sites,” states the draft Environmental Impact Statement from 2009.

On Thursday, the Joint Guam Program Office announced that the military would reconsider seven options in four locations for the Marine firing range. The options include configurations that have been discussed at length — including Route 15 and Naval Magazine — along with the previously dismissed options Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Computer and Telecommunication Stations.

The military is using a new modeling system to plan out the firing range, so it can now consider building the ranges in areas that were previously deemed to small, said Maj. Darren Alvarez, deputy director of JGPO Forward on Thursday.

But the revival of the NCTS firing range option will be a concern for many, including the Guam Visitors Bureau, said Deputy Director Nathan Denight.

“The whole west side of the island is quiet crowded (with tourist attractions,) so we would definitely have our concerns about putting a range over there,” Denight said. “We are open to seeing how the plans develops, and of course we are supportive of the buildup as a whole.”

In addition to the direct impact of dive sites, Denight said he was concerned that a Finegayan firing range would be bracketed by Two Lovers’ Point and Ritidian Beach. Since this NCTS firing range option hasn’t been fully studied yet, its not clear if these other beaches would be affected, leaving unanswered questions, Denight said.

“For example, when you are looking at the beautiful Two Lovers’ view, would you be hearing machine gun fire?

The proposal is equally concerning for fisherman and boaters, said Manny Duenas, president of the Guam Fisherman’s Coop.

An existing small firing range already limits access to the waters off of NCTS, but many fishermen still prefer to troll these waters for wahoo and mahi mahi. This area also is affordable to fish at because Guam’s marinas are on the West coast, Duenas said. It costs a “ludicrous” amount of gas to fish on the East coast, he said.

Dolphin watching tours sometimes head to this area too, he said.

“It’s a no win situation for the boating community in general. I lot of people love Double Reef,” Duenas said.

Lee Webber, who is a vocal buildup proponent, but also president of the Micronesia Diver’s Association, said rough weather already limit scuba access to Double Reef. Webber said he believes the military can find a better spot for the range than the island’s west coast, but ultimately every option will be controversial to somebody.

For example, the Route 15 options have already sparked protests for their proximity to Pagat Village. Naval Magazine is covered in hundreds of historic sites. Even Northwest Field could create problems for overhead airplanes, Webber said.

The military won’t find an option that isn’t controversial, he said, so they might have to settle for whatever is the “least” controversial.

“You have to have Marines that are trained. They have to train with live ammunition and they have to train in realistic circumstances if you expect them to fight and win on your behalf — which you want them to do,” Webber said. “So, the question is, what are you willing to trade for your freedom when it comes to a range?”

Webber is former publisher of the Pacific Daily News.

Source: The Pacific Islands Report