VIDEO: Gov. Inos Says He Won't Support Artillery Ranges on Pagan or Tinian, for Safety Reasons

Last Updated on Friday, 24 January 2014 17:21  

Written by PNC Saipan Correspondent Mark Rabago 

Friday, 24 January 2014 08:07

 

Saipan -  CNMI Gov. Eloy S. Inos is opposing the Department of Defense’s plan to set up live-fire training ranges on Pagan and Tinian for safety reasons and urged the U.S. military to stick to the original plan to use “small arms” for training on the latter.

The governor told Saipan Tribune that it was never envisioned that Tinian will host artillery, which he described as “big guns.” He said live-fire training ranges using “small arms” were initially planned on Tinian and that’s something that’s acceptable to the CNMI.

Inos also emphasized that having military training on Tinian “300 days a year, 24/7” will have its negative impacts.

He, however, conceded that keeping DoD from setting up live-fire ranges for artillery on Pagan is an uphill battle.

The governor said what the U.S. military is envisioning for Pagan is “more intense” than the bombings on Farallon de Mendinilla.