CNMI, Navy discussions about Pagan remain on back burner
Discussions about the military's proposed acquisition of Pagan have been on hold since 2017.
CNMI, Navy discussions about Pagan remain on back burner Discussions about the military's proposed acquisition of Pagan have been on hold since 2017. Check out this story on guampdn.com: https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2019/08/29/cnmi-governors-office-no-plans-discussions-navy-pagan/2148976001/
Steve Limtiaco, Pacific Daily News USA TODAY Network Published 11:02 p.m. ChT Aug. 29, 2019
Pagan's shoreline, as seen from the ocean in 2015. (Photo: Courtesy of Peter Perez/Chamorro.com)
The Navy has said it wants to acquire the island of Pagan from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, but the CNMI governor doesn't have any immediate plans to discuss the issue, according to the governor's office.
Discussions about the military's training plans for the CNMI, including the proposed acquisition of Pagan, have been on hold since 2017 so the CNMI could focus on negotiating with the military for a backup airfield on Tinian, according to the governor's office.
The "divert airfield" agreement, finalized this summer, will allow the Air Force to build an airfield to serve as a backup in the event Guam's Andersen Air Force Base is damaged or otherwise unavailable.
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"When Gov. (Ralph) Torres requested to place discussions in abeyance in 2017, it was to ensure that a proper engagement protocol was agreed by both parties on all military activities in the CNMI and that focus would be on the divert program and its benefits for the people of Tinian and the Marianas," said governor's spokesman Kevin Bautista.
Although the Tinian airfield agreement has been signed, other issues related to the airfield project still must be addressed, Bautista said. That means talks about the use of Pagan and other training options proposed by the Navy remain on hold, he said.
"Ongoing discussions remain about steps moving forward on (the Tinian airfield's) construction and implementation, as well as infrastructure improvements and community benefits for the people of Tinian and the Marianas," he said.
Navy training proposal for the CNMI
The Navy in 2015 issued a draft environmental impact statement spelling out its training proposal for the CNMI, including using all of Pagan for training exercises. The northern part of Pagan would be used for target practice by heavy artillery, and the southern part would be used to train special forces in beach assaults.
The proposed military training in the CNMI is the subject of an ongoing federal lawsuit by opponents of the plan, including Paganwatch, Tinian Women Association, Guardians of Gani' and the Center for Biological Diversity. The groups have a Sept. 9 deadline to file their next set of briefs with the U.S. Ninth Court of Appeals.
The groups have argued the proposed CNMI military training is part of the overall Guam military buildup and by law should have been assessed as part of the Guam buildup instead of separately. A federal judge ruled against that argument, so opponents appealed to the Ninth Circuit.
Federal attorneys have told the court the Navy is substantially revising its training plans in response to public comment.
Plans for agricultural homesteads
The military's plans for Pagan could be impacted by an ongoing effort by the CNMI government to repopulate the island, which has been mostly abandoned since a volcanic eruption in 1981. The military, in its 2015 training proposal, didn't take into account the presence of people on Pagan.
The CNMI plans to issue agricultural homesteads on Pagan, which would allow leaseholders to eventually own the property. The island is entirely owned by the CNMI government.
The issuance of Pagan homesteads has been on hold because the CNMI's homestead law has a residency requirement which makes it nearly impossible for anyone to qualify for a Pagan homestead. The CNMI Legislature is considering an amendment to eliminate the residency requirement.
"The governor emphasized back then and continues today that he and members of our Legislature understand the significance these decisions have on the culture, the environment, and the quality of life for our people. Gov. Torres and this administration's sense of duty to the people of our islands will continue to guide discussions forward," Bautista said.
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