By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Now is the time to ask questions and add community input to the Missile Defense Agency's plan to conduct flight tests of the Guam missile defense system, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said.
"We strongly encourage the public to participate, review the plans, and ask their questions. This is a critical time to ensure our concerns are addressed, particularly for our families closest to the proposed exercises," the governor said.
An open house public meeting is also scheduled for July 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dededo Senior Center.
"This will be an important flight test to validate the interoperability of
multiple sensors and interceptor systems from MDA, Army and Navy that could
become part of a missile defense system to protect Guam," said John Bier, program director for the MDA's Guam Defense System.
"Public safety and environmental health are vital considerations to MDA, and we are happy to share our assessments for both with the people of Guam," he added.
The deadline for submitting public comments on the Environmental Assessment Overseas Environmental Assessment is Aug. 2.
"Your input is invaluable in shaping decisions that impact our community, and we encourage everyone to engage in this process for the protection of Guam,” the governor said.
Military officials on Tuesday briefed Guam leaders on the environmental assessment.
According to the Joint Region Marianas, the briefing discussed the proposed missile defense flight test or target tracking exercises conducted from Anderson Air Force Base or at sea from a Navy ship in the western Pacific Ocean.
The briefing was the first of many presentations the Missile Defense Agency and cooperating agencies are providing to island leaders, including members of the Guam Legislature, the Mayors’ Council of Guam, the Guam delegate, and the Guam Chamber of Commerce.
“We were highly encouraged by today’s briefing and the openness of the lead and cooperating agencies in responding to all of our questions. We recognize that this same presentation and team of experts will be available for all upcoming sessions,” said the governor.
“Our expectation is for the Department of Defense to provide specific information on the impact that the Guam test flight will have on any affected private landowners and the people of Guam," Tenorio said in an earlier letter to MDA.
"Our nation has a responsibility for the safety and security of our people, and I am confident that the intention of (the Department of Defense) is to provide us with this safety. That being said, we urge the D0D to ensure that their plans have minimal if no impact on the quality of life for our people–especially the private landowners in potentially impacted areas.”
The EIS, prepared by MDA, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard, sought to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed missile defense flight tests or target-tracking exercises.
The proposed action includes up to two flight tests or tracking exercises per year over 10 years starting fiscal 2025. According to the MDA, these activities are to validate the interoperability of multiple sensors and interceptor systems of a missile defense system being developed to protect Guam.
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