The United States military will conduct a second draft environmental impact statement for its plans in the Northern Marianas after strong opposition was voiced regarding the first draft.
Photo: AFP
The deadline for public comment on the document passed on Friday after being extended twice because of an undersea cable breakdown and Typhoon Soudelor.
The Marine Corps now says potential impacts on groundwater and coral from live-fire training needs further analysis.
Earlier consultants hired by the CNMI government said a new round of public comment was needed.
The Historic Preservation Office criticised the statement for not including the local Chamorro and Carolinian languages and says there was an improper scope of analysis.
Our correspondent Mark Rabago says it also came under strong criticism from the CNMI governor.
"Governor Eloy Inos in his cover letter in his comments to the EIS insists that the navy's proposed actions are presenting an existential threat, quote/unquote, to the two islands' tourism-driven economy, fragile ecosystem and cultural resources. Basically they are saying that the CNMI cannot survive if these plans are pushed through."
