Navy Releases Record of Decision for Guam / Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Military Relocation

The Department of Navy announced today the release of the record of decision (ROD) on the Guam and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Military Relocation Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

The ROD, a document required at the conclusion of the environmental review of a federal project or program, outlines the decisions the Navy has made to implement the proposed realignment actions and specifies associated with the mitigation measures.  These decisions are the result of thorough consideration of public and resource agency comments on the EIS, interagency discussions, and ongoing discussions with the Guam and CNMI communities and leadership.

The ROD includes the Navy’s decision to implement the preferred alternatives as identified in the FEIS for the main base, aviation and waterfront operations for approximately 8,600 Marines and their 9,000 family members who will relocate from Okinawa to Guam. The Army has decided to implement its preferred alternative for placement of an air missile defense task force should it be assigned this mission on Guam.

As stated in the FEIS, the Navy will defer a decision on a specific location for a transient nuclear powered aircraft carrier berth in Apra Harbor and will voluntarily collect additional data on marine resources in the two alternative site locations.

The Navy has also deferred a decision on the location of training ranges for the Marine Corps forces pending completion of the Section 106 consultation process under the National Historic Preservation Act.

“The decisions in the ROD begin the long-term strategic realignment of U.S. forces on Guam,” said Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations and environment, who signed the ROD. “In reaching these decisions, we carefully considered the many comments received throughout the EIS process. We recognize that there are issues remaining to be addressed and we look forward to working with the people of Guam and CNMI to implement the military relocation in a way that will benefit the community at large – both military and civilian.”